5 Ways to Know it's Time to See a Chronic Pain Specialist

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We know that navigating the world of chronic pain management can be complicated and confusing. This is especially true if you are just starting out. One of the more frequently asked questions patients with chronic pain ask is about how to know when to see a specialist. In response, we’d like to offer you five indicators that will help guide you towards that answer.

Without further ado, you’ll know it’s time to see a chronic pain specialist when...

  

1: You're Consistently Cancelling Plans  

One of the first signs you may experience that will let you know it’s time to see a specialist is when your pain forces you to cancel plans on a regular basis. Some common examples include:

  • Migraines that are easily triggered

  • Lower back pain keeps you on the couch or causes sleepless nights

  • Arthritis is making daily tasks difficult and painful

  • General full-body aches forcing you to miss work often

  • Cancer pain or cancer treatment pain reducing your mobility

When your pain is impacting your professional and/or personal plans, we consider that a lowered quality of life. One of the main goals of an interventional pain physician is to find ways to manage pain and achieve the highest quality of life possible. Don’t let this red flag go unattended.

 

2: Close Relationships are Difficult to Maintain 

Relationships are not only a critical component of a high quality of life, but they also contribute to positive mental health. When patients begin to notice that their pain is impacting their desire to be around others, we recommend taking that sign seriously. Along with social isolation, pain may also be seen in the following forms:  

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Irritability

  • Insomnia

  • Frustration/anger

Along with treatment of the physical symptoms, your chronic pain specialist may recommend seeing a pain psychology specialist. People often think of pain as a purely physical sensation.  However, it is now accepted that pain does not exist in a social vacuum, and that non-physiological factors such as personality, cognitions, beliefs, socio-cultural variables, learning and emotional reactivity all contribute significantly to a patient’s perception of pain. A pain psychologist can help patients develop new ways to think about problems and to find solutions.

 

3: Pain Has Continued for 3+ Months 

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than six months. However, depending on your condition (if you already have a diagnosis) or the level of impact to your quality of life, your primary care physician may refer you to us sooner. This is especially true of cancer-related pain.  

If you are unsure, don’t wait. Find a trusted interventional pain physician near you and schedule a consultation. He or she will be able to give you a more accurate recommendation specific to your unique pain symptoms or condition.

 

4: You Want More Answers

We know that nothing is more unsettling than to hear that your doctor doesn’t know what is causing your pain. The peace of mind that comes with having answers is often a relief in and of itself. A diagnosis also comes with the added benefit of applying more effective treatments.

A chronic pain specialist will work closely with the other members of your care team. They will take the time to listen to you, carefully assess your health history and – with the help of specialized technology – work towards a diagnosis. They will also work with you to create a custom treatment plan that’s unique to your pain and quality of life goals. 

 

5: You’re Ready to Try Different Treatment Options

Sometimes patients try different methods of managing pain on their own or with help from their primary care physician. While that may work for many people, it’s not for everyone. If you are struggling with getting your pain under control, it may be time for you to see a chronic pain specialist.

At CPC, we offer a wide range of pain management options that our doctors will use separately or, at times, in combination with each other. Some of the treatments include:

  • Steroid Injections

  • Nerve Blocks

  • Epidural Injections

  • Intrathecal Drug Pain Pump

  • Kyphoplasty

  • Radiofrequency Ablation

  • Spinal Cord Stimulation Implants

  • Much, much more

 

Pain Specialists of North Carolina

While “No pain, no gain” may work for some pursuits in life, our philosophy is quite different. At Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas, we know you hurt, but you don’t have to. We are committed to offering you expert, cutting-edge, comprehensive treatment from the moment you first walk in our door. Don’t let your pain control your life – call today to schedule your first appointment in the journey to freedom.