Chronic pain—pain that lasts longer than three months—is more common than many people realize. In fact, about 1 in 5 American adults lives with it. Ongoing pain can affect your ability to work, sleep, stay active and fully enjoy time with family and friends. Traditional treatment for chronic pain often includes medications, exercise and physical therapy. Many patients also explore complementary approaches such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, tai chi, spinal manipulation or relaxation techniques. These therapies are designed to be used alongside medical treatment—not in place of it—and can provide relief when guided by your health care provider. For some people, however, pain persists. That’s where interventional pain management may help. Help here at home Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) partners with Jann Urban, MD, DABA, of Urban Pain Institute, to bring advanced pain care to the Kenai Peninsula. Dr. Urban is double board-certified in anesthesiology and pain management and completed fellowship training in interventional pain management. He has practiced in Alaska since 2004 and was among the first physicians in the state to introduce regional anesthesia and nerve blocks for advanced pain control. Through his Anchorage-based practice, he focuses on evidence-based, minimally invasive treatments designed to reduce disability and improve quality of life. How it works locally Patients first meet with Dr. Urban through a virtual consultation to review their symptoms, medical history and imaging. If an interventional procedure—such as a targeted injection or nerve block—is recommended, Dr. Urban travels to CPH to perform it. This partnership allows patients on the Kenai Peninsula to access specialized pain care without the burden of repeated trips to Anchorage. Interventional pain management may be appropriate for conditions such as chronic back or neck pain, joint pain, nerve-related pain, and certain headache disorders. The goal is not simply to mask pain, but to treat the source whenever possible—often helping patients avoid more invasive surgery. Ready for relief? If you are struggling with chronic pain, ask your primary care provider whether a referral to Dr. Urban may be appropriate for you. Working together—with your local care team and specialty expertise from Urban Pain Institute—you may find relief and a path back to the activities you love. Finding relief from chronic pain—close to home PULSE Spring 2026 7
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