Chronic pain is a growing problem for Americans. In fact, the CDC estimates that anywhere from 11% to 40% of Americans experience chronic pain each year, and this pain is linked to growing cases of anxiety, depression, and even opioid use. Something has to change. If you are suffering from chronic pain, you might be wondering what your options are for pain management, and what the difference is between this and interventional pain management.
In this brief article, an interventional pain management doctor in Orlando shares the main differences between pain management and interventional pain management and what to do if you are experiencing chronic pain.
Traditional pain management has been used for generations. These are medical means of managing pain, which might include things ranging from over the counter medications all the way up to prescribing opioids to manage flare ups in pain. This might even include the application of heat or cold to an area in pain.
The problem with this type of pain management, like taking an Advil or Tylenol, for example, is that it does not address the root of the issue. But beyond that, this is a very temporary fix and the risks of addiction to opioids is great.
If you are experiencing chronic pain, a pain management specialist can help. Pain treatment is complicated, and the research on pain management is continuously evolving. A qualified pain management doctor will have an in-depth knowledge of the physiology of pain, the diagnostic tests used to pinpoint the cause of the pain, and how to perform pain relieving-procedures, such as facet joint injections. Additionally, in order to be certified as a pain specialist, your doctor must complete a pain management fellowship or hold current board certification by a specialty board, such as the American Board of Pain Medicine. Other specialty boards include the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians and the American Association of Physician Specialists.
If you’re experiencing ongoing pain, don’t wait. There are many ways to effectively treat different types of pain. If you have chronic pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Neil Patel, an Orlando pain management doctor. He and his team of specialists can help find the cause of your pain and find the right treatment method for them.
To schedule an appointment with a pain management doctor in Orlando, please call (407) 478-0007 or fill out our contact form today.
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