PA Pain & Spine Institute Is Focused On Easing Patients' Pain

Pennsylvania Pain & Spine Institute is a holistic pain management practice that focuses on caring for the individual and finding the true source of the patient’s pain rather than treating them solely based on X-rays, MRIs and other imaging.

Once a patient’s pain is properly diagnosed, the practice not only offers patients the standard treatment procedures for pain relief, but new cutting-edge, minimally invasive options that can save many people from major surgeries or prolonged pain.

Patch caught up with Dr. David Qu, MD, physician and founder of Pennsylvania Pain & Spine Institute to learn more about the practice that’s committed to easing patients’ pain.

Patch: How long have you been in the medical/healthcare field?

Dr. Qu: Including my medical education and training, I have been in the field of medicine for 18 years!

Patch: What attracted you to the medical/healthcare field, and how did you get started?

Dr. Qu: I became interested in the medical field to work hard, challenge myself, and most importantly, help people. I figured out what area I wanted to pursue back when I was a medical student. I was rotating on staff at a cancer center and became very close to a patient that I had been assigned to. He was a retired ER physician from the Philippines who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Dr. Reyes. During rounds on my rotation I would be with him and talk to him, and really became close with him. One thing I noticed was just how much pain he was truly in due to the invasive disease he was coping with; no matter what medications and treatments he received he was still in such agony, and I really just wished there was something that could be done to help him. One day, a pain physician came to see him and within five minutes ordered a particular type of nerve block (celiac plexus) to help. As a medical student, I had no idea what this was and was very skeptical of its effectiveness for a terrible disease such as this. However, I was able to watch the procedure (which only took a few minutes to complete) and the next morning when I returned to Dr. Reyes, I noticed he was an entirely different person. He was smiling, his appetite was back and he was up doing therapy that day. I was shocked by how amazing the pain procedures were — especially when medication and other methods failed. That moment stuck with me. That’s when I knew that I was interested in the pain treatment field and decided to pursue it.

Patch: What kind of medicine/services do you or your practice specialize in?

Dr. Qu: At Pennsylvania Pain and Spine, we provide diagnostic services to determine the source(s) of a patient’s pain, as that is the most important aspect of true pain management — figuring out someone’s pain generators and then treating those to heal not just “cover-up.” Once we determine the source, we can provide a variety of unique treatment options such as different injections or procedures for ailments that affect any body part/area from head to toe. These injections or various procedures are done under imaging guidance, such as ultrasound and X-ray, and are quick, low-risk and are done in an out-patient setting with no general anesthesia. If someone requires more advanced interventions after trying treatments, we perform a host of minimally invasive mini-surgeries that prevent patients from needing life-altering, high-risk surgeries that often do not provide long-term relief. These safer options include: minimally invasive lumbar decompression, minimally invasive lumbar fusions, spine spacers, and implantable medical devices to block pain. In addition, we provide more holistic pain relief options such as medical marijuana and acupuncture that many times work in-conjunction with other procedures. We also utilize medications when needed, but aim to treat patients' pain wholly rather than piling on medicines with long-term side effects.

Patch: How do you and your practice stay up-to-date on healthcare advancements?

Dr. Qu: All of our providers engage in continuing medical education and we are an active research site for new medical advancements. We have a research coordinator and were recently published in a randomized control trial for a new procedure that was developed. We continually make efforts to educate ourselves on new ways to help treat patients in the best, most-effective ways possible.

Patch: What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

Dr. Qu: The most challenging part of my job is due to the fact that pain affects the entire person — both physically and mentally. Often, we may have great tools to help with the physical aspects of pain, but fewer for mental and emotional tolls. As a physician, I try to spend as much time as possible getting to the root of some of these emotional impacts that pain has had on them to help ease the path to healing, but I always wish that there were more resources for our patients with psychologists at affordable coverage. Thankfully, more insurance companies are beginning to cover telehealth for psychologists to make them more accessible and comfortable for patients.

Patch: What is your favorite thing about being a doctor?

Dr. Qu: There are many times where after a tough day I wonder why I practice, especially with the loads of paperwork that comes with working with insurance companies just to be able to give patients the care they need. But everyday when I go into a room to see a patient and I see the hope in their eyes when they see me or when they express how thankful they are to be here with us to help them, it’s an incredibly rewarding feeling and makes me remember why I started out — to help people everywhere find healing and get back to the life they want to have. That’s truly the best part about being a doctor.

Patch: How does your training, experience and specialties in your field distinguish you from others in your profession?

Dr. Qu: I trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School which focuses on treating musculoskeletal medicine, or pain in the body. This gave me a very keen understanding of the various reasons why patients experience pain. I then furthered my training by completing a fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Pain Management where I learned all the latest techniques in treating pain, including surgical options. Having that firm foundation gave me the ability to continue to learn additional treatment options that not many in our field, especially in this area, provide.

Patch: What does a typical day on the job look like?

Dr. Qu: A typical week for me includes seeing patients in a clinic setting where my goal is to try and figure out where their pain is coming from, and then perform different procedures to help them with their pain. One day a week I also operate at the outpatient surgery center where I perform these minimally invasive surgeries. I work with a great team at the office who help me see patients on-time, giving each patient an ample amount of time to truly feel cared for.

Patch: Do you have any upcoming events in your community?

Dr. Qu: We are now regularly offering events at local community buildings, organizations, senior living communities, etc. that help educate the community on various conditions, types of pain and the treatment options available for them. We are also beginning to offer medical marijuana certifications, LIVE streamed educational events and more very soon. The best way to stay updated on our event offerings is to subscribe to our email list on our website, and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube).

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your practice?

Dr. Qu: You can learn more about myself and our practice on our website www.pennpain.com, by signing up for our email list, and following us on social media. We also offer a podcast regarding wellness, health and pain management.