What is pain and pain management?
Pain is a general term for any unpleasant or uncomfortable physiological experience. It is expected to experience physical discomfort periodically, both internally and externally. Often, pain disorders can occur due to cancer, acute pain, chronic pain, or a mix of these conditions. Various other variables may also contribute to pain, including surgery, trauma, nerve damage, and metabolic issues like diabetes.
Pain management strategies aim to minimize the severity of pain using modern techniques — relaxation strategies, pharmacological therapy, physical therapies, and mind-body approaches.
Role of a pain management specialist
A pain management specialist near you obtains specialized training in assessing, recognizing, and treating all forms of pain. They offer treatment using various methods, utilizing their in-depth learning of the physiology of pain.
Their skills include administering treatments, using specialized tests to identify illnesses, and prescribing the appropriate medications for various pain issues (such as nerve blocks, spinal injections, and other interventional techniques).
Who needs pain management?
Pain is the primary symptom of many illnesses, infections, and accidents. A pain management strategy can help anyone experiencing it. If you are suffering from any of the following disorders or conditions, you may need to see a pain management specialist near you:
- Arthritis and muscle and joint injuries: Multiple types of arthritis, such as gout and osteoarthritis, cause excruciating joint pain. Orthopedic injuries, like a frozen shoulder, restrict motion and cause pain and stiffness.
- Autoimmune disorders: Autoimmune disorders like lupus, Crohn's disease, and others result in the immune system attacking the body.
- Back injuries: Herniated disks, sciatica, and other back issues are prevalent causes of pain and limited mobility.
- Chronic pain disorders: Several conditions can cause widespread pain throughout your body. These include central pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
- Endometriosis: The uterine lining expands outside the uterine walls due to this painful condition. Period irregularity and abdominal discomfort are symptoms of endometriosis.
- Facial pain: Conditions like trigeminal neuralgia (TN), an abscessed tooth, and other dental problems can lead to facial pain.
- Headaches: Cluster headaches and migraines cause severe pain in the head and neck.
- Kidney stones and urinary tract problems: The passage of kidney stones through your body with urine can be pretty painful. Pelvic pressure and pain are symptoms of interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome).
- Nerve damage: Also called neuropathy, it can lead to stinging, pain, and tingling.
What are the types of pain and their treatment?
Pain may vary from person to person. Following are the types of pain and their associated treatments:
- Acute pain: Starts suddenly and lasts only a short while (i.e., minutes, hours, days, and occasionally a month or two). Usually, it results from a specific event or injury, such as a broken bone, an accident, a fall, wounds or burns, a dental exam, delivery and labor, surgery, etc. The treatment methods include non-opioids, mild opioids, opioids, and alternative therapies like cold or bioelectric therapy that don't use drugs.
- Chronic pain: This is a persistent, recurrent aching that often occurs and lasts more than six months. It may also start as acute pain. Arthritis, back pain, cancer, circulatory problems, diabetes, fibromyalgia, headache, etc., are some illnesses that are associated with chronic pain, ranging in intensity from mild to severe. Treatment options for such include non-opioids, mild opioids, opioids, antidepressants, capsaicin cream, and non-prescription treatments like bioelectric and radiation therapy.
- Breakthrough pain: Also called a pain flare, it can be brought on by physical activity, coughing, sickness, stress, or while taking a medicine break. People taking medications to treat conditions like cancer, fibromyalgia, or arthritis may suffer this abrupt, fleeting, acute increase in pain. Acupuncture, relaxation methods, and short-acting opioids are non-pharmacological treatments.
- Bone pain: A sensitivity, aching, or discomfort in one or more bones that can occur while moving or staying still. Bone pain is commonly associated with cancer, damaged bones, infections, leukemia, mineral deficiencies, sickle cell anemia, and osteoporosis. Treatments include non-opioids, opioids, bisphosphonates, dietary supplements, and surgery.
