What’s your relationship with pain? Maybe you’ve dealt with a sudden injury, pushed through episodes of acute discomfort, or learned to navigate the daily realities of a chronic condition. Whatever form it takes, pain has a way of narrowing life—limiting movement, energy, and joy. And for many Hancock Health patients, it can become a daily obstacle that’s hard to overcome alone.

That’s where Hancock Pain Management truly shines. With a whole-person approach and a team dedicated to compassionate, evidence-based care, they help patients find their way back to comfort, mobility, and a fuller, pain-free life.

The pain management team at Hancock Health works alongside both patients and their providers, creating a collaboration that is a vital component of delivering whole-person care. It is an essential relationship, and pain management is at the heart of helping patients regain their quality of life in both acute and chronic pain scenarios. 

They assist patients in reducing their pain and enhancing their mobility across various conditions, including: 

This list is not exhaustive, and often patients come to Hancock Pain Management after being referred by their primary care provider. Sometimes by the time they come to the clinic, pain has caused a significant loss of function in their life whether it’s daily living activities, inability to maintain work responsibilities or a loss of social life.

We spoke with Robyn Weaver, MSN, APRN, FNP-C and a Nurse Practitioner at Hancock Pain Management, about their role in making health possible for patients, especially those who are being impacted on a daily basis. “We tailor our therapies to meet the individual needs of each patient, ensuring a personalized approach to pain management. We have an amazing staff that is caring, compassionate and dedicated to helping patients improve their quality of life,” says Weaver, “We want to stand out as being different and having an approach that is caring and kind.”

But the beneficial results of effective pain management don’t just end with the patients; it is satisfying for the providers as well. “My favorite aspect of assisting patients in pain management is witnessing their ability to regain their quality of life. There is immense joy in seeing a patient return for a follow-up appointment, capable of engaging in activities they love with significantly reduced or minimal pain,” says Weaver. 

When you think of pain management, medications may automatically come to mind. However, a full, sustainable pain management strategy includes far more than just a prescription for meds. Treating the whole patient means understanding underlying causes and working to address those as well. “We recommend several lifestyle modifications,” offers Weaver, “including weight management, maintaining proper hydration, and avoiding smoking. Complementary therapies such as aqua therapy, massage, and physical therapy can also be beneficial in managing pain.”

They also have a robust offering of modalities that have been proven effective at helping patients manage pain. These include, but aren’t necessarily limited to interventions such as steroid injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablations, weight management, and various medications aimed at alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and calming nerve pain. A multimodal approach is usually best. There is often not one specific targeted approach.

For most people, understanding the difference between acute and chronic pain is helpful in determining when to see a provider for pain management. Weaver helped us understand the difference, “Acute pain is typically defined as lasting less than six weeks, often temporarily disrupting quality of life. Acute pain can signal damage and will likely resolve with proper treatment. It can be managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, properly selected procedures, physical therapy, rest, or simply time.” 

She continues, “In contrast, chronic pain becomes ingrained in a patient’s daily life, often perceived as their “normal.” Factors such as weather changes or overexertion can exacerbate chronic pain, and even routine activities like cleaning or laundry may contribute to flare-ups. Chronic pain can significantly impact sleep, mood, work, and interpersonal relationships. Chronic pain is complex and often a “marathon and not a sprint.” Chronic pain requires an individualized and SUSTAINABLE plan.”

The staff of providers at Hancock Pain Management is passionate about treating patients with a sustainable and holistic approach, one that is rooted in understanding and compassion. Whether you believe your pain to be acute or chronic, if it is impacting your daily life, speak to your provider, who can then refer you to the expert Hancock Pain Management team.