MMC-BD NEWS

By Dr. Rupinder Singh

Marshfield Medical Center-Beaver Dam

I entered the medical field in order to help people and improve their quality of life. Being a pain management specialist means I have the opportunity to make a significant impact on every patient that comes into our clinic, and that is something that is extremely gratifying.

Five years ago, I chose Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) because the organization has a history of providing world-class care in rural areas, meaning I had the opportunity to offer the same expert care people expect in larger cities, but right in their home town. I also enjoy working in a friendly environment that is supportive of physicians and advocates for the doctor/patient relationship.

Since the affiliation in 2019, MCHS has brought advanced specialists in cardiology, dermatology, urology, pulmonology, behavioral health and more to Dodge County. Seeing the growth that’s already occurred, I’m pleased to be adding to that list with the opening of the Marshfield Medical Center-Beaver Dam Pain Management Clinic in April.

Our clinic’s opening addresses a tremendous need in Dodge County and means the residents of our region will no longer have to travel in order to receive advanced pain management care they need and deserve. This means a lot to me.

I like to say that “pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional,” because it gets to the heart of my pain management philosophy. Successful pain management utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, a team effort that ensures each patient is cared for in a way that best suits their particular situation. It’s difficult to appropriately treat a patient until you understand the problem, which is why being a good listener is critical to being a good physician. I treat each patient like they were a friend or family member and let them know they’re being heard and cared for.

During an initial consultation, we’ll perform an examination to formulate a preliminary diagnosis, which may require medical imaging like an MRI. Based on those findings, we can then discuss the course of treatment that’s best for the patient.

Often we’ll use a multi-faceted pain management program that utilizes several non-surgical modalities. We collaborate with our physical therapy, chiropractic and massage colleagues to create a systemic approach that best addresses a patient’s pain. Psychological and educational programs can also be useful and provide coping skills for chronic pain.

Additionally, we perform pain management injections, nerve blocks and radio-frequency ablations on site, and in serious cases, we can refer patients to our expert spinal surgeon, Dr. Todd Fairchild, for spinal surgical procedures.

There are no one-size-fits-all solutions at our pain management clinic, and I pride myself on having a comprehensive, compassionate team that is always there for our patients as they work through their pain issues. We understand that there are few things as devastating and debilitating as chronic pain, and we want everyone who walks through our doors to know we’re here to help them along a journey that provides the best opportunity to regain the quality of life they used to enjoy.

While I primarily focus on back, neck and thoracic pain resulting from spinal conditions, I also treat musculoskeletal and joint pain. If you experience chronic or unexplained pain, speak to your primary care provider or contact our clinic. As I always say, suffering is optional.