Department of Pain Management

Chronic pain is an unfortunate fact of life for many people. However, with proper medical supervision and work with your pain management doctor, it is manageable. The Department of Pain Management at La Peer Health Systems has pain specialists, nurses, doctors and physicians who will work in a variety of ways to provide the utmost in patient care.

The goal of the Department of Pain Management is to take patients from initial consultation through diagnosis and onto primary treatment and/or surgery if necessary. We will be a constant presence through the pain management process and into aftercare as well. Many patients will return to La Peer for pain relief through minor procedures such as a lumbar epidural steroid injection or a selective nerve root block. These treatments often work for a few weeks or months at a time and with conditions like repetitive migraines a simple injection is well worth a bi-monthly trip.

The department of pain management is also highly concerned with research and clinical trials. Research into pain management for something like repetitive migraines is as important as finding a permanent method of relief for these patients. Depending on your condition and willingness, you may be able to take part in research and possibly make a step towards improving medicine forever.

Medical Conditions:
  • Arthritis
  • Back injury
  • Chronic daily headaches
  • Peripheral nerve damage
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Vulvodynia
Treatments:
  • Lumbar epidural steroid injection
  • Selective nerve root block
  • Cervical (neck) epidural steroid injection
  • Piriformis muscle (hip) injection

If you would like a one-on-one consultation with a skilled member of staff working in the Department of Pain Management then please call La Peer Health Systems (310) 360-9119) or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Conditions Page

Arthritis: Arthritis is the painful inflammation of the joints. The causes of arthritis depends on the type of arthritis you have. The common causes are autoimmune disorders, wear associated with the aging process, bacterial infection, or a broken bone. The symptoms of arthritis include stiffness in the joint, decreased mobility, inability to bend down or stand straight, tightness in the joints, and redness and/or warmth in the affected area. The treatment for arthritis depends on the severity of the case, but it may include NSAIDs like Aleve, steroid injections, heat and ice packs, or joint replacement.

Back injury: Many patients experience chronic pain after experiencing some sort of back injury including herniated discs, sprains, strains, or a fractured vertebrae. The treatment for chronic pain resulting from a back injury may include a nerve block or a lumbar epidural steroid injection.

Chronic daily headache: Chronic headaches are a debilitating condition for many people. It is very common for a person to have a headache from time to time, but if you are experiencing headaches most days of the week, you may have chronic headaches. The risk factors for chronic daily headaches are anxiety, depression, overuse of pain relievers, obesity, disrupted sleep, neck strain, and snoring. The treatment for chronic head is dependent on the severity of the headaches. The treatment may include nerve blocks, steroid injections, beta blockers, anti-seizure medication, Botox injections, or a local anesthetic.

Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects the musculoskeletal system. The exact causes of the condition are unknown, but the symptoms often start after a major trauma, surgery, serious psychological stress, or infection. Additionally, women are more likely to develop the condition than men. The symptoms of fibromyalgia is a constant, dull pain and tender spots throughout the body. The common tender spots include the back of the neck, the shoulders, the chest, and the hips. Sleep disturbance is also a common symptom and side effect of fibromyalgia.  The treatment for fibromaylgia is a combination of non-steroid pain relievers such as Aleve, relaxation techniques, and prescription pain relievers.

Peripheral nerve damage: There are many different types of nerve damage depending on the type of nerve that was damaged and its function. The risk factors for nerve damage include diabetes, trauma, compartment syndrome, pinched nerves, certain medication, nutritional deficiencies, HIV, and motor neuron disease. The treatment for peripheral nerve damage depends on the reason for the nerve damage. If the nerve damage is a result of an infection or diabetes, antibiotics or regulating your blood sugar will help with nerve pain and reduce the risk of further nerve damage. Other treatments for nerve damage may be nerve blocks and steroid injections.

Vulvodynia: Vulvodynia is a painful condition that affects the opening of the vagina. The causes of vulvadynia are unknown, but it is believed that the causes include damage to the surrounding nerves, hormonal changes, allergies, or a history of sexual abuse. The symptoms of vulvodynia are pain near the vulva, itching, soreness, throbbing, stinging, and painful intercourse. The treatment for vulvodynia are antihistamines to reduce itching, behavioral therapy, local anesthetics, nerve blocks, relaxation techniques, and surgery.


Procedures Page

Epidural Steroid Injection: Epidural steroid injections are steroid injections used to relieve pain in different parts of the body. It is often used to help pain to make rehabilitation more effective and easier. The injection will provide temporary relief for as little as a week and up to a year. A patient is may have up to three injections in a year.
  • Lumbar (lower back): Treatment to relieve pain in the lower back and the leg regions.
  • Cervical (neck): Treatment to reduce neck pain.
Selective nerve root block: A selective nerve root block is a procedure where the spine is viewed in real-time imaging. The doctor will search for the group of nerves that are responsible for sending pain signals to the affected area. Once the root nerve is found, the doctor will inject a local anesthetic and/ or a steroid to reduce inflammation and dull the pain. The patient should feel immediate relief and the doctor will know that the correct nerve has been treated. The entire procedure can take between 30-60 minutes.

Piriformis muscle (hip) injection: A piriformis injection is when a steroid is injected into the buttock. The injection last for a long time and is used to reduce pain in the leg and buttocks. The doctor will press on the muscles around the buttock to find the most sore areas. This will allow the doctor to note where the injections should go. You may not feel pain relief immediately and it often occurs between 3-7 days after the procedure.

La Peer Health Systems - The Department of Pain Management
(310) 360-9119
8920 Wilshire Blvd #101
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
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Doctors

Gerald M. Sacksalt

Address: 2021 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 300E Santa Monica, CA, 90404
Office#: (310) 264-7314
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