Frequently Asked Questions

After medical school, the physician completes an internship, which is followed by 3 – 4 years of additional specialty training (a residency) in one of the following specialties: anesthesiology, neurology, or physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR). Following this residency, the physician then completes a fellowship in comprehensive pain management training. All total, your pain management physician receives nearly 14 years of training after high school to provide comprehensive care in this specialty.

For optimal treatment and results, yes. There are several organizations that provide pain management certifications, including the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians (the most rigorous). Another certification includes Fellowship status in the World Institute of Pain Medicine.

As a major proponent of legislation to combat the “pill mill epidemic,” Dr. Daitch has been an involved voice in protecting Florida patients from this type of environment. Florida laws now mandate that new or existing pain management practices not owned by physicians or staffed by board certified interventional pain management physicians must be regularly inspected and monitored. The exemplary credentials and protocols of Dr. Daitch exempt APMSS.

Dr. Daitch has also been instrumental in the formation of the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, or E-FORCSE® (Electronic-Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substance Evaluation Program), which Florida legislature now uses to help reduce drug abuse and in safer prescribing of controlled substances.

Acute pain is temporary, usually lasting 3 – 6 months. It is generally the result of soft tissue damage. Chronic pain is any pain that persists longer than 12 weeks.

At APMSS, each patient is carefully evaluated and treatment recommendations are made based on specific needs. Dr. Daitch and his team offer a wide variety of procedures to help eliminate or manage pain, most of which are minimally invasive (also referred to as “Band-Aid surgeries”). He has created an environment with advanced technology and fully-equipped surgical suites to attend to patients comfortably, conveniently, and effectively.

Medical marijuana is available in pill form by prescription. The drug Marinolis is only appropriate for patients with specific conditions and is not prescribed by request.

Back pain has many causes. Facet joint injections may be used to reduce pain from arthritis in the back. If the pain is not reduced or eliminated, a procedure called radiofrequency may be recommended. This often provides pain relief for up to two years. Other procedures available are epidurals and transforaminal epidurals. The treatment most appropriate for your needs will be thoroughly explained.

Neck pain can be a result of many factors. Facet joint injections are provided for arthritis in the neck for pain relief. Radiofrequency, epidurals and transforaminal epidurals are also options to alleviate pain. The procedure(s) best for your specific needs will be explained by our Doctors.

Pain shooting down the leg is usually caused by a herniated disc, pinched nerve, or spinal stenosis. Other causes may be from hip arthritis, piriformis syndrome, or sacroiliac joint pain. The APMSS team is skilled in diagnosing the source of this pain and providing the most appropriate treatment. At all times, your safety and comfort are priorities with our Doctors and team.

Dr. Daitch has dedicated his career to providing a comprehensive, state-of-the-art environment for resolving most types of pain. Most procedures are performed in a fully-equipped ambulatory surgery center (ASC), which is located in the same building as our pain management office. Our ASC provides patients the option to be given general anesthesia. This also eliminates the additional time, inconvenience, and expenses involved when these procedures are performed at a hospital.

For every patient and procedure, comfort is a priority at APMSS. However, with certain procedures, some discomfort may be experienced. And, this can vary from person to person. What may be uncomfortable for one patient may not be so for another. Our Doctors will discuss what to expect for the procedure recommended for you.

The option of having procedures while sedated under general anesthesia will be addressed prior to the scheduled procedure. General anesthesia is administered in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC), which is conveniently located in the same facility as APMSS.

Shingles attacks the dorsal root ganglion and can cause horrific pain. Ideally, patients with shingles should be seen within two weeks of the initial outbreak. The faster that the patient is seen and treated, the better the results in reducing the duration and pain.

We treat shingles with a procedure called selective nerve root (SNR) injection. An injection of local anesthetic and a long-acting steroid is strategically placed using fluoroscopy guidance to accurately reach the affected nerve root. Pain and duration are dramatically reduced and pain is often eliminated completely.

Arm pain may be the result of bursitis, a rotator cuff tear, or an irritated nerve radiating from the neck. Minimally invasive injection procedures combined with physical therapy can help greatly. For many, these can also make surgery unnecessary.

“Pain emergencies” are from shingles, cancer, vertebral fractures, broken ribs, and spinal headaches. Patients who suffer from any of these conditions are urged to seek immediate medical attention. However, any persistent pain may need the specialized care provided by a pain management physician.

For people who truly motivated to stop taking high dose opioids, APMSS physicians are experts at easing patients off narcotics through the medication buprenorphine.

This is a prescription that is taken daily to alleviate pain while decreasing the cravings caused by narcotics. It is a safer alternative to high dose narcotics and has an excellent success rate for motivated patients who want to improve their quality of life.