Dr. Alexis Henderson, MD is a Pain Medicine Physician dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at her Clearwater, FL clinic. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a trusted partner in senior health, Dr. Henderson recognizes the unique needs of individuals 65 years and older, specializing in managing complex chronic pain conditions. Pain Medicine Physicians provide specialized expertise in managing these conditions, partnering with primary care physicians and the broader care team to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life through comprehensive medication management, minimally-invasive procedures, and advanced therapies.
Dr. Alexis Henderson, MD is a pain medicine physician in Clearwater, FL and has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. With over 45 years of dedicated experience in Pain Medicine care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in 1979. Dr. Henderson is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. She is currently welcoming new patients and encourages them to call (727) 572-6261 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Alexis Henderson provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Alexis Henderson is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Henderson is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive pain management tailored to individual needs. She works closely with the patient, their family, and other healthcare providers to develop a personalized plan that addresses chronic pain through medication management, minimally-invasive procedures, and advanced therapies, all focused on improving function and quality of life.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Alexis Henderson can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Alexis Henderson provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- All Headaches (incl. Migraine): For seniors experiencing chronic headaches, a multi-faceted approach combining medication management and, where appropriate, minimally invasive procedures, can effectively manage pain and boost their overall quality of life.
- Back Pain: Back pain in older adults is a common problem that can be effectively managed with a combination of medication, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced therapies to improve mobility and reduce discomfort.
- Chronic Neck Pain: Dealing with ongoing neck pain can limit your independence, but a pain specialist can create a treatment planincluding medication, injections, or other optionsto reduce your pain and help you stay active and independent.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerative disc disease is a natural part of aging where the protective discs between your vertebrae break down, often causing back pain. Your doctor can work with you to find the best treatment plan to reduce pain and help you maintain your daily activities.
- Headache: Headaches, a common problem for older adults, can be effectively managed with medication, therapies, and lifestyle changes to improve comfort and daily living.
- Herniated Disc: If you're experiencing back pain from a herniated disc, know that you're not alone, and there are options. Your pain medicine doctor can work with you to find the right approach to reduce pain and enhance your independence.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease: As we age, the discs in our spine can degenerate, leading to pain and discomfort known as intervertebral disc disease; however, your doctor can help manage your pain through various therapies including minimally-invasive procedures, enhancing your mobility and quality of life.
- Low Back Pain: Lower back pain can be frustrating, but it's treatable. A pain medicine specialist will carefully assess your condition and use a combination of approaches possibly including medications, minimally invasive procedures or other advanced therapies to reduce your pain and increase your comfort and function.
- Osteoarthritis of Spine: Spinal osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage between the spinal bones, which leads to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. However, many effective treatments are available to relieve pain and enhance your quality of life.
- Radiculopathy: If you're struggling with back pain that shoots down your leg or arm, it might be radiculopathy, a condition your doctor can effectively treat with medication, injections, or other procedures to help you maintain your quality of life.
- Sciatica: Sciatica, that sharp pain traveling down your leg, can be treated by a pain specialist using approaches tailored to your needsfrom medication and exercise to minimally invasive procedures, improving your comfort and allowing you to stay active.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Alexis Henderson offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Nerve Ablation: To better manage your chronic pain, nerve ablation may be recommended to disrupt painful nerve signals, helping you regain a better quality of life.
- Injection Therapy: Injection therapy can help pinpoint the source of your chronic pain through diagnostic injections, guiding your doctor to the most effective treatment.
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection: For seniors with persistent lower back pain, this injection offers a potential path towards pain relief, improved function, and a better quality of life by reducing inflammation in the spine.
- Lumbar Selective Nerve Root Block: A lumbar selective nerve root block is a minimally invasive procedure that helps pinpoint the source of lower back pain by temporarily numbing specific nerves.
- Cryoablation: Cryoablation uses extreme cold to destroy damaged nerves causing chronic pain, helping seniors regain mobility and improve their quality of life.
- Soft Tissue Injections: Soft tissue injections offer a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat pain stemming from muscle, tendon, or ligament problems, supporting your overall well-being.
- Radiofrequency Denervation: Radiofrequency denervation is a valuable tool in a senior's pain management journey that helps reduce reliance on medications by providing direct nerve-targeted pain relief.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Pain Medicine Physicians in Florida.
Dr. Alexis Henderson is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- A senior woman, plagued by debilitating migraines, found significant relief with a tailored treatment plan. She regained the ability to enjoy social gatherings and participate in family activities without the constant throbbing pain.
- With a tailored treatment plan, a senior couple found significant relief from debilitating back pain, allowing them to enjoy evening strolls in the park again.
- A senior woman, previously limited by chronic neck pain, regained her love of knitting, a cherished hobby, after a pain specialist's treatment plan reduced her discomfort and improved her mobility. Her family was relieved to see her regain her independence and enjoy her activities once more.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
Here are answers to some common questions about Pain Medicine care with Dr. Alexis Henderson:
- What is a Pain Medicine specialist?
- Dr. Alexis Henderson is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. Her focus is on finding the root cause of your pain and developing a personalized treatment plan to improve your function, mobility, and overall well-being. This may include medication, but also other therapies.
- Is the only treatment option more pain medication?
- No. Our approach is multimodal, using a variety of treatments to reduce reliance on oral medications. Dr. Henderson focuses on minimally-invasive procedures like targeted injections, nerve blocks, and physical therapy to address the source of the pain, helping patients feel better and live more actively.
- My back pain has been here for years. Can anything really be done?
- We understand how frustrating long-term back pain can be. While a complete cure isn't always possible, significant pain reduction and improved daily function are achievable. Dr. Henderson uses advanced diagnostic techniques to identify the source of your pain and then develops a personalized treatment plan, which may include facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, or other targeted therapies.
- What is an epidural steroid injection and is it safe?
- An epidural steroid injection is a common and effective procedure where a strong anti-inflammatory medicine is delivered directly to the source of pain in the spine. It helps reduce swelling and inflammation around nerves, often providing significant pain relief. When performed by a specialist like Dr. Alexis Henderson using x-ray guidance, it is a very safe procedure.
- What is Radiofrequency Ablation (or Neurotomy)?
- Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to interrupt pain signals from a specific joint to the brain. This can provide significant pain relief for six months or more. It's a technique used to help manage chronic pain.
- I'm on a blood thinner. Can I still have an injection procedure?
- Patient safety is our top priority. For many procedures, blood thinners need to be temporarily stopped, but this is always done in close coordination with your cardiologist. Dr. Henderson will provide very specific instructions on when to stop and restart your medications to ensure the procedure is performed safely.
- What is a facet joint injection?
- A facet joint injection is a precise injection of numbing medicine and a steroid directly into a small, stabilizing joint in your spine (like a knuckle). If these joints become arthritic, they can cause neck or back pain. The injection helps confirm if the joint is the source of the pain and provides temporary relief.
- What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
- A spinal cord stimulator is a small, implanted device that sends mild electrical signals to the spinal cord, much like a pacemaker for pain. These signals interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, often replacing pain with a more pleasant sensation or nothing at all. A temporary trial allows patients to experience the therapy before a permanent implant.
51 S Main Ave Ste 318
Clearwater FL 33765
Phone: (727) 572-6261
Dr. Alexis Henderson, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1245431360
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Pain Medicine Physicians like Dr. Alexis Henderson are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.