Board-certified pain management in Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside and City of Industry(833) 476-7377
Book an appointment
Menu
Home
Conditions
Back painNeck painSciaticaRadiculopathyBulging discDisc degenerationSpinal stenosisFailed back surgeryKnee painHip painShoulder painArthritisJoint painFacet syndromeSI joint dysfunctionNerve painNeuropathyDiabetic neuropathyChronic painFibromyalgiaComplex regional pain syndromeShingles painPiriformis syndromeView all conditions
Treatments
Epidural steroid injectionsNerve blocksFacet joint injectionsSacroiliac (SI) injectionsTrigger point injectionsJoint injectionsKnee injectionsHip injectionsShoulder injectionsTendon and ligamentPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP)Stem cell therapyHyaluronic acid injectionsProlotherapyRadiofrequency ablationSpinal cord stimulationNon-surgical pain treatmentInterventional orthopedicsView all treatments
Doctors
Henry K. Lee, DOVictoria S. Chang, MDKamara M. Savage, MDKyle T. Seko, DOAlexander J. Feng, MDDaniel T. Kuo, DOView all doctors
Locations
Long BeachAlhambraRiversideCity of IndustryView all locations
Personal Injury
Car accidentSlip and fallSports injuryWhiplashNeck painBack painRadiculopathyPost-accident painInjury pain treatmentChronic painPersonal injury care
BlogCall (833) 476-7377Book an appointment

Cancer Pain Treatment in Southern California

Cancer pain can result from tumor pressure, bone involvement, nerve damage, inflammation, surgery, radiation, or other cancer treatments. At Integrative Sports & Spine, our physicians provide individualized cancer pain treatment that complements oncology care, with locations in Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside, and City of Industry.

Book an Appointment

Quick Overview

Icon representing estimated treatment duration for pain procedures

Varies by Treatment

Procedure Time

Treatment may include medications, rehabilitation, nerve blocks, image-guided procedures, or oncology coordination based on your needs.

Recovery icon symbolizing average healing time after pain treatment

Varies by Treatment

Recovery Time

Most patients can resume light activities within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the treatment performed and individual response.

Location pin icon showing availability of pain treatments at all four Southern California clinics: Riverside, Alhambra, Long Beach, and City of Industry

All Clinics

Locations Available

Cancer Pain Treatment is available at our Southern California clinics: Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside, and City of Industry.

Symptoms That Require Prompt Medical Evaluation

Cancer patients who experience new or changing pain should always communicate these changes to their oncology team and pain management physicians. While most pain changes in cancer patients represent fluctuations in the underlying condition that can be addressed through a scheduled appointment, certain new symptoms in a cancer patient require urgent rather than routine evaluation because they may indicate complications with serious or irreversible consequences if not recognized promptly.

Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation If You Experience:

  • Sudden or severe new pain may signal a fracture, tumor bleeding, or another urgent problem.
  • New weakness, numbness, or tingling may indicate spinal cord compression, an oncological emergency.
  • New bowel or bladder problems or perineal numbness may indicate cauda equina syndrome and require urgent care.
  • Sudden inability to bear weight with severe bone pain may indicate a pathological fracture.
  • Fever with a painful, swollen, or warm area may indicate a serious infection.
  • New confusion, severe headache, vision changes, or loss of function require urgent evaluation.
Woman with cancer

Benefits of Specialized Cancer Pain Management

Systematic Identification of Pain Sources

Cancer patients may experience several types of pain at once, including pain caused by the tumor, cancer treatments, or musculoskeletal changes from reduced activity and altered movement. A specialized evaluation helps identify the specific sources of pain so treatment can target the underlying cause rather than simply managing symptoms.

Targeted Interventional Treatments

Many patients rely on opioids and other medications that can cause sedation, constipation, nausea, cognitive effects, and other side effects. Targeted treatments such as nerve blocks, joint injections, and soft tissue procedures can provide relief closer to the source of pain and may reduce the amount of systemic medication needed.

