Treatment
Once you receive a chronic pain diagnosis or have lived with pain for more than three months, it’s a good idea to get connected with a pain specialist. While clinicians in specialties like neurology and orthopedics may be able to offer some pain management options, it’s important to have someone on your team who is an expert in pain itself. Primary care physicians can also help manage pain, but ideally, a pain specialist would be involved in the treatment plan.
Whatever type of provider you see, as you begin to explore relief options, remember that it is unlikely one therapy alone will adequately manage your pain. A multidisciplinary, multimodal approach that combines various treatments is typically most effective. For example, even if medication reduces your pain by 20 percent, physical therapy by 20 percent, and injections by 10 percent— when combined, these treatments represent a 50 percent overall decrease in pain, which can have a significant, positive impact on quality of life and daily functioning.
If you are able to get to a pain clinic or center, try to find one that emphasizes multidisciplinary care. A good indicator is when the center employs a range of specialists in addition to traditional pain doctors—for example, psychologists, clinical social workers, sleep medicine experts, nutritionists, and/or physical therapists.
While an experienced pain specialist will have a lot of suggestions for treatment, it’s important to educate yourself on the various strategies and techniques available for pain relief. The list of treatment options in the next section is a great place to start. Keep in mind, too, that researchers are always making headway in discovering new treatments. Don’t lose hope!
Here is a working list of treatment options for pain by category.
- Self-management techniques
- Restorative therapies
- Complementary and alternative medicine
- Mind-body approaches
- Medications
- External neuromodulation devices
- Interventional procedures
Treatment tips
Start small
If your pain levels allow it, start with low-risk, noninvasive treatment options, like physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, before moving to more serious interventions. While medications, injections, and surgeries can be vital components of pain management, they come with risks and side effects. Especially when it comes to invasive procedures, consider getting a second opinion.
Do your homework
Use the internet or your local library to research your condition and evidence-based treatments. Try to verify that the information is reliable; government agencies, patient-led organizations, and well-known sites like WebMD and Healthline are typically good resources. Educating yourself is especially important if your condition is rare—even with the best intentions, your doctor may not have the time or resources to research the nuances of your disease.
Maximize your
doctors’ visits
Bring a list of questions, and think carefully about what your goals are for your appointment. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and your needs. If possible, ask a family member or friend to come with you. They can help advocate for you, and having a second pair of ears to absorb all the information from your doctor can be helpful.
Stay
organized
Dealing with complex health issues can be a part- or even full-time job in and of itself. To help juggle your various appointments, test results, therapy options, and insurance issues, consider starting a binder or folder with everything in one place. Remember, too, that you have the right to request your medical records and test results from any provider you see
Prioritize your
mental health
Many people with pain are so busy trying to manage their physical health that they forget to take care of themselves emotionally. But chronic pain can affect your mood and stress levels, and likewise, your mood and stress levels can affect your chronic pain. Talk to your care provider about ways to mitigate the emotional impact of pain, like connecting with a support group or experienced counselor.
Be the
squeaky wheel
If your insurance company denies a treatment option or says a specialist is not in-network, don’t give up! Ask your clinician to help you appeal the decision, or appeal it yourself. In addition, many states have health advocacy offices that can help with insurance issues. Try reaching out to them for assistance if your appeal is unsuccessful.
Specialized programs
Large medical centers and hospitals sometimes offer immersive pain management programs on an inpatient or outpatient basis. These programs can help give you a jump-start on your pain management and provide you with a variety of resources for managing pain. Programs may last for a week, while others may be an entire month or longer.
Consider
clinical trials
If you are having a difficult time finding a treatment that works, consider finding a clinical trial. These research studies often provide patients with access to cutting-edge therapies that are not available to the general public. Like with any treatment, they may have risks and side effects to consider.