A pain clinic is a healthcare center that diagnoses, manages, and treats chronic pain. Within many clinics, there are specialists focussing on specific pain types and conditions. Pain management specialists have an in-depth knowledge of pain physiology. They have undergone additional training, so they know the specific tests to diagnose pain-related conditions. These professionals prescribe  pain medicine, perform surgical and non-surgical procedures and recommend suitable therapies for relief. 

Advanced Pain Care is a leading center for chronic pain management in Texas. Here, the pain management process is developed to minimize your chronic pain and boost your quality of life with non-surgical, non-invasive solutions. 

If you are visiting a pain clinic for the first time, here's what to expect.

When you enter a pain management clinic, you wouldn't feel it is any different from a regular doctor's office. After checking in, you will be given some paperwork to finish. When you complete it, the pain management specialist will call you into the examination room. 

In the first appointment, the pain management expert will ask you about your reasons for visiting the clinic and your expectation from the visit. After that, you will be asked questions regarding your general health. These include those related to allergies, past medications, and operations. The doctor will also ask you whether you are taking any medicines currently. 

Proceeding forward, the specialist will take a look at the medications you have taken or are taking. They will inquire about the duration you have been taking those medications. The doctor may request to see the containers of those pills. It is essential that you mention all the medications you are taking. This includes OTC or over-the-counter medicines as well. Also, mention dietary supplements and prescription medicines too if you take them regularly. 

When you make the initial visit, the doctor will record all your information in a chart. On every subsequent visit, the pain specialist in Austin will likely make changes to your current treatment plan. They do this based on how well you respond to treatment so far. In the follow-up visits, the physician will ask you if you are experiencing any side effects from the medications prescribed or procedures performed. Give an honest answer to all the questions. It will ensure that your treatment works in the best way possible.

After discussing your concerns, reviewing your medical history, and checking your medications, the doctor will conduct a physical examination. They may listen to your bowel sounds and examine your pressure and pulse or heart rate. The doctor may decide on further tests such as MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, or X-ray. After getting the results of these tests, the doctor will examine them. Further, they will interpret those results regarding the pain issues you are facing. Some doctors may also inject a numbing medication into particular trigger points in your body. It is also called trigger point injections and is sometimes a usual part of this process. 

Setting up a visit with a  pain specialist in Austin can immensely boost your quality of life if you suffer from chronic pain. Visiting a pain physician is not as difficult as long as you share the details of your pain and communicate your concerns clearly. Advanced Pain Care is a pain management practice in Texas specializing in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. The pain specialists are committed to improving the life of those experiencing discomfort on an everyday basis. The team uses a multidisciplinary approach to impart holistic care to every patient. Visit Advanced Pain Care to learn more about their pain management services.