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Previous Student Experiences

 

Don’t take our word for it. Read what other students have to say.

 

 

Nancy E. Cross, MD

Dr. Nancy Cross Integrative Pain Center of AlaskaDr. Nancy Cross received her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and completed her residency in Anesthesiology and fellowship in Pain Management at the Medical University of South Carolina. She was clinical coordinator of neuro-anesthesiology at the Maine Medical Center, and is the former Director of Clinical Anesthesiology at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine. While at the University of Arizona, she was one of two lead physician instructors responsible for the pain management program.

In 2003, Dr. Cross left her position as Vice President of Integrated Pain Centers of Arizona to join Integrative Pain Centers of Alaska. She has continued her association with the University of Arizona in order to provide the people of Alaska with the latest pharmacological breakthroughs, as well as pain management procedures, technology, and programs available. Dr. Cross is board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. She has special interest in advanced treatment modalities for pelvic pain, spinal pain & disorders, cancer pain, and women’s health. Her research and outcomes studies related to peripheral nerve stimulation, IDET, Interstitial Cystitis, and numerous other interventional procedures make her an invaluable asset to both Integrative Pain Centers of Alaska and the state of Alaska as a whole.

Dr. Cross lives in Fairbanks where she enjoys the outdoors with snow machining, skiing and gardening. She and her husband are strong supporters of dog mushing and she is an advocate of IPCA’s continued contributions to the Yukon Quest and Iditarod sled dog races. Dr. Cross works with her church community for outreach and stays in contact with youth by teaching Sunday School.

Quality of Life

Dear Doctor Cross and associates,

I would like you to know how deeply I appreciate the excellent care you have given me. A lot of things are important in life, but as one gets older, none so important as quality of life. That is what your care has given me. You have given me the opportunity to play and care for my grandkids, take care of my husband, enjoy a simple walk in my yard, and be self reliant in taking care of my self. Most doctors I have found treat patients like a store clerk at a big box store, but you are the exception. You listen, answer my questions, display a genuine concern, and have a great sense of humor. So from me to you, thank you so much. You’re doing an outstanding job!

Dani G.,
Fairbanks, Alaska

Subacromial Injection

During this procedure, a mixture of anesthesia and anti-inflammatory medication is injected into the space between the acromion and the head of the humerus. This injection can be used to treat a variety of painful conditions, including adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff tendinosis, and impingement syndrome. The physician may choose an injection site on the front, side or rear of the shoulder.



Fluoroscopic Guided Hip Injection

This non-operative, outpatient procedure is designed to provide relief for patients with arthritis of the hip joint. The technique allows the physician to inject numbing and anti-inflammatory medications with maximum accuracy.



Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis results from new bone and soft tissue growth on the vertebrae, which reduces the space in the spinal canal. When the nerve roots are pinched, a painful burning, tingling and/or numbing sensation is felt from the lower back down to the legs and sometimes all the way to the feet.



Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)

This condition is an irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the lumbar spine. Because these nerves travel to the hips, buttocks, legs and feet, an injury in the lumbar spine can cause symptoms in these areas. Sciatica may result from a variety of problems with the bones and tissues of the lumbar spinal column.



Facet Joint Syndrome

This condition is a detereoration of the facet joints, which help stabilize the spine and limit excessive motion. The facet joints are lined with cartilage and surrounded by a lubricating capsule that enables the vertebrae to bend and twist.



Cervical Radiculopathy

This condition is an irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the cervical spine. Because these nerves travel to the shoulders, arms and hands, an injury in the cervical spine can cause symptoms in these areas. Cervical radiculopathy may result from a variety of problems with the bones and tissues of the cervical spinal column.



Thoracic Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy

This minimally-invasive procedure, also called radiofrequency (or RF) rhizotomy, reduces or eliminates the pain of damaged facet joints by disrupting the medial branch nerves that carry the pain signals. This procedure is performed with local anesthetic.



Stellate Ganglion Block

This injection can both diagnose and treat pain coming from the sympathetic nerves. It is a common treatment for shingles and complex regional pain syndromes affecting the head, face, neck, or arms. Usually a series of these injections is needed to treat the problem.



Medial Branch Block

This diagnostic procedure is performed to identify a painful facet joint. The facet joints are the joints between the vertebrae in the spine. They allow the spine to bend, flex and twist.



Intrathecal Pump Implant

An intrathecal pump relieves chronic pain. It uses small amounts of medicine applied directly to the intrathecal space (the area surrounding the spinal cord) to prevent pain signals from being perceived by the brain. Pump candidates include people for whom conservative treatments have failed and surgery is not likely to help.



Facet Joint Injections

Each vertebra in the spine is connected to the vertebra above and below it by facet joints, which are located on both sides of the rear of the spine. A facet joint block can be both diagnostic and therapeutic for back or neck pain. A facet joint block injection can confirm whether the facet joints are indeed the source of pain and can help relieve the pain and inflammation.



Cervical Selective Nerve Root Block

This injection relieves pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms caused by a pinched nerve (or nerves) in the cervical spine. It can be used to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy.



Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy

This minimally-invasive procedure, also called radiofrequency (or RF) rhizotomy, reduces or eliminates the pain of damaged facet joints by disrupting the medial branch nerves that carry the pain signals. This procedure is performed with local anesthetic.



Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection

This injection relieves pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms caused by a pinched nerve (or nerves) in the cervical spine. Conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy can compress nerves, causing inflammation and pain. The medication injected helps decrease the swelling of nerves.



Celiac Plexus Block

This procedure is performed to diagnose and reduce abdominal pain caused by conditions such as cancer or pancreatitis. An injection is used to block the nerves serving the abdomen. An intravenous (IV) line may be used to administer medication to relax the patient.