A pain management doctor has a specialized training in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of different types of pain. Most pain doctors work with patients who suffer from chronic pain for three months or longer. They help patients reduce or manage their pain, regain their function and return to their regular activities.
Most types of chronic pain are hard to diagnose and treat because the pain usually comes from many different sources. However, a pain management doctor uses a number of techniques to locate the main cause of the pain to properly reduce or relieve it.
According to a study more than 76 million people in the United States are living with chronic pain. Most Americans who suffer from pain say that it is hard for them to sleep at night and be concentrated during the day. It also affects their energy levels and quality of life.
You might be referred to a pain specialist by your primary care doctor or you might be looking for one to learn about the specific things that they do. Today, pain management in Gainesville will discuss how pain specialists provide care to their patients.
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Diagnose the exact cause of your pain
A pain management doctor would first diagnose the exact cause of your pain to determine what treatment option is best for you. Expect your pain doctor to take your personal and family medical history, assess your lifestyle, review current tests, and perform a physical examination.
Chronic pain is not a straightforward condition. That is why a pain doctor uses a number of techniques to properly locate the cause of the pain. For instance, a lower back pain can be caused by many underlying conditions such as poor posture, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, sciatica, arthritis or degenerative disc disease.
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Discuss your available treatment options
After properly diagnosing your pain, your doctor will review available treatment options for your condition and find the one best fitted to you. The treatment options include, but are not limited to,:
- Medical marijuana
- PRP therapy
- Stem cell therapy
- Alternative medication
Most treatment methods for pain are combined with other therapies and medications. This is to maximize your quality of life and to achieve better outcomes from your treatment.
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Coordinate additional care across multiple health care professionals
A pain management doctor practices a multidisciplinary approach. This means that you may not only work with one doctor throughout your treatment process, but you’ll have the opportunity to receive care from your pain doctor’s interdisciplinary team. The team of health care professionals may include:
- Nurses
- Physical therapist
- Occupational and vocational therapists
- Psychologists
- Nutritionists and dieticians
When your pain doctor has identified the treatment plan that will work for you best, he/she will coordinate additional care across multiple health care professionals to meet all aspects of your health care needs. During your treatment process it is important to be dedicated and responsive to achieve optimal outcomes from your treatment plan.
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Perform required procedures
If part of your treatment plan involves some therapies such as nerve blocks or spinal injections, your pain doctor will most likely perform them. These types of therapies are being used to treat pain. Most pain doctors are highly trained in performing procedures to effectively help the patients eliminate or manage pain.
Most pain management treatments are a combination of several therapies to reduce the risks of potential side effects and improve your overall health results.
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Provide continuous mental and physical care
Suffering from chronic pain can affect the patient’s mental and physical state. Visiting a pain doctor won’t guarantee 100% relief from your pain. Pain management doctors consider the treatment successful if 50% of your pain is eliminated and if the treatment helped you become more functional.
A pain specialist knows how burdensome the condition is. Therefore, your doctor will continuously provide care for your mental and physical concerns by introducing therapies such as talk therapy or meditation.
Advanced Pain Medical Center – Further information.
If you have any other questions about pain management in Gainesville, please contact us with your queries. The first step in pain management is scheduling an appointment with your doctor to determine the underlying source of your pain and to find out about all possible treatment options. There are many different pain management options available.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
