He describes a typical day in the private pain clinic where he works as jam-packed — with a daily caseload of 30 patients, nearly 90 percent of whom have spine disease, while the rest have pain issues such as joint disease/arthritis, trigeminal neuralgia and neuropathies. After diagnosis, Hamilton prescribes the appropriate treatment, which often doesn't include heavy pain meds. “Treatment can include adjustment of pain medications, epidural/facet injections (for joint pain), or referrals to other providers for physical therapy, chiropractic care and so on,” he explains. Meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and music and art therapy are also alternative treatments recommended for chronic pain patients.