Women's Journal

Common Misconceptions People Have About Pain Management Doctors

Common Misconceptions People Have About Pain Management Doctors
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When you suffer from chronic pain, you need relief–and a pain management doctor can help you find it. Unfortunately, many people are misinformed about what pain management doctors do and the benefits they can offer you.

Pain Management Doctors are Only for People with Severe Pain

While people with severe pain can certainly benefit from consulting a pain management specialist, they aren’t the only ones who can reap the benefits. Even people who suffer from relatively minor pain should consult a pain management specialist to learn more about their options.

Pain Management Doctors Just Prescribe Medication

There are a lot of strategies that can be used to help with pain management. While medication is certainly on the list, it’s not the only solution. Pain management specialists may offer many solutions, including nerve blocks, acupuncture or acupressure, and physical therapy.

My Regular Doctor Can Manage My Pain

While many doctors can offer solutions that may help you deal with chronic pain, you may be surprised to learn that general practitioners and even orthopedic specialists may not be informed about all the pain management options available to you. Furthermore, they may not be familiar with the best options for your specific type of pain. A pain management specialist, on the other hand, can offer more options and ongoing support.

Pain is a Normal Part of Aging, so I Don’t Need a Pain Specialist

The normal amount of daily pain is zero–at any age. If there is a chronic source of pain in your body, no matter how old you are, you should consult with a pain management specialist to get a better idea of how to reduce or manage your pain.

If I Don’t Want Opioids, I Do Not Need to See a Pain Management Doctor

Pain management doctors can prescribe opioids to help deal with your pain, but it’s not the only tool in their arsenal. In fact, it may not even be the first one! If you do not want to use opioids, discuss your needs with your pain management specialist to learn what options you have available for pain management.

Pain Management is Meant as a Short-Term Solution

Sometimes, pain management is used after injury or surgery to help deal with short-term concerns. In other cases, however, it can be used as a long-term solution, especially if you are dealing with chronic pain issues.

Pain Management Specialists Don’t Care About Overall Quality of Life

Pain management isn’t just about decreasing your pain. It’s also about gauging the overall impact on your quality of life. For example, if pain medications are interfering with your overall functionality, a pain management specialist can help you figure out your next steps–including how to deal with pain in a way that will still leave you functional.

Have you bought into the myths about pain management specialists? It may be time for another look and a different perspective. Reach out today to learn how we can help with your pain management needs.

Published by: Holy Minoza

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