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An Overview of Drug Testing at Florida Pain Clinics

May 16, 2012 , , , , , , , ,
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When being treated at a Florida pain clinic, inevitably a drug screen is performed. This is usually a urine drug test, and plays an integral role for multiple reasons in treatment.

The reasoning is fairly simple. As a baseline test, urine drug screening can show the doctor whether or not the patient has been recently participating in illicit substance abuse. Additionally, the pain doctor will be able to see if the individual has been compliant with the narcotic regimen that was being prescribed prior to being seen at that clinic.

Pain clinics Florida

Urine Drug Testing

Urine drug testing, and oral saliva screening tests for amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, opiates, morphine, oxycodone, PCP, ecstasy and potentially more. Sometimes pain doctors will also test for marijuana but this is not ubiquitous. So the main reason is to ensure that the patient-physician relationship is off to a good start. Additionally, pain doctors are under increasing scrutiny from regulatory agencies such as medical boards and the DEA. Therefore, urine or saliva drug screening can make sure that appropriate records are kept on patient history. Along with the drug screening, pain clinics Tampa, pain management Orlando clinics, and others in FL often have patients sign a pain management agreement.

Studies show that on average over 20% of patients divert their narcotic medications to either sell them or exchange them for illicit substances. Studies have also shown that it can be extremely difficult for Florida pain doctors to pick out those patients who will divert the medications.

Therefore, most pain clinics simply test everybody to level the playing field and it often upsets individuals. But it needs to be kept in mind that although the vast majority of individuals are on the “up and up” as legitimate pain patients, there are some who have abused the system and made this necessary.

There are some patients who will try to deceive the system after the baseline test. They may try to take their narcotic medication the night before their next visit or the morning of the visit. The newest type of drug testing can see right through this. Opiate medications have metabolites that will form after a certain time period of being ingested. If the medication was only recently taken, the metabolites will not show up and pain management doctors in Florida will know that the patient has not been compliant with the treatment. In addition, there are certain types of bleaching agents or other adulterants that are often used to place into the sample to mask illicit drugs. These bleaching agents may also mask the substances. However, most drug testing laboratories look for these adulterants and catch cheating patients.

There are two different methods for urine drug screening. Pain clinics often have cups that show immediate results within a few minutes. In addition, those samples are often sent to a drug testing laboratories which can test very specifically the exact amounts of drugs and their metabolites along with adult turns in the specimen. This cannot only catch cheating patients, it may also allow pain doctors to make difficult decisions with regards as to whether to continue treating the patient or to fire them.

Finding a new pain doctor after being fired from one for either a dirty drug screen or another reason can be extremely difficult. So the best way to avoid this is not to cheat in the first place but to be compliant with the treatment protocol.

The Florida pain network connects those in pain with pain relievers. There are listings for Florida pain clinics throughout the state which provide interventional pain management along with medication management on an individualized basis. The specific listings of clinics show the services provided.

There are pain clinics in Orlando that are listed along with Miami pain management, Jacksonville pain management, Tampa pain clinics, Port St Lucie pain management, pain clinics in Fort Myers, and many more around the state.

The listings are geographically targeted so that placing your ZIP Code on the website will then show the listing is closest to you. Individuals may also call 877-877-8556 for assistance.


The Risks of Epidural Steroid Injections – Video from Florida Pain Network

May 9, 2012 , , , , , , , ,
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Epidural steroid injections have been utilized in pain management for over 50 years with results averaging 75% effectiveness for sciatica, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, bulging discs, and more. Pain doctors in Florida and across the country work with suffering patients frequently providing these cortisone injections as an outpatient, low risk procedure. Watch the video below for an overview.

However, epidural steroid injections are not completely without risk. The Florida Pain Network describes the procedure’s risks and side effects.  Epidural injections maintain a solid place in the protocol for pinched nerve treatment.

The Florida Pain Network connects those in pain with pain relievers – Florida pain clinics, doctors, chiropractors, and PT practices. These include Tampa pain clinics, pain clinics in Jacksonville, pain management Orlando, pain clinics in Fort Myers, and much more.

The website is geographically targeted, simply go to THIS PAGE and put in your zip code to see the pain clinics closest to you!

 


Trigger Point Injections with Florida Pain Clinics

April 11, 2012 , , , , , , , ,
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A trigger point injection is a minor office procedure that often can give huge benefits to those suffering from trigger point pain.

What is exactly a trigger point?

This is an area of muscle that is tight or knotted up due to spasm from a number of conditions. It may be due to myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, or a chronic pain syndrome such as degenerative disc disease leading to the tightness in the low back or neck or shoulder. Florida Pain Clinics frequently see patients with trigger point pain.

So what kind of symptoms is a trigger point injection good for?

