Pain Management
Anyone with chronic pain who has attempted therapies such as massage, chiropractic care, and physical and/or occupational therapy without long-term relief can be referred to our Pain Management Clinic to schedule an appointment. Ask your primary care provider, physical therapist, or chiropractor to send us a referral, and our Pain Management Coordinator will reach out to schedule an appointment.
Shawn Blake provides epidural steroid injections, joint injections (including shoulder, knee, hip, and facets), and treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndromes (CRPS). He also offers medication management when appropriate, without the use of narcotics. When non-invasive methods of improving pain are not providing adequate relief, there are more advanced options the Pain Management Team can use, including the following.
Trigger Point Injections
This procedure is based on targeting painful areas of the muscle that contain trigger points, or knots, that form when muscles do not relax. During this procedure, the provider uses small needle(s) to inject a local numbing medication into the trigger point. Sometimes, a steroid medication is also injected into the trigger point(s). By injecting medication into that trigger point, it is made inactive and pain is alleviated. Sometimes, repeat treatments are needed in order to gain a longer period of relief.
Fluoroscopic Guided Joint Injections
This procedure uses a special imaging device with contrast dye to help provide a more direct look at the joints and aid the provider in delivering the medication directly into the source of the pain.
Image-Guided Nerve Blocks
This therapy also uses a special imaging device called a C-arm to allow for the direct administration of pain medications around the spine where nerves might be compressed or aggravated.
Facet Injections
Injections of pain medication or steroids are given in the facet joints of the spine to help reduce or alleviate back or neck pain.
Next Steps
For more information, please call the Infusion and Outpatient Treatment Center at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 and ask for the Pain Management Clinic.
