Pain is a complex medical problem that can have profound effects on your physical and mental well-being. The goal of pain management is to help you decrease your level of pain and suffering, to return you to your maximum level of functioning and independence, and to help you restore your quality of life.

Acute pain is of short duration, usually the result of an injury, surgery or illness. Chronic pain is an ongoing condition, often in the back, neck, head, as well as neuropathic pain (nerve injury pain), musculoskeletal pain, and pain related to illness. Your physician may refer you to Coastal Bend Pain Management because your chronic pain condition has not responded to conventional therapies. Treatments for acute and chronic pain are generally quite different. In some cases, acute and chronic pain can be stopped or alleviated by a single procedure or series of procedures. Sometimes, chronic pain is part of a widespread disease process, and the specific cause may be difficult to pinpoint. Once we have identified the specific factor causing the pain, we may be able to treat it so that the condition no longer occurs. In some patients, the specific factor causing the pain–such as cancer–cannot be changed, but we may be able to reduce the pain or help the patient to better cope with the pain through a combination of medical, psychosocial and rehabilitation techniques.

Back pain is an easily recognizable problem which can bring on a number of sensations and movement limitations. Back pain can present itself in any location along the spine including lligaments, muscles, and shock-absorbing discs.

While there are a multitude of conditions that may lead to chronic pain, we have found the following to be most prevalent in our patients: Back Pain Neck Pain Muscle Pain (MYALGIA) Nerve Pain Headaches Post Herpetic Neuralgia (Shingles) Fibromyalgia Osteoarthritis

While drug therapies differ for each person, the most common are: ADJUVANT PAIN MEDICATIONS, INCLUDING: ANTIDEPRESSANTS, ANTICONVULSANTS AND MUSCLE RELAXERS. OPIATES OR “PAIN KILLERS” USED TO TREAT ACUTE PAIN OR CANCER-RELATED PAIN, AND OFTEN PRESCRIBED FOR CHRONIC PAIN. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS TO ALLEVIATE PAIN BY REDUCING SWELLING AND IRRITATION. There are alternative delivery methods for medications. Common methods used at the office are oral medications, topical creams, sublingual medicines, nasal sprays, injections and patches.

Chronic pain can become so intense and overwhelm the body and mind to such a degree that it can affect all areas of life. People become so afflicted that they often cannot work. Their appetite falls off. Physical activity of any kind is exhausting and may aggravate the pain. Often, the person becomes the victim of a vicious cycle in which total preoccupation with pain leads to irritability and depression. Adding to these ailments is the fatigue sufferers experience from not being able to sleep at night.

Monitored Anethesia Care (MAC) is a type of anesthesia that is used during smaller procedures. During MAC, patients tend to remain awake during the procedure, but are relaxed. The amount of MAC administered for a procedure varies for what the patient is having done. Some patients feel groggy and others fall asleep and have no memory of the procedure. MAC has very minimal side effects, with a slight headache and nausea being two of them. Due to the medication used in MAC, it is advised for patients to have someone with them the first 24 hours after sedation. If patient is having their procedure done with MAC, Coastal Bend Pain Management requires them to have a driver with them.

A common misconception about Opiates is that they are addictive. The fact is when used properly for the treatment of pain; there is little risk of becoming addicted. Addiction is defined as continuing to use a substance when it has become detrimental to the person’s life. Being dependent is not the same thing as being addicted. Many people with health problems are dependent on medications, for instance people with high blood pressure are dependent on blood pressure medications. Diabetics are dependent on insulin. Furthermore, when opiates are taken as directed for legitimate pain, the person does not get “high” from taking them. Opiates consist of the same chemical makeup as your body’s natural painkiller, endorphins. People that have lived with pain over a long period of time sometimes have reduced levels of natural endorphins because the body has stopped producing them.

You can request that your surgeon refer you to our office for a consultation with Dr. Tschickardt to see if there are other options.

Becoming a patient at Coastal Bend Pain Management can be done two ways. You can ask for a referral from one of your current medical providers. Their office will contact our team and we will help do the rest. You can also give us a call at 361.854.1910. A member of our team will ask some basic information. A provider will review your information and a team member will call you back to proceed forward appropriately.

Dr. Tschickardt’s name is pronounced “Chick-Art”

It is very important that all new patients bring a valid photo ID, insurance card (s), a list of ALL medication they are taking, form of payment for your co-pay and copies of any recent X-Rays or MRI’s. We accept Visa, MasterCard, check and cash.

Most policies provide for pain management. Please call our office for more information, 361-854-1910.

Coastal Bend Pain Management is in network with a comprehensive list of insurance providers. Our team will take your insurance information and verify coverage with your insurance provider. If you are unsure of your health coverage, do not hesitate to ask a member of our team.

Coastal Bend Pain Management is open Monday - Thursday from 8:00am - 4:30pm, and Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm.