Back pain is one of the more common conditions we treat at Lone Star Pain Medicine. But it is not the only condition. Some of our patients are living with knee pain, neck or shoulder pain, abdominal pain, and even cancer pain. The one thing they all have in common is a lower quality of life. Does this sound familiar to you?
Two of our goals are functional restoration and improved quality of life. We want to help patients regain lost function so that they can go back to doing some of the things they used to do before back, knee, or shoulder pain started getting in the way. Getting back to those things helps improve quality of life.
Here is the big question for you: what would you do with your life if we could help manage your pain effectively?
Would you get out of the house more?
Chronic back pain is well known for keeping people stuck at home. Getting up and moving just hurts too much. So instead of going on long walks, enjoying the fantastic Texas weather, or going out to take in a concert, pain patients sit at home and watch TV. If TV is your thing, that’s great. But are there other things you would rather be doing outside the confines of your own house?
Maybe you would rather be out working in the garden. Perhaps you used to make a point of helping those in the neighborhood who lived alone or were ill themselves. We would like to help you get your function back so that you can start doing those things again.
Would you spend more time with family?
Chronic pain in the knees, shoulders, and back tends to limit the time patients spend with their families. They do not move and function as well as they used to, and they don’t want to be a burden. So they withdraw. Again, does this sound familiar to you?
Your kids and grandkids would love to spend more time with you. They would love to join you for a day at the beach, a bike ride around the neighborhood, or just throwing a ball in the front yard. You might be able to do all those things if we can effectively manage your pain enough to restore lost function.
Would you take care of your own house?
Lost function often compels chronic pain patients to hire others to take care of their homes. But maybe you are the type of person who gets tremendous satisfaction out of taking care of things yourself.
Less pain could get you behind the lawnmower again. Less pain could make it easier for you to do the laundry, vacuum the carpets, wash your car, or do any of those other household chores you used to enjoy so much.
Are you ready for a life with less pain?
We cannot promise miracles here at Lone Star Pain Medicine. But we can promise that we will do everything to help you feel better and regain lost function. The more function we can work together to get back, the more you will be able to do. And the more you can do, the more opportunities you will have to improve your quality of life.
Chronic pain is no fun. It is life-altering for so many patients. Lone Star’s approach to pain management is a combination of reducing pain and restoring function. The combination of the two helps patients take their lives back. It helps improve a patient’s quality of life. That’s what it’s all about.
