Who is a pain management specialist?
A pain management specialist is a practitioner with specialized training. They are experts in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating pain. They are qualified to treat different types of pain, including chronic pain and pain that doesn't have a determinable cause. Most specialists register with the American Academy of Pain Medicine or the American Board of Pain Medicine before practicing.
When you visit a pain management specialist near you, they may use a combination of non-surgical interventions and complementary therapies to help alleviate pain. Depending on the diagnosis, they will devise a customized treatment plan for you. Acupuncture, yoga, massage, physical therapy, dietary and lifestyle changes, weight loss, and meditation may be part of the treatment.
They may also prescribe painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. Other treatment options include nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablations, and neuromodulation. Depending on your case, your pain management specialist may coordinate treatment between multiple doctors.
Different kinds of pain management specialists
There are several kinds of pain management specialists. While some focus on certain kinds of illnesses or conditions, others treat various parts of the body. Here are a few pain management specialists:
- Osteopathic doctors, marked by "D.O." after their names, receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, including nerves, muscles, and bones.
- Physical therapists and occupational therapists aid in recovery from injury or surgery, using techniques such as massage, stretching, heat, ice, and exercise.
- Orthopedic specialists and surgeons focus on diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases that impact the musculoskeletal system, encompassing bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Specializations often target specific areas like hips, knees, or shoulders. Treatment plans may involve medication, exercises, or surgical intervention when necessary.
- Rheumatologists specialize in rheumatic diseases, addressing conditions like gout, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendinitis affecting joints, muscles, and bones. Treatment may include medication or injections.
- Physiatrists or rehabilitation physicians treat movement-related injuries and conditions without surgery, addressing pain from nerves, muscles, and bones.
- Chiropractors use hands-on techniques to relieve pain, including back pain and chronic headaches. While not prescribing medication, they offer relief through manual adjustments.
- Acupuncturists address various pain conditions by inserting thin needles into various specific points on the body, promoting healing.
Types and causes of pain
Pain has multiple causes, and every person responds differently to it. While some pain is temporary, others might prove incapacitating. Some ways of classifying pain are:
- Chronic and acute – Chronic pain is long-lasting and might resist treatment. Conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, or nerve damage cause this pain. Acute pain comes on suddenly and exists for a limited duration. It could be due to muscle, bone, or organ damage. You may experience depression or anxiety along with acute pain.
- Central pain syndrome – Any illness or damage to the central nervous system induces this condition. Some causes include tumors, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. This type of pain tends to be constant and may be severe. It could be restricted to the limbs or affect a large part of the body. Movement, touch, or temperature changes can worsen this pain.
- Complex regional pain syndrome – This chronic pain can occur after a severe injury. It could present as persistent burning, and there may be swelling in the area, changes in skin color, and abnormal sweating.
- Trigeminal neuralgia – The inflammation of a facial nerve can cause this pain, which is intense and sudden. It can affect the lips, forehead, scalp, eyes, nose, cheek, gum, and chin on one side of the face. The pain often gets triggered through touch or slight motion.
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain – Nerve damage in the legs, feet, arms, or hands caused by diabetes can result in this kind of pain. The pain may be stabbing, burning, or tingling and varies from person to person.
- Shingles and postherpetic neuralgia – This is commonly seen with a shingles infection and can last up to a month after treatment. The pain can be crippling and usually occurs on one side of the body along the path of a nerve.
What kind of medical treatments do pain management specialists prescribe?
Medical management for pain is diverse, tailored to individual preferences, the expertise of healthcare providers, and factors like pain location and underlying conditions. The pain management doctor may recommend prescription medications or injections.
Prescription medications encompass opioids, steroids, antidepressants, and other pain-relieving drugs. Injections often involve the administration of steroids. Pain management doctors possess expertise in the use of opioids, powerful pain medications that necessitate cautious use due to potential side effects and habit-forming qualities.
Individuals must collaborate closely with their pain management doctor, adhering to their guidance regarding medication dosage and timing to mitigate risks associated with the misuse.
What to expect at the first appointment with a pain management specialist
At your first appointment, the pain management specialist may ask you about your symptoms and the kind of pain you are experiencing. They may check your medical records and look at previous diagnostic studies, such as X-rays or scans. The practitioner will want to learn about your current medications and if you have a pain journal. They will conduct a comprehensive physical exam before recommending further diagnostic tests if required.
