Finding pain management doctors near you can be an exhausting task. From recommendations from friends to reviews online, there are so many options for finding one. But, once you’ve found a few you like, how can you narrow down the results to find the one that best suits you? More important, how can you find a doctor that can help you relieve your chronic pain? (And, as we’ll discuss later, how can you make sure you’re the best advocate for your pain as well?)
What do pain management doctors do?
As TreatingPain.com explains, the pain management doctor specialty was:
“[B]orn out of the need for treating all types of pain, including musculoskeletal, spinal and neuropathic pain disorders. With an accurate diagnosis and early intervention, we hope to help patients avoid spiraling into a state of chronic pain, or at least reduce the severity of pain, and improve patients’ quality of life. Minimally invasive procedures and proper use of medications are implemented to achieve those goals.”
Finding the right primary care doctor can already seem like a chore. Finding one that also specializes in chronic pain management? That can be even more difficult. And what should you look for when you do find options? According to the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine:
“The most important consideration in looking for a pain management specialist is to find someone who has the training and experience to help you with your particular pain problem and with whom you feel a comfortable rapport. Since many types of chronic pain may require a complex treatment plan as well as specialized interventional techniques, pain specialists today must have more training than in the past, and you should learn about how your pain physician was trained and whether he or she has board certification in pain management.”
Why should I visit a pain management clinic?
Pain management clinics offer patients more options than a primary care doctor when it comes to comprehensive and interventional pain management. As WebMD explains:
“Although pain clinics differ in their focus and offerings, most involve a team of health care providers that can help you with a variety of strategies to manage your pain. These health care providers are likely to include doctors of different specialties as well as non-physician providers specializing in the diagnosis and management of chronic pain. These providers may inc