Latest news with #painmanagement
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Clarity, Not Volume, Drives Trust In Pain Management Messaging
Christy Saia-Owenby is the Founder & CEO of MOXY Company, focused on strategic growth for medtech, healthcare brands and physician leaders. getty In today's spine and pain management landscape, the only thing more overwhelming than the condition itself is the sheer volume of competing messages claiming to provide relief. For potential patients, this information overload—and the social baggage that comes with it—often creates more confusion than clarity. But it's not just patients who are caught in the noise. For healthcare organizations, medical technology companies and physicians, the spine and pain space presents one of the most complex communication challenges in medicine today. Having worked extensively in this space, I have seen firsthand how complexity is often underestimated. When agencies or partners claim they can effectively market pain products, procedures or providers without a true understanding of the clinical, emotional and social dimensions of pain, it raises a necessary question: Are they advancing care, or simply chasing attention? Pain is deeply personal, often invisible and difficult to define. So is the messaging around it. Crafting communication that is clear, credible and collaborative requires more than marketing tactics—or inflated vanity metrics designed to make generic messaging appear effective. It demands empathy, precision and a deep understanding of both the science and the stigma surrounding pain. In a market saturated with bold promises and competing voices, the question for healthcare communicators becomes urgent: How do we break through the noise—without adding to it—and build trust in a space where trust is often the first casualty? One of the most common mistakes in spine and pain communication is casting too wide a net with a generic message in an attempt to capture the attention of the millions of people living with pain. While the potential audience is expansive—with nearly 21% of U.S. adults living with chronic pain—seeking mass appeal should never come at the expense of relevance. In an effort to seem inclusive, many medtech brand strategies end up overly generalized, lacking the nuance needed to truly connect. Ironically, this often alienates the very patients they hope to engage and help. This challenge is amplified by the realities of information overload. Studies show that an excess of digital content can significantly impair decision making, productivity and well-being, illustrating why focused positioning is critical for impact. The fundamental role of a healthcare brand strategist is not to promote everything to everyone; it is to deeply understand a specific pain point and deliver a clear, confident solution—your solution. In the spine and pain management space, a strong communication strategy isn't just good branding; it's a public service. Specificity is the antidote to overload. While pain may be physical, how individuals experience it and seek help is intrinsically emotional and cultural. When healthcare communicators neglect to acknowledge this critical facet of care, campaigns miss the opportunity to connect with patients on a core level. Research shows that shame can act as a silencer, with many reporting that feelings of embarrassment or unworthiness prevent them from seeking care or sharing their despair. This stigma is often exacerbated for those with chronic pain conditions where symptoms manifest in intimate or invisible ways. As a result, many patients internalize the belief that their suffering is exaggerated or illegitimate, creating uncertainty around when and how to chart a pain-free path forward. As communicators, we must understand the social context in which we operate. It's not enough to promote a product—we need to validate the pain journey. That means highlighting the full treatment trajectory—not just the treatment itself—and honoring the emotional realities that come with it. Compassionate and candid campaigns that emphasize empathy and care build trust. And trust is the bridge between despair and repair. In today's fractured care landscape and increasingly crowded digital space, patients aren't just searching for a service—they're seeking guidance. They need trusted sources to help them navigate information overload, form informed opinions and chart a clear path forward. That's where strategic healthcare communication becomes invaluable—not by saying the most or shouting the loudest, but by communicating with clarity, calm and purpose. The most impactful messaging positions itself thoughtfully within the care continuum, defining a clear niche while acknowledging the complexity of available treatment options. A strong brand strategy doesn't just promote—it provides context. It demonstrates an understanding of the social, emotional, physical and financial barriers patients face, while staying grounded in the specific solutions you offer. When healthcare communicators do this well—offering insight, not just persuasion—they are no longer seen as promoters. They