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Missoula hosts Montana Pain Conference

Posted at 4:47 PM, Apr 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-07 18:47:18-04

MISSOULA – National researchers, thinkers, and providers shared innovations in chronic pain care at the University of Montana as part of the Montana Pain Conference.

"The pain experience has many different facets and so it’s not a one size fits all. We have to kind of… we need to come up with different programs for each individual so finding a customized approach to each individual is probably the most important thing and learning to understand pain in a different way," said UM professor of clinical medicine Marc Mentel.

Discussions at the included they discussed alternative methods to fighting against pain such as mindfulness, yoga, and creating a more positive environment for yourself. 

Mentel said the most important thing for people to know is that ultimately the goal is to help the patient as best they can.

"Sometimes we mess up. There are times that surgery may not go right so we have to learn procedures to correct it, medication therapy might not be able to…might not work the way we want so we need to change that. And any time we prescribe an opioid for an individual there always a risk for substance abuse disorder that can develop and knowing how to correct that is an important thing."

Mentel also said having a good relationship with your doctor is key.