Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I need to be at your chronic pain clinic?
While it is impossible to determine individual outcomes, patients with severe cases of chronic pain can safely count on spending a minimum of 15 days. Less severe cases might finish before this and extremely severe cases of chronic pain might require an extended stay.
How long am I in your clinic each day?
The first day requires approximately 2 hours of testing and 2 1/2 hours of treatment. Subsequent chronic pain treatments usually last from 2 to 3 hours.
What type of testing is done?
Chronic pain diagnoses are made or confirmed utilizing objective testing. This includes thermographic testing (temperature and, therefore, circulation, in the bottom of both feet), noninvasive vascular evaluation (showing the quality and quantity of circulation, in the toes, feet, and ankles), diagnostic X-Rays, heart rate variability, and sensory nerve testing. In addition, arm blood pressure and digital thermometer readings of the palmar surface of the thumbs and the plantar surface (bottom) of the big toes are utilized not only to show the presence of sympathetic nervous system involvement but also to show the decreased involvement, with treatment.
What treatment is involved and does it hurt?
We utilize Dynatronic STS therapy, other forms of electrostimulation, and bi-polar magnets. Exclusive to our chronic pain clinic, we utilize a special nerve transmission altering cream and special optimizer electrodes, which have been found to make the STS treatments more effective. The treatments in our clinic do not cause pain. Avoiding additional pain is absolutely necessary in treating chronic pain. Pain, including pain induced from treatments, can worsen chronic pain.
Can you have several types of chronic pain, at the same time?
Yes. All of the chronic pain syndromes that we treat are related by underlying cause. Many patients are diagnosed as having one type of chronic pain such as Fibromyalgia. Later, they may be diagnosed as having IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or migraine headaches. In reality, these are all just different manifestations of the same underlying problems with adequate circulation.
Is the chronic pain treatment experimental?
No. The actual modalities being used are based on medical technology that has been around for a very long time. The order, mix and application, as well as, my personal enhancements to the existing technologies are what make our chronic pain treatment unique. Our treatment protocols are based on years of research from many respected medical sources. Each chronic pain patient comes to us with a unique set of problems and, therefore, requires a unique approach.
Is this chronic pain treatment covered by insurance?
Yes, most insurance policies cover this treatment. If you contact the clinic, the insurance department will contact your insurance company to verify coverage.
What kind of outcome can I expect?
While it is impossible to predict individual outcomes, virtually all, of our patients, return home feeling significantly better and most leave pain free. Nearly all of my patients have reported an overall improvement in their quality of life. My definition of success is that, after finishing treatment, you can do anything that you could do prior to the chronic pain syndrome.
Can you cure RSDS?
RSDS is a chronic, complex pain syndrome, and cannot be "cured". However, pain free remission is possible and you can have a normal life, again.
Do I have to come to your chronic pain clinic?
Isn't there anywhere else I can get the same treatments?
The answer to the first question used to be yes. However, we have licensed one of our patents to the Dynatronics Corporation. The result of this partnership is a new unit called the Dynatron STS. The home STS unit combines our years of experience and research into an easy to use, portable device that allows the patient to be treated in the comfort of their home. This unit requires a doctor's prescription and training. The STS clinical unit allows a physician or physical therapist to treat several patients at the same time, in a clinical setting.
However, patients with more severe chronic pain, such as RSDS, may choose to come to our chronic pain clinic for treatment. If your physician or physical therapist is in our network, they can log onto this web site to input the necessary information for us to allow them to download suggested treatment protocols. If your clinician is interested in joining our network, please have them contact us. If you are one of our patients, you can log on to this web site, input the necessary information, and the appropriate protocols will be downloaded to you. However, only our patients are able to utilize the optimizer cream and optimizer electrodes.
Why are your results so much better than anyone else's?
We have had years of experience in the testing and treatment of the chronic pain, including specialized training in sensory nerve testing. Not only do we have more experience with the STS treatment than any other chronic pain clinic in the world, but also, the STS was invented here. We are utilizing techniques that, to my knowledge, are unique to our practice. These techniques include the Dynatron STS and the patented topical cream and patented electrodes. We also have years of experience in biomechanics. Correcting biomechanical defects is critical to the successful treatment of many chronic pain syndromes, such as RSDS. Because I have had RSDS, I am sympathetic to the unique pain associated with the disease. Perhaps the most important difference is that the Coastal Bend Chronic Pain Center treats patients every day, including weekends and holidays. Chronic pain does not take a vacation and it is essential that patients receive the treatment consistently.
Have you published?
Yes, the results of our first study were published in the American Journal of Pain Management, January 2002. Other articles detailing further results of our recent clinical studies, as well as, clinical theories as to why this treatment is effective, are currently in progress.
