Pain Specialists: Understanding Who Treats What Kind of Pain

Whether you’re a general practitioner needing to refer a patient to a pain specialist or a patient looking for help on your own, finding the right specialist can be difficult. There are almost as many different pain specialists as there are types of pain. Understanding which kind of pain specialist a patient needs is the first step.

The reality is, chronic and severe pain often has multiple facets, so patients may need to work with more than one kind of pain specialist for optimal results. Some may benefit from working with a physical therapist and a neurologist. Others may be better served by seeing a chiropractor and a psychologist. Balancing treatment options with mental health support is often the most effective approach. Don’t give up on your patients or yourself if one type of pain specialist isn’t helping. Consider all the options, including the wide range of pain specialists outlined below.

Pain Medicine Specialists

These doctors treat a wide variety of chronic pain issues using prescription medications, nerve blocks, and injections. Whether your pain results from diabetic neuropathy, surgical complications, injury, or nerve damage, you may be able to find relief through a pain medicine practitioner. The focus here is on relieving the pain; most of these physicians have a specialty in a particular area, such as anesthesiology or neurology. Many also perform complex outpatient procedures such as radiofrequency ablation and implanting pain relief devices such as electrostimulation implants and intrathecal pain pumps to give controlled doses of pain medication.

Pain medicine specialists have to understand the complex causes of pain, the patient’s state of mind, and each patient’s overall health and disease status. A board-certified pain specialist will be familiar with a wide range of diagnostic tools and treatment options. They work closely with each patient’s primary doctor and other specialists to coordinate a pain treatment plan.

Pain medicine is a “subspecialty” within a physician’s primary specialty area, such as rheumatology or psychiatry. Choosing a pain specialist for a patient or yourself should hinge partly on the type of specialty the pain specialist is focused on. A psychiatrist who is also a pain specialist will focus on techniques such as biofeedback and counseling, while a physiatrist will use interventions focused on the physical aspect of pain.

Rheumatologists

If the cause of pain seems to be arthritis or certain auto-immune diseases such as lupus, a rheumatologist can help. These pain specialists focus on all forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as conditions such as tendinitis and gout. If you have painful, swollen joints or muscle stiffness, a rheumatologist is a great place to start looking for relief.

Orthopedic Surgeons

Suppose problems with the musculoskeletal system cause pain. In that case, a primary care doctor may refer their patient to an orthopedic specialist who treats problems with the muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, and tendon. After determining the root cause of the pain, they develop a treatment plan that could include medicine, injections, or physical therapy. Most are also orthopedic surgeons who can perform any necessary surgeries to alleviate or reduce pain.

Physical and Occupational Therapists

These professionals usually work with individuals recovering from surgery or an injury that has damaged or temporarily compromised some part of the musculoskeletal system. Techniques such as guided exercise, stretching, massage, ice, heat, and TENS therapy are used to relieve pain and restore mobility. In most cases, physical or occupational therapy is prescribed by a physician or surgeon.

Acupuncturists

An acupuncturist treats pain caused by many conditions, including knee pain, sciatica, back pain, arthritis, sprains and strains, and headaches. The insertion of ultra-fine needles into the skin stimulates the body’s natural pain reducers. For many who suffer from chronic pain, regular acupuncture treatments can reduce pain and the stress that often comes with it.

Chiropractors

Through manipulation of the spine, chiropractors help relieve back and neck pain. They focus on treating the pain by carefully adjusting the spine’s alignment using physical manipulation but not prescribing medications.

Rehabilitation Specialists or Physiatrists

Any injury or chronic condition that impacts movement can be treated by a physiatrist. These specialists focus on the muscles, bones, and nerves that cause sports injuries, neck and back problems, occupational injuries, and problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, concussions, and pinched nerves. They do not perform surgery but may refer some patients to orthopedic surgeons. Rehabilitation specialists also work with patients recovering from surgery.

Anesthesiologists

Although some anesthesiologists primarily administer anesthesia before surgery and monitor patients during and after surgical procedures, others specialize in pain relief for individuals suffering from various forms of chronic pain. They are also instrumental in relieving pain for women in labor and undergoing cesarean births. Treatment options include prescription medications, nerve blocks, electrical stimulation (TENS), and spinal injections.

Neurologists

Neurologists treat any pain of a neurological origin, including headaches, spine-related pain, and peripheral nerve pain. Treatments options include a wide range of approaches, including pain medications, antidepressants, TENS, injections, nerve blocks, and a variety of other techniques. Most commonly, neurologists work with patients suffering from neuropathy or frequent, severe headaches, including migraines.

Psychiatrists and Psychologists

If pain management is complex or there are accompanying mental health issues such as depression, a psychiatrist can help patients learn coping mechanisms. Effective management of chronic pain’s emotions and psychological trauma can reduce the severity of pain and help individuals rise above the pain and more effectively navigate their lives.

While psychiatrists can prescribe medications for both pain and its comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, they often work within the treatment plans of other pain specialists. Psychologists can also help with counseling, teaching coping skills, and affecting changes in family dynamics that contribute to chronic pain, but they do not prescribe medications.

Working with one or more pain specialists can bring about a dramatic reduction in pain and help those suffering from long-term, chronic pain regain their sense of purpose and ability to manage the day-to-day of their lives. Finding the right fit for each patient is well worth the time.