CHRISTUS Southeast Texas - LiveWell

Chronic pain, caused by everything from car crashes to debilitating diseases to on-the-job accidents, can make day-to-day life almost unbearable — and it's more common than you might imagine. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, more than 100 million people living in the United States suffer from chronic pain, and that ever-present discomfort can often cost a lot in terms of lost wages, productivity and overall satisfaction. The professionals at CHRISTUS Pain Management Center – Southeast Texas are committed to finding the cause for each case of chronic pain and treating it aggressively and effectively. A WHOLE BODY APPROACH "Pain management doesn't just mean that you're prescribed medication," says Sassan Ehdaie, MD, Medical Director of CHRISTUS Pain Management Center – Southeast Texas. "This management really is focused on maintaining functionality and quality of life by targeting the cause of the pain and addressing it instead of simply numbing it. Our goal is to improve emotional, physical, psychological and social well-being — every area of life affected by pain." To achieve this objective, Dr. Ehdaie and his team at three CHRISTUS Pain Management Center – Southeast Texas locations work together to diagnose chronic pain and address it accordingly using a variety of treatments. These methods may include: • back bracing to control pain and minimize unnecessary motion • electrical stimulation to decrease pain and increase functionality • epidural steroid injections to ease inflammation that accompanies conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis • physical therapy to encourage healing, strengthen muscles and reduce future occurrences of pain • topical agents that can be absorbed through the skin to ease pain caused by conditions such as arthritis • anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease inflammation and pain In the case of extreme pain that does not respond to relatively non-invasive forms of treatment, CHRISTUS Pain Management Center – Southeast Texas professionals may collaborate with neurosurgeons and orthopedists from CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth & St. Mary. "We're all part of the CHRISTUS Health – Southeast Texas family," Dr. Ehdaie says. "It's an efficient, tight network." Don't let pain run your life. Ask your doctor about a referral to CHRISTUS Pain Management Center – Southeast Texas. For more information, call 866.683.3627 or visit www.christushospital.org/painmanagement. Putting Chronic Pain in Its Place CONVENIENT CARE, ON YOUR TERMS Keith Rost, 60, has lived with pain caused by polio since he was 10 years old. He has endured numerous surgeries and relied on various medications for the past few decades, all the while driving long distances to get the care he needed. But since the establishment of CHRISTUS Pain Management Center – Southeast Texas at CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth, Keith has a much more convenient commute. And he couldn't be happier. "It was such a hassle to go all the way to Houston every time I needed to consult a doctor," Keith says. "Now an expert like Dr. [Sassan] Ehdaie [MD] is right down the street. I'm thrilled." PAIN RELIEF, RIGHT DOWN THE STREET CHRISTUS Pain Management Center – Southeast Texas offers service at three convenient locations. CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth Outpatient Pavilion 755 N. 11th St., Ste. P2280 Beaumont CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Mary Professional Office Building 2001 9th Ave., Ste. 300 Port Arthur/Mid-County CHRISTUS Jasper Memorial Hospital 1275 S. Marvin Hancock Dr. Jasper You don't have to travel far and wide for effective pain management. Sassan Ehdaie, MD 4 LiveWell | January 2015

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