Many persons experiencing pain think that it is a natural part of the aging process, but the Somerset Hospital Pain Management Clinic under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Vanterpool is changing that perception. New procedures and treatments are now available to overcome chronic pain.

Pain attacks the body at every vulnerable spot-muscles, bones and joints. It can be caused by anything from a bad mattress to ulcers. Several factors can increase your risk of pain including your age and gender. Chronic pain affects an estimated 85 million American adults to some degree.

The most common sources of pain stem from headaches, joint pain, pain from injury, and backaches. Other kinds of chronic pain include tendinitis, sinus pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and pain affecting specific parts of the body, such as the shoulders, pelvis, and neck. Generalized muscle or nerve pain can also develop into a chronic condition.

Chronic pain may originate with an initial trauma/injury or infection, or there may be an ongoing cause of pain. However, some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage.

Pain Management is a branch of medicine that employs an interdisciplinary approach to easing the suffering and improving quality of life to those living with chronic pain.

Pain management is important for ongoing pain control, especially if you suffer with long-term or chronic pain. After getting a pain assessment, your doctor can prescribe pain medicine or other pain treatments to help you get pain relief.

The goal of pain management is to improve function, enabling individuals to work, attend school, or participate in other day-to-day activities. Patients and their physicians have a number of options for the treatment of pain; some are more effective than others. Sometimes, relaxation and the use of imagery as a distraction provide relief. These methods can be powerful and effective, according to those who advocate their use. Whatever the treatment regime, it is important to remember that pain is treatable.

Pain Management practitioners come from all fields of medicine. Most often, pain fellowship trained physicians are anesthesiologists, neurologists, physiatrists or psychiatrists.   Somerset Hospital has just added Pain Management Specialist/Anesthesiologist Stephanie Vanterpool, MD to its Medical Staff.

Dr. Vanterpool earned her Medical Degree from Duke University School of Medicine. She completed her Internship and Residency in Anesthesiology at the University of North Carolina Hospitals and her Fellowship in Pain Management from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

She is Board Certified in Anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology and is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists , the American Medical Association, and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. 

Dr. Vanterpool specializes in a multimodal approach to pain management. Her areas of expertise include medication management, interventional procedures, neuromodulation, and intrathecal drug therapy. Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, and Psychology are also well integrated into her practice. Most importantly, she is committed to providing knowledgeable, conscientious and consistent care for her patients.

Dr. Vanterpool schedules pain management patients through physician referrals only.  The scheduling number is 814-443-5800.  Visit the Somerset Pain Management website at www.somersetpain.com