While most of us are familiar with the role of the anesthesiologist as the doctor who is responsible for sedating you before surgery or other medical procedures, they are also pain management doctors who help those with chronic pain get relief. Like any specialist, the anesthesiologist begins his/her education by earning a college degree before completing a four-year medical school degree. They continue their studies by sending an additional four years learning the field of anesthesiology and pain medicine. Many anesthesiologists spend additional time in training to earn the title of sub-specialists in pain medicine. As pain management doctors, they will work with all types of patients in an attempt to provide pain relief.
Some doctors in the field of anesthesiology do research to obtain certification in pain medicine from the American Board of Anesthesiology. They are the only recognized board by the American Board of Medical Specialties to offer certification in pain medicine. If you want to talk to Board certified doctors in Chicago, you may visit the following website - Pain management doctors Chicago.
When Pain Management Doctors are Needed
Many pain specialists work in pain clinics with a group of doctors with specialties in a number of areas of medicine. Patients who continue to have pain after an illness or surgery is healed can go to a pain clinic to have treatment for chronic pain. If a method of treatment has been successful in the past but is currently not working, or if pain becomes worse over time, a pain doctor can help you get relief.
Cancer patients often experience pain that is manageable with the services of a pain specialist. Often, the treatment for the cancer-related pain is given at the same time as the cancer treatment. The individual may be experiencing pain due to the cancer tumor, the surgery, or the treatment methods being used. Pain management doctors are trained to treat a large variety of conditions.
The Role of the Pain Doctor
The pain doctor’s role begins with the diagnosis of the patient’s condition. They will use a variety of diagnostic tools to see why the pain is there and treat it as needed. Sometimes individuals experience acute pain after they have had surgery, an illness or other situation. The pain doctor will treat these types of conditions as well.
The pain doctor will rarely work independently. In addition to collaborating with your primary care physician, they will also frequently work with other specialists that pertain to your situation. They will evaluate your medical records and talk with you about your pain and your experience with it. In addition to asking you to describe your pain in full detail, they may also ask you to complete a questionnaire that they can use as a reference. Finally, they will do an overall assessment of your condition to determine the source of your pain. The next step will be to develop a personalized pain treatment plan.
Pain management doctors accomplish a wide breadth of education in order to provide you with the best possible treatment options. If you are experiencing pain that is making it difficult for you to function normally, a visit to a pain management center could bring the relief you have been waiting for.