Our Mission
Our mission is simple: To treat each patient as we would treat our loved ones.
Everyone deserves to enjoy life in health and wellness. We believe in a balanced approach of appropriate medications and safe, minimally invasive interventional treatments that are substantiated with results. Our physicians and providers are dedicated to educating our patients and to providing compassionate care to bring relief to those who are suffering.
Pain is Difficult
Suffering from excruciating low back pain, burning neck pain, pounding headaches, or searing facial pain drastically affects a person’s quality of life. Pain is more than a physical sensation. It’s also upsetting, distracting, stressful, and depressing.
Louisiana Pain Specialists can help.
Louisiana Pain Specialists is Louisiana's premiere pain management center with 7 convenient clinic locations. Our elite team of specialists successfully treat various chronic and acute pain conditions.
We are built upon 3 basic tenets of practice: An accurate working diagnosis, a balanced approach utilizing appropriate medications and interventions aimed at improving quality of life, and sustainability of practices, making sure no patient is started on medications or therapies that are not substantiated with results.
Often chronic pain patients are subjected to the diagnostic merry-go-round, having been seen by their primary care physician, neurosurgeon, physical medicine doctor, and many others. We operate on the principal that an accurate diagnosis is crucial to achieve the best pain relief for patients.
What sets us apart is that we welcome the challenging patients that may have failed many previous treatments. Conditions like failed back surgery syndrome, post-herpetic neuralgia, refractory back pain, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, multi-factorial neck pain, and many others are welcome to the practice.
We pride ourselves on taking the time to fully understand the origins of a patient’s pain and to develop a plan of care. We believe that through a multi-disciplinary approach, our patients come much closer to their goal of pain relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pain Medication
Should I stop taking medications before the procedure and how long before I resume taking them?
Generally, you should continue your medications as prescribed by your treating physicians including pain medications. If you are taking any blood thinners such as Coumadin, Plavix, Persantine, or Heparin, you should inform our staff and discontinue these medications 72 hours prior to your procedure ONLY if your treating physician approves the temporary discontinuation. You may resume your blood thinners immediately after the procedure. If you are a diabetic do not take your insulin or oral hypoglycemic medicines before the procedure. Please bring your medicine with you and you may take it after the procedure.
Should I take pain medication only when I have a lot of pain?
No. Don’t wait until pain becomes severe to take pain medication. Pain is easier to control when it is mild. You should take your pain medication regularly, just as prescribed. Sometimes this means taking medicine on a regular schedule, even when you don’t feel pain.
Why do I need to keep taking more of my medicine to have the same effect?
This situation occurs when you have developed tolerance to a drug. Tolerance is a normal physiological response to narcotics and occurs when the initial dose of a substance loses its effectiveness over time. Changing the dose or the medication often solves the problem. Just because you have become tolerant to a drug does not mean that you are addicted to that drug.
Will I be given a pain prescription when I leave?
The policy of Louisiana Pain Specialists regarding the use of controlled substances is delineated on the link, “Controlled Substance Policy”. Generally, post procedure pain is minimal. However, a single, non-refillable, non-replaceable prescription is given upon discharge on the procedure day.
Will I become addicted to narcotic pain medications?
Not necessarily, if you take your medication exactly as prescribed. A person’s likelihood of becoming addicted depends, in part, on his or her addiction history. Addiction is less likely if you have never had an addictive disorder. Ask your doctor about any concerns you may have.
Pain Management
Do I have to suffer with chronic pain for the rest of my life?
Not necessarily. With proper treatment, people can live full, normal lives after having experienced chronic pain.
How should I describe my pain to my doctor?
Describe your pain clearly and in as much detail as possible. Most doctors and nurses ask you to describe your level of pain on a scale.
Should I tell my medical provider that I am having pain?
Yes. Your health care provider needs to assess your pain, so it is very important for your health care team to know if you are in pain.
Some days my acute pain is much worse. What can I do?
You might notice at times that you are in more pain than usual (such as at the end of a tiring day or as a result of certain activities). If you notice that certain activities contribute to your pain, or that you feel worse at certain times of the day, medication can be taken prior to the activity (or time of day) to help prevent the pain from occurring. Always be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
What can my friends and family do to help with my pain?
Friends and family can help by encouraging you to live as normally and independently as possible.
Pain Procedures
Are there risks to interventional pain treatments?
Yes, all medical management tools from medicines to invasive procedures such as surgery carry risks. Generally, interventional pain management techniques carry unlikely and minimal risk. Upon your consultation visit, these risks will be explained.
Are these treatments alternatives to neck or back surgeries or other surgeries?
These treatments are options that are frequently explored prior to considering any type of surgery. Conservative treatment should be your first option, not a last resort. The overwhelming majority of patients are candidates for minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments. However, there are certain rare signs that would necessitate surgical consultation. Fortunately, there are several fine neurosurgeons as well as orthopedic spine surgeons with whom we frequently consult in the New Orleans area.
Can I come for a consultation only?
Yes, you are always welcome to visit to discuss your pain problems, possible causes, and treatment options.
Do I need a physician referral?
We do appreciate referrals from a wide variety of physicians and other professionals, but a physician referral is NOT necessary. We will check with your insurance company prior to an appointment to let you know.
How long does the procedure take?
Although most procedures take five to fifteen minutes, you may remain at our facility up to 2 ½ hours because of admission, evaluation, sedation, procedure, recovery, and discharge time.
Should I tell my other doctors about coming to see Louisiana Pain Specialists?
Most certainly. A “team” approach is the most effective way to approach any refractory or severe medical problem especially the treatment of pain. A combination of different modalities and therapies provide the best care. Letters, reports, and procedure notes are provided to all referral sources.
What do I need to bring with me the day of the appointment?
Insurance cards and picture I.D. are required. Any type of prior evaluation material such as an MRI or report, CT, bone scans, and nerve conduction studies are useful.
What methods are used to evaluate my chronic pain?
History and physical examination by the doctor and physician’s assistant, as well as radiological studies, such as an MRI, CT, bone scan, and x-rays as recommended are used to evaluate each patient.
Which insurance plans do you accept?
We accept all Commercial Insurances and most Medicare Replacement Plans! Please call today to be scheduled within 24-48 hours!
For patients with Medicaid, we accept the following types of Medicaid:
- Bayou Health- Louisiana Healthcare Connections
- Bayou Health- United Health Community Plan
- Bayou Health- AmeriHealth Caritas * Only with Amerihealth Authorization for Tier 3 program*
In order to be scheduled for Medicaid, please have your referring provider send over referral, 2 sets of office notes, and recent imaging for conditions being treated within the last 2-3 years to (504)-324-2078.
Will I be pain free and how long will I benefit from the procedure?
The goal of interventional pain management is to improve function and reduce suffering. We provide as much pain relief as possible with the least amount of risk. Ideally everyone wants to be pain free, but realistically not everyone can be completely relieved of pain. Every patient is different and will have different results. Sometimes after a series of injections, you can experience partial relief for months.
Will I need more than one treatment?
Most of the time, yes. Most procedures are performed in a series of two or three (over the course of several weeks). Occasionally just one procedure provides lasting pain relief.
Will I need someone to drive me home?
Yes, if you have a procedure performed with sedation, you need someone to drive you. This is due to the fact that the sedation used can impair your reaction time and make you groggy.
Will the procedures hurt?
The vast majority of our patients indicate that the procedures are relatively painless. Most procedures are performed with a local anesthetic, which usually reduces the discomfort of the procedure. If a patient elects to undergo IV sedation, vital signs and oxygen levels are monitored to assure safety during the procedure.