Not many of us are immune to chronic spinal, neuropathic, or musculoskeletal pain caused by aging or due to a health crisis. Conventionally, fending off the chronic pain was a distinct possibility due to lack of information about its psychological and physiological basis. As such, sufferers had to come to terms with their medical condition and learn to live with the pain. However, the scenario has changed drastically in the recent years, thanks to the advent of algiatry. In the changed scenario, you have access to algiatry facilities replete with qualified pain management doctors, who will implement strategies to help get rid of the pain completely or partially.

• An introduction to algiatry and pain management doctors
  Algiatry is an evolving discipline of medicine dealing with pains of varied origins and intensities. Also known as pain medicine and pain control, algiatry amalgamates several treatment approaches and interventional procedures to ease out the chronic pain and help patients lead a normal or near-normal life. Besides chronic pain, pain management can be the winning move for sufferers of cancer pain, acute pain, and untraceable pain or a combination of it all. Additionally, you are a likely candidate for algiatry if you experience persistent pain after surgery, nerve damage, or healing injury.
• Know what to expect at an algiatry facility
  Pain management doctors at the facility will identify the cause of the pain, evaluate its severity, and usually offer non-invasive treatments. Depending on your condition, the doctor might conduct X-rays, CT scan, MRI, discography, electromyogram, nerve blocks, one scan, or sonography to pinpoint the cause of the pain. The odds are that your pain management specialists may fail to get hold of the cause of the pain. In such a scenario, their primary goal will be to bring down the suffering with a specifically designed rehabilitation program. For better patient outcomes, doctors also perform a physical exam, study your past and current medical history, and ask you questions about the pain. It is always advised to be explicit with the specialist, as the nature, duration, and outcomes of the treatment will largely depend on the information provided by you.
• Popular pain treatment strategies
  When on an algiatry program, your pain management doctors are more likely to adhere to a multi-disciplinary approach to deliver feasible solutions. Some of the treatment options are as follows:
  – You may be subjected to pharmacological treatments, including antidepressants, Opioids, analgesics, and anticonvulsants, as per your medical condition.
  – In acute cases, the pain specialists may administer you with Dexamethasone, Prednisone, or other steroids to facilitate instant relief from intense pain and inflammation.
  – Pain management doctors may prescribe psychological and chiropractic therapies for faster and long–lasting pain relief.
  – They will provide you with a tailored workout regime suiting your needs to enhance your tolerance levels and ease out the pain.
  – Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, are also a staple for reliable and efficient pain management.
  – You may also be recommended Biofeedback, a pain relief option wherein you learn to control your muscle tension and heart rate effectively.
  – Cold and heat therapies are also proven to bring prompt pain relief and complete relaxation. Therefore, they are high on the treatment options of all pain management facilities.
  – Pain management doctors world over rely on cognitive behavioral therapy to deliver better pain management outcomes. The therapy aims at imparting the patient a comprehensive understanding of pain, its origin, and significance, along with promoting constructive thought patterns and healthy lifestyle.
  – Algiatry programs are not just pain–centric, as they focus on the holistic health and well–being of an individual as well. As such, pain management doctors may conduct or recommend hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and yoga to allow holistic healing.
  – Visual imagery can also be of help when it comes to pain relief. Herein, you will be asked to picture visual images that have a calming effect on the human body and brain.
  – The chances are ripe that your pain management doctors may prescribe you Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy, popularly known as TENS.
• Know how to get referred to an algiatry facility
  Your primary care physician will be the entryway to an algiatry facility. Your physician knows your medical condition inside out and hence, is poised to suggest the best way forward. He can guide you to a pain management facility as per your health goals, pain specifications, and budget. Pain management doctors often work in close coordination with primary care physicians to get intimate with the patient’s medical history and other peculiarities that determine the course of action. Additionally, you can get a referral from neurologists, oncologists, surgeons, and other specialists dealing with pain issues.

Algiatry, more often referred to as ain management, is a boon for the population suffering from chronic pain. However, it merits note that the patient outcomes are subject to the patient’s health status and age, along with cause, duration, and severity of the pain.