Medications

Prescription medications are sometimes required to help manage acute or chronic pain conditions. If this is necessary, patients can be safely treated under our careful supervision with the most effective pain medications available today.

Dr. Will is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine. This is the certification restricted to pain management specialists whose focus is on pain management and who have demonstrated their skills through comprehensive testing.

NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs):
Some of these are available over the counter such as Advil and Aleve. Others are available by prescription, such as Celebrex. All of these relieve pain by reducing inflammation.

Steroids:
Steroids are available in oral form and injections (see Epidural Steroid Injections). They have a more powerful anti-inflammatory effect than the NSAIDS, but are used only on a short-term basis to eliminate inflammation that is causing pain.

Muscle Relaxants:
These are prescription medications that reduce muscle spasms and thereby can reduce pain.

Anticonvulsants:
These prescription medications reduce pain by lessening the sensitivity of the nervous system.

Sleep medications:
Pain can often disrupt sleep and make it more difficult for a person to cope with their pain. Sleep medications are prescribed to improve restorative sleep.

Antidepressants:
Chronic pain patients often have depression. Antidepressants can improve mood and make it easier to tolerate pain. They can also have a direct effect on reducing pain.

Opioids:
These are the most powerful prescription pain medications available. They can be used to treat acute or chronic pain successfully. However, opioids medications can have negative consequences including: addiction, tolerance to the medication, constipation, drowsiness, and other side effects. Therefore, these medications are closely regulated and are not suitable for everyone. Only a thorough medical consultation can determine whether opioid therapy is appropriate for a particular individual.