February 1 st
, 2006
Welcome! Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding our facility.
The P.A.I.N.Institute
is dedicated to the compassionate treatment of patients suffering from some form of unrelenting pain. Designed to provide in-patient and outpatient services under the leadership of Medical Director Dr. Rick
Chavez, our multidisciplinary pain management program includes the essential components necessary for stabilization and recovery.
The specialty of Pain Medicine is concerned with the study of pain, prevention of pain, and the evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons in pain. Some conditions may have pain and associated symptoms arising from postoperative pain or pain associated with a malignancy, or may be conditions in which pain constitutes the primary problem, such as neuropathic pains or headaches. The evaluation of painful syndromes includes interpretation of historical data; review of previous laboratory, imaging, and electrodiagnostic studies; assessment of behavioral, social, and occupational issues; and interview and examination of the patient by Dr Chavez. It may require specialized diagnostic procedures, including central and peripheral neural blockade or monitored drug infusions. The special needs of geriatric populations, and patients' cultural contexts, are considered when formulating a comprehensive treatment plan at The P.A.I.N.
Institute.
As the “hub of the wheel” Dr Chavez serves as a consultant to other physicians but is the principal treating physician and may provide care at various levels, such as direct treatment, prescribing medication, prescribing rehabilitation services, performing pain relieving procedures, counseling patients and families, directing a multidisciplinary team, coordinating care with other health care providers and providing consultative services to public and private agencies pursuant to optimal health care delivery to the patient suffering from pain and/or addiction.
Pain Management and Addiction Medicine are two specialized fields of medical practice that share a strong common interest in the mechanisms, clinical use, risks and benefits associated with opioid drugs and other therapies involving potentially abusable medications. In addition to these pharmacological issues, there are profound clinical interactions between the potential of addictive disorders and the occurrence of unrelieved pain that influence both the management of substance use disorders and the care of pain patients.

Because of the complexity of treating patients suffering from pain who have been on years of opioid treatment therapy, Dr. Chavez was one of the first physicians in the South
Bay who realized that there was a huge deficit in the successful management of these patients. Upholding the patient’s right to live a pain free existence, Dr. Chavez discovered that there were few physicians who wanted to take on the responsibility of opioid medication management. As a physician who is certified in Addiction Medicine, he realized that the calibrated interplay of pain and potential addiction needs special attention and he is constantly looking for different ways to eradicate pain while keeping the quality of his patient’s lives as close to normal as possible. Because most patients with chronic pain have less than optimal therapeutic outcomes after prolonged treatment with opiate analgesics, Dr. Chavez designed a unique program for opioid tolerant chronic pain patients.
Utilizing a new, highly effective drug Buprenorphine Our Buprenorphine Treatment
Program has provided patients with the ability to eliminate opioids from their system without the devastating side effects of withdrawal. Most remarkably, once the patient is free of opioids, they may discover that their pain levels have either diminished considerably or have been eliminated altogether. At The P.A.I.N. Institute, the application of sound principles of assessment, prescribing, and management are adhered to at all times. We encourage pain management therapeutic options and alternative modalities such as massage therapy, biofeedback, chiropractic care, hypnotherapy, physical therapy, stress management, and psychological support to minimize problems with potential tolerance to opioid medications while improving therapeutic outcomes.
W e believe that a synergistic collaboration between traditional practitioners and alternative health care providers is a viable approach to helping patients eliminate or manage pain.
Should you feel that you or a loved one could benefit from our services, please feel free to call us to make an appointment for your consultation. You may also contact Dr.
Chavez directly by emailing your questions to rickchavezmd@painandaddiction.com
or contact Lynette Prucha, Executive Director, at lynette@painandaddiction.com
or leave a private voice message at (323)833-8269. We will be happy to address any concerns you may have about our facility and your care.
Optimal health and inner balance in mind, body & spirit include living with the freedom to enjoy life’s blessings. Our staff is dedicated to providing excellent and compassionate service in a unique healing environment. We look forward to serving you as you begin your journey to good health and recovery.
We take your pain to heart.
Rick Chavez, M.D.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR iplomate, American Academy of Pain Management
Diplomate, American Academy of Family Practice
Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine,
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Certified, American Society Of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
ST
Please assist us in providing our patients with optimum service. A cancelled appointment enables us to provide patients with care.
PHARMACY REFILL POLICY
Patients should call in refill requests to their pharmacy 3 business days before medication runs out. Contact medical assistant Elizabeth Murillo if

you have any questions. The Pharmacy will fax the request to our office at
310 374-1576 and it will be reviewed by Dr. Chavez.
Please note that prescription requests are entered in our Electronic Medical
Records to ensure that we are monitoring your medications. The Patient should call the Pharmacy to verify the medications are available prior to picking up their medication. No Requests will be filled if you have missed follow-up appointments.
NO REQUESTS WILL BE FILLED IN THE EVENING, FRIDAY,
SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OR HOLIDAYS.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Lynette Prucha, Program Director, Business Development