Treatment That Adapts as the Clinical Picture Changes

Cancer pain can change during chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, remission, disease progression, or rehabilitation. An effective treatment plan should change with it, allowing physicians to adjust medications, introduce targeted procedures, and shift treatment goals as the patient's condition evolves.

Care Designed to Support Rehabilitation

Cancer pain management should work alongside oncology care. Our physicians consider chemotherapy, radiation, immune function, platelet counts, wound healing, and treatment schedules when planning procedures and communicate with the oncology team when appropriate.

Cancer Pain Presentations We Treat

Bone Pain from Cancer Involvement
Bone metastases can cause deep, aching pain that worsens with movement or weight-bearing, often affecting the spine, pelvis, ribs, or long bones. Treatment may include medication, coordinated radiation, or other interventional procedures. When a higher level of care is needed, your physician can coordinate an appropriate referral.

Nerve Pain from Tumor Involvement
Tumors that compress or invade nerves can cause burning, shooting, or electric-like pain with numbness or tingling. Treatment may include nerve blocks, neuromodulation, and appropriate medications.

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
‍CIPN can cause burning, tingling, and numbness in the hands and feet during or after chemotherapy. Severe cases may affect balance, hand function, and sleep. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, and targeted interventions. Learn more about neuropathy treatment.

Post-Surgical Cancer Pain
Pain can persist after cancer surgery, including post-mastectomy, post-thoracotomy, and phantom limb pain. These conditions may cause burning, aching, sensitivity, or nerve-related pain and may respond to targeted nerve treatments.

Radiation-Related Pain
‍Radiation can cause short- and long-term pain from inflammation, skin changes, fibrosis, nerve damage, or bone complications. Treatment depends on the affected tissues and may require ongoing pain management.

Visceral Cancer Pain
Cancer affecting abdominal or pelvic organs can cause deep, poorly localized pain that may spread to other areas. Treatment depends on the cause and location of the pain and may include medication, oncology coordination, or interventional treatments.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Before Your Treatment

Preparation Guidelines

  • Bring your diagnosis, current oncology treatment plan, and oncologist’s contact information so care can be coordinated safely.
  • Bring a complete list of chemotherapy, targeted or hormonal therapies, pain medications, steroids, supplements, and other medications to identify potential interactions.
  • Bring relevant CT, MRI, PET, or bone scans to help evaluate the source of pain and plan treatment.
  • Bring recent blood counts if available, especially platelet and neutrophil counts, which can affect the safety of certain procedures.
  • Be ready to describe where the pain occurs, what it feels like, what affects it, how it has changed, and how it impacts sleep, movement, and daily activities.
  • Tell your physician about any new weakness, numbness, or bowel or bladder changes, as these may require urgent evaluation.

Initial ConsultationYour first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation that takes time to complete thoroughly. The physician reviews your cancer history, current oncology treatment, prior pain management, and all available imaging before performing a focused physical examination of the affected regions. Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound is used at the initial visit where appropriate to assess soft tissue and joint pain sources and guide the planning of any injection procedures. The evaluation concludes with a clear discussion of the identified pain generators, the treatment plan designed to address them, the realistic goals of that plan for your specific situation, and the coordination steps needed with your oncology team. You leave the first appointment with a clear plan and a clear understanding of what to expect from it.

During the Procedure

Interventional Procedure Preparation

  • Discuss any anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications with your oncologist and prescribing physician before an injection procedure.
  • Procedures are scheduled around chemotherapy cycles to avoid periods of low blood counts and ensure adequate platelets.
  • The injection site is disinfected, sterilely draped, and numbed with local anesthetic.
  • Procedures are performed with real-time ultrasound to confirm accurate needle placement before treatment is delivered.

Procedure Experience

  • The physician describes each step of the procedure as it is performed, and patients are encouraged to communicate any significant discomfort during the procedure so positioning and technique can be adjusted.
  • Nerve block procedures vary in duration from approximately 15 to 30 minutes depending on the number of targets and the complexity of the anatomy.
  • Standard ultrasound-guided soft tissue or joint injection procedures are typically completed within 15 to 20 minutes including setup and post-procedure monitoring.

