Pain management is a specialty field of treatment that focuses on helping people who are suffering from pain to find relief. Board-certified physicians may have years of experience treating all types of pain, and pain management in Georgetown is an ever-increasing field of support for those who have arthritis, back pain, sports-related injuries, work-related injuries, and more.
It Isn't for Everyone.
Doctors may recommend pain management for neck, back, and lower back pain. Pain affecting your back, hip, and outer leg, caused by compression of spinal nerve roots in your back or intervertebral disc degeneration, can be lessened through such treatments.
Other conditions that may be effectively managed, include arthritis, cancer pain, and shingles. If you've recently been in a car accident and suffered whiplash or experienced a sports-related injury such as an ACL tear, your doctor may also recommend pain management treatments.
One thing to note about interventional pain management is that it doesn't suit everyone. While you can get expert care for a variety of joint pain conditions, your doctor will need to determine if you're a suitable candidate for pain management services. Your doctor will do this through consultations and recommend you for a pain management procedure that suits your situation.
It's typically done as an outpatient procedure.
Interventional pain management is the collective term for a variety of non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures that can be done as an outpatient procedure. Alleviating chronic, cancer-related, or acute pain doesn't have to be done at a faraway hospital or specialized clinic.
Physicians certified in pain management procedures can perform treatments such as epidural injections and nerve blocks in an outpatient clinic, eliminating the need for extended hospital visits and longer stays.
Other procedures that may help to alleviate pain include spinal cord stimulators, trigger point injections in affected muscle groups, ketamine infusion therapy, and knee injections. Spinal cord stimulators are a minimally invasive treatment option that can help to minimize pain sensations in your back and abdomen.
These pain management devices may help to reduce or eliminate the need for back surgery that involves an extended hospital stay. Many of these treatment options can be made available at your local practice, and your doctor should be able to refer you to a physician in your area.
Pain management treatments can be individualized.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing pain. The cause of your pain, location, and severity are all factors that may affect the pain management options available to you. It's likely that if you've recently experienced pain due to a recent traumatic event such as an accident, your doctor will first try a conservative range of treatments, such as physical therapy, to help you manage your pain.
If you don't experience the level of pain relief you desire, your doctor may then recommend alternative methods. Your doctor should work closely with you to adjust your treatment plan until you discover a method that suitably reduces your pain levels, and it may be subject to change as your condition changes.
You can still take pain medication.
Undergoing pain management procedures does not mean you will forgo traditional medication treatments. Many pain management treatments can be used in conjunction with your regular pain relief medication, and your doctor may even prescribe alternatives.