What is a Pain Management Specialist? Should I See One?

About 50 million people in the United States live with chronic pain, meaning their pain is long-term. Chronic pain can come and go or be constant. It can interfere with daily activities like sleeping and walking. This can make you feel frustrated.¹

The good news is that there are treatment options available. One of these options is working with a pain management specialist.

What is a pain specialist?

A pain specialist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats pain. They received special training for at least 1 year after their residency. Every pain specialist is different.²

For example, they may have a background in another specialty, such as anesthesia or neurology. They also may have more experience with a specific type of pain. Last, they may have a unique approach to managing pain.²

A pain specialist's goal is to help you lower the level of pain you feel. This can help improve your quality of life.²

When should you see a pain specialist?

Some general signs that you may need a pain specialist include:^3,4

• The pain is long-term
• You feel pain when moving certain body parts
• You feel sad, frustrated, anxious because of your pain
• The pain interferes with your sleep or other activities
• The pain disrupts your ability to work and earn an income
• You have become dependent on over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen
• You are not getting pain relief despite seeing a doctor

You do not have to manage your chronic pain alone. Speak with your primary care doctor or specialist. They can refer you to a pain management specialist who can help.²

Possible reasons for chronic pain

Chronic pain is usually caused by an injury, such as a back sprain. But there are also several health conditions that can cause chronic pain. These include:⁵

• Arthritis like psoriatic arthritis (PA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Migraines
• Cancer
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Sickle cell anemia

In some cases, there is not a clear cause for someone's chronic pain. This can make it even more complex to treat.⁴

What to expect in a first visit

At your first visit, the pain specialist will ask you questions about your pain. These questions may include:^2,5

• What does the pain feel like?
• What number, from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain), would you rate the pain?
• Where do you feel your pain?
• How severe does the pain get and when?
• How has the pain impacted your life?
• What makes the pain feel better?
• How has the pain impacted your life?
• Are you having other symptoms besides pain?

The pain specialist will also review your medical records. These records may include tests, X-rays, medical history, and doctors' notes. They may also order further testing to help find the source of your pain.^2,5

Once your pain has been diagnosed, the pain specialist can create a treatment plan.

Types of treatment for chronic pain

There are several treatments that can help with chronic pain, including:^4,6

• Medicines
• Procedures
• Lifestyle changes
• Relaxation and mental health techniques

Medicines

A pain specialist may prescribe a drug to help relieve a certain type of pain. Examples of these drugs include:^4,6

• Standard pain relievers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or Tylenol
• Muscle relaxers
• Antidepressants
• Anti-seizure drugs
• Opioids (also called narcotics), such as codeine or hydrocodone

Opioids are usually prescribed as a last resort due to their increased risk of dependency.⁴

Invasive procedures

Depending on how severe your pain is, a pain specialist may recommend a procedure, such as:^4,6

• Injections with a drug, like a steroid
• Nerve blocks
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve block stimulation (TENS)
• Insertion of a pain pump
• Surgery

Non-drug pain management

There are many non-drug approaches to reducing chronic pain. For example, your pain specialist may prescribe:^4,6

• Physical therapy to decrease pain severity and restore mobility
• Occupational therapy to help avoid future injury with everyday tasks
• Counseling to reduce the stress that often comes with chronic pain
• Acupuncture, places small needles on the back to relieve pain
• Biofeedback to help you regulate your body's response to pain
• Changes to your diet or other aspects of your lifestyle

Have you ever utilized a pain management specialist for bladder cancer? Tell us about your experience in the comments below, or share your story with the community.