How Multidisciplinary Pain Management Helps Restore Quality of Life | Dr. Hazmer Cassim
Key Highlights
Defining Acute vs. Chronic Pain
- Opens in a new window ]Acute Pain: Has a clear beginning, middle, and end, typically resolving within 3 to 6 months.
- Chronic Pain: Persists over a longer period without a definitive end, causing cellular-level changes like hyperalgesia that make it more complex to treat.
When to Consult a Pain Specialist
- Seek professional help if pain impacts daily function, limits hobbies (such as golf or tennis), or persists despite trying physical therapy and home exercises.
Common Causes of Chronic Pain
- Conditions include radiculopathy (sciatica), neck/low back arthritis, disc herniations, and spine-related injuries caused by repetitive active movement (e.g., twisting during golf, tennis, or pickleball).
Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach
- Managing chronic pain effectively requires a team effort combining physical therapy, behavior modification, and precision-guided procedures like epidurals or ablations.
Upcoming Educational Lecture Info
- Dr. Cassim, alongside colleagues Dr. Jeff Smith and Dr. Kevin Wong from the Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center, host informative lectures at the Annenberg Health Sciences Building covering chronic pain management.