Dr. Pankaj Mehta (MD, DABA, DABPM), a nationally renowned interventional pain doctor, is the Chief Medical Officer at Pain Specialists of Austin and Central Texas Pain Center.

Dr. Mehta is a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, trained at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, before completing an interventional pain fellowship at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. During his training, Dr. Mehta was awarded a Harvard fellowship for NIH-sponsored research exploring the need for certain drugs in chronic opioid therapy.

Dr. Mehta, who has gained national recognition for his contributions to the field of interventional pain management, has been recognized as one of the Top Interventional Pain Management Physicians. He also was a recipient of the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience 2020 Clinical Excellence Award. In addition to lecturing nationwide on breakthroughs in interventional pain management, he is widely published in many prestigious medical journals. He serves as an educator for several healthcare companies that research and develop treatments for chronic pain. Dr. Mehta also collaborates with local clinicians to present pain management programs that encompass multiple interventional strategies.

A leading proponent of cutting-edge technologies, Dr. Mehta is not only a leading IPM practitioner, but he also trains other physicians nationwide on technologically advanced pain treatments. An early adopter of the latest scientific techniques to treat chronic pain, his goal is to provide effective pain management programs that delay or eliminate the need for invasive surgery. Conditions treated by Dr. Mehta include lower back and neck spine and associated leg pain, chronic postoperative pain, headaches, abdominal and pelvic pain, and degenerative joint disease.

Dr. Mehta’s practice at Pain Specialists of America focuses on a multi-disciplinary pain management approach based on each individual’s needs, integrating technologically advanced treatment modalities. His work as director of research for PSA’s ambulatory surgical centers plays a key role in the methodologies he uses to treat chronic pain, as he conducts cutting-edge research involving therapies to develop more effective treatment options for patients with chronic pain.

Dr. Mehta and his Minimally Invasive Spinal Therapy Team are “dedicated to partnering with our patients to eliminate or alleviate their pain, enhance their daily functionality and improve their physical and psychological well-being.”  This advanced team offers advanced programs for headaches, PTSD, spine pain and much more.

“We help pain sufferers regain their quality of life as quickly as possible,” Dr. Mehta said, “using evidence-based, cutting-edge therapies. We start with a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose the cause of their pain,” he explained, and “then we create a personalized treatment plan designed to provide long-term relief.”

Among his many accolades, Dr. Mehta is considered a leader in neuromodulation – the process of actively stimulating nerves to produce a natural biological response to pain.   Dr. Mehta treats patients referred from across Texas and the country. He is an active member of leading professional organizations, such as the North American Neuromodulation Society, International Neuromodulation Society and American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

“What I – and all the doctors at Pain Specialists of Austin and Central Texas Pain Center – want people to know is that they don’t have to live with debilitating pain. There are treatment options that are safe, sustainable, result in improved physical function and strength, enabling a much better quality of life. That’s why we’re here – to help reduce and, if possible, eliminate patients’ pain.”

Pain Specialists of Austin and Central Texas Pain Center is a network of 16 clinics and two surgery centers where medical practices provide multi-disciplinary pain management treatment options to their patients, under the administrative management of Pain Specialists of America. Pain Specialists of Austin and Central Texas Pain Center have provided Texans with high-quality, interventional pain management treatment options for over 20 years.

To learn more about Pain Specialists of Austin’s and Central Texas Pain Center’s multi-disciplinary, interventional pain management treatment options and how the science of pain management can change your life, please visit their website www.psadocs.com.

 

 

March 25-31 will mark the sixth annual National Physicians Week, seven days of acknowledgment ending in Doctor’s Day, a celebration of physicians’ dedication, hard work, impact on lives, and sacrifices for the public good.

The weeklong holiday not only recognizes the work of medical professionals in the present, but also commemorates the longstanding history of physicians, a story  27,000 years in the making.

Historians tell us that the first known healers showed up in cave paintings in what is now France, with ancient drawings depicting individuals using plants for medicinal purposes and performing rudimentary medical procedures.

With the Enlightenment Period of the 17^th Century came a surge in the natural sciences and a new knowledge of chemistry that disputed the premise that all things were made up of earth, air, fire, and water. By the 20^th Century, past strides and exponential growth in medical knowledge, techniques and tools combined to empower the modern physician in ways once unthought-of and inspire the scientific community to reach even greater heights in the fight against infirmity, injury and disease.

