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Managing Pain

Dr Diarmuid McCoy, Specialist Pain Medicine Physician

Chronic pain is a complex and debilitating condition which can have a major impact on a person’s level of physical activity and quality of life. It can be caused by a wide variety of problems ranging from simple wear and tear through to complex neurological and hypersensitivity phenomenon.

As a Case Manager, understanding the complexities of pain presentations and the recommendations for best managing pain can be a confusing and daunting prospect.

In this 14-part video-tutorial series, Specialist Pain Medicine Physician, Dr Diarmuid McCoy discusses pain: specifically, what it is; mysterious presentations such as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome; the role of radiology in making a diagnosis; and approaches to managing the pain, including neuromodulation, surgery, Physiotherapy and Psychological interventions, pain management programs, opioids, and other drugs.

Defining the Pain: It’s Hard but Not Impossible.

In this video, Dr Diarmuid McCoy defines what pain is, factors that contribute to the measurement and experience of pain, and the ways in which pain is described which can help to diagnose the type of pain being experienced.

Doctoring the Pain: What is a Specialist Pain Medicine Physician?

How does a Specialist Pain Medicine Physician differ from other specialists who manage pain, what does one do, and why and when should a patient be referred to a Specialist Pain Medicine Physician? These questions and more are answered in this video tutorial with Dr. Diarmuid McCoy.

Special Pain: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Dr McCoy discusses the mysterious condition known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, its’ origins, how its diagnosed and the most appropriate treatments for CRPS.

Seeing the Pain: Radiology

In this video tutorial, Dr McCoy discusses the role of X-Rays, MRIs, CT scans and ultrasound in identifying and managing pain, when each should be used and the limitations in using these modalities.

Changing the Pain: Neuromodulation

What is Neuromodulation? How successful is it in decreasing pain and for which kinds of pain is it most appropriate? All these things and more are discussed in this video-tutorial.

Managing the Pain: A Spotlight on Pain Management Programs

In this video-tutorial, Dr McCoy discusses what a pain management program is, who is involved, how long one usually lasts, other interventions pain sufferers might utilise as part of a pain management program to manage their pain, and its success compared to medication.

Moving the Pain: Physiotherapy and Pain

Dr Diarmuid McCoy discusses the important role of the Physiotherapist in keeping the person moving through their pain.

Hearing the Pain: Exploring the Psychological Aspects of Pain.

The association between what we think and how we process pain, which pain patients who should be psychologically assessed, and psychological tools that can be utilise by psychologists to manage pain, including CBT, DBT, EMDR and mindfulness.

Poking the Pain: A Discussion of Pain Related Interventions

A discussion of pain related interventions to decrease pain including anaesthetics, steroids, heat and cold, and blood plasma injections, what can be achieved by these and who should be undertaking them.

Medicating the Pain: Opioids Part 1

Opioids: The good, the bad and the ugly. A discussion of Opioids in pain management – the benefits of Opioids in acute pain, understanding side-effects, when they should be used and for how long.

Medicating the Pain: Opioids Part 2

In this video-tutorial, Dr McCoy discusses the different kinds of Opioid medications commonly used in Pain Management, including tablets, patches or capsules, the tools available to identify addiction, tolerance and dependence, and risk factors associated with a higher risk of developing addiction or mis-use  issues.

Medicating the Pain: Other Drugs

A discussion of non-opioid drugs available for the management of pain, including anti-inflammatories, paracetamol, anti-convulsants and antidepressants.

Pickling the Pain: Infusions

Using Ketamine Infusions: Case managers are often asked to approve Ketamine infusions in the management of their claimant’s pain, but what is the objective of these infusions, what are their limitations, how are they appropriately used, and what is the prognosis for individuals receiving a Ketamine infusion? Dr McCoy discusses all these things in this video-tutorial.

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Finding the Pain: The Challenge of Managing Back Pain

In this video-tutorial, Dr Diarmuid McCoy discusses the challenges of making non-specific back pain more specific, and explains why back pain is so hard to diagnose and manage.

Dr Diarmuid McCoy: diarmuid.mccoy@painmatrix.com.au

MEDirect email: talktous@MEDirect.com.au