The vital role of pain physicians in pain management

Ironically, while many Americans are familiar with chronic pain, most are not totally familiar with pain management. Pain management helps people alleviate or ease their chronic aches or discomfort, and when it comes to chronic pain management, pain physicians play a vital role. They recognize the complexities of pain, including how it can alter one’s physical and emotional state. In this blog post, we'll explore what pain management is and what the pain physician's role is in treating chronic pain.

What is pain management?

Pain management is a medical practice that manages and treats bodily pain, which can be acute or chronic, caused by an injury, illness or other underlying health conditions. Chronic pain can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life, as it interferes with their ability to do everyday tasks. Therefore, pain management specialists work closely with patients to assess their pain, determine its cause, and implement a treatment plan that works for them.

You can find pain physicians working in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we started our private practice to help patients in Irving, TX get top-quality pain management care from Dr. Edrick Lopez and our staff.

What is a pain physician's role in treatment?

A pain physician is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. They are trained to understand the underlying causes and types of pain, implement a treatment plan, and monitor a patient’s progress over time.

Aside from familiarizing themselves with the latest advancements in pain management, pain physicians also consider other information such as a patient’s medical history, social environment and emotional state. They take an interdisciplinary approach to treating chronic pain, which means they work with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to their patients.

Our goal at DFW Interventional Pain Institute is to help our patients get back to their normal routine through innovative pain management practice. We see a variety of patients with different symptoms and conditions, which helps us get a full picture of how to offer the best possible treatment for each unique condition.

What types of conditions does a pain physician treat?

Pain physicians treat a wide range of chronic pain conditions. Some of the common conditions that pain physicians diagnose and treat include back pain, headaches, neck pain, nerve pain, musculoskeletal pain and arthritis pain. However, pain physicians also manage other conditions such as gastrointestinal, genitourinary and cancer-related pain. Pain physicians will work with patients to identify the root cause of their pain, which can come from multiple sources, to develop an effective treatment plan.

What types of treatments does a pain management specialist use?

Pain physicians use a variety of treatment techniques to manage pain. One of the most common methods for chronic pain management is prescribing medication, including over-the-counter pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids in some cases. Depending on the patient’s condition, pain physicians may also recommend interventional pain therapies such as nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections and spinal cord stimulators. They also use non-invasive methods such as physical therapy, relaxation techniques, and acupuncture.

At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we recognize that each patient's experience is different, so Dr. Lopez always looks at a variety of factors unique to that patient to provide a tailor-made pain management treatment.

Is seeing a pain physician right for you?

If you are experiencing chronic pain that is affecting your daily life, you may benefit from seeing a pain physician. Individuals who have not received pain relief from standard treatments are ideal candidates for pain management. In addition, a pain physician may also be helpful for patients who are concerned about the side effects of medication.

If you’re undergoing continuous treatment and noticing little improvement, it’s worth considering a pain clinic like ours at DFW Interventional Pain. Dr. Edrick Lopez and our staff can work with you to diagnose your condition, develop a treatment plan, and manage your symptoms on a long-term basis.

If you'd like to make an appointment or have any questions about pain management, contact our office today.