Pain is an unpleasant feeling or physical suffering caused by bodily harm or tissue damage. It can be classified into two different types: acute and chronic. Acute pain is a sharp, sudden, and stinging pain, while chronic pain is dull and lasts for longer periods over months. Unfortunately, pain is something we encounter at least once in our lives.
Suffering from pain can greatly impact one’s movements, which can hamper their quality of life. With the presence of pain, chronic or otherwise, movement can be limited and independence lessened.
Luckily, there are professionals trained to help patients deal with pain.
What are Pain Management Physicians?
A pain management physician is a medical professional who specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pain. They help people regain their quality of life by alleviating the chronic pain that they feel by treating them with various methods.
They Can Help Evaluate and Diagnose the Cause of Pain.
Before a pain management physician can treat a patient, they must evaluate and diagnose the root cause of the pain first. To do this, they must look into a patient’s medical history and examine them thoroughly via physical assessment or imaging tests.
They have to find the underlying cause of pain to truly ease it. A diagnosis allows the physician to figure out and treat the source of pain, not just its symptoms. Having a clear diagnosis allows them to create a treatment plan fully tailored to the specific issue.
Without a proper diagnosis, pain prevention measures can be taken but will not cease its recurrence completely.
Pain Management Physicians Can Treat the Cause of Pain and Help in Managing Pain Symptoms.
After determining the cause of pain, a pain management physician can begin personalizing a treatment plan for their patient. These treatment plans may involve medications, nerve blockers, and physical therapy, depending on the cause of pain.
Pain management treatments vary wildly between patients. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when managing pain. If anyone tries to give you such an offer, it is best to be wary and steer clear of them.
Pain management specialists employ a range of methods in their treatment plans. These include medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and pain psychology. Some specific treatments include:
- Cortisone shots
- Epidural steroid injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Sacroiliac joint injection
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Trigger point injections
Common Conditions Treated by a Pain Management Physician
There are a lot of physical injuries and ailments that can cause pain and discomfort to individuals. Because of that, pain doctors typically treat a wide range of issues that people commonly suffer from. These can include issues that cause both chronic and acute pain.
Here are a few common causes of pain typically dealt with by a pain management physician:
Arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Gout
- Juvenile arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Mixed pain disorders
Nerve injuries
- Sciatica
- Central pain syndrome
- Chronic postoperative pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
Soft tissue injuries
- Sports injuries
- Contusions
- Sprains
- Strains
- Tendinitis
Spinal conditions
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Osteoarthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
Other conditions
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Sudden pain
- Muscle weakness
- Fibromyalgia
- Cancer pain
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Pain Management Physician?
Aside from pain relief, there are many more pros in getting treated by a knowledgeable pain doctor. Here are some examples of possible benefits you can enjoy by getting treated by a pain management specialist:
- Your quality of life will improve.
When a pain doctor helps remove the cause of pain, the symptoms typically follow suit. Treatment typically reduces pain and suffering, improving a person’s function and mobility. This leads to a better mental state and more independence, and a better quality of life.
- Your healthcare costs will not be as high.
Pain doctors analyze your issue in depth, leading to more accurate diagnoses. This prevents you from going through unnecessary procedures that can set you back thousands of dollars.
If a pain doctor diagnoses and treats you early on, you can save a lot of money by preventing further issues that can cost more.
- Care is personalized and highly in-depth, depending on your situation.
A pain management doctor will tailor a treatment plan specifically for you and your condition. This plan will focus not only on the methods of relieving pain but also on your needs, wants, and general preferences in treatment.
Get in Touch with a Pain Doctor Today at the Pain Treatment Institute.
By providing pain relief, pain management professionals help promote the general well-being of those suffering from chronic pain.
If you suffer from chronic pain or other types of pain, it is best that you get in touch with a professional today. They are essential in assisting their patients in getting a better quality of life despite their pain.
Contact the Pain Treatment Institute today to get our experienced pain management doctors to assist you. Our team is committed to providing you with only the best personalized professional pain management care possible. Schedule an appointment with us today, and let us know how we can further assist you.