ain is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits. The CDC estimates that about half of American adults experience pain every year. That’s more than 100 million people. And 15% report experiencing severe pain daily, leading to debilitating physical and psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic stress. For some people with severe pain, opioids are an option; but because they’re highly addictive, doctors hesitate before prescribing them long-term or even short-term use. Pay a visit to Yancey Pain & Spine in Texas. This is why a perfect solution is an Interventional Pain Management (IPM) center. But, how do you choose one?
Diversity of Treatment Options
First, look for a clinic that offers more than physical therapy. Although PT is the most common IPM treatment (and proven effective), pain specialists know that patients with chronic or debilitating pain may need additional help, like psychological counseling or sleep medicine. So aside from offering physical treatments, look for clinics that provide services like epidural injections.
No one can argue that this is the most critical aspect of IPM treatment regarding PT. A good clinic will offer various forms of manual therapy that relieve muscle spasms, inflammation, and stiffness in soft tissues, along with exercises for improving mobility and flexibility.
Technological Advancement
Technology is another vital factor that should determine your choice of facility. You want a center where doctors can offer advanced physical therapies like radio-frequency ablation, plasma disc decompression, and nerve blocks.
Also, look for clinics with state-of-the-art imaging technology that uses tools to visualize parts inside the body down to a cellular level. This will help doctors better identify the source of pain and correct it with minimally invasive procedures.
You want a clinic that uses high-tech imaging tools to help identify the source of pain and perform surgical procedures as needed. Many IPM programs now offer Peripheral Nerve Catheterization. Doctors insert a long thin tube into muscles or tissue near the spine to directly access the central nervous system for administering medications.
How Organized the Medical Team Is
Doctors should be well-versed in the latest pain management techniques. They should also understand the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic properties of various medications used for pain relief and their benefits and side effects.
A good clinic will employ doctors from different disciplines to treat each patient individually. The team will include anesthesiologists and board-certified pain specialists like physiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic surgeons.
Consider the Facility’s Pain Management Pharmacy
Also, look for clinics with a dedicated pain management pharmacy to ensure patients get the proper medication at the correct dosage. Many drug interactions may seem benign, but they can be fatal in some cases. So, if a clinic offers different services but doesn’t have its pharmacy, it may not be very organized and might end up prescribing you the wrong combination of medications.
A good clinic will go beyond dispensing painkillers to prescribe effective non-narcotic or opioid alternatives. Doctors should know which drugs are safe and effective for long-term use, which is only meant for short-term use, and how to prescribe each one responsibly.
When it comes to chronic pain, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
That’s why it’s essential to find an interventional pain management center that offers a variety of treatment options. This will give you the best chance of finding a therapy that works for you and helps reduce your pain. Look for clinics with advanced technology that can help identify the source of your pain and perform surgical procedures as needed.