Most people live with some form of pain in their lives, rendering it difficult sometimes to know if the pain they struggle with warrants specialist attention. In most cases, pains and aches result from a wide range of momentary factors that will clear themselves with time. However, waiting out is not always a solution. There are numerous situations when individuals struggling with chronic pain do not realize they may benefit from a pain management care plan. How do you determine if the pain you experience requires a visit to Dr. Hui Kang? Here are five key signs you should always watch out for