BOARDMAN, Ohio - Those who deal with chronic pain, may no longer have to travel to get the care they need. 

A ribbon cutting on Thursday marked the opening of the new Southwoods Pain and Spine Center in Boardman.

Inside the 40-thousand square foot facility is about $3 million in equipment. All levels of chronic pain treatment under one roof.

"We can take care of the patient from the time they say, 'Hey I need intervention because of pain,' through treatment and hopefully to get them to a better place in life relative to managing their pain," said Director of Pain Management, Mark Paczak.

Dr. Thomas Gemma said he's seen the number of patients experiencing chronic pain growing as the population ages. 

"We initially probably saw 40-50 patients, my first year here," said Dr. Thomas Gemma, Medicine Director. "And now I'll see 1,200-1,500 patients in that same year window."

Making a convenient place, even more valuable to even more people.

"he new facility employs 150 workers making the total number employed by Southwoods just under 1,000 workers.  Ed Muransky, the CEO, calls it a win-win for our area.

"If Southwoods didn't exist those patience a e going to the Crystal Clinic in Akron, they're going to Cleveland Clinic, they're going to UPMC, as they have been, and all of those dollars leave our area," said Muransky. "So if they stay here. (It's) better for the patient, we bring doctors into the community, we employ 150 people just for Spine and Pain, and at the end of the day that means we need more people educated at YSU to fill those jobs."

The Southwoods Pain and Spine Center is now open and accepting patients. 

The facility is holding a public open-house on Sunday, May 19th from noon-4 pm. The address is 250 DeBartolo Place.