Children and Pain
Choosing a Pediatric Pain Provider
The state-of-the-art treatment for pediatric chronic pain is the multidisciplinary pain management team approach. The type of approach involves several different health care providers with different areas of expertise. A multidisciplinary pain management team usually consists of:
Typically these physicians are pediatricians, anesthesiologists and/or neurologists with extra training in treating children with pain problems. The physician evaluates the child's pain and makes decisions regarding the best treatment options. He or she will work with the family to determine what combinations of medication treatments, physical therapy, psychological services, and other medical interventions that would work best for the child.
Psychologists who are experts in pain management can help children and families develop skills for coping with pain. There are a variety of cognitive behavioral approaches (e.g., relaxation techniques, biofeedback) that are effective in relieving pain. Psychologists often also work with children and families to help them increase the child's level of functioning (i.e., going to school, interacting with other children, doing the things he or she used to do before the pain developed). They also can address feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger and frustration that may develop in children and adolescents who face chronic pain problems.
Often a nurse or nurse practitioner works as a key member of the team and provides education to the family about pain disorders and pain management and helps the family with questions or concerns that arise during treatment.
Physical therapy is a highly effective form of treatment for chronic pain disorders. Physical therapists work with the child and family to determine the best physical activities, exercises and other treatments to increase the child's strength and endurance and to help him or her deal with day-to-day activity requirements.
The multidisciplinary pain management team might consult with other health care professionals on an as-needed basis. Other specialists consulted may include psychiatrists, who can help manage medications for pain and mood problems; surgeons; rheumatologists and neurologists. The core pain management team should also communicate with the child's school to determine how the team can help the child function in the classroom setting.
To search for pain providers in your area, visit the National Pain Foundation's Pain Care Provider Directory.
Pediatric Pain Management Specialist
Typically these physicians are pediatricians, anesthesiologists and/or neurologists with extra training in treating children with pain problems. The physician evaluates the child's pain and makes decisions regarding the best treatment options. He or she will work with the family to determine what combinations of medication treatments, physical therapy, psychological services, and other medical interventions that would work best for the child.
Psychologist
Psychologists who are experts in pain management can help children and families develop skills for coping with pain. There are a variety of cognitive behavioral approaches (e.g., relaxation techniques, biofeedback) that are effective in relieving pain. Psychologists often also work with children and families to help them increase the child's level of functioning (i.e., going to school, interacting with other children, doing the things he or she used to do before the pain developed). They also can address feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger and frustration that may develop in children and adolescents who face chronic pain problems.
Nurse or Nurse Practitioner
Often a nurse or nurse practitioner works as a key member of the team and provides education to the family about pain disorders and pain management and helps the family with questions or concerns that arise during treatment.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapy is a highly effective form of treatment for chronic pain disorders. Physical therapists work with the child and family to determine the best physical activities, exercises and other treatments to increase the child's strength and endurance and to help him or her deal with day-to-day activity requirements.
The multidisciplinary pain management team might consult with other health care professionals on an as-needed basis. Other specialists consulted may include psychiatrists, who can help manage medications for pain and mood problems; surgeons; rheumatologists and neurologists. The core pain management team should also communicate with the child's school to determine how the team can help the child function in the classroom setting.
To search for pain providers in your area, visit the National Pain Foundation's Pain Care Provider Directory.