The pain management specialist refers to a physician who offers advanced training in the treatment of chronic and acute pain. The goal of this specialty is to help patients manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life, and reduce their reliance on medications.
Pain management specialists can treat a variety of conditions that cause pain including back problems, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and postoperative/injury pain. For that, Dr. William Siefert will discuss the common health conditions that a pain management specialist can treat.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months, and it can interfere with your daily activities. Chronic pain may not be caused by a specific injury or illness–it can even be the result of an underlying health condition.
If you have chronic back pain, for example, it’s important to see a doctor so he or she can diagnose what might be causing the problem and treat it accordingly. If your chronic condition hasn’t responded well to traditional treatments (like medication), seeing a specialist may help relieve some of your symptoms.
Back Pain
Back pain is a common condition and can be caused by many things, including bad posture, poor body mechanics, or injuries. It’s important to note that back pain is not necessarily a symptom of a larger problem, as it could also be something minor like a muscle strain or arthritis.
If you have any concerns about your symptoms or how they might be affecting your life at work or home, please talk with your doctor about seeking treatment options from an expert in the field of pain management medicine.
Arthritis Pain
Arthritis refers to the common condition characterized by pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints. Arthritis can be caused by a variety of factors, including age (osteoarthritis), genetics (rheumatoid arthritis), obesity, and inactivity. Some people may also have an inherited predisposition to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis affects all ages but most commonly occurs after age 40, and according to Dr. William Siefert, it’s three times more common in women than men. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis which both cause pain in different parts of the body depending on how they affect your joints.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia refers to a pain disorder that involves widespread muscle pain and fatigue. Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose, but it’s estimated to affect 2% of the general population. The exact cause of fibromyalgia isn’t known, but doctors think it’s related to abnormalities in your central nervous system.
Fibromyalgia treatments include medications like anti-seizure drugs; physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (which helps people change their thoughts); massage therapy, yoga/ meditation classes, acupuncture, plus regular exercise such as walking or swimming if you’re able.
Post-Operative/Injury Pain
Pain can occur after surgery or injury. The pain may be mild and tolerable, but it can interfere with your ability to function normally. A pain management specialist can help you manage your post-operative or injury-related pain so that you can get back to living your life.
Your doctor will consider several factors when determining if you need treatment for post-operative/injury-related pains, such as your age, health condition, overall fitness level, the type of surgery performed (minor vs major), and how long ago the procedure took place.
