Who is a pain management specialist?
Pain management experts are doctors of medicine (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs) who specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and treating different types of pain. Pain can result from injuries, diseases, post-surgery recovery, and musculoskeletal or neurological disorders. Chronic or acute pain may require various treatments, including medication, exercises, therapy, and other procedures.
The pain management physician often works with healthcare professionals to provide a holistic remedial plan. The team may include physiatrists, anesthesiologists, surgical specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, oncologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, internists, and nurses.
Types of pain
Chronic pain: Healthcare experts consider any pain that lasts more than six months as chronic pain. An untreated injury or disease can be a cause of such pain. Also, neuropathic conditions, like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or damaged nerves, can translate into chronic pain conditions. Lower back pain is a common variant of chronic pain.
Nociceptive pain: Nociceptors (nerve cell endings) send pain signals to your brain after an injury. Nociceptive pain occurs when you have a broken bone, pull your muscle, or bump your head. The pain can be instantaneous and short-lived or severe and long-lasting. It can impair your internal organs, like visceral pain, or your musculoskeletal system, like bodily pain.
Neuropathic pain: Several painful conditions can affect our complex nervous system. Sometimes, even if the nerves are not damaged, they can transmit signals to the brain. Diseases like diabetes, HIV, and multiple sclerosis can cause neuropathic pain.
Education and training of pain management specialists
When a physician achieves board certification in their primary specialty and successfully concludes an accredited fellowship, they can apply for subspecialty board certification in pain management. Entities such as the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Board of Psychiatry, the American Board of Neurology, and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation grant this recognition. Notably, these three certifications in pain management are the sole ones acknowledged by the American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
What does a pain management specialist do?
Pain management specialists undergo specialized training to assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent various forms of pain. These highly specialized doctors not only diagnose conditions but also coordinate treatment plans and provide ongoing care for patients experiencing pain, particularly those dealing with chronic symptoms persisting for three months or more.
A pain management specialist deeply understands pain physiology and conducts specialized tests to diagnose intricate pain conditions. They prescribe appropriate medications and therapies to address pain, emphasizing that opioids should not be the initial treatment option. Instead, they explore minimally invasive procedures such as nerve blocks and spinal injections, along with physical therapy and non-narcotic therapies, facilitating a return to normal daily activities without heavy reliance on opioids.
Crafting a comprehensive treatment plan, the pain management specialist aims to alleviate, reduce, or manage pain. Their goal is to assist patients in swiftly resuming their regular activities and avoiding surgery or excessive dependence on medication. These physicians often collaborate with a team of healthcare professionals, including physiatrists, anesthesiologists, internists, oncologists, surgical specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, to meet the patient's holistic needs.
In addition to focusing on the patient's functional capacity, a pain management specialist near you closely monitors their overall quality of life. This approach involves treating the entire patient, not just addressing a specific body part. While primary care physicians can aid in some instances, they often refer their patients to a pain management doctor for more complex pain issues.
Pain management doctors complete an additional one-year fellowship in pain management following their general residency. They are also board-certified in their respective specialties.
Who needs to see a pain management specialist?
Comprehensive pain management can benefit people suffering from different forms of pain, whether induced by physical injury, infections, or internal anomalies. Look for a pain management doctor near you if you are having pain or any of the following ailments:
- Musculoskeletal disorders: Conditions affecting bones, muscles, and joints can cause chronic or acute pain. Some of these conditions are several forms of arthritis, like osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. Orthopedic injuries like frozen shoulders (where the tissues around the shoulder become inflamed and stiff) can also be painful.
- Autoimmune irregularities: Crohn's disease (an inflammatory bowel disease), Lupus (an autoimmune disorder that causes joint pain and rashes), etc., can result in severe and often chronic pain requiring lifelong pain management.
- Back injuries: Sciatica (a nervous system disorder), herniated discs (a spinal cord injury), and other back problems can also be significant sources of pain.
- Chronic pain disorders: Several diseases can trigger extensive pain all over the body. Examples are fibromyalgia (chronic joint and muscle pain), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS, an inflammatory condition that causes pain and skin reactions), and central pain syndrome (a neurological disorder caused by a damaged central nervous system).
- Endometriosis: In this painful condition, the tissues similar to the uterus lining grow outside the uterine walls in other parts of the abdomen. Endometriosis leads to irregular periods and abdominal pain.
- Facial pain: Facial pain can be induced by several conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia (sporadic burst of intense pain on one side of the face), an abscessed tooth (bacterial infection leading to pus accumulation), and other dental issues.
- Headaches: Migraine headaches (a neurological disorder that causes constant throbbing pain) and cluster headaches (severe pain on one side that can happen up to eight times a day) are examples of chronic headaches that need long-term treatment.
- Kidney stones and urinary tract problems: Kidney stones can be excruciating when they pass through the urinary tract. Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome) is another inflammatory condition that causes pelvic and bladder pain.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy): Neuropathic disorders can damage your nerves, leading to persistent pain, stinging, and tingling sensations. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common neuropathic disease that affects the hands and wrists.
What are the types of pain management?
When you choose pain management specialists near you, consider whether they devise a treatment plan that answers your concerns and fulfills your wishes. Pain management specialists and patients can benefit from various non-medication strategies to address and alleviate pain. Depending on your symptoms and needs, your pain management doctor will recommend one approach or a combination of several techniques, including:
- Medications: Depending on the nature of the pain, your doctor may prescribe or suggest over-the-counter medications such as antibiotics, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Hands-on treatments: Pain management specialists may also suggest physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic adjustments, and other techniques to reduce pain.
