Pain Outreach Clinic Begun at Brookings Health System

Dr. Timothy Metz of Anesthesiology Associates, Inc. in Sioux Falls has begun holding an interventional pain management outreach clinic at Brookings Health System. He is available to see patients every other Monday.

Interventional pain management uses minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat painful conditions of all types. The therapy often allows patients to regain mobility and return to work or home responsibilities during the healing process.

“Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent medical problems in today’s society. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, it affects over 100 million Americans, more than the number of people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer combined,” said Chief Nursing Officer Tammy Hillestad. “Dr. Metz’s approach offers a safe and effective method of treatment by a highly specialized physician right here in Brookings.”

Patients who are good candidates for interventional pain management are those with not only back pain, but any pain that hinders individuals from performing their normal daily activities or work. Procedures offered by Dr. Metz include:

• Spinal injections of local anesthetic and steroid to provide temporary pain relief and treat inflammation
• Nerve blocks that can reduce pain to a specific organ or body region
• Joint injections to ease pain and discomfort of major and minor joint pain
• Trigger Point injections to treat painful areas of muscle groups or knots of muscle when muscles do not relax

Dr. Metz completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Missouri-Columbia and performed a transitional internship in anesthesiology at Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls. He received his medical degree from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine.

Dr. Metz is certified by the Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography and American Board of Anesthesiology. His professional interests include acute and chronic pain management.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Timothy Metz at Brookings Health System, please call Brookings Health System at (605) 696-8888. No referral is required.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, and Brookhaven Estates apartments. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock medical-nursing care for patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.