A physician who evaluates your pain and manages various pain problems is a pain management specialist. They treat acute pain conditions like headaches and numerous chronic, long-lasting pain conditions like low back pain.
A pain management specialist also creates a treatment plan to help patients quickly resume daily activities without surgery or a significant reliance on medication while relieving and reducing pain. The doctor coordinates care with an interdisciplinary team of medical experts to ensure that all patients receive the proper care. These experts consist of:
- Physiatrists
- Surgical specialists
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Anesthesiologists
- Internists
- Oncologists
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
- Nurses
Education of pain management specialists
Pain management specialists complete more than nine years of medical school. They first receive a general education. After that, they receive four more years of practical training in a discipline like neurology, physical medicine, or anesthesiology. They then complete a final year of training dedicated to treating only pain. The American Board of Pain Medicine issues a certificate as a result.
Conditions treated by the pain management specialists
Arthritis and muscle and joint injuries: Gout and osteoarthritis are two sorts of arthritis that can be very painful to the joints. Orthopedic wounds (like frozen shoulders) restrict motion and cause pain and stiffness.
- Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like lupus, Crohn's disease, and other autoimmune conditions make your immune system attack your body.
- Back injuries: These include herniated disks, sciatica, and other back issues. These conditions frequently result in pain and restricted mobility.
- Chronic pain disorders: Multiple disorders can cause widespread pain throughout your body, including those that cause chronic pain. These include fibromyalgia, central pain syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
- Endometriosis: This painful condition can cause the lining of the uterus to grow outside the walls of the uterus. The symptoms of endometriosis include abdominal pain and irregular periods.
- Facial pain: Several conditions cause facial pain, such as trigeminal neuralgia (TN), an abscessed tooth, and other dental issues.
- Headaches: Migraine headaches and cluster headaches cause neck and head pain.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy): Nerve damage can cause pain, tingling, and stinging. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common disease-causing nerve damage.
Treatment approach for pain management
A primary care physician, simple painkillers, and physical therapy are the first steps in treating pain. You can see a pain management specialist near you for more advanced management.
Medications (anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants) and injections that block pain are used as first-line treatments (nerve blocks or spinal injections). It is also possible to use TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators), which deliver low-voltage electrical current to painful areas using skin pads.
Second-line therapy entails sophisticated techniques like viscosupplementation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). RFA involves applying heat or chemical substances to a nerve to block the transfer of pain signals. It treats chronic pain issues like spinal arthritis. The treatment for arthritis pain, known as viscosupplementation, involves injecting lubricating fluid into the joints. At this point, the doctor might also recommend potent drugs.
The third line of treatment is a spinal cord stimulator or pain pump implant. Since the spinal cord serves as the body's control center for pain perception, these treatments work to reduce pain at that level. Another option at this time is regenerative (stem cell) therapy.
Why should you see a pain management specialist?
Pain and discomfort can occur due to various reasons. It can develop into chronic pain if it lasts for more than three months. Therefore, it is essential to find the underlying causes of pain to help alleviate its symptoms and provide relief. Equipped with the necessary expertise, pain management specialists actively diagnose, treat, and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by pain. Hence, it would help if you visited them for the following reasons:
- Identify the cause of pain: The primary goal of a pain management specialist is to find the root cause of your pain. They will listen to your complaints and collaborate with doctors to develop effective treatment plans.
- Post-surgery pain: Surgeries can sometimes cause lingering pain after the procedure. Most pain can improve with physical movements within a few weeks. However, some surgeries can cause the pain to persist for more extended periods. Hence, you can visit a pain management specialist near you to diagnose and develop a comprehensive treatment plan. A few examples include surgeries for broken bones, spine, knee and hip replacements, and amputations.
- Cancer pain: Pain can occur as a side effect of cancer treatment or from the disease itself. It may range from mild to severe on any body part or affected area. Pain management specialists can assess your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment to provide relief.
- Nerve pain: Pain developing in the nervous system can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Specialists in treating nerve pain, pain management specialists actively address such conditions. Most nerve-related pain occurs due to nerve damage and other conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, and brachial plexus injury.
