CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — September is Pain Awareness Month. Unfortunately, many individuals with chronic pain face stigma and disbelief from society due to the invisible nature of their suffering.

Southwest Spine and Pain Center wants to remind the millions of individuals suffering from chronic pain that they’re not alone. During the month of September, they want to raise public awareness about the impact of pain on not just the individual, but also their loved ones.

“Anybody who has ever experienced chronic pain knows that pain is something that will stop every aspect of your life. It doesn’t matter how strong you are or how tough you are. Over time, if it’s not treated and taken care of, it will wear you down,” founding partner Dr. Rick Obray said. “We try to help patients deal with that, and we try to give them tools that allow them to get back out there and live again.”

Chronic pain doesn’t just affect people physically; it also affects them emotionally and socially. It’s difficult when your pain is stopping you from enjoying time with your family and doing what you love.

The impact of pain can lead to a decreased quality of life, anxiety and even depression. Some people with pain feel isolated because they think no one will understand the burden of living with chronic pain.

The physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain are advocates for improving access to effective pain management as well as early invention with the proper diagnosis.

This month provides an opportunity for those living with chronic pain to share their stories and experiences openly without fear or judgment. It encourages empathy and understanding among communities while fostering support networks for those in need.

Cheri, a Cedar City local, loves to run. As she was running the Boston Marathon eight years ago, her pain made it difficult to finish. Because of the nature of the injury, which worsened over time, she also found it difficult to exercise. As the pain intensified, doing regular activities like sitting during work became nearly impossible.

On the outside, she looked like nothing was wrong, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. During her family vacation, she couldn’t participate in activities because of the pain. She missed out on making memories with her sons, and that’s when Cheri had had enough.

She was able to take advantage of Southwest’s Spine and Pain’s advanced procedures and treatments. After weeks of treatment, she was able to run for a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. For the first time in a long time, she was able to run without pain! She felt amazing crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

In 2011, Dr. Jon Obray, Dr. Rick Obray and Dr. Derek Frieden began a mission to use state-of-the-art pain care to relieve chronic pain. The Southwest Spine and Pain team uses multiple surgeries and chronic pain treatments to better individualize treatment for each patient.

If you’re suffering from pain, just know that expertise, compassion and unprecedented patient care are the focus at Southwest Spine and Pain. Their physicians bring years of experience and proficiency to patients through world-class Harvard and Mayo Clinic training.

Southwest Spine and Pain provides extraordinary pain care by using a wide variety of injection therapies, performing minimally invasive surgery, managing different kinds of pain medications, and through coordinating physical therapy and advanced imaging. Their physicians are experts in this ideal, proven and comprehensive strategy for pain care.

You don’t need to wait long for pain relief. Go to southwestspineandpain.com or call the St. George office at 435-656-2424. Same-day appointments are usually available.

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Resources

• Southwest Spine and Pain Center | Address: 2891 E. Mall Drive, Suite 101, St. George | Telephone 435-656-2424 | Website.
• Other locations:
  • Hurricane: 25 N. 2000 West, Suite 8 | Telephone: 435-635-0174.
  • Cedar City: 1303 N. Main St. | Telephone: 435-586-2229.

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