Chronic Pain

offered in Scottsdale, Mesa and Phoenix, AZ

Getting an accurate diagnosis for chronic pain is often challenging. Fortunately, the Integrated Pain Consultants team specializes in diagnosing chronic pain at their offices in Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix, Arizona. Nikesh Seth, MD, and the highly skilled pain experts offer multiple treatment choices, from physical therapies and medication to ultrasound-guided injections and implantable devices. Call your nearest Integrated Pain Consultants office today or complete the online booking form to schedule a chronic pain evaluation.

Chronic Pain Q & A

Why do I have chronic pain?

Chronic pain lasts for more than six months. It can be a symptom of numerous conditions, including:

Fibromyalgia
Cancer
Arthritis
Sciatica
Whiplash injuries
Spinal stenosis
Degenerative disc disease
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Peripheral neuropathy
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
Phantom limb pain following amputation
Scoliosis
Myofascial pain syndrome
Trigeminal and occipital neuralgia

Infections and other diseases can also cause chronic pain, including shingles.

The reasons these conditions cause pain vary. For example, arthritis damages the bones inside your joints, creating friction and inflammation, while with cancer, pain often develops when tumors press on bones, organs, or other tissues.

With neuropathic pain conditions, the problem comes from damaged or faulty nerves. That could be from injury, illness, compression, or an abnormality in the affected nerve. In some cases, the cause is unclear.

How do I get an accurate chronic pain diagnosis?

Your provider starts by conducting a physical exam and reviewing your symptoms and medical history. To confirm a diagnosis and gather information on the extent of any damage, you might need diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.

Some conditions, like fibromyalgia and CRPS, aren’t easy to diagnose because no tests exist to confirm them. However, certain diseases have specific pain patterns or symptoms. Your provider carefully rules out other potential causes before confirming a diagnosis.

What treatments can help with chronic pain?

Treating the underlying cause of chronic pain is the priority. For example, addressing spinal problems with chiropractic adjustments or using medications to cure an infection. However, chronic pain is often a lifelong challenge with no cure.

The Integrated Pain Consultants team designs a personalized treatment plan that might include some of the following:

Physical therapy
Chiropractic care
Pain medication
Anticonvulsant medication
Antidepressants for pain control
Epidural injections
Medial branch or facet joint injections
Nerve blocks
Hyaluronic acid injections for joint pain
Ketamine infusions
Medical Botox® injections
Suboxone therapy
Manipulation under anesthesia
Radiofrequency ablation
Spinal cord stimulation

The best treatments for you will vary depending on your condition and its severity.

If you struggle with chronic pain, get expert help by calling Integrated Pain Consultants today or schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.