Why A Pain Management Physician Can Help You More Than An Internal Medicine Physician?
A pain management doctor has the experience and knowledge to treat all types pain. This type of doctor has the ability to diagnose and treat pain more precisely than an internist. An internist might be able to pinpoint the exact source of pain, but may not be able the cause. He or she may be limited to prescribing medication or physical therapy that may not address the actual cause of the pain. Pain management is an area that is growing in popularity, as it affects Office based anesthesia more than 50,000,000 people each year. It also has a significant cost to the country in terms of lost productivity, health care costs, and emotional stress.
Pain
Management MD Curriculum
Four years of undergraduate studies and four years in
medical school will be required for a physician who is trained in pain
management. The four-year program includes hands-on training in pharmacology,
anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. A doctorate in anesthesiology or physical rehabilitation,
psychiatry, and neurology will be awarded to the graduate. There may also be
fellowship training for several years in a particular area of pain management.
Because all these areas are relevant to the overall
treatment of pain, pain management includes a wide range of specialties,
including psychiatry and neurology. There are many organizations that support physicians who
have dedicated themselves to pain medicine. These include the American Academy
of Pain Management, statewide organizations that provide funding and assistance
with technology and news.
Types Of
Pain
The scope of a pain management physician is broad and
covers all areas of pain. Chronic pain refers to persistent pain that lasts for longer
than what an acute injury such as a muscle strain or infection, or a surgical
site. Pain that is not related to a
previous injury or condition, such as arthritis, scoliosis and osteoporosis,
can also occur. It can manifest as
headaches, back pain, or referred pain if the injury to the nerves affects
other parts of your body, such as the arms, legs, or lower back.
Diagnosis
Equipment
It is crucial to correctly diagnose pain. X-rays, CAT scans, and MRI
can be used to diagnose all types of pain. An internal medicine doctor could
also order MRI. A pain management
physician will have the expertise to use the equipment and to assess the
results. A discography can be used to
diagnose back pain as a way to check for invertebral disks. A myleogram is used
to examine the nerves that leave the spinal cord. Newer technologies include MR Neurography, which can see
nerves with MRI, and thermography, which measures the body's heat.
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