Dr. Jeffrey Cara, DO is a Pain Medicine Physician dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at his clinic in Jupiter, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring a high standard of care for his patients. Dr. Cara's practice is specifically focused on the unique needs of seniors, recognizing that pain management in this population often requires specialized expertise. Pain Medicine Physicians provide specialized expertise in managing complex chronic pain conditions common in older adults, 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. He serves patients 65 years and older, and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (561) 320-1180 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Jeffrey R. Cara, an Interventional Pain Management Physician and Physiatrist, understands the importance of a life free from pain. With over 10 years of dedicated experience in Pain Medicine care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from Lecom in 2013, completing an internship at University Of Chicago (graduated 2014), and then undertaking residency training in Pain Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School Of Medicine (graduated 2017), specializing in the comprehensive medical care of 65 years and older. Further specializing, he pursued fellowship training in Mayo Clinic (graduated 2018), deepening his expertise in acute, chronic, and interventional pain management. He is Board Certified in Obesity Medicine by the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and Board Certified in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation by the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Dr. Cara believes that everyone deserves a life free of pain and provides consultations primarily in English. Having grown up on four continents and spent a third of his life abroad, Dr. Cara welcomes a diverse patient population. A Florida native, he is passionate about environmental conservation and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Jeffrey Cara is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Cara acts as a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive pain management tailored to individual needs. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and the entire care team to effectively address chronic pain conditions, utilizing a multifaceted approach encompassing medication management, minimally-invasive procedures, and advanced therapies. This personalized care prioritizes improving function, reducing pain, and enhancing the overall quality of life for each patient.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Jeffrey Cara can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice POS
- HMO Premier HMO
- Humana
- National POS
- Preferred PPO
- Select HMO
- Superior Health Plan
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Jeffrey Cara 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:
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Living with CRPS can be challenging, but effective treatments are available. A pain medicine doctor specializes in managing this type of chronic pain and can develop a plan tailored to your individual needs, potentially significantly improving your quality of life and mobility.
- Spondylitis: Spondylitis is an inflammation of the spine that can cause chronic pain and stiffness, but with proper medical care, including medication and sometimes minimally invasive procedures, you can manage your discomfort and maintain your independence.
- Post-Laminectomy Syndrome: Following a laminectomy, some people experience ongoing back pain; this is known as post-laminectomy syndrome, and specialized treatment can improve your comfort and ability to maintain your daily activities.
- Osteoarthritis of Hip: If you're experiencing hip pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis, know that you're not alone, and there are many ways to manage your symptoms and improve your comfort level, such as medication, injections, or other procedures.
- Spinal Stenosis with Neurogenic Claudication: Spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication is a condition where narrowing of the spinal canal causes leg pain and cramping, especially with walking, but a pain medicine doctor can help manage this pain and improve your ability to move around.
- Enthesopathy of Knee (incl. Bursitis of Knee): If you have enthesopathy of the knee, which involves inflammation where tendons connect to the bone, and/or bursitis (inflammation of the knees fluid sacs), you're not alone. A pain medicine specialist can create a tailored plan to reduce your pain, helping you maintain your independence and enjoy your favorite activities.
- Low Back Pain: Chronic low back pain doesn't have to control your life; a pain management doctor can work with you to find the best approach, whether it's medication, injections, or other therapies, to help you move more freely and enjoy life again.
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): If you're experiencing ongoing knee pain due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, know that you're not alone and that effective management strategies exist to lessen pain and allow you to maintain your quality of life.
- Nerve Root Injury and Plexus Disorders (incl. Pinched Nerve): A pinched nerve or damaged nerve root can cause significant pain, numbness, or weakness, but a pain medicine specialist can use various treatments, including injections or other procedures, to help relieve your discomfort and improve your mobility.
- Osteoarthritis of Spine: If you have osteoarthritis in your spine, you may experience back pain and stiffness. Fortunately, a pain management specialist can work with you to develop a treatment plan to manage your pain, regain mobility, and live a fuller life.
- Knee Pain: Knee pain in older adults can significantly limit mobility and daily activities, but with a pain medicine physician's help, a personalized treatment plan including medication and possibly procedures can ease discomfort and improve your ability to move freely.
- Osteoarthritis of Shoulder: If you're experiencing shoulder pain and stiffness due to osteoarthritis, know that your pain medicine doctor can help create a plan to manage your discomfort, improve your range of motion, and maintain your ability to do the things you love.
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. Jeffrey Cara offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation: Radiofrequency nerve ablation helps seniors avoid or reduce the need for long-term high-dose pain medications by providing targeted pain relief.