A lot happened in between, of course. Still, the point is that there have always been people who chose to dedicate their time and effort to relieving the pain and improving the lives of others, using whatever tools and knowledge available. The healers of the past would be astonished by the resources available to their counterparts today, but likely not by their dedication to their profession and patients.

Perhaps this is why we love to imagine physicians as superheroes in white coats, without capes but with the same fervent drive to correct what is wrong. This humble recognition of the positive impact physicians make has only further increased since the start of 2020 and the emergence of the global pandemic.

National Physicians Week marks a special time to reflect on the stresses these everyday heroes undergo, the years spent in training, the student debts they may have accrued, the increasingly hectic world of the ever-changing modern healthcare system and other sacrifices and obstacles they have to overcome.

With that top of mind, we recognize our own team members, who show up each day with smiling faces, a deep enthusiasm for positively impacting patient’s lives, and unmatched skills every day in their chosen field of pain management. We appreciate all they’ve done to get to this point, what they do for our patients and the ways in which they work diligently to advance our practices.

We’re proud of our doctors, and we encourage our patients to give them a shout-out, as well. Whether it be giving a carnation, writing a thank you note, or perhaps giving them a great online review, we really appreciate all of the kind remarks.

Happy National Physicians Week and Doctors Day to all medical practitioners and the people they serve!

Thanks to daylight saving time (Mar. 14), you will likely miss out on some sleep this week; however, there’s never been a better time to start new habits – your body will thank you

At precisely 2 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 14, a majority of Americans will transport forward in time, losing an hour of their beloved weekends and likely, 60 minutes of sleep. This isn’t science fiction, rather a century-old societal tradition we have come to know as daylight saving time, which occurs twice per year, seasonally each Fall and Spring.

While there’s much debate over whether daylight saving time still has a place in modern societies worldwide, there’s mounting evidence it may be significantly impacting our health. Because sleep is so essential, especially for those suffering from chronic and acute pain, our team of pain management experts is challenging patients to put extra preparation into daylight savings time this year.

In addition to springing forward clocks on Saturday night or Sunday morning, we are encouraging patients to take this time to examine their current sleep patterns and choose better habits – As part of Sleep Awareness Week (Mar. 14-20). Even small measures to improve sleep can dramatically improve overall health, mood and even reduce pain.

Circadian rhythms & the problem with change

Our bodies rely on an internal clock or circadian rhythm to regulate the function of cells and systems. This rhythm has variations from person to person but generally alerts us with a boost of energy in the morning, causes mid-day grogginess, and finally helps us fall asleep in the evenings. Beyond regulating alertness and energy levels, these circadian rhythms also influence hormone release, eating habits, digestion, body temperature and more.

With so many components of healthy body function connected to our circadian rhythm, even slight changes can wreak havoc. The desynchronization of our body clocks, which occurs twice a year due to daylight saving time or when we don’t get enough sleep, has been linked to increased health risks such as depression, obesity, heart attack, cancer, and even car accidents.

What is a good night’s rest? There’s no one-size solution

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than a third of adults in the U.S. don’t get enough sleep. As previously discussed, this negatively impacts our circadian rhythm and throws our bodies out of balance. Further, those who do not regularly get enough sleep can quickly become victims to sleep deprivation, a form of cognitive impairment that affects memory, motor skills and mood regulation. So, we need more rest, but how much?

The amount of sleep adults need varies but generally changes as you age. During infancy through the teen years, our bodies crave sleep, which powers development. As adults, we typically require seven or more hours per night. What is most important is that hours spent sleeping are good quality.

 Goal Setting – Quality & quantity

 With a target goal of getting approximately seven hours of sleep each night, how can we improve the quality of those hours? This isn’t simple. For those who live with the feeling of waking up tired after a full night of sleep, it can be frustrating or downright demoralizing. If experiencing this, it may be worthwhile to explore several factors:

• Sleep Disorders – Many disorders can cause poor sleep quality, including sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and insomnia. A consultation with a licensed physician should confirm if these issues or other conditions may be a factor.
• Diet and Exercise – What and when we eat, plus daily activity levels, can dramatically impact sleep quality. Avoid eating and drinking late at night, consuming sugar, caffeine or alcohol.
• Sleep Habits – In addition to getting up and going to bed at consistent times each day, there are many ways to build better sleep habits. Ensure your bedroom is dark, cool, quiet and comfortable. Avoid screens up to 30-minutes before bedtime

Finally, consider tracking your sleep through your phone. There is an abundance of phone applications that can monitor habits, sleep quality and even remind you of bedtime hours.

