Evaluation and Management of Chronic Pain for Primary Care

Primary care physicians are often the first caretakers to whom patients present for chronic pain. The current literature targeted at these providers is sparse, and the existing literature is very broad and large in scope and size. There are no quick pocket guides on this topic that the general practitioner may use as a point of care reference. This first of its kind text provides a practical, hands-on approach to the evaluation and treatment of chronic pain in the family medicine setting. 




Divided into four main sections, the first part focuses on the general approach to any patient suffering from chronic pain. Chapters in this section include the physical exam, formulating a diagnosis, formulating a variety of treatment plans including medication, physical therapy and psychiatric therapy, and specialist referral, among others. The second section focuses on evaluation and management of the chronic pain patient who requires opioid therapy. Thissection includes useful guidance on how to convert into morphine equivalents, interpretation of urine drug tests, and helpful office procedures for managing refills. It gives practical guidance on how to prescribe opioid reversal agents and opioid tapering regimens. A systems based approach to managing the patient is also discussed. The third section informs the reader of viable alternative and complementary treatment options. Five main treatment types are discussed each with their own separate chapter. These include musculoskeletal-based therapy, medicinal therapies, sense-based therapy, relaxation-based therapy and physical/exercise-based therapy.  Given the controversy and limited training primary care physicians have on marijuana and cannabis, one chapter is dedicated specifically to inform the primary care physician on marijuana as a medicinal therapy for chronic pain. The fourth section focuses entirely on myofascial pain and trigger point therapy. The chapters in this section