About the Center

The Center for Pain Medicine at Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center (Waltham) delivers multidisciplinary care for individuals with acute and chronic pain. Our services include comprehensive care for back and neck pain, cancer pain, patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (complex regional pain syndrome), consultation for chronic opioid therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine.

 

We treat numerous pain conditions, including:
  • Arthritis
  • Back and neck pain
  • Cancer-related pain
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Chronic pain
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headache
  • Lumbar disc disease
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  • Sciatica

Our Services

Comprehensive Spine Services

Our spine services program offers consultation to patients with chronic spinal pain and persistent post-surgical pain, as well as acute and chronic radiating pain.

We will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes a physical examination along with a review of your medical history. After this evaluation, we will create a care plan that may include a combination of physical, medical and behavioral therapies.

We offer treatments that range from minimally invasive spinal injections to more advanced therapies that involve leading technologies.

  • Spinal injections such as epidural steroid injections, facet injections, and sacroiliac joint injections relieve pain by reducing inflammation
  • Spinal cord stimulation is an advanced therapy that reduces pain through a small device implanted in the back. This device sends electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interfering with the nerve impulses that make you feel pain

We will work with you to determine your best care plan, and will coordinate all aspects of your treatment while remaining in close communication with your primary care physician.

Interventional Therapies for Cancer-related Pain

Many patients with cancer struggle with moderate to severe pain. We offer a spectrum of pain management therapies and techniques, including advanced interventional therapies such as intrathecal drug delivery. Intrathecal drug delivery is a spinal drug delivery method that relieves pain by delivering medication to the spinal cord through a small implanted pump. This treatment results in fewer side effects, such as drowsiness and decreased mental clarity.

Only select individuals are able to benefit from intrathecal drug delivery. Working with your referring physician, we will conduct an initial consultation. If intrathecal drug delivery is recommended, we will test its effectiveness with the placement of a temporary catheter for several days. Based on the results of the trial, you and your care team will determine whether or not to continue with the therapy.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

These complementary medical techniques can help to treat painful conditions such as headaches, arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome and cancer-related pain.

Consultation

We consult with other physicians on the pain management of patients with postoperative, post-traumatic or other acute pain conditions.

Behavioral Medicine

Our behavioral medicine services includd various therapies and relaxation training methods to improve pain-coping skills. We also offer consultative services for patients receiving chronic opioid therapy and their primary care providers. These services include a comprehensive evaluation, risk assessment and recommendations on treatment and dosage options. Please note, we do not prescribe opioids.

Workshops and Lectures

We also host a number of workshops and lectures available to the community on chronic and acute pain. To learn about upcoming events, please call 617-726-8810.

Directions

  • Accessibility: Our office is handicapped accessible.
  • Public Transit: Our office is served by MBTA bus route 170.
  • Parking: Parking is free.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

During your initial consultation, your doctor will review your medical history and treatment objectives. We ask that you bring a list of medications, vitamins and herbal supplements that you take, along with information on dosages.

Treatment options, including risks and benefits, will be discussed in detail. We will work with you to find the best care plan for you. Our aim during the consultation is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Scheduling an Appointment

In order to schedule an appointment, you must have a referral from your physician. If possible, bring other medical records with you to your first appointment. We use this information at the time of your first visit to get a complete picture of you and your overall condition in order to develop an appropriate pain management plan.

Referring Physicians

To refer a patient to our center, fax the referral form to 617-726-3441. Our goal is to follow-up with you within 24 hours of a referral request, and to contact your patient within 48 hours to schedule an appointment.

To refer a patient for chronic opioid therapy consultation, fill out the Behavioral Medicine Referral form, and fax to 617-726-3441.