Why You Need A Pain Management Specialist

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Everyone needs a primary care physician.

But when you have pain symptoms, especially chronic pain symptoms, your primary care doctor should refer you to a pain management specialist. 

What are their qualifications? 

Pain management specialists, also known as pain doctors and pain specialists, have over nine years of medical training, including:

  • four years of medical school
  • four years of experience practicing medicine in a field such as anesthesiology, physical medicine, and rehabilitation
  • one-year fellowship in the field of pain medicine

A qualified pain management specialist is board-certified in pain management with one of the following boards: 

  • The American Board of Anesthesiology
  • The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (also known as The American Board of Neurology)
  • The American Board of Psychiatry

What medical care do they provide?

Pain management specialists are doctors with special training to evaluate, diagnose, prevent, and treat chronic and acute pain. They provide short and long-term pain care.

Types of Pain They Treat

1. Tissue pain from tissue damage 

Tissue damage pain can be caused by chronic conditions such as arthritis and musculoskeletal injuries from impact and force (ex: falling and getting hit).

2. Nerve pain from nervous system disease 

Nervous system diseases such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis can cause nerve pain.

3. Tissue and nerve pain 

Injuries and degeneration cause tissue and nerve pain. Examples are back and neck pain from herniated disc pain from spinal stenosis, and knee pain from injuries.

What do they do that primary care physicians can’t do?

1. Administer diagnostic tests to identify the cause of pain and treat pain at its source. 

2. Administer fast-acting pain-relieving procedures like therapeutic nerve blocks.

3. Coordinate with specialists in other fields, including physical and psychological therapy or rehabilitation, to create comprehensive treatment plans. 

4. Prescribe effective treatments and medications to manage, prevent, and suppress all types of pain.

5. Coordinate with a network of health professionals to enact the most effective pain management plan possible. 

Where do they practice medicine?

Pain management specialists generally meet patients in medical offices or clinics. They perform surgeries and other procedures in hospitals (inpatient) and out of hospitals (outpatient). 

The Texas Pain Management Specialists 

At Texas Pain Physicians, our priority is to improve your quality of life.

If you are suffering from the emotional and physical challenges of chronic or acute pain, please give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or book your appointment online today.