If you’re getting ready to schedule your first pain management clinic appointment, you’re probably a little bit nervous. The good news is that there are countless other people who are going through the same feelings. And with a little bit of preparation, your first appointment will be a breeze. Here’s what you need to know.
You May Work with a Team of Doctors
Everyone’s pain management help journey is a little bit different. The same is true of pain management doctors. While you may be used to working with a single doctor at your primary care clinic, many pain clinics are interdisciplinary. This means that you may be working with a team of doctors who will administer a variety of treatments to help you. Some of the professionals you may work with at a pain clinic include:
- Primary care physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Physical therapists
- Licensed acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
- Nutritionists
- Dietitians
- Psychologists
- Occupational therapists
Who you’ll be working with depends on the nature of your pain issues. As long as you’re prepared to do what it takes to effectively manage your pain, you’ll be in great hands.
Your First Pain Management Appointment Will Cover Several Important Tests
During your first appointment, your doctor will want to get to know you a little bit better and accurately assess your condition. Some of the things that you’ll discuss include your medical history, family history, current symptoms, any medications you’re taking, and your overall lifestyle. This information will give you and your doctor a better starting point for your treatment plan. Some other things that will likely happen during your first appointment include:
- A comprehensive physical exam
- A history interview (medical, surgical, family, social, addiction, etc.)
- Imaging and diagnostic tests
- A pain assessment
Once you have these initial tests and conversations out of the way, you and your doctor will be able to move forward in developing a treatment plan to help you effectively manage your pain. The most important thing to remember during your first appointment is to answer any questions as honestly as possible. Doing so will give your doctor the best possible chance at helping you effectively manage and treat your pain. When up to 25% of American adults are currently taking medication for anxiety, depression, or another disorder, you have nothing to be embarrassed or secretive about.
Seeing a pain management doctor for the first time might seem overwhelming. The key is knowing what to expect from your first appointment. Once that’s out of the way, then you can begin your journey to effectively managing your pain.
Further reading on your first pain management appointment
If you are suffering from Chronic you may find this article on Pain Resource Management helpful.
Additionally, visit the main page for more general information on how we treat pain.
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