How Do Pain Management Doctors Treat Pain?

How Do Pain Management Doctors Treat Pain?

Chronic pain disrupts daily activities and makes it hard to sleep at night.

When you are living with chronic pain, it overshadows every other aspect of your life. For example, many people find it hard to enjoy their favorite hobbies or time with loved ones. Plus, chronic pain takes a toll on energy levels.

A pain management clinic can be a great resource if you are living with chronic pain or have intense pain from an acute injury.

Often, patients are unable to find pain relief through a general practitioner or primary care physician – but they can find answers with a pain management specialist.

Services Available from a Pain Clinic

When you visit a pain management clinic, the healthcare team focuses specifically on diagnosing and treating chronic pain. However, this approach is much more than symptom management. The goal is to take an interdisciplinary approach that gets to the root cause of a patient’s pain.

One benefit of going to a pain clinic is that you have the opportunity to work with a team of healthcare providers. Since pain management looks at the whole person, it’s helpful to integrate services from different specialists, such as:

  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Physical Therapists
  • Vocational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Dieticians or Nutritionists

Dual Approach for Pain Management Treatments

There is a two-fold approach when working with a pain management doctor. First, the goal is to reduce immediate pain as much as possible so you can find relief. For example, medications might be helpful on a short-term basis to alleviate discomfort so other treatment methods can be implemented.

Then, long-term relief is targeted using different treatments that get to the root cause. Pain management doctors understand that pain medications aren’t a long-term solution because they only cover up the symptoms instead of providing true relief.

The Goal of Pain Management

Ultimately, pain management services aim to improve your quality of life. You learn skills to manage the pain, make lifestyle changes, and implement alternative therapies that will enhance your overall health and wellness.

The result: many patients find it easier to function more effectively throughout the day. When your pain is under control, you can sleep better at night and participate in various activities and responsibilities throughout the day.

In addition to reducing pain levels, patients often find that their emotions and moods are more balanced. If you aren’t battling ongoing pain all day long, it’s easier to have the mental and emotional capacity for other priorities at home and work.

What to Expect from a Pain Management Doctor?

What is the approach to treating pain when working with a pain management doctor? Most people assume that pain management means popping pills. But the truth is that pain management doctors are trying to reduce the patient’s dependence on medications.

In fact, pain management doctors are working hard to avoid the need for narcotics. Many addictive behaviors can occur when patients are taking narcotics regularly. Pain management is an alternative to narcotics, helping you reduce the pain without relying on medication all the time.

Pain management doctors first focus on the diagnosis to understand the underlying causes that are resulting in pain. Then, advanced and alternative pain management procedures are used, such as injections, nerve blocks, implants, and more.

Other holistic treatments might also be included in the patient’s plan, such as physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and more.

How Pain Management Doctors Differ from General Practitioners

The experience you have working with a pain management doctor is very different than the approach used by general physicians. For example, a generalist might try different medication doses and types of medication to reduce pain symptoms.

When pain management is no longer working, then primary care physicians often refer patients to talk to a surgeon. Pain management is a great alternative to consider for people who want to avoid surgery.

On the other hand, a pain management doctor partners with each patient and uses various treatments to find the solutions that work best. Every situation is unique, and patients respond in different ways to the treatments.

This ongoing process is part of the pain management plan: finding the ideal results through a combined approach that uses multiple therapies and pain treatments.

Pain Management Doctor: Training and Experience

Pain management specialists have extensive training that qualifies them to work with patients with pain from injury or illnesses. Not only do these doctors complete medical school and residency, but they continue their training with an additional year-long fellowship in pain management.

Many of these doctors are board-certified in a specific type of pain management, such as for cancer patients or sports injuries. Most pain management doctors also work with patients who have complicated diagnostics.

The truth is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to pain management. In many cases, it takes months (or even years) to help patients through different types of therapies.

Considerations When Meeting with a Pain Management Doctor

When your pain is reaching an unmanageable level, and you need additional medical support, a pain management doctor can be a great resource. Keep in mind that the phrase “pain management specialist” is a general term that refers to different types of doctors.

When choosing a pain management doctor, ask about the physician’s background, training, experience, and fellowship.

Consider preparing for your appointment so you can make the most of the time you will spend together. You’ll want to have information about your medical history, medical records from other providers, as well as treatments you’ve already tried.

One effective solution is to provide the doctor with valuable information collected in a pain journal. Information such as symptom tracking, what it feels like, frequency, triggers, and intensity can help the doctor learn more about your unique situation.

Finally, consider bringing a family member or close friend when meeting with a pain management doctor. It can be overwhelming to understand everything that is being discussed, so a family member can help you by taking notes and asking questions as needed.

Is It Time for a Consultation with a Pain Management Specialist?

If you are looking for pain management help, it’s time to talk to us at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists. We provide comprehensive pain management services with a focus on alternative treatments. We are located nearby in the Louisville, Kentucky, area.

When you are ready to learn more, we invite you to call our office to book a consultation: (502) 995-4004.