Chronic Pain Treatment in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville, SC
Understanding Long-Term Neurological Pain
Chronic pain is more than occasional discomfort. It refers to pain that persists beyond the expected period of healing, usually longer than three to six months. At Carolina Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery Associates, we understand how chronic pain can dominate your life, from limiting mobility to eroding quality of sleep, mood, and function. Our neurology center offers a compassionate, thorough approach to diagnosing, managing, and improving chronic neurological pain in conjunction with our orthopedic, spinal, and pain medicine teams.
Chronic pain may arise from nerve injury, nerve compression, spinal conditions, degenerative disc disease, neuropathy, post-surgical changes, or other disorders affecting the nervous system. When pain becomes entrenched, central sensitization and changes in nerve processing may perpetuate symptoms even after the initial injury resolves. Our neurologists and pain specialists work side by side to evaluate all contributing factors and tailor a personalized strategy for relief.
Diagnostic Evaluation For Chronic Pain
When you come to CONA’s Neurology Center for chronic pain, we start by listening closely to your story. We ask about pain onset, location, quality (burning, shooting, stabbing, aching), aggravating factors, and any neurological symptoms such as numbness or weakness. We conduct a detailed neurological and musculoskeletal exam to evaluate nerve function, reflexes, strength, and sensory changes.
Imaging studies like MRI or CT scan help us visualize spinal structures, nerve roots, discs, and any compression or degeneration. In some cases, we also use advanced techniques like evoked potentials or quantitative sensory testing to better characterize nerve pain pathways.
Treatment Strategies For Chronic Pain
Management of chronic pain at CONA is multifaceted and personalized. Our team may combine medication therapy, such as neuropathic pain modulators, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory agents, with interventional techniques when appropriate. We coordinate with pain medicine colleagues who may offer nerve blocks, epidural injections, radiofrequency ablation, or neuromodulation options.
Physical and occupational therapy play a central role in restoring strength, flexibility, and function. We often prescribe a structured rehabilitative program to retrain movement patterns, desensitize nerves, and improve tolerance to activity. Psychological support and cognitive behavioral therapy are included when pain affects mood, sleep, or daily coping. We emphasize patient education, setting realistic goals, addressing sleep hygiene, managing stress, improving ergonomics, pacing activity, and making lifestyle modifications to support long-term gains.
Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical Associates For Chronic Pain Care
At Carolina Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery Associates, you gain access to a unified team of board-certified neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic specialists, physiatrists, and pain medicine providers. This integrated model ensures that chronic neurological pain is evaluated from every relevant angle. With locations in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville, our goal is to make expert care accessible across South Carolina. We strive to give clarity, relief, and hope to patients who have lived too long with persistent pain.
We believe in ongoing monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans. Your progress is tracked, outcomes reviewed, and therapies refined until we help you achieve the best possible level of comfort and function. Reach out for more information on becoming a CONA patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types Of Chronic Pain Do Neurologists Treat?
Neurologists treat chronic pain that originates from nerve injury or dysfunction, including neuropathic pain, radiculopathy (nerve root pain), spinal cord pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and central pain syndromes arising from neurological disorders.
Can Chronic Pain Ever Be Fully Cured?
In many cases, chronic pain may not be fully “cured,” but it can often be managed to reduce intensity, frequency, and impact on life. Through a combination of medications, interventional treatments, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments, many patients achieve substantial relief and improved daily function.
When Should I See A Neurologist For My Chronic Pain?
You should consider a neurology consultation when chronic pain persists beyond expected healing, when pain includes numbness, tingling, weakness, or when prior treatments have failed to provide adequate relief. If you suspect nerve involvement or neurological symptoms, early evaluation can guide more effective care.
