Working With Your Provider

Chronic neuropathic pain can be a challenge to control. It is important to find a health care provider or team who specialize in treating chronic pain. The most important member of your health care team is you. Your role is to learn as much as you can about your nerve pain disorder. Ask questions and work closely with all the health care professionals who are helping you find ways to control your pain. Members of your health care team will depend upon your specific nerve pain disorder. A basic team of providers may include:

• Primary care provider
• Pain medicine doctor
• Anesthesiologist
• Neurologist
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Psychotherapist such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker

Ask your primary care provider (PCP) to give you some names of pain medicine doctors, clinics and centers. Or Search the National Pain Foundation Provider Directory to find names of doctors, clinics or centers in or near your town.

• Pain medicine doctor – Find a doctor who is board-certified in Pain Medicine by the American Board of Pain Medicine or holds a special certificate in Pain Management from the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Ideally, the pain medicine doctor should work in a recognized pain clinic that includes several types of treatment. Remember that such clinics are not available in all areas of the country. Be aware that many doctors and other health care providers call themselves pain specialists, but may not be as well-trained or experienced in treating chronic pain conditions.

• Pain medicine clinics and multidisciplinary centers – "Multidisciplinary" means that the clinic or center contains a number of different doctors, nurses, therapists and other health care providers. A pain clinic or center can provide medicine and non-medicine services in a single location. This allows you to go to only one place instead of a number of different locations for therapy.

Make appointments with a number of pain doctors, clinics or centers. "Shop around" and compare the results of each interview until you are completely satisfied that your choice of a pain management doctor, clinic or center is the best one for you.

More Information

Patient Guide to Pain Care Providers
Tips for Finding a Pain Physician
American Society of Anesthesiologists – The Management of Pain (Brochure)
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) – Desirable Characteristics for Pain Treatment Facilities