Pain Management Lima, OH | Orthopaedic Institue of Ohio Orthopaedic Institue of Ohio

Pain is our body’s way of telling us something is wrong. This protective mechanism helps us survive, but when it is severe or chronic, it can have a destructive effect on our physical and mental well-being.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans living with persistent pain, you know firsthand how it can limit your ability to work, enjoy hobbies, sleep comfortably, and spend time with loved ones. You may feel that you’ve tried every over-the-counter remedy available without relief.

With today’s advanced treatment options, there is no reason to live in debilitating pain. The doctors and specialists at the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio are recognized experts in assessing, diagnosing, and treating various types of pain. Our pain management program takes a multimodal approach to get you back to living in comfort as quickly as possible.

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects 100 million Americans each year—more than diabetes, coronary artery disease, and cancer combined, according to data from the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

If you have chronic pain, your pain is persistent. It continues for weeks, months or even years after the initial cause of the pain, such as an injury or illness, has been treated or has resolved. It’s also possible for the pain to not have an obvious physical cause.

While pain alone may not be life-threatening, it can have a significant impact on your ability to function, your relationships, and your quality of life. Other symptoms related to chronic pain can also be debilitating, including reduced mobility, inability to sleep, and depletion of energy. Even your mental health can be affected, as chronic pain is associated with a higher incidence of depression and anxiety.

Pain management strategies are used to help reduce or eliminate chronic pain, and thus, restore a better quality of life.

“I’m very happy with the treatment I received. I had a cortisone knee injection on last visit and it took care of the pain I was experiencing. Next time my knee starts hurting again all I need to do is call to get a quick in and out injection.” — PJ G.

Common Conditions Requiring Pain Management

Our pain management specialists have experience treating a wide range of pain conditions, including, but not limited to:

Back pain: including lumbar spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease
Neck pain: including cervical radiculopathy and whiplash injuries
Joint pain: including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Nerve pain: including sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, and carpal tunnel syndrome
Headaches and migraines

Fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and other chronic pain conditions
Cancer-related pain
Sports-related injury pain
Postsurgical pain

No matter what type of pain you’re experiencing, our team is here to help you find the relief you need to get back to living your best life.

When to Seek Treatment for Pain

You shouldn’t have to live with pain as your norm. It’s important to seek help when:

Pain persists for more than a few weeks
Pain interferes with your daily activities or sleep patterns
Pain intensifies at night or after bed
Over-the-counter medications aren’t enough to relieve your pain
You have accompanying symptoms like swelling, redness, or warmth around the painful area
You have neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or tingling
Pain impacts your mobility or ability to perform activities
Pain affects your mood
You experience new or worsening symptoms despite treatment or rest

The professional team at the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio understands the way chronic pain can take unwanted precedence in your life. We offer different options in treatments to help you manage chronic pain and enjoy more symptom-free days and nights.

Through a range of therapies, we can help you manage pain when the source cannot be diagnosed or when the diagnosis results in few options to resolve the problem completely. Schedule a consultation with the experts at OIO today.

“I have been coming to OIO since 2009… Every time I have been, I have been treated with compassion, care and kindness. My issues have all been helped and pain managed to various degrees, to the best possible outcome. I have been recommending OIO for years now.” — Elizabeth H.

How We Diagnose Pain and Plan Your Treatment

Effective pain management begins with a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause of your pain. Our specialists start with a detailed discussion about your pain. We’ll talk about how it started, what it feels like and any associated symptoms you might be experiencing. We’ll also review your medical history and conduct a physical examination to assess your mobility, strength, and pain response. If needed, we may conduct diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, electromyography, or nerve conduction studies.

All of these tools come together to paint a complete picture of where your pain is coming from. Often, pain is multifactorial, meaning it has multiple contributing factors. Once we have an accurate diagnosis, we can develop a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your pain, rather than just masking the symptoms. Your plan will be tailored to your condition and degree of pain, your lifestyle, and your personal objectives. It may involve a single approach or a combination of different types of therapies.

Non-Interventional Treatment Options for Pain

To meet the diverse needs of our patients, we offer a range of non-interventional treatments that aim to alleviate pain without invasive procedures:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy involves exercises and manipulations overseen by our licensed therapists to help alleviate pain and restore function. Techniques may focus on strengthening, flexibility, and mobility to reduce discomfort and improve your physical performance.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy helps you develop or regain the skills needed for daily activities through adaptive techniques and equipment. The goal is to reduce or eliminate pain during routine tasks.

Massage Therapy

The Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio offers massage therapy services at our Lima office. Massage therapy is a way to promote healing after an injury, increase the range of motion, and reduce muscle tension, inflammation, and pain. Treatments can also induce deeper sleep, which may lead to pain reduction for some patients.

Dry Needling

Dry needling involves inserting very thin needles into muscular trigger points. Through this process, your body will begin to regulate swelling, increase circulation, decrease tissue tension and send pain-relieving chemicals to the affected area. In addition to reducing pain, dry needling may also improve range of motion and flexibility.

Medication

When non-interventional methods require support, medications such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and other pain relievers can be used under careful supervision. Our physicians work closely with you to find the right medications to manage your pain effectively while minimizing side effects and the risk of dependency.

Advanced Treatment Options for Pain

For some patients, interventional pain procedures can provide significant relief from chronic pain. Some of the minimally invasive procedures we offer at OIO include:

Therapeutic Epidural Blocks
Lumbar Epidural Injections
Neurostimulation

Therapeutic Epidural Blocks

An epidural block is an injection of a mixture of a local anesthetic (such as bupivacaine) and a potent anti-inflammatory (a steroid like cortisone) to control inflammation and pain.

