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Chronic Pain 

According to the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, nearly 50 million American adults have significant chronic pain or severe pain. 

The Spine and Pain Center at the George Washington University Hospital can help people living with chronic pain. The Center strives to provide a multidisciplinary, individualized treatment plan to ease pain, reduce disability and improve function. We work with orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and neurology and rehabilitation professionals to optimally coordinate patient care.  

We also integrate physical therapy and psychological services to effectively treat several conditions, including:

  • Nerve-related Pain (Neuropathic Pain)
  • Postsurgical Pain
  • Abdominal/Pelvic Pain
  • Cancer Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Disorders of the Spine

Podcast: GW Hospital’s Unique Approach to Pain Management

Marian Sherman, MD, discusses the unique approach GW Hospital takes in addressing both acute pain and chronic pain (lasting more than six months). Dr. Sherman explains various opioid alternatives, such as nerve block injections, ketamine infusions, and a combination of small doses of OTC pain relievers. She also explains the important role that each patient can play in their own pain management plan.

Listen to the podcast

Treatment Options

The GW Spine and Pain Center provides a comprehensive range of programs and clinical options. Some treatment methods involve:

  • Nerve blockades and other anesthesia injections — Patients may be treated with regional anesthetic techniques including facet blocks, epidural blocks, trigger point injections, botulinum toxin injections, nerve blocks and neurolytic blocks. Some procedures may be performed under X-ray guidance.
  • Medication management — Patients may receive analgesics and other medications for symptoms associated with a pain condition (e.g., depression). Patients placed on potentially habit-forming medications may be asked to comply with a written treatment contract limiting the conditions by which those medications will be prescribed.
  • Implantable devices — Patients may be treated by using implantable devices for pain control. These include dorsal column stimulators and devices such as intrathecal pumps.
  • Psychotherapy — Patients may receive counseling for pain management or for other psychological conditions associated with pain control.
  • Ancillary services — Patients may be referred for other services to treat chronic pain, including surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy.

Acute Pain Management Service 

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Acute Pain Management Service at GW Hospital is a consult service that helps patients manage post-operative and post-traumatic pain. The service, offered through the Department of Anesthesiology, uses many of the latest techniques to reduce and control pain while in the hospital.

Learn More about Acute Pain Management

Location

GW Spine and Pain Center
2131 K St, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202-715-4599
Fax: 202-715-4598