- Nerve pain: Generally described as sharp, shooting, searing, or stabbing, it is also known as neuralgia or neuropathic pain. The leading cause of nerve pain is injury or irritation to the nerves. Patients with neuropathic pain usually have excessive sensitivity to touch, temperature, and other stimuli. They may also have painful sensitivity to normal-feeling stimuli like skin brushing. Some common causes of nerve pain include alcoholism, cancer, circulatory problems, diabetes, zoonotic herpes (shingles), leg amputation, multiple sclerosis, stroke, a vitamin B12 deficiency, and spinal cord, brain, or nerve damage. Capsaicin cream, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and non-pharmacological treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can be some treatments.
- Phantom pain: This type of discomfort originates from a missing bodily part. In the past, medical professionals believed phantom pain was a psychological problem, but they now realize that these are real pain sensations from the spinal cord and brain pain sensations. The occurrence is often among people who have undergone a limb amputation. Ketamine, non-opioid painkillers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and complementary treatments like acupuncture or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are some remedies.
- Soft tissue pain: This term describes any pain or discomfort resulting from strained or swollen muscles, ligaments, or other connective tissues. Its common causes are neck or back pain, bursitis, fibromyalgia, injured rotator cuff, sciatica discomfort, sprains or sports-related sprains, etc. It can also result in swelling or bruising. Its treatment options include non-opioids, corticosteroids, ice, physiotherapy, or ultrasonography.
- Referred pain: Such pain occurs when an organ or structure is injured or inflamed and creates pain that seems to come from a specific spot but comes from another location. For instance, people usually feel pain in the left shoulder, neck, and right arm during a heart attack. Constant pain that radiates to the back is a common symptom of pancreas inflammation or injury. The shoulder blade may hurt if your spleen has ruptured. Treatment for such pain includes cold/warm compresses, massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and no opioids.
What are some approaches to managing chronic pain?
Addressing chronic pain can often be complicated, and it may take some time to identify the most effective pain management techniques. This can be due to its varied causes, severity of impact, and duration and frequency of occurrence.
Your pain management specialist may recommend any of the following options based on your individual needs:
- Hot and cold treatment: It is a commonly used and safe way to relieve pain. This is because heat can help to relax muscles and widen blood vessels. Hot therapy can also help with healing after an injury. Cold therapy, on the other hand, lowers blood flow and inflammation, which causes discomfort. It often entails placing an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the skin.
- Yoga: It involves making poses that target specific body parts to help the body relax, strengthen, and maintain flexibility. A safe and accessible pain management strategy, yoga, can be practiced at home, through internet videos, or in a class with an instructor.
- Tai chi: It is a form of exercise treatment that combines breathing and relaxation techniques with slow, continuous, and fluid body movements. The procedure is also easy on the joints and muscles. Tai chi can increase strength and joint stability, and the attention required can boost one's mood.
- Acupuncture: In this method, a practitioner inserts tiny needles into the skin at specific locations. Its advantages include pain reduction, reduced inflammation, relaxation, and fewer muscular spasms. Acupuncture is generally safe when conducted with sterile needles by a competent practitioner.
- Relaxation techniques: One of the many challenging aspects of managing chronic pain is not feeling in control of one's discomfort. Relaxation techniques can help to relieve muscle tension, spasms, aches, and pains. They can also produce endorphins, the body's natural pain relievers. Relaxation can help reduce stress, alleviate some of the load of chronic pain, and promote better sleep.
- Massages: They are a form of soft tissue manipulation. When paired with physical therapy and pain medication, massages can help people manage their pain better. Their advantages include enhanced flexibility, reduced inflammation, improved posture, improved circulation, and lowered stiffness.
What is acute pain and its causes?
Acute pain is the type of pain you might feel right after an injury or medical treatment. This kind of pain is usually temporary, and doctors can often identify the cause and provide treatment. However, if the pain continues beyond the normal healing time, it can turn into chronic pain.
Acute pain can show up in various areas of the body, such as bones, joints, muscles, and nerves. It can also occur in organs if you've had an injury or certain medical treatments, like cancer therapy.
