What is interventional pain management?

Interventional pain management is a subspecialty of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating chronic pain using minimally invasive procedures that target the source of pain directly. Rather than relying solely on oral medications to mask symptoms, interventional pain management uses techniques such as nerve block injections, epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, and other advanced therapies to interrupt or modify pain signals at their origin. At Olympus Spine and Pain, Dr. Warner takes a comprehensive interventional approach to give patients the most effective, long-lasting relief possible.

What conditions does Olympus Spine and Pain treat?

Olympus Spine and Pain treats a wide range of chronic and complex pain conditions, including back and leg pain, neck and arm pain, arthritis and joint pain, headaches and migraines, neuropathy and foot pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), cancer pain, pelvic pain, and chronic abdominal pain. Visit our What We Treat page for a full overview.

Do I need a referral to be seen at Olympus Spine and Pain?

In many cases, a referral is not required to schedule an appointment at Olympus Spine and Pain. However, some insurance plans require a referral from a primary care physician before they will cover specialist visits. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before scheduling. If you’re unsure, our office team is happy to help — call us at (801) 930-0092 and we will clarify what your plan requires.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

To make the most of your initial visit, please bring a complete list of your current medications and dosages, any prior medical records or surgical reports related to your pain, imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans and their reports, your insurance card and a valid photo ID, and a list of any medication allergies. The more information you bring, the more productive your first visit with Dr. Warner will be. Visit our new patients page for a full checklist.

How long will my first appointment take?

New patient appointments at Olympus Spine and Pain are typically 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Warner takes the time to thoroughly review your history, conduct a physical examination, and walk you through all of your treatment options before any decisions are made. We encourage new patients to arrive a few minutes early to complete any necessary intake paperwork.

Is Olympus Spine and Pain accepting new patients?

Yes! Olympus Spine and Pain warmly welcomes new patients from throughout Salt Lake City, UT and the surrounding communities. If you have been struggling with chronic pain and have not found adequate relief, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Warner. Call (801) 930-0092 or use the online scheduling tool to request your appointment today.

What insurance plans does Olympus Spine and Pain accept?

Olympus Spine and Pain accepts most major insurance plans. We encourage all patients to verify their benefits prior to their first appointment. Visit our insurance page for a complete list of accepted providers, or call our office at (801) 930-0092 and our team will help confirm your coverage.

What is Scrambler Therapy, and is it available at Olympus Spine and Pain?

Scrambler Therapy is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive neuromodulation treatment for chronic neuropathic pain. Rather than blocking or masking pain, it works by replacing the faulty pain signals your nervous system is generating with synthetic non-pain information — effectively retraining the brain and spinal cord to stop perceiving those signals as painful. It is particularly effective for diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), complex regional pain syndrome, postherpetic neuralgia, and failed back surgery syndrome. Yes, Scrambler Therapy is available at Olympus Spine and Pain — one of the few practices in Salt Lake City, UT offering this innovative treatment.

What is the difference between acute pain and chronic pain?

Acute pain is short-term pain that typically has a clear cause — such as an injury, surgery, or infection — and resolves as the underlying condition heals. Chronic pain persists beyond the expected healing period, generally defined as lasting three months or longer. Chronic pain may result from an ongoing condition such as arthritis or neuropathy, or it may outlast the original injury due to changes in the nervous system. At Olympus Spine and Pain, we specialize in the management of chronic pain that has not responded adequately to standard treatments.

Will I be prescribed opioids for my pain at Olympus Spine and Pain?

At Olympus Spine and Pain, our philosophy centers on targeting pain at its source using interventional techniques rather than relying on long-term opioid therapy. While medications — including opioids when clinically appropriate — may be part of a comprehensive pain management plan, Dr. Warner prioritizes minimally invasive procedures, neuromodulation, and other advanced therapies that provide more effective and sustainable relief with fewer systemic side effects. Our goal is always to reduce your dependence on medications, not increase it.

What is spinal cord stimulation, and who is it right for?

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an implantable device therapy in which a small generator delivers mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord, modifying pain signals before they reach the brain. It is one of the most effective long-term treatments for chronic back and leg pain, failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and neuropathic pain that has not responded to other interventions. A trial period is conducted before permanent implantation to confirm that SCS is an effective option for your specific pain. Dr. Warner is experienced in evaluating, implanting, and managing spinal cord stimulation systems.

Can pain management help me avoid surgery?

