When Is It Time For A Pain Management Consultation
Pain that persists or worsens may require treatment from a doctor who specializes in treating pain. Virtua Pain Management Physician Benjamin Duckles, MD, explains when to seek help for chronic pain.
By Benjamin Duckles, MD, Virtua Pain Management Physician
Most people experience aches and pains in the course of life. Sometimes it just goes away. And, sometimes a little self-care like ice therapy, heat therapy, or over-the-counter medication provides relief.
However, pain that persists or worsens may require treatment from a doctor who specializes in treating pain. If you experience the following, it may be time to seek treatment:
- Your pain is severe and interferes with your daily function: A pain management physician often can provide minimally invasive treatments that target pain at its source and restore function quickly.
- Your pain is chronic or hasn’t decreased significantly despite self-care: Even if your own efforts have provided some relief, you have chronic pain that interferes with your everyday routine.
- You want to find an alternative to prescription pain medicine: When prescribed by a doctor and taken correctly, prescription pain medicine can safely and effectively treat temporary bouts of pain. However, a pain management specialist can recommend other treatments that relieve chronic pain and reduce your reliance on medication for pain relief.
While you probably can’t live pain-free all the time, chronic pain shouldn’t hamper your everyday life. If you’ve tried self-care and it hasn’t relieved your pain, it may be time for a pain-management consultation.
Download the Virtua Health Guide to Back Pain or call 856-246-4272 to request a consultation with a Virtua back pain specialist.