Frequently Asked Questions
What is pain management?
Pain management is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating the source of pain, particularly chronic pain conditions involving the spine, nerves, and joints.
At Kansas Pain Consultants, we use advanced diagnostic techniques and the most cutting edge minimally invasive procedures to treat pain conditions and help patients restore function and improve quality of life.
What conditions do pain management specialists treat?
Pain management physicians treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Spinal Compression Fractures
- Sciatica and nerve pain
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Facet joint pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Arthritis-related spine pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Post-surgical spine, nerve, and joint pain
Our goal is to identify the underlying cause of pain and treat it directly whenever possible.
What should I look for in a pain management physician?
Procedures involving the spine and nerves are delicate and require extensive specialized training to perform safely and accurately. Over the past several years, pain management has seen significant advances, with many new minimally invasive procedures now available to treat complex spine and nerve conditions. Physicians who complete fellowship training in pain medicine receive advanced education in these evolving techniques and technologies. Thus, when choosing a pain management physician, it is important to consider the physician’s training, certification, and experience.
he highest level of training in pain medicine includes:
- Board certification in Pain Medicine
- Completion of an accredited Pain Medicine Fellowship
- Extensive experience in interpreting advanced diagnostic imaging as well as performing image-guided spine procedures
A fellowship in pain medicine provides additional specialized training beyond traditional residency focused specifically on diagnosing and treating complex pain conditions.
Unfortunately, some providers perform a limited scope of treatments such as epidural injections without having completed formal fellowship training in pain medicine.
Seeing a fellowship-trained and board-certified pain physician ensures your doctor has the highest level of specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex spine and nerve pain conditions.
Dr. Brian Goentzel is double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and fellowship-trained in Interventional Pain Medicine, representing the highest level of formal training in this specialty.
I had epidural injections before and they didn’t work. Can you still help?
Yes.
While epidural steroid injections can be very helpful for certain conditions, they are only one of many treatment options in modern pain management.
Pain conditions can have many different causes, and if the underlying source of pain is not properly identified, an epidural injection may not provide relief.
At Kansas Pain Consultants, Dr. Goentzel focuses on accurate diagnosis first, which allows treatment to be tailored to the specific condition.
Other treatment options may include:
- Facet joint injections
- Medial branch blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Vertebral Augmentation (Kyphoplasty and SpineJack)
- Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
- Basivertebral Nerve Ablation (Intracept Procedure)
Many patients who did not improve with prior epidural injections may benefit from different diagnostic procedures or targeted treatments once the correct pain generator is identified.
What is an interventional pain physician?
An interventional pain physician is a specialist trained to perform minimally invasive procedures designed to diagnose and treat pain conditions.
These procedures may include:
- Epidural steroid injection
- Facet joint injection
- Medial branch blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Vertebral Augmentation (Kyphoplasty and Spine Jack)
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
- Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
- Basivertebral Nerve Ablation (Intracept Procedure)
- Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD Procedure)
These treatments are performed using image guidance such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound to ensure precision and safety.
Are injections safe?
Yes. When performed by a board-certified and fellowship-trained physician, spinal injections are generally very safe.
At Kansas Pain Consultants, procedures are performed using image guidance and strict safety protocols to ensure precise placement and optimal outcomes.
Will I need pain medications?
Pain management focuses on treating the underlying cause of pain whenever possible.
Many patients benefit from minimally invasive procedures that reduce the need for long-term medication use.
Each treatment plan is individualized based on the patient’s condition and goals.
Do I need a referral?
Some insurance plans require a referral, while others allow patients to schedule directly.
Our office staff can help verify your insurance requirements and assist with scheduling your consultation.
What happens at my first visit?
During your first appointment, Dr. Goentzel will:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss your symptoms and prior treatments
- Review imaging studies if available
- Perform a physical examination
Based on this evaluation, a personalized treatment plan will be developed to address the underlying cause of your pain.
Where is Kansas Pain Consultants located?
Kansas Pain Consultants proudly serves patients throughout:
Wichita
Andover
Derby
Maize
Newton
Hutchinson
Wellington
Winfield
and surrounding Kansas communities
How do I schedule an appointment?
If chronic pain is affecting your daily life, the team at Kansas Pain Consultants is here to help.
Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and begin your path toward relief.