“Time is not a cure for chronic pain, but it can be crucial for improvement. It takes time to change, to recover, and to make progress.”—A Day without Pain.
We have all experienced pain in some form or the other in our lifetime. It could be a result of a toothache, a bone fracture, an accident in the kitchen or an injury to an internal organ. Acute Pain can be short-lived or prolonged which is known as chronic pain. Pain can take the form of steady, aching, throbbing, pinching, etc.
If a patient does not find relief to their persistent pain from treatment given by their local physician or a family doctor, then the next port of call is a pain management specialist. Who exactly is such a person and what do they do? A pain management specialist is a physician with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of pain. Their aim is to enable the patients to return to their normal lives. The physician will treat the pain as well as oversee physical therapy, counseling, etc if required. Some of the conditions where pain management specialists are referred to are Fibromyalgia, arthritis, nerve pain, neck pain, and Sciatica. If pain lasts for three months and more, it’s time to go to a specialist.
Here, we will examine in detail what to expect from your pain management specialist if the need ever arises.
Evaluation – The treatment starts with a visit to the office of the pain management specialist. There will be a thorough medical assessment carried out after which a comprehensive treatment plan is drawn which involves a multidisciplinary team to provide care in a holistic manner.
Tests – The specialist may order diagnostic tests as a part of the evaluation. They could be in the form of X-Rays, Thermographic imaging, CT scan, discography and so on. These help to identify the source of the pain and the condition.
Treatment – Thereafter the individual based treatment starts with constant monitoring and adjustments made based on the progress made by the patients. The family of the patient as well as their family physician or the one who referred the patient is kept in the loop at all times. The treatment team is a collaborative effort by a range of specialists such as Chiropractors, wellness counselors, and Biofeedback specialists. Trained and experienced Physical and Occupational Therapists use leading therapies to decrease acute or chronic pain and speed the healing process. Skilled nurses provide comprehensive nursing, appropriate treatment and education to deal with chronic pain issues.
Interventional procedures – If as a part of the treatment process, certain procedures are required, then the specialist will perform them. It could be steroid injections or neuromodulation to aid the treatment process.
Education – During and at the end of the treatment, detailed education is provided by the specialist to the patient, caregiver or the family on managing the condition in the future. Information is the key to success and liberates everyone. Education can never be enough and as we all know, prevention is better than cure.
In chronic pain situations, these specialists will work with patients on a long term basis to reduce the symptoms and the pain.
Don’t suffer in pain, help is at hand. Consult a family physician right away for any pain which impacts your daily routine and well being. It is time to speak up and get help today.