The term “pain management specialist” can be used interchangeably with “pain management doctor” or “pain specialist.”. A physician in this field is either a medical doctor or an osteopath. The specialty of this person is treating pain.
As a physician, this individual has received extensive, specific training in the management of pain for many conditions such as cancer pain, injuries, post-operative pain, and chronic pain. There may be specialties for these doctors depending on the setting, including addiction, arthritis, back, knees and neck pain, cancer pain, chronic pain, complex pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, head pain, neuropathic pain, orofacial pain, palliative care, pelvic pain, and other unspecified pains.
It is common for pain specialists to be members of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM). An organisation dedicated to providing up-to-date information on pain, advocating for the practice, and encouraging pain research. A pain doctor’s membership in the academy of pain medicine is useful for you to inquire about.
Doctors, including your primary care provider, can receive assistance from pain specialists regarding types of pain and its treatment.
Pain Relieving Treatment Action
Depending on the cause of your pain, you will have different treatment options. Occasionally, your pain will be completely eradicated; at other times, it will be managed. A few standard solutions are listed below.
Massage: You may find some benefits in massage if your Pain Management Doctor recommends it. The type of massage provided in this type of treatment is not the kind you would receive at a spa. Essentially, it is a rehabilitative massage administered by a trained massage therapist.
Physical Therapy: A physical therapist manipulates soft tissues, adapts exercises to your condition, offers advice on managing pain, and will give you a routine to follow at home. Usually, it involves specific exercises to help your body heal itself non-invasively.
Chiropractic Manipulation: In order to restore your spine to its natural position, this Pain Management Doctor will manipulate your skeletal system. Upon repositioning the skeleton, the body will begin healing naturally. Besides hot and cold compresses, anti-inflammatory over-the-counter drugs can assist in the healing process.
Trigger Point Injections: Muscles that are knotted or tight can be treated with injections into the muscles. Local anaesthetic or saline is contained in the needle fluid. Furthermore, it may contain glucocorticoids as well as corticosteroids. By making the trigger point inactive, the medicine works.
Medications: Prescription medications are available to alleviate pain as well as the underlying cause of the problem, depending on the source. It will depend on your circumstances, but you may be prescribed corticosteroids, opioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants (anti-seizure medications), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or lidocaine patches.
Nerve Blocks: Body parts are numbed with nerve-numbing agents injected into specific areas. Local anaesthetics are used in them. Besides identifying the source of pain, the injection can also be used to administer other treatments.
Implantable Devices: Your body is implanted with a small device. Electrical pulses are sent to the spinal cord by this device. By doing this, pain signals are masked before they reach the brain. While it resolves the symptoms, it does not fix the underlying cause. Devices can be easily removed if they don’t work for you.
Surgical procedure: A Pain Management Doctor may suggest surgery if less invasive treatments are not effective.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is the difference between a pain specialist and your Pain Management Doctor?
Health care is usually accessed through your doctor, family doctor, or primary care physician. Their training is not specialised in pain management, but they can prescribe medication or perform preliminary tests such as x-rays or blood tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Pain specialists may also be consulted. The doctor will likely recommend a pain specialist if your pain persists for more than a week without improvement.
What Can You Expect When You Consult a Pain Specialist?
There is a good chance you will be referred to a pain management clinic. An experienced Pain Management Doctor will examine your physical health, examine any records provided by your family physician, and review your personal and family medical history during your first appointment. You should know the names of all the medications you are taking right now.
