The Remarkable Benefits of Intrathecal Medicine

Intrathecal medicine, a form of therapy involving the administration of medications directly into the spinal canal, has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in the field of healthcare. This targeted delivery method offers a range of benefits and has revolutionized the treatment of various medical conditions, providing relief and hope to countless individuals worldwide.

What is Cancer Pain?

Doctor and Patient discussing cancer pain treatment options

Cancer pain is a complex and often debilitating symptom that can result from the disease itself or its treatments. Pain management is an essential component of cancer care, and there are several treatment options available to help manage cancer pain.

What is Pain?

man holding his back in pain while the affected area is highlighted in red

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 20% of adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain, and this number is increasing. Chronic pain can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, leading to depression, anxiety, and social isolation. 

How do I Describe my Pain?

Accurately and thoroughly describing your pain can help your health care provider give you better treatment. As a patient, you are encouraged to express any concerns, questions, or inquiries you may have about your pain. But, if you don’t know how to describe your pain this can become difficult. This article is intended to give you a basic overview of the types of pain you may feel and the vocabulary surrounding it.

The 3 C’s to Finding the Perfect Doctor

Imagine for a moment you are in a small room, with some unfamiliar instruments on the wall. You might be a little nervous and as soon as the doctor enters, your impressions begin to form. What goes through your mind when you see your doctor or health care provider for the first time? This simple […]

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DR. MELANIE D. JOHANSSON, MD, FACEP

Dr. Johansson comes to us as a fellowship-trained and board-certified pain management specialist with nearly a decade of experience. She completed her fellowship training at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD where she then became the associate program director of the pain medicine fellowship and an assistant professor of military and emergency medicine. She graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia, was Pre-medicine at San Diego State University, and received her BSN from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Her breadth of experience comes from a full career of serving in the United States Navy where she was the recipient of multiple academic and military service awards including a Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, and numerous other individual, unit, and campaign awards. She has multiple published works and is the founding member of a military Pain Medicine Special Interest Group with the American Society of Regional Anesthesia.

In her free time, Dr. Johansson enjoys traveling, is newly married, loves dogs, and enjoys cooking and baking, as well as other creative pursuits. She has a particular interest in advanced procedural techniques for chronic pain relief and the effects of lifestyle on pain and healing. She looks forward to continuing our mission of providing our patients with the best care, every day.

Eric Grigsby, MD, MBA

CEO & Founder of Neurovations

Dr. Eric Grigsby enjoys a national reputation for excellence in the field of Pain Management. He has a background as a researcher, teacher and clinician and brings over 30 years of clinical experience to the Napa Pain Institute. Dr. Grigsby attended elementary and secondary school in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Economics from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He formed an interest in Pain Management as a career while working at Boston Children’s Hospital in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

After graduating from Boston University Medical School in 1984, Dr. Grigsby trained in General Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Pain Management at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He was invited to join the Medical Staff and teach at the Mayo Medical School until moving to California in 1989. The Dean of the University of California at Davis Medical Center then invited Dr. Grigsby to establish their first Pain Management Center, where he served as Medical Director until 1992. Following his post at UC Davis, Dr. Grigsby established his private Pain Management practice in Napa, California.

Today, he and his staff of over 50 professionals consult with patients throughout Northern California and the western United States.  More recently, Dr Grigsby completed his Masters in Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He speaks nationally on topics such as non-operative treatment of spinal disorders, the safe use of medications for the treatment of pain, and the legal and regulatory issues relating to the proper treatment of patients with chronic illness.