become trusted guides. In a space as personal and high-stakes as pain care, that shift isn't just good strategy—it's a public service. Pain management requires collaboration, not competition. The future of healthcare communication lies in uniting disciplines, honoring lived experiences and crafting clear, evidence-based messaging that rises above the digital noise. When you move beyond simply promoting services or new medtech—and start genuinely connecting with people, their challenges, their passions and their goals—you stop being just another provider or product. You become part of their story. That's how brands, hospitals, surgeons and the entire healthcare industry can stand out—not by shouting louder, but by mattering more. As brand strategists and communicators, our role is not just to amplify, but to advocate. We must continually ask: How can our messaging make patients feel more seen? How can it reduce fear, silence shame and open the door to trust? When patients feel seen, they are not only more likely to seek care; they are also more likely to believe in the care they receive. At the end of the day, clarity isn't just a smart strategy. It's good medicine. Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Charlotte Pain Management Center Celebrates Over 25 Years of Providing Relief
06/19/2025, Port Charlotte, Florida // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Charlotte Pain Management Center, known for its commitment to personalized pain treatment, celebrates over 25 years of delivering compassionate care and clinical excellence in Southwest Florida. Established in 1997, it has become a cornerstone of hope and healing for those dealing with chronic pain. Dedicated to restoring quality of life, it combines medical expertise, innovation, and patient advocacy. 'It's difficult to put into words what this milestone means to us,' says Nancy Harris, RN, founder and CEO of Charlotte Pain Management Center. 'Personally, this clinic isn't just a business. It's a calling. I grew up believing you help people whether you know them or not, and that principle has guided everything we do here. After so many years, to still be here and still making a difference, we're beyond grateful. Our patients trust us with some of the hardest parts of their lives, and that trust means everything to us.' Charlotte Pain Management Center was founded on the belief that no one should have to live in persistent pain without access to meaningful relief. Catering to patients suffering from nerve pain, neuropathy, bone and joint issues, and complex chronic conditions, the clinic offers interventional and non-interventional treatment plans that are as individualized as the patients themselves. The center employs a whole-patient approach that blends cutting-edge and compassionate care. This is evident in its services, from spinal cord stimulation and radiofrequency ablation to advanced joint and nerve block injections. The team at Charlotte Pain Management Center includes experienced physicians, medical professionals, and behavioral health specialists who collaborate to address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of pain. Besides its team of experts, the clinic is also known for its commitment to accessibility. It works with patients who may lack insurance or resources, ensuring that no one is turned away without options. 'Where others might only offer one-size-fits-all procedures, we build sustainable and personalized care paths,' Harris says. That reputation for providing relief where others couldn't have helped solidified the clinic as a vital resource in the region. However, it's worth noting that it took grit and resilience for Charlotte Pain Management Center to establish itself in the field. The founder began her career managing home health services and medical practices, where she witnessed firsthand the gap in long-term, effective pain care. Her vision to create a more humane and more effective approach led to the founding of the center. Unfortunately, the founder faced some monumental challenges within her personal life. Yet, even during the darkest times, Harris never considered closing the doors. Her connection to her patients and the knowledge that many had nowhere else to turn drove her to push forward. 'I couldn't let them down,' she recalls. 'We're often the last stop. Shutting down wasn't an option.' Emerging from that period with renewed focus, Harris revitalized the clinic. She hired a new physician who brought fresh capabilities and advanced techniques to the team, reestablished essential services like cancer pain treatment, and invested in the latest technologies, including state-of-the-art C-arm imaging equipment. The center expanded its programs to include comprehensive neuropathy protocols and innovative, lesser-known modalities. The outcome was a rebirth both in operations and in mission. As it celebrates over 25 years of serving the community, Charlotte Pain Management Center remains committed to staying at the forefront of the medical field. Harris remarks: 'Technology and treatments will continue to advance, but our priority will always be to deliver patient-centered care.' Media Contact Name: Nancy Harris, RN, BSN Email: [email protected] The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk. Source published by Submit Press Release >> Charlotte Pain Management Center Celebrates Over 25 Years of Providing Relief
