If you are looking for a pain specialist, you have some different options for your search. First, you can ask for a referral from your primary care physician. This is often the first step that should be taken. You can also ask others to recommend a doctor.

Many professional physician organization web sites have listings of their members available to the public. See the links below for some of these sites. These directories oftentimes can help you locate an appropriate pain medicine physician in your area. You can print the directory and share it with your primary care physician to identify the best physician for your particular needs.

Once you have identified a physician, you should ask specific questions to help you determine whether the physician will best meet your needs. Some of the questions below can help you make an informed decision.

1. How many cases of my type of pain condition have you treated?
2. What are your special qualifications to treat my pain condition?
3. Have you participated in any special training about pain management techniques?
4. What is your philosophy of management of my pain condition in terms of medications and alternative therapies?
5. What types of medications do you usually prescribe?
6. What types of nonmedication therapies do you use?
7. Where do you refer patients who need additional treatment?
8. Is your clinic listed with any professional societies?
9. Are you, or is someone in the clinic, available 24 hours a day if I need help?

Links to Resources
American Academy of Pain Medicine http://www.painmed.com
American Academy of Pain Management http://www.aapainmanage.org
American Academy of Neurology http://www.aan.com/public/find.cfm
American Board of Pain Medicine http://www.abpm.org
American Medical Association http://dbapps.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm
American Pain Society http://www.ampainsoc.org
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians http://www.asipp.org
HealthGrades http://www.healthgrades.com
Web MD http://my.webmd.com/pages/dir/toc.asp