Intense chronic pain affects every aspect of the lives of people who suffer from it, St. Luke’s pain management specialist Richa Dudek, MD, has observed. Fortunately, the correct diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce pain, if not eliminate it.

Dr. Dudek, a physical medicine and rehabilitation-trained physician with additional training in pain management, has brought specialized pain management services closer to the homes of patients residing in Carbon, Schuylkill and Berks counties.

She sees patients at the Lehighton and Kutztown offices of St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates.

“Chronic pain can affect function, sleep, mood and even relationships,” she said. “My role is to understand how the pain affects a patient’s life, diagnose the root cause for a given patient and then provide the patients with options to help them manage their pain. I do my best to listen to my patient’s story, pay attention to their needs and, side-by-side with my patient, develop a plan that incorporates their goals and expectations for the treatment.”

The treatment plan could include a range of treatments, such as oral medications, injections, physical and occupational therapy and complementary medicine practices. Dr. Dudek often works with the patient’s primary care physician and other specialists. Sometimes, she might refer the patient to a neurologist, neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.

“For example, if somebody comes to me with the symptom of pain, but it turns out that they need a joint replacement or need spine surgery, then typically I would refer them to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon,” she said.

The most common complaints she sees are neck and lower back pain and joint pain, most frequently hips and knees, but sometimes shoulders. In addition, she has treated patients for headaches and diffuse body pain.

Dr. Dudek decided to specialize in pain medicine during medical school at Rutgers University in New Jersey. After her internship at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City and residency at Temple University in Philadelphia, she completed a pain management fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Health Center.

“Pain affects many people and impacts their quality of life,” she said. “Conversely, someone with high blood pressure, for instance, could be walking around and not feel any effects from their condition. Quantifying and diagnosing pain is challenging but also very rewarding, especially when we figure out what is going on and how we can help the patient feel better and have a better quality of life.”

For example, a couple of months ago, Dr. Dudek diagnosed a patient’s pain source and recommended treatment with a spinal cord stimulator. This device sends low levels of electricity directly into the spinal cord to relieve pain. She referred her to a colleague to implant the device surgically.

“The patient is feeling much better now,” Dr. Dudek said. “She’s able to walk more, work in her yard and enjoy more outdoor activities, which she was missing out on before. By alleviating her pain, her mobility, function and overall health improved. Even if we can’t eliminate the pain entirely, treatment can make a huge difference in a person’s life.

“Even patients who suffered for years, after treatment, tell me they’re participating more in their lives,” she added. “They’ll say, ‘I was able to go to my granddaughter’s game, which I couldn’t have done before.’ That makes my day.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dudek, call 484-526-7246.