What is a Pain Management Doctor?

A pain management doctor is a board-certified physician (typically an anesthesiologist) with a subspecialty certification in pain medicine. To earn the subspecialty certification, the doctor must complete additional training and pass a rigorous exam.

Every pain management doctor should develop some goals for their patient, based on their unique situation. The general goals for our patients include:

• Understand and treat what’s causing the pain
• Reduce and manage your pain level – intensity, frequency, and duration
• Improve sleep patterns and overall quality of life
• Improve function and activity level after pain is under control
• Empower patients to self-manage chronic pain at home

The patient-doctor relationship is vital to the success of any medical treatment, but it is especially the case for pain treatments. Pain doctors need to understand how you perceive your pain. In other words:

• What is your tolerance for pain?
• How does that affect your description of the pain?
• How should treatment be tailored to address your pain?

These are the questions a pain management doctor needs to address on a case-by-case basis by developing a level of trust and comfort with the patient.

Pain management doctors also recognize that patients need support from friends and family outside of the clinic. Chronic pain affects your physical, mental, and emotional state. Having realistic expectations and a positive attitude contributes to the overall success of your treatment.