Parr Allan T MD

General information

We treat patients experiencing many different types of pain including:
Headaches
Backaches
Neck and arm pain
Painful muscles and joints
Complications related to motor vehicle accidents
Post-surgical pain
Phantom limb pain
Pain associated with poor circulation
Malignant pain that sometimes plagues cancer patients

Our Approach:
All available treatment options are thoroughly and carefully reviewed with each patient. Treatment plans may be adjusted to maximize benefits as the patient progresses during treatment. Dr. Parr and his staff of professionals will carefully develop an individualized plan for each patient.

The First Step:
During the initial visit, the patient is evaluated to determine the source of pain. To begin, our trained medical team will listen to the patient’s history and perform a physical exam. Imaging such as x-rays, CT scans and MRI’s may need to be provided to assist in identifying the pain source.

Treatment Options:
Interventional pain management allows Dr. Parr to deliver medication directly to the site where the pain originates. This is accomplished through injection therapy. Patients are mildly sedated during the injection to avoid trauma and stress. The injection blocks or intervenes between the pain site and the brain and can significantly reduce or eliminate the sensation of pain for the patient.
The use of medications can also help to decrease pain. We use many types that relieve pain such as anti-depressants, anti-seizure, anti-psychotic and non-steroidal medications. However, the use of opiate analgesics or narcotics is not the answer to the treatment of chronic pain. They can be addicting and can decrease the patient’s ability to cope with pain. One of the best ways to treat chronic pain can be to decrease the need for narcotic pain medication.

Treatment Methods:
Nerve Block procedures using local anesthetics and steroids
Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar epidural steroid injections
Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar medial branch blocks
Sacroiliac joint injections
Selective nerve root injections
Transforaminal epidural nerve root injections
Neurologic blocks
Inclusion of Special Treatments such as Neurosurgery, Orthopedics or Dental Procedures
Admission to rehabilitation program to assist in relearning work skills; learning to work in ways that cause less pain
Behavioral or cognitive therapies which help relieve stress and anxiety
Counseling for patient and family to help cope with the effects of chronic pain
Carefully monitored pharmaceutical (drug) therapy, emphasizing non-narcotic treatment

Specialty Procedures:
For patients who are considered to be appropriate candidates, these highly technical interventional treatments are also available at the Northshore Interventional Pain Management Center:
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Drug Infusion Systems
Neurosurgical and Permanent Anesthetic Procedures
Vertebroplasty
Trigeminal Nerve Stimulators
Greater Occipital Nerve Stimulators
Lumbar Disk Regeneration