Learn more about Pain Medicine Specialists
A pain medicine doctor specializes in diagnosing, treating and managing pain and a range of painful disorders. A pain medicine doctor cares for the health needs of people with acute pain, chronic pain, and cancer pain. Because pain is complex and covers a wide spectrum of conditions, pain medicine doctors specialize in both the physical and mental aspects of pain management.
A pain medicine doctor typically:
-
Evaluates your medical history and any test results you have
-
Performs a physical exam
-
Evaluates your answers to pain questionnaires
-
Orders and interprets laboratory tests, imaging exams, neurologic exams, and muscle and nerve studies
-
Diagnoses and treats herniated discs, spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia, cancer pain, migraine headaches, diabetic neuropathy, sports injuries, and burn pain
-
Prescribes medications
-
Orders physical therapy, electrical stimulation therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and counseling
-
Performs therapeutic injections and nerve blocks
-
Refers you to an appropriate surgeon if necessary
A pain medicine doctor may also be known as a pain medicine specialist, pain management doctor, or pain medicine physician.
There are 45 specialists practicing Pain Medicine in Alaska with an overall average rating of 3.8 stars. There are 7 hospitals in Alaska with affiliated Pain Medicine specialists, including Alaska Regional Hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center and Central Peninsula General Hospital.
