Why You Should Consult a Specialist for Chronic Pain
Find out why a chronic pain treatment specialist should be your go-to expert for relief in this comprehensive article.
Black Horse Health Can Help You Treat Your Chronic Pain
At Black Horse Health, we know how much chronic pain can take over every aspect of your life. This is why our team of skilled and empathetic specialists are committed to helping you or your loved one lead a life uninhibited by the symptoms of chronic pain.
With comprehensive and integrative chronic pain treatments such as aqua therapy, chiropractic care, stretching, yoga, and cold plunges, we work with you to find the treatment opportunity that best meets your unique set of symptoms.
Learn more about chronic pain, treatment opportunities, and how our Black Horse Health team of experts can help you heal in this comprehensive article. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for more information or to begin your path to wellness today.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain refers to persistent discomfort or distress that extends beyond the typical duration of healing for an injury or illness, lasting for an extended period, often defined as lasting for at least three to six months.
Unlike acute pain, which serves as a protective response to immediate injury, chronic pain can persist long after the initial cause has healed and is often associated with complex interactions involving biological, psychological, and social factors.
Why a Chronic Pain Treatment Specialist Makes a Difference
When paving a path for recovery from chronic pain, it’s crucial that you go to the right source.
A chronic pain treatment specialist has special skills and offers treatment options that a regular doctor might not have.
In this article, we will explore how seeing a chronic pain treatment specialist could be beneficial for managing a person’s pain.
A Team-Based Approach to Care
One big plus of seeing a chronic pain treatment specialist is that they often work with a team of other experts. This team helps to treat different aspects of a person’s pain, making the treatment more well-rounded.
Team Members Who Can Help Manage Chronic Pain
Below is a list of professionals who work with a chronic pain treatment specialist:
Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
Neurologists and neurosurgeons specialize in the brain and the nerves. Research shows that if a person thinks negatively about their pain, it can actually make the pain feel worse. These experts can help figure out if a patient’s thoughts are making their pain harder to manage.1
Orthopedists and Orthopedic Surgeons
These specialists deal with issues linked to a patient’s bones and muscles.
Anesthesiologists
These doctors are experts in reducing pain. They often use medications or procedures that numb the affected area.
Oncologists
If a person’s pain is related to cancer or its treatments, oncologists are the experts in managing that kind of pain.
Physiatrists
These doctors specialize in helping patients:
- Get better physically
- Improve their ability to move
- Reduce their pain
Nurses, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists
These specialists can provide patients with practical ways to manage their pain, like exercises or changes in their daily activities.
Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Social Workers
Studies show that the brain plays a key role in a person’s pain and mood – and at Black Horse Health, we know that there is a distinct mind-body connection.
Our comprehensive team not only consists of chronic pain specialists, but also mental health experts. Our team can help patients tackle the mental challenges that come with chronic pain and help them to develop positive coping mechanisms for system management.2
Comprehensive Diagnostic Procedures Used by a Chronic Pain Treatment Specialist
Treating chronic pain can be difficult. Only about 1 in 10 people who had chronic pain in 2019 were able to get rid of it by 2020. This suggests that most people who struggle with chronic pain continue to experience related challenges over time.3
In light of this, while a general practitioner might give patients basic tests to find out where their pain is coming from, a chronic pain treatment specialist can provide more detailed and specific tests to figure out what’s causing a person’s pain.
Types of Diagnostic Tests
Some of these tests include blood work, MRIs, and ultrasounds:
- Blood Work: Blood work is often used to detect potential infections or signs of inflammation.
- MRI Scans: MRI scans provide detailed imaging of the body’s internal structures.
- Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds are used to visualize any problems in soft tissues.
Tailored Treatment Plans
Below are some tailored treatment options that a chronic pain treatment specialist might use:
Prescription Medication
The type of medication will be selected to target a person’s specific type of pain.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
These treatments aim to help a patient regain function and improve their lifestyle.
Emotional and Psychological Support
These supports are offered to manage the mental and emotional toll of chronic pain.
