Treating Chronic Pain in Cincinnati: A Complete Guide to Lasting Relief | APSI Wellness
Chronic pain affects millions of adults across Greater Cincinnati. Learn how interventional pain specialists at APSI Wellness in Milford, OH treat chronic back, neck, joint, and nerve pain with advanced, evidence-based therapies designed for lasting relief.
Treating Chronic Pain in Cincinnati: A Complete Guide to Lasting Relief
By APSI Wellness | May 4, 2026
Table of Contents
Understanding Chronic Pain
Common Causes of Chronic Pain in Cincinnati
How Chronic Pain Affects Daily Life
Diagnosing the Source of Pain
Conservative Treatment Options
Interventional Pain Procedures
Advanced Therapies: Neuromodulation and Beyond
The Role of Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Mental Health
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Why Choose APSI Wellness in Milford, OH
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic pain is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—health conditions affecting adults across Greater Cincinnati. From the rolling neighborhoods of Anderson Township to the riverfront communities of Milford, Loveland, and the Eastside suburbs, thousands of people wake up every day with pain that has lasted for months or even years. At APSI Wellness in Milford, OH, Dr. Magdalene Kerschner and our interventional pain team specialize in helping patients move beyond temporary fixes and achieve lasting relief. This 2,000-word guide explains how chronic pain is diagnosed and treated in Cincinnati, what advanced options are available, and how to know when it is time to see a specialist.
Understanding Chronic Pain
Pain is considered chronic when it persists longer than three months, well beyond the time normal tissue healing should be complete. Unlike acute pain, which is a protective signal warning you of injury, chronic pain often serves no useful purpose. The nervous system itself becomes part of the problem—nerves grow more sensitive, pain signals are amplified, and the brain begins to interpret normal stimuli as painful.
According to the CDC, more than 50 million American adults live with chronic pain, and roughly 17 million experience pain severe enough to limit daily activities. In our Cincinnati clinic, we see patients of every age, profession, and background struggling with the same frustrating reality: pain that never fully goes away.
The good news is that today's interventional pain medicine offers more effective, less invasive treatments than ever before. With the right diagnosis and a personalized plan, the vast majority of chronic pain patients can experience meaningful, durable relief.
Common Causes of Chronic Pain in Cincinnati
Chronic pain can arise from many different sources. Some of the most common conditions we treat at APSI Wellness include:
Chronic back pain from disc degeneration, herniation, or muscular strain
Neck pain from poor posture, whiplash, or cervical arthritis
Spinal stenosis causing leg pain, numbness, and weakness
Facet joint pain in the low back or neck
Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction producing pain in the low back and buttocks
Herniated discs with radiating nerve pain
CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) following injury or surgery
Post-herpetic neuralgia after shingles
Vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis
Occipital headaches and migraines
Joint pain from arthritis, sports injuries, or repetitive strain
Many patients have more than one source of pain. A thorough evaluation is critical to identify every contributing factor before recommending treatment.
How Chronic Pain Affects Daily Life
Chronic pain is never just physical. Long-term pain affects nearly every aspect of life—sleep, mood, energy, relationships, and the ability to work, exercise, and enjoy hobbies. Many patients also develop secondary conditions like depression, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, and deconditioning, which in turn make pain harder to manage.
The impact is also financial. Lost work hours, repeated doctor visits, and reliance on medication add up quickly. That's why effective chronic pain treatment must address the whole person, not just one symptom.
Diagnosing the Source of Pain
The foundation of successful chronic pain treatment is an accurate diagnosis. At APSI Wellness, every patient receives a comprehensive evaluation that typically includes:
A detailed medical history — When the pain began, what makes it better or worse, prior treatments, and how it affects daily life.
A focused physical exam — Range of motion, strength, reflexes, sensation, and provocative tests to identify pain generators.
Imaging review — MRI, CT, X-ray, or EMG studies to identify structural problems.
Diagnostic injections when appropriate — Targeted, image-guided injections that confirm the precise source of pain (such as facet joints or SI joints).
This careful workup ensures that we treat the actual cause, not just the symptoms. It also helps us avoid procedures that are unlikely to help and focus on therapies with the highest probability of success.
Conservative Treatment Options
Most chronic pain patients begin with conservative care—non-invasive therapies that reduce pain and restore function. Common first-line treatments include:
Physical therapy to strengthen muscles, improve posture, and increase mobility
Targeted home exercise focused on core stabilization and flexibility
Anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs when appropriate
Topical treatments including lidocaine and diclofenac
Heat, ice, and TENS units for symptom management
Weight management to reduce mechanical strain on the spine and joints
Sleep optimization and stress reduction
Conservative care is highly effective for many people, especially when started early. However, when these measures fail to provide adequate relief, interventional procedures become an important next step.
Interventional Pain Procedures
Interventional pain medicine uses minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to treat pain at its source. These outpatient treatments are performed under fluoroscopy or ultrasound to ensure precision and safety. At APSI Wellness in Milford, we offer a full range of evidence-based interventional therapies, including:
Epidural steroid injections — Reduce inflammation around irritated spinal nerves causing back, leg, neck, or arm pain.
Facet joint injections — Diagnose and treat pain from arthritic spinal joints.
Medial branch blocks and radiofrequency neurotomy — Provide long-term relief from facet-related pain by interrupting pain signals.
Sacroiliac joint injections — Treat low back and buttock pain originating from the SI joint.
Trigger point injections — Relieve painful muscle knots and myofascial pain.
Sympathetic nerve blocks — Treat CRPS, post-herpetic neuralgia, and other nerve-mediated pain.
