Frequently Asked Questions

Short-lived pain is called acute pain. This type of pain usually occurs following surgery or an injury, or during and after certain illnesses. Acute pain typically goes away after healing is complete. However, if your pain continues for a month or more following the recovery period, you might have chronic pain. Chronic pain may also last for months or years due to a chronic condition. While the pain may not be constant, it can interfere with all aspects of daily life.

Pain management is a specialty that deals with chronic pain. At Greater Austin Pain Center, our team utilizes a coordinated approach to pain management, integrating treatments such as medication management, interventional procedures, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and referrals to related specialists when necessary.

Interventional pain management is the use of minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and/or treat your pain. The providers at Greater Austin Pain Center perform a wide range of interventional procedures that help minimize or eliminate pain associated with arthritis, back pain, neck pain, muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, and more.

While emotional symptoms of anxiety or depression may manifest into physical symptoms of pain, pain is very real for most people. Many times it is difficult to diagnose a specific physical cause for the pain, but that does not mean it is “all in your head.”

When we experience pain, it has both physical and psychological effects. It is important to note that anxiety and depression can lower your pain tolerance and intensify your pain. That is why it is important for some people with chronic pain to also seek behavioral health therapy and treat the emotional issues associated with pain along with their physical pain issues.

After earning a college degree, pain management specialists complete four years of medical school, followed by four years of residency training in one of four specialties: anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatry, or physical medicine and rehabilitation. While not mandatory, all of our physicians at Greater Austin Pain Center complete a year-long fellowship to subspecialize and obtain their board certification in pain medicine.

Anesthesiologists may become certified in pain medicine through the American Board of Anesthesiology, the only medical board to offer special credentials in pain medicine.

If your insurance plan is an HMO, or other managed care plan, you will need an insurance authorization to be seen. You can obtain an authorization from your primary care physician (PCP). If your insurance plan allows you to be seen without an authorization(e.g.,PPO) then a referral is not usually necessary, although appreciated. Our doctors work closely with both your referring doctor and your PCP to ensure continuity of care.

Pain medicine doctors are experts at diagnosing and treating pain from a wide range of causes. A pain management evaluation is recommended if:

• You experience chronic, recurring pain from an injury, illness, or condition
  
• You have cancer-related pain
  
• Your current pain treatment stops working
  
• Your pain worsens over time
  
• You have severe and long-lasting pain from surgery, a debilitating illness, or a serious accident or injury.
  

Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Silberberg and his team may recommend different types of pain medications as part of your treatment plan, including both oral medications (over-the-counter and/or prescription) or intravenous (IV) pain medications.

Oral medications can include:

• OTC or prescription strength acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®)
  
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen (e.g., Motrin® or Aleve®)
  
• Corticosteroids
  
• Narcotics (opioids)
  
• Anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin, or topiramate) to treat neuropathic or complex pain conditions
  
• Antidepressants
  

Pain medication is only one aspect of an effective pain management plan. There are many other avenues for treating pain, including physical therapy, behavioral counseling, and alternative techniques such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, etc. Dr. Silberberg and his team may recommend one or a combination of these approaches to help mitigate your pain.