Frequently Asked Questions
Allied Medical Clinic Questions
Frequently asked questions are listed questions and answers.
What is Pain?
What is Pain?
Pain is described in diffrent ways by diffrent people. It is your body's way of sending a warning to your brain. Words like throbbing, uncomfortable, or ache can describe pain.
Pain may be associated with illness or surgery and may not be able to be totally relieved; however we want to lessen the dicomfort or pain you are feeling to a tolerable level. You may experience other types of dicomfort such as nausea or anxiety that may contribute to your discomfort. It is important to treat these ill-feelings as well.
Are there different types of pains?
There are many types of pain, Including:
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Back, neck, and shoulder pain
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Fibromyalgia
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Myofascial
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
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Cancer Pain
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Neuralgia
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Phantom sensations and pain
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Musculoskeletal/ rheumatological
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Post Injury Pain
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Work related injuries
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Neuropathic Pain
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Disc Problems and Disease
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Hip and Knee pain
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Herniated disc, joint dysfunction
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Sport related injuries
What can I do on my own to alleviate my pain?
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Relaxation techniques
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Self-positioning
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Breathing exercises
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Diversion ( watch a movie or visit a friend)
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Laughter - THE BEST FORM OF MEDICINE!
Why Pain Management?
Pain Managment is important because:
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Provides comfort
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Promotes rest
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Promote healing
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Allow increased activity and strentgh
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Avoid medical complications
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Reduced time away from work
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is pain that has lasted for a long time. In medicine, the distinction between acute and chronic pain has traditionally been determined by an arbitrary interval of time since onset; the two most commonly used markers being 3 months and 6 months since onset.
Chronic pain can have a debilitation effect on your life. When you're in pain, nothing seems right. You miss out on your favorite sports and activities. You may miss work and be unable to provide for your family. Our Board certified Physcians at Allied Medical Clinic help:
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Assit in reducing your pain
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Provide various methods of pain control
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Restore abaility to live an active lifesytle at work and home
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Assit in managing your stress and depression
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Aid your family in the awareness of pain managment
Allied Medical Clinic
Will I be pain free and for how long?
The goal of interventional pain management is to improve function and reduce suffering. We provide as much pain relief as possible with the least amount of risk. Ideally everyone wants to be pain free, but realistically not everyone can be completely relieved of pain. Every patient is different and will have different results. Sometimes after a series of injections, you can experience partial relief for months.
Will I require more that one treatment?
Most of the time, yes. Most procedures are performed in a series of two or three (over the course of several weeks). Occasionally just one procedure provides lasting relief of pain.
What do I need to get an appointment?
Pharmacy/medication profile for the last two years. If you have used more than one pharmacy in the last two years, you will need to provide a two-year print out from each pharmacy that you used. This is need for ANY medication you are taking, not just your pain, anxiety and/or muscle relaxants.
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Discharge letter from current clinic/doctor and last four (4) office visit notes.
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Doctor's referral for pain managment ( if at all possible)
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MEDICAL RECORDS INCLUDING:
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MRI, CAT SCAN, X-RAY, discogram (radiology tests)
Report and films (or CD/DVD if films are not available)
for the doctor's personal review -
Physcal therapy reports/notes
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Past procedures and/ or OPERATIVE REPORTS (SURGICAL RECORDS for any procedures pertaining to your problems) inculding epidural steroid injections .
You may obtain your medical records from either the hopital where the surgery was done or the surgeon/physcian who performed the procedure. Or if you are unable to obtain the records, you may sign a Release of Information request and we will try to help you obtain the records if you provide the names and dates of the hospital or doctors.
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All medication bottles/receipts for ANY medication/ vitamins/ supplements you may be taking. (inculding antibiotics, blood pressure, diabetes, birth control, thyroid, weight loss, asthma or any other conditions as well as your pain, anxiety and/or muscle relaxants)
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If you are receiving or have received counseling from any source and/or medication from a psychiatrist, we will also need to review those records and/or you may be required to get a referral or clearance from your psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist for pain managment.
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Current/ Valid ID
We understand that not all of the above may apply to you, but we need as much of this information as is available in order to justify your need for pain managment and/or continued treatment
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Are these treatment alternative to neck and back surgery or other surgery?
Will these procedures hurt?
Allied Medical Clinic practices non-surgical treatments. While most procedures are not painful, you may experience some soreness.
Should I stop taking my medication prior to my treatment and when should i resume them?
This will be up to the descretion of your physician .
How long does the procedure usually take?
Although most procedures take five to thirty minutes, you may remain at our facility up to 2 ½ hours because of admission, evaluation, procedure.
Will I be given a medication prescription when I leave?
It will be determined if a prescription is warrantied after an extensive evaluation is given by our Board Certified physicians.