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Tampa Pain Relief Center
Author: | Wednesday March 19, 2008
Dr. Abraham Rivera loves his work as a specialist in pain management.
Tampa Pain Relief Center
Pain Program Draws
Dedicated Physicians
On Behalf of Patients
Abraham Rivera, M.D., loves his work as a specialist in pain management at the Tampa Pain Relief Center. It is an area of expertise he was drawn to when he saw, in the early 1990s, that there were big changes on the medical horizon for pain treatment programs.
"It was a time of pioneers and while there was a big learning curve, we have succeeded and the specialty is recognized for success in controlling pain in patients," Dr. Rivera told the Voice Newspaper.
Whether it is a patient with low back pain caused by an injury on the job or chronic pain with an illusive cause, each case is unique and draws on the expertise of Dr. Rivera and the medical team at Tampa Pain Relief Center. "We consult with each other and examine records and discuss treatment options," Dr. Rivera pointed out. Final diagnosis could include information gathered about lifestyle, the use of medications, psychological issues and numerous other factors.
The practice has a surgery center, in-house physical therapy and MRI on premises, providing a one-stop facility for pain management. With the infrastructure in place it comes down to patient-doctor interaction. "We are very direct with individuals who have been injured on the job and make it clear that our goal is to help them return to work," Dr. Rivera emphasized.
Communication is a key element and that includes working closely with case managers and claims adjusters who Dr. Rivera considers to be part of the team. "It is easy to think that they are the enemy, but that isn't the case and we seek to work with them on behalf of the patient," Dr. Rivera said. "We are advocates for the truth and make available updated medical records and answer the phone when case managers and adjusters call us."
As far as treatment options are concerned, Dr. Rivera believes the profession is just scratching the surface thanks to the development of technology such as implantable computer chips and hand held diagnostic devices the size of a cell phone. "We will one day be controlling pain in ways we can't imagine."
Tampa Pain Relief Center reaches out into the community through meetings and in-services. "We discuss different treatment options for managing pain and answer questions about what is available."
Another way the practice expands its knowledge base is by sharing information with other physicians in the Tampa area. Dr. Rivera is a member of the Tampa Pain Management Society, an informal group which meets once a month in a local restaurant as a forum to share ideas, case studies and new developments in the treatment of pain. Dr. Rivera facilitates the gatherings. "We have excellent practitioners, many with different experiences and resources that they bring to the table," Dr. Rivera said. At a recent meeting there fifteen doctors in attendance.
If it seems unusual that physicians, who might also be competitors, would share their ideas and treatment programs, it is also heartening to know that there is that kind of passion helping their patients get better.
"The expression that an individual has to 'live with pain' just doesn't apply any more," Dr. Rivera concluded with a smile.
Ed. Note: Tampa Pain Relief Center is a one-stop facility for pain management with surgery center, in-house physical therapy and MRI on premises. In addition to board certified physicians, physical therapists are also specialists in pain management. The physicians are: Rodolfo Gari, M.D.; Robert Guirguis, D.O.; Eaton Yen, D.O.; Mohammed Hossain, M.D., Ph.D. and Abraham Rivera, M.D.
Tampa Pain Relief Center specializes in intrathecal programmable devices, nerve blocks, radiofrequency, spinal cord stimulation, implantable opiate pumps and medication management. There are three locations in Tampa. For more information visit www.tampapainrelief.com or call 813-872-4492.
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