If you're considering seeing a pain specialist, you might be wondering: Is this just a quick fix? Will I end up on opioids? Aren't these treatments experimental?
You're not alone.
At our clinic, we hear these questions all the time. Let's clear the air—and bust five of the biggest myths about what pain management doctors actually do.
1️⃣ "All you do is opioids and injections, right?"
This is one of the most common misconceptions.
Modern pain management is so much more than writing prescriptions or giving quick injections.
We take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that includes:
- •Minimally invasive surgical procedures (like spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pumps, radiofrequency ablation)
- •Diagnostic and therapeutic nerve blocks under imaging guidance
- •Advanced regenerative medicine (PRP, bone marrow aspirate concentrate)
- •Image-guided joint injections and ablations
- •Careful, opioid-sparing medication management
- •Coordinated care with physical therapy and other specialties
Our mission is to reduce pain at its source, improve function, and minimize reliance on long-term medications.
Evidence:
- •Cohen SP et al. BMJ. 2019;367:l6214.
- •Friedly J et al. Ann Intern Med. 2014;161:390–9.
- •Murray IR et al. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50:909–16.
2️⃣ "Isn't this just a band-aid? Won't it just cover up the pain?"
We hear this worry a lot.
In reality, our goal is to treat the actual source of pain—not just mask it.
- •Epidural steroid injections reduce inflammation around compressed nerves.
- •Radiofrequency ablation can "turn off" pain signals from arthritic joints for 6–12 months.
- •Regenerative medicine may help heal certain tissue injuries and slow degeneration.
By reducing pain and inflammation, we help patients regain movement, participate in therapy, and improve long-term outcomes.
Evidence:
- •Manchikanti L et al. Pain Physician. 2015;18:E935–E1004.
- •Van Boxem K et al. Pain Pract. 2014;14(5):397–409.
- •Fitzpatrick J et al. Am J Sports Med. 2017;45(4):880–89.
3️⃣ "My surgeon said I have to do this before I can have surgery—is that true?"
Yes—and it's not just red tape.
- •Most surgeons (and insurers) want you to try conservative and interventional treatments first because they often work.
- •These treatments can reduce pain enough to avoid surgery altogether.
- •Even if surgery is eventually needed, they can improve outcomes and reduce recovery time.
There's also a growing range of minimally invasive procedures designed specifically to replace or delay open surgery.
We offer evidence-based, less invasive options such as:
- •Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD®): Removes excess ligament through a tiny incision to relieve spinal stenosis.
- •Percutaneous Disc Decompression: Removes small amounts of disc material to relieve pressure on nerve roots.
- •Basivertebral Nerve Ablation: Targets vertebral body pain from Modic changes without fusion.
- •Interspinous Process Devices: Small implants placed between vertebrae to maintain spacing in stenotic segments, relieving nerve compression.
These minimally invasive options are performed outpatient with small incisions and less recovery time compared to open surgery. They are designed to bridge the gap between conservative care and major surgery, giving patients more choices for lasting relief.
Evidence Summary:
- •Cohen SP et al. Lancet. 2020;396(10245):1242–1254.
- •Manchikanti L et al. Pain Physician. 2013;16:E349–E382.
4️⃣ "What if the injections don't work?"
This is a great question—and one we talk about with every patient.
Not every injection or procedure works for everyone. That's why we don't rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.
If a particular injection doesn't provide enough relief, we have multiple other evidence-based options to consider, such as:
- •Radiofrequency ablation for longer-term relief of joint and nerve pain
- •Spinal cord stimulation for nerve-related pain that doesn't respond to other treatments
- •Minimally invasive surgical options (like decompression procedures or interspinous spacers)
- •Regenerative medicine treatments (like PRP or bone marrow aspirate concentrate)
Pain management is about creating a personalized plan, trying the least invasive options first, and carefully stepping up only if needed.
Evidence:
- •NICE Guidelines NG193. 2021.
- •North RB et al. Pain. 2005;113(3):316–24.
- •Cohen SP et al. BMJ. 2019;367:l6214.
5️⃣ "Won't I just end up on opioids anyway?"
One of our main goals is to avoid or reduce opioid use whenever possible.
We focus on opioid-sparing strategies by:
- •Using image-guided procedures that treat pain at its source
- •Offering minimally invasive solutions before considering long-term medications
- •Managing any necessary medications safely and responsibly
Evidence:
- •CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines. 2022.
- •Kim N et al. JAMA. 2018;319(20):2091–2100.
The Bottom Line
Pain management isn't about handing out prescriptions or giving a "quick fix."
It's about understanding your pain, finding its source, and offering personalized, evidence-based solutions—from advanced procedures to regenerative medicine and beyond.
If you're ready to move beyond the band-aid and get real help for your pain, let's talk.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Let's find the right plan to help you get back to living well.
Written by Dr. Devan Partridge
Anesthesiologist, Interventional Pain Specialist