The Pain Institute of Southern Arizona is Arizona’s premier clinic for pain management! We empower people by helping them to get their life back.
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The Pain Institute of Southern Arizona has specialized in interventional pain management for over 15 years. Our mission is to provide compassionate medical management of pain in a friendly, caring environment. Our physicians’ focus is to find the cause and effectively treat pain with the most advanced techniques and technologies available. We understand that pain from an illness or injury can become so severe that it disrupts daily activities and normal routines. The goal is to restore function of the body and improve the quality of life of those suffering from pain.
03/06/2026
Staff education day at the Pain Institute of Southern Arizona!
A huge thank you to and the team for taking the time to educate our staff on the Saluda Evoke device.
They shared valuable insights with our prior authorization, billing, coding, and scheduling departments to help strengthen our knowledge and support the care we provide to our patients.
Knowledge is power, and we’re grateful for partners who help us continue learning and growing.
03/04/2026
“Acute pain warns — chronic pain persists.”
Acute pain is short-term pain that occurs suddenly in response to injury, surgery, illness, or inflammation and serves as a warning signal that something is wrong in the body. It typically has a clear cause and improves as the underlying issue heals, lasting from a few minutes to a few weeks. Examples include pain from a broken bone, burn, dental procedure, or post-surgical recovery. Acute pain is often sharp or intense and is usually well-managed with rest, medications, physical therapy, or other short-term treatments.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, persists for three months or longer, often continuing even after the original injury or illness has healed. It may be caused by conditions such as arthritis, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, migraines, or spine disorders, and in some cases, no clear cause can be identified. Chronic pain affects both the body and the nervous system, often leading to fatigue, sleep problems, mood changes, and reduced quality of life. Treatment focuses on long-term management through a combination of medication, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and interventional pain management techniques.
03/03/2026
“Heat to relax, cold to reduce — simple tools for powerful pain relief.”
Heat therapy helps relieve pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area, relaxing tight muscles, and improving tissue flexibility. It is especially useful for chronic conditions such as arthritis, muscle stiffness, and spasms, as well as pain caused by tension or stress. Applying heat can soothe aching joints and muscles, reduce stiffness, and make movement easier. Common forms include heating pads, warm towels, hot showers, or warm baths, typically used for 15–20 minutes at a time.
Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, works by reducing blood flow to an injured area, which helps decrease inflammation, swelling, and pain. It is most effective for acute injuries like sprains, strains, bruises, or flare-ups of joint pain. Cold numbs the area and slows nerve signals, providing fast pain relief. Ice packs, cold gel packs, or even a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel can be used for 10–15 minutes at a time, especially within the first 24–48 hours after injury.
03/02/2026
“When shoulder movement hurts, the rotator cuff may be calling for care.”
A rotator cuff issue occurs when one or more of the tendons or muscles that stabilize the shoulder become irritated, inflamed, or torn. The rotator cuff is essential for lifting and rotating the arm, so injury often leads to pain with overhead movement, weakness, and limited range of motion. Common causes include repetitive overhead activity, heavy lifting, trauma, or age-related wear and tear. Symptoms may include aching pain in the shoulder, pain at night (especially when lying on the affected side), and difficulty reaching behind the back or above the head.
Treatment depends on the severity of the problem and may range from conservative care to surgery. Mild to moderate cases often improve with rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and targeted injections to reduce inflammation and pain. More severe tears or persistent symptoms may require imaging, such as MRI, and possibly surgical repair. Early diagnosis and proper rehabilitation are important to restore shoulder strength, prevent further damage, and return to normal daily activities.
02/26/2026
“When pain has no clear cause, the nervous system holds the answer.”
Chronic idiopathic pain syndrome is a condition in which a person experiences persistent pain that lasts for months or years, but no clear injury, disease, or structural cause can be identified despite thorough medical evaluation. The pain is very real and can affect muscles, joints, nerves, or the whole body, often interfering with daily activities, sleep, mood, and quality of life. Because there is no obvious physical explanation, patients may feel frustrated or misunderstood, yet research shows the pain is linked to how the nervous system processes and amplifies pain signals rather than to tissue damage.
