Managing Pain
Our experts take a team approach to managing pain. We often combine therapies to get you effective pain relief.
Medically reviewed by David Copenhaver, M.D. and Ravi Prasad, M.D. on Nov. 15, 2024.
Personalized Pain Management
Experts at UC Davis Health Division of Pain Medicine understand that your experience of pain is unique. Our team works together to identify all of the factors impacting your pain to create a customized treatment plan that meets your needs.
You benefit from a full range of treatments at our Pain Management Center. We use a combination of therapies and a compassionate, person-centered approach to help restore quality of life.
On this page
Personalized Pain Management Treatments
We evaluate and treat all factors that cause and worsen pain conditions. We look beyond physical symptoms to address the full impact of pain on your life.
Ablation
Ablation uses heat from radio waves to stop pain signals from reaching your brain. Treatments include basivertebral ablation and knee and hip ablation.
Cancer Pain Services
We offer specialized cancer pain management and supportive care for patients who experience pain from cancer or cancer treatments.
Injection Therapies
Nerve blocks and injections of steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and botulinum toxins can ease your pain.
Nerve Stimulation (Neurostimulation)
Nerve stimulators (neurostimulators) are surgically implanted devices that deliver electrical impulses. These devices may disrupt pain signals to your brain or help strengthen specific muscle groups. We offer dorsal root ganglion stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, spinal cord stimulation and multifidus muscle stimulation.
Spine Spacers
Interspinous spacer treatments take pressure off vertebrae and nerves in your spine. This surgical treatment eases pain caused by stenosis, a degenerative spine condition.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy specialists can help improve strength and restore function to parts of the body affected by pain.
Behavioral Medicine
Emotional states, lifestyle patterns and the stress of living with a pain condition can affect how you experience pain and respond to treatments. Behavioral medicine specialists help you understand these relationships and provide strategies that help.
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Referring Physicians
To refer a patient, submit an electronic referral form or call.
Patients
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Conditions
Preparing for Pain Management Treatments
Before you get a specific pain treatment, your care team will discuss what to expect. Following your provider’s instructions is important to ensure the best outcome.
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Before Pain Management Treatment
How you prepare for a pain treatment depends on the treatment type and pain condition you have. You may not be able to eat, drink or take medications if you’re having a surgical procedure.
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During Pain Management Treatment
Our anesthesiologists specialize in pain management. The type of anesthesia you receive during surgery depends on the procedure. You may sleep through the surgery. Or we may numb the surgical site so you don’t feel pain but can talk to us.
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After Pain Management Treatment
Depending on the pain treatment, we may recommend physical therapy, counseling or other follow-up services.
Managing Pain at Home
Your provider will give instructions on how to recover from pain treatments and manage pain at home.
Take Your Medications
Follow your care team’s instructions and take medications for pain and other symptoms as prescribed.
Participate in Therapies
Our physical therapists and behavioral medicine specialists can help you get physically and emotionally stronger so you can manage pain better.
Take It Easy
If you had a procedure, follow your provider’s instructions before resuming activities like driving and exercising.
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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