What is pain management?
Everyone feels some pain from time to time. It is the most common symptom of various injuries, diseases, disorders, and conditions. Pain may also be a side effect of specific treatment programs. Short-lived pain can be easy to manage and may go away when one heals.
On the other hand, long-term pain can last for months or years. These kinds of sensations may both have lasting impacts on the body and one's daily life. This is where pain management specialists become essential. They help with pain regulation using medications, procedures, exercises, and therapy. Read on to know more about who they are and what they do.
Who are pain management specialists?
Pain management specialists help reduce or eliminate different kinds of pain that conditions like diabetes or arthritis may cause. They treat aches of the joints, neck, and back. Such pain may be caused by nerve damage, injury, or surgery. They use targeted injections or oral medications to relieve pain when the cause cannot be accurately determined. They may also consult other specialists in psychology, psychiatry, physical medicine, rehabilitation, sports medicine, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, anesthesiology, or other areas. Besides treating the pain, the specialist will monitor its progression over time.
Pain management specialists can undertake fellowships and gain advanced training in subspecialties such as regenerative medicine, peripheral nerve stimulation, palliative care, neurostimulation, facial pain, fluoroscopy, neurology, physical therapy, rehabilitation, anesthesiology, and ultrasonography.
What do pain management specialists do?
A pain management specialist identifies and treats the underlying cause of pain rather than just symptoms. They aim to restore and optimize bodily function and decrease pain. They may also suggest lifestyle changes that you can incorporate, such as quitting smoking, getting enough sleep, thinking optimistically, managing stress, exercising, or changing your diet.
What are the different kinds of pain?
Some kinds of pain are a by-product of a disease or an accident. Others may linger or return after treatment, such as pain after surgery. Some have unknown causes. Typically, one may experience the following types of pain:
- Acute pain is sharp and typically results from an injury. It improves when a healthcare provider treats the wound causing the pain. It can result from a bone fracture, muscle spasms, a burn, etc. Certain illnesses and conditions, such as appendicitis and shingles, can also cause acute pain.
- Chronic pain usually lasts more than six months. It can result from an untreated injury or condition like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or neuropathy (nerve damage). Lower back pain is another form of chronic pain.
- Nociceptive pain occurs when nerve cell endings send pain signals to the brain responding to an injury. It typically happens after a fracture, a head bump, or a muscle pull. The resulting pain can be sudden and short-lived or long-lasting. It can also affect the internal organs or the musculoskeletal system.
- Problems in the nervous system cause neuropathic or nerve pain. During such sensations, nerves fire pain signals to the brain by mistake, even though they are not damaged. This pain is commonly caused by diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
When should you consider seeing a pain management specialist?
If any pain lasts over three months, you should consider seeing a pain management specialist near you. Your family physician or primary care doctor might refer you to one if you have prolonged pain in your pelvis, abdomen, limbs, or spine.
Such a specialist can also help if you have any direct tissue injuries caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, nervous system, or nerve damage caused by a stroke or spinal cord injury. They also treat pain caused by certain cancers that damage the spine and neck.
What kind of procedures do pain management specialists perform?
Depending on the issue, the pain management specialist may recommend physical therapy, inject nerve blocks or steroids, administer medications, refer to other specialists, or conduct further diagnostic testing. They might even try a combination of the above. They can use advanced implantable devices (such as spinal cord stimulators) to interfere with pain transmission. They may take X-rays to diagnose the pain or suggest nonsurgical therapies such as yoga, nutrition counseling, massage, chiropractic care, or acupuncture.
Exploring pain management techniques beyond medication
Pain management specialists and patients can benefit from various non-medication strategies to address and alleviate pain. These methods offer relief and aim to improve quality of life, reduce stress, and support physical and mental well-being. This guide outlines critical non-pharmaceutical pain management techniques, exploring how each can effectively contribute to easing chronic and acute pain.
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, which can promote healing, especially after an injury. Conversely, cold therapy reduces blood flow and inflammation, which can alleviate pain.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy involves specific exercises and physical techniques to strengthen and stretch muscles and joints, providing relief across the body. 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.
Massage
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.
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques 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. Common 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.
Acupuncture
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.
Standard diagnostic tests that a pain management specialist performs
Pain management specialists go beyond physical assessments and include the following commonly performed procedures that help identify the cause of pain:
- CT scan: During a CT scan, the specialist utilizes X-rays and computers to generate cross-sectional body images. Patients remain on a table, moving through a large, doughnut-shaped scanning device. Occasionally, the doctor may administer a solution into a vein before the scan to enhance the visibility of internal structures. CT scans typically last between 15 minutes to an hour.
