Humans have been experiencing pain for thousands of years. For the same time period, people have been searching for cures — some of them effective while many of them dangerous or ineffective.
Thankfully, we’re living in a time when we have better healthcare tools and knowledge to manage pain than ever before. While there are new advancements yet to be discovered, we do have access to some rather effective treatments for many kinds of chronic pain.
So, where does one find these treatments? If you’re living with chronic pain, the first step you should take (if you haven’t already) is to talk with your regular doctor. If your pain continues to persist, you and your doctor should consider consulting with a specialist at a pain clinic.
What is a pain clinic, and what do they do? Are they trustworthy and legitimate? How do you choose the right pain clinic for your needs?
All About Chronic Pain
For pain to be considered “chronic,” it typically lasts for weeks, months, or even years. Unlike acute pain, which is a normal sensation triggered by the nervous system to alert you to possible injury, chronic pain continues long after the injury has healed.
It often results from health conditions such as arthritis, back problems, injuries, migraines, or cancer. Sometimes, however, chronic pain can occur without any identifiable cause.
Doctors often prescribe some kind of medication (either prescription or over-the-counter) or recommend physical therapy to treat chronic pain. While that treatment may work for many patients, oftentimes people find their pain continues to persist and look for additional treatment.
What Is a Pain Clinic?
A pain clinic is a specialized healthcare facility that focuses on the diagnosis and management of chronic pain. While pain clinics have been around for decades, their popularity and recognition have grown significantly over recent years due to the increasing prevalence of chronic pain and new advancements in pain management.
Pain clinics come in different forms. Some specialize in specific types of pain like nerve pain or back pain, while others focus on managing pain related to a specific condition like cancer. Regardless of their specialization, all pain clinics aim to reduce your pain and improve your quality of life.
What Does a Pain Clinic Do?
Pain clinics often take a multidisciplinary approach to managing chronic pain, meaning they use multiple techniques and therapies to address your pain. Common services provided by these clinics include:
Minimally Invasive Treatments
These more recent advancements in pain management — such as trigger point injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablations — are proving to be effective in reducing or eliminating pain.
Medication Management
Pain clinics can help manage your medications to ensure their effectiveness while minimizing potential side effects.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists at the clinic will guide you through exercises designed to strengthen your body and reduce your pain.
Psychological Counseling
Chronic pain often leads to mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Psychological counseling can be an essential part of the treatment plan.
Alternative Therapies
Some clinics also offer alternative therapies like acupuncture or massage to complement traditional treatments.
The role of a pain clinic is not just to treat symptoms but also to equip you with skills and knowledge for long-term self-management of your condition.
The Pain Clinic Team
If you’re asking “What is a pain clinic?”, it’s helpful to understand what type of practitioners work there. While the type of professional at different pain clinics can vary, most pain clinics include one or more of the following providers: medical doctors, registered nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, alternative therapists, and pain management specialists. They work together to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses all aspects of your condition.
Along with their regular medical education, pain specialists are trained to diagnose patients’ true source of pain and identify the best treatment(s) to help reduce or eliminate it.
How to Choose the Right Pain Clinic
Choosing the right pain clinic is vital for effective and timely management of your chronic pain. While each patient’s needs are unique, you should consider factors such as the types of services offered, the experience and qualifications of the staff, and the clinic’s approach to treatment. Cost and scheduling are also important factors for most patients.
One critical aspect to keep in mind is the patient-doctor relationship. You should feel comfortable discussing your concerns with your doctor and feel that they genuinely care about improving your health.
What Does a Pain Clinic Do? Ask HPM
HPM is one of America’s leading providers of pain management services operating in small towns across several states. We offer comprehensive treatments for various painful conditions using the latest advancements in medical treatments.
Our multidisciplinary team is committed to providing personalized care that aims not just at relieving your symptoms but also at improving your overall well-being. Contact us today to find an HPM location near you.
What does a pain clinic do? It gives patients hope. At HPM, we strive to provide as much real relief as possible to every patient we see. While we can’t guarantee results, we can promise to take the time to listen to your pain story and provide see if we can find a solution that works.
