The Six Steps to Your Individual Pain Management PlanAt the Center for Holistic Psychiatry and Pain Management
Pain can be caused by any number of illnesses or injuries and the severity of the pain is influenced by many factors. Nutritional status, emotional tension, stress, level of fitness, weight, and lifestyle are all examples of the physiological components to the experience of pain.The pain management tools employed at the Center are:
· Osteopathic manipulation
· Acupuncture
· Metabolic support (proper nutrition, thyroid, hormonal balance)
· The Alexander Technique
· Lifestyle changes
· Energy psychology techniques
· Non-narcotic pain medication
· Nutritional supplements
Osteopathy is America’s best kept medical secret. Developed by Dr. Andrew T. Still more than 100 years ago, Osteopathy is a sophisticated holistic medical approach to the body. We look at the body as a whole; that structure and function are related to each other and that the function of the body can be influenced by manipulating the structure of the body. The manipulative techniques vary depending on the needs of the patient but include techniques that are very gentle along with techniques that are more active.
Acupuncture is the age old technique of using small needles (the size of a human hair) to stimulate points in the body for the purpose of balancing the body’s energy. Acupuncture balances the flow of energy through the meridians of the body. Dr. Somner will also use the acupuncture needles to stimulate the body’s own pain relieving biochemicals (endorphins) or to treat specific points such as trigger points (dry needling).
Metabolic stress caused by pain is frequently overlooked in the treatment of pain. When pain is chronic, the adrenal glands are often depleted and there is adrenal fatigue. There may be hormonal imbalances, nutritional imbalances, or toxicities that prevent the body from being able to manage the pain. These metabolic components can be very significant. Restoring or improving metabolic function can help the body heal or manage pain.
The Alexander Technique is recommended. The Alexander Technique is a specific technique which enables one to use one’s thinking to decompress the joints and move the body in an integrated way without effort. This can be an enormous relief, especially for neck and low back pain.
Lifestyle changes that allow you to relax, manage stress and sleep well is essential to the management of pain.
The energy psychology technique we recommend is the Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. EFT is a technique that stimulates powerful acupuncture points by tapping them with the fingers. The effect of this technique is to balance the energy and improve the physical state of being.
We will sometimes recommend non-narcotic medication but our focus is on a holistic approach so we prefer to limit medication in favor of natural methods.
Nutritional supplements that support the body and help with relaxation are often recommended.
What you can expect from the Center:
The first step is to see the doctor. Dr. Somner, board certified in psychiatry and certified in Cranial Osteopathy, will take an initial history and evaluation. The evaluation will include your medical history, your pain history and your past treatment successes and failures. This is the most important step because Dr. Somner needs to fully understand your problem and what has and has not worked for you in the past. The initial visit is one and a half hours in length and if there is time will include an osteopathic treatment. The cost of this initial visit is $390.00 and includes the metabolic type test, a $70.00 value.
The second step is to be treated by Dr. Somner. She will perform osteopathic treatments or acupuncture or both. She will also order any tests that need to be done and review them with you. A separate office visit may be needed to review tests.
The third step is to attend the Alexander Technique workshops that the Center offers. These workshops are an essential component of the healing and recovery process. They will teach you, in a group setting, the tools to relieve your discomfort as you go about your day. Our associate teacher is Ed Bilanchone. Ed is also available for private classes for those who wish to study the technique in more depth.
The fourth step is to see our nutritional counselor, Becky Marrs. Having the nutritional support that your body needs is a must for improvement from any chronic illness. Becky will go over the result of the metabolic type test and explain what it all means to you. Your work with her is extremely important because implementing the dietary changes is essential for the success of the program. As a trained cook, Becky has many tricks to help you shop for whole foods and cook delicious tasting food that will nourish and support the body and psyche. This part of the process is spread out over time and involves three sessions for $100.00 each. We offer a 20% discount ($280.00) if all three sessions with Becky are paid for in advance. Becky also offers a more detailed coaching program as well, for an additional cost, for those who want more help or are engaged in a weight loss program.
The fifth step is your improvement. As you receive the manual treatments from Dr. Somner and as you implement the recommendations of the program you will find that you feel and function better.
The sixth step is to follow up with Dr. Somner as needed.
