Pain Management Specialist in Houston, TX

A pain specialist should be seen when:

Pain is Not Responding to Conservative Treatment — In cases where traditional treatment is not enough, a pain management specialist can help address different types of pain. They are typically contacted after traditional treatments have failed, including the following:

– Rest
– Physical therapy
– Anti-inflammatory medications
– Pain medications
– Activity modification

A pain management specialist can determine why these treatments have not provided any relief as well as the underlying cause of the patient’s pain.

The Cause of Pain Cannot Be Determined — If a general practitioner cannot establish the underlying cause of pain, the patient will more than likely be referred to a pain management specialist. A referral to a pain management specialist may be necessary for numerous reasons, including if the treating physician cannot identify the cause of pain.

Experiencing Chronic Pain for No Reason — Pain that is not associated with an accident, injury, or medical condition may be attributed to an abnormality in the nervous system. Pain management specialists can recognize a wide variety of pain conditions and create effective treatment plans because they have a deep understanding of different types of pain and how to treat them.

Conditions that qualify for pain management include:

– Arthritis
– Back pain
– Central pain syndrome
– Chemotherapy pain
– Elbow pain
– Fibromyalgia
– Foot and ankle pain
– Headaches
– Hip pain
– Knee pain
– Migraines
– Musculoskeletal pain
– Neck pain
– Neuropathy
– Pinched nerves
– Shoulder pain

There are several different types of pain beyond acute and chronic, including radicular, neuropathic, and nociceptive pain.

– Acute Pain — Acute pain is relatively short in duration, lasting from a few minutes (such as a stubbed toe) to about three months (such as a muscle strain).

– Chronic Pain — Chronic pain is longer in duration and typically lasts longer than three months; it can also be constant or intermittent.

– Neuropathic Pain — Neuropathic pain, sometimes called nerve pain or neuralgia is pain affecting the nerves or other parts of the nervous system. It is often described as a shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation, and may also feel like “pins and needles.”

– Nociceptive Pain — Often described as being a sharp, achy, or throbbing pain, nociceptive pain is a type of pain caused by damage to body tissue.

– Radicular Pain — Radicular pain is caused by compressed or inflamed nerves in the spine. It causes pain to radiate from the back and hip into the leg(s), often resulting in tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness.

The first visit to a pain management clinic usually involves a consultative appointment with a pain management specialist, typically a physician with a background in anesthesiology, internal medicine, or general medicine. A detailed evaluation of the individual’s pain history, a physical exam, a pain assessment, and diagnostic tests are all typically part of the initial visit. The pain management specialist may ask for additional information in regard to pain symptoms, treatment history, and the pain’s impact on daily life. Depending on the origin, severity, and chronicity of pain, they will develop a treatment plan that will address all of the patient’s concerns.

InovoSpine is dedicated to providing you with all of your pain management needs. Our medical professionals can help you find relief from your pain, even if other treatments have failed to produce any results. For more information, contact us or schedule an online appointment. We serve patients from Houston TX, Hedwig Village TX, Meadows Place TX, Missouri City TX, Hunters Creek Village TX, Spring Valley Village TX, and surrounding areas.