Center for Pain Management

Patient Testimonials

Rosemary, female with chronic pain, travels from Australia for treatment

Geralyn, an Indianapolis dentist and avid fitness enthusiast, can now run, lift weights and practic yoga pain-free

Peggy, female with chronic pain due to car accidents, opts for spinal cord stimulator

Carol, registered nurse left with chronic pain from hernia repair, finds permanent relief with spinal cord stimulator  

Abigail, professional figure skater, receives treatment for acute injury and is back on ice next day

Rosemary
Australian resident

When did you first seek out treatment at the Center for Pain Management?
I had been experiencing severe pain over the last several years and had sought out treatment at numerous clinics and with several doctors near my home (in Australia) without receiving a satisfactory diagnosis. Over the six months prior to my treatment t the Center for Pain Management, I has been getting weaker and was experiencing limited movement of both arms and my left leg. It was at that time that I found the Center for Pain Management on the web site and arranged for a consultation.

What treatment(s) have you received?
Once I arrived in the States, I received a thorough consultation and examination by the physicians, followed by both interventional procedures and physical theraphy.

Are you pleased with the treatment received?
Yes! Not only did I experience a dramatic improvement in mobility over the course of my treatments, the patient relations and general service was exceptional in every respect. It was an enjoyable and beneficial experience all around, with consistent attention to detail and communication of a most personal nature.

Are you still receiving treatment at the Center?
I have since returned home to Australia, but would definitely consider seeing the physicians at the Center for Pain Management should my pain return for any reason.

What do you like best about the Center for Pain Management?
I appreciated the personalized attention to a comprehensive and thorough multi-disciplined approach to treatment. In addition, the staff was friendly and supportive at every level, and there was a genuine effort to find the best and most cost-effective treatment plan, as I was non-insured.

Would you refer a family member or friend to the Center?
Definitely. In fact, my husband was treated for spine-related pain he was experiencing while we were there. And I have since made recommendations to friends in need (although travel costs may be a factor for them).

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Geralyn
Dentist and fitness enthusiast

When did you first seek out treatment at the Center for Pain Management?
I have been running, lifting weights and practicing yoga for more than twenty five years—maintaining this regimen without a significant injury until 2008. My injury occurred during my running routine as I started to experience pain in my right buttock at about four miles into my run. The pain continued to progress until I had constant pain shooting down my leg and into my foot. When I could no longer deal with the pain, I decided to make an appointment with Dr. Fitzgerald, as he had treated my husband’s injuries after his auto accident. I was highly impressed by husband’s treatment and felt Dr. Fitzgerald was an excellent choice to help me with my injury.   

What treatment(s) have you received?
The first thing that Dr. Fitzgerald ordered was an MRI so he could get a clear picture of the cause of my pain. I was then given an injection to provide me with an initial wave of relief. Dr. Fitzgerald explained that I might need another injection in the future depending on how I responded to the first treatment. I was elated by the tremendous relief I felt from the first injection, but within a few months I had a small localized pain that could now be accurately diagnosed. I then received a highly precise injection into my injured muscle and was instructed not to run for two weeks and to faithfully see the Center for Pain Management’s physical therapist.

Are you pleased with the treatment received?
I have been nothing but pleased with Dr. Fitzgerald and the treatment I received at the Center for Pain Management. In hindsight, the only thing I wished I would have done differently is to have seen him sooner—BEFORE my pain started to affect my quality of life.

Are you still receiving treatment at the Center?
No, Dr. Fitzgerald has helped me live almost pain free. I continue to perform the recommended stretching regimen taught to me by the Center for Pain Management’s physical therapy team and carefully monitor my body during my workouts.

What do you like best about the Center for Pain Management?
It was wonderful to be able to receive diagnostic, interventional procedures and physical therapy all at the same location. Dr. Fitzgerald and his team provided me with immediate, effective and long-lasting relief from my pain.

Would you refer a family member or friend to the Center?
I strongly recommend Dr. Fitzgerald to anyone who needs help with pain management and suggest that they see him before their pain starts to affect the quality of their daily lives.

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Peggy

When did you first seek out treatment at the Center for Pain Management?
I was in two different car accidents in the mid to late 90s that left me with unmanageable pain in my legs and back. I saw various doctors who prescribed a variety of pain medications. Unsatisfied with this option, in 2000, I finally resorted to finding a new pain management specialist in the phone book. I selected three different pain management clinics and took the list to my family doctor for his recommendation. He recommended Dr. Kowlowitz.

