How to Find A New Pain Management Doctor

Primary Care Practitioners often refer patients to pain clinics if they have chronic or acute pain that can't be managed through over-the-counter medication or simple treatments. And for good reason: these specialized facilities are staffed with pain doctors who have years of training and experience in assessing, diagnosing, and managing pain. Unfortunately, if a PCP doesn’t refer you to a pain specialist themselves, it's often up to you to find one—and do so quickly.

In this blog, follow along as we explain exactly how to find a pain doctor with the training and experience you need and the kind of compassionate attitude that can make all the difference along the way.

How to Find A Good Pain Management Doctor

Part 1: Assessing Their Experience & Skills

When it comes to finding a pain doctor to help you manage or relieve your pain, it’s helpful to do your research, ask around, and find a doctor who specializes in the type of pain you are experiencing. But before you do that, it's smart to read up on what pain management is and what to expect when you start seeing a pain doctor. You might find that pain management isn’t entirely what you thought it was, as well as other important things about how pain doctors diagnose, assess, and treat your pain. 

After you’ve done some reading, you can begin your search by looking for a pain management doctor online or by asking for recommendations from trusted family or friends. Once you have a list of potential candidates, you can narrow down your choices by considering their experience and specialty, their approach to pain treatment, and other important factors.

Part 2: Reviewing Their Communication Skills

Of course, finding a pain doctor who knows what they’re doing is only half the equation. You'll also want to ensure that you find a doctor who cares, listens, and considers the whole picture–recommending the most suitable treatment(s) for you.

You can gauge this by reading their online reviews or testimonials to see how previous patients have rated their bedside manner and overall satisfaction with their pain management treatment. In the sections below, find out how to look for a pain doctor who does more than minimize discomfort, listens, genuinely cares, and can provide comprehensive care.

How to Find A Doctor Who Cares

Finding a pain doctor who genuinely cares about you, your comfort, and your well-being is a matter of doing your research. There are plenty of physicians out there, but not all of them see their patients as people first. That’s not to suggest that they’re callous or uncaring, as much as it might reflect that they’ve become desensitized to the person they're treating. 

Our best advice is to look at their patient testimonials to see what other patients have to say about their experiences with the specific doctor. If you can find more than a few people who have used words like “care,” “understanding,” or “knowledgeable,” chances are, you will get the quality care you need.

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How to Find A Doctor Who Will Listen

Finding a pain specialist who listens isn't quite the same as finding one who cares, but the two tend to go hand in hand. Good doctors listen and take the time to understand their patients' needs and concerns. They don't dismiss their patients' symptoms or brush off their complaints. 

While you can certainly assess whether a doctor listens to your concerns during your first visit, it's also a good idea to do some research beforehand. Look at their patient reviews again and try to find comments that mention the doctor's listening skills. If you have no problem finding someone who says that the doctor listened attentively, it might be a good sign that they’ll take the time to understand your needs.

Remember: Talking to a doctor is a two-way street. You want to find a doctor who will listen to you and your concerns, and who you can talk to openly and honestly. Finding one who can do both can make the difference between getting good medical care and not getting it at all. That's why it's important to find a doctor you feel comfortable with and come for your first appointment with questions in hand.

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How to Find A Doctor Who Won’t Overprescribe Medication

Some pain doctors tend to prescribe medication when other pain relief methods are more suitable or more effective. To find a doctor who will use a more holistic approach, it can help to look at their clinic's website to see what types of pain treatments they offer; if they offer a range of treatments in addition to medication options, it's probably the case that they're not the type to overprescribe. Again, you can also look at their testimonials and reviews to see what previous patients have said. If you see that patients have found relief from their pain via many different types of treatments, then odds are the doctor cares about providing the best possible care.

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Find Relief and Compassionate Care at Greater Austin Pain Center

At the Greater Austin Pain Center, we understand that finding the right pain management doctor is about more than just expertise; it's about compassion, understanding, and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Our team of pain specialists is not only highly skilled in diagnosing and treating various types of pain but is also deeply committed to listening and providing quality care. We believe in treating our patients with the empathy and respect they deserve and in making sure that each treatment plan is tailored to their individual needs. 

If you’re looking for a pain doctor in Austin, Kyle, San Marcos or Dripping Springs who truly listens and cares, contact us today! 

Let’s take the first step towards managing your pain together.