Tips for those in pain

Research has shown a strong indication that sleep is an effective painkiller. However, those suffering from chronic pain are often unable to fall asleep, frequently awaken throughout the night, and generally do not enjoy a high-quality sleep. This compounds fatigue for pain sufferers and can contribute to the development of more severe long-term health conditions.

We’ve examined the importance of sleep, the amount needed each night and how to improve sleep quality; however, this means little unless those in pain can break the cycle of insomnia. For those living with chronic pain and looking to improve their sleep, there are a few things our experts recommend:

• Check your mattress – To sleep comfortably, your body needs to be supported, which is why having the right mattress is so important. Try switching to a medium-firm mattress; excessively soft or firm mattresses can cause or exacerbate back/hip pain
• Take a stroll – Remember that your daily activity levels impact the quality of your sleep? This is even more critical for pain sufferers. Going for a quick walk in the evenings can help reduce anxiety, loosen stiff muscles and trigger your sleep cycle.
• Stretch 10 minutes – Our bodies were not made to sit. Unfortunately, with daily work often involving being seated behind a desk or in a vehicle for extended periods, many people develop stiff muscles and, as a result, lower back pain. Taking 10 minutes to slowly stretch your muscles before bed effectively reduces this form of pain and is an excellent pre-bedtime ritual.
• Practice breathing slowly and deeply – Breathing exercises, like taking slow, rhythmic breaths, allow the body to relax more fully and fall asleep faster. This kind of breathing has been shown to offer a myriad of other benefits, as well. It may help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and alleviate pain.
• Consider a natural sleep aid – Although there is a sea of products that promise a better night of sleep, some proven contenders have shown to be effective. Supplements like melatonin, zinc, magnesium, cherry extract, valerian capsules and chamomile are a few of our favorites.
• Try switching your sleep position – Experts agree that sleeping position can significantly impact the quality of sleep and pain. Generally, sleeping on your stomach or the side of your body experiencing pain should be avoided. For those who chose to sleep on their back, elevating your knees with a pillow will reduce stress on the lower back by maintaining the spine's natural curve.

If you are experiencing sleep issues because of chronic or acute pain, we encourage you to seek professional medical guidance. Our team of dedicated pain relief specialists can help answer your questions and offer personalized care recommendations to help you rest and play without pain.

A creeping pain beginning in your lumbar or buttock area and running down the backs of your legs could mean problems with your sciatic nerve

With an estimated 40 percent of individuals experiencing lumbar radiculopathy at some point in their lives, it’s likely that you or someone you know has experienced or is experiencing this debilitating issue. Although familiar, many people still don’t fully understand what causes lumbar radiculopathy, how to identify it and the best ways to reduce its impact on our daily lives. 

What is lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica and how do I know if I have it?

Lumbar radiculopathy, sometimes referred to as sciatica, is the irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which originates from the lower lumbar areas of our backs and branch out to the buttocks and backs of our legs. The sciatic nerve plays a vital role in controlling muscles and sensations in the lower body and is the longest and widest nerve in the human body.

Lumbar radiculopathy commonly occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It is most often associated with a shooting or radiating sensation of pain beginning in the lower back and traveling down one leg or both. This is a crucial differentiator between sciatica and other kinds of pack pain, which often do not affect the legs. Often, patients with sciatica will describe the pain as dull, aching or even burning, with some also experiencing tingling and weakness.

Even if you are experiencing these symptoms, a doctor’s assessment is needed to diagnose the condition properly. Your doctor will typically evaluate your medical history and conduct a physical exam and may even request additional tests like x-rays, an MRI or a nerve conduction study to diagnose lumbar radiculopathy effectively.

What treatments are available?

Given proper rest, lumbar radiculopathy symptoms typically dissipate in a few days or weeks without the need for medical intervention. For those with persistent pain, there are several ways to relieve this and promote the healing process. They include:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Cold or heat packs to the affected areas
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medicines like ibuprofen
• Physical Therapy, therapeutic movements and stretching
• Muscle Relaxation Medications
• Surgery (If a herniated disk causes persistent sciatica)

What are the causes?

