When to Visit a Pain Management Doctor?

Chronic pain is an exhausting condition to deal with and may interfere with your everyday life. However, some people never consider visiting a pain doctor despite the pain lasting for months or years. A pain management doctor offers a variety of methods to treat your condition or manage your pain symptoms.

Here is when you should see a pain management doctor:

If Pain Does Not Go Away

If your pain does not subside within six weeks, you may be suffering from chronic pain. The earlier you see a pain doctor, the better and faster you can relieve and manage the symptoms you are experiencing. Your pain management doctor can give you a proper diagnosis for your condition.

Your pain may be due to a musculoskeletal injury or condition, nervous system condition, or a mix of both. By determining the source of your pain, you can receive the most appropriate treatment. To give you a better idea, here are some examples.

Musculoskeletal Injury or Condition

Arthritis is a chronic musculoskeletal condition that causes joints to deteriorate. There are over a hundred types of arthritis, but the most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear, while rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune reaction. Many forms of arthritis are genetic. Arthritis progressively gets worse, which means your pain symptoms are likely to get worse with time. A pain management doctor can help manage your symptoms.

Nervous System Disease

Many people have pain caused by damaged or diseased nervous system components. This may include disorders and conditions like multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, and spinal cord injury. Many of these issues are lifelong problems, which means the best you can do is manage your pain symptoms. A pain management doctor can help you with just that.

Mixed Pain Disorders

It is also possible that you have pain caused by a combination of the two forms previously mentioned. This can typically involve neck and low back pain.

If You Struggle to Perform Daily Activities

Usually, pain decreases over time. However, this may not be the case for chronic pain. As you go through life, you may begin to struggle with everyday tasks. You may have trouble walking, lifting small objects, or even writing. Your pain may become too much to bear, and it may affect your concentration at work. Your sleep may also be disrupted.

If this is the case for you, it’s best to visit a pain management doctor to help relieve your pain, so that you can live more comfortably.

Dependency on Painkillers

The first course of action you may take when you experience recurring pain is to take painkillers. However, some painkillers may cause addiction or other harmful side effects, especially when taken long-term. In other cases, you may notice your medicine becomes less effective in decreasing pain.

It is best to consult with a pain specialist who can provide alternative options to pain management, such as physical therapy, acupuncture, or newer non-invasive therapies. This way, you can reduce your reliance on prescribed or over-the-counter painkillers.

If You Seek the Best Nonsurgical Treatment for Pain

A pain management doctor is trained in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pain. They have extensive knowledge of acute pain, chronic pain, and cancer pain. Most of these types of pain require customized treatment plans.

Pain management doctors employ nonsurgical methods to treat and manage pain. Some of the most common treatments include:

• Epidural steroid injection
• Facet joint injections
• Nerve blocks
• Peripheral joint injections
• Sacroiliac joint injections
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Trigger point injections
• Ultrasound-guided injections

Pain Management Doctors in Missouri

The experts at Advanced Bone & Joint have attended to patients’ musculoskeletal needs since the 1980s. Our services include joint replacement, pain management, sports medicine, general orthopedics, and more.

Located in St. Peters and O’Fallon, Missouri, we aim to help you get back in shape quickly and effectively. We provide a friendly and comfortable environment for both children and adults. Through our programs and services, we strive to restore your active lifestyle and promote wellness.

Contact us at (636) 229-4222 to request an appointment, or you may request an appointment online.