SERVICES & PROGRAMS
The Good News: You Don’t Have to Live With Pain Chronic pain - pain that lasts or recurs from three to six months and even longer, is hard to tolerate. Even on the best days it can be unbearable. Pain interferes with your ability to work and function normally; it also affects how you interact with those around you, including friends and loved ones. Back pain is a common complaint. Who hasn’t experienced an aching back? In fact, four out of five adults will have at least one episode of back pain in their life time; it is one of the main reasons for medical appointments and missed workdays. But decades of research have led to the development of more effective treatments for those who suffer from pain of all types. Connie Geyer, a registered nurse at Trinity’s Pain Clinic, says the medical teams there thinks of and treat pain differently than what one might expect. It’s not the old suggestion to “Take two aspirins and call me in the morning.” “We try a lot of different methods of dealing with chronic pain,” Geyer explains. “This can range from very conservative, non-surgical treatments, to the patient being referred for surgery when necessary.” Geyer says the pain management team sees a lot of patients with low back pain – much of it due to accumulated wear and tear brought on by the natural aging process. Pain isn’t partial to males or females either. “We see as many women with back pain as we do men,” she notes. “Generally speaking, they tend to be older adults. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer with pain. It’s not something you have to live with. Life can get better.” Pain management experts like Trinity Medical Group’s Dr. Manuel Colón typically specialize in Anesthesiology prior to obtaining advanced sub-specialty training in the field of Pain Medicine. A Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology, Doctor Colón is board certified in the sub-specialty of Pain Medicine. His focus is on managing all types of chronic pain with treatments that range from medication to advanced intervention. “Pain”, observes Dr. Colón “is a disease that can be successfully treated. Living in pain day in and day out is difficult if not nearly impossible. Fortunately, most patients will experience significant improvement with the help of interventional procedures, physical therapy and/or medication.” Pain specialists work closely with the patient’s own doctor. The pain specialist will review medical records and all pertinent X-rays. A complete history and problem-focused physical examination will also be performed. Other tests may be ordered as needed; the results can be used to help determine what is causing the pain and how the problem can be treated. Treatment goals include decreasing the frequency and/or severity of pain, increasing the level of physical activity and, facilitating a timely return to work (if applicable).These goals are met by:
The management of pain is a multidisciplinary team effort. That’s why Dr. Colón works closely with Trinity Medical Group Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Stillerman. When conservative, non-surgical treatments for back pain do not provide the desired results, spine surgery maybe the next step. The team at Trinity’s pain Clinic can help patients with:
About Dr. Colón: Manuel Colón, MD, is a full-time pain specialist at Trinity Health, who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a variety of pain-related disorders. He is a 1997 graduate of the Ponce School of Medicine in his native Puerto Rico. He completed his internship in general surgery at the Mayaguez Medical Center, Puerto Rico; a residency in anesthesiology at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Georgia; and a pain medicine fellowship at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. In May2005, he obtained his masters degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Colón is board certified in his specialties. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the American Board of Physician Executives. Dr. Colón’s office is located in Health Center – West, Suite 202, 101 3rd Ave SW, Minot. Call 857-5448 for appointments.
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Contact for Media Relations: Mary Muhlbradt Randy Schwan, Vice President
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