In most cases, lumbar radiculopathy is caused by:

• A herniated disk – Sometimes described as a bulging or slipped disk, this spine condition can compress the nerve roots located just next to the disk, causing inflammation in the sciatic nerve
• Spinal stenosis – the narrowing of the anterior spinal tube containing nerves
• Localized irritation from injury or other causes – This can include bone or muscle injury, tumors, infections, abscess, obesity or even pregnancy 

lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica and Winter Weather

With Texas recently experiencing a blast of unprecedented winter weather, an increasing number of individuals may now be experiencing lumbar radiculopathy for the first time or dealing with worsening sciatic pain. It is commonly believed that lumbar radiculopathy is compounded by cold and although this may seem like an old wive’s tale, there’s evidence that this may be the case.

Cold weather and everyday activities required while living in cold environments can dramatically impact pain – including pain caused by sciatica. Reasons pain could increase during cold snaps include:

• Cold, tight muscles – muscles can tighten in prolonged cold, which reduces mobility and can lead to tension, which exacerbates pain
• Dramatic shifts in Barometric Pressure – Dropping air pressure before a storm or cold front actually affects our spines. Sensitive nerves in the lower back can react to these changes with increased irritation causing increased pain
• Seasonal Physical Activity – Living in Texas, one wouldn’t expect to shovel snow from the driveway, but unfortunately, this quickly became a reality. Shoveling, carrying rock salt and other winter chores can wear down the back and cause additional stress on these nerves

 

As discussed, rest and typical household pain remedies can effectively manage minor onset lumbar radiculopathy; however, for many medical interventions may be required. If you are experiencing debilitating sciatic pain, our pain management experts are available for patient consultations.

If you’re experiencing ongoing neck pain, it may be time to stop reaching for the aspirin and begin looking for an interventional solution.

Neck pain can run the gamut from the occasional discomfort of being bent over a computer to ongoing agony after a fall. In the middle are causes – some obvious, some mysterious – that must be uncovered before treatment can begin to alleviate or eliminate the pain. Among the most common culprits are:

• General poor posture, awkward sleeping positions and everyday stress, which can cause the neck to stiffen and ache, as can repetitive tasks involving the upper body.
• Rear-end automobile accidents, in which the head is rapidly propelled forward and backward, potentially damaging neck muscles, ligaments and nerves or the spine is seriously impacted. [Note: Anyone with severe neck pain or loss of movement or feeling after an accident should get emergency help at once.]
• Athletic injuries, such as those incurred by football players and participants in other full-contact sports.
• So-called “tech neck” or “text neck,” caused by long periods of looking down on devices.
• Pinched nerves caused by bone spurs or herniated discs that put pressure on the nerves in the neck, resulting in neck pain and, sometimes, numbness in the arms and hands.
• Arthritis, when the cartilage that helps cushion the bones in the neck erode.
• Illness, including some cancers, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and meningitis. When present with other indicators, it also can be a symptom of a heart attack.
• And, as it is in so many health-related issues, tobacco use can be a factor.

In searching for the cause your neck pain, it’s important to completely and accurately share your accompanying symptoms with your physician. These can include achiness and stiffness; shooting pains; numbness; shoulder and arm pain; headache; dizziness; nausea; fever; vomiting; difficulty swallowing or breathing; and anything else that is new or aberrant.

Diagnosis also will include a deep dive into your health history and a physical exam. It may also be necessary to do an MRI and/or CT scan, X-rays and blood tests to get to the bottom of the problem.

Depending on the cause, the solution can be found in many courses of action and treatment, from physical therapy to medication to injections to nerve blocks and ablation. While seldom necessary, surgery also is an option when the patient isn’t getting sufficient relief with other treatments.

To get to that end, your primary physician may refer you to a pain management specialist, a clinician or group with experience in neck injuries and experience in treating the pain they produce. Or you may decide to make pain management your starting point – hopefully with us.

The fact is that persistent neck pain could be a signal for a serious underlying cause and early intervention often is key to addressing it. If you’re ready to take that first step into action, call us for a consultation.

We’re here to help.

 

 

 

The statistics on sufferers of chronic pain are staggering – and irrelevant if you’re the one with the pain.

The sad fact, though, is that many of these sufferers don’t have to suffer, yet they do, many because they just flat out don’t know what to do or how to go about it.

To help address this, this blog looks at our specialty – pain management – with emphasis on when to turn to a pain management specialist, hindrances to avoid in making the move and what to do when you get there.

Acknowledge the Impact

The National Institutes of Health defines chronic pain as lasting more than three months with an intensity that:

• Gets in the way of daily activities
• Disturbs sleep and eating habits
• Makes it difficult to continue working
• Is related to depression or anxiety
• Impedes spending time with friends and family

If any of those factors are impacting your life, it’s time to take charge of your pain management, consulting a specialist in the field. The sooner you make the move the better, and the closer you’ll be to improved quality of life.

