September marks National Pain Awareness Month, a time when pain specialists and advocates promote pain education and raise awareness about issues related to chronic pain. Many people who suffer from chronic pain do so silently; they hide their pain because of the stigma surrounding chronic pain. The goal of Pain Awareness Month is to break down the barriers to effective pain management, reduce stigma, and create a greater understanding of chronic pain among healthcare providers, patients, and the community.
Understanding chronic pain
Most of us will experience pain at some point in our lives and just expect it to go away with time – and usually, it does. But for many, the pain lingers. Over 100 million Americans live with chronic pain – pain that lasts three months or more, or longer than expected healing time for an illness or trauma. That’s more than the number of people affected by coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined. Chronic pain may be a result of an injury, condition or disease. In some cases, the source of pain may not have a clear cause. Common chronic pain complaints include arthritis pain, cancer pain, headache, low back pain, and neck pain.
Chronic pain is often life-disrupting, not just for those battling a chronic pain condition, but for their loved ones as well. It can impact energy levels, sleep, and the ability to work or participate in activities. Chronic pain can affect personal relationships, and even lead to depression. The good news is that with a coordinated approach to pain care, chronic pain can be managed to improve quality of life.
Pain doctors specialize in treating chronic pain
A patient’s first step when they experience pain is typically an appointment with their primary care physician. Primary care physicians are qualified doctors capable of treating pain, and many patients find they are able to effectively manage pain under their care. However, when a patient’s pain needs to be managed on a long-term basis – or for complex pain conditions – the primary care doctor may refer the patient to a pain specialist.
Visiting a pain doctor when you’re in pain is similar to going to an eye doctor when your vision is impaired, because these specialists focus specifically on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pain. Pain specialists are highly educated and trained in pain management. They have in-depth knowledge of the physiology of pain, the diagnostic tests used to pinpoint the cause, the most appropriate medications to treat it, and how to perform pain-relieving procedures. In addition to medication management, pain specialists can offer a wide range of options for pain relief such as injection therapy and interventional pain treatments like radiofrequency ablation, TENS devices, and more.
A coordinated care approach to pain management
At The Pain Center, our pain management physicians look at each individual’s total “pain picture.” This means we take a holistic approach to pain management, and provide services that address the cognitive, emotional and physical barriers that cause pain. Our pain specialists perform a comprehensive history and physical examination, and use various testing tools to get to the bottom of our patient’s pain symptoms.
Based on the patient’s diagnosis, our specialists work with the patient and referring provider to select the treatment path to best meet the patient’s pain management goals. Depending on the patient’s needs, this may include minimally invasive procedures, medications, or other treatment options, such as:
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Nerve Blocks
- Spine Blocks and Injections
- Joint and Ligament Injections
- Infusions for Arthritic, Inflammatory, Neuropathic and Muscular Pain
- Intrathecal Pain Pumps
- Botox Injections
We also coordinate care as needed for physical therapy, psychological counseling, surgical evaluation, or other types of therapy. This integrated approach ensures all aspects of a patient’s pain are being addressed. And, our specialists keep the referring provider up-to-date on the patient’s individualized treatment plan. At The Pain Center, we pride ourselves on developing care partnerships that allow for the effective and compassionate management of pain. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
Steven M. Siwek, MD is founder and CEO of The Pain Center of Arizona. Dr. Siwek’s multi-disciplinary and integrative approach to preventing, treating, and eliminating chronic pain is advancing the way in which interventional and pain management services are accessed and delivered nationwide.
For more information about how you can get involved and support those living with chronic pain, visit the American Chronic Pain Association website.