When Should You See a Pain Management Specialist?

50 million US adults are living with chronic pain. Chronic pain can have devastating effects, costing the American economy up to $80 billion in lost wages each year.

But the damage is far more than financial. Pain can significantly affect your quality of life. It makes it difficult to focus on what’s most important to you, including your family, friends, and career. It’s the reason you need to find a treatment solution as soon as possible.

That’s where a pain management specialist comes in. These experts can help tackle different types of chronic pain. In today’s post, we take a closer look at what a pain management doctor is and why it is beneficial to see one. We’ll also show you how to select the best pain management doctors in Arizona.

Read on to learn more. 

What Is a Pain Management Specialist?

A pain management specialist refers to a doctor who’s trained to evaluate and treat pain problems. These pain issues may range from sudden issues such as headaches to more long-lasting problems like lower back pain. 

Pain management doctors typically use a multi-disciplinary approach when addressing your pain. That may include medication-based treatment to other procedures meant to identify and treat the problem. Generally, the idea is to reduce your pain and enhance your quality of life.

Main Categories of Pain That Pain Specialists Treat

People who visit a pain management clinic usually do so as a result of these categories of pain:

• Pain caused by direct injury to the tissue, such as arthritis
• Pain caused by a nerve injury or a disease of the nervous system, including a stroke
• Pain resulting from both nerve and tissue injury, for instance, back pain

The moment you experience any of these types of pain, specialized treatment from a pain management doctor can prove helpful. 

3 Reasons To Visit a Qualified Pain Management Doctor

Pain can be a complex health problem. For that reason, it’s critical to see a physician with specialized knowledge on treating the condition. Here are three specific ways a pain management specialist will help you.

1. You Get To Receive Personalized and Comprehensive Care

Pain management specialists provide a comprehensive pain management program. They can customize that treatment plan to include both medication and interventional therapies. And depending on your specific problem, your doctor can prescribe physical therapy. 

But why is a personalized pain management approach so critical? Well, every patient is unique. Each patient’s lifestyle, symptoms, and condition differ.

2. A Pain Doctor Can Help Identify the Root Cause of Your Pain

A pain management specialist’s first and most important goal is to find out what’s causing your pain. In doing so, it becomes easier to formulate a treatment plan that can help tackle it.

Often, the process of identifying your pain’s root cause can be quite challenging. That’s because many cases of chronic pain are complex. 

However, a specialist’s advanced pain management training makes it possible for them to conduct a thorough evaluation that includes a variety of tests. This way, they can pinpoint the specific underlying causes of your symptoms.

3. You Get To Enjoy the Latest in Pain Research

The best pain management specialists stay up-to-date when it comes to current research in pain management. Thus, they can offer their patients only the best treatment. Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe treatment that you may not even be aware exists.

Your pain management doctor can opt to use injection therapy, which is usually guided by radiofrequency ablation and fluoroscopy. In the recent past, there have been major developments in regenerative medicine, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which can prove highly beneficial if you suffer from musculoskeletal issues.

By visiting a pain management specialist, you can get a personalized treatment plan that exposes you to the latest pain management plans.

How To Choose the Right Pain Management Specialist

Now that you’ve seen how a pain management doctor can help you, you’re probably interested in seeing one. So how can you tell which doctor to visit in Arizona? Here are a few suggestions to guide you.

Only Work With a Licensed Specialist

When it comes to something as important and sensitive as your health, it’s critical to make sure that you only work with a qualified specialist. The first proof that your potential pain doctor is qualified is being fully licensed to work in your state. 

A top pain management doctor will have no problem providing you with proof of being licensed. If one seems hesitant to do so, it’s a major red flag.

Check Whether They Have a Multispecialty Facility

A multispecialty facility is one that offers a variety of medical services. As we pointed out before, different categories of pain have different root causes. Besides, your pain may be linked to other medical conditions, such as cancer.

The best family management clinic will have a range of specialties, such as vein care, family medicine, pain management, and more.

Opt for a Clinic That Offers a Comfortable and Friendly Environment

The best pain care facilities realize the importance of a comfortable environment for their clients. Such an environment provides the best healing condition for you, which is just what you need when you’ve been enduring pain for a while.

Enjoy the Benefits of Seeing a Pain Management Specialist

Whether you’re experiencing a migraine, back pain, neck pain, or some other type of pain, seeing a pain management specialist can be the solution to your troubles. These experts have the specialized knowledge and resources you need for the fastest possible healing for patients.

Are you interested in the services of a reliable pain management doctor? Please, schedule an appointment with us today to learn how we can help.