During the procedure, a small needle is placed into the area of the spine where the pain originates. The medical community has performed tens of thousands of these procedures, so you can rest assured the injections have a strong track record of both safety and efficacy.

Epidural or facet injections and blocks may be administered for either therapeutic or diagnostic reasons. Diagnostic blocks are given to establish the location of the structural abnormality that is causing your symptoms. Therapeutic blocks are used to reduce inflammation at the source of the problem, which also alleviates discomfort.

Around 70-80% of patients who undergo a therapeutic injection see an improvement or remission of their symptoms. While a small number will see symptoms relieved permanently, others may find significant relief for a few months before they need additional treatment to prolong the results.

Lumbar Epidural Injections

The lumbar epidural injection is a type of injection that focuses on relieving low back and leg pain. The injections work by reducing inflammation, swelling and irritation of a disc or nerve in your back.

This procedure can also be part of the diagnostic process, as reducing inflammation makes it easier for your doctor to see potential structural abnormalities in your spine.

Many patients find that epidural injections have numerous benefits beyond alleviating pain, numbness/tingling, or weakness. With less pain to contend with on a daily basis, patients report reduced painkiller use, improved mental health and substantial improvement in quality of life.

While a lumbar epidural may not completely stop all pain, it can reduce discomfort enough to break the pain cycle that can cause a lack of movement and weakening of the back muscles over time. The injection may be repeated up to four times in one year depending upon your insurance coverage.

Neurostimulation

This treatment involves the stimulation of the spinal cord by tiny electrical impulses. An implanted lead, which is a flexible, insulated wire, is placed near your spinal cord or an affected peripheral nerve. When it is activated, it sends electrical impulses that block the pain messages to your brain.

During the procedure, the lead is inserted through a needle with no need for an incision. During the trial, you will have an external battery that attaches to the leads in the epidural space. If the trial is successful with greater than 50% pain relief or improvement in function, permanent implantation of the device could be considered.

The battery for the device is similar in size to a pacemaker. You may feel a small bulge under your skin, but it is not usually visible under clothing. Local anesthetic and sedation are provided to ensure you are comfortable throughout your appointment.

The neurostimulator is controlled with a hand-held programmer. The programmer is used to turn the system off and on and increase or decrease the pain relief settings.

OIO: Leading the Way in Innovative Pain Management Solutions

At the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio, we understand that chronic pain can make you feel like a prisoner in your own body, limiting your ability to enjoy life to the fullest. We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities and the latest advances in pain management, including medication management, interventional procedures, and complementary therapies, to help you find lasting relief.

When you choose OIO for your pain management needs, you can expect:

A team of specialists with extensive experience in treating both acute and chronic pain
Compassionate, patient-centered care coupled with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment tools
A personalized, multidisciplinary approach that addresses your unique needs
Convenient locations and flexible scheduling to make it easier for you to get the care you need

Don’t let chronic pain control your life any longer. Partner with our pain management experts and take the first step toward reclaiming your independence, mobility, and quality of life.

“I am finally pain free and looking forward to all the things I will be able to do again!! Thank you OIO!!” — Kelli N.

Start Conquering Your Chronic Pain Today

No matter what the reason for your chronic pain might be, there are ways to reduce your symptoms. Let’s get you back to doing what you love.

To learn more about any of these treatments, contact the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio today at 419-969-3294 for Lima and 567-250-5500 for our Findlay location.

FAQs

What is the difference between chronic pain and acute pain?

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for 12 weeks or more, even after the initial injury or underlying cause has been treated. Unlike acute pain, which is a normal response to injury or illness and typically stops within a few weeks, chronic pain can persist for months or even years. Chronic pain can be continuous or intermittent and may vary in intensity over time.

What is the difference between opioid and non-opioid pain medications?

Opioid medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone are strong pain relievers that affect specific receptors in your brain to change your perception of pain. Although they are effective for severe pain, they need to be used cautiously due to risks like side effects and addiction.

Non-opioid pain medications, including acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tackle pain and inflammation differently. They are generally safer with less risk of dependency, which makes them a good option for managing chronic pain. Additional medications that can be used for pain include Gabapentin, Lyrica, and Cymbalta, which can all be effective for different types of pain.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help manage my chronic pain?

Lifestyle adjustments can go a long way to making you more comfortable, physically and mentally. Some helpful changes include:

Engaging in regular low-impact exercise, such as walking, swimming, or yoga
Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on your joints and muscles
Practicing good sleep hygiene to ensure adequate, restful sleep
Use relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing to manage stress
Pursuing hobbies or activities that give you a sense of purpose and enjoyment
Seeking support from family, friends, or a chronic pain support group
Consulting with a mental health professional for additional support

What should I do if my pain persists despite treatment?

Communicate with your providers about your ongoing symptoms and concerns. An open dialogue will help our team better understand your experience and work with you to find effective solutions.

We may need to reevaluate your treatment plan, consider new or additional therapies, or investigate other possible causes of your pain. We may also need to assess the impact of emotional and mental health factors on your perception of pain and overall well-being.

Can chronic pain be cured, or is the goal to manage symptoms?

In many cases, the goal of chronic pain management is to reduce pain and improve function rather than to achieve a complete cure. While some underlying conditions may be treatable, others may require ongoing care to minimize pain and maintain quality of life.

Treatment focuses on enhancing your physical, emotional and social well-being, reducing reliance on medication, and maximizing your independence. Ongoing advances in pain management offer hope for more effective solutions in the future. Some of these that we can offer include Vertiflex, used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis, as well as Intracept, used to treat axial back pain associated with degenerative endplate changes seen on MRI of the lumbar spine.