- Acute pain: Acute pain can develop quickly and tends to be sharp. If the underlying condition is treated, it goes away by itself in a few days or months. However, if left untreated for a long time, it can develop into chronic pain. Some causes of acute pain may include sprains, pulled or strained muscles, mild cuts, burns, infections, and blunt trauma. Patients may require strong medications or injections in severe cases.
- Chronic pain: People experience chronic pain when said pain lasts for at least several months. It can be a dull ache or severe enough to hinder one's quality of life. In such cases, pain management specialists can help address the issue and provide various treatment plans to help patients find relief.
- Neuropathic pain: People experience neuropathic pain due to nerve damage by conditions like stroke, spinal cord injuries, diabetic neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis. Pain management specialists help such people by prescribing medications or other forms of treatment.
- Nociceptive pain: People can feel nociceptive pain due to tissue damage from underlying conditions like bone fractures, burns, cuts, or muscle pain due to repetitive activities or overuse. People can also experience this pain from sprains or joint damage, such as arthritis. The pain comes in the form of aching, throbbing, or sharp, and it can be either acute or chronic.
- Functional pain: People may experience functional pain without apparent injury or damage to the body. Some causes include chronic cardiac chest pain, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and temporomandibular dysfunction. Pain management specialists can help people experiencing such pain by addressing the underlying condition.
What to expect on your first visit?
During your initial visit, a pain management physician will inquire about your symptoms. They might also review your past documents, medication list, and previous diagnostic tests (X-ray, MRI, CT). You must carry out earlier studies (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs), as they are beneficial. The doctor will conduct a holistic physical examination. Keeping a pain journal or at least being aware of your pain patterns before the first appointment is helpful.
Questions asked by the pain management specialist on your first visit:
- Where do you feel pain? (which body part)
- What does your pain feel like? (dull, aching, tingling)
- How often do you feel pain? (how often during the day or night)
- When do you feel the pain? (with exercise or at rest)
- What makes your pain better? (does a specific medication help)
- Have you experienced any additional symptoms along with your pain? (like losing control of one's bowels or bladder)
Finding the most suitable pain management specialist near you in Hollywood, Florida
It can be very challenging to deal with physical and mental pain. If you're experiencing pain, consult your doctor about a specialized pain management strategy with Zocdoc. In just a few clicks, Zocdoc can assist you in scheduling a consultation with a pain management specialist. Enter the necessary data on the website, including the required specialization (pain management specialist), location (Hollywood, Florida), preferred consultation date, insurance carrier, and insurance plan. Next, select the "Find" button.
Zocdoc will match you with the appropriate medical facilities and practitioners in and near your area. You can use the filters on Zocdoc to narrow down your search results quickly. For instance, you can specify a consultation time before 10 am, after 5 pm, etc. You can also choose the travel time, the hospital the provider is affiliated with, and their gender and language.
You can browse their pages if necessary to learn more about the clinics. Read up on the diseases they treat and the services they provide. To get more first-hand information read verified patient ratings and reviews. You can also check out the final FAQ section for more questions.
Furthermore, you can auto-filter search results to find providers within your insurance network by updating your Zocdoc account's insurance information. You can photograph and upload your health plan card on the Zocdoc app. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
You can schedule appointments with pain management specialists near you on Zocdoc, both online and in person. You can always schedule an appointment with a pain management specialist through Zocdoc—simple, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics on the diseases treated by pain management specialists in the US
Arthritis statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 58.5 million adults in the US have arthritis. Adults of working age (57.3%) who fall under the age group are most likely to have arthritis in the US (18 to 64 years). Around 8 million working-age people say that their arthritis makes it difficult to find a job.
Autoimmune disorders statistics
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences estimates that around 23.5 million people in the US are affected by autoimmune diseases. It covers type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Endometriosis statistics
The Office on Women's Health (OWH) estimates that one in ten American women of reproductive age have endometriosis. More than 11% of American women may be affected, or roughly 6.5 million women between the ages of 15 and 44. It is more common in women in their 30s and 40s and may make it more challenging to get pregnant.
Nerve damage statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that chronic pain, including pain from nerves, is a severe public health problem. In 2019, about 50 million adult Americans (20.4%) had chronic pain.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
National Spine and Pain Centers
WebMD
Spine Universe
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Office on Women's Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
ASRA Pain Medicine
UCLA Health
MiedicalNewsToday
