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Your Trusted Name in Chronic Pain Management in GEORGIA

Chronic Pain

Pain is a normal and necessary part of life. Without pain, your brain wouldn’t be aware of internal and external damage or distress. You wouldn’t receive the signaling to let you know you’ve stepped on a nail or eaten something that doesn’t agree with you. 

This type of pain is called acute pain. It occurs as a direct result of specific stimuli and resolves once the source is resolved or your body’s innate healing abilities take effect. Chronic pain differs in that it lingers even after the original cause is no longer present. This type of pain continues for at least 3-6 months. For some, chronic pain lasts for years.

If you live with chronic pain, it’s important to find lasting relief so you can move comfortably and freely in your day-to-day life. At Southern Pain and Spine, Ankur Patel, DO, RPH, and the team offer outstanding diagnostic and treatment services for chronic pain. With a hands-on, patient-first approach, we serve patients at four convenient locations in Athens, Jasper, and Gainesville.

If you’re ready to begin your journey toward relief with the best physiatrist Atlanta has to offer, we’re ready to help you. Request your first appointment with Southern Pain and Spine today.

Appointments

Woman holding her back in pain

Chronic Pain Treatments

Physical Therapy & Home Exercise Programs

One of the best ways to manage chronic pain is through regular exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by your body. As you move your body and work your muscles, joints, and tendons, you also increase blood flow and reduce stiffness.

The team at Southern Pain and Spine can develop a personalized physical therapy program to help you ease chronic pain and improve mobility. We offer both in-office and at-home treatment options. Our at-home programs are designed to fit your unique needs and schedule so you can get the care you need without disrupting your life.

TENS, Compound Topicals, Biofeedback, and Meditation

In addition to physical therapy, there are other ways to ease chronic pain:

  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a safe and noninvasive treatment that can help you find relief. TENS works by sending electrical impulses through your skin to the nerves in the area of pain. These impulses help reduce pain signals sent to your brain.
  • Compound topical treatments are another safe and noninvasive way to find relief from chronic pain. These treatments are applied directly to the skin in the area of pain and can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and discomfort.
  • Biofeedback is a treatment that uses sensors to measure your body’s response to stress. This information is then used to help you control your body’s response to pain.
  • Meditation and relaxation techniques can also help you ease chronic pain. These techniques can help you focus on something other than your pain and can help you relax both your mind and body.

Psychological Evaluation

For some, chronic pain can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. If you’re struggling with your mental health in addition to chronic pain, the team at Southern Pain and Spine can help. We offer psychological evaluations and counseling services to help you cope with both chronic pain and mental health conditions.

Additionally, mental health struggles can actually contribute to chronic pain. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, we can help you find relief so you can live your best life.

Low Dose Naltrexone 

Low dose naltrexone (LDN) is a medication that’s often used to treat chronic pain. LDN is made from naltrexone, a medication that’s typically used to treat alcohol and drug addiction. Naltrexone works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain.

At low doses, naltrexone can help reduce inflammation throughout the body. This, in turn, can help reduce pain. LDN is often used to treat conditions like fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Southern Pain and Spine offers LDN therapy to help our patients find relief from chronic pain. If you’re interested in LDN therapy, we can help you determine if it’s the right treatment for you.

Trigger Point Injection

Trigger point injection therapy is a treatment that’s often used to ease chronic pain. Trigger points are areas of muscle tension that can cause pain in other parts of the body. These trigger points are often the result of muscle strain or injury.

During trigger point injection therapy, a small needle is inserted into the muscle at the trigger point. This needle is then used to inject a solution that can help relax the muscle and reduce pain.

Southern Pain and Spine offers trigger point injection therapy to our patients. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, we can help you determine if this treatment is right for you.

Nutritional Evaluation & Weight Loss Support 

Being overweight or obese can actually contribute to chronic pain. That’s because excess weight puts additional strain on your joints and muscles, which can lead to pain.

If you’re struggling with chronic pain and you’re also overweight or obese, the team at Southern Pain and Spine can help. We offer nutritional evaluations and weight loss support to help you reach a healthy weight. We can also help you develop a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Additionally, malnutrition can actually contribute to chronic pain. If you’re not getting the nutrients your body needs, you may be more likely to experience pain. Our nutritional evaluations can help you determine if you’re getting the nutrients you need and can help you make dietary changes if necessary.

Medication Management

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat chronic pain. These medications can help reduce inflammation, ease muscle tension, and improve your overall pain -- but it's important to remember that not all medications work for all people, and must be carefully monitored.

If medication is necessary, Southern Pain and Spine can help you safely take the medications you need:

  • Neuropathic Medication Management: We can help you safely manage medications used to target damaged nerves that are causing pain. ​​​​
  • Anti-inflammatory Medication Management: These medications can help reduce inflammation and ease pain.
  • Muscle Relaxant Medication Management: Muscle relaxants can help ease muscle tension and improve pain.
  • Low Dose Opiate Medication Management: When taken as prescribed, low-dose opiates can help ease pain without leading to addiction.

We offer medication management services to all of our patients. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, we can help you find the relief you need.

Ketamine Infusion & Lidocaine Infusion

Ketamine or lidocaine infusion therapy is a treatment that’s often used to ease chronic pain. Ketamine and lidocaine are both medications that are typically used as anesthetics. When given in small doses, ketamine and lidocaine can help ease pain without causing unconsciousness.

During ketamine or lidocaine infusion therapy, the medication is slowly dripped into a vein via an IV. The infusion can last for up to six hours, and most patients report feeling pain relief within the first hour.

Southern Pain and Spine offers ketamine and lidocaine infusion therapy to our patients. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, we can help you determine if this treatment is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to receive chronic pain management near me?

If left untreated, chronic pain can cause a number of serious health problems. You may be unable to work, attend social events, or get proper rest at night. You could eventually develop depression or anxiety as a result of chronic pain. Some people develop substance use disorder after relying on opioid medications to manage their pain.  

I have pain in more than one area due to a widespread pain syndrome. Can you help me?

Yes! The treatment we provide at Southern Pain and Spine is inclusive of widespread pain syndromes such as:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Rheumatologic Disease 
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
  • Lyme Disease
  • Chronic Fatigue 
  • Long-haul COVID-19

Do your chronic pain doctors near me accept insurance?

Yes! In order to make leading-edge rehabilitative care accessible to as many patients as possible, Southern Pain and Spine proudly accepts insurance from most major providers across the state of Georgia. View our list of accepted providers on our Insurance page, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Reducing Pain. Improving Function. Enhancing Quality of Life.

Visit the Best Chronic Pain Clinics Near Me

Appointments(678) 971-4167