The Pain Management Center

At Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, our Fellowship Trained and Board Certified Pain Management Specialists, Dr. Zachary Abbott and Dr. Douglas W. Taylor treat patients who are suffering from acute and chronic pain.

Who Should See a Pain Management Specialist?

Pain can happen for many different reasons, appear in many different locations, and take different forms in all patients. It can also be acute (temporary) or chronic (long-term). For instance, you could experience severe but acute pain after an accident. Or perhaps you have back pain that is chronic and worsening. As you get older, you may also begin to notice new types of pain after many years of wear and tear on your joints and bones.

Pain management doctors have specialized knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat pain, which is important because sometimes determining the source of pain and finding the best way to treat it can be challenging. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments a pain management doctor can use, and new ones continue to become available.

Zachary Abbott, D.O.

Location: The Spine Center

Scott Adams, PA-C

Location: The Spine Center

Hillary Hatcher, ARNP

Location: The Spine Center

Douglas Taylor, M.D.

Location: The Spine Center

When to Visit Oly Ortho for Pain Management

You should contact a pain management doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Back or neck pain
  • Chronic pain or dull, aching pain that is almost always present
  • Joint stiffness
  • Joint tenderness
  • Pain that comes and goes unexpectedly
  • Pain that gets worse instead of better
  • Pain that radiates from one part of the body to another
  • Pain when trying to perform normal daily tasks
  • Stabbing or shooting pains

If any of these symptoms are familiar to you, you should make an appointment to see a pain management specialist or physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. At Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, our pain management expert takes a team approach in treating pain through medications, nonsurgical treatments such as injections, physical therapy, and, if needed, surgery.

Interventional Pain Management is a medical specialty that focuses on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating pain caused by the following orthopaedic injuries and conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Bone Fractures
  • Cartilage damage
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Herniated discs
  • Strains and sprains
  • Nerve disorders
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Osteoporosis
  • Sciatic pain
  • Spine injuries and conditions
  • Tendonitis

Our specialists also treat patients who have pain caused by non-orthopaedic injuries and conditions or pain that has unknown causes. Because pain is something that is experienced differently by every patient, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Abbott use customized treatment plans that may include numerous treatment options.

Nonsurgical treatment options include medications, physical therapy, activity modification, and more.

For those who are experiencing chronic pain that has not responded to conservative treatments, Dr. Taylor is also an expert in both injection based treatments and Minimally Invasive Pain Management Procedures.  

These can include:

  • Epidural Injections
  • Transforaminal injections
  • Selective nerve blocks
  • Nerve root blocks
  • Rhizotomy
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation

Why choose the Oly Ortho Spine Center Team?

Choosing the right doctor is important, and there are many different factors you should consider, including their level of professional training and expertise.

At Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, our pain management physician has had additional training in a medical specialty. This additional training is referred to as fellowship training. Following their medical residencies, our providers have undergone fellowship training focusing their education specifically on the advanced knowledge and skills needed to treat specific areas of the body or injuries, conditions, or surgery relating to a specific medical specialty, such as pain management. At Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, you are in excellent hands because our pain management doctor, Dr. Douglas W. Taylor, is fellowship-trained and has the experience and expertise to assess, diagnose, and treat your injury or condition individually to your needs.

To consult with our Olympia Orthopaedic Associates specialists about your treatment options, please request an appointment online or call 360.709.6230. At our Spine Center, we offer consultations with a Spine Center doctor Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You can learn more about the conditions we treat through our patient education resources or our Online Guide to Sports Medicine that references specific topics relating to nutrition and fitness for athletes of all ages including high school students, collegians, weekend warriors, and professional athletes.

Pain Management Tips

Staying active, being proactive, and building healthy habits are key to preventing, reducing, or avoiding future joint pain. Here are some techniques you can use to help protect your joints:

  • Set Reminders on Your Devices: Smartphones, tablets, TVs, computers and other devices can capture your attention—and keep you seated for long periods of time. Instead of vowing to use them less, why not use them to your advantage and set alarms and reminders to move and stretch throughout the day? There are also apps available you can use to help you stay healthy—like apps that track the number of steps you take each day.
  • Release Tension: It’s common to tense your muscles when you’re stressed without even knowing it. Later, when you’re experiencing pain, you may realize what’s happened. To avoid future pain, make sure you relax and gently stretch your muscles frequently throughout the day.
  • Maintain Good Posture: Even if you must sit or stand for much of the day, such as at a computer, you can still use that time to reduce your risk of future pain. Sitting properly with your feet on the floor, standing with good posture, and making these things a habit will go a long ways in helping you stay pain free.

Should I Make An Appointment?

There is no reason for you to live in pain. Patients who are experiencing any of the following are encouraged to make an appointment with Dr. Abbott or Dr. Taylor:

  • Back or neck pain
  • Dull, aching pain that is always present
  • Joint stiffness
  • Joint tenderness
  • Pain that comes and goes unexpectedly
  • Pain that increases in severity
  • Pain that stops patients from performing day-to-day activities
  • Radiating pain
  • Stabbing or shooting pain

An accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan help you experience pain relief in a very short period of time. A comprehensive treatment plan consisting of multiple treatment options helps decrease or completely eliminate pain. If you are ready to receive a pain solution may request an appointment online or call our office.