March 18, 2008

Today there is greater help than ever before for chronic pain sufferers in our community.  The Pain Management Institute at East Jefferson General Hospital offers a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of chronic pain, including a full range of therapies such as physical therapy, cognitive therapy, medications and injections.  The institute focuses on treating low back pain, neuropathic pain, cancer pain, as well as many other chronic conditions.

Eric D. Lonseth, M.D., M.P.H., will operate as both Clinical and Hospital Director of The Pain Management Institute.  After completing his Fellowship in Pain Management at the University of California at San Francisco, Dr. Lonseth returned to the New Orleans area, not only for his love of the city, but because he recognized a lack of physicians in the area who treat patients with chronic pain.

“EJGH recognizes the importance pain management plays in a patient’s overall treatment,” says Lonseth. “I’m very excited to be part of promoting a wide range of new advancements in interventional therapies we can now offer to the community, including the aggressive treatment of cancer pain.” 

Dr. Lonseth offers a pain management program that is truly comprehensive.  “It’s not just the physical relief we provide, but treating chronic pain provides relief in all areas of the patients lives affected by it—from work difficulties to relationship problems and low self-esteem, chronic pain can be devastating.”

Chronic pain affects approximately 50 million Americans, or about one out of every six people in the United States, according to the American Academy of Pain Management.  Of these individuals, 36 million miss work each year due to chronic pain. 

Dr. Lonseth earned his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine, along with a Masters in Public Health from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.  Though much of his training has been in New Orleans and he has chosen the city as his home, his impact in healthcare extends well beyond the metro area.  Dr. Lonseth has participated in several medical missions to the Amazon region of Brazil to help indigenous people lacking access to adequate healthcare.

For more information about The Pain Management Institute or Dr. Lonseth, please call 504.454.4109.