Pre-Procedure Instructions
Pain Management Specialists is dedicated to providing the highest level of service and care to our patients in the treatment and management of acute and chronic pain.
Pre-Procedure Instructions
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
- Do not eat solid foods for four (4) hours before your appointment.
- Do not drink any fluids for two (2) hours before your appointment.
- Please take your usual pain medicine on the day of the procedure with a small sip of water.
Blood Thinning Medication (Anti-Coagulants)
Please contact our office if you are taking any of these medications.
| DRUG | DAYS OFF FOR PROCEDURE |
| Eliquis (apixaban) | 3 days |
| Plavix (clopidogrel) | 7 days |
| Pradaxa (dabigatran) | 4 days |
| Lovenox (enoxaparin) | 24 hours |
| Ticlid (ticlopidine) | 5 days |
| Coumadin (warfarin) | 5 days (requires blood testing) |
| Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) | 3 days |
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Do not take these medications on the day of your procedure. Typical names of anti-inflammatory medications include Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Celebrex and Aleve. Ask your physician if you have questions as to whether a drug you are taking could be an anti-inflammatory.
For patients who are Diabetic:
Do not take your insulin or blood sugar medication on the day of your procedure. If you have any questions regarding your insulin dose on the day of the procedure , please call your primary care physician.
For patients taking Antibiotics:
The procedure must be postponed until you have finished your antibiotics.
For Patients with flu or cold symptoms:
Call the office to determine if the procedure must be postponed or re-scheduled.
Other Instructions
- You will need to arrange for someone to take you home after the procedure. You may not drive yourself home.
- If you must cancel, please provide 24 hours notice to our office.
- Please bring your X-Rays, CAT scans and MRI scans, including a written report, with you to your appointment.
- If you have had recent films taken at Pueblo Radiology, Cottage Hospital, or Sansum Clinic, we can access these via the Internet and you will not need to bring hard copies.
- Please leave all of your valuables at home. Lockers are provided for your clothing.
Guidelines for Acupuncture Patients Only:
- Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to your acupuncture appointment. Yoga or workout wear is appropriate.
- Do not eat an unusually large meal immediately before or after your treatment.
- Do not over-exercise, engage in sexual activity, or consume alcoholic beverages within six hours before or after treatment. It is also suggested in classic acupuncture literature to abstain from eating bamboo shoots and ice cream after a visit.
- Plan your activities so that you can get some rest after the treatment, or at least reduce the work that you have to do . This is especially important for the first few visits.
- Continue to take any prescription medicines as directed by your regular doctor. Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) especially in the week prior to treatment will seriously interfere with the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatments.
- Remember to keep good mental or written notes of what your response is to the treatment. This is important for your doctor to know so that the follow-up treatments can be designed to best help you and your problem.
Click here for frequently asked questions about acupuncture.
Our friendly staff is here to support you.
Let us know if you have any questions or need any clarification on the instructions. Call us at: 805.682.5520.
Jeoffrey P. Benson M.D., PhD.
The director of the Pain Management Specialists is Dr. Jeoffrey Benson. Dr. Benson has practiced interventional pain management in association with the Anesthesia Medical Group of Santa Barbara since 1991. In 2003, he opened his private practice in pain management. He is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management Specialties. He sees consults and performs procedures in his office and in addition performs procedures at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Premier Surgery Center and Marian Medical Center and Plaza Surgery Center in Santa
Mark Davis M.D.
Dr. Mark Davis, an interventional pain management specialist, attended the University of Mississippi medical center where he graduated in the top 20 percent of his class. While in medical school he participated in the Scholars Research program, where he investigated the health effects of obesity on the cardiovascular system. He then completed his residency in anesthesiology and a fellowship in pain management at the world renowned Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. While training at Cedar Sinai, he mastered the latest techniques in interventional pain management…
Staff
Maxine Avila
Nurse and Case Manager
Maria Ringwald
Nurse and Case Manager
Christine Gutierrez
Office Manager – Billing Manager
Sarah Mendoza
Office Coordinator – Scheduler