Pain management

Pain management at TidalHealth focuses on reducing suffering, improving daily function, and helping you enjoy a better quality of life. Our goal is not only to relieve symptoms but also to understand underlying causes and create a personalized plan using medical, interventional, rehabilitative, and behavioral strategies for both acute and chronic pain.

What We Treat
We help people with many types of pain, including back and neck pain, arthritis, neuropathy, headaches and migraines, post-surgical pain, cancer-related pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and injury-related pain. Each plan is tailored to your condition, pain severity, previous treatments, other health considerations, and personal goals.

Our Approach

• Medication management, including non-opioid pain relievers, neuropathic agents, and carefully monitored opioids if needed
• Interventional treatments such as trigger point injections, nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation
• Physical and occupational therapy to restore movement and function
• Psychological support including cognitive behavioral therapy, coping strategies, and relaxation techniques
• Comprehensive programs combining multiple strategies for complex pain

What to Expect
During your first visit, specialists review your history, records, and how pain affects your daily life. A focused physical exam helps the team create a short- and long-term plan together. For interventional treatments, the process, benefits, risks, and aftercare are explained. Most outpatient procedures use local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. Mild soreness afterward is common, and clear instructions are provided for home care. Some treatments provide quick relief, while others require time to show results.

Recovery and Follow-Up Care
Recovery varies by treatment. Many people return to normal routines within a day or two after minimally invasive care, while larger treatments or rehab programs may take longer. Follow-up visits help monitor progress, adjust therapies or medications, and coordinate care with other providers.

Safety and Realistic Expectations
Our focus is on reducing pain and improving daily function rather than promising complete elimination of pain. Risks vary by treatment, and all options are discussed so you can make informed decisions. We prioritize safe medication use and non-opioid approaches whenever possible.

When to Seek Immediate Care
Contact us or go to an emergency department if pain comes with sudden weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever with worsening pain, signs of infection at a treatment site (redness, swelling, or drainage), or rapidly worsening symptoms.

What is pain management and who can benefit?
Pain management at TidalHealth helps reduce pain and improve daily function. People with acute injuries, post-surgical pain, chronic conditions like back pain, arthritis, neuropathy, and cancer-related pain may benefit.

Will treatments eliminate my pain completely?
Many treatments reduce pain and improve quality of life, but complete elimination is not always possible. We focus on realistic goals like better sleep or returning to daily activities.

What types of treatments are available?

• Medication management
• Image-guided injections and nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Behavioral support, including cognitive behavioral therapy

Are interventional procedures painful?
Most procedures use local anesthesia and sometimes light sedation. You may feel brief pressure or discomfort and mild soreness afterward. Pain control and aftercare instructions are provided.

How soon will I feel better?
Relief varies. Some injections provide quick relief, while treatments like neuromodulation or ablative procedures may take weeks. Rehab and behavioral therapies often bring gradual improvement over weeks or months.

Are there risks or side effects?
Risks include local soreness, infection, bleeding, nerve irritation, or medication-related side effects. Specific risks are discussed before treatment.

Do I need a referral?
Some insurance plans require a referral. Many patients are referred by their primary care provider or specialist, but some clinics accept self-referrals. Check with your insurance or our office.

Will TidalHealth prescribe opioids?
Short-term opioids may be used if appropriate and safe. Non-opioid treatments and multiple approaches are prioritized to reduce long-term opioid use.

How should I prepare for my first appointment?
Bring a list of medications, recent imaging or test results, a pain diary if available, and any questions or goals. Wear comfortable clothing for a focused exam.

What if my pain has multiple sources?
Many people have pain from several sources. We coordinate with surgeons, neurologists, physical therapists, and mental health providers to ensure all needs are addressed.