Research / Publications

Dr Galvin MB BCh BAO, FCAI, FPM graduated from UCD in 2008. She completed the Irish Higher Specialist Training Scheme in Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Management. Following fellowship training, she was awarded Pain Medicine Fellowship by examination in 2019.

Dr Galvin is working as a Consultant in Pain Medicine in both Blackrock Clinic and the Beacon Hospital.
Dr Galvin is registered on the Specialist Register with the Irish Medical Council. She is completing a postgraduate research doctorate in the pathophysiology of Chronic Pain with Trinity College.

Pain Management Consultant

Research Interests

Pathophysiology of chronic neuropathic pain

 Current Membership

·        College of Anaesthetists of Ireland

·        Faculty of Pain Medicine

·        British Pain Society

·        International Neuromodulation Society

·        Neuromodulation Society of UK and Ireland

Why Pain Medicine?

Although medications have a small role to play in the management of chronic pain, interventions are a largely safer option. They are minimally invasive, effective and generally tolerated very well by the patient.

Whilst surgery may still be required at some point in the patients journey, pain interventions may delay the patients' visit to an operating theatre for major surgery.

Pain Medicine – Different But Effective

 

Pain is one of the most common symptoms encountered in clinical practice. Although any part of the body can experience pain, occasional pain following an injury or trauma is normal and usually resolves spontaneously. In contrast, chronic pain persists and requires evaluation and management.

Research shows more than 1.5 billion people worldwide and 1.75 million (35.5%) of Irelands’ population suffer from chronic pain. Further, it has an incidence of up to 80% over a persons lifetime and up to 45% at any one time in a population. Associated with significant disability, this has many quality of life and economic implications- Roughly 12% of affected individuals are unable to work.

Dr Deborah Galvin is a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anesthesia consultant in chronic pain. Adopting a holistic multi-disciplinary approach, Dr Galvin aims to minimise the use of medication and focus on interventions and procedures to enable chronic pain sufferers to live healthy, productive lives.

Pain Consultant near me

Chronic Back and Neck Pain

Back and neck pain are the most common types of chronic pain. In fact, back pain alone accounts for approximately 50% of all types of chronic pain and is the leading cause of disability.

Even beyond the numbers, it is not unusual for healthcare professionals to see more than one patient with chronic back or neck pain daily. Unsurprising as 70% of all individuals will experience back pain at least once during their lifetime.

Causes:

  • Common causes of chronic back and neck pain include:

  • Overuse or trauma,

  • Muscle strains, spasms, or tears,

  • Degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, particularly affecting the joints, back and neck

  • Spinal disc herniations leading to pinched nerves

  • Osteoporosis which leads to decreased bone density and an increased incidence of fractures

Diagnosis:

A thorough history and physical examination can diagnose chronic back and neck pain. Also, because pain is subjective, no definitive diagnostic test is available. However, the following investigations are helpful:

  • Imaging such as MRI and CT may help determine the extent of damage to the spine,

  • Blood tests to isolate the underlying cause/source of the pain,

  • Nerve testing (nerve conduction studies), particularly if the pain radiates to other parts of the body.

Symptoms:

Chronic back and neck pain can range from muscle aches to stabbing and burning sensations. They are also often associated with:

  • Pain that radiates into the arms or legs

  • Varying intensity of pain depending on the time of day or activity

  • Significant disabilities such as the inability to turn the neck or stand up straight

  • Nerve involvement leading to numbness and loss of function in upper or lower limbs

Treatment:

1. Adopting a Healthy lifestyle

Eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep may sound like basic advice, but it can go a long way to managing pain. Modifying daily routines and considering activities can also help patients remain active. Exercise, for instance, can improve physical function, mood, stress tolerance, and cognitive function. More importantly, it significantly reduces pain and improves the quality of life. Exercise need not be elaborate either - even a daily 15-minute walk can be beneficial.

2. Pain Medications

This is the most commonly used treatment method for chronic back and neck pain. Multiple medications are available:

  • Paracetamol

  • Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

  • Alternate medications such as anticonvulsants – These can be effective for neuropathic pain

However, medication may have side effects or may requirement increasing doses.

3. Procedures/Surgery

  • A variety of procedures exist for chronic neck and back pain:

  • Rhizotomy/Pulsed radiofrequency - This involves applying electricity to reduce pain signaling

  • Nerve block injections

  • Corticosteroid injections

  • Open Surgery is often necessary in cases or motor or movement abnormalities or anatomical causes of pain.

Why Pain Medicine?

Pain consultants are specialist trained doctors who specialise in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of pain. They dedicate their time and expertise to help patients using pain medicine.

Pain medicine aims to use alternate, proven treatment methods to manage chronic pain. Used as an adjuvant to other treatments, pain medicine can help reduce pain and improve patient function. At the same time, it minimises the use of medications. This is important because long-term medication use can cause major side effects. Moreover, pain medicine therapies are simple and cost-effective.

 

Dr Deborah Galvin is an experienced independent pain consultant who works with other healthcare professionals such as , GP’s, orthopaedic surgeons, other doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists to provide holistic solutions to chronic pain. The services she offers include:

  • Epidurals

  • Intra-articular joint injections

  • Musculoskeletal injections

  • Steroid injections to joints and muscles

  • Rhizotomy

  • Rhizolysis

  • Pulsed Radiofrequency

Pain Clinic Dublin

Why Choose Dr Galvin

  • Latest research-backed techniques to relieve pain

  • Cost-effective and safe

  • Holistic multidisciplinary approach

Prevention is Better Than Cure

No discussion about pain is complete without mentioning ways to prevent it. But prevention can vary on a case basis, for which we recommend a 1-1 consultation. In general, though, to help patients avoid a lifetime of pain, we recommend starting early by adopting some best practices:

  • Healthy dietary habits with adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D

  • Active participation in sports and physical activities

  • Posture corrective and targeted exercises to strengthen specific muscle groups

  • Stress management techniques for better mental health

Do you currently suffer from pain?

In case you’re experiencing pain, we strongly recommend you to seek medical attention in ordert to prevent any serious complications.

 

Dr Galvin’s published articles in medical peer-reviewed journals and continues to so some of which can be found below:

  • Galvin D, McCrory C. Management of Difficult Chronic Pain Conditions, Medical Independent, April 2019

To refer a patient to Dr Galvin please forward a referral letter along with any supporting documents, such as scan reports to Suite 33 Beacon Court, Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, Dublin 18 or healthmail:

Once referral has been received the patient will be contacted to schedule an initial consultation