What Do Pain Management Doctors Do?

Pain management doctors help millions of people who experience persistent pain that disrupts their daily lives. These specialists focus on diagnosing and treating all kinds of pain. Whether it’s back pain, fibromyalgia, or other chronic pain conditions, our doctors at Dynamic Spine and Sport Rehabilitation are dedicated to helping you live a more comfortable, active life. Keep reading our article to see how.

What Does a Pain Management Doctor Do?

As mentioned, in Las Vegas, pain management doctors specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating various types of pain. Let’s look at their key roles and activities:

Comprehensive Evaluation and Diagnosis

These specialists start with a detailed evaluation, including:

• Assessing your medical history, past injuries, surgeries, and treatments.
• Doing physical exams and checking for abnormalities in the affected areas.
• Ordering diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and blood tests to pin pain sources.

Individualized Treatment Plans

After diagnosing the pain, these doctors create customized treatment plans that may include:

Medication Management

• Prescribing medications like Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and nerve pain medications.
• Monitoring and prescribing opioids cautiously.
• Using medications like antidepressants or anticonvulsants for pain relief.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

• Planning physical therapy plans and developing exercises and rehabilitation programs.
• Improving daily function and adapting activities with occupational therapy programs.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

• Acupuncture, including stimulating specific body points to alleviate pain.
• Chiropractic care to address musculoskeletal pain through spinal manipulation.
• Massage therapy services to relax muscles and improve circulation.

Psychological Support and Counseling

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to change negative thought patterns and increase confidence and patient spirit.
• Teaching stress management and relaxation techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness.

Coordination of Care

To ensure the best comprehensive care for patients, these doctors work with multidisciplinary teams, including:

• Working with your regular doctor to add pain management therapies into your overall health plan.
• Consulting with orthopedics or neurosurgeons to see if a surgical intervention is necessary.
• Working with rheumatologists, neurologists, or other specialists depending on the underlying cause of your pain.

Patient Education and Self-Management

These experts educate patients about their condition and make efforts to empower them to manage their pain is crucial. This includes:

• Helping patients understand the nature of their pain and the factors contributing to it.
• Giving advice and recommendations on lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, and daily activities to help manage pain.
• Teaching techniques such as pacing activities, proper body mechanics, and the use of assistive devices to patients.

Do Pain Management Doctors Prescribe Pain Medication?

Yes, they prescribe pain medication. They do it after evaluating the patient’s condition. Medications can include:

• Non-opioid analgesics like acetaminophen and NSAIDs for mild to moderate pain.
• Adjuvant medications like antidepressants and anticonvulsants for nerve pain.
• Muscle relaxants for pain associated with muscle spasms.
• Topical medications like creams or patches for localized pain relief.

Do Pain Management Doctors Prescribe Opioids?

Yes, they typically prescribe opioids for moderate to severe pain, especially when other treatments are unsuccessful. Opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine are usually prescribed for short-term use due to the risk of addiction and side effects. These prescriptions are often part of a comprehensive pain management plan that includes other treatments and close monitoring.

How Often Do Pain Management Doctors Drug Test?

Regular drug testing is a standard practice to ensure medications are used safely and effectively. Patients usually undergo drug testing at the beginning of their treatment and then periodically throughout their care. The frequency varies, but typically, patients might be tested every 1 to 3 months.

What Procedures Do Pain Management Doctors Do?

They can perform various procedures to reduce pain. Some common procedures include:

Epidural Steroid Injections

They inject corticosteroids into the epidural space of the patient’s spine to reduce inflammation and lower pain in the spinal nerves. They perform this procedure with a needle guided by imaging technology.

Nerve Blocks

They target specific nerves and inject them with anesthetics or steroids. These nerve-blocking injections reduce pain signals. Doctors use imaging technologies to precisely deliver the medication to the affected nerve.

Radiofrequency Ablation

They use radio waves to generate heat, which they use to disrupt nerve function and reduce pain. The procedure works like this: They insert a needle near the nerve and apply radiofrequency energy to create a small lesion on the nerve.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Doctors use an implanted device that sends electrical signals to the spinal cord to tamper with pain signals. This device can be surgically placed under the patient’s skin, with electrodes positioned near the spinal cord.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections typically include a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a corticosteroid. Doctors use these injections to relieve pain and tension in muscle knots (trigger points). The doctor injects a small amount directly into the trigger point to relax the muscle and alleviate pain.

How Do I Find a Good Pain Management Doctor in Las Vegas?

Stop Googling “pain management doctors near me.” If you’re in Las Vegas, look no further than Dynamic Spine and Sport Rehabilitation. Our team is dedicated to helping you find relief. We offer personalized treatment plans in various branches in Las Vegas, Summerlin, Centennial Hills, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the steps toward a pain-free life.

Conclusion

Pain management experts and specialists play a vital role in helping people manage and eliminate their chronic pain. They use a variety of treatments and procedures to address different types of pain, aiming to improve their patient’s quality of life. If you’re dealing with back pain, fibromyalgia, or another painful condition, these specialists can offer the support and treatment you need.

FAQs

What will a pain management doctor do?

They evaluate, diagnose, and treat chronic pain conditions using various treatments, including medications, physical therapy, and interventional procedures, to lower pain and improve quality of life.

Do I need a referral for a pain management doctor?

In some cases, referrals from your doctor are required, but it depends on your insurance policy.

Do pain management doctors do surgery?

They typically do not perform surgery. They focus on non-surgical treatments, but they may refer you to a surgeon if necessary.