In many cases, yes. Advanced interventional pain management techniques — including epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, and Scrambler Therapy — can provide significant, lasting relief that makes surgery unnecessary for many patients. Dr. Warner’s approach is always to exhaust conservative and minimally invasive options before surgical referral is considered. Many patients who come to Olympus Spine and Pain having been told they need surgery are able to achieve meaningful relief without it.

How soon can I expect to feel relief after a pain management procedure?

The timeline for relief varies depending on the procedure and the individual patient. Some treatments — such as nerve block injections — may provide relief within hours to days of the procedure. Others, such as spinal cord stimulation or Scrambler Therapy, may require a series of sessions or a programming period before their full effect is realized. Dr. Warner will set clear, realistic expectations for each treatment he recommends so you know what to anticipate and when.

What is radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and how long does it last?

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat generated by radio waves to deactivate the small sensory nerves responsible for transmitting pain — most commonly from the facet joints of the spine or the sacroiliac joint. It is performed under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance as an outpatient procedure and typically produces pain relief lasting anywhere from 6 months to over a year. When pain returns, the procedure can generally be repeated. RFA is an excellent option for patients with facet joint arthritis, whiplash injuries, or SI joint dysfunction who have confirmed pain relief from diagnostic nerve blocks.

Is ketamine infusion therapy available at Olympus Spine and Pain?

Yes. Ketamine infusions are available at Olympus Spine and Pain for eligible patients with complex, treatment-resistant chronic pain conditions. Ketamine works differently from traditional pain medications by targeting NMDA receptors in the nervous system, which play a central role in central sensitization and chronic pain amplification. It can be particularly effective for patients with conditions such as CRPS, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and refractory cancer pain. Please note that ketamine infusions are FDA-approved as a sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic and surgical purposes but are not yet FDA-approved specifically for chronic pain treatment. Spravato® (esketamine nasal spray) has FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression.

Can Olympus Spine and Pain help if I have already had back surgery but still have pain?

Yes. Failed back surgery syndrome — persistent pain following spinal surgery — is one of the conditions Dr. Warner treats most effectively. Patients who continue to experience back and leg pain after one or more surgeries are often excellent candidates for spinal cord stimulation, Scrambler Therapy, nerve block injections, or intrathecal drug pump therapy. Surgery does not always resolve the neurological changes that perpetuate chronic pain, and interventional pain management is specifically designed to address those changes.

Does Olympus Spine and Pain treat cancer-related pain?

Yes. Olympus Spine and Pain has specialized expertise in cancer pain management, including pain caused by tumor growth, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN), radiation-related nerve damage, and post-surgical cancer pain. Dr. Warner completed an advanced fellowship in interventional pain management at MD Anderson Cancer Center — the largest cancer treatment center in the world — giving him rare expertise in this specialized area. He works closely with oncologists and other members of the cancer care team to ensure pain management complements ongoing cancer treatment.

What is an intrathecal drug pump, and is it right for me?

An intrathecal drug pump — also called a pain pump — is a small implanted device that delivers pain medication directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Because the medication is delivered precisely where it is needed, effective pain relief can be achieved at a fraction of the oral dose, significantly reducing systemic side effects. Intrathecal drug pumps are used for patients with severe chronic pain — including cancer pain and neuropathic pain — who have not achieved adequate relief through other means. Dr. Warner will assess whether you are a candidate during your consultation.

How do I know if my pain is neuropathic?

Neuropathic pain — pain caused by nerve dysfunction or damage — typically has a distinctive character that sets it apart from musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain. Common descriptors include burning, electric shock-like, stabbing, shooting, or tingling sensations. It may be accompanied by numbness, hypersensitivity to light touch, or a pins-and-needles feeling. Neuropathic pain is the primary focus of several of the most advanced treatments at Olympus Spine and Pain, including Scrambler Therapy, peripheral nerve stimulation, and spinal cord stimulation. If your pain has these characteristics, a consultation with Dr. Warner can clarify whether a neuropathic component is driving your symptoms.

How do I schedule an appointment at Olympus Spine and Pain?

Scheduling your appointment at Olympus Spine and Pain is simple. Call our Salt Lake City, UT office at (801) 930-0092 during business hours, or use the online appointment request tool available on our website at any time. Our team will confirm your appointment, answer any questions you have, and guide you through everything you need to prepare for your visit. We look forward to helping you find the relief you deserve.