How To Avoid Pain Medication - Treatments, Remedies, and Specialists

Is there a way to avoid pain medication?

There are risks and potential downsides associated with the use of pain medications, especially when used inappropriately. When mishandled, pain medication has a risk of addiction, increased tolerance, and unwanted side effects. Garden State Pain and Orthopedics' team of pain medicine physicians focus on creating the appropriate treatment plan that will best suit your needs by providing alternatives to traditional pain medication.

There are several alternatives to pain medication for managing and relieving pain. These alternatives can be used alone or in combination with pain medication, depending on the type and severity of the pain. Here are some non-pharmacological approaches to pain management:

What pain treatments can seek on your own or try at home:

• Exercise and Movement: Regular physical activity can help relieve pain by promoting the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Low-impact activities like swimming, walking, and yoga are often recommended.
• Hot and Cold Therapy: Applying heat or cold to the affected area can provide relief. Heat can help relax muscles, while cold can reduce inflammation and numb the area.
• Hydrotherapy: Soaking in warm water, such as in a hot tub or warm bath, can relax muscles and reduce pain, particularly for conditions like arthritis.
• Massage Therapy: Professional massage can help relax tense muscles and reduce pain. It can be especially beneficial for conditions like fibromyalgia or tension-related headaches.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to alleviate pain. Many people find it effective for various types of pain, including chronic pain conditions.
• Diet and Nutrition: A balanced diet that includes anti-inflammatory foods can help manage pain, especially for conditions with inflammatory components like arthritis.
• Mindfulness Meditation and Relaxation Techniques: Learning to relax and manage stress can help reduce the perception of pain. Mindfulness meditation and relaxation exercises can be useful in this regard.
• Herbal Remedies and Supplements: Some herbal remedies and dietary supplements, like turmeric, ginger, and omega-3 fatty acids, may have anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial for pain management.

What kind of specialists can you see to treat your pain?

Pain Physicians: Garden State Pain and Orthopedics has 6 pain physicians specializing in diagnosing and treating pain. They use innovative alternative treatments to medication that can get you back to a pain free life. Our providers at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics also have a network of specialists including physical therapists, chiropractors, and other physicians if you have any questions about finding a trusted provider. 

Orthopedic specialists: If you have a sports related injury, or joint pain, an orthopedic specialist at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics can diagnose and treat your injury. Orthopedic specialists use conservative treatments like orthotics and braces, RICE therapy, PRP Therapy, and in more serious cases minimally invasive surgery to treat your injury. 

Physical Therapists:  Physical therapy focuses on exercises and techniques to improve mobility, strength, and function. It is often used for musculoskeletal pain, such as back pain or joint pain.

Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapy helps individuals with pain conditions find ways to adapt their daily activities and routines to reduce pain and improve overall function.

Chiropractic Care: Chiropractors use spinal adjustments and other manual techniques to treat musculoskeletal pain, especially for conditions like lower back pain and neck pain.

Mental Health Therapies: Pain is often linked to emotional factors like stress, anxiety, and depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other psychological therapies can help individuals cope with and manage pain.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a pain management specialist or physical therapist, to determine the most appropriate alternative therapies for your specific pain condition. They can help create a personalized pain management plan tailored to your needs and preferences.

What alternative treatments to traditional pain medication does Garden State Pain and Orthopedics have to offer?

• Spinal Cord Stimulators: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a medical procedure that involves the use of a device to alleviate chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain. For patients with severe chronic back pain, itt works by delivering low-level electrical currents to the spinal cord, which can modify and mask the perception of pain signals as they travel to the brain. SCS is only considered when other pain management treatments have not been effective.
• Regenerative Medicine: Regenerative medicine including stem-cell therapy, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy are a common practice at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics that promotes and accelerates the healing process. It is often paired with surgeries to speed up recovery. While the actual procedures are quite painful themselves, they can reduce pain in the long term. 
• Epidural Injections: An epidural injection is a medical procedure in which medication is injected into the epidural space of the spine. Epidural injections are commonly used for pain management, particularly in cases of acute or chronic pain, and they can provide relief from a variety of conditions including Herniated discs spinal stenosis, radiculopathy (pinched nerves), post-surgical pain, sciatica, arthritis of the spine, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia.
• Lumbar Facet Blocks: Lumbar facet blocks are a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat pain originating from the facet joints in the lumbar spine. They are commonly used for conditions such as facet joint arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbar spondylosis.
• Nerve Ablations: Garden State Pain and Orthopedics uses radiofrequency ablation (RFA) which uses heat to create a lesion on the targeted nerve. This disrupts the nerve's ability to transmit pain signals, providing pain relief. RFAs are often used for conditions like facet joint pain, sacroiliac joint pain, and peripheral nerve pain.
• Vein Treatments: Our practice treats conditions such as venous insufficiency, spider veins, and varicose veins. There are a variety of non-medicated techniques used to relieve pain and swelling from the faulty veins. 
• Kyphoplasty: Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat vertebral compression fractures, particularly those caused by osteoporosis or certain types of cancer. The primary goals of kyphoplasty are to alleviate pain, restore vertebral height, and stabilize the fractured vertebra, thereby improving the patient's mobility and overall quality of life.
• Percutaneous Disc Decompression: Percutaneous disc decompression is often considered for patients with conditions like herniated discs or bulging discs that are pressing on spinal nerves, resulting in symptoms such as sciatica, radiating leg pain, or numbness.
• Botox for Chronic Headaches and Migraines: Dr. Dipan Patel, and Dr. Jahnna Levy of Garden State Pain and Orthopedics specialize in Botox for chronic migraines and headaches. The treatment is covered by insurance, and lasts up to 3 months. It is a great alternative to over the counter and prescribed medication, with minimal side effects.
• MILD Procedure: Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression, is a medical procedure used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves in the lower back. This pressure can lead to various symptoms, including pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs, especially during activities like walking or standing.
• Custom Orthotics: Custom orthotics or insoles are available at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics. Foot and Ankle Specialist Dr. Scott Hanauer advocates for custom orthotics. They can not only relieve foot pain, but help with any associated back, hip, or knee pain you may be experiencing from a lack of support in the shoes you wear. 
• Braces and Walking Boots: Braces and boots are used often within our practice, especially following a sports injury, or orthopedic surgery. 