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
‘Thanks to two years on the NHS waiting list, I'm now an inch shorter'
In March 2022, Jason Foster tripped over his dog, fell down the stairs, and broke his back. The pain was harrowing. Even worse, he says, it was matched by the agony he faced during his 20-month wait for surgery on his T12 wedge fracture, owing to the inefficiency of the NHS. 'For almost two years, I survived on stoicism and morphine,' says Foster. Following the accident, which occurred while he was renovating his late mother's house near Taunton, copy-editor Foster, 55, was referred back to a hospital in south London, near his Surrey home. 'I had an X-ray, and was told I'd need to have an operation,' he says. 'They then sent me on my way with pain relief, a walking stick, and a spinal brace to stop me going 'full Jenga'. No-one told me how long I would have to wait.' Over the next few months, the hospital made three appointments for him, which it then cancelled before the allotted times. 'I turned up on another morning, and it was the doctor's day off,' says Foster. 'When I asked one receptionist some hard questions, she called her senior colleague who said I had 'hurt her feelings'.' In August 2022, to his great relief, Foster was finally called in for surgery, but the consultant on the rota that day didn't agree that an operation was the best course of action, so Foster was sent home again. 'Meanwhile, I had a hole in my back and was getting shorter by the day, because my vertebrae were crushing into one another,' he says. The question of 'urgency' Cancelled appointments, lost paperwork, a black hole of communication – anyone who uses the NHS will be used to this catalogue of failures. Perhaps the most concerning thing is that these delays don't just affect routine appointments, but those also deemed ' urgent '. According to a King's Fund report released in May last year, the NHS declares that 92 per cent of people waiting for elective (non-urgent) treatment, such as cataract surgery or a knee replacement, should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to their first treatment. 'This standard was last met in September 2015,' the King's Fund said at the time. 'Since then, performance has declined steadily, until the Covid-19 pandemic, when it deteriorated rapidly.'
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Charlotte Pain Management Center Celebrates Over 25 Years of Providing Relief
Charlotte Pain Management Center commemorates over 25 years of service, continuing its mission to deliver innovative, compassionate pain relief to the Southwest Florida community. Port Charlotte, Florida, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charlotte Pain Management Center, known for its commitment to personalized pain treatment, celebrates over 25 years of delivering compassionate care and clinical excellence in Southwest Florida. Established in 1997, it has become a cornerstone of hope and healing for those dealing with chronic pain. Dedicated to restoring quality of life, it combines medical expertise, innovation, and patient advocacy. Charlotte Pain Management Center'It's difficult to put into words what this milestone means to us,' says Nancy Harris, RN, founder and CEO of Charlotte Pain Management Center. 'Personally, this clinic isn't just a business. It's a calling. I grew up believing you help people whether you know them or not, and that principle has guided everything we do here. After so many years, to still be here and still making a difference, we're beyond grateful. Our patients trust us with some of the hardest parts of their lives, and that trust means everything to us.' Charlotte Pain Management Center was founded on the belief that no one should have to live in persistent pain without access to meaningful relief. Catering to patients suffering from nerve pain, neuropathy, bone and joint issues, and complex chronic conditions, the clinic offers interventional and non-interventional treatment plans that are as individualized as the patients themselves. The center employs a whole-patient approach that blends cutting-edge and compassionate care. This is evident in its services, from spinal cord stimulation and radiofrequency ablation to advanced joint and nerve block injections. The team at Charlotte Pain Management Center includes experienced physicians, medical professionals, and behavioral health specialists who collaborate to address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of pain. Besides its team of experts, the clinic is also known for its commitment to accessibility. It works with patients who may lack insurance or resources, ensuring that no one is turned away without options. 