When the relentless struggle of chronic pain invades a person’s life, it can take away their ability to enjoy even the simplest of activities. After multiple visits to the doctor, months of medication, and maybe even physical therapy or alternative therapies, patients often find that their pain just won’t go away.
Many people are unaware of the option of visiting a pain management clinic. What is a pain clinic? What kind of care do they provide? Are actual doctors involved? Can they really help?
The pain experts at HPM have answers to help you understand the role and benefits of pain clinics and how they can bring relief to chronic pain patients.
What Is a Pain Clinic?
So, what is a pain clinic? A pain clinic is a healthcare facility that provides specialized care for patients dealing with various types of chronic pain, such as back pain, pain from injuries or disease, arthritis pain, and other persistent pain conditions. These clinics often use a multidisciplinary approach to help manage chronic pain and improve their patients’ quality of life.
There are different types of pain clinics. Some focus on specific types of pain or treatment methods, while others take a more comprehensive approach. Interventional pain clinics, for instance, might focus on procedures to treat certain types of chronic pain. Then there are multidisciplinary clinics that provide a wide range of treatments and services, including physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication management, and more.
The primary purpose of a pain clinic is to provide an effective treatment plan for managing pain that lasts for three or more months. The specific approach depends on the nature and severity of the patient’s pain, their overall health, and their personal needs and preferences.
How Does a Pain Clinic Work?
When you visit a pain clinic, you’ll typically start with a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose your condition accurately. This usually involves reviewing your medical history, performing physical exams, and possibly conducting diagnostic tests. The staff at pain clinics should coordinate your treatment with your regular physician.
Based on this evaluation, the clinic’s team will develop a personalized treatment plan for you. This plan may include various therapies such as medication management, physical therapy, psychological counseling, or more advanced and targeted treatments like injections, ablations, and nerve blocks.
Role of Doctors in a Pain Clinic
Just like any other field of medicine, the practitioners employed at pain clinics should have received specialized training and certification and be professionally qualified to provide pain management care. These specialists may be doctors, CRNAs, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or other formally trained and licensed medical professionals. They may have training in fields such as anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatry, physical medicine, or rehabilitation.
Pain management specialists work together to provide comprehensive care. They’ll monitor your progress throughout treatment, make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan, and work closely with other members of the clinic’s team — and collaborate with your primary care physician — to ensure you’re experiencing reduced pain and improved bodily function.
Choosing the Right Pain Clinic
When choosing a pain clinic, consider factors such as the types of conditions the clinic specializes in treating, the treatment options they offer, the experience and credentials of their doctors, and the location and convenience of the clinic. Be sure to ask about the wait time to see a specialist as often patients must wait several weeks or even months.
It’s helpful to ask about the practitioner’s qualifications and experience in managing chronic pain. During your first visit, ask about their approach to treating your specific type of chronic pain and what you can expect throughout your treatment.
Finding an HPM Pain Clinic Near You
Now that you know the answer to the question, “What is a pain clinic?”, it’s time to find one near you. If you’re living in rural America and looking for specialized chronic pain treatments near you with shorter wait times, consider an HPM pain clinic. With a growing number of clinics across the country, HPM offers non-opioid and non-surgical treatments for a long list of painful conditions.
Our team of trained and certified specialists is ready to help you manage your chronic pain effectively so that you can get back to enjoying life to its fullest. To find an HPM pain clinic near you today click here.
