Now Offering Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) - Relief for Chronic Pain & Stress-Related Conditions
Atlas Pain Specialists Logo, featuring caduceus with snakes and wings icon at on its left side, on a transparent background

Multidisciplinary Approach

In Phoenix Arizona

At Atlas Pain Specialists we work with patients to help alleviate pain with a Multidisciplinary Approach. We try to find the right solutions on a patient-to-patient basis.
What Is A Multidisciplinary Approach? 

Overview

Multidisciplinary pain management is a pain management approach that involves professionals from multiple disciplines (physical therapy, rehabilitation medicine, psychology, anesthesiology, and others). 
What We Do:
Our treatments are not ‘one size fits all’ but need to be person-specific. A critical step in the development of an effective pain
management plan is a face-to-face discussion. We will discuss the best possible routes in order to get the pain relief that you are looking for.

Benefits

Different Approach

Strategies

Benefits of Multidisciplinary Approach

As the opioid epidemic continues to rise, it's more important than ever to consider alternative therapies to help manage chronic and acute pain. A multidisciplinary therapeutic approach is growing in popularity as it offers numerous benefits over opioids. Here’s why you might want to look into this approach for the lasting relief you deserve.

  • Reduced Opioid Use
    Opioids may initially provide relief, but they are not a long-term solution for managing pain. A multidisciplinary approach is much more effective when it comes to working through your pain in the long-term. Your doctor can help determine if opioids are necessary as part of your overall pain management plan.
  • Increased Use of Alternative Medicine
    Incorporating alternative medicine into the mix can also be extremely beneficial. For example, acupuncture has been known to reduce pain in those suffering from chronic headaches. Massage therapy, as well as chiropractic care and other treatments, can also be incredibly effective in providing relief from chronic pain.
  • Provides Lasting Results
    When treating acute pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may provide temporary relief. But for those dealing with chronic pain, a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach is the best way to approach lasting relief. This approach can help address the underlying causes of your pain and provide a more sustainable solution.
  • Likelihood of Receiving Care According to Clinical Practice Guidelines
    The multidisciplinary approach also increases the likelihood that a patient will receive care according to clinical practice guidelines. With a larger team of healthcare professionals to draw upon, the care team can more easily determine the best treatment plan for each patient, ensuring that they receive care that is in line with the best available evidence and standards of care. Additionally, the multidisciplinary approach also provides patients with access to psychosocial support, helping to ensure that their mental and emotional wellbeing is taken into account.

Overall, the benefits of a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach are clear. By using a combination of different modalities, you can get to the root of the problem and manage your pain more effectively. This approach is becoming increasingly popular for those seeking lasting relief from chronic pain, and it can be the best way to avoid relying on opioids long-term.

Multidisciplinary vs. Traditional Approach

Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people around the world, causing persistent physical and psychological distress. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are not given the care they need and often receive the same treatment that would be used for acute pain. This approach is often ineffective, leading to only a 30 percent reduction in pain, on average.

The use of opioids such as morphine may provide some temporary relief but rarely results in any long-term psychological or functional improvement. This highlights the importance of seeking out other treatments such as physical therapy, psychotherapy, massage, or acupuncture that can address the underlying causes of chronic pain.

For people suffering from persistent pain and disability, it is important to realize that a curative solution may not be possible, and it might not even be the safest thing to pursue. For example, treating pain associated with emotional disorders with morphine is unlikely to be effective; and multiple back surgeries may not be the best solution for chronic back pain.

The most successful approach to treating chronic pain is to take a holistic approach and address the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the condition. This may involve medications, lifestyle modifications such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and addressing any underlying emotional issues. It is important to remember that there is no “one size fits all” approach to managing chronic pain, and that everyone’s experience is unique. With the right support and care, it is possible to find relief from chronic pain and improve quality of life.

Pain Management Strategies

Pain is a part of life, and it's important to understand how to make the most of your experience of pain. Pain management strategies include:

  • Pain medicines
    These may be necessary if you experience chronic, intractable pain or if you have an underlying medical condition that causes it. If you take prescription medications for chronic pain, talk to your doctor about how long they should be taken before seeking alternative treatments.
  • Physical therapies
    Physical therapies like heat or cold packs, massage, and hydrotherapy are all ways to help reduce swelling around joints so that they don't become inflamed further by movement. Exercise can also help increase blood flow through muscles so they don't lose their ability to contract properly when needed most -- like when walking upright after sitting down for too long!
  • Psychological therapies
    Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques and meditation can help relieve stressors that may be contributing to your pain symptoms. They also have been shown to help people with chronic back pain maintain their quality of life over time when compared with other treatments such as surgery or physiotherapy alone

At-Home Treatment Tips For Your Neck Pain

Most cases of neck pain can be traced back to the cumulative effects of years of slouching and age-related wear and tear. Some minor tweaks in your daily routine may help reduce neck pain.

Consider trying to:

  • Practice good posture.
  • Sleep in a healthy position.
  • Adjust your desk, chair, and computer to make the monitor eye-level.
  • Take frequent breaks.
  • Avoid carrying heavy shoulder bags.
  • Stay active.

The following are some easy remedies for mild neck pain or stiffness:

  • During the first several days, ice should be applied often. After that, try using a heating pad, hot compress, or a hot shower to bring relief.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise, especially sports, for a few days. When symptoms subside, gradually increase activities.
  • Change your posture frequently.
  • Get your neck massaged gently.
old man dressed in olive pit colour t-shirt and grey pants seated on a couch holding knee in pain. He is at a chronic pain specialist office.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a common problem that can cause significant physical and emotional distress. When you have chronic pain, you may experience pain every day, even after the original injury or illness has healed. This can be difficult to cope with, both physically and emotionally. Approximately 25% of people with chronic pain will develop chronic pain syndrome (CPS), which is characterized by symptoms beyond pain, like depression and anxiety. This can make it difficult to live your life normally.
Chronic Pain Treatments
lady with blonde hair in a dark blue blouse holding her neck in pain
Neck Pain
The neck (or cervical spine) is a coordinated network of nerves, bones, joints, and muscles. It has the important job of providing protection and mobility to the brain, but often it can become painful. There are a number of conditions that cause pain in the neck. Inflammation along nerve pathways in the spine can be responsible for shoulder, head, arm, and/or hand pain. Additionally, inflammation of the spinal cord may cause pain in the legs and other areas of the body. In a few days or weeks, neck pain usually goes away, but pain that lasts for months may signify an underlying medical cause that needs to be addressed. In such cases, early intervention may be necessary for the best results.
Neck Pain Treatments
lady in blue and white striped long sleeved t shirt and doctor in white uniform seated in an a doctor's office discussing the best cognitive therapy
Opioid Statement
Atlas Pain Specialists has a policy regarding the prescribing of controlled substances. Each patient will be evaluated on an individualized basis and some may not be a candidate for chronic opiate therapy.

In order to protect your health, patients are monitored closely for possible addiction, abuse, and diversion. This monitoring may include follow-up office visits, urine drug screening, and the sharing of medical records between your physicians and your pharmacies.

Atlas Pain Specialists reserves the right to determine if we will take over the prescribing of controlled substances from other providers on a case by case basis.

Patients should not expect to receive a prescription for a controlled substance at your first visit.
We are here to help!
Ask us anything, or 
schedule a same day
appointment.
Contact Us

Accepted Insurances

No referral necessary! Just call us and we'll handle all the billing with your insurance company.
Check Insurance
crossmenu