In this post:
- What information pain management doctors require from you
- What should you know before your appointment?
- Tests and evaluations performed during an initial pain consultation
- Dallas Pain Institute assists chronic pain sufferers in North Dallas, TX.
- Questions to pose to a pain doctor
- Understanding Pain Management and Your Initial Consultation
Meeting a pain management doctor for the first time may feel intimidating, particularly if you’ve been experiencing chronic discomfort for weeks, months or even years. Your first appointment provides an opportunity to express exactly what symptoms you’ve been feeling, what treatments have worked (or not worked) in terms of alleviation and how it impacts daily activities such as work.
At Dallas Pain Institute in North Dallas, Texas (in Rowlett, Sherman & Greenville, TX), our pain specialists conduct an in-depth evaluation to identify the source of your symptoms and devise an individualized treatment plan. By sharing information that allows our pain management doctor to correctly diagnose your condition faster and provide effective pain relief solutions more rapidly.
How Can You Express Your Pain Clearly?
At your first pain management visit, your physician will ask many questions about the nature and source of your discomfort. Try to describe:
- Where the pain is located
- When it started and whether or not it spreads
- What factors make it better or worse.
Use descriptions such as:
- Burning
- Stabbing
- Aching
- Throbbing
- Sharp (or dull)
- constant or intermittent
These terms can help your pain management doctor accurately assess whether the source of your discomfort lies with nerves, muscles or inflammation in the spine.
Bring an up-to-date Medication & Treatment List
Your pain management specialist should gather an inventory of medications, injections, physical therapy sessions, chiropractic visits and surgeries as well as any imaging studies to assist them in selecting treatments which haven’t proven successful and to determine what comes next in treatment options. This helps them avoid repeating ineffective therapies and decide what may work better next time around.
Explain How Pain Affects Your Life
Pain management doctors must also understand how chronic pain interferes with daily activities such as sleep, walking, work and hobbies in order to assess its severity and provide pain management treatments that provide long-term functional improvement rather than temporary relief.
Why Select Dallas Pain Institute of North Dallas, TX
Dallas Pain Institute’s pain specialists utilize advanced diagnostics, interventional pain procedures and non-surgical therapies to provide effective pain management for neck, nerve, back, sciatica, arthritis and neuropathy conditions. See our list of common pain conditions we treat right here.
At your first visit with us, our physicians take time to listen closely before reviewing imaging studies to develop a customized plan designed to alleviate discomfort while improving quality of life.
Rowlett, TX: 7700 Lakeview Pkwy, Suite 300A, Rowlett, TX 75088. (469) 653-0222
Sherman, TX: 1001 E Sara Swamy Dr., Suite 220, Sherman, TX 75090. (903) 892-1999
Greenville, TX:4101 Wesley St., Suite K, Greenville, TX 75402. (469) 653-0222
FAQS
Q: What will a pain management doctor do during my initial visit?
A: Your medical history, symptoms, and previous treatments will all be reviewed before proceeding with an exam to identify the source of pain.
Q: Do I require imaging before visiting a pain doctor?
A: No. Although your pain management specialist may order imaging such as an X-ray, MRI or nerve testing after conducting their evaluation.
Q: Does Dallas Pain Institute treat nerve and back pain?
A: Yes. Our North Dallas, TX pain management clinics offers solutions for back and neck pain, neuropathy, sciatica, arthritis pain and many other chronic discomfort conditions.
Q: Does pain management provide any benefit when other therapies haven’t?
A: Absolutely. Pain specialists have access to cutting-edge procedures, minimally invasive therapies and interventional therapies not available elsewhere.