Chronic pain is exactly what it sounds like. It is an ongoing period of discomfort that causes people to feel almost constant pain in some part of their bodies.
For people who suffer from chronic pain, it can be difficult to lead a normal life. A pain management specialist can help with that.
Before you decide whether or not to see a pain management specialist, here are some things to consider:
Start with Some Questions
Before you see a pain management specialist, ask yourself a few questions first. To begin, how long have you had this pain? If it’s a new pain, you may not need a pain management specialist right away. If it’s something that has been ongoing, you may.
Another thing to ask yourself is if you know what’s causing the pain and if any treatment has improved your discomfort. For example, if you’ve recently been injured and are currently having treatment, you may want to give that treatment time before exploring other options.
However, the big question you should ask yourself is if the pain you’re in is negatively impacting your daily life. If your current treatments aren’t working and your pain makes it difficult to lead a normal life, a pain management specialist may be able to help.
How a Pain Management Specialist can Help
Pain management specialists will work to diagnose it and determine what the causes may be. Since they focus specifically on pain, they know the latest medical treatments and techniques to help.
When it comes to treatment, pain management specialists can come up with a plan to treat your pain using multiple disciplines. This means seeking out other professionals in areas like mental health, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.
Your pain management specialist can help to figure out a comprehensive plan to treat your pain, even when it comes to bringing others onboard.
What Happens When You Visit a Pain Management Specialist?
When you are ready to head to a pain management specialist, come prepared with information. Your specialist will need to know what tests you’ve had done, what medications you’ve taken and what procedures you’ve have done. They may have you fill out a questionnaire before you come in for a visit so they have the information they need.
If you’ve had any imaging done, like X-rays, CAT scans or MRI, be sure to bring copies of the images for your pain management specialist. All of this data will help to get you on the right path from your first visit.
Expect a physical and a question and answer session during your initial visit. If you need any tests done, your pain management specialist will let you know. Ideally, you should ask if any tests are expected when you are scheduling your first appointment so you can plan accordingly. Depending on the test, you might need to fast beforehand or have someone drive you home after.
Ongoing pain doesn’t have to be a mystery. Let a pain management specialist help you find answers and get your life back.