A trigger point injection can help relieve the pain from the area of the trigger point but it can also help relieve the pain where radiates. This may include tension headache or buttock pain or pain radiates into the patient’s arms from a trigger point in the neck area.

How is a trigger point injection performed?

It is performed in the office and only takes a few minutes. The pain management Tampa doctor will sterilize the area and then use a very small needle anywhere from 22 gauge up to a 27 gauge. If nothing is injected, that is known as a dry needling techniques. It is often just the insertion of the needle itself into the trigger point area that will reduce the pain and break up the knot.

Typically the pain management Miami doctor will inject some numbing medicine along with either a steroid or a nonsteroidal medication as well. The addition of the steroid along with a numbing medication has not been shown in clinical studies to have a significant effect. It remains to be seen if larger studies show they do, but most pain management doctors in Florida go ahead and inject that anyway.

The numbing medicine will take effect right away so patient should feel some relief within a few minutes. That will then wear off within a day, and the theory at that point is that the steroid medication will start to kick in and help with longer term pain relief.

How long does it trigger injection last?

These injections make it days to weeks of pain relief. They may need to be repeated every few weeks, but should not be repeated too often as scar tissue can actually form as a result.

Are there risks of trigger point injections?

Answer is yes but they are very small. As with any time a needle goes through the skin, there is a tiny chance of infection. There is also a chance of the needle going what’s not supposed to suggest puncturing along, but this is extremely unusual. One additional risk factor is that the injection may not work for pain relief or as as mentioned if done to frequently person may develop scar tissue in the area.

One last risk to mention is that if the patient is taking anti-clotting medications that should be stopped a few days prior to the procedure records the doctor’s instructions.

The Florida Pain Network has pain clinics throughout Florida such as pain clinics in Jacksonville Florida to connect you with along with chiropractors and PT clinics. The site is geographically targeted, so type in your zip code and the results closest to you will pop up. Or simply call (877) 877-8556 Today!


Florida Pain Network Makes Pain Management Connections

April 4, 2012 , , , , , , , ,
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The Florida Pain Network recently debuted throughout the state. The Network makes connections of individuals in pain to pain management doctors in Florida, chiropractors and physical therapy practices.

The website is geographically targeted. Simply plug in your city or zip code, and the practices closest to you will pop up. Such as if you are seeking a chiropractor Miami, simply put in your zip code on the Miami chiropractor page. If you are looking for pain management Miami, you would go to the Miami pain  management page and do the same thing.

Here’s a description of the Network.

If people have difficulty on the site, they can simply call (877) 877-8556 for assistance.


Myths vs. Facts of Back Pain from the Florida Pain Network

March 30, 2012 , , , , , , , ,
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The amount of people in America who suffer from back pain at any one time is approximately 30 million. That is about 10% of the population and is an unbelievable number. There are plenty of back pain myths out there that provide misinformation to people who are suffering. Here are 5 myths and an explanation of whether they’re true or not.

1. Sitting up straight will help prevent back pain. This is blatantly false. Slouching may cause you to have some aching, but doesn’t lead to chronic back pain. It may be better for etiquette to sit up straight with regards to the particular business meeting you are in or when you are a child and want to appear respectful. However, it is not going to cause you scoliosis a life of disability where you need to see a Jacksonville chiropractor or pain management Jacksonville FL clinic..

2. Lifting heavy objects always leads to back pain.  This is another that is perpetuated all the time. Just lifting heavy weight does not lead to back pain. It’s the way that patients lift weight that can lead to it. If you don’t left properly utilizing your hips and knees, too much strain can be placed in your local act simply because you picked up the weight improperly.

3. Acupuncture is a sham. This is false and acupuncture actually has a time of research to back up its effectiveness. Due to the overwhelming amount of research showing how effective it is, the American Pain Society recommends having patients treated by acupuncture along with yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy in addition to traditional treatment with pain management Naples FL.

4. Chiropractic treatment does not work. Just like acupuncture, this is completely untrue. Jacksonville chiropractor treatment has been shown in multiple research studies to give excellent of those suffering from back pain or neck pain. At any one time, 12% of the US population is under the care of chiropractor. Therefore it is extremely popular and most insurance companies now will pay for some form of chiropractic treatment such as with a Miami chiropractor.

5. Being skinny means not having back pain This is a complete myth. Individuals who are thin can definitely experience back pain. Genetics play a huge part in whether or not you’re going to  develop degenerative disc disease or have an arthritis problem. You can thank your parents for that. Whether or not you are thin does not mean you will be protected from chronic back pain.

The Florida Pain Network connects those in pain with the best pain relievers in the state. Pain clinics, chiropractors, and Physical therapy. Help is just one click away or call (877) 877-8556 today for help!


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