Medical Pain Management in New Jersey: Injections, Imaging, and Non-Opioid Options

Chronic pain invades every area of life, making it difficult to focus on the things that are most important. Get out of pain and stay out of pain with Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine. We provide medical pain management near you at locations across Ocean and Monmouth Counties, helping New Jersey patients find a higher quality of life. With personalized care plans and a collaborative approach to treatment, we strive to treat the whole person and provide relief.

Key Takeaways

• Pain is highly individual, and understanding its type, either acute or chromic, is essential for effective treatment. Early intervention and personalized treatment plans help to improve outcomes and quality of life.
• Medical pain management equips patients with tools and coping strategies to reduce pain and its impact on their quality of life.
• Our pain management services include medical imaging evaluations, injections, non-opioid medications, and durable medical equipment such as orthotics and braces.
• You should consider seeing Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine if your pain affects your daily lifestyle and does not get better with rest.

What Is Medical Pain Management?

Pain management is a specialized, comprehensive approach to treating chronic pain conditions. It draws knowledge from multiple medical disciplines to diagnose, reduce, and control chronic pain. The goal is to improve the patient’s functionality and quality of life.

Pain is the most common symptom of health conditions and injuries. It is also very complex. Everybody experiences pain differently, and finding total relief may not be possible for every patient. Medical pain management recognizes this complexity. Rather than relying on strong medications as a one-size-fits-all solution, it combines a variety of techniques into a fully personalized care plan. This comprehensive and customized approach delivers thoughtful treatment to help patients find relief and live normally.

Medical Pain Management Services Offered

At Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine, pain management is delivered following a team-based approach. Patients work with advanced practice nurses (APNs), chiropractors, physical and occupational therapists, and acupuncturists. Our professionals coordinate to deliver a variety of treatments, each with different benefits for the patient.

Our services include:

Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Pain management care plans begin with medical imaging. This diagnostic method uses advanced medical technology to take pictures of the inside of a patient’s body. This allows our medical team to safely and non-invasively examine internal structures, so we can make informed decisions about the patient’s care. Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine uses two types of medical imaging:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This uses powerful magnets to create detailed images. It is most effective for examining muscles and soft tissues.
• X-rays: These direct high-powered rays at the body. Rays pass through soft tissue and are absorbed by hard materials, creating detailed images of bones.

Trigger Point Injections and Joint Injections

Trigger point injections (TPIs) are a treatment for myofascial pain, or pain that affects the muscles and surrounding connective tissue. Myofascial pain is characterized by trigger points, or “knots”, which are sensitive to touch and pressure. Trigger points form when acute or repeated trauma causes muscle fibers to become stuck in a contracted state. TPIs deliver medication directly into trigger points to provide fast-acting relief. Medications may include:

• Local anesthetics (pain relievers)
• Corticosteroids, which combat inflammation
• A combination of anesthetics and corticosteroids

Joint injections work similarly to TPIs. Rather than targeting a muscle knot or trigger point, they deliver medication into painful or inflamed joint tissue. Joint injections are used to treat joint pain caused by arthritis, acute or overuse injuries, or surgery.

TPIs and joint injections may be painful at first, as the injections are delivered into sensitive tissue. Any discomfort indicates that the APN has correctly located the source of pain. Patients should avoid strenuous activity for a few days afterward. Most patients experience relief between 24 and 72 hours after receiving injections, and relief lasts for about a month.

Non-Opioid Medication Management

Non-opioid medication management utilizes pain and inflammation relief medications to reduce symptoms and improve comfort without the risk of addiction. Medication regimes are personalized and may include a combination of the following drug types:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressants
• Topical pain relievers
• Muscle relaxants

Medication management is often delivered alongside other treatment types, including injections, physical and occupational therapy, acupuncture, and more. Relief medications are not a quick fix for pain. Instead, they help to control pain and improve daily function while supporting the patient’s rehabilitation for the best results in the long term.

Durable Medical Equipment

Durable medical equipment (DME) refers to long-lasting, reusable medical devices for home use. A wide variety of DME types exist, each designed to meet a different medical need. Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine utilizes the following to treat pain:

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units: TENS units are positioned to emit small electrical currents into a targeted body part. The currents interrupt nerve signals to reduce pain in that body part.
• Orthotics: These specialty insoles fit inside your footwear to cushion your feet and promote natural motion. By encouraging improved foot dynamics, orthotics help to relieve joint pain associated with a variety of conditions. They are custom-made to account for your foot’s unique arch and the pain you might be facing.
• Back braces: Braces are designed to limit spinal motion while reducing pressure on spinal discs. These two functions help to relieve many types of spinal pain and may also slow the progression of some degenerative conditions.
• Posture braces: Also called posture correctors, this brace type helps patients maintain an upright position to promote natural body mechanics. Posture braces relieve pain and improve mobility and body function.

