Contents
Which conditions are covered by pain management?
To locate the origin of the pain and identify the best treatment, it is important to know the history of the pain, what exacerbates or alleviates the pain, the length and strength, and the parts of the body that cause the pain. Nerves are the neurological terminals in the body that are stimulated when pain is present. The specialists working on pain management are focused on the identification of the location of the source of pain and the most favorable treatment.
When medication management is necessary, a wide variety of techniques are available to identify structures and guide the injection. Fluoroscopy (x-ray guided viewing method) and ultrasound allow the doctor to precisely locate the injection and inject the medication to the appropriate spot.
How to identify the source of pain?
To locate the origin of the pain and identify the best treatment, it is important to know the history of the pain, what exacerbates or alleviates the pain, the length and strength, and the parts of the body that cause the pain. Nerves are the neurological terminals in the body that are stimulated when pain is present. The specialists working on pain management are focused on the identification of the location of the source of pain and the most favorable treatment.
When medication management is necessary, a wide variety of techniques are available to identify structures and guide the injection. Fluoroscopy (x-ray guided viewing method) and ultrasound allow the doctor to precisely locate the injection and inject the medication to the appropriate spot.
How are the pain management specialists?
Treatment of pain is coordinated by three types of physicians: a physician with is specialized in pain management and coordinates the treatment plan and gives consultation; a physical rehabilitation specialist; and a psychiatrist that treats anxiety and depression, especially when pain is chronic.
Physicians that do pain management are approaching the problem from all directions. In each institution, resources available are different and pain management can be done differently. There are no current standards for treatment and the disciplines required for pain treatment.
In addition to the main 3 types of physicians involved in pain management, there are other medical specialties such as neurosurgery, anesthesiology, and internal medicine. The physician that coordinates the treatment may refer you for services from social workers, occupational medicine specialists and medical practitioners.
The American Board of Medical Specialties qualifies a pain management specialist when additional training and credential in pain medicine as MD with board certification in at least one of the following specialties:
- Physician rehabilitation
- Psychiatry and neurology
- Anesthesiology
What are the goals of pain management?
Nowadays, there are many modalities to help reduce pain, including physical therapy, medication, alternative medicine, and interventional pain management. The main goal of pain management is to reduce pain, rather than eliminate it, but also to improve function and increase the quality of life.
According to pain management experts, patients that benefit from pain management are the ones that have had multiple surgeries and are still in pain, but wouldn’t benefit from a new surgery.
The field of pain management considers both acute and chronic pain as one disease. This allows performing research and advance in medicine to reduce the level of pain
This is the regular process for pain management in a clinic you might experience for the first time:
- First evaluation
- When necessary, perform diagnostic tests
- Following test indication, referral to a physician
- Treatment to manage pain (eg. Injections)
- Physical therapy to increase strength and range of motion
- Psychiatry to deal with mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, that may derive from chronic pain
In cases in which patients have become addicted to their pain medication, a chronic pain rehab program can be a better solution than what a pain management program can offer.
Much research has been done regarding pain management, however, many cases that are seen at the clinic don’t follow the same problems patients come in regularly. In those cases, patients suffer a negative impact on insurance reimbursement.
Fortunately, new studies conducted to increase the understanding of the different types of pain syndromes will help insurance companies to understand better pain management therapies. The use of technology could facilitate patient outcomes when pain management is required.
Pain management video
This is a video of patients of the Department of Pain Management at Cleveland Clinic where they describe the outcome of their pain procedures.
No content on this website should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a doctor or other certified clinician.
