If chronic pain is making it difficult to get through your day, you may need help from a pain clinic. Also known as pain management clinics, they are healthcare facilities that specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic pain.
They can provide a variety of therapies that will reduce the severity of your pain. The key is to be honest with your pain doctor so that they can adjust your plan until you find something that works.
Personalized Care
The team at a pain management clinic will work with you to understand your pain level and symptoms. The goal is to reduce or eliminate your pain so that you can return to your everyday life activities. It is essential to be honest with the team so that they can get a complete picture of your condition and provide you with the best care possible.
Some pain management clinics also use telemedicine, allowing patients to communicate with their doctors via video conferencing. This can benefit those who struggle to find the time to attend a physical appointment or those working during their appointments.
As the nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems must intentionally build new hybrid models of chronic pain management and SUD care that address stigma, inequities, and barriers to access and delivery of services. These models should support individualized care, person-centered outcomes, and integrated behavioral health.
Group Therapy
The pain clinic near me is being staffed by medical professionals specializing in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. They can also help with other issues that may be affecting your ability to cope, such as depression or anxiety.
One of the most common ways a pain management clinic can provide support is through group therapy. This type of therapy can be very beneficial for people who are suffering from chronic pain, as it can help them connect with others who understand what they are going through.
A pain psychologist usually conducts these sessions involving patients sharing their experiences with others with similar circumstances. Clinical psychologists will often use methods that are effective in helping patients learn to self-manage their pain, such as CBT and ACT. They will also teach patients how to practice relaxation techniques and stress management strategies. They will also advise about exercise and how to become more active
can reduce pain.
Behavioral Changes
In many cases, the way that you live your life has a significant impact on how your pain impacts your daily functioning. As part of your treatment plan, a pain management specialist will work with you to help you make changes in several areas of your lifestyle that may be contributing to your pain. This can include things like sleep, eating habits, exercise, and tobacco or alcohol use.
When you first meet with the doctor at your pain clinic, it is essential to be completely honest. They will need to have a complete picture of your pain to provide you with the most effective treatment possible.
They will ask you to rate your pain from zero to 10. This will give them an accurate idea of how much your pain affects you daily. They will also use this information to determine if there is a physical cause for your pain or if they need to explore other options.
Medication Management
Pain management specialists help regulate pain using medications, procedures, and exercises. They also treat mental health conditions like depression that can be associated with chronic pain.
At your first appointment, a pain management specialist will ask about your pain type, location, intensity, and duration. They may also want to see any prior diagnostic studies, such as X-rays, MRI, and CT scans.
The doctor will then perform a physical exam. They will use their hands to pressure specific body areas, move parts of your body, and ask if you can feel the pain. They will also ask if you experience other pain symptoms, such as numbness, burning, or tingling.
They will then prescribe a medication to control your pain, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, and antidepressants. They may also recommend epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, and other pain-relieving procedures. They will also work with your primary care physician to coordinate ongoing treatment.