Many athletes and patients who have sustained a concussion experience pain problems, such as headache, back pain, and neck pain. Treatment of these problems following concussion is vital to the recovery process, as untreated pain symptoms can prolong recovery time as well as contribute to the cognitive and emotional symptoms of concussion. The Pain Management Clinic is designed to foster efficient and effective treatment of pain symptoms. Physicians, clinical psychologists, and their staff, who have specialized training and knowledge of pain, will evaluate the patient. Pain is almost always multi-factorial in nature, meaning that there are physical, psychological, and social factors contributing to the experience of pain. As such, patients enrolled in this clinic can expect to receive a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of their particular pain problem. Following the initial evaluation, prompt recommendations and treatment will ensue. This may include medical treatment and follow-up by a physician (e.g., analgesic medications, injections and interventional procedures, etc.), ongoing behavioral intervention or therapy (e.g., biofeedback, relaxation training), complimentary and alternative interventions (e.g., acupuncture/acupressure, therapeutic massage, nutritional counseling, etc.), a neuropsychiatry consult, or referral to our network of specialists (e.g., physical therapy and symptom specific functional restoration). Because pain complaints are often a part of the postconcussive syndrome, the Pain Management Clinic is a crucial resource to the Concussion Management Clinic.

SCI Integrated Pain Program