The Catalyst Issue 16 | April 2013 | Page 21

For many patients, quality of life hinges on pain management. Our palliative care services help make a difference. arts Pain is our body’s way of telling us something is wrong. The good news is that Scott & White Healthcare has the expertise necessary to diagnose and treat all types of disease and injuries to ultimately eradicate or lessen pain. However, many patients, especially those with chronic pain, can also experience emotional and spiritual crises that transcend the physical realm. Our unique focus on addressing all facets of pain helps many patients with a spectrum of disease cope and return to normal day-to-day activities. he physiology is complex, but we all recognize pain when we feel it. Pain can result from a hot cup of coffee that burns our tongue or a torn ligament that makes our knee ache. Pain receptors in our nerves turn on when tissue is damaged as a result T of disease or injury, and again when it’s restored during the healing process. The other side of physical pain—its equally significant and sometimes more palpable twin—is emotional, spiritual, and psychological pain, which can also affect patients’ well-being. It can manifest as anxiety, a crisis of faith, a need to clear up confusion or a desire to release anger. Importantly, this kind of pain can also be relieved by experts at Scott & White, who know how to help. For many patients, such as those with cancer or debilitating back pain, sw.org | April 13 The Catalyst 19