Post-surgical pain is expected after any invasive procedure. Still, for some patients, pain persists longer than anticipated and begins to interfere with daily movement, physical rehabilitation, and overall quality of life. Known clinically as Persistent Post-Surgical Pain (PPSP), this condition is defined as pain that continues for more than three months after surgery, beyond the standard healing window. However, patients should not wait months to seek help. If your post-operative pain is not gradually improving day by day, or if it limits your mobility, it may indicate an underlying issue that requires targeted treatment.
In New York City, Dr. Richard Nahas offers advanced, integrative care for post-surgical pain that persists, utilizing techniques rooted in his Blockage-Based Care model. This approach identifies hidden restrictions in fascia, muscle, and nerve pathways that may be contributing to persistent discomfort.
Early Evaluation Protocols to Prevent Chronic Post-Op Pain
In the early stages of recovery, pain should show steady signs of improvement. When it plateaus or worsens, it may signal that more profound tissue healing is being disrupted. In some cases, the surgical site itself is not the root problem. Scar tissue from old injuries, falls, or even unrelated surgeries can affect muscle alignment and fascial tension, pulling on tissues near the operative site and impairing recovery.
Dr. Nahas uses a unique functional assessment process that evaluates how your entire myofascial system responds to movement. By asking you to contract specific muscle groups, he can trace areas of tightness or restriction from one part of the body to another, often connecting pain near a surgical scar to remote past injuries. This chain-based view of the body allows for earlier identification of complications that standard evaluations might overlook.
When detected early, these issues can be treated before they evolve into chronic pain syndromes, allowing for improved outcomes and a faster return to function.
Interventions for Lingering Surgical Discomfort
One of the core techniques used in post-surgical pain treatment is targeted injection therapy, involving low-concentration local anesthetics or dextrose. These substances are delivered directly into restricted tissue areas, guided by both ultrasound and a specialized palpation method that pinpoints sites of altered sensation.
Patients often experience immediate relief, and when pain returns, it is typically less severe, occurs in fewer locations, and is less persistent. These outcomes suggest that the underlying restriction has been addressed, and ongoing treatment, sometimes combined with guided stretching or rehabilitation, can continue to improve long-term recovery.
When to Refer for Specialist Post-Operative Pain Management
Not all post-surgical pain requires referral to a specialist, but sure signs indicate the need for advanced care:
- Pain persists beyond 6–8 weeks without gradual improvement
- Discomfort is preventing you from completing rehab exercises
- Pain patterns are spreading, becoming more diffuse, or complex to describe
- You’ve already tried conventional pain management without success
Dr. Nahas collaborates closely with referring physicians and rehabilitation providers to develop a personalized care plan that addresses the unique needs of each patient. His focus is not just on the immediate symptoms, but on understanding how the entire body’s injury history may be contributing to current dysfunction. This blockage-based model helps uncover connections that are often missed in conventional post-operative protocols.
Significantly, many patients benefit from a combination of targeted injections, structured home exercises, and collaborative rehabilitation. When patients are engaged in their own care, learning how to stretch and move in ways that release tension, the healing process becomes more sustainable and empowering.
When to Refer for Specialist Post-Operative Pain Management
Not all post-surgical pain requires referral to a specialist, but sure signs indicate the need for advanced care:
- Pain persists beyond 6–8 weeks without gradual improvement
- Discomfort is preventing you from completing rehab exercises
- Pain patterns are spreading, becoming more diffuse, or complex to describe
- You’ve already tried conventional pain management without success
Dr. Nahas collaborates closely with referring physicians and rehabilitation providers to develop a personalized care plan that addresses the unique needs of each patient. His focus is not just on the immediate symptoms, but on understanding how the entire body’s injury history may be contributing to current dysfunction. This blockage-based model helps uncover connections that are often missed in conventional post-operative protocols.
Significantly, many patients benefit from a combination of targeted injections, structured home exercises, and collaborative rehabilitation. When patients are engaged in their own care, learning how to stretch and move in ways that release tension, the healing process becomes more sustainable and empowering.