'Where others might only offer one-size-fits-all procedures, we build sustainable and personalized care paths,' Harris says. That reputation for providing relief where others couldn't have helped solidified the clinic as a vital resource in the region. However, it's worth noting that it took grit and resilience for Charlotte Pain Management Center to establish itself in the field. The founder began her career managing home health services and medical practices, where she witnessed firsthand the gap in long-term, effective pain care. Her vision to create a more humane and more effective approach led to the founding of the center. Unfortunately, the founder faced some monumental challenges within her personal life. Yet, even during the darkest times, Harris never considered closing the doors. Her connection to her patients and the knowledge that many had nowhere else to turn drove her to push forward. 'I couldn't let them down,' she recalls. 'We're often the last stop. Shutting down wasn't an option.' Emerging from that period with renewed focus, Harris revitalized the clinic. She hired a new physician who brought fresh capabilities and advanced techniques to the team, reestablished essential services like cancer pain treatment, and invested in the latest technologies, including state-of-the-art C-arm imaging equipment. The center expanded its programs to include comprehensive neuropathy protocols and innovative, lesser-known modalities. The outcome was a rebirth both in operations and in mission. As it celebrates over 25 years of serving the community, Charlotte Pain Management Center remains committed to staying at the forefront of the medical field. Harris remarks: 'Technology and treatments will continue to advance, but our priority will always be to deliver patient-centered care.' Media Contact Name: Nancy Harris, RN, BSN Email: info@ The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Q&A: Postoperative Pain Management
Dr Scott Pritzlaff Dr Scott Pritzlaff, an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist at UC Davis Health, discusses contemporary pain management strategies across the surgical spectrum. In this interview, he shares how practices have evolved in response to the opioid crisis, highlights innovations such as peripheral nerve stimulation and multimodal analgesia, and reflects on the current challenges in fellowship training and health equity in pain care. How has the opioid crisis changed surgical pain management? I think everyone has adapted in some way. Back in 2011 when I was an anesthesia resident, there was more of a one-size-fits-all approach — mainly focused on prescribing postoperative opioids. But things have shifted significantly. There's much more emphasis now on upfront risk stratification.[1] Patients who are on chronic opioids, or who have psychological risk factors such as anxiety, depression, or catastrophizing, are much more likely to have poor outcomes after surgery.[1,2] These risk factors are modifiable, and early identification has become a key priority in optimizing surgical outcomes. How have conversations around pain expectations changed with patients? There's a lot more discussion now about function rather than just the pain score. The 'pain as the fifth vital sign' era pushed us to treat numbers, but that doesn't reflect how a patient is actually doing. Today, we're talking more about their ability to mobilize and return to activity. That's also driven innovation. For instance, instead of traditional femoral nerve blocks, we're using more targeted peripheral nerve blocks and catheters that preserve mobility.[3,4] These are key components of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols,[5] which have helped transform care for procedures like joint replacements — many of which are now same-day surgeries. How do you manage patient expectations about pain control? It really depends on how the conversation is framed. I make it clear that the goal is to manage symptoms — not to eliminate pain entirely. Words like 'cure' or '100% relief' can set unrealistic expectations. But I also let patients know we now have tools we didn't have 15 or 20 years ago. One example is peripheral nerve stimulation, which involves placing a small wire next to a nerve and modulating the nerve's signals using electricity — somewhat like a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit, but implanted.[3,4] These percutaneous systems are fairly new, only widely available since 2016, and offer a promising option for patients with persistent pain after surgery. In your view, what was the turning point in opioid prescribing? A pivotal shift occurred in 2016, when both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Surgeon General issued strong national guidance in response to the escalating opioid crisis. The CDC released prescribing guidelines that emphasized caution with opioid use, introduced preliminary morphine milligram equivalent thresholds, and advocated for nonopioid therapies as first-line treatments for chronic pain.[6] Simultaneously, the Surgeon General circulated an open letter to healthcare professionals, urging more responsible prescribing practices and highlighting the growing toll of opioid-related harm.