Sub-occipital and occipital nerve injections — Reduce chronic headaches and occipital neuralgia.
Kyphoplasty — Stabilize painful vertebral compression fractures.
Each procedure is selected based on the patient's specific diagnosis, prior response to treatment, and overall goals. Most are completed in under 30 minutes with minimal downtime.
Advanced Therapies: Neuromodulation and Beyond
For patients with severe, persistent pain that has not responded to other treatments, advanced neuromodulation therapies can be life-changing. These technologies use targeted electrical stimulation to modify how the nervous system processes pain.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) — A small implanted device delivers gentle electrical impulses that interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. SCS is FDA-approved for failed back surgery syndrome, CRPS, painful diabetic neuropathy, and other refractory pain conditions.
Peripheral nerve stimulation — A newer therapy targeting specific peripheral nerves responsible for shoulder, knee, foot, or post-surgical pain.
Regenerative medicine options — In select cases, treatments aimed at supporting the body's natural healing.
These therapies are not a first step—they are reserved for patients who have exhausted more conservative options. But for the right candidate, the impact on quality of life can be profound. Many of our Cincinnati SCS patients describe it as "getting their life back."
The Role of Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Mental Health
Procedures and medications are powerful tools, but they work best when paired with healthy lifestyle habits. Long-term chronic pain management almost always involves a combination of:
Regular movement — Walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, and strength training all help reduce pain and prevent flare-ups. See our guide to exercising safely with chronic pain.
Anti-inflammatory nutrition — A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, omega-3 fats, lean protein, and whole grains can reduce systemic inflammation.
Quality sleep — Poor sleep amplifies pain perception. Treating insomnia is often a key part of pain recovery.
Stress and mood management — Chronic pain and chronic stress feed each other. Mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and counseling can dramatically reduce pain intensity.
Smoking cessation and moderate alcohol use — Both nicotine and excessive alcohol worsen chronic pain and slow healing.
At APSI Wellness, we view chronic pain treatment as a partnership. The most successful patients are those who combine the best medical therapies with daily self-care.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first visit at our Milford clinic is designed to be thorough, unhurried, and focused on understanding you as a person—not just a chart. During your initial consultation, you can expect:
A detailed conversation about your pain history, prior treatments, and personal goals
A focused physical exam
A review of your imaging and records
A discussion of likely diagnoses and treatment options
A clear, written plan tailored to your situation
Most patients leave their first visit with a much clearer understanding of what is causing their pain and what realistic options exist. We never recommend procedures you don't need, and we always discuss conservative alternatives first when appropriate.
Why Choose APSI Wellness in Milford, OH
APSI Wellness has been a trusted resource for chronic pain patients across Cincinnati for over two decades. Dr. Magdalene Kerschner is a board-certified interventional pain physician with extensive training in the most advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques available today.
Patients choose APSI Wellness because we offer:
Comprehensive interventional pain medicine under one roof
Personalized, conservative-first treatment plans
State-of-the-art image-guided procedures
A compassionate, patient-centered approach
Convenient Milford, OH location serving Cincinnati, Loveland, Anderson Township, Eastgate, and surrounding Eastside communities
If chronic pain is keeping you from the life you want to live, you do not have to keep living with it. Call 513-936-3050 or book an appointment online to start your path to lasting relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a pain specialist for chronic pain?
If pain has lasted more than three months, is interfering with daily life, or has not responded to conservative treatments like rest, exercise, or over-the-counter medications, it is time to see an interventional pain specialist. Early evaluation often leads to better outcomes.
Is interventional pain treatment safe?
Yes. Modern interventional pain procedures are minimally invasive, performed with real-time image guidance, and have very low complication rates when done by an experienced physician like Dr. Kerschner.
Will I need surgery for my chronic pain?
Most chronic pain patients do not need surgery. The vast majority can find significant relief through conservative care, interventional procedures, and advanced therapies like spinal cord stimulation. Surgery is generally reserved for specific structural problems that have not improved with other treatments.
How long do epidural steroid injections last?
Relief varies by patient and condition. Many people experience meaningful pain reduction for several months, and some get long-term benefit when injections are combined with physical therapy and lifestyle changes.
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Acute pain is short-term and serves as a warning that something is wrong (such as a broken bone). Chronic pain persists longer than three months and often involves changes in how the nervous system processes pain signals, requiring a different treatment approach.
Can chronic pain be cured?
While not every chronic pain condition can be completely cured, the vast majority can be substantially reduced with the right combination of therapies. Most patients are able to return to the activities they enjoy with significantly improved quality of life.
Do I need a referral to see APSI Wellness?
It depends on your insurance plan. Many plans allow direct access to a specialist, while some require a referral from your primary care provider. Our office staff is happy to help you check your benefits.
How do I prepare for my first visit?
Bring a list of your medications, any recent imaging studies (MRI, CT, X-ray) on disc or via your patient portal, and a written summary of your pain history. Wear comfortable clothing in case a physical exam is needed.
Will I have to take pain medication forever?
No. Our goal is always to reduce or eliminate the need for chronic pain medications by treating the underlying source of pain with targeted interventions and supporting lifestyle changes.
Where is APSI Wellness located?
We are located at 5405 DuPont Circle, Suite A, Milford, OH 45150—just minutes from Cincinnati, Loveland, Anderson Township, and the Eastside suburbs. Call 513-936-3050 to schedule your appointment.
APSI Wellness — Advanced Pain Solutions & Interventions
5405 DuPont Circle Suite A, Milford, OH 45150 | Phone: (513) 936-3050
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