What treatment(s) have you received?
I have benefited from the Center’s multi-disciplinary approach. Even though early on Dr. K thought I would be a good candidate for a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implant, I was reluctant to have surgery. Therefore, I tried a combination of nerve blocks, cortisone shots, physical therapy, psychological counseling and pain medication – but the pain would always come back over time. Finally, I opted for the SCS trial (with the battery outside) at it was an immediate help. I then had the SCS implanted in 2004.

Are you pleased with the treatment received?
My pain is now at a level 5, which is the best it’s ever been. I have been able to get back to a life where I can do almost anything. I’ve been able to cut my pain medication down over the years, as well.

Are you still receiving treatment at the Center?
Yes, I still have monthly appointments to manage my progress. In addition, I have had the battery changed on my SCS.

What do you like best about the Center for Pain Management?
Dr. K has taught me how to live with the pain. Also, with the other staff members’ help, I have learned how to do other things differently to accommodate the pain (like sit and iron).

Would you refer a family member or friend to the Center?
I’ve referred a lot of people! Any time I hear about people with back problems, I tell them about Dr. K.

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Carol
Registered nurse

When did you first seek out treatment at the Center for Pain Management?
I had a hernia that was repaired with surgery in the ‘90s, but I continued to have pain. The surgeon told me there was no problem, so I sought out a second opinion. That doctor prescribed pain medications, but I didn’t want to be on them. I was finally referred to Dr. Fitzgerald. (This was before he joined the Center for Pain Management.) Dr. Fitzgerald gave me several blocks, which would help for a few days, but then the pain returned. He then referred me to Dr. Kowlowitz, who ultimately installed a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) in 2002.

Are you pleased with the treatment received?
Yes! When Dr. K first did the SCS trial, it was like a miracle overnight. I then had the SCS permanently implanted.

Are you still receiving treatment at the Center?
Once I had the SCS implanted, I never needed to go back. It wasn’t until recently (2008) that I started to feel aching and pain again. I went back to Dr. K and I simply needed the stimulator’s battery changed. I‘m fine again.

What do you like best about the Center for Pain Management?
Dr. K has been nothing but nice and I have trust in him, even though I was nervous about anyone doing surgery on my back. But I just wasn’t able to do the things I used to do. The difference since receiving the SCS is night and day. I’m able to garden again, walk up stairs and even be on my feet all day (as a registered nurse).

Would you refer a family member or friend to the Center?
Yes. In fact, I had a friend’s dad who was on pain medication for chronic spinal pain and I recommended that he consider the spinal cord stimulator. He looked into it and ended up having one implanted and can’t thank me enough.

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Abigail
Figure skater

When did you first seek out treatment at the Center for Pain Management?
I was getting up one morning, pulling on my skating dress when all of the sudden I experienced a paralyzing pain. I couldn’t move my neck or back, but I didn’t know what happened to me. I drive downtown for regularly scheduled ice skating practice. When I got there, I told my co-worker what happened and she suggested I contact the Center for Pain Management. Due to the acute nature of my injury, they were able to see me right away.

What treatment(s) did you receive?
Dr. K and Dr. Fitzgerald determined that I had three slipped facets in my neck. They gave me three different options for treatment and explained the pros and cons for each. I ended up selecting the option that gave me the quickest return to the ice, since I had a skating competition that next week that I had to finish preparing for. This option consisted of injections at the pain sites. The next day I was back on the ice.

(They did explain to me that with the injury I had, it most likely would’ve healed on its own in two to 2-1/2 weeks, but I didn’t have the luxury of letting it heal on its own, because it would’ve kept me out of my skating competition.)

Are you pleased with the treatment received?
Extremely.

Are you still receiving treatment at the Center?
No. They made a follow-up appointment just to hold an appointment slot for me, in case I felt I needed to come back because I was still experiencing pain. But I ended up canceling that appointment because I was no longer experiencing any pain after that one treatment.

What do you like best about the Center for Pain Management?
They were very personable. I never felt like they were talking at me. Plus, with their acute care line, they were able to accommodate the time-sensitivity of this situation. In addition, I appreciated that they gave me all my options and explained the pros and cons for each — and empowered me to make a choice.

In my history as a skater, I’ve seen other therapists and doctors for various other treatments, and I always felt like I was talked at and only given one option – like it’s either this or nothing. At the Center for Pain Management, I never felt like I was in a doctor’s office. It was a very comfortable atmosphere. And they gave me immediate attention.

Would you refer a family member or friend to the Center?
Absolutely.

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