Multiple Successful Approaches to Pain

No one likes to be in pain, yet many experience it daily.

Pain is a symptom of something that is going wrong in the body, somewhat similar to the “check engine” light in a car. To resolve these issues, it is important to “get to the bottom of it” versus simply ignoring it.

We work closely with each patient to develop the best possible approach for treating their pain.

Pain can be caused by a wide variety of problems. Before considering treatment options, we have to make a serious attempt at figuring out the cause of the pain. This is essential to achieve the best results for long-term improvement. Once we understand the cause or the underlying condition, we can start looking at the options for a personalized care plan.

We consider all the variables and carefully explain all the options.

Most options fall into one of three categories:

• Curative treatments: therapies that fully remove or at least reduce the cause of the condition
• Palliative treatments: treatments that relieve pain without curing the condition
• Adoptive treatments: treatments that help the body compensate for its weakness, producing relief of symptoms while the treatment is used.

Treatment Modalities

Doctors at Life Medical specialize in different treatment modalities. We all use the conventional approaches available at other clinics, but can also offer other, complementary approaches.

In many cases, the complementary approaches may be more effective, safer, and less expensive than the conventional methods. Often, they can be used in combination with conventional methods. At Life Medical, we listen carefully to each patient and do our homework to develop a personalized pain care plan.

Pain treatment methods offered at Life Medical include the following:

• Initial visit with a doctor. Patients should schedule an appointment with Dr. Mirman for the widest discussion of options. This is where we figure out the pathological cause of pain and develop the treatment plan. You’ll be examined. Some testing may be in order, such as blood or urine tests, x-rays, etc. Dr. Mirman will review outside records.

• Physical Therapy. This group of modalities includes hands-on methods and methods relying on use of some devices for treatment with varying forms of sound, electricity, and light.

• Ultrasound
• Phonophoresis
• Infratonic therapy
• Spinal decompression
• Cryotherapy
• TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
• Therapeutic Exercise
• Low-Level Laser Therapy

• Chiropractic. Many times chiropractic treatments lead to improvement when the condition is due to misalignment. Like physical therapy, chiropractic methods range from palliative to curative and everywhere in between. Chiropractic is often covered by insurance.

• Acupuncture. Often acupuncture is useful in acute and chronic pain situations and can help to relieve pain. In some cases it is actually curative. Acupuncture is often covered by insurance.

• Medical Marijuana. At Life Medical, we provide evaluations and certifications for patients who may be eligible for the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program. Cannabis, in our experience, is the safest and most effective palliative medication for chronic pain. We have certified thousands of patients for intractable pain and have seen them in follow-up. The results exceed those of all prescription and OTC drugs, with little to no side effects. It is amazing! Many patients get off their opioids, including some of the strongest ones, after they start on cannabis. We feel it is a great alternative to opioids in cases of intractable pain. It also helps with anxiety, improves sleep, and tremendously improves the patients’ quality of life. One issue with cannabis is its cost, ranging from $200 to $600 per month in most cases, and the cost is not covered by insurance. Learn more about medical cannabis here.

• Invasive Therapies/Injections
• Chronic Pain Injections
• Epidurals
• Nerve Ablations
• Trigger Point Injections
• Regenerative Medicine
• Prolotherapy
• Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
• Adult Stem Cell Therapy
• Ozone
• Other Similar Approaches
• Homeopathy

• Psychology. Treatments and exercises prescribed by a psychologist can be helpful in keeping the mind from focusing on the pain and therefore, help alleviate the pain.

• Neuro Research Protocol. This supplement is good for any condition where pain is caused by an imbalance of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, including fibromyalgia, migraines, inflammatory bowel disease and other similar conditions. It can also help to treat emotional issues like depression and anxiety which can compound any conditions causing the pain. By addressing the emotional and the physical sides, Neuro Research supplements can offer a very positive outcome. Learn more here.

• Miscellaneous Alternative Methods
• Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
• Magnet Therapy: this is often quite effective on painful joints. It is also very inexpensive
• Supplements for Pain
• Curcumin

Call us at (952) 933-8900 to schedule an appointment.