Pain Relief: A Gift That Inspires Giving

Val Cameron had an adventuresome youth, filled with flying lessons and golfing. She first learned to play golf from none other than Babe Zaharias, America’s most celebrated female athlete. Val enjoyed golf and stayed active throughout her life. But when she first saw Dr. Mohammad Ahsan, she could barely move.

Seven years ago, Val was diagnosed with advanced degenerative disc disease in her cervical spine. Her neck pain was so severe she couldn’t even turn her head. But Dr. Ahsan’s treatment worked, and she was free to “go out and do things.” In gratitude, Val made two charitable gifts to Northwest Community Hospital Foundation in honor of Dr. Ahsan. She says, “I wanted to do something for him, and making a contribution is one way of saying thank you, of letting clinicians know how much they are appreciated.”

Val observes that Dr. Ahsan is not only a skilled physician, but also has the bedside manner of one “who really cares about people.” She is especially impressed with his efforts to let patients know what to expect during each step of a procedure. She explains, “He is very calm and careful. He prepares you by saying things like ‘this may sting slightly,’ ‘now you will feel a little pinch,’ ‘don’t move now’—and ‘I’m right here.’ ”

The treatment that works best for Val is radiofrequency ablation or RAF, which Dr. Ahsan performed on her neck two years ago. RAF is a non-surgical, outpatient method of alleviating pain. Using live x-ray guidance, the doctor places needles into the affected area, then inserts electrodes that deliver radiofrequency energy. The energy heats up targeted nerve tissue and interrupts pain signals. The “numbing effect” lasts for two to three years.

A board-certified anesthesiologist and Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Management, Dr. Ahsan is passionate about using his skills to relieve patients’ pain. He does not believe that chronic pain is inevitable for older patients with degenerative conditions. If one has an arthritic spine, he says, “We cannot reverse what is wrong with the spine. But we can improve the quality of life.”

Whether he is treating an older person with a deteriorating spine or a young person disabled by a work injury, Dr. Ahsan’s focuses on improving each patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living. He also serves on the Hospital’s Cancer Committee, where he is a strong proponent of collaborative end-of-life care and palliative therapies that keep patients both alert and pain-free.

Dr. Ahsan thinks that, at every stage of a patient’s life, “We need to see the whole person, to restore each patient’s capacity to be as useful as possible.” The grateful beneficiary of this approach, Val says simply, “I can’t recommend anyone more highly than Dr. Ahsan.”