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:
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Evaluates your medical history and any test results you have
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Performs a physical exam
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Evaluates your answers to pain questionnaires
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Orders and interprets laboratory tests, imaging exams, neurologic exams, and muscle and nerve studies
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Diagnoses and treats herniated discs, spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia, cancer pain, migraine headaches, diabetic neuropathy, sports injuries, and burn pain
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Prescribes medications
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Orders physical therapy, electrical stimulation therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and counseling
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Performs therapeutic injections and nerve blocks
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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 87 specialists practicing Pain Medicine in San Antonio, TX with an overall average rating of 4.1 stars. There are 25 hospitals near San Antonio, TX with affiliated Pain Medicine specialists, including Baptist Medical Center, Methodist Hospital and South Texas Spine And Surgical Hospital.