What does pain management do
As the name indicates, pain management is related to treating chronic pain. According to studies, 100 million Americans at least and above 1.5 million persons in the world deal with pain.
Consequently, leading the patients to have trouble sleeping and concentrating. Chronic pain also impacts energy levels and life satisfaction. If you or somebody you know suffer from chronic pain, there is a solution and it’s named pain management.
However, you must first learn what a pain clinic is. A pain management clinic is a healthcare facility focusing on the management and diagnosis of chronic pain.
Two types of pain management clinics exist. The first type is caring for precise kinds of pain; for example, back and neck pain. The second type can be called the interdisciplinary clinic and looks at the person as a whole.
A pain management clinic team involves several parties:
- Doctors and nurses
- Psychologists
- Nutritionists and dietitians
- Physical therapists
- Vocational and occupational therapists
Along with providing medications, pain management clinics help patients manage the pain with behavioral, physical, and psychological therapies. Such treatments might include:
- Meditation
- Massage
- Water therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Biofeedback
- Acupuncture
In addition to the various therapies mentioned above, advancements in technology have significantly enhanced pain management practices. Pain management EMR software is a technological tool that has revolutionized how clinics and healthcare providers handle patient information. EMR software allows for efficient documentation, storage, and retrieval of patient data, making it easier for healthcare professionals to track the progress of their patient’s pain management journey. Furthermore, pain management EMR software enables seamless communication and collaboration among the different members of the pain management team, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care.
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Pain management efficiency and goals
To clarify pain management efficiency and goals it’s crucial to first know that the aim is to manage and reduce the pain. This will help provide the patients with a better lifestyle by acquiring skills for better management and functionality which will help them return to their normal daily lives.
On another note, a lot of studies have shown that people with comprehensive pain management don’t suffer from pain as much as others.
Moreover, emotional distress in these individuals lessens as well, allowing them to perform their daily work with ease. Practically, you can find a clinic by asking your primary specialist or doctor for a referral. Or you can:
Contact your local medical center or hospital
Seek help from a local pain support group
Types of pain management
The subject of types of pain management starts with the types of pain. Let’s start with the definition of pain. Pain is what describes an unpleasant feeling in your body. Initially, there are eight different sections to help with pain management depending on the type of pain:
Referred pain
Comes from an area but is the result of an inflammation or injury in another. Treatment happens through nonopioids, cold/warm compresses, nonpharmacological treatments, etc.
Soft tissue pain
Resulting from inflammation or damage of the tissues, muscles, or ligaments. It’s commonly caused by bursitis, sciatic pain, rotator cuff injury, etc. Treatment happens through nonopioids, corticosteroids, ultrasonography, etc.
Phantom pain
Is caused by a painful sensation coming from a no longer existent body part. Treatment happens through nonopioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, ketamine, and others.
Nerve pain
Caused by nerve inflammation or damage and is described most of the time as sharp, stabbing, burning, and shooting.
Often this type of pain can be caused by diabetes, alcoholism, stroke, limb amputation, etc. Treatment happens through antidepressants, anticonvulsants, nonpharmacological treatments, etc.
Bone pain
Aching, tenderness, or discomfort in a bone, persistent throughout exercise and rest. Bone pain can be caused by cancer, infection, leukemia, etc. Treatment happens through nonopioids, bisphosphonates, opioids, surgery, etc.
Breakthrough pain
Sharp, short and sudden, this type of pain occurs in patients taking meds to treat chronic pain. Treatment happens through short-acting opioids, nonpharmacological treatments, etc.
Chronic pain
Remains for more than six months and can be felt most days, it can be associated with conditions including, headache, arthritis, and cancer. Treatment happens through nonopioids, weak opioids, antidepressants, radiation therapy, etc.
Acute pain
Described by a sudden start and a short period of permanence can be caused by surgery, labor, burns, cuts, broken bones, etc. Treatment happens through nonopioids, weak opioids, nonpharmacological treatments.
what to expect from a pain management doctor?
To learn what to expect from a pain management doctor, things start with the first visit. First of all, the doctor will ask you some questions about your symptoms. Secondly, they’ll inquire about your past records, your prior diagnostic studies, and your medication list.
Thirdly, the doctor will perform a physical exam thoroughly. Finally happens the diagnosis. Of course, you will make it a lot easier for yourself and the doctor if you carry a pain journal.
This will allow you to answer the doctor’s questions accurately. These might include your pain degrees on a scale of 0 to 10. 0. Being pain-free and 10 having severe pain that is blocking your daily activities.
After all, nobody is a fan of pain, but you sure have become a fan of pain management. Remember to keep a journal to always monitor your progress.
In case of further inquiries, kindly communicate with Ambula healthcare team to boost your knowledge: (805) 558-2418
About the Author: Khalil
