Bringing Comfort Home: Crystal Berumen's Passion for Pain Management in Lumberton

There’s something truly special, you could say, about coming home. And for Crystal Berumen, a compassionate new face at Southeastern Spine & Pain, that homecoming means bringing genuine relief and understanding to her community, right here in Lumberton.

Born in Texas, yes, but Berumen spent the formative years of her youth right here in town, moving to Lumberton when she was just eleven. It was here she navigated the halls of Lumberton High School, and it was here she began shaping her academic future, eventually pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology with a pre-med focus at UNC Pembroke. Quite the local journey, wouldn't you agree?

Her path wasn’t a straight shot, of course. Before diving into her advanced studies, she honed her skills and, importantly, her empathy, as an ER technician at UNC Health Southeastern. Imagine the spectrum of human experience she encountered there – the urgency, the fear, the immediate need for care. That hands-on experience, one might argue, really grounded her.

Then came Campbell University, where she earned her master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies. A rigorous program, no doubt, but one that paved the way for her true calling. Initially, interestingly enough, dermatology had captured her attention. The precision, the visual aspect – it held an appeal. But then, as often happens in life, something shifted, something deeper took hold.

“Being able to provide someone with relief,” she explains, a warmth in her voice, “it's just a different kind of feeling.” And you know, for many, pain isn't just a physical sensation; it’s a constant companion, stealing away joy, limiting life. Berumen understands this on a profound level. Her drive? To help folks reclaim their lives, to get them back to their daily routines, truly unburdened.

She’s a big believer, she tells us, in the power of listening. “My biggest goal is just to listen to them and understand what their goals are,” she says. It’s not just about prescribing; it's about connecting. And that connection, paired with clear, thoughtful education, is key. “Once you know why you're hurting, you're able to take those steps and get better,” she notes. A simple truth, perhaps, but a powerful one for someone grappling with chronic discomfort.

Her approach, by the way, is wonderfully comprehensive. Think injections to target specific points, yes, but also a strong emphasis on physical therapy – empowering the body to heal – and careful medication management. It's a multi-modal strategy, really, designed to tackle pain from several angles, to offer the most complete path to wellness possible.

Beyond the clinic walls, Berumen is, for all intents and purposes, a devoted mother. She cherishes time with her young son, and she still makes time to visit family in Texas, her first home. Travel, too, is a passion, providing that much-needed balance to a demanding, yet incredibly rewarding, profession. Perhaps it's her roots, perhaps it's just her nature, but Crystal Berumen embodies a spirit of care that feels both professional and deeply personal, a true asset to Lumberton's health landscape.