The providers and staff at Rose Medical Groups are here to help patients reach the following goal when treating pain: decreasing pain and improving function. Due to strong evidence supporting lack of benefit, and increased chances of addiction, we do not prescribe opiates for long-term pain management. Evidence shows that there is similar benefit from short-term use of anti-inflammatory like Advil when compared to opiates, with no addiction, tolerance, or hyperalgesia associated with anti-inflammatories. Hyperalgesia is when a patient’s pain increases because their body becomes more sensitive to pain the longer they use opiates like Vicodin. There are no proven benefits to opiate use for long-term pain management. There are very high risks of addiction, tolerance, and hyperalgesia (increased overall pain). For patients with terminal medical conditions like end stage cancer, hospice will manage pain for the patient. For patients who just had surgery, the surgeon will manage pain for the patient.
This clinic follows state law and evidence-based practice regarding addictive medications, including not prescribing narcotics for non-acute pain and benzodiazepines or hypnotic medications for sleep and anxiety. Stimulant medication prescribing for ADHD require recent psychiatric evaluation and documentation from a licensed mental health practitioner. Patients requesting refills or new prescriptions for these medications will be counseled and provided clinically supported alternatives. Since these are addictive drugs with potential for harm, patients will be medically titrated down as appropriate or referred for treatment.
For management of new injuries with pain we may use or refer patients to tests depending upon the patient’s needs. We may also refer patients to a specialist who may choose treatments such as joint injections or surgical procedures.
For management of long-term pain by a primary care physician we may use or refer patients to the following beneficial methods of treatments:
- Non-opiate/opioid medications
- Exercise
- Counseling
- Case management
- Nutritional changes
- Sleep hygiene changes
- Elevation
- Heat and cold therapies
- Ergonomic changes in work and daily activities
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Yoga / stretching
- Physical therapy
- Meditation
- Biofeedback
- Chemical dependency treatment
Children and adolescents with mental health issues can be medically complex, and their treatment with anti-depressants or other prescription medications requires consultation and ongoing evaluation with a licensed mental health practitioner. This clinic will facilitate psychiatric evaluation and appropriate medication, which often requires additional appointments and counseling.
