It’s estimated that over 50 million Americans struggle with chronic pain. While it’s now a common issue, that doesn’t mean it’s something you have to live with. Seeing a specialist for pain management in San Marcos can be an effective way to help alleviate your suffering.
Whether you’re dealing with acute musculoskeletal pain and inflammation or require more comprehensive medical care, this specialized treatment ensures that you receive the proper diagnosis and tailored treatments that best address your particular needs.
From physical therapy to interventional procedures and beyond, understanding what to expect from a visit with a San Marcos-based therapist can help you find usable solutions for long-term pain relief.
What Is Pain Management?
Everyone has pain at some point in life, and pain management specialists like ourselves are here to help reduce it. Pain management is a type of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing pain to help improve your quality of life.
This means that at the Lone Star Spine and Pain Institute, we treat acute pains after surgery or an injury and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia or back pain. Sounds simple enough, right? It is, but there’s much to know about effectively managing pain. The idea is that you can reduce chronic pain to improve your well-being.
For example, one of the great benefits of seeing a pain management doctor is that we can help you manage your pain without relying on opioids or other medications. This can go a long way in improving your overall well-being and help you function normally again.
Pain Management Services
When it comes to pain management in San Marcos, you’ve got lots of treatment options. Here at Lone Star Spine and Pain Institute, we offer over 15 different services, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Bursa injections
- Epidural steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
- Ketamine
- Regenerative medicine
- Spinal cord stimulation
Which is best? It depends on your chronic condition and pain level.
For example, nerve blocks involve injecting anesthetic or other pain-relieving medications around a nerve for temporary pain relief. Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure where electrodes are placed near the spinal cord to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Both methods aim to provide pain relief without resorting to surgery.
The bottom line? Discussing all options is important if you’re considering visiting a San Marcos pain management specialist. We can help you get a good idea of what might work best for you before undergoing any pain management services for the best results.
What to Know Before Visiting a Pain Management Specialist
So, you’ve scheduled your consultation and are waiting to be seen by our San Marcos specialist. What can you expect during your first visit? It varies depending on your needs and how bad your chronic pain is. However, you can do a few things to prepare for the appointment.
Before the appointment, it’s important to gather information to explain your pain symptoms and medical history accurately. This includes any previous tests or information from other specialists you’ve visited. This will help us get a good idea of your vitals and current condition. We’ll also ask you questions similar to the following:
- How long have you had this pain?
- Where do you feel the pain?
- How doe the pain affect your daily life?
- Are you sleeping well?
- How do you currently treat or manage your pain?
- Have you received any prior diagnosis?
- Do you take any medication?
The pain management specialist will then perform a physical exam and likely order tests such as blood work or an MRI so we can properly diagnose your pain. After this process, we’ll collaborate with you to create a treatment plan which could involve medication, therapy, or even surgery. Every case is different, though.
Is Visiting a Pain Management Specialist Painful?
It shouldn’t be, no. We’re trying to help alleviate your pain, not create more. During your first visit, we generally won’t start any extreme treatments. We might eventually order an MRI or blood test, depending on your chronic pain issues. You might feel slight discomfort during other treatments, but nothing that should cause extreme pain.
Results: How Long Does It Take?
What can you expect after you begin your treatment? How long does it take to see results from pain management services in San Marcos? Timelines can vary.
Most patients will notice some pain relief within two to four weeks. However, results can take longer than that, sometimes up to two months. Don’t worry if it takes longer. Sometimes, it just takes time for your pain management specialist to find the right dose and give treatments time to build up in your system.
Patience and consistency are key to seeing results from pain management treatments. Remember, we’re here with you every step of the way.
Pain Management in San Marcos
Life is too short to let pain control your days. At Lone Star Spine and Pain Institute, our mission is to help San Marcos patients reclaim their lives through pain management and drug-free pain relief solutions. We provide individualized treatment plans that can help you live pain-free, so you can focus on the things that make life worth living. Stop allowing pain to hold you back. Call us today or schedule a consultation online and take the important steps toward pain management success. Let us redefine your pain with us through pain management in San Marcos.
