Spectrum: Mercer Health Pain Management Clinic stresses open mind, whole person approach to chronic pain

CELINA Spectrum on WCSM featured a conversation with Mercer Health’s Pain Management Clinic, highlighting that pain management is not just about medication and that many patients can benefit from a broader treatment plan.

Host Kevin Sandler welcomed certified nurse practitioner Jamie Knott, RN Melvin Camp, and Dr. Keith Snow to discuss how the clinic approaches chronic pain. The team emphasized they practice interventional pain management, which includes procedures and conservative options designed to improve function and quality of life.

One key point they wanted patients to understand right away: pain care is rarely a one way street.

“Our clinic is interventional pain,” Knott said, explaining they use multiple approaches and encourage patients to come in with an open mind because treatment may include more than prescriptions.

The group also stressed that chronic pain often requires lifestyle changes, not just an appointment and a quick fix. They said the first evaluation is about building a plan that looks at more than the pain itself, including sleep habits, sleep hygiene, and diet.

The most common referral the clinic sees is chronic low back pain. Dr. Snow said referrals often become appropriate when pain is moderate to severe and lasts longer than six weeks, typically after a primary care provider has already tried initial treatment.

For first time patients, the clinic described the initial visit as a thorough review of records and imaging, along with a history and physical exam. Dr. Snow said they generally focus on one issue area at a time, then create a plan that may include injections, therapy, medications, or other treatment options depending on the cause.

The team also discussed how pain in one area can be misleading, including leg pain that actually originates in the back. When it comes to sciatica type symptoms, Snow said it is important to identify exactly where the nerve irritation is coming from, which can affect what procedures are used and where they are targeted.

Among non medication options, the clinic talked about spinal cord stimulation. Knott described it as an internal device that does not rely on medication and may be considered for certain patients who respond well to diagnostic blocks.

They also compared pain care to routine maintenance, saying long term relief often comes from a combination of treatments and ongoing habits. Snow said nothing is permanent or a one shot deal for many chronic pain conditions, and the goal is to keep patients moving and improve daily quality of life.

The clinic said they see patients across a wide age range, including younger adults, and encouraged people not to ignore problems for too long. They urged listeners to talk with their primary care provider, ask questions, and seek help earlier rather than waiting until pain becomes overwhelming.

Mercer Health’s Pain Management Clinic is located at Mercer Health in the outpatient clinic on the west entrance side of the hospital. The outpatient clinic is open Monday through Friday, and the pain clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The clinic said most insurances are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, as well as BWC and VA, with eligibility checked at the time of referral.

The team’s takeaway for listeners: pain is not just an annoyance. It is a signal something may be wrong, and getting it evaluated sooner can open the door to more options and better outcomes.