Once they have assessed your situation, the specialist will prepare an individualized treatment plan to address your specific health issues. In most cases, all this can take up to an hour at least, and treatment does not start in the first session.
Tips for choosing a pain management specialist
Choosing a pain management doctor is a highly personal and impactful decision. Since chronic pain can deeply affect your quality of life, finding the right pain management specialist near you can make a significant difference. Here are some tips to help guide your search and start an effective pain management plan.
When selecting a clinic, aim for one that uses a multi-disciplinary approach. This step means a team of healthcare professionals will work together to address your pain points according to your unique needs.
- Ask around: With around 50 million American adults experiencing chronic pain, you may know others who have sought pain management. Their experiences and recommendations could help guide your choice.
- Consult your primary doctor: Your primary care doctor is well-versed in your medical history and may have valuable insights into which specialist would best suit your needs.
- Research online: Create a list of potential clinics and check their websites to learn about their specialties and patient approaches. Read patient reviews on different websites to see if their services align with patient expectations.
- Check for credentials: Ensure the specialist is board-certified, which verifies their training and experience in pain management and your specific type of pain. Further, check the authenticity of the certification.
- Confirm insurance coverage: Managing pain can be stressful enough without adding financial worries. To avoid unexpected expenses, verify that the clinic accepts your insurance.
Once you’ve selected a pain management specialist near you, prepare a list of your priorities and concerns for the appointment. This step will help you manage time effectively with your provider and set a clear path for your pain management journey.
Choose a qualified pain management specialist near you in Jersey City
If chronic pain keeps you from doing what you like, it may be time to seek professional help. An experienced pain management specialist can help alleviate your pain, and what better way to find one than through Zocdoc, a platform to book quick and easy appointments with top-rated doctors?
With Zocdoc, you are assured of a hassle-free experience when you sign up for a free account. Our easy-to-use platform gives you an extensive nationwide database of qualified doctors. Use the location, gender, and language spoken filters to refine your search. You can also shortlist experts by entering symptoms and insurance coverage.
If your insurance plan isn't shown on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card. Zocdoc will scan the image to determine and display your probable plan. This service is available only for medical insurance cards, not vision or dental. If you face difficulties uploading the card's image, you can contact Zocdoc's support team for help. For further queries, log on to the Zocdoc patient help center page.
Click on the individual profiles of each specialist to learn about their educational qualifications, experience, and accreditations. Check past patients' verified reviews and ratings to determine if the practitioner is a good fit for your requirements. You can book an appointment once you have vetted the doctor to satisfaction.
Zocdoc lets you book a virtual appointment before scheduling an in-person session. The easy booking process allows you to pick slots based on your schedule and the doctor's availability. You might also find practitioners available on weekends and outside regular business hours.
Booking appointments with pain management specialists near you through Zocdoc is free, simple, and secure.
Statistics on chronic pain and arthritis in New Jersey
Per data collected through the National Health Interview Survey of 2019 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 20.4% of adults in the U.S. have chronic pain. Nearly 7.4% of adults had high-impact chronic pain, which limited their work and life activities. Another survey indicated that arthritis was a leading cause of chronic pain and impaired function among adults in the country.
The CDC's National Health Interview Survey for 2013 – 2015 indicated that the prevalence of arthritis in adults across the country was nearly 23.7%, or 58.5 million. The survey also adds that arthritis increases with age. The number of people affected will likely increase to 25.9% or 78.4 million by 2040.
Data collected by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services from 2008 supports these findings. It indicates that arthritis is the leading cause of disability in New Jersey, affecting over 1.5 million people. The rate of arthritis was higher among women at 28% as opposed to men at 20%. Moreover, the prevalence of arthritis increased with age — about 32% of adults aged 45 – 64 had the condition, while it was around 53% in the age group 65 and older.
Further data from the CDC for 2020 reports that the age-adjusted prevalence of arthritis among adults over 18 in New Jersey was around 18.3%. This statistic puts the state among those with the lowest prevalence of arthritis in the country.
Sources
Pain Specialists of America[1]
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
National Spine & Pain Centers
Einstein Healthcare Network
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services
Medical News Today
Pain Specialists of America[2]
