| Pain is probably one of the oldest medical problem | | | | severe pain, pain specialists would rather explore |
| and affliction that man has known. For thousands | | | | other, healthier options, such as acupuncture and |
| (or even billions) of years, man has looked for | | | | therapy first before resorting to pills. |
| solutions and different medicine to treat chronic | | | | In the United States, pain management clinics date |
| pain. And although pain management clinics were | | | | as far back as the 1970s. Many pain centers are |
| yet to be born, many doctors alleviated chronic | | | | located inside hospital grounds themselves, while |
| pain through different drugs, such as opium or | | | | others hold their own in smaller buildings. |
| even alcohol. | | | | The Painless Way to Finding the Best Pain Centers |
| Advancements in technology and medical | | | | The most practical way to find the best pain |
| research, though, have seen the rise of several | | | | management centers is to ask your doctor or |
| pain management clinics. These special centers | | | | inquire at your nearest hospital. Chances are, you'll |
| have become popular, especially in a world where | | | | find pain centers in the hospital itself. It is |
| back pain is considered as normal as a minor | | | | advisable to go to a pain clinic within your |
| scratch or bruise. But how exactly did we reach | | | | preferred hospital, since you can consult with your |
| the point wherein pain management shifted from | | | | regular doctor. You also won't have a hard time |
| a prescription for painkillers to full-fledged facilities | | | | transferring and obtaining your medical records. |
| manned by pain specialists? Let's look at the | | | | On your first visit to a pain center, it's important |
| interesting history of pain management clinics to | | | | that you bring all medical records, including X-rays, |
| find out. | | | | MRIs, CTs and mayelograms related to your |
| The Humble Beginnings of Pain Management Clinics | | | | severe pain. You should also list down all the |
| Although pain has long been treated by anesthesia | | | | procedures done and all the medication you took |
| and other injected drugs, pain management | | | | for the pain. A nurse will do your initial check-up, |
| involves the treatment of pain using an | | | | followed by certain pain specialists, who can |
| interdisciplinary approach--from interventional | | | | evaluate you and your condition. The doctors and |
| procedures and medical management to physical | | | | specialists will then talk and consult with you |
| therapy or even psychological counseling and | | | | regarding your different treatment options. |
| support. | | | | The most common conditions treated by pain |
| Different medical practitioners comprise the staff | | | | management clinics are: spine disorders, |
| in pain management centers. Anesthesiologists, | | | | post-stroke pain syndromes, headaches, |
| general practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists | | | | cancer-related pain, phantom limb pain, |
| and even psychologists all contribute their | | | | post-operative pain and joint pain, among others. |
| knowledge and expertise to help patients deal | | | | You don't have to resort to analgesics, anesthesia |
| with chronic pain. And although most people think | | | | or strong painkillers all the time to be able to |
| that these clinics are so-called "pill-mills," with | | | | manage your severe pain. With today's medical |
| doctors writing prescriptions of pain relievers | | | | advancements and the number of pain |
| nonstop, nothing can be further from the truth. | | | | management clinics around the country, you have |
| Although pain relievers help those suffering from | | | | better and safer options before you. |