What is UNMC's Pain Clinic?

Pain Clinic serves as the point of entry for all outpatient services directed toward managing a variety of pain. The University of Nebraska Medical Center's Pain Clinic is designed to help individuals who have acute, subacute or chronic pain. The pain may also interfere in daily activities, preventing you from doing the things you want to do.

REFERRALS

Individuals are referred to the Pain Clinic by a physician. Patients often have continuous pain and have not responded well to the routine treatment offered by the physician. Other sources of referral include insurance providers, rehabilitation services, attorneys and other specialty services. Self referrals are also accepted. When you are seen at the Pain Clinic, your medical records of the pain and past pain treatment will be reviewed to better understand your pain. Pain is real and personal. You are the only person who can feel the pain and experience the changes in your life it has caused. Persistent pain is frustrating for you and your family The pain clinic staff will support you with treatments that will provide more pain control.

STAFF

The physicians at the Pain Clinic have specialized training and experiences in pain problems. All are Board Certified in their medical specialties. In addition there are staff from psychology physical therapy and nursing.

A VISIT TO THE PAIN CLINIC

Prior to the visit, you will be sent information to confirm your appointment and to provided directions to the Pain Clinic. You will also be asked to complete some paperwork that describes your pain, Although this takes time and effort on your part, it is necessary to determine the cause and treatment for your pain. Remember we have no tools to measure your pain directly so we have to rely on you to help us understand where, when and what it feels like to you. We also strongly encourage you to bring along someone who knows you and the impact the pain has had on you. All new patients will see the physician and nurse. The physician will determine if the other disciplines will be invovled initially. If you have a strong need to see the other staff, please let the physician or nurse know at the time of the visit.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

Our specialized staff paired with UNMC's dedication to research and innovative therapies, enables us to offer the latest pain therapies including surgical implantation of spinal cord stimulation and anesthetic procedures, physical therapy recommendations, and supportive psychological therapies. Not all treatments are appropriate for every pain problem but because there are several options and a skilled staff, we have something to offer to everyone. If the therapies fail to bring significant change in your pain, rather than telling you we have nothing else to offer, we have a unique program that can teach you how to control your pain, the Pain Management Center. UNMC has offered help for difficult pain for more than 20 years. The PMC is an outpaitent treatment program designed to allow chronic pain patients to learn skills that will enable them to control the pain, instead of the pain controlling their lives.

APPOINTMENTS

To make an appointment you or your physician can start the referral by calling (402) 559-4364. Clinics are held five days a week. Remember, we must have your medical records prior to your visit or you may bring them with you, The more information we have at the time you are seen, the better service we can provide. Films, scans, and other test results along with the records from your physician can provide valuable information. At the end of your visis, correspondence will be sent to your referring physician and others invovled in your care.

INSURANCE COVERAGE

Because insurance coverage varies from policy to policy we encourage you to check with the terms of your insurance provider. We will send a 'pre-authorization" letter for your evaluation appointment prior to the visit so you know your financial responsibility. Pre-approval is required with those individual securing Workers Compensation benefits. Some treatment recommendations may also require prior approval from our insurance provider. Please ask ior additional assistance. Call us at (402) 559-4364 if you have questions or need additional information.