Be Aware of Barriers

Perhaps the greatest barrier is the surrender that comes after other doctors have failed to discover a diagnosis that would lead to effective treatment. Others include:

• Believing the pain is an inevitable consequence of aging
• Accepting it as something that must be endured
• Believing it is a result of something that “runs in the family”
• Hoping it will “just go away”
• Being too busy with work or family to take the time
• Not wanting to be perceived as a “whiner” by a physician
• Fear of addiction to opioids

None of these represent action to address your pain in a meaningful way, and the only one who can take action is you.

Consulting an Expert

Pain management doctors – physicians who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of pain – have advanced training that qualifies them as your best source of treatment if you are experiencing any type of pain due to illness or injury.

Here are a few things to remember when working with such a specialist.

• Be honest in expressing the positive and negative aspects of prior treatments.
• Describe your pain exactly as you feel it. Don’t worry about coming off as a complainer. Understanding what is generating your pain will help us put together the best treatment plan for you.
• Be prepared to make personal changes to speed your process, such as eating better or avoiding tobacco.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The field of pain management incorporates new procedures and therapies at a fast pace. Explaining the process is part of the doctor’s job.
• Express any concerns, whether it’s an aversion to drugs, costs of treatments or other worries that can stand in the way of improvement

As the field of medicine learns more about the complexities of pain, it has become more important to have physicians with specialized knowledge and skills to address it.

Now, more than ever, help is out there. We’re here if you need it.

 

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain. Many don’t have to. Are you one of them?

The truth is, people can become so used to being in pain that they accept it. They structure their lives around the discomfort or agony, which governs everything they do. They may have even sought some help in the beginning, but when “nothing worked,” they gave up trying. If this sounds all too familiar, take action now to make 2021 the year you took back control.

According to the National Institutes of Health, medical knowledge doubles every 73 days. That means constant introduction of new techniques and deeper insights into ailments and injuries, their causes and treatments. The science of understanding pain has benefited from this rapid advancement, resulting in the development of new therapies and multi-disciplinary approaches to pain management.

For instance, we recently wrote about the VERTIFLEX^® implant for lumbar spinal stenosis, a 30-minute procedure with the potential to provide lifetime pain relief in the affected area of the back for many patients. As it was approved by the FDA just five years ago, it may not have been an option when sufferers last sought solutions.

At PSA, we treat both acute and chronic pain. Treatment plans may include minimally invasive procedures, joint injections, regenerative medicine and sometimes medication.  Through an extended portfolio of resources, interventional therapies and advanced technologies, our experts at clinics across Central Texas customize targeted pain management solutions for speeding a patient’s return to a functional life.

Another example is Degenerative Disc Disease, which there are a number of treatment options for depending on its severity and naturally occurs with age. Treatments may include physical therapy, targeted interventional procedures, or more advanced spinal therapies. There are also more novel approaches, such as stem cell therapy.

The operative word here is “choice.”

This New Year, let us work with you to make the right choices to address your pain. From your head to your toes, from migraines to plantar fasciitis, our experienced and highly trained physicians and advanced practitioners will look at the condition – and you – to create an individualized roadmap to better days and greater health.

Call today for a free consultation, and from there, we will work together to get to back to life.

 

During the holidays, our heads often are filled with thoughts of gifts we can give to others to make them happy and improve their lives in ways both small and large. This year, we’re thinking especially of sufferers of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and recommending the perfect gift they can give to themselves.

That gift is a minimally invasive procedure and scheduling it soon can bring a New Year of reduced pain and greater activity.

Spinal stenosis is the result of aging and “wear and tear” on the spine from everyday activities. These changes cause the spinal canal to narrow, which can “pinch” the nerves in the lower back and may cause pain and/or nerve damage. This is called Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

The symptoms are many and each is an impediment to living one’s best life. They include:

• Decreased endurance during physical activities.
• Weakness and/or loss of balance.
• Symptoms that improve when sitting, leaning forward, lying on one’s back or sitting with the feet raised.
• Numbness or a “tingling” feeling in the legs, calves or buttocks.
• Aching, dull back pain radiating to the legs.
• Neurogenic Claudication, the most common symptom of LSS, which originates within the nervous system and causes intermittent leg pain.

