Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans experience chronic pain? Whether you have ongoing pain issues or a sudden onset of pain, you may want to make an appointment with a professional who can help alleviate your discomfort. 

But do you know what to expect from a pain management doctor? After all, before you visit a professional, you’ll be eager to know what they will do and how they can help. 

Although a pain management physician will treat each patient according to their individual circumstances, there are several aspects that you can generally expect when seeking treatment. 

Read on to learn more. 

Initial Evaluation

At your first consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to describe your pain to your doctor. Your physician will ask you questions about various aspects, such as when the pain occurs and if you have noticed any triggers. Before attending, it can help to make a list of your pain-related issues in case you forget to mention any important points while you are there. 

This can give your doctor an overview of your condition so they can make an accurate assessment. 

Diagnostic Tests

Based on what you say to your pain management doctor, and what information they still need to know, you may need to undergo diagnostic tests. This can help your physician find out more about the potential causes of your pain, and give them insights as to possible solutions. 

Individual Treatment Plan

Your doctor will base your treatment plan based on your individual condition. This may include providing advice on managing neck pain, or extend to prescribing pain management drugs. It’s important to discuss your options with your physician to ensure you understand how each treatment method will help ease your discomfort. 

Ongoing Care

You may need to see a pain management doctor more than once. This could particularly be the case if you have a chronic pain condition that is proving difficult to treat. These sessions can be a good chance to discuss which pain management techniques are working, and which ones you might be better off dropping. 

Your doctor can also perform further evaluations during each pain management visit. This can help them to check that you’re receiving the best possible advice and care. As the physician gets to know more about your condition, they may also be able to come up with more effective procedures for pain management to help you over both the short and long term.

Now You Know What to Expect from a Pain Management Doctor

When you know what to expect from a pain management doctor, it can give you the confidence to book an appointment. You can explain your discomfort to your physician during the initial consultation, and you may need to undergo further tests to find the cause of your pain. A physician can then create a care plan, and provide follow-up care should your pain persist.

This could lead to your pain becoming less of a problem or even disappearing altogether. 

If you’ve found this pain management post helpful, check out more of our excellent blog articles before you go.