The Pain Clinic offers a unique team approach to the treatment of chronic pain that combines board-certified physicians in anesthesiology and pain management with physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses and other health professionals.
The Clinic is located at the INTEGRIS Bass Pavilion, 401 S. Third.
Complimentary or Alternative Pain Relief
There are many things you can try to help eliminate pain; medicine is just one. You can try one or more of the following, either alone or with medicine.
- Deep Breathing
- Massage
- Relaxation
- Guided Imagery
- Music Therapy
- Hot or Cold Packs
Understanding Your Pain
One of the many ways we interpret our commitment to improving health is through responsible management of your pain during hospitalization. We are diligent in attending to this.
Proper pain control is an important key to healing. Relieving and controlling your pain can help you heal faster, have more comfort, and improve the results of your care. Unrelieved pain can lead to longer hospital stays and longer recovery.
A patient in pain is often not able to deep breathe or be active. This can cause lung problems and blood clots. If you know you are going to do deep breathing exercises or take a walk, ask for your medicine first.
Pain can also lead to trouble sleeping, high heart rate, high blood pressure, risk for infection, and fatigue. It is easier to control pain if you take medicine before it gets too bad.
Ask your nurse for pain medicine. If it does not help, then let the nurse know. Do not worry about being a bother. Your nurses and doctors want to know if you have any pain.
Pain is a very personal thing – no two people are alike. Pain can feel like pulling, tightness, cramping, burning, stabbing, a dull ache or any other unpleasant feeling.
Set a goal for your pain. A goal of zero pain is usually not realistic. Set a level that will allow you to do your activities with comfort and ease. In order to better understand your level of pain, please use the following pain scale from 0 to 10 when describing your pain.
Pain Medication and Side Effects
- Pain medicine comes in many forms.
- Injections or “shots” are not better than pills.
- In fact, pills are more common and usually last longer.
- All pain medications have side effects.
- Some common side effects of pain medicine are drowsiness, sleepiness, constipation or nausea and vomiting.
- There are ways to minimize these side effects; please let your nurse and physician know if you experience any of these.
Myths and Facts
Myth: I will become addicted to pain medicine.
Fact: Less than one percent of all patients become addicted to pain medicine.
Myth: You should wait until your pain is really severe before taking anything.
Fact: It is harder to relieve pain once it is out of control. You should ask for your pain medicine when you first start feeling uncomfortable.
Myth: You have been taking pain medicine too long because it is no longer working. You must be addicted.
Fact: Physical dependence and tolerance may develop after long-term use, but that is not addiction.
Myth: I will get well faster if I do not take any pain medicine. It interferes with healing.
Fact: People in pain often have longer hospital stays since they are unable to do everyday activities such as walking, bathing or deep breathing. Pain is what interferes with healing.
Pain Care Bill of Rights
Although not always required by law, these are the rights you should expect, and if necessary demand, for your pain care.
- The right to have your report of pain taken seriously and to be treated with dignity and respect by doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals.
- The right to have your pain thoroughly assessed and promptly treated.
- The right to be informed by your doctor about what may be causing your pain, possible treatments and the benefits, risks and cost of each.
- The right to participate actively in decisions about how to manage your pain.
- The right to have your pain reassessed regularly and your treatment adjusted if your pain has not eased.
- The right to be referred to a pain specialist if your pain persists.
- The right to get clear and prompt answers to your questions, and time to make decisions and refuse a particular type of treatment if you choose.
Source: American Pain Foundation