A chronic pain clinic is a facility that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of long-term pain. Most pain centers will bring together specialists in a number of different fields to provide a balanced approach to pain management. Doctors, alternative health therapists, and physiotherapists are often part of a pain clinic’s team. A clinic will use a variety of diagnostic techniques, such as MRIs, CAT scans, and physical assessments before creating a personal pain management program. This usually includes medication and exercise.
The main benefit of a chronic pain clinic is that it will provide access to a number of specialists who work together. Instead of visiting individual health care professionals who often don’t communicate effectively with each other, a pain clinic assembles experts in a variety of fields. Patients commonly visit a pain clinic after other treatments have failed; as such, treatment might focus on managing the pain rather than curing it completely.
Chronic pain clinics vary in focus. Some, for example, might concentrate on nerve pain or on a specific area of the body. Others will provide a more general service and treat all types of pain. It’s important for a patient to find a clinic that specializes in his or her type of issue.
A chronic pain clinic often employs doctors, physical therapists, and psychologists among others. Podiatrists, who assess the feet and look for biomechanical problems, are also common in clinics which deal in chronic pain. Alternative health practitioners, such as massage therapists and chiropractors, might also be part of the process. An essential part of choosing a pain clinic is finding out which therapies are available.
Before treatment begins, a chronic pain clinic generally uses a variety of diagnostic techniques including physical assessment, patient history, and medical imaging to get an overview of what’s causing the problem. Larger pain treatment centers may have medical imaging machines on site, while others will refer the patient to another location. Examples of imaging techniques include MRI scans, CAT scans, and ultrasound. These techniques can be expensive, but are effective at diagnosing a range of problems.
The types of treatment available at a chronic pain clinic vary depending on which specialists are part of the process. A treatment plan should be created for each individual and may involve a mixture of medication, exercises, and counseling. Sometimes surgery might be required, although this is usually seen as a last resort.