Acute pain happens as a response from your body to an injury or issue. Nerves in the affected area send signals to your brain, which perceives these signals as pain. Common causes of acute pain include:
- Broken bones
- Health issues or illnesses that cause pain
- Childbirth
- Tissue damage from injury, disease, or overuse
- Dental work or surgery
- Muscle strains
- Blunt trauma, such as from an accident or sports injury
Other triggers for acute pain include burns, cuts, and infections.
Anyone can experience acute pain, but how it feels can vary from person to person. If you and someone else experience the same injury, your pain levels may still be different.
Factors that can make acute pain feel worse include:
- Being older
- Genetic differences affecting pain perception
- Being female
Usually, acute pain fades as you heal, lasting from a day to a few months. But if it continues for more than 3 to 6 months after recovery, it's considered chronic pain.
What should you expect at the first session with a pain management specialist near you?
During your initial session, you will be booked for a full assessment. This comprehensive examination usually includes an evaluation of your physical and psychological condition. The doctor and their team also go through your X-rays and medical records. In some cases, they may also order additional diagnostic tests to identify your pain's cause further.
Following the test, the pain management team generally convenes a multidisciplinary meeting to develop a specific treatment plan to address all medical needs and requirements. Some specialists may also request that patients attend the examination with their partner, a close family member, or a close friend to feel supported and comfortable.
Finding the top pain management specialist near you in Chandler, Arizona
Most people have experienced pain in some capacity, like a headache or a stubbed toe. Depending on the pain, various treatments may be possible, and having a pain management specialist who can guide you can be beneficial while undergoing treatment. If you are looking for a pain management specialist near you, you can use Zocdoc.
Zocdoc's extensive database of medical specialists allows you to find doctors using different filters. You can search based on symptoms, location, doctor's specialty, etc. Additionally, you can look for in-network specialists who accept your insurance. You can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account.
However, when searching for and booking appointments, you’ll only be able to use one insurance plan at a time. If you have more than one insurance plan, you can list your secondary carrier and plan in the notes for the provider when you’re finishing up the booking process.
If your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can also add secondary insurance while filling out your forms online. For additional questions about insurance, you can check out Zocdoc’s insurance page.
Once you have added the necessary search parameters, a list of doctor profiles will be listed.
Every profile displays the doctor's specialty, education, certifications, accomplishments, awards, etc. You can also read verified past patient ratings and reviews. Furthermore, you can narrow doctors based on age, gender, hospital affiliations, and whether they treat children. This way, you can locate the most qualified experts in pain management near you within no time!
Few specialists also provide online video consultations before in-person sessions. A purple video icon on the doctor's profile will offer video consultations. Patients can schedule an appointment according to the doctor's availability.
Every appointment on Zocdoc is free, easy, and secure.
Migraine & physical pain statistics in Arizona
According to the Barrow Neurological Institute's 2017 news release, approximately 1.4 million Arizonans reported having intense headaches. Nearly every one in five Arizonans suffers from severe headaches, with the most common condition being migraine. More than 80% of those affected are women aged under 55.
According to a 2021 study by America's Health Rankings 2021, about 22.8% of Arizona residents had some form of arthritis in 2020. The prevalence was higher among females (nearly 27.2%) than males (about 18.2%). People aged over 65 were affected the most (about 47.2%), followed by those between 45 and 64 (around 28.6%) and 18 and 44 (about 6.4%).
Another 2021 report from the same organization states that frequent physical distress among Arizonans was about 10.1% in 2020. More females (about 10.8%) than males (nearly 9.4%) reported having poor physical health for more than 14 days. Those over 65 (about 14.1%) and between 45 and 64 (about 13.3%) had a higher prevalence rate than those between 18 and 44 (about 6%).
Sources
Novus Spine & Pain Center
Better Health Channel
Dignity Health
Barrow Neurological Institute
Drugs.com
American Anesthesiology of North Carolina
America's Health Rankings[1]
America's Health Rankings[2]
Cleveland Clinic
Medical News Today
UPMC
