How to Choose the Right Pain Management Doctor

Check out this go-to guide that explains the importance of choosing a pain doctor after a car accident.

Written by CrashMD staff

If you’ve recently been in a car accident or suffered from a traumatic incident that has left you with chronic pain symptoms, the best chance you have at a successful recovery is to partner with a trained medical professional. But which one? In a world of social media, online reviews, Google ads and traditional advertising, it can be overwhelming to pick the “right” provider. 

In the case that you’re suffering from pain, the best partner for you is a pain management specialist. This is because they specialize in just that: pain management. Unlike a primary care provider or a general health professional, pain management specialists have extensive training in the ins and outs of pain, including how to properly diagnose it, how to understand the patient’s symptoms and overall health goals, and how to craft a personalized treatment plan to help the patient enjoy pain relief now as well as avoid any complications in the future. 

That being said, there are a host of pain management specialists out there who claim to be the best in your area. So when it comes to choosing a pain doctor, you have to consider who is the best partner for you. If you would like to avoid pain medications, that’s a consideration, as well as minimally-invasive options versus surgical options. After all, the right provider can make a world of difference in both your recovery as well as your life. 

If you’re looking for the best pain doctor for your accident injuries, there are a few considerations you should take when choosing the right partner. Maybe you’ve had a friend or relative who has been in a car accident and needed pain care, or you have done your due diligence online or by asking your insurance provider. Research is key in finding out what you can about the providers in your area, and the decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

How to Choose a Pain Management Doctor

There are a myriad of avenues that you can use to choose the best pain management doctor for you and your pain relief needs. While you could trust your neighbor or your friend or your co-worker, it’s important to consider the source as well as the reliability of information. Chronic pain can be one of the most debilitating life factors a person can deal with, so choosing the right pain management specialist is crucial for healing, coping and enjoying a pre-accident lifestyle. 

The below factors are a great place to start when considering the right pain management specialist. They include: 

• Asking for referrals: there is a very good chance that someone you know has suffered or is suffering from chronic pain, simply based on the percentage chance that someone will suffer from car accident pain in their life. You could ask who they see and if they like them. The more you ask around, you might find there are some similarities in their answers, which could point you in a good direction. 
• Ask your PCP: your primary care provider should have a good idea of your goals and values, and should be able to direct you to the best pain management specialist who aligns with you and your preference for care. 
• Do your research: taking advantage of the internet can easily help you to narrow down the pain management specialists in your area. It’s important to take note of what services they provide, their overall approach to pain management, as well as how long they’ve been in practice. Their reviews will also give you feedback as to how their patients feel about them, which can give you greater and more actual insight than just what they are listing on their website. 
• Focus on training and education: the last thing you want to do on your healing journey is to place your trust in someone who isn’t properly certified. Make sure that the pain management specialist you’re researching or considering is board certified, meaning that they have gone through all necessary steps for training and experience so they have all the needed/best/up-to-date skills to treat your specific pain symptoms and underlying cause of pain. 
• Consider your insurance coverage: while insurance shouldn’t be the driving factor in who you choose as your pain management specialist, it’s a good idea to determine what your insurance covers. Even if you choose to partner with, let’s say, a better provider than what your insurance company recommends, you know what your out of pocket expenses are and what you may or may not get reimbursed for. 

The ultimate goal is to choose a pain management specialist who utilizes a comprehensive approach to pain relief. This most often includes a multi-disciplinary approach that takes advantage of the most minimally-invasive treatment options so that the patient heals as quickly and comfortably as possible with no or very low chance of experiencing any side effects. 

All too often, the patient, who is more than likely experiencing chronic pain and can’t manage the task of choosing the best pain management specialist for them, could turn to a “quick fix” approach. This could include opioid-based medications or skipping straight to surgery. The right pain management specialist will understand the patient’s need for immediate relief but will recommend better and more long-lasting options for them. This is exactly why the right partner will help for each individual patient’s needs. It’s not just about how quickly you can get out of pain now, it’s about learning about each patient’s short- and long-term goals, and working together to achieve those goals in the best way possible. 

Once you’ve made the decision for which partner you’re going to choose, it’s important to go to your first appointment prepared. Make a list of what’s important to you, i.e. no medication, no surgeries, etc., as well as a rundown of your symptoms and when you feel the most or least amount of pain. This will help your pain management specialist with their exam and recommended treatment so you can begin feeling pain relief as quickly as possible. 

Difference Between Pain Management Doctors

Choosing the best pain management doctor can help get your life back. If your goals don’t align with the pain management specialist’s goals or preferred treatment methods, then you might not have the best experience or outcome possible. In addition to being board certified, there are other factors that make all the difference when comparing specialists. These include: 

• Experience: while each specific pain management case is different, there are similarities when the provider considers the cause of pain and related symptoms. It’s prudent to choose a provider who has successfully helped patients who have similar conditions and symptoms because this increases the chances of effective treatment for your particular case. 
• Technique/approach: if you prefer a pain management specialist who utilizes the most conservative approaches first, then you’re not going to be happy partnering with a specialist who opts for invasive or surgical options. Similarly, if the provider you’re looking into opts for pain medication when you are an “I don’t want to take any medication” type of person, then that union probably won’t work. You also want to make sure that you feel comfortable with the provider. If you are one of those patients who like to be a part of your treatment, then it’s essential that your provider encourages and welcomes your questions and concerns. If you are hesitant about recommended treatment, or feel like you’re not healing as quickly as possible, then you should be able to openly and honestly share your feelings with your provider. 
• Listening skills: this falls in line with the provider’s approach, as it allows you to be heard. If your provider doesn’t take the time to understand your questions, concerns and specific symptoms and pain issues, then there is a less chance of a complete and smooth recovery. If you aren’t able to clearly describe your symptoms, as well as your goals for recovery, then your specialist is simply treating you like any other patient. 
• Accessibility: you want to make sure that you’re selecting a pain management specialist who is accessible, which means not only the location of their office, but also their office hours, how easily you’re able to speak with your doctor on the phone, how quickly they email you back, etc. 
• Network: there is a very good chance that your pain management specialist will recommend a comprehensive approach to your care, which includes possibly utilizing the services of a pain management specialist, occupational therapist, acupuncturist, chiropractor, and more. You certainly wouldn’t want them recommending you to someone they don’t trust, so having a network of providers who they’ve previously vetted will make the experience and your recovery that much more successful. Additionally, your provider will have direct communication with their recommended providers, so there will be clear continuity of care. 

If you are suffering from pain issues due to a car accident, it’s important to choose the pain doctor who can best address your needs and symptoms. The CrashMD team is dedicated to helping their current and future patients find the care they need, with the goal to provide caring, compassionate and thorough care. We know just how important pain relief is, not only for now, but also for their future years and needs. If you would like to know more about how the CrashMD team is different, we’d love to hear from you. Please schedule an appointment today.