What Does a Pain Management Specialist Do?
As the name suggests, a pain management specialist is an expert in all things pain. Specifically, they specialize in diagnosing chronic pain conditions and prescribing treatments aimed at reducing pain to manageable levels so patients can live better lives.
But how do they accomplish all this? What methods do they use and what approaches do they take? Well, you are about to find out!
How does a pain management specialist diagnosis chronic pain?
In short, a pain management specialist is a partner and guide on the patient’s journey to pain relief. A pain specialist listens carefully and seeks to understand where the patient’s pain is coming from and how it impacts their life. Additionally, they run minor tests and review medical records to get an overall view of the patient’s situation.
Once they have gathered all the necessary information, a pain management specialist will be able to determine what is causing your pain. The next step will be to review the various treatment options available to you. The best treatment may vary depending on your diagnosis, but rest assured, your pain provider will know what is best for you.
“A pain management specialist listens carefully and seeks to understand where the patient’s pain is coming from and how it impacts their life.”
Though there are many ways to treat chronic pain, not all may be suitable for your situation or condition. A good pain specialist will provide their professional recommendation but will also be understanding of your opinions and preferences. Together, you will be able to put together an ideal treatment plan.
How do pain management specialists treat chronic pain?
There is a wide variety of effective and minimally invasive options out there for treating chronic pain. The best treatment for your chronic pain will depend on a few things, including the cause of the pain and your medical history. It is fairly common practice to start with more conservative options and then, if they fail to provide relief, work up to the more advanced treatments.
Medication and physical therapy
The usual starting point will be a tightly controlled medication regimen and/or physical therapy. Both are completely non-invasive and can provide effective relief in many instances. However, pain medications come with risks and some pain conditions are beyond the scope of physical therapy.
Injections
If these options fail, there are numerous different kinds of injections available that may do the trick. Most injections for pain utilize a steroid (an anti-inflammatory agent), an anesthetic (a numbing agent) or both. Some injections can be performed in a clinic setting while others are done in a surgery center. Regardless, injections are brief, minimally invasive, and can offer months of relief.
Radiofrequency ablation
Should injections be unsuccessful, radiofrequency ablation might be an option. An ablation consists of applying heat from radio waves to burn (ablate) the nerve ending. This breaks up the pain signals coming from the nerves, resulting in relief.
Ablations are minimally invasive and performed in a surgery center setting. The nerves will eventually grow back, but ablations can be safely repeated as necessary. Ablation therapy can often provide a year or more of pain relief.
Implanted devices
Finally, if even an ablation does not provide adequate pain relief, your pain management specialist may recommend an implantable device. Implanted pain management devices typically fall into two categories:
Intrathecal pumps
Intrathecal pumps are filled with pain medication and connected to a catheter. The pump sends a consistent dose of medication through the catheter, which delivers it into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord. The medication bathes the area around the nerves causing your pain.
The entire pump system is implanted beneath the skin, where you can basically forget about it while it provides years of consistent pain relief. The pump does need to be refilled every so often. How often will depend on the dosage and frequency of medication delivery, which will be determined by your pain management provider.
Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy uses electricity to reduce pain. A small battery is connected to a couple of leads. The leads are placed along the spinal cord next to the nerves causing your pain. The battery generated mild electric pulses which the leads then deliver to the painful nerves. The electricity “stimulates” the nerves, which masks pain signals before they reach the brain.
The SCS system is implanted beneath the skin, and after it is programmed by your provider and the SCS device rep, it can provide 10 years or more of highly effective relief.
The Pain Management Authority
The pain management specialist dedicates their career to studying, diagnosing, and treating chronic pain. Their expansive knowledge and access to the most innovative and effective treatments makes them an indispensable resource as you seek a solution to your chronic pain.
You don’t need to settle for a life of pain. Now that you understand how pain management specialists operate, you can feel confident in their ability to help you reduce your pain and retake control of your life.