After Your Treatment

Post-Procedure Recovery

  • Most patients return home the same day as an injection or nerve block procedure and resume light activities within 24 hours.
  • Some temporary increase in pain or soreness at the injection site is normal in the first 24 to 48 hours and does not indicate a problem with the procedure.
  • Contact our office and your oncologist promptly if you develop fever, significant increase in swelling or redness at the injection site, new weakness or numbness, or any other unexpected symptom in the days following a procedure.
  • For procedures involving corticosteroid, blood glucose monitoring is recommended in diabetic patients and patients on concurrent corticosteroid therapy for the first several days following the injection, as corticosteroid injections can cause transient blood sugar elevation.
  • Communicate any significant change in your pain pattern, new symptoms, or concerns between appointments through our patient communication line so that urgent changes to the treatment plan can be addressed without waiting for the next scheduled visit.
Patient applying ice pack after pain treatment as part of immediate recovery protocol

Ongoing Management

  • Keep scheduled oncology appointments and promptly report changes to chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery plans.
  • Tell your pain specialist about meaningful changes in pain location, character, or severity, as these may require further evaluation.
  • Bring recent blood work and imaging, especially oncology restaging studies, when available.
Patient resting at home during the first 72 hours after a pain management procedure

Why Choose Integrative Sports & Spine?

Individualized Pain Evaluation
‍Cancer pain can have multiple causes. Our physicians evaluate tumor-related, treatment-related, nerve, and musculoskeletal pain to identify the specific sources and develop a targeted treatment plan.

Coordination With Your Oncology Team
Cancer treatments can affect medication choices, blood counts, healing, and procedure timing. We coordinate with your oncology team to help ensure your pain treatment fits safely within your overall cancer care.

Targeted Interventional Options
When appropriate, nerve blocks, joint injections, soft tissue injections, and other interventional treatments may help target specific pain sources and reduce reliance on systemic medications.

Treatment That Adapts With Your Care
‍Cancer treatment and pain can change over time. We adjust your pain management plan as your cancer treatment, symptoms, function, and goals change.

Advanced pain management equipment used by specialists at our Southern California clinics in Riverside, Alhambra, Long Beach, and City of Industry

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cancer pain?
FAQ Header Icon

Cancer pain refers to pain caused by cancer itself or its treatment. It may result from bone involvement, nerve compression, organ involvement, chemotherapy-related nerve damage, surgery, or radiation. Because cancer pain can have different causes, treatment should be tailored to the specific pain syndrome.

What causes cancer pain?
FAQ Header Icon

Cancer pain can result from tumor growth affecting bones, nerves, or organs. Treatment can also contribute through chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, surgery-related nerve pain, radiation effects, hormonal therapies, or corticosteroid-related muscle and bone changes. Identifying the underlying cause helps guide treatment.

What is the best treatment for cancer pain?
FAQ Header Icon

There is no single best treatment. The appropriate approach depends on the source and mechanism of pain. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, nerve blocks, joint or soft tissue injections, radiation for certain cancer-related pain, or other targeted interventions when appropriate.

Can cancer pain be treated without surgery?
FAQ Header Icon

Yes. Many cancer pain conditions can be managed without surgery through medications, physical therapy, supportive care, nerve blocks, and other minimally invasive procedures. More advanced procedures are reserved for patients with specific indications.

Can cancer treatment cause pain?
FAQ Header Icon

Yes. Chemotherapy can cause peripheral neuropathy, while surgery and radiation can produce persistent pain or nerve-related symptoms. Some hormonal therapies can also cause joint and muscle pain. Identifying treatment-related pain allows for more targeted management.

Can nerve pain from cancer be treated?
FAQ Header Icon

Yes. Depending on the cause, treatment may include medications for neuropathic pain, targeted nerve blocks, physical therapy, or neuromodulation. The potential for improvement depends on the extent and cause of the nerve injury.