Alternative Therapies
These can include:
- Acupuncture
- Heat and cold treatments
- Electrical stimulation
Sustained Support and Care
Chronic pain is often a long-term condition needing ongoing management. While a general practitioner may refer patients to other healthcare providers for further care, a chronic pain treatment specialist will provide continuous and detailed care.
Types of Ongoing Support
This can include:
- Regular check-ups: These are scheduled to update a treatment plan as needed.
- Education and counseling: These are offered to patients and their families to better understand how to manage their condition.
- Stress management techniques: These are taught to help people cope with daily life.
How a Chronic Pain Treatment Specialist Tailors Treatment Plans
When struggling with ongoing pain, a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. A chronic pain treatment specialist offers a personalized plan to fit a person’s:
- Unique pain experience
- Medical history
- Lifestyle
Let’s explore how this can improve patient well-being.
Deep-Dive Diagnosis
The initial visit with a chronic pain treatment specialist goes beyond a typical doctor’s appointment. It entails:
- In-Depth Check-Up: The specialist closely examines the areas where patients feel pain.
- Complete Health Review: They look over a patient’s past medical records and treatments to better understand their situation.
- Targeted Tests: They might use advanced tests like MRIs to find out exactly what’s causing the pain.
Multidisciplinary Approach
Chronic pain is complicated and can affect many aspects of a person’s life. A chronic pain treatment specialist taps into a whole team of experts to help manage this pain.
Diverse Treatment Team
The care team might include:
- Neurologists
- Physical therapists
- Psychologists
- Other specialists
Each specialist contributes to a comprehensive treatment plan.
Coordinated Care
The specialist ensures that everyone on the treatment team is on the same page, aiming for the same goals in a patient’s care.
Customized Treatment Options
When it comes to treatments, the specialist has a wide array of options up their sleeve, often more than a general physician.
Medication Management
Doctors choose the right pain medicine for each patient based on their needs and past health. They use a variety of different medications, each with its own effectiveness and possible side effects. It’s important to work with a healthcare team to find the best option for you.4
Therapy and Emotional Support
Beyond medicine, treatments may include:
- Physical therapy
- Stress management
- Group therapy
The goal is to help patients cope emotionally with chronic pain.
Lifestyle Modifications
Simple changes in daily routines can reduce a person’s pain and improve their quality of life. This may include changes in diet, exercise routine, or medication management.
Ongoing Support and Monitoring
Unlike a general practitioner, a chronic pain treatment specialist offers long-term support tailored to each patient’s evolving needs.
This will incorporate:
- Regular Check-Ups: Routine visits are scheduled to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan and make necessary adjustments.
- 24/7 Support: Many specialists offer around-the-clock support to address any unexpected pain flare-ups or issues with treatment.
- Continuous Updates: A treatment plan is not set in stone; it’s updated as needed based on how the patient is responding to various treatments.
How Working with a Chronic Pain Treatment Specialist Improves Care
A chronic pain treatment specialist brings a variety of different healthcare experts together to come up with the best plan to manage a person’s pain.
Here’s how this team approach offers valuable methods to improve treatment outcomes:
Working with a Team of Experts
In treating chronic pain, one person doesn’t have all the answers. That’s why a chronic pain specialist works with other medical experts to provide comprehensive care.
Who's on the Team
A chronic pain treatment specialist often consults with:
- Neurologists for nerve-related issues
- Orthopedic surgeons for bone and joint pain
- Psychologists for emotional support
Each one provides special skills to address different facets of chronic pain.
Clear Communication is Key
Effective care depends on the healthcare team talking to each other. A chronic pain specialist makes sure everyone knows how the patient’s doing to maximize treatment effectiveness.
Treatment Options
Below are some options that a care team may provide:
Medication
A chronic pain specialist chooses the safest and most helpful medicines for each patient, whether it’s simple pain relievers or special prescriptions.
Other Treatments
A person’s plan may include electrical stimulation or specialized massages. These treatments can replace or supplement medications.