If you have any questions about the treatments offered at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics please reach out to us! You can schedule an appointment with one of our providers by selecting “Book Now”. You can also learn a bit more about our providers by scrolling down, or visiting our providers page. 

Our Orthopedic Providers:

Dr. Deepan Patel, MD - Orthopedic Specialist

Dr. Patel practices in Garden State Pain and Orthopedics’ Jersey City, Clifton, West Orange, and Edison locations and specializes in sports injuries, tendon repairs, joint replacements, arthroscopic surgery, and tends to all injuries related to the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, and ankle. He offers innovative treatment options for common sports-related injuries, including ACL tears, meniscus tears, and labral tears.

Dr. Scott Hanauer, MD - Foot and Ankle Specialist

Dr. Hanauer is located in Clifton, Jersey City, Edison, and West Orange, and provides treatments for all injuries related to the foot and ankle. Achilles ruptures, bunions, bunionettes, hammertoes, fractures, and ligament reconstruction are commonly treated by Dr. Hanauer. He also specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, including ankle replacement, flat foot and cavus foot reconstruction, and ankle and midfoot fusions.

Matt Jensen, PA - Orthopedic Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant Matt Jenses helps patients with injuries related to the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, and ankle, and works out of Jersey City, Clifton, Edison, and West Orange. 

Our Pain Management Providers:

Dr. Dev Sinha, MD - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr. Dev Sinha specializes in pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics integrating physical and behavioral therapies, medications, and the most innovative, minimally-invasive procedures. He is available in Clifton, Jersey City, and Edison. 

Dr. Neil Sinha, MD - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr. Sinha is especially interested in treating cervical and lumbar pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and post-laminectomy syndrome. He also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex regional pain syndrome, facial pain, and headaches. Dr. Neil Sinha is available in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, and Jersey City, New Jersey.

Dr. Jahnna Levy, DO - Pain Medicine Physician 

As an osteopathic physiatrist, Dr. Levy believes in a multifaceted and holistic approach to pain management. She treats each person as an individual, formulating a systematic treatment plan to restore function, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life. Along with neck, back, and joint pain, Dr. Levy also treats vein conditions such as varicose veins and spider veins at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics’ locations in West Orange, Clifton, Jersey City, and Edison. 

Dr. Saurabh Dang, MD, MBA - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr Dang offers multiple therapies for the treatment of chronic pain including: Intrathecal drug delivery system implantation, Dorsal Column Spinal Cord Stimulation implantation, Dorsal Root Spinal Cord Stimulation implantation, Insertion of interspinous spacer for spinal stenosis, SI joint arthrodesis, kyphoplasty, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild procedure) for spinal stenosis, and percutaneous tenotomy among others to treat chronic pain. 

Dr. Dipan Patel, MD - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr. Dipan Patel specializes in Botox® for chronic pain disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joint disorders, and headache and chronic migraine. He also specializes in complex regional pain syndrome, joint pain, and post-laminectomy syndrome at four of our office locations in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, and Jersey City, New Jersey.

Dr. Andrew So - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr. So specializes in neck pain, back pain, spine pain, post-laminectomy syndrome, headache pain, migraine pain, joint pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, neuropathy, acute, and post-surgical pain syndromes, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), amongst others in Clifton, Jersey City, Edison, and West Orange. 

Tyler Duggan, PA - Pain Medicine Physician Assistant

Tyler Duggan is a nationally certified physician assistant who specializes in pain management. He believes in a multimodal, evidence-based strategy for the treatment of both acute and chronic pain utilizing the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques when necessary. Tyler is located in Clifton, Jersey City, and Edison, New Jersey. 

Locations:

Clifton

Address: 1117 Route 46 East, Suite 301, Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone: 973-777-5444

Edison

Address: 25 South Main Street, Suite 12, Edison, NJ 08837

Phone: 732-376-0330

Jersey City

Address: 631 Grand Street, Suite 2-100, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Phone: 973-777-5444

Hazlet

Address: 226 Middle Road, Suite 4, Hazlet, NJ 07730 

Phone: 732-376-0330 

West Orange

Address: 443 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052

Phone: 732-376-0330