When recommending durable medical equipment, medical professionals provide instructions on how to use the equipment correctly. Following these instructions is vital to get the most benefit out of DMEs without damaging your body or device or causing additional complications.

Complementary Treatments

Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine frequently combines medical pain management with other treatment approaches to maximize benefits for the patient. These techniques do not aim to relieve pain and are not considered part of pain management. Their objective is to improve quality of life in other ways, making them helpful for patients living with chronic pain. Our complementary treatments include:

• Physical therapy (PT): PT uses targeted exercises, tissue manipulation, and other techniques to improve strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. Physical therapy helps patients stay mobile and active while living with a chronic pain condition or recovering from an injury.
• Occupational therapy (OT): Similar to physical therapy, OT uses exercises and other tactics to rebuild and restore muscle strength and mobility, giving patients more freedom in their daily lives. Treatments improve function so that patients can perform everyday tasks, helping them stay independent.

In combination with medical pain management, PT and OT reduce the impact that chronic pain has on a patient’s lifestyle. The patient experiences less pain and can keep participating in the activities that are important to them, including caring for family, maintaining the home, and enjoying favorite pastimes.

When Should You Consider Medical Pain Management?

Anyone with pain can benefit from a pain management plan. Pain is a very common symptom of a wide range of conditions, including both acute injuries and chronic illnesses. Pain management relieves and reduces symptoms from both types. Mild or temporary discomfort may not always need professional management, but you may consider getting medical help if your pain:

• Affects your sleep
• Reduces your ability to work
• Limits your basic mobility
• Does not improve with rest or home care

If you aren’t sure whether medical pain management can help you, then speak with your primary care physician (PCP) or another healthcare provider. Your doctor can guide you through each consideration to help you decide whether pain management is the right choice for your needs. When you don’t know what is causing your pain, a doctor can also request the appropriate tests to provide a clearer diagnosis. Knowledge of what causes your pain may also inform your decision.

Why Choose Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine?

Whether you are seeking short-term relief from acute pain or improving your quality of life with a chronic condition, trust in our experienced team at Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine. We are a team of advanced practice nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and other medical professionals, who work together to deliver effective care for a wide variety of needs. Our treatments are based on the latest scientific data and draw from multiple disciplines to treat all aspects of the person, not just their condition.

Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine maintains 10 different locations throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties in New Jersey. Patients can easily transfer between locations, making it easy to receive care close to home. All our locations offer patient-centered care, with an emphasis on transparent communication through every stage of treatment and recovery.

Don’t let pain hold you back from living life to the fullest. Schedule your consultation today for a one-on-one evaluation with a pain management specialist. Contact us for more information or with any questions you may have.

Medical Pain Management Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is medical pain management for?

Medical pain management is for anyone whose pain interferes with their ability to live normally. It treats both acute and chronic pain caused by a variety of health conditions, including injuries, arthritis, neurological conditions, surgeries, and much more.

How do I know whether I have acute or chronic pain, and why does it matter?

Acute pain happens suddenly and is usually caused by an injury or surgery. While intense, acute pain typically goes away when the source of pain heals. Chronic pain, meanwhile, lasts for several weeks or months at a time. Chronic pain does not go away or keeps coming back and is considered a lifelong condition. Understanding the difference helps you pursue the most effective form of treatment.

What medical pain management services does Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine offer?

Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine offers trigger point and joint injections, non-opioid medication management, diagnostic medical imaging, and durable medical equipment (DMEs). We also offer complementary treatments, including physical and occupational therapy.

Can medical pain management be combined with other treatments?

Yes, medical pain management can be combined with treatment strategies including chiropractic care, acupuncture, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. The combined approach helps patients improve their quality of life in many areas at once, leading to better outcomes and greater satisfaction.

How do I get started with pain management near me in New Jersey?

You can get started with pain management by contacting Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine at one of our 10 locations across Ocean and Monmouth Counties.

What happens at the first pain management visit?

At your first appointment, you receive a one-on-one evaluation where we learn more about your condition and design a personalized treatment plan. You then receive a complete tour of our facilities and services. The tour helps you understand what resources are available to help you relieve pain and improve your quality of life.

How do I know which pain management approach is most appropriate?

The best approach to pain management is often personalized, based on the type of pain the patient is experiencing, their medical history, and lifestyle. At Thompson Healthcare & Sports Medicine, our providers will perform the necessary tests and ask the necessary questions to determine a care plan that best supports patients and their needs.

Can physical therapy really reduce pain?

Yes. Physical therapy is widely considered a highly effective, evidence-based method for reducing and managing pain. Targeted exercises can strengthen muscles, improve mobility, reduce stiffness, and alleviate pain, especially when treating musculoskeletal conditions. PT not only relieves current discomfort but also strengthens the body to prevent future injuries.