DEAR READER, Please accept a warm welcome to our first edition of PAIN MANAGEMENT, the magazine of Sint Maartenskliniek’s Pain and Anesthesiology Department! For many years, I have been very proud to oversee the great work of my colleagues in the area of pain management – a field of expertise that can significantly improve the lives of people everywhere. From our clinic in the eastern Netherlands, we have pioneered a range of treatments and approaches that have become internationally recognized and driven forward clinical progress. Now, through this magazine, we want to show the world our great work. From neuromodulation (read about this on page 20) and our RealHealth program (page 26) to our local anesthetic nerve blocks (page 8) and our use of virtual reality technology (page 6), this magazine outlines some of the most innovative treatments and tools we have developed and continue to apply. Every day, hundreds of patients in the Netherlands and beyond enjoy a better quality of life thanks to treatments like these. Moving forward, we ready to further raise the bar of our pain treatments (see page 24), such as by continuing to collaborate with our partners, nationally and internationally (see page 12). By zeroing in on pain, and by developing more innovative and effective treatments, we can help to make the world a better place – and that’s what keeps us going! I hope you enjoy reading our magazine. Yours sincerely, Mark Van Houdenhoven Chairman of the Board of Directors
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