How to Treat Chronic Pain and Depression Together

chronic pain and depression treatment compassionate care APDSS Northern California

Originally published on KevinMD.com | April 23, 2026 Chronic pain and depression treatment must go hand in hand — because in my years of managing patients with persistent pain, I’ve seen the same frustrating cycle play out repeatedly. A patient arrives with unrelenting back pain that has lasted for months. They describe not just physical…

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How Workers Compensation Reform Can Cut Litigation Costs

workers compensation reform pain management physician QME APDSS Northern California

Originally published on KevinMD.com | May 5, 2026 Workers compensation reform is overdue — and as a pain physician treating injured workers daily, a qualified medical examiner (QME), an independent medical examiner (IME), and a business owner paying workers’ comp premiums, I see the system’s strengths and serious strains up close. It started with good…

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How Spinal Cord Stimulation Offers Relief for Chronic Pain

spinal cord stimulation chronic pain treatment consultation at APDSS Sacramento

Originally published on KevinMD.com | March 22, 2026 Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain is one of the most effective minimally invasive options available for patients whose pain has not responded to medications, physical therapy, or injections. This approach delivers low-level electrical pulses through electrodes placed in the epidural space near the spinal cord, changing…

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How to Treat Sacroiliac Joint Pain Effectively

sacroiliac joint pain treatment evaluation at APDSS Northern California pain clinic

Originally published on KevinMD.com | April 3, 2026 Sacroiliac joint pain treatment is one of the most overlooked solutions for patients who have spent months chasing the wrong diagnosis. If you have nagging pain deep in your lower back or one buttock that never seems to settle, the real source may be the sacroiliac (SI)…

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AI in pain assessment: Balancing innovation with patient safety

AI-powered pain assessment overlay on a patient in a Sacramento pain management clinic — APDSS

Originally published on KevinMD.com | March 5, 2026   In Northern California and beyond, health care systems are rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to transform how pain is recognized, measured, and managed. From algorithm-guided assessments to wearable sensors and predictive analytics, these tools promise to augment clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.…

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Why Doctors Struggle with Health Care System Delays

prior authorization pain management delays physician patient

Originally published on KevinMD.com | February 27, 2026   Prior authorization in pain management has long been a barrier — one I’ve fought on behalf of my patients until I became the patient myself. I write often on hurdles like restrictive opioid policy, excessive regulatory scrutiny, prior authorization, and administrative burdens that detract from patient…

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Why Chronic Pain Patients Deserve Individualized Care

Chronic pain is not one-size-fits-all. Neither should treatment be. If you live with chronic pain, you already know this. You know that your experience is unique, that what works for someone else may not work for you, and that finding the right treatment often takes time, trust, and a provider willing to listen. Unfortunately, for…

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FDA Issues New Guidance to Expand Non-Opioid Options for Chronic Pain

Dr. Haddadan discussing individualized chronic pain treatment options with patient at APDSS Sacramento

In September 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued new draft guidance aimed at accelerating the development of non-opioid pain treatment options for chronic conditions. For physicians and patients in Sacramento and beyond, this represents a welcome expansion of the treatment toolkit — providing more options for individualized care. Expanding Options, Not Restricting Them…

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What is shared truth and why does it matter?

Doctor and patient holding hands representing shared truth in medicine

Originally published on KevinMD.com | December 10, 2025 In our diverse world, where everyone sees things through their own lens, shaped by life experiences, beliefs, and facts, chasing after one absolute “truth” often sparks arguments instead of solutions. But what if we aimed for something better: a “shared truth”? This is about coming together, respecting…

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