subject: What Is A Pain Clinic And Why You Might Want To See One? [print this page] Thousands of people suffer from lasting painThousands of people suffer from lasting pain. This can be the result of an accident, a sports injury, an illness, or the source may even remain unexplained. Living with this kind of lasting, chronic pain can be exhausting and frustrating for patients. They may become depressed as the pain lingers without relief. Many doctors and medical practices are not fully equipped to deal with issues of chronic pain. A pain clinic may be the right choice for many patients with lasting pain.
What is a pain clinic?
A pain clinic typically combines different disciplines to treat a patient's chronic pain. A clinic may offer diagnostic, anesthesiology, and other medical technologies and services alone or in combination depending of the needs of the patient. The focus is often on treating the root cause of the pain as well as the pain itself. A pain clinic usually works with a patient towards a goal of long-term management for the condition.
What conditions does a pain clinic treat?
There are many different causes of chronic pain and each one should be carefully diagnosed and assessed. Pain can affect any part of the body. Some symptoms of an underlying problem can be muscle, join or abdominal pain, stiffness, fatigue and anxiety. Here are some of the more commonly diagnosed causes of chronic pain.
Fibromyalgia
Sciatica
Headaches, including migraines
Surgical complications and scar tissue
Disc herniation and degeneration
Pinched nerves
Muscular injury
Stenosis
These are certainly not the only causes of lasting pain. Diagnosing the source of the pain is just as important as treating the pain itself.
How is a condition diagnosed?
Up-to-date medical technology can reveal many issues. Tools like neural scans may help a doctor pinpoint the pain and then get it under control. Most patients are relieved to learn that many of the newest methods of diagnosis are non-invasive and pain-free.
However, technology alone cannot form a complete diagnosis. It is only a set of tools to be put into the proper hands. Finding a doctor who will listen to and spend time with a patient is a crucial step in the treatment of chronic pain.
How are conditions treated?
Treatment is determined by the doctor and by the condition itself, with input from the patient. Many conditions can be treated with either minimally invasive or even non-invasive techniques. Some cases may require medication which may be used daily or only as needed. Medication may be used singly or in conjunction with additional therapies. Some issues may require invasive treatments like surgery, injection or nerve blocks. Each patient is unique, as is each treatment protocol.
What should I look for in a pain clinic?
Clinics offer a variety of services and treatments. A pain clinic should have a board-certified physician trained in pain management directing the care plan for the patient. The doctor should be a good listener who is willing to spend time with the patient to find a workable plan for his condition. The staffing and facilities should be adequate for the number of patients and equipped for emergencies.
For those who have been suffering in silence, there is another choice. Choosing a pain clinic may be the first step to a more comfortable life.
