How Is Chronic Pain Diagnosed? Find Specialized Pain Relief

According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), approximately 50 million adults in the US are dealing with chronic pain. Chronic pain can be debilitating, isolating, and impact your daily activities. As a result, there’s often a delay in patients getting the help they deserve. If you’re suffering from chronic pain, there are effective treatments that can make a real difference in your quality of life. 

Before treatment, there must be a diagnosis to effectively alleviate your pain. We offer various treatment options at Southside Pain Specialists to meet our patients’ specific pain remediation needs. In this blog, learn about how we diagnose chronic pain conditions, so you can get back to living your life to the fullest. 

What Are Chronic Pain Conditions?

Chronic pain is ongoing discomfort in the same area for long periods of time. Typically, we consider pain chronic if it lasts for over three months and doesn’t subside. The condition can occur because of a sports injury, fall, accident, surgery, ongoing condition, or other causes. 

Some common chronic pain conditions include:

• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Neuropathic pain, like phantom limb pain
• Joint pain from injuries
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches

No matter how your pain began, treatment options vary depending on its cause. To find treatments right for you, a specialist will begin by diagnosing the precise cause.

How Are Chronic Pain Conditions Diagnosed?

At Southside Pain Specialists, we want you to feel understood and valued in your healing journey. In your initial consultation, we’ll discuss the location of your pain, its intensity and frequency, and other related questions. We may also ask about your past medical history for a comprehensive diagnosis.

After this, various tests are chosen by a pain management specialist to provide you with an accurate diagnosis. Some standard tests and analyses include: 

• Blood tests
• Reflex tests
• Balance tests
• X Rays
• MRIs
• Nerve tests
• Urine tests
• Spinal fluid tests
• Electromyography tests 
  

These tests allow specialists to put together a treatment plan designed to address your unique condition. For example, if your chronic pain is localized around your lower back, a spinal cord stimulator or lumbar sympathetic blocks may be effective for relieving your discomfort.  

Is Seeking Treatment for Chronic Pain Worth It? 

Chronic pain can have a significant impact on your life, affecting both your personal and professional endeavors. Various studies suggest a link between chronic pain and mental health, which means undiagnosed (and untreated) chronic pain can leave you more vulnerable to struggles such as anxiety and depression. You deserve to live life to its fullest, and often, chronic pain holds you back. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can find much-needed validation and comfort. 

Find Relief from Chronic Pain

Don’t hesitate to seek treatment if you’re suffering from chronic pain. While the options can feel overwhelming, finding a specific diagnosis with a pain specialist can be worthwhile. With a diagnosis, you can stop guessing about what works and discover meaningful, effective pain relief. 

Southside Pain Specialists provide chronic pain sufferers with access to the appropriate medical care and support. Whether our specialists recommend medication or medical procedures, like medical branch blocks or kyphoplasty, our team will be with you every step of the way. 

Your Trusted Pain Specialists in Alabama

With highly specialized training and many pain relief options, Southside Pain Specialists follow the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians standards, The American Board of Pain Medicine, and the International Spinal Injection Society. Our comprehensive, results-oriented treatment plans can supply relief for those who suffer from chronic pain. Call us at 205-900-3927 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today!