Are injections used for cancer pain?
FAQ Header Icon

Yes. Certain patients may benefit from nerve, joint, or soft tissue injections. Before an injection, physicians consider factors such as platelet counts, immune status, injection location, and the timing of cancer treatment.

How long does cancer pain treatment take to work?
FAQ Header Icon

The timeline varies by treatment. Some nerve blocks can provide relief shortly after the procedure, while medications and physical therapy may take longer to produce meaningful improvement. Your physician can explain the expected timeline for your specific treatment.

Logos of major insurance providers accepted at our pain management clinics

Insurance Coverage

At Integrative Sports & Spine, we work with most major insurance providers to make specialized cancer pain evaluation and treatment accessible throughout our Southern California locations. Our team verifies your coverage before your appointment and clearly communicates your benefits and any anticipated costs before treatment begins.
We Accept
• Medicare
• PPO Plans
• Personal Injury
• Self-Pay Options Available
• Most Major Insurance Carriers
Financial Policy
‍• Insurance verification completed prior to appointment
• Co-payments and deductibles due at time of service
• Self-pay options available with transparent pricing
• Flexible payment plans for eligible treatments

Our Patients Love Us

Sandra M., 54

Vertebral metastasis-related spine pain

"After my breast cancer spread to my spine, back pain was affecting my sleep and daily life. The physician reviewed my imaging, explained the source of my pain, and created a targeted treatment plan. After an injection and activity program, my pain is manageable and I am sleeping again."

Five out of five star rating icon representing the highest possible satisfaction score
Robert K., 62

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

"After chemotherapy, severe burning in my feet made walking difficult. The team identified the type of nerve pain, adjusted my treatment, and helped me with balance and sensory retraining. The burning is significantly reduced, and I have not fallen."

Five out of five star rating icon representing the highest possible satisfaction score
Maria T., 48

Post-mastectomy pain syndrome and axillary pain

"After my mastectomy, persistent burning under my arm made it difficult to sleep. Once I learned it was a recognized postsurgical nerve pain syndrome, I finally understood what was happening. A nerve block significantly reduced the burning and helped me sleep comfortably again."

Five out of five star rating icon representing the highest possible satisfaction score
Five out of five star rating shown from patient reviews, reflecting consistently excellent satisfaction and positive outcomes

Ready to Address Your Cancer Pain?

Cancer pain does not have to be something you simply live with. At Integrative Sports & Spine, we provide individualized cancer pain evaluation and treatment in coordination with your oncology care, with a focus on reducing pain, improving sleep and function, and supporting quality of life. We serve patients in Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside, and City of Industry. If you or a loved one is experiencing cancer-related pain that is not adequately controlled, we are here to help.

Call (833) 476-7377 or click the appointment button below to schedule a consultation at any of our four Southern California pain clinic locations.

Book an Appointment

Related Services

Interventional Pain Management

When specialized pain procedures are needed beyond the services available at our clinics, our physicians can help coordinate appropriate specialty care or referral. This may include connecting you with the appropriate specialist based on the source of your pain, your treatment history, and your individual needs.

View More

Neuropathy Treatment

For patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and other cancer treatment related nerve pain, our neuropathy treatment program provides medication management, physical rehabilitation, and targeted interventional options for neuropathic pain that is not adequately controlled by standard approaches.

View More

Chronic Pain Treatment

Cancer-related pain often persists beyond active cancer treatment into survivorship. Our chronic pain treatment program addresses persistent post-cancer pain syndromes including postsurgical neuropathic pain, late radiation effects, and other long-term pain consequences of cancer and its treatment.

View More
Location icon encouraging patients to contact our pain management clinics for more information
Contact Us

(833) 476-7377

Envelope icon for reaching out to our pain clinics via phone number
Email Us

contact@issrehab.com

Clock icon displaying clinic hours for all Southern California pain management locations
Open Hours

Mon - Fri: 9:00am to 5:00pm