In this syndrome, the brain and spinal cord become overly sensitive, a process known as central sensitization, causing normal sensations or minor stimuli to be perceived as painful. Stress, past injuries, illness, trauma, poor sleep, and emotional strain can all worsen symptoms and keep the pain cycle going. Treatment focuses on improving function and reducing pain sensitivity through a combination of approaches such as physical therapy, gentle movement, cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management, sleep improvement, and medications that calm nerve signaling rather than traditional painkillers alone.
02/25/2026
“Squeeze for support, press out for stability — balance is the key to SI joint relief.”
Adduction and abduction exercises are commonly used to help stabilize and support the sacroiliac (SI) joint by activating the muscles around the pelvis and hips. Adduction involves bringing the legs toward the midline of the body, such as squeezing a pillow or ball between the knees. This action engages the inner thigh muscles (adductors) and pelvic floor, which can help improve pelvic stability and reduce strain on the SI joint. These exercises are often gentle and well tolerated during painful flare-ups because they create a sense of compression and support through the pelvis.
Abduction involves moving the legs away from the midline, such as pressing the knees outward against a resistance band. This activates the outer hip muscles, especially the gluteus medius and minimus, which play a key role in controlling pelvic alignment during walking, standing, and single-leg movements. Strengthening these muscles helps prevent excessive SI joint motion and improves overall balance and posture. Together, adduction and abduction exercises create balanced pelvic strength, which is essential for reducing SI joint pain and improving functional movement.
02/24/2026
“Heal the heel by supporting every step.”
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that occurs when the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes—becomes irritated or inflamed. The pain is usually sharp and most noticeable with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of sitting, then may ease as the foot warms up. It often develops from repetitive stress, prolonged standing, improper footwear, high or low arches, tight calf muscles, or sudden increases in activity.
Over time, continued strain can lead to microtears in the fascia and chronic pain if not treated. Management typically includes stretching the calf and foot muscles, wearing supportive shoes or orthotics, icing, activity modification, and strengthening exercises to improve foot stability. In persistent cases, physical therapy, night splints, anti-inflammatory treatments, or targeted injections may be used to reduce pain and restore normal function, allowing patients to return to daily activities more comfortably.
02/23/2026
“Healing starts on your plate.”
Reducing sugar and unhealthy fat intake can play a meaningful role in decreasing opioid dependence by helping regulate the body’s pain, inflammation, and reward systems. Diets high in sugar and processed fats increase inflammation, worsen chronic pain, and stimulate the same reward pathways in the brain that opioids affect, making cravings and dependency harder to manage. When blood sugar spikes and crashes, pain sensitivity and fatigue can increase, often leading patients to rely more heavily on medications for relief.
By shifting toward a balanced diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates, the body can stabilize energy levels and reduce systemic inflammation. This nutritional support can improve mood, sleep, and pain tolerance, making it easier to taper opioids safely under medical supervision. Over time, healthier eating habits strengthen the body’s natural pain-control mechanisms and empower patients to rely more on lifestyle strategies and less on medication alone.
02/22/2026
“Targeting tissue pain, restoring movement, and speeding recovery.”
Pain management can be highly effective in treating soft tissue injuries such as muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendon injuries, and bruising. These injuries often cause inflammation, stiffness, and limited movement, which can interfere with daily activities and slow healing if not properly addressed. A pain management approach begins with identifying the source and severity of the injury, then creating a personalized treatment plan to reduce pain and inflammation. This may include targeted medications, activity modification, and guidance on proper movement to prevent further strain while supporting recovery.
In addition to conservative treatments, pain management may include interventional therapies when pain persists or limits function. Options such as trigger point injections, anti-inflammatory injections, or other targeted procedures can help calm irritated tissues and relieve pain at the source. Pain management specialists often work alongside physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion. By controlling pain effectively, patients are better able to stay active, heal properly, and return to normal activities with reduced risk of chronic pain.
02/21/2026
“Healing the mind to better manage the pain.”
