ent types of pain and an assessment tool designed to elicit the type or types of pain each patient is dealing with. Not only does each type of pain have its own characteristics, each responds differently to different medications. We currently have as many as 20 to 30 different medication options that we can choose from to customize a pain gel. By accurately identifying the types of pain we can now more accurately choose the appropriate combination of medications that would best treat that particular patients’ pains. Current research states that a full one-third of pain patients are dealing with four or more types of pain. As you can see, it can be quite complicated yet the assessment tool developed by Maureen allows us to systemati- cally and scientifically choose the most appropriate medications unique to that individual. Our ability to compound these drugs into a transdermal pain gel and deliver them to the targeted area has been shown to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and at the same time completely reduce the incidence of side effects. The Carling Method includes a process whereby we continue to re-assess the patient and then titrate the medication by recalibrat- ing the gel and the opioid. During the re-assessment, we can now use the 0-10 scale to determine how well a medication is working and then appropriately titrate the dose based on our findings. It may take many weeks of re-assessing and recalibrating but eventually, we almost always achieve significant pain relief and in many cases “pain free,” with very few side-effects and a corresponding reduction in opioid use.” Is this not the desired outcome? My experience using this pain management process has been nothing short of amazing. Our biggest obstacle has been the dif- ficulty in sharing and educating the medical community. Maureen Carling, RN, Francis Comunale, MD and I are participating in a re- search foundation called Pain Management Education and Research Foundation (PMERF) and are presently in the process of trying to raise funds in order to sponsor a clinical trial, which then could be used to educate and initiate significant change in the medical com- munity. In the meantime we continue share to our experience as we work with individual patients and practitioners in our community.
Gene Gresh
R.Ph., FIACP owns and operates Pioneer Health Compounding Pharmacy in Vernon, Ct. where he practices in the art and science of pharmacy compounding in collaboration with func- tional medicine. This practice includes the ability to research, formu- late and create customized medications and therapies to help solve the unique health needs of each patient. Gene has been awarded full fellowship with the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacy and certification in Functional Medicine from the Insti- tute of Functional Medicine. He also maintains a membership with Professional Compounding Centers of America and Connecticut Pharmacists Association. See ad on page 2.
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