- Joint Injection: To improve mobility and reduce pain, your doctor may recommend a joint injection as part of a comprehensive strategy to manage your chronic condition.
- Knee Joint Aspiration and Injection: For seniors experiencing chronic knee pain, this procedure can be a valuable step in a broader care plan, providing targeted pain relief and aiding in functional improvement.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: As part of a comprehensive pain management plan, radiofrequency ablation can precisely target painful nerves, reducing the need for high doses of pain medication and increasing comfort for seniors.
- Stem Cell Therapy: As part of a comprehensive pain management plan, stem cell therapy may help address the underlying causes of chronic pain in older adults by promoting tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation.
- Joint Drainage: This procedure helps doctors assess the condition of the joint and determine whether other interventions, such as medication or injections, are necessary.
- Spinal Injections: For seniors with chronic back pain, spinal injections can provide targeted pain relief, improving mobility and daily function.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection (PRP): Incorporating PRP injections into your overall pain management strategy may help lessen your reliance on pain medications, helping you to regain independence and better manage your condition.
- Somatic Nerve Block: To better manage your chronic pain, a somatic nerve block can temporarily block pain signals from a specific area of your body, improving your comfort and mobility.
- Myofascial Trigger Point Injection: To help seniors regain their independence, trigger point injections offer a targeted approach to alleviate muscle pain and stiffness, improving quality of life.
- Trigger Point Injection: Trigger point injections are a minimally invasive procedure that helps pinpoint and treat muscle pain sources, improving mobility and reducing discomfort for seniors.
- Ischial Bursa Injection: To pinpoint the source of buttock pain, a doctor might use an ischial bursa injection, a minimally invasive procedure that also delivers medication to reduce inflammation.
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. Jeffrey Cara 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:
- With a tailored treatment plan, a senior with CRPS found significant relief from debilitating pain, allowing them to safely resume their beloved hobby of knitting.
- With a tailored treatment plan including medication and minimally invasive procedures, a senior was able to resume their beloved daily walks, finding renewed mobility and independence. The family rejoiced at the reduced pain and stiffness, allowing them to enjoy cherished moments together.
- Following a laminectomy, a senior felt significantly less back pain, allowing them to resume their beloved hobby of knitting without discomfort. Family members were relieved to see their loved one more mobile and engaged in daily activities.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He 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)
- American Board of Obesity Medicine (Obesity Medicine)
- American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Pain Medicine)
- American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)
Here are answers to some common questions about Pain Medicine care with Dr. Jeffrey Cara:
- What is a Pain Medicine specialist?
- A pain medicine specialist, like Dr. Cara, is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. Their goal is to find the source of your pain and create a personalized plan to improve your function, mobility, and overall well-being, not just to prescribe medication.
- Is the only treatment option more pain medication?
- No. Our multimodal approach uses a variety of treatments, including minimally-invasive procedures like targeted injections and nerve blocks, and physical therapy, to address the source of the pain and reduce reliance on oral medications. Dr. Cara focuses on helping patients feel better and live more actively.
- I have terrible nerve pain from my diabetes (neuropathy). Can you help?
- Yes. Neuropathic pain requires a specialized approach, and Dr. Cara has extensive expertise in managing this type of pain. He utilizes various methods, including specific medications, nerve blocks, and even advanced treatments like spinal cord stimulation to help calm overactive nerves and provide relief.
- 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 your spine. It helps reduce swelling and inflammation around nerves, often providing significant pain relief. When performed by a specialist like Dr. Jeffrey Cara using x-ray guidance, it is a very safe procedure.
- How is pain from cancer managed?
- Managing cancer-related pain is a critical part of your overall care and quality of life. Dr. Cara works closely with your oncologist to create a personalized plan that may include carefully managed medications, advanced nerve blocks, or even implantable pain pumps to provide consistent relief while minimizing side effects.
- What is Radiofrequency Ablation (or Neurotomy)?
- Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to temporarily shut off a nerve sending pain signals from a specific joint to the brain. This can provide significant pain relief for six months or more. It's a long-lasting option for many people.
- My osteoarthritis makes my knees (or back) so stiff and sore. What can a pain specialist do?
- Osteoarthritis is a very common cause of chronic pain, and while we can't reverse the arthritis, we can greatly reduce your pain. We offer treatments like joint injections with cortisone or viscosupplements, and for back pain, procedures like radiofrequency ablation, all aimed at improving mobility and comfort.
- 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 pleasant sensation or nothing at all. Patients can try this therapy with a temporary trial before committing to the implant.
4425 Military Trl Ste 203
Jupiter FL 33458
Phone: (561) 320-1180
Dr. Jeffrey Cara, DO 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): 1972945061
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. Jeffrey Cara 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.
