Center for Pain Management

Chronic Pain Conditions

Back pain affects 8 out of 10 people at some time in their life. Relief is available.

Whether it’s a chronic condition such as persistent pain after back surgery or arthritis, acute pain suffered from herniated discs with resulting sciatica, or aches that accompany a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, the Center for Pain Management can help. Based in Indianapolis, our staff of physicians, physical therapists, psychologists and other professionals has one goal: to restore patients to their highest level of function.

We treat many types of pain, including disc pain, neuropathy, shingles, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, neuralgia, cancer-related pain, headaches, neck pain and more.

We accept self referrals and referrals from physicians. Please contact us at317-706-PAIN (7246).

Relief from painful arthritis, herniated discs, stenosis or the aches of fibromyalgia
Don’t live with pain from fibromyalgia, arthritis, or herniated discs resulting in sciatica. The professionals at the Center for Pain Management can provide treatment using a multidisciplinary approach. We diagnois and treat all types of upper and lower back pain.

First visits involve a one-on-one consultation with a physician. We work with patients to develop a working diagnosis at that time.  If a patient has been diagnosed with arthritis, herniated discs or another condition by a physician, any previous records will assist in initiating a therapy for relief and allow us to stay in contact with your physician. 

While we know patients are looking for immediate relief from painful conditions, we may request diagnostic testing to confirm a diagnosis prior to recommending treatment, which typically involves a multidisciplinary approach of: nerve block procedures; medication management; physical therapy; psychological counseling; and education. 

Treatment for chronic and acute spinal conditions
The professionals at the Center for Pain Management create a multi-disciplinary treatment program for patients suffering from chronic and acute pain resulting from:

Spinal Arthritis: This is also referred to as spondylosis. This form of arthritis occurs as intervertebral discs lose hydration and volume with age, decreasing the disc spaces, placing greater stress on the facet joints of the spine. The signs and symptoms of arthritis in the back are similar to those in other joints in the body. They include stiffness and pain that may be constant or intermittent.  Arthritis can also affect a patient’s neck. 

Stenosis: This condition results when there is a narrowing of the canal through which either the spinal cord or the nerve roots travel.  Central stenosis can cause pressure on the spinal cord while lateral stenosis can cause pressure on the nerve roots as they exit the spine. Some patients are born with this narrowing, while it develops in others as part of the natural aging process. Stenosis is typically diagnosed in patients over 50. While stenosis can be found in any part of the spine, the lumbar and cervical areas are the most commonly affected. Lumbar spinal stenosis affects the lower back. Patients can experience numbness, weakness, cramping or pain in the legs. Cervical stenosis affects the neck and upper back with pain in the shoulders, arms and legs. Patients can experience balance issues or clumsiness in their hands. Even minor trauma under these circumstances can cause inflammation and nerve root impingement, which can produce classic arm pain or sciatica  without disc rupture.

Herniated disc: Between each spinal vertebra there is a soft disc that allows for movement between segments. These discs are made up of fibrous outer layers with gel- like centers. Herniated discs occur when there is tearing of the outer layers with progression of the gel like center toward the perimeter of the disc. This pushes the disc out toward the nerve root as it exits the spine causing radiating pain or sciatica. 

Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia tends to be more common in women than in men. This chronic condition is characterized by pain and tenderness  throughout the body including the neck, upper and lower back; along with stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. There is no cure for fibromyalgia. Instead patients works with their physician(s) to create a customized, multi-disciplinary program that may involve education, medication, exercise, or sleep management. 

Sciatica: The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in our bodies. Sciatica is not a disorder in and of itself. Instead it is a symptom of another problem that involves nerve root impingement. Sciatica pain for example tends to be sharp, radiating, and associated with numbness in the area of the leg that the affected nerve supplies.