With more than 25 years combined experience in patient care and service, the staff at POH Medical Center’s BackCare and Pain Management Institute offers an unmatched level of quality and expertise in back care and pain management.
The brand new office opened in the Clarkston Medical Campus on March 7 to offer both spinal rehabilitation for chronic neck and back pain and pain management for all areas of chronic pain.
‘The combination of back care and pain management allows us to be a comprehensive pain management program,? said Peggy A. Miller, R.N. ‘You can see the pain management physician and receive your treatment all in one convenient location.?
The POH BackCare program specializes in strengthening the muscles that support the spine in an effort to improve function and decrease chronic neck and back pain.
‘Chronic means anything that has lasted longer than six weeks in duration, or two or more debilitating episodes of neck or back pain in one year’s time,? explained Program Director Nicola E. Pavelka, R.N., B.S.N., M.B.A.
This unique program has been extremely successful in patients with muscle weakness and spasms; bulging; degenerative or ruptured discs; postsurgical rehabilitation; automobile accident injuries and workman’s compensation injuries.
What truly sets POH BackCare apart is the MedX testing and rehabilitation equipment.
‘We are able to isolate the muscles in the lumbar area and test isometrically the strength of the muscles all at once within three degrees of the painful area,? said Exercise Physiologist and Clinic Manager Terry L. Dibble, M.S.
The MedX diagnostic equipment stores and tracks the progress of each patient allowing for periodic adjustments. Pavelka said she has been utilizing the MedX equipment for 14 years with a 90 percent success rate. This is the ninth facility of this kind she has opened.
Another impressive tool at POH BackCare is the AquaMED Dry Hydrotherapy bed. According to Dibble, the bed uses 95 degree, pulsating water to warm and massage tight, sore and stressed muscle tissue. The therapeutic benefits promoted include increased blood circulation, decreased muscle tension, increased oxygen absorption, decreased muscular toxins, increased release of endorphins, decreased blood pressure and increased muscular range of motion.
‘We can isolate the sore areas to promote the best pain relief,? said Dibble.
The staff at POH BackCare works closely with their patients? primary physicians and chiropractors to ensure only the best results. Services through the center are available through physician prescription only.
However, those with chronic pain and without a primary physician, or those simply uncertain who to consult about their chronic pain, the Pain Management Service at POH Medical Center is there to help.
The Pain Management Service at POH Medical Center is a comprehensive treatment facility for acute, chronic and cancer pain. The pain center was started in 1996 by the department of Anesthesiology and headed by Ashraf Khan, D.O.
Dr. Khan received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Des Moines University in Iowa. He completed his anesthesiology resident at Nassau County Medical Center in New York.
During his anesthesiology residency, he developed a keen interest in the field of pain management. He completed his pain fellowship training from the State University of New York, Brooklyn. He is board certified in pain management by the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiology and American Academy of Pain Management. He is also board certified in anesthesiology by the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiology.
Dr. Khan is an interventional pain specialist. He has extensive experience managing complex and challenging cases for pain control. He utilizes the latest technologies, injection therapies and medical management for patient care. He works with primary care physicians and specialists to ensure comprehensive care for the patients.
Most people with chronic pain cannot be completely ‘cured;? however, Dr. Khan tries his best to help his patients and heal the wounds that nobody can see.
Relief is available and closer than you think. Visit POH Medical Center’s BackCare and Pain Management Institute at 5625 Water Tower Place, Suite 220 in the Clarkston Medical Campus.
The office is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information on POH BackCare please call 248-620-4266. To reach Dr. Khan and the POH Pain Management Center, call 248-620-4265.