Doctors can specialize in various areas such as general surgery, cardio, neurosurgery, or orthopedics. However, those that specialize in the treatment of pain are known as pain management physicians, like those who work at KindlyMD, a Utah-based pain clinic.
Having undergone advanced training, pain doctors can evaluate, diagnose, and treat pain, both acute and chronic. They have expertise in treating pain caused by a variety of conditions and illnesses, such as sport injuries and cancer.
While the pain caused by these conditions can be more straightforward to treat, chronic pain with no obvious cause can be a bit trickier. It is precisely here that the pain management physicians training will really come to the fore.
Why Are People Referred to Pain Clinics?
In most instances, those attending pain clinics do so because they have been referred by their doctor. But why do doctors refer people to pain clinics instead of trying to treat the condition themselves?
Perhaps the main reason for a referral to a pain clinic is because those who work there are specialists in their field. They might be specialized in psychiatry, neurology, anesthesiology, or physical rehab, among others. They have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to dealing with pain and the causes of it.
If your doctor cannot find the cause of chronic pain, you may be referred to a specialist pain clinic where the physicians there will use a variety of diagnostic tools and services to help find the source of the pain. The pain management doctors will then devise a specific treatment plan that is based around the person’s individual circumstances and requirements. It will take things into account such as family history of disease, age, previous diagnoses, and any current medication being taken. All this information can help when it comes to evaluating the cause of the pain as well as to ensure an effective treatment plan is created.
How do Pain Doctors Treat Patients
Pain management physicians use a variety of methods to help their patients deal with either acute or chronic pain. After evaluating the patient, they will likely request that a pain journal is kept for a period of time (such as a week or a month).
Patients will be asked to include information such as how often the pain occurs, whether it gets better or worse at certain times of the day or when doing specific activities, and how severe the pain is when it occurs. This information can be especially useful in helping doctors to get to the root cause.
Like regular doctors, pain doctors will use a variety of methods to treat pain. As well as specific medication, they might also recommend interventional techniques that might include steroid injections to specific muscles or joints or use implant devices to block pain or deliver drugs. Other therapies include things like acupuncture, meditation, physical therapy, and breathwork.
In some instances, a pain doctor might devise a treatment plan that is based around diet and lifestyle changes, particularly if they believe that the pain is caused by an unhealthy weight or other lifestyle issues such as excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
Conclusion
Pain doctors specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pain. They have undergone advanced training in the field of pain management and are adept at treating both acute and chronic pain.
Pain management doctors carry out in-depth assessments of patients and will order the necessary tests and examinations to help find the cause of the pain. They will then create tailored treatment plans to help the patient with the management of the pain.