Monthly Newsletter.

		The Monthly Newsletter Many people, including those in the medical community, believe that chronic pain exists primarily in a person's head. Not so, says Marc Yland, M.D. "X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) do not show pain. There is no objective way to measure it," explained Dr. Yland. Because of that, "people tend to underestimate others pain."
Homepage Chronic Pain Conditions Services Offered Appointments and Directions Monthly Newsletter Case Study		Sixty million Americans live in chronic pain, and IO million are permanently disabled by lower back pain. Fortunately, both newly developed and traditional techniques are helping these patients find relief at places like Dr. Yland's center for pain treatment. Back pain is the most common complaint at pain clinics, followed by migraine headaches. Arthritis pain is another common condition, but says Dr. Yland, "Chronic pain can be caused by a multitude of factors. We will be working closely with a variety of specialists to help their patients with difficult to treat pain syndromes." After a thorough physical evaluation to rule out an acute condition, Dr. Yland's next priority is to maximize patients' coping skills so that they are able to respond to therapy. "Chronic pain can lead to irregular sleep rhythms, frustration and depression," said Dr.Yland. "Other factors such as poor nutrition, smoking, and poor work conditions can make it difficult for the patient to focus on treatment. We need to first provide them with pain-free windows." Over a period of time, chronic pain begins to impact on every aspect of a patient's life. The doctors will address patients' multi-faceted needs. Psychologists, physical therapists, and other professionals will be integral members of the treatment team. Dr. Yland's well-rounded training took place both at pain centers that emphasized medical and surgical intervention, and those, which focused on behavioral strategies. "I have a solid background in the different modalities and will offer patients the full range of treatment options, Dr. Yland explained. "It is a very individual approach." The pain specialists arsenal is loaded with newly developed techniques to combat chronic pain, as well as some very effective therapies that have been around for many years. Nerve blocks and radio frequency treatments to interrupt the pain signal as it travels along the nerves are two of the techniques that have been perfected over the past several years. Physicians also use X-ray guidance to insert a catheter into the spine, through which pain medication can be administered directly to the nerve root. Nerve pacemakers may be implanted in the epidural space within the spine to interrupt the transmission of pain signals. Implantable pumps are another technique that may provide long-lasting pain relief. "We also use a number of oral medications and topical creams to help patients with neuropathic pain," Dr. Yland said. Prior to opening this center, Dr. Yland was the Director of Huntington Hospital's Center for Pain Treatment Prior to that, he was Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was also a staff physician and Director of the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Oakland in Pittsburth. A native of Holland, Dr. Yland earned his medical degree at Erasmus University in Rottcrdam. the Netherlands. He completed an internship in general surgery at Mt. Sinai and North General Hospital in New York City, followed by residencies in transplant and general surgery, and anesthesiology at University Hospital at Stony Brook. His training also included a fellowship in pain management at the Pain Evaluation and Treatment Institute of the University of Pittsburgh Dr. Yland's current research Interests are myofascial pain syndromes and the use of spinal cord stimulation to treat complex pain syndromes.. He has collaborated on a number of scientific studies over the past 14 years, and holds patents on two medical devices. He is Board-certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine and the American Board of Anesthesiology, and is a member of numerous professional societies, including the International Society for the Study of Pain and the American Academy of Pain Medicine. He is a recipient of the FAER Anesthesiology Young Investigator Award, the Veterans Administration Distinguished Service Award. the Sandoz Award. New York Regional Transplant Program and was named the Burroughs Wellcome Anesthesia Resident Scholar. For additional information call (631) 941-0187.