If you’ve ever experienced chronic pain, a few words probably come to mind: Misery. Torture. Despair. Agony. Stuck.
Ouch.
Living with chronic pain can be overwhelming. It steals your everyday life, making even the simplest tasks difficult or even impossible.
Thankfully, pain management specialists have the knowledge and tools to provide relief. But when you live in rural Kansas, where can you find one of these specialists?
Understanding the Impact of Chronic Pain
Pain is considered “chronic” when it lasts for twelve weeks or more, extending beyond the normal healing period after an injury or illness. It can persist even after initial treatments, becoming a health condition in its own right.
Chronic pain can affect just about every aspect of a person’s life — their mobility, sleep, appetite, mood, and overall quality of life. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues if left untreated. That’s one of the main reasons patients need to seek professional help to overcome their pain.
What Is Pain Management?
Pain management is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating chronic pain. Doctors, nurses, and other medical specialists often take a comprehensive approach that can include a combination of therapies including medication, physical therapy, psychological therapy, and alternative treatments.
Their goal is to alleviate the pain and return the body’s function to as close to normal as possible. In other words, improve their quality of life and overall well-being.
Pain management specialists are trained to identify the actual source of each patient’s chronic pain, which may or may not be directly related to the original injury or illness. They cooperate with patients and their primary care physicians to create a personal treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and challenges.
Where to Find Pain Management Doctors in Kansas
In many rural communities across the country, accessing specialized medical care can be challenging. In most small towns, patients often have to travel for hours and wait for months to get an appointment to see a specialist.
Fortunately, things are different in rural Kansas. Thanks to HPM, the Sunflower State is home to a network of rural pain management clinics that specialize in treating chronic pain. They take the time to evaluate each patient’s condition, medical history, pain levels, and other factors to understand the root cause of their pain. This may include physical examinations and diagnostic tests like MRIs or nerve conduction studies.
These specialists develop a personalized treatment plan that can include:
- Medications (over-the-counter and prescription when appropriate)
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Alternative therapies like massage and dry needling
- Minimally invasive procedures such as nerve blocks, corticosteroid injections, and radiofrequency ablations
The goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life.
HPM Pain Management Clinics in Kansas
HPM operates pain management clinics throughout rural Kansas, serving towns like Anthony, Tribune, Smith Center, and Satanta. Our specialists are trained to pinpoint the precise cause of each patient’s pain so they can create an individualized treatment plan and reduce their pain as much as possible.
Living with chronic pain can be challenging, but with the right support and treatment plan, it is possible to regain control over your life. At HPM, we understand the unique challenges faced by chronic pain patients in rural areas. If you or a loved one are dealing with chronic pain in rural Kansas, HPM is here to help. Contact us today to find a location near you.
