Therapeutic Treatments
The Alberta Pain Clinic offers a range of therapeutic treatments that provide rapid pain relief and early return to function. We will often recommend these therapies in conjunction with regenerative injection treatments as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
Viscosupplementation
Osteoarthritis is associated with the loss of synovial fluid (lubricant) in affected joints. The injection of hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) can replenish this lost volume and restore the viscoelastic properties of remaining synovial fluid. A special formulation of hyaluronic acid (SportVis) can also be used to treat tendon and ligament injuries, without the need to avoid activity after treatment that is required after most regenerative injection therapies.
Injectate: Hyaluronic acid
Treatment frequency: Every 3-6 months as needed
Indications: Osteoarthritis
Cost: Covered by most private insurance plans
Trigger point injection
A myofascial trigger point (more commonly known as 'knots') consists of abnormally contracted skeletal muscle and associated fascia. Trigger point injection therapy aims to release this contraction through targeted insertion of hypodermic needles and injection of lidocaine (local anesthetic).
Injectate: Lidocaine
Treatment frequency: Weekly for 3 weeks, then reassess
Indication: Myofascial pain, fibromyalgia
Cost: Covered by public Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
Perineural injection
The impingement of peripheral sensory nerves, often at trigger point sites, results in pain and inflammation partly due to oxygen and glucose deprivation. Perineural injection therapy aims to reduce such pain by injection of dilute isotonic dextrose in the affected nerves. A variation of this technique is used to treat fascia adhesion secondary to surgical scars.
Injectate: Lidocaine + dextrose
Treatment frequency: Weekly for 3 weeks, then reassess
Indication (partial list only): Restless leg syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, post-surgical pain, etc.
Cost: Covered by public Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
Chronic migraines... Yes, we treat that TOO
Southern Alberta is notorious for rapid swings in barometric pressures, which can trigger migraines. Botox® is an effective treatment to reduce the total number of headache days by specifically targeting the head and neck muscle areas associated with chronic migraine pain.
All our physicians are certified to administer Botox® using the PREEMPT protocol and are referral sites for the Calgary Headache Assessment and Management Program (CHAMP).
Injectate: Botox® (onabotulinumtoxin A)
Treatment frequency: Every 3 months as needed
Cost: Botox® eligible for insurance coverage (injection covered by AHCIP for patients age 18-65)
BECAUSE PAIN WILL NOT DEFINE ME
A network of specialty-trained physicians offering minimally-invasive injection therapies to treat sports injuries and chronic pain conditions
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