Who are you supposed to see when pain doesn’t go away? That question leads many people to a pain management doctor.
These physicians identify the source of pain and develop effective treatment options without rushing into surgery.
In this guide, you’ll learn what a pain management doctor does, when people usually see one, and how treatment usually develops.
- A pain management doctor diagnoses and treats chronic and recurring pain.
- These doctors complete advanced training in pain medicine.
- They treat back pain, nerve pain, arthritis, migraines, and post-injury pain.
- Treatment may include therapy, medication, injections, or procedures.
- Wellness and Pain provides coordinated evaluations, advanced diagnostics, and personalized pain treatment.
What Is a Pain Management Doctor?
A pain management doctor treats pain as a medical condition. You may also hear them called pain doctors or pain management specialists.
Most pain doctors are board-certified and treat chronic pain linked to injury, arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, and spine or joint issues.
Pain management doctors evaluate symptoms and use imaging, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, to identify pain sources.
Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, exercise, or interventional treatments such as nerve blocks or trigger-point injections.
What Training Do Pain Doctors Have?
Pain doctors complete medical school and a residency like other physicians. Most train in anesthesiology, though some come from neurology or physical medicine and rehabilitation.
After residency, they complete advanced training through a pain medicine fellowship.
This additional year focuses on diagnosing pain and treating it with procedures, medication, and imaging such as MRI.
That training prepares pain doctors to treat herniated discs, nerve conditions, joint issues, and other complex causes of chronic pain.
Most earn board certification and follow current guidelines for safe medication use, including opioids.
Conditions Treated by Pain Management Specialists
Pain management doctors treat pain that affects many parts of the body. Some patients deal with severe pain after an injury. Others live with chronic pain that interferes with daily life.
These doctors focus on diagnosis first, then treat pain based on how it behaves over time.
Common conditions pain management doctors treat include:
- Back and neck pain related to the spine or discs
- Knee, hip, and joint pain linked to arthritis or injury
- Sciatic nerve pain that travels through the body
- Migraines and chronic headaches
- Fibromyalgia and widespread muscle cramps
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Post-surgical and post-traumatic pain
- Cancer-related pain from illness or treatment
Pain management doctors evaluate each case and often work with other healthcare professionals to treat pain and reduce suffering over time.
When Should You See a Pain Management Doctor?
You should see a pain management doctor when pain continues after rest, basic medication, or physical therapy.
Pain that interferes with sleep, work, or daily activities means you need specialized care. This includes pain that returns often or worsens over time.
Doctors often refer patients when they can’t identify the source of pain. Pain management doctors also step in when treatment involves a higher risk, such as advanced procedures or close medication oversight.
If pain continues to interrupt your routine, a pain management doctor can assess symptoms and coordinate treatment.
Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain Explained
Acute pain starts suddenly and usually relates to injury, illness, surgery, or trauma. It improves as the body heals and often resolves within days or weeks.
Chronic pain lasts longer than expected or continues after healing. It may come from ongoing conditions such as spine problems, nerve damage, arthritis, or fibromyalgia.
Pain management doctors also treat cancer-related pain, which may stem from the disease or its treatment. Each type of pain requires different evaluation and care.
Knowing whether pain is acute or chronic helps doctors decide how to treat it.
How Do Pain Management Doctors Diagnose Pain?
Pain management doctors diagnose pain by identifying where it starts and what causes it.
The process begins with a thorough evaluation. You’ll discuss symptoms, timing, and patterns that help determine possible sources.
Next comes a physical exam. The doctor checks movement, strength, reflexes, and areas that trigger pain. Your medical history adds important context, especially past injuries or procedures.
Imaging often helps confirm findings. X-rays, MRI scans, or computed tomography (CT) scans reveal problems in the spine, joints, or soft tissue that exams can’t show.
When nerve pain is suspected, electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies measure how nerves and muscles respond.
Doctors may also use diagnostic injections. By numbing a specific joint or nerve, they can confirm whether that area causes pain.
What Treatments Do Pain Management Doctors Offer?
Pain management doctors use several treatment types to manage pain. Care often combines conservative options, medication, and interventional treatments.
Non-Surgical and Conservative Pain Treatments
Pain doctors often start with treatments that improve movement and muscle balance. These options aim to reduce strain on the body and improve daily function.
Common treatments include:
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Exercise, stretching, and guided movement
- Activity and weight management changes
These treatments often work best together.
Medications Prescribed by Pain Management Doctors
Medication may help control inflammation, nerve irritation, or muscle tension. Pain doctors select medication based on symptoms and medical history.
Common options include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs
- Nerve-stabilizing medications
- Muscle relaxants
Prescribed opioids remain limited. Doctors follow strict guidelines to prevent opioid misuse.
Interventional Pain Management Procedures
When other treatments don’t bring enough relief, pain doctors may recommend procedures that target specific pain sources.
Common procedures include:
- Epidural steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
- Joint injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Neuromodulation techniques
These treatments often help reduce pain without special surgery.
Regenerative and Advanced Pain Therapies
Some patients qualify for treatments that focus on joint and tissue health. Platelet-rich plasma therapy uses components from your own blood to treat joint and tendon pain.
Viscosupplementation injects a lubricating substance into joints to reduce stiffness and discomfort.
Pain management doctors select these therapies based on imaging, symptoms, and response to prior care.
How to Communicate With a Pain Management Doctor
Talk with your pain management doctor the same way you’d talk with any medical specialist.
Be direct and specific. Describe where the pain starts, how it feels, and what changes it. Details help your doctor recognize warning signs and focus the evaluation.
Share your full treatment history. Mention past procedures, physical therapy, hospital visits, and medications.
If you’ve taken opioids before or take them now, say so. Taking opioids long-term affects safety and treatment decisions.
Avoid asking for a specific drug or procedure. Pain management doctors follow the latest guidelines and use their expertise to weigh benefits and risks.
Staying open to different options keeps more treatments on the table.
Start Your Pain Management Care With Wellness and Pain
Pain can make daily tasks harder than they should be. Wellness and Pain treats pain through thorough evaluation, careful diagnosis, and coordinated care across many different specialties.
Pain specialists, neurologists, chiropractors, and wellness providers identify the cause of pain and monitor warning signs.
Care starts with a detailed evaluation. Providers review symptoms, health history, and prior treatment.
Advanced diagnostics such as EMG nerve studies, high-resolution imaging, and targeted injections help pinpoint pain sources that routine scans often miss.
Care may include chiropractic treatment, massage, or acupuncture.
Some patients need nerve blocks, joint injections, minimally invasive spine procedures, or regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma. Treatment adjusts as your body responds.
Set up an appointment with Wellness and Pain to review your diagnosis and treatment plan.
FAQs About Pain Management Doctor
What is a doctor of pain management called?
A doctor of pain management is often called a pain management physician or pain management specialist.
Some are also known as interventional pain doctors, especially when they perform procedures like injections or nerve treatments.
What not to say to your pain management doctor?
Avoid asking for a specific medication or dosage at the start of your visit. That can raise safety concerns and limit how your doctor evaluates the problem.
Instead, describe your symptoms, note any warning signs, and explain what treatments you’ve already tried.
What kind of doctor is best for pain management?
A board-certified pain management doctor is best for treating ongoing or complex pain. These physicians specialize in diagnosing pain and managing it with medical care, procedures, and therapy.
They also recognize warning signs that may require further testing or referral.
What are the three types of pain management?
Pain management generally includes conservative care, medication-based care, and interventional treatment.
Conservative care focuses on therapy and movement. Medication and procedures are used when pain persists, with an emphasis on staying safe throughout treatment.
