When to See A Pain Management Doctor
How long should you suffer from nagging, irritating pain before seeing a doctor? Should you endure that constant pain from arthritis or an old injury because you think nothing can be done? Consider getting treatment from a pain management specialist.
If you live in the Charleston area of South Carolina, it’s easy to find qualified pain management specialists that will take the time to provide the personal attention you need to develop a treatment plan, whether you have a short-term or continuing, long-term need.
If you have suffered from pain for more than three months, it is considered chronic. This would include pain in the following areas of the body:
Abdomen
Arms
Joints
Legs
Neck
Nerves
Pelvic
Post-surgery
Spine
A pain management specialist can also treat pain resulting from diseases such as cancer or fibromyalgia.
One of the major problems with patients suffering from chronic pain is that they wait too long before consulting a specialist for treatment. Here are some guidelines to know when the time is right to seek treatment.
The pain persists three months or longer
Internal medicine and family doctors can treat many areas of the body. Pain management specialists deal exclusively in relieving chronic, acute, or severe pain.
You are on prescription painkillers and want to stop
Prescription painkillers can have unpleasant side effects. Pain specialists utilize alternative methods that are drug-free, pain-free, and have few undesirable side effects, if any.
Their techniques range from the traditional to alternative treatments that combat several types of neuropathy. Physical therapy, acupuncture, and new state-of-the-art non-invasive treatment methods are used.
An increase in medication is not helping
Medications become less effective over time in decreasing pain. A pain specialist will review the medications you are currently on and find alternatives to manage your pain more effectively.
You are considering surgery
Patients that have severe pain consider surgery as the last possible treatment for pain relief. But the discomfort some patients suffer is the result of surgery. So they are skeptical about undergoing surgery again and do nothing.
Pain has decreased but stopped improving
People no longer are willing to settle living with manageable pain on a day-to-day basis. Patients will continue to make progress with prescriptions their family doctor has prescribed but eventually get to the point where the pain is no longer decreasing.
If any of the above sounds familiar, it is time to seek the help of a pain management specialist.
There are times when pain can be alleviated wholly and permanently. Other times continuing care is required to maximize your comfort.
Pain specialists evaluate complicated pain issues using a wide range of treatment options. He or she will create a treatment plan specifically designed for you, including any or all of the following:
Non-steroid medications
Additional diagnostic tests
Referral to other specialists
Physical therapy
Injections using nerve blocks or steroids
The use of devices that send signals to interfere with pain transmission
Ongoing follow up
There are times when education about lifestyle changes may be all that is required for complete relief. This could involve activities and movements to avoid, exercises that can benefit, etc.
Dietary restrictions could also help alleviate pain. Anyone that has a dairy or wheat allergy they are unaware of may wonder why they begin to feel joint pain or discomfort after eating certain foods. Once they eliminate those foods from their diet, the pain and discomfort disappear.
In some cases, painless injections may be the best choice for you. A pain management specialist has training and experience in treating central nervous system disorders that cause loss of mobility, incontinence, or pain.
Depending on your condition, minimally invasive spine surgery might be suggested, such as non-fusion, spinal decompression, or spinal fusion. Your pain management specialist will work closely with you to design the treatment plan that not only provides results but will involve the least amount of time, stress, and additional discomfort to you. He or she is your partner in maximizing your health and comfort.
Treatment goals will vary from patient to patient, depending on what result is desired. Some physicians have adapted long-term avoidance of opioid therapy while their patients focus on pain reduction.
While no doctor can prevent illness or injury, they can maximize your current and future health. Our multidisciplinary pain management experts and preventive medicine specialists consult together to develop the best possible treatment plans for their patients. We are committed to your long-term comfort and health.
Your pain management professional will endeavor to find the original cause of your pain and discomfort and take steps to fix and prevent future problems.
The following lifestyle changes may be suggested:
Change in diet
Increase exercise
Manage stress levels
Get sufficient sleep
Stop smoking
Keep a positive mental attitude
Simple lifestyle changes such as good sleep habits or learning how to cope with stress can improve your quality of life and reduce pain levels.
There is not a universal treatment plan for everyone when it comes to treating pain management. You are entitled to live a life without pain. Don’t give up; there are many high-quality, viable treatments that can help relieve your suffering. A pain management professional will find the cause of your pain and provide a detailed treatment strategy specifically designed to treat your pain.
The sooner you seek treatment from a medical professional in the area of pain management, the sooner you will be on your way to achieving the quality of life you desire and deserve.
If you are one of the many people who have been living with the misery and discomfort of chronic pain, contact local pain management experts. You will be glad you did!
And remember, pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Comments