The pain killer dilemma: Prescribing opioids

Dr. Jacob Blake
Interventional Pain Specialist

Vicodin (hydrocodone/Tylenol) was the most prescribed medication in the United States from 2006-2011. Despite an enormous focus on the clinical use of opioid analgesics (pain medicines such as Vicodin) the topic is still quite controversial. As with any debate, there are two sides to the story. There are those within the medical community who would argue that given the rapid escalation in opioid overdoses over the last 10 years we should stop prescribing opioids altogether in chronic pain patients. The other side seeks to preserve the right of patients in chronic pain to live with less suffering.

In order to understand how we got where we are today, we must understand some of the history behind the use of opioids. Opioids have been used for thousands of years to control pain and other ailments. Throughout history, there has been a pendulum of controversy that swings to the extremes. Originally, it was delivered in the form of opium, until 1803 when morphine was developed. When the hypodermic needle was invented, morphine became widely used to treat soldiers with painful traumatic injuries.

In the 1890’s, Heroin was developed by Bayer (yes Bayer) and briefly promoted as a “less addictive” pain pill until found to be highly addictive and made illegal.

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Conquering Chronic Pain

Focused diagnosis and treatments give patients a better chance of feeling better.

Jacob Blake MD – Interventional Pain Specialist

Sometimes, pain continues long after the condition that created it has been resolved. This kind of chronic pain can result from any number of causes: problems in the lower back and various kinds of neuralgia – originating from damage or irritation to nerves – arthritis, sports injuries and cancer.

Because of its emotional element, long-term pain is challenging to treat. The condition can cause depression and social isolation. Patients in pain exercise less, which leads to muscle loss and even more depression. Research shows that because the nervous system and the immune system are linked, pain can also affect the body’s ability to fight off disease and infection.

At The Pain Management Center at Northern Nevada Medical Center we tackle the complexities of chronic and acute pain in adults 18 or older with expertise of multiple disciplines. Board-certified pain medicine physicians and nurses work together to assess patient’ pain and focus on effective treatment.

A thorough evaluation guides them to the source, and innovative, image-guided techniques are used to find a solution. Follow-up care, including psychological support, provides long-term relief so that patients can continue their lives, as pain-free as possible.

The Pain Management Center was the first in the country to receive The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval in Low Back Pain.

TREATMENTS AVAILABLE AT THE PAIN MANAGEMENT CENTER

• Injection and nerve block therapy. Local anesthesia or cortisone is injected into trigger points (areas where muscles become knotted), areas of inflammation, joints or at the root of nerves to reduce pain.

• Spinal cord stimulator trials and permanent implants. A low-voltage pulse generator is used to stimulate the spinal nerves and block the feeling of pain, and can be implemented in the back.

• Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD). In this outpatient surgery performed, surgeons remove small bone fragments and excess ligament tissue from the spinal canal.

• Radiofrequency ablation. This technique uses electrical current and radio waves to heat up a small area of nerve tissue in order to interrupt pain signals.

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• Ashlie Teixeira-Smith, NP-C
• Erin-Medical Assistant
• Dr. Jacob Blake, Board Certified Interventional Pain Specialist

For more information regarding Pain Management Treatment and Techniques, visit our Pain Management Website.

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Dr. Jacob Blake answers the viewers questions on the Meningitis Multi-State Outbreak on Channel 2’s “Ask the Doctor” segment.

Watch the Video: bitly.com/Q4KMI1

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From a young age Jacob Blake knew he wanted to help others. Inspired by the example set by his mother who provided legal counsel to the poor, he saw early on the positive influence one person could have on the lives of others. It just turned out that Dr. Blake’s path took him through a hospital instead of a courtroom.

With an innate scientific curiosity, Dr. Blake was naturally drawn to the medical field. He enrolled at the University of Nevada School of Medicine where he developed a further interest in pharmacology and physiology. After a residency in anesthesiology at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Dr. Blake knew he wanted to devote his life’s work to diagnosing and treating various pain states.

In addition to being named Chief Resident during his residency, Dr. Blake was also awarded the Golden Needle Award and named the Regional Anesthesia Resident of the Year. After his residency, Dr. Blake completed a fellowship in Interventional Pain Management at UCSD. The early years of his career were spent in practice in Washington State providing pain management services to pre- and post-surgical patients, as well as chronic pain sufferers.

At Sierra Neurosurgery Group, Dr. Blake has the opportunity to help neurosurgical patients manage both acute and chronic pain. His practice is founded upon the core values of understanding, respect, and trust. He spends a good deal of his clinical time listening to his patients in order to understand their experience both medically and emotionally. When developing a treatment plan, Dr. Blake takes a collaborative approach, engaging with the patient to create an effective treatment plan.

Among the tools in Dr. Blake’s pain management arsenal are the use of epidural steroid injections (ESI), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), nerve blocks, sympathetic blocks, neurostimulation, intrathecal drug delivery (pump), and minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD).

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Dr. Blake moved to Carson City, Nevada when he was 15 and graduated from Carson High School, so he considers practicing medicine in Nevada a sort of coming home. He is licensed to practice medicine in Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington.

Sierra Neurosurgery Group is the largest practice in Northern Nevada specializing in the care of the spine and the brain. Since 1981, the surgeons of Sierra Neurosurgery Group have provided the community with patient-focused care tailored to the individual.

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