THE PROBLEM OF PAIN: FROM CONSERVATIVE TREATMENTS TO SURGERY, OPTIONS ABOUND FOR PATIENTS IN PAIN

The American Academy of Pain Medicine reports that 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain – which is more than diabetes, cancer and heart disease combined.

Not surprisingly, back pain tops the list, afflicting 27 percent of U.S. adults. Severe headaches or migraines, neck pain and facial pain also are top culprits. “It’s really head-to-toe,” says Abram Burgher, M.D., a fellowship-trained pain management physician with The Pain Center of Arizona. “We take everyone and try to figure out what is the best therapy.”

Read on as Valley physicians discuss some of the therapies that are helping patients reclaim active lifestyles with less pain or no pain.