Integrative Pain Management

Natural pain relief through integrative medicine in San Diego

Dr. Robert Bonakdar with a patient performing acupuncture, a type of therapy that can help releive pain.

Dr. Robert Bonakdar, Integrative Medicine, Scripps Clinic

Natural pain relief through integrative medicine in San Diego

Discover how to reduce pain and live a fuller life.


Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine is at the forefront of the change in the way health care manages acute and chronic pain. Our multidisciplinary team calls on the full array of pain relief therapies, including natural and non-narcotic approaches, to optimize pain management.


Our pain management doctors practice both conventional and evidenced-based mind-body techniques and offer a coordinated approach to chronic pain treatment. Integrative pain management brings together acupuncture, biofeedback, therapeutic massage, Healing Touch and other types of integrative therapies, harnessing the power of the mind, body and spirit to heal and relieve pain. 


Let our pain management specialists develop a personalized, natural pain relief program just for you. 

Headache

Integrative headache management puts together the most effective and empowering tools for reducing the burden of headache. Because headaches can significantly reduce quality of life, it is important to consider a host of treatments to create a personalized approach to relief. 


Our integrated pain specialists work closely with the Dalessio Headache Center, Scripps Clinic Division of Neurology, to expand treatment for headache disorders including: 


  • Migraine
  • Tension (muscle contraction) headaches
  • Chronic headaches
  • Cluster Headaches
  • Medication overuse headache 
  • Cervicogenic headaches (headache related to neck issues)
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Headaches that co-exist with other conditions
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Myofascial (muscle) pain syndrome 


We personalize treatment with a focus on non-pharmacologic options including:


  • Acupuncture 
  • Biofeedback 
  • Dietary and supplement approaches 
  • Lifestyle pain including exercise prescriptions
  • Electrostimulation options FDA approved for headache
  • Mindfulness and other stress management approaches 
  • Sphenopalatine block 
  • Topical treatments

Physiatry for joints and spine

The field of physiatry, or physical medicine and rehabilitation, aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life by providing full-spectrum care from diagnosis to treatment. 


Our integrative physiatrist develops relationship-centered integrative treatment plans focused on maximizing functional outcomes and preventing future injury.


Conditions treated include:


  • Sports injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Back pain (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
  • Joint pain including knee, hip, shoulder and elbow
  • Overuse/repetitive stress injuries
  • Sprains and strains
  • Tendinitis/tendinopathy
  • Peripheral nerve entrapments


We personalize treatment plans to include:


  • Non-narcotic pain management
  • Ultrasound guided injections
  • Joint injections
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
  • Viscosupplementation
  • Nerve blocks
  • Trigger point injections
  • Lifestyle medicine