[7] But the unintended consequence was a rise in illicit use, especially with fentanyl. So, while prescribing went down, opioid-related deaths continued to climb. Some argue the response was too abrupt, particularly from primary care providers, and we're still dealing with those consequences. Is there evidence that these perioperative interventions are effective? Yes. Studies have shown that chronic opioid use before surgery predicts higher opioid needs afterward.[1,2] Ketamine, for example, has been shown to modestly reduce perioperative opioid use.[8] It's used in the emergency department setting — my daughter had it when she broke her arm. It's effective, and the patient remains breathing on their own but is unaware. Similarly, ERAS protocols[5] and peripheral nerve stimulation[3,4] have shown promise in reducing opioid consumption, which in turn lowers the risk for substance use disorder. Where do gabapentinoids fit into the picture? Gabapentin and pregabalin have been widely used as part of ERAS protocols. A decade ago, we were prescribing them for many pain conditions. But the evidence has been mixed, and, in older patients they can cause dizziness, confusion, and falls.[5] They still have a role, especially in managing neuropathic pain, but they're not the wonder drugs we once thought they were. There's also some abuse potential, particularly with pregabalin, which is a Drug Enforcement Administration schedule V medication. Are you using digital tools or wearables to monitor pain after surgery? Yes, though it's primarily in the chronic pain space where we're seeing the most adoption. For example, newer spinal cord stimulator systems can now transmit data directly to the patient's smartphone, allowing real-time tracking and personalized adjustments. Sleep metrics are also gaining attention, because disrupted sleep is closely tied to higher pain sensitivity and worse outcomes.[9] Some newer wearable TENS units integrate artificial intelligence to adapt stimulation patterns based on user feedback, all managed through connected apps. That said, many of these technologies are still paid out of pocket, which limits accessibility and makes broad integration into routine postoperative care more challenging.[10] What is your experience with suzetrigine? I haven't used suzetrigine yet, but I know hospitals are starting to stock it. It's approved for acute pain and was studied in soft tissue (abdominoplasty) and hard tissue (bunionectomy) models. It's a highly selective Nav1.8 sodium-channel blocker, which acts peripherally with minimal central nervous system or cardiac side effects.[11] Patients with chronic pain are already asking about it. It's definitely a medication to watch. How do you manage surgical pain in patients with a history of substance use disorder? That's a nuanced challenge. Many of these patients are on buprenorphine, which binds tightly to opioid receptors but doesn't fully activate them. That makes it difficult to manage pain with traditional opioids — they just don't work as well unless given in high doses. Some surgeons are uncomfortable with continuing buprenorphine through the perioperative period, but the trend is shifting. At my hospital, we have a dedicated inpatient pain service that helps manage these cases. Stopping buprenorphine carries a high risk for relapse, so we often continue it, or use it acutely alongside other treatments.[12] How is pain fellowship training evolving to keep pace with the field? It's a big issue. Pain medicine fellowships have been 1 year long since the 1990s, when the field was focused on medications and simple procedures such as epidurals. But the landscape has changed drastically — now we're doing neuromodulation, minimally invasive spine interventions, and managing complex pharmacology like buprenorphine.[13,14] There is an increasing discussion about standardizing training, extending fellowship to 2 years, or even turning it into a standalone residency.[15] Anesthesiologists are applying less owing to high job demand, and more physiatrists are entering the field. That's another driver for standardization. Are there any tools or technologies you think are underutilized in pain management? Virtual reality has real promise.[16] We've used it for pain procedures and in pediatric populations to reduce anxiety. It's also being explored in chronic pain settings as a nonpharmacologic intervention.[17] I think we'll see wider adoption as the hardware improves and costs come down. We also recently studied radiofrequency ablation for chronic knee osteoarthritis.[18,19] There's growing interest in using it preoperatively — say, a month before joint replacement — to reduce postoperative pain and opioid use. Peripheral nerve stimulation is also evolving quickly,[3,4] but again, insurance coverage is a major barrier, despite strong clinical data. What message would you most want to share with clinicians managing surgical pain? Pain is multifactorial. It's not just nociception — it's influenced by emotional, psychological, and social factors. Taking time to understand the patient's full experience and tailoring treatment accordingly leads to better outcomes. We now have more tools than ever to help us do that.
