Knowing the Basics of Interventional Pain Management
Anyone, who is coping with chronic and/or acute pain, knows the "pain" associated with the condition. Normally, patients spend a considerable amount of time with primary care doctors, physical therapist, and specialists, hoping to find a more permanent solution. Interventional pain management is a practical alternative in such instances, where in fact the concerned patient has tried all other treatment options.
Understanding interventional pain management
Interventional pain management is really a specialized field in medicine that handles the diagnosis and treatment of chronic and/or acute pain along with other related disorders. That is more of a "multidisciplinary" approach, which is offered by a team of experienced doctors and healthcare professionals. With interventional pain management, doctors try to reduce chronic and or acute pain, besides focusing on better living. The treatment is entirely not the same as other forms of pain management because there is no direct dependency on pain-relief medications. Normally, a physician may refer the matter to a pain management doctor, who'll decide on the type of treatment, depending on the facts of the case. In case of interventional pain management, pain management physician will continue to work as well as chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, neurologist, and orthopaedic surgeon as needed to treat the condition through the use of minimally invasive procedures such as epidural injections, facet blocks, trigger point injections, etc.
Things worth knowing
Interventional pain management is specially beneficial for patients that are experiencing neck and back pain. Physicians might use more than one approach to the condition, depending on diagnosis. The use of steroidal injections in the joints and epidural space is fairly common, while injections may also be used to take care of a spinal nerve root, that is diagnosed as the source of pain. Branch blocks may also be used for diagnostic purpose accompanied by radiofrequency ablation, while doctors could also use additional injections in the facet joints. Advanced MMC is also utilized to discover the possible cause of pain, and in this procedure, a special dye can be used in an injectable form into a disc to comprehend the pathology better.
In some instances, minimally-invasive procedures like "Radiofrequency Ablation" can be used for the medical branches, to be able to restrict the movement of pain signals. Doctors may also suggest the application of heated electrodes for certain nerves that carry the pain signals, and this process can be known better as Rhizotomy. Never to forget, physical therapy and other types of occupational therapies may also be used for the treatment. Doctors also suggest lifestyle changes to patients, should they find any hope for better health.
The first appointment
You should visit an Interventional Pain Management specialist, who'll execute a thorough exam to comprehend the possible concerns and issues linked to the condition. Doctors may also suggest a few tests including x-rays and MRI for accurate diagnosis. You need to also discuss the other forms of treatments you have tried for your condition, and as required, doctors may suggest a line of therapy, after discussing the expectations, costs along with other aspects.