What Type of Doctor Should I See for my Pain?
Nov 30, 2015
When you’re in pain, one of the only things on your mind is finding an effective treatment method to reduce the pain. But with so many different doctors who specialize in various areas of treatment, it can be difficult to determine where to start. In this article, we will take a look at some of the various medical professionals who treat pain conditions, and when to see each.
Your primary care physician is likely the first medical professional you think of when you’re in pain. Primary care doctors are trained at identifying a wide variety of conditions and injuries and prescribing broad treatments. When it comes to more complex pain conditions that can’t be effectively treated with simple methods like prescription meds, your primary care doctor will likely refer you to a specialized physician.
Doctors of chiropractic medicine focus their treatment on the spine. Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce back and neck pain due to spine misalignments, pinched nerves, and other conditions. This can be especially effective when combined strategically with other treatment methods.
Physical therapists work with patients to restore movement, mobility, and function to body parts after an injury or surgical procedure. They can map out exercise routines that can be greatly beneficial as patients go through the process of recovery.
Pain management specialists treat all types of pain, and work in tandem with the above physicians to find and prescribe the best possible treatment plan for patients. These doctors are trained in complex pain conditions like fibromyalgia, CRPS, and other injuries, and can develop treatment strategies tailored to each patient’s specific set of circumstances. They are also trained in administering pain injections like steroid injections, nerve blocks, and sometimes prp injections.
If you are in pain of any kind, contact a pain management specialist to set up an appointment. The pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have more than 20 years of experience formulating treatment strategies for patients in pain.