- Injections and stimulations: To relieve pain, your doctor may recommend steroid injections, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), or radiofrequency ablation.
- Lifestyle changes: Making changes such as eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and getting sleep can also relieve pain.
- At-home remedies: The doctor may recommend exercises or techniques like the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) for home use.
- Counseling and therapy: Chronic pain can impact your mental health. Your doctor may refer you for counseling or meditation to manage anxiety and stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help manage pain by altering how your mind reacts to physical discomfort.
- Physical therapy consists of exercises and techniques to strengthen and stretch muscles and joints, providing relief. This therapy can offer long-term benefits, especially for individuals with chronic pain, by equipping them with coping mechanisms and improving their resilience to pain. Standard techniques in physical therapy include massage, structured exercise plans, and red light therapy, all designed to support overall pain management.
- Hot and cold therapy: Pain management specialists often recommend hot and cold therapy as a simple yet effective approach to managing pain. Heat therapy relaxes muscles and dilates blood vessels, promoting healing, especially after an injury. Conversely, cold therapy reduces blood flow and inflammation, alleviating pain.
- Massage: A soft-tissue manipulation offers significant benefits as part of a comprehensive pain management plan. Massage benefits include increased relaxation, flexibility, improved posture, and better circulation, which contribute to reduced inflammation and stiffness. A 2007 review found massage particularly effective for lower back pain, though research remains mixed on its benefits for other types of chronic pain.
- Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles at precise points in the body to relieve pain. Proposed benefits include pain relief, reduced inflammation, relaxation, and decreased muscle spasms. When administered by trained practitioners using sterile needles, acupuncture is generally safe.
- Relaxation techniques: These effectively reduce muscle tension, spasms, and general discomfort while encouraging the release of endorphins—natural painkillers produced by the body. Managing stress through relaxation can ease the strain of chronic pain and improve sleep quality. Standard relaxation methods for chronic pain management include:
- Deep breathing techniques: Slow, controlled breathing, such as box breathing, alleviates tension.
- Progressive muscle relaxation: This technique entails tensing and releasing every muscle group from head to toe, focusing on breathing while avoiding areas of pain.
- Calm visualization: Imagining a peaceful scene, like a sunny afternoon surrounded by nature, can offer mental respite.
- Calming activities: Setting aside time for enjoyable activities, like warm baths, reading, or crafting, can help reduce pain and enhance relaxation.
While a comprehensive pain management plan can help you feel much better, it may not always offer complete relief. Talk to the pain management specialist about the side effects and complications of different medications and procedures.
Finding a pain management specialist in Decatur, Georgia
While acute pain can be unbearable at the onset, chronic pain can severely impact your quality of life. Seeking expert care to treat the pain is imperative. Zocdoc is here to help you connect with Decatur's best pain management specialists.
To find the best-rated pain management specialist near you, visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition, preferred date and time, and insurance details. You can filter practitioners by gender, hospital affiliations, and spoken languages. If you need clarification on your insurance details, use Zocdoc's insurance finder. If you are still looking for your health plan in the A-Z insurance list on the drop-down menu, Zocdoc can help.
Go to your account settings and upload a high-resolution image of your insurance card. We will scan it and suggest your possible plan. You can feed the information to the search bar and continue looking for an in-network pain management specialist near you. Our patient help center page has more insurance FAQs for your reference.
All practitioners listed on Zocdoc have detailed profiles highlighting their educational qualifications, professional certifications, licensures, awards and recognitions, hospital affiliations, and more. You can also check the verified patient reviews to help you make the best choice.
You can opt for both in-person and virtual consultations. On Zocdoc, looking for pain management near you is safe, secure, and accessible.
Pain-associated statistics in Georgia
According to a 2019 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20.4% of adults in the U.S. had chronic pain, and nearly 7.4% had high-impact chronic pain that affected their ability to perform daily tasks.
According to an article published by Asbestoc.com, around 84% of high-impact chronic pain patients can only work in their homes. In 2020, approximately 59% of patients opted for telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have revealed that over 30% of office workers complain of chronic neck pain from excessive smartphone usage. Moreover, 80% of U.S. adults report suffering from back pain at some point.
Arthritis is a musculoskeletal disorder that can lead to severe pain. According to America's Health Rankings, 25.5% of the Georgian population had arthritis in 2022, while the percentage in the United States was 27.7%. American Indians (30.9%) had one of the highest arthritis rates in the U.S., followed by Whites (30.5%). Females reported more cases (29.8%) than males (20.9%).
According to the George Department of Public Health, drug overdoses have increased, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports from 2019-2021 show that opioid-related overdose deaths increased from roughly 853 to 1,718. Most opioid overdose cases are driven by fentanyl, which improves pain symptoms. Often found in cocaine, heroin, and counterfeit pills, fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased roughly 124% from 2019 to 2021.
In 2021, out of around 2,390 drug overdose deaths in Georgia, about 71% were related to opioids, and 57% were related to fentanyl. Moreover, emergency department visits and hospitalizations for drug overdoses increased 10% from 2019 to 2021.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
Novus Spine and Pain Center
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Asbestos.com
Addiction Center
Ibis World
America's Health Rankings
Georgia Department of Public Health
Medical News Today