- Ultrasound imaging: Popularly referred to as ultrasound scanning or sonography, this noninvasive test uses high-frequency sound waves to capture real-time images of internal structures. It records the sound echoes and displays them as dynamic images.
- MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides clear images without using X-rays. This test involves a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to create detailed images. An MRI may take fifteen minutes to an hour, depending on the number of images required. Sometimes, the doctor may inject a contrast material to improve image quality. It is important to note that individuals with pacemakers or other magnetic-sensitive devices should avoid undergoing an MRI.
- Discography: Pain management specialists perform discography on individuals considering back surgery or when additional diagnostic evaluations are necessary. The doctor injects a dye into the suspected painful disc during the procedure. The dye enables visualization of any areas of damage on X-ray images, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Nerve blocks: Nerve blocks serve diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in pain management. The doctor injects an anesthetic into specific nerve locations to numb the pain. Then, an imaging test is performed to precisely locate the optimal needle insertion site. The patient's response to the nerve block can provide valuable information about the cause and origin of your pain.
- Myelogram: Similar to discography, a myelogram evaluates back pain. The doctor injects a dye into the spinal canal to identify nerve compression resulting from herniated discs or fractures.
- EMG: Electromyogram (EMG) enables doctors to assess muscle activity by inserting fine needles into the muscles to measure their response to electrical signals.
- Bone scans: Doctors use bone scans to diagnose and monitor bone infections, fractures, and other disorders. The specialist injects a small amount of radioactive material into the bloodstream, accumulating in abnormal bone areas. Subsequently, a computer can pinpoint these specific areas of concern.
What should you expect from your first visit to a pain management specialist near you?
On your maiden visit, the pain management specialist will ask about the pain you feel and any other signs you notice. They will also inquire about the source of the pain, what activities cause it, its frequency, and its nature—whether it is sharp, dull, or burning.
They will look at your medications, your medical history, and any previous diagnostic tests you have had done. The specialist may also conduct a physical examination to investigate the cause of the pain. Once they have determined the problem, they will try to treat it with nonsurgical procedures, advise you about lifestyle counseling, or recommend a combination of therapies. They might prescribe medication or treat the condition through advanced techniques if needed.
How do you find a good pain management specialist near Mesa, AZ?
Pain management specialists receive additional training to assist patients whose chronic pain is often challenging to diagnose and may need continuing care. Finding a qualified pain management specialist in your area can be difficult. However, Zocdoc helps you do so from the comfort of your home.
Visit the Zocdoc platform and enter your illness or symptoms, location, and insurance details to find a list of top-rated in-network providers for your unique case. If you want to know your insurance plan, upload an image of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can even contact the Zocdoc service team if you need help uploading a photo of your card. You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
You can streamline your search results using filters based on the specialist's gender, language, hospital affiliations, location, and whether or not they treat children. Each healthcare provider's educational history, including their clinical experience, certifications, licenses, awards, and accreditations, is also provided to assist you in making a more informed choice.
You can read through verified reviews and ratings from previous patients and then book an online consultation or in-person appointment with a pain management specialist in Mesa, AZ. All bookings on Zocdoc are quick, cost-free, and secure.
Statistics on arthritis and diabetes in Arizona
According to America's Health Rankings 2021, about 22.8% of adults living in Arizona had arthritis, which is lower than the U.S. average of around 24.5%. Age is a significant cause of arthritis. Roughly 47.2% of arthritis patients in Arizona were over 65 years of age, nearly 28.6% were 45-64 years old, and only 6% were between 18 and 44 years of age. Of those with arthritis in Arizona, approximately 27.2% were female, compared to about 28.2% at the national level. Meanwhile, for men, the figure was lower for Arizona at around 18.2% than for the U.S. at approximately 20.1%.
Pain management specialists can also treat pain caused by diabetes. According to America's Health Rankings 2021, while about 10.6% of the U.S. adult population suffered from diabetes, Arizona's percentage was slightly higher at nearly 11%. Of those with the condition, almost 21.4% were 65 or older, about 14.4% were between 45 and 54 years old, and around 3.4% were between 18 and 44.
Compared to almost 11.6% of men in the U.S. having the condition, the percentage in Arizona stood at nearly 12.2%, which was lower for women at 9.8% in Arizona compared to approximately 10.6% nationally.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
Medical News Today
