Fall Creek Pain Management - Eugene

Pain was once considered the “fifth vital sign,” leading to widespread opioid prescribing aimed at eliminating discomfort. While well-intentioned, this approach resulted in unintended consequences, including dependence, overdose, and increased scrutiny around controlled substances.

As prescribing practices for controlled substances became more restrictive, another unintended consequence emerged: some patients were abruptly removed from long-standing, well-tolerated treatments, often without individualized assessment or consideration of their clinical history.

Today, prescribing practices need to shift toward safer, more individualized care. At Fall Creek Pain Management, we follow the latest CDC guidelines and Oregon Medical Board standards, emphasizing:

• Shared decision-making between patient and provider

• Individualized evaluations to determine appropriate medication strategies

• Ongoing monitoring of risks, benefits, and treatment effectiveness

• Thorough documentation and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) checks

Our goal is to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care that respects your history, supports your safety, and helps you move forward with confidence.

• Clear, honest communication about risks, benefits, and expected expectations

• A focus on minimizing side effects and reducing dependence risks

• Ongoing support from a dedicated care team that listens and adapts

"Several times we have seen a prescriber vacate practice, leaving behind patients on dangerous dosages or combinations of pain meds and other CNS depressants. Subsequent providers have been reluctant or even refused to accept them for fear of Board action. However, the Board wishes to reassure and encourage licensees to assume the prescribing responsibilities for such patients, regardless of Morphine Equivalent Dose level, at least temporarily, in order to avoid patients going into withdrawal or turning to illicit sources.

The mission of the OMB is to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of Oregonians. The Board cannot achieve this mission without responsible clinicians willing to step in and provide safe, effective treatment in our communities."