Mental Support
Techniques like learning how to manage stress and talking through their feelings can help patients deal with the mental side of chronic pain.
A Specialized Plan
Treatment will be built around each patient. It considers:
- A person’s medical history
- How they’re feeling now
- Their day-to-day life
Changing as Needed
If something in the treatment isn’t working well, the chronic pain specialist can make changes to reduce pain and improve treatment outcomes.
Ongoing Care for the Long Run
Managing chronic pain often takes time and regular check-ins. Patients will have regular visits to see how they’re doing and make any necessary changes to their treatment.
Quick Help When Needed
If patients have a question or if the pain suddenly gets worse, they can quickly talk to their specialist for help and peace of mind.
Why Picking the Right Chronic Pain Treatment Specialist Matters
If a person’s tried managing their pain with their regular doctor and it hasn’t improved, it’s time to consider seeing a pain treatment specialist. These doctors have extra training, specifically in pain management.
What Training and Certifications Can You Expect from a Qualified Chronic Pain Treatment Specialist?
Below is a more in-depth look at the specialized training of a chronic pain treatment specialist:
- Special Training for Pain: After medical school, these specialists spend several years focusing on different types of pain, how to diagnose them, and effective treatment methods.
- Board Certification: A board-certified chronic pain treatment specialist has passed a challenging exam that proves that they are experts in diagnosing and treating pain.
- High-Quality Diagnosis: These specialists use top-notch scanning equipment, like MRIs, to pinpoint what’s causing a person’s pain. This allows for a treatment plan tailored specifically to each patient’s needs.
- Treatment Options: Chronic pain treatment specialists offer a variety of treatments. These range from personalized medication plans to non-medical options like nerve blocks or simple surgeries.
How Black Horse Health Chronic Pain Treatment Specialists Can Help
Living with unmitigated symptoms of chronic pain can be debilitating. At Black Horse Health Institute, our chronic pain treatment specialists use advanced tools and techniques to understand the root causes of each person’s pain. This allows us to create personalized treatment plans that target your specific needs.
Here’s how we do it:
Medical History and Physical Examination
When you come to Black Horse Health, we first talk to you and check you out. We ask questions like:
- Where it hurts
- How long it’s been hurting
- What you’ve done to try to make it better
This information helps us understand how to best help you.
Advanced Imaging Tests
Sometimes, we need to see what’s going on inside your body to get a better idea of why you’re hurting. We might use tests like MRI or X-rays to do this. These tests allow us to take a look at your bones, muscles, and other tissues to pinpoint the source of your pain.
Lab Tests
We might also use blood tests or urine tests to help pinpoint your pain. These tests tell us if something else might be going on, like an infection or swelling, that’s making you hurt. With all this information, we can develop a plan to help you feel better.
How Diagnostic Tools Impact Treatment Choices
Once we have a thorough understanding of your pain’s root cause, we can recommend the most effective, personalized treatments for you. These might include aqua therapy, chiropractic treatments, or yoga.
Treatment Combinations for Better Outcomes
Based on the diagnosis, you might benefit from a combination of different therapies like aqua therapy and chiropractic treatment for more comprehensive care.
Personalized Treatment Programs
Every person is unique. Our chronic pain treatment specialists tailor your treatment program to suit your lifestyle, medical history, and specific types of pain.
Our Multidisciplinary Approach
We offer a wide range of therapies for chronic pain, such as mindfulness, EMDR, and even art and music therapy. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of your well-being are considered.
Expert Team
With certifications and advanced degrees in various fields, our team of experts has over 100 years of combined experience in chronic pain management.
Why Choose Black Horse Health?
At Black Horse Health, we focus on providing quality care tailored to where you are in your pain management journey. We offer a safe and healing environment with the highest standards of care.
Our Houston location is in the heart of one of the world’s largest medical hubs – ensuring you or your loved one receive the best care possible.
Contact Black Horse Health Today
If you or someone you know is struggling with chronic pain, reach out to us for an expert consultation with one of our chronic pain treatment specialists. We’re here to help you live a fulfilling, pain-free life.
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