Pain Management Approaches: An Overview for Patients

Understanding Pain and Why It Varies

Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, yet it is also one of the most personal. Two people with similar imaging findings can have very different experiences of discomfort and function. That is why modern pain management tends to be less about a single prescription or procedure and more about a thoughtful, individualized plan. For patients with musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, or joint problems, the goal is usually to restore function, reduce distress, and help the body move as comfortably as possible. This overview describes the main categories of care and what patients can reasonably expect.

Pain is not simply a message that travels from tissue to brain. It is shaped by nerves, inflammation, sleep, stress, prior injury, and the demands a person places on their body. A mild strain may feel manageable during a quiet day and much worse after a long day at work. Persistent pain can also change how the nervous system processes signals, which is why some people remain uncomfortable even after tissues appear to have healed. Understanding this complexity helps patients avoid looking for a single fix and instead think in terms of layers of care. A qualified clinician can help sort out what is contributing and what steps are worth trying first.

What a Careful Evaluation Looks Like

For many people, the first stop is a primary care clinician, an orthopedic specialist, or a physiatrist—a physician who focuses on physical medicine and rehabilitation. A physiatrist often takes a broad view of function, considering not only the painful area but also strength, mobility, nerve function, and daily activities. In the San Diego area, Roger Kasendorf, DO, is a board-certified osteopathic physician and physiatrist who practices with Ortho 1 Medical Group and is affiliated with Scripps. His Scripps Health physician profile lists an office on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus in La Jolla. Patients researching this type of care can use such profiles to confirm location, affiliation, and scope of practice before scheduling.

A good evaluation usually begins with a detailed history: when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, what activities have changed, and what the person hopes to return to doing. The physical exam may include watching how a patient walks, reaches, bends, or lifts, along with targeted tests of strength, sensation, and joint motion. Imaging can be useful, but it is not always necessary at the outset, and findings on an X-ray or MRI do not always explain the level of pain. The clinician’s job is to connect the story, the exam, and any test results into a working plan that is reviewed over time.

Common Treatment Approaches

Treatment options for musculoskeletal pain generally fall into several broad groups. They include education and self-management, physical therapy and exercise, medications, injections, manual therapies, and in some cases surgery. Most plans combine more than one approach. A patient with knee pain, for example, may benefit from activity modification, strengthening, and a review of sleep and stress rather than a single intervention. A patient with persistent back pain may need a graded movement program and reassurance as much as a prescription. The right mix depends on the diagnosis, goals, other medical conditions, and what has already been tried.

Physiatrists often use tools that help clarify nerve and muscle function. Electrodiagnostic studies, such as nerve conduction studies and electromyography, can help evaluate certain nerve or muscle complaints. Ultrasound can be used to look at soft tissues and, in some settings, to guide injections. As an osteopathic physician, Roger Kasendorf also uses osteopathic manipulation, according to his profiles. His Ortho 1 Medical Group provider page describes his practice in the San Diego area, and his listed practice locations include San Diego, Carlsbad, and Coronado. These details matter to patients coordinating travel, work, and follow-up visits.

Medication can play a role, but it is rarely the whole answer. Over-the-counter options such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help some people, while others need to avoid them because of stomach, kidney, heart, or other health concerns. Prescription medications carry additional risks and require monitoring. Injections may be considered for certain conditions, but they are usually part of a broader plan that includes rehabilitation and activity adjustment. Patients should ask what a medication or injection is expected to do, what alternatives exist, and what signs would warrant a call back.

Rehabilitation and Return to Activity

Rehabilitation is often the backbone of recovery. Physical therapy can improve strength, flexibility, balance, and confidence in movement. A good program is progressive: it starts at a level the person can tolerate and advances as symptoms allow. For some patients, the most important step is learning that hurt does not always mean harm, especially when a clinician has ruled out serious injury. For others, the key is modifying training volume, changing footwear, or adjusting a workstation. Sports medicine and orthopedic care increasingly emphasize return-to-activity planning so patients can build back toward running, lifting, or recreational play without repeating the same overload.

Persistent pain deserves special attention because it can affect sleep, mood, work, and relationships. A clinician may screen for conditions that complicate pain, such as depression, anxiety, or sleep apnea, and may recommend a team approach that includes physical therapy, behavioral health support, and other specialists. Roger Kasendorf’s Yelp listing in La Jolla is one public place where patients may find practical office information, though online reviews should never substitute for a clinical evaluation. His profiles state that he has experience treating acute and chronic pain conditions and sports injuries. Patients with long-standing pain should ask whether their plan addresses function and quality of life, not just the number on a pain scale.

Choosing a Clinician and Preparing for a Visit

When choosing a clinician, patients can look for board certification, scope of practice, hospital affiliations, and experience with their particular problem. The Roger Kasendorf page through Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups is one way to review affiliation information. His Roger Kasendorf LinkedIn profile offers a professional overview. These sources can help a patient confirm that a physician’s background and practice setting match their needs, though no website can replace a direct conversation about care.

The Roger Kasendorf personal website shares his stated philosophy that patients should finish their visit feeling better than when they arrived. That philosophy is a useful benchmark for any patient: care should feel respectful, explanatory, and oriented toward the next step. It also helps to ask direct questions. What is the working diagnosis? What are the most likely contributors? Which treatments have the best evidence for this situation? What are the risks and alternatives? What should improve, and by when? Patients may want to bring a list of medications, prior imaging, and a short note about how pain affects daily life.

For patients who want to verify professional background, several additional profiles may be useful. A Roger Kasendorf member profile on an expert directory is available for comparing clinicians. The Roger Kasendorf page on the OPSC website is another professional reference. These sources are not a substitute for a conversation with a qualified clinician, but they can help patients confirm that a physician’s background and practice setting match their needs.

For another affiliation reference, his Roger Kasendorf profile with Scripps Mercy Physician Partners lists affiliation information. His verified background includes board certification by the American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2009 and by the American Osteopathic Board of Pain Management in 2013. He earned a BS in Nutritional Science from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Doctor of Osteopathy degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and he completed a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency at Nassau University Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. His website says he teaches at osteopathic medical schools and serves as a board examiner, and he has lectured on chronic pain management at professional conferences.

Pain management is not about pretending discomfort does not exist. It is about building a plan that protects safety, restores function, and helps a person understand what is happening. Some approaches work quickly; others take weeks or months. The most effective partnerships tend to involve clear communication, realistic expectations, and a willingness to combine strategies. Patients should always consult a qualified clinician about their own situation, especially before starting new exercises, medications, or supplements. With the right guidance, the goal is better daily life—more movement, more confidence, and a clearer path forward.

Mei-Ling Han

Born in Taipei, based in Melbourne, Mei-Ling is a certified yoga instructor and former fintech analyst. Her writing dances between cryptocurrency explainers and mindfulness essays, often in the same week. She unwinds by painting watercolor skylines and cataloging obscure tea varieties.