The Pain Management Program

Pain is a complex, subjective, and unpleasant sensation that is very common with the elderly. Chronic pain can lead to social isolation, depression, polypharmacy, decreased functional status, and deconditioning.

As such, pain management is a critical aspect of geriatric care. The elderly are generally at increased risk of adverse effects from drug interactions due to the use of analgesics and other pain killing medications. As a result non-drug treatments that reduce pain are of particular importance. Patient and caregiver education and active patient/caregiver involvement can help reduce pain and improve quality of life of the patient.

Our pain management program includes the use of specialty equipment/techniques such as Ultra Sound techniques, Digital Massaging, TENS units, and Anodyne Therapy. The anodyne therapy technique was developed by Anodyne Therapy, LLC. This technique is used for pain relief, muscle spasm, stiffness, and to improve circulation to impaired tissues and nerves.

Anodyne Therapy is helpful for patients with:

• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Wounds
• Arthritis
• Stroke Patients
• Circulatory Problems
• Pain
• Poor Gait and Balance
• Loss of Sensation

Ultrasound

Ultrasound therapy is a technique of stimulating tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. It is a very high frequency massage that can penetrate up to 5" below the surface of your skin. Ultrasound is a deep heating modality that has also been used effectively in pain management. It has been shown to be very effective in heating tissues of deep joints.

The Ultrasound equipment generates high frequency sound waves that are transferred to a specific part of the body using an ultrasound probe. The sound waves travel deep into the area of interest (e.g. injured muscles, deep joints, injured ligaments, injured tendons) and create a vibration effect that generates heat.

The heating and massaging effects of ultrasound therapy affect pain in the following ways:

• Ultrasound therapy increases blood flow in the treated area thereby accelerating the healing process.
• Ultrasound therapy reduces swelling and edema which are the main sources of pain.
• The ultrasound waves gently massage the muscles, tendons and/or ligaments in the treated area, thereby enhancing the recovery rate of damaged tissue without adding strain, and softens any scar tissue that is usually present in an injured area.
• Ultrasound therapy can also be used to administer medication to the affected/inflamed areas.

Digital Massaging

Digital Massage Therapy uses specially designed pads to deliver effective, yet safe and painless electrical impulses to vital nerves and muscles. Each specially designed massage function provides a long-lasting sensation that can be used any time, for as long as the patient desires.

TENS units

T.E.N.S (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a non-invasive, non-addictive and cost-effective technique used for managing pain. Whether chronic (long-term) or acute (short-term, often from surgery or trauma), pain can be relieved through a variety of methods including drugs, topical ointments, surgery, and electrical stimulation. T.E.N.S. devices deliver mild electrical pulses through the skin to stimulate specific surface and subsurface nerves thereby disrupting the pain signals so that the pain is no longer felt. The mild electrical current generates heat that serves to relieve stiffness, improve mobility, and relieve pain. The treatment is also believed to stimulate the body's production of endorphins or natural pain killers.

Pain treatment using T.E.N.S. devices are administered by the physical therapists and require a doctor's order/prescription. The technique can also be used in combination with other pain relieving physical therapy modalities. Unlike drugs or topical ointments, the T.E.N.S. technique does not have any known side effects.

Our pain management program also includes regular physical therapy interventions such as stretching and strengthening exercises, dynamic and static balance exercises, massage, and the use sensory integrative techniques.

Go back to list of Disease Management Programs offered.