Depression is common among people living with chronic pain, as ongoing discomfort can affect nearly every aspect of daily life. Persistent pain often disrupts sleep, limits mobility, and interferes with work, relationships, and independence, which can lead to feelings of frustration, helplessness, and loss of control. Over time, the constant strain of managing pain may alter brain chemistry and stress hormones, increasing the risk of depression. When pain and depression occur together, each can intensify the other, creating a cycle that makes symptoms harder to manage.
In pain patients, depression can also influence how pain is perceived and treated. Individuals may feel less motivated to engage in therapy, exercise, or self-care, and they may experience heightened sensitivity to pain. This emotional burden can slow recovery and reduce overall quality of life. Recognizing and addressing depression as part of comprehensive pain care is essential, as treating both the physical and emotional aspects of pain can lead to better outcomes, improved coping skills, and a greater sense of well-being.
02/20/2026
“Soothing damaged nerves, restoring comfort, and reclaiming daily life.”
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic nerve pain condition that can develop after a shingles infection has healed. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus damages sensory nerves, causing them to send abnormal pain signals to the brain. PHN pain is often described as burning, stabbing, shooting, or electric-like, and the affected area may also be extremely sensitive to touch, temperature, or clothing. This pain can last for months or even years, significantly interfering with sleep, daily activities, and emotional well-being, especially in older adults or those with weakened immune systems.
Pain management can play a key role in reducing the intensity and impact of post-herpetic neuralgia. Treatment plans are individualized and may include nerve-stabilizing medications, topical therapies, or carefully monitored pain relievers to calm irritated nerves. Interventional options such as nerve blocks or targeted injections may be used when pain is severe or persistent. Pain management specialists also focus on improving function and quality of life by combining medical treatments with supportive therapies, education, and coping strategies, helping patients regain comfort and control despite chronic nerve pain.
02/19/2026
“Empowering comfort, easing pain, and enhancing quality of life.”
Pain management plays a vital role in helping people with cancer live more comfortably and maintain a better quality of life. Cancer pain can come from the tumor itself, pressure on nerves or organs, inflammation, or side effects of treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. A pain management team evaluates the type, source, and severity of pain to create an individualized plan. This may include carefully selected medications, such as non-opioid pain relievers, opioids when appropriate, nerve-targeting drugs, or anti-inflammatory medications, all adjusted to balance effective pain relief with minimal side effects.
Beyond medications, pain management offers specialized procedures and supportive therapies that can significantly reduce cancer-related pain. These may include nerve blocks, spinal injections, implanted pain pumps, or other interventional techniques that target pain at its source. Pain management specialists also address the emotional and psychological aspects of chronic cancer pain, often incorporating relaxation techniques, counseling support, and coordination with oncology and palliative care teams. This comprehensive approach helps patients remain more active, sleep better, and focus on treatment and meaningful daily activities rather than constant pain.
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The Pain Institute of Southern Arizona is Arizona’s premier clinic for pain management, physical medicine, and physical rehabilitation. The Pain Institute of Southern Arizona delivers high quality, state-of-the-art treatments and procedures that help patients find relief from their pain and return to an enjoyable and fulfilling quality of life.
Driven by a team of renowned interventional pain management specialists, the Pain Institute of Southern Arizona is dedicated to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of pain conditions, such as sciatica, arthritis, neuropathy, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.
When it comes to pain management, not all pain clinics are alike. What sets the Pain Institute of Southern Arizona apart are the physicians. Many pain physicians are not boarded, board-eligible or fellowship trained. Melissa Seelbach, M.D., Ph.D., Kenneth Gossler M.D., Efrain I. Cubillo, M.D., Eric Cornidez M.D., and Helen Chan, M.D., are Diplomates of the American Board of Anesthesiology, Fellowship Trained Interventional Pain Specialists and Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Jose Chavez, D.O., is a Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine.
LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
1st Ave. and River*
4582 N. 1st Ave., Suite 140, 170,190
Tucson, AZ 85718
Grant and Swan
4881 E. Grant Rd., Suite 101
Tucson, AZ 85712
Kolb and Speedway
7140 E. Rosewood St., Suite 110
Tucson, AZ 85710
Oro Valley
12315 N Vistoso Park Rd., Suite A
Oro Valley, AZ 85755
Green Valley
120 W. Calle De Las Tiendas, Suite 2
Green Valley, AZ 85614
