Chronic pain is one of several types of pain and is considered pain that lasts longer than six months. It’s estimated that more than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain.
Managing chronic pain is often a matter of determining the cause. It might be an injury, automobile accident, depression, anxiety, or health problems, such as fibromyalgia.
Whatever the cause, learning coping strategies for managing chronic pain is vital. That may be working with a pain management doctor who can aid you in the process.
To get the most out of your treatment, asking questions about chronic pain can help. Here are the most important things you should find out.
1. What are Your Qualifications?
When you choose a pain doctor, you want to be sure that you are getting someone with experience and training.
For that reason, it’s always a good idea to ask about where your doctor studied, what his or her pain specialty is, and how much experience he or she has treating your specific condition.
It’s also a good idea to ask about your doctor’s credentials and license to practice. That way you know he or she is approved to perform the pain management you need.
2. What are Options for Pain Management?
Fortunately for those suffering from chronic pain, there are several pain management methods that you can try. Often, a combination of a couple provides the most relief.
Ask your doctor what the best chronic pain treatments might be for your pain. For example, if your pain stems from an injury, your options will likely be different from someone who suffers chronic pain as the result of a health condition.
Check out azpaindoctors.com for more information.
3. What is My Diagnosis?
This might sound like a no-brainer, but you should get clarification about your exact diagnosis. Perhaps you know you’ve been injured playing baseball, but you need to know exactly how that injury is affecting you.
Talk about where the pain is located and what parts of your body are impacted. Ask how your doctor reached the diagnosis and go through any test results together.
This gives you a complete understanding of the pain and can help you as you work on choosing pain management treatments to alleviate the symptoms.
4. Are There Effective Medications?
Living with chronic pain is difficult, and prescription medication can often help. Because pain meds are often addictive, it’s important to work carefully with your doctor to determine an appropriate dose.
Often, medication works best when combined with other forms of pain treatment.
5. Does My Insurance Cover Treatment?
This is important information to have when it comes to the bills you’ll be responsible for. Ask your doctor if he or she accepts your insurance plan.
Talk about what treatments are covered and which ones you might have to pay out of pocket for. Together you should be able to create a treatment plan that works with your insurance.
Tips for Asking Questions About Chronic Pain
The best tip for asking questions about chronic pain is to write them down. When you meet with your doctor, have a list of questions you need answers for so that you don’t miss anything important.
When you live with chronic pain, finding relief consumes much of your energy. Working with a doctor can help.
Before you go, check out the rest of our advice about making healthy lifestyle choices.