One of our more popular options is VERTIFLEX®, a small implant, available in different sizes to best match the individual’s spinal anatomy. It is made of titanium, a material used for medical implants because it is lightweight with great strength. Titanium is biocompatible and reduces the risk of inflammation or rejection.

Placing the VERTIFLEX^® typically takes about 30 minutes. It is implanted through a small incision in the lower back. The procedure can be performed in an outpatient surgical center and involves no tissue or bone damage and minimal blood.

After the procedure, the patient may enjoy a significant reduction in leg pain within the first few days. All post-operative care instructions should be prescribed by the physician. The doctor also will talk about limiting activity levels immediately after the procedure and how to increase activities as the healing process continues.

It’s a proven means of mitigating the pain. It’s also the best thing sufferers can do for themselves or encourage their loved ones to do.  Get back to the small things in life that matter!

Life’s little victories. Most of us take them for granted. Hopping out of bed, getting ready for work, driving to the job site, shopping on the way home, cooking, socializing with family and friends and otherwise getting on with duties and joys of our daily lives.

For those suffering with chronic pain, however, any one of those acts could be a major victory for those who simply can’t do many of the activities the rest of us never think twice about.

Every day, patients come to us for multi-disciplinary, interventional treatments with an eye to getting their lives back. Most often, their goals are simple, that is, just to do the ordinary things they once did that are now limited by the magnitude of their pain.

Once they’ve accomplished that, we love hearing their uplifting stories of the impact on pain management on their lives. It’s not the kind of thing you read in the paper: “Man Goes to Grocery!” or “Woman Plays with Her Child!” But these are real stories of heroism, persistence and reclamation. You can find reviews on our website of our opinions of us, but we like it best when they tell them about themselves.

Many who have been blinded and bound by pain for years now are taking joy in, well, pretty much everything and learning more about themselves every day. It is not unusual to hear or read accounts of those whose pain is now under control and how it has helped them recapture what they lost. In that regard, it’s not unusual to hear them report that:

• They are reaching out to family and friends, knowing they can interact without having their pain as the central topic.
• They understand the impact their pain had on family members and friends and glad to share their renewed life with them.
• They have learned to be patient, doing what it takes to get better and not expecting too much too soon.
• They are concentrating on their health, wellness and fitness as never before, losing weight and seeing exercise as an avenue and not a wall.
• Now realizing that pain is invisible, they are more empathetic as to what others may be going through.
• They believe they have taken back control of their lives and energized by not letting the pain manage them.
• They’re conquering the depression that often accompanies chronic pain by setting reasonable goals, maintaining their pain management strategies and celebrating every one of those little victories.

If you, or someone you know, struggles with chronic pain, encourage them to call us for a consultation. We understand and we want to help.

 

As recently noted by Healthgrades, choosing a pain management doctor is one of the most important and personal decisions a person can make, given the profound effect intense discomfort can have on quality of life. But how do you know you’re making the right choice?

To help guide you, following are a few tips designed to get you to the right healthcare provider and initiate an effective pain management plan.

As you go through the process, however, keep in mind that your ultimate goal is a clinic or practice that uses a multi-disciplinary approach, that is, where a team of clinicians and other health professionals will work together to address all aspects of your pain according to your individualized needs.

1. Ask Around. Some 50 million American adults suffer from chronic pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so it’s fairly likely you know one or two of them. See what they have to say and factor it into your final decision.
2. Ask Your Primary Care Doctor or Other Trusted Physician. As they know you as a patient, as well as a person, they may have insight into the best pain management specialist for you on both levels.
3. Make a List and Get Busy Researching. Start with the practice or clinic’s website to determine their areas of concentration and get a feel for how they communicate with patients. Then read patient reviews to see how the two match up. There are several online sites you can utilize, including Healthgrades, Google Reviews or RateMDs.com.
4. Know What to Look For. Board certifications are critical, indicating the doctor has gone through all the necessary steps to achieve the necessary training, skills and experience in addressing pain management and – this is important – your specific type of pain.
5. Know What Your Insurance Covers. Stress is an outcome of pain, and you don’t need to add unexpected economic pressure to it.

Once you’ve made your choice, and the appointment, make a list of what’s most important to you to effectively manage your and the clinician’s time and underscore your decision.

When a patient seeks pain management, they often have exhausted other options, are looking for therapies other than opioids or risky surgery or desire a more holistic approach. Whatever the reason, however, the time taken upfront to find that perfect fit between patient needs and professional services will be well worth it.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have or make an appointment to see how we can help.