A pain management doctor is a specialist specially trained to reduce chronic pain and manage it. These pains may have their origin from an accident, surgery, a specific medical condition, or injury. Usually, a pain management doctor has a whole group of people working alongside him to assist in the treatment process. The group may include
- Physiatrist
- Anesthesiologist
- Specialized orthopedic doctor
- Doctor of osteopathy
- Other healthcare providers specially trained to manage pain in patients
The treatment options are also diverse and can comprise medication, psychotherapy, physiotherapy, or a combination of all of these. The pain doctors are specially trained to deal with specific pains, like migraine, nerve pain, cancer pain, arthritis pain, neck pain, spine pain, fibromyalgia, and many others.
When does a doctor refer a patient to a pain management specialist?
Your primary health care provider may refer you to a pain management doctor when
- All other treatment options have failed
- The origin of the pain cannot be determined
- The prescribed medicine is not helping in treating your condition
- You may be having serious side effects from the drugs that you are taking
- You desire to stop consuming opioids
- You want to avoid undergoing surgery
- You want to take control of your emotional and physical health that has been affected by chronic pain
If you are searching for a good pain management clinic that has specially trained doctors to help you with your chronic pain, you may contact The Woodlands Pain control clinic located at
.
How to prepare yourself before you approach a pain management doctor
A doctor can only help you if you are a good patient and help your doctor to know about your condition accurately. For that, you have to be prepared with answers to the following questions –
- Where are you experiencing the pain?
- How long has it been bothering you?
- What’s the nature of the pain – a sharp pang, burning, or dull?
- When do you mostly experience the pain? How often?
- Does the pain stay for long or last for a few seconds?
- Does changing your posture or position help you in any way?
- Is there anything that has helped to manage the pain so far?
- Do you witness other symptoms like depression, irritability, constipation, sleeplessness, or weight loss?
You may be asked to rate the ache on a scale of 0 to 10. Keeping a journal about the frequency, severity, and time of occurrence of the pain may help. It will aid the doctor in learning and understanding the pattern of your pain, and accordingly, he can suggest the right course of treatment.
Ways to treat your pain other than medication
If you are not keen on taking medicine to treat your pain, you can convey the same to your consulting doctor. There is non-drug options for managing pain and depending on the severity of your condition, the doctor may ask you to consider other methods like
- Acupuncture
- Counseling (Talk therapy, group therapy, or psychotherapy)
- Physical therapy
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Massage therapy
- Biofeedback
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Chiropractic treatment
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Weight management
- Music therapy
- Treatment using assistive devices (such as walkers or splints)
Conclusion
So, if you have been suffering from chronic pain for a period, then it’s time to ask your medical practitioner whether you need to consult a pain management doctor.