New Pain Management Specialist
Now at Gifford Medical Center

Pain management specialist Dr. Lan Nguyen-Knoff has joined Gifford Medical Center, marking the opening of The Pain Center at Gifford. The new Pain Center treats patients with chronic pain, or pain that does not respond to traditional treatments or lasts past the normal course of an illness.

Dr. Nguyen-Knoff has more than six years experience at a state-of-the-art, progressive facility in southern New Hampshire. A native of Vietnam, she was educated at the University of Kansas, earning bachelor’s degrees in biology and cellular biology. She went on to medical school at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, graduating in 1995 and getting her start in family medicine.

Dr. Nguyen-Knoff is board certified in family practice and certified in pain medicine. Her professional memberships include the American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Pain Management, American Pain Society, Interventional Pain Physician Society and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Approximately 45 million Americans will experience long-term chronic pain in their lifetimes. As Dr. Nguyen-Knoff explains, doctors are typically taught in medical school to treat illness, but not pain that persists beyond the predictable courses of those illnesses. Managing pain is a newer specialty meant to address chronic pain and provide at least some relief to restore patients’ quality of life.

"Acute or chronic pain is a complex medical problem that can have a profound effect on an individual’s physical and mental well being," Dr. Nguyen-Knoff says.

Through referrals from patients’ primary care providers and even other specialists, Dr. Nguyen-Knoff specializes in the comprehensive evaluation of patients suffering chronic or acute pain. Patients are examined, undergo any necessary diagnostic tests and, once the cause of the pain is determined, offered treatment options that go beyond medication. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback (from sensors), hypnosis, interventions and referrals to tertiary care centers for neurosurgical procedures are all options. Social, nutritional and psychological issues are also all considered.

The conditions Dr. Nguyen-Knoff treats include nerve pain, shingles, headaches, phantom limb pain, fibromyalgia and the most common—back pain.

"There have been many recent technology breakthroughs in pain management," Dr. Nguyen-Knoff says.

Dr. Nguyen-Knoff and her husband, Dr. Jon Knoff, moved to Randolph from Nashua, N.H., last year when Dr. Knoff, an anesthesiologist, joined Gifford. The family has also been impressed by the amount Randolph has to offer, especially in terms of culture.

Dr. Knoff and the couple’s three children, Kassandra, 13, Johan-Richard, 11, and Katarina, 9, all play accordion. Kassandra is in the band at Randolph Union High School and all three children will perform in Chandler’s upcoming "Mini Mud!" show March 7. Dr. Nguyen-Knoff enjoys visual arts, including drawing and painting, and hopes to become involved with the White River Craft Center.

To reach Dr. Nguyen-Knoff at The Pain Center at Gifford, call 728-2470 or ask your doctor for a referral.

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