Frequently Asked Questions
A pain management physician has expertise in treating a wide spectrum of pain disorders including acute pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, and sometimes a combination of these. Pain management specialists have special training in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of these disorders and more. Their patients commonly experience pain for reasons such as surgery, injury, nerve damage, and metabolic problems such as diabetes
When looking for a pain management specialist, it is important to find one with expertise in the specific pain problem you are having and someone that you feel comfortable with. The variety and complexity of pain treatments and interventional techniques require a specialist that has had extensive training and board certification in pain management, so this is essential information you should know about your physician. Learn about how your physician has been trained, if they have any experience with treating your specific pain disorder, and what types of treatment they offer.
Talk to your primary care physician about being referred to a pain management specialist. Usually a pain physician will communicate with your primary care physician to insure optimum treatment. It’s also common for specialists in other fields such as neurologists, cancer doctors, and back surgeons to refer you to a pain physician that they work closely with.
First visits will usually involve an evaluation performed by the pain management specialist that consists of a detailed history, a physical exam, and a review of the tests that you have performed. The information your doctor gathers mostly pertains directly to the pain problem you are dealing with, but they will also want to know about previous and current medical history as well. You will probably be asked to bring any imaging studies (including X-rays, CAT scans, or MRI scans) as well as tests that have already been performed. The most important part of this visit is your physician analyzing your case and discussing their initial assessment of your pain problem so that you leave your first visit with a clear understanding of your pain and the course of further evaluation.