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Addressing Chronic Pain

Integrated Anesthesia Associates' Pain Managment Center Seeks Innovative Solutions

As life expectancy rises, so too does the demand for effective healthcare solutions that improve quality of life—particularly in the realm of pain management. 

Chronic pain, often stemming from conditions such as arthritis, spinal degeneration, or injuries, poses a significant challenge, limiting individuals’ daily activities and independence. The field of pain management has evolved considerably, especially in the last decade, with innovations that allow for precise interventions without extensive recovery periods. 

At Integrated Anesthesia Associates Pain Management Center in Hartford and IAA's Old Saybrook clinic, Coastal Interventional Pain Management experts like Dr. Honghui Feng and Dr. MIchael Grille are at the forefront of this transformation, offering minimally invasive treatments that target pain’s root causes and enable patients to live active, fulfilling lives.

From spinal cord stimulators to nerve modulation devices, these technologies empower patients to regain control of their lives without constant pain. 

“Quality of life is the core of pain management at IAA,” says Dr. Feng. He and Dr. Grille are dedicated to helping their patients restore function, independence, and a sense of normalcy.

With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Grille brings a wealth of experience in perioperative and chronic pain management. He has seen pain management evolve into a distinct specialty centered on helping patients regain their independence and quality of life.

“The expectation of what people want out of retirement years has changed significantly and pain management has become a very important part of care for aging populations,” says Dr. Grille. 

Dr. Feng, who has over two decades of experience as an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, leads IAA’s new Old Saybrook clinic in advancing innovative pain management approaches. 

He began focusing on a specialty in chronic pain management following a fellowship in Connecticut in 2001. 

Both doctors emphasize that pain management should be more than just symptom relief; it’s about understanding and treating underlying issues that impact a patient’s well-being. In the past, pain was treated primarily with medications, including opioids, often without a complete diagnosis. However, today’s approach, which includes moving away from opioids following the addiction crisis with such drugs, emphasizes careful diagnosis, collaboration with other healthcare providers, and a wide range of therapeutic options.

One area where IAA has seen remarkable success is in the use of technology-driven therapies, such as neuromodulation techniques, including spinal cord stimulation. For conditions such as spinal stenosis—a common, painful condition among older adults—spinal cord stimulators and other techniques provide targeted pain relief without the risks of major surgery, Dr. Grille says. 

By modulating nerve signals with electrical currents, similar to how pacemakers regulate heart rhythms, these devices can alleviate pain with minimal invasiveness. 

According to Dr. Feng, this technology offers a breakthrough for patients who might otherwise face limited options, such as invasive spine surgery with a low satisfaction success rate.

 “We’ve seen great success with procedures that target specific pain sites, highlighting the impact these techniques have on reducing pain and enhancing function.”

Other minimally invasive and targeted techniques, Dr. Grille says, have been particularly effective in treating chronic lower back pain—a prevalent condition that causes missed workdays and reduced productivity. 

“When you scan a patient’s back, you might see various issues, but not all of them are causing pain,” Dr. Grille explains. “A tailored approach allows us to create a plan that directly addresses the cause of pain.”

IAA’s commitment to high-quality, integrated care is further strengthened through partnerships with the Bone & Joint Institute in Hartford and Middlesex Hospital, providing patients with a continuum of care. 

Whether it’s through physical therapy, diagnostic imaging, or advanced interventions, patients benefit from a collaborative team of experts at IAA, which accepts all forms of medical insurance.

IAA is reaching more patients who need effective, non-opioid pain management solutions, and proudly accepts all insurance plans in order to best accommodate the insurance needs of patients. 

Integrated Anesthesia Associates Pain Management Center

31 Seymour St., Suite 201, Hartford

Phone: 860-430-2176

Email: joseph.vitarelli@iaapartners.com

Online: https://iaapartners.com/contact-us


IAA Coastal Interventional Pain Management

929 Boston Post Road, Suite 7

Old Saybrook

Phone: (860) 661-5960

Email: joseph.vitarelli@iaapartners.com

Online: https://iaapartners.com/contact-us

Dr. Michael Grille

Dr. Grille has established himself as one of the top Interventional Pain Management Specialists in the Northeast. With Fellowship training at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, he brings a wealth of clinical expertise in order to develop the best and most comprehensive pain management plan to address any chronic pain condition.

Dr. Honghui Feng

Dr. Feng has been treating Connecticut patients with chronic pain for over twenty years. He completed his fellowship and residency at Harvard Medical School. A board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management specialist, he is respected as a pioneer of cutting-edge, non-opioid pain therapies. Prior to founding CIPM, he led the anesthesia and chronic pain practice at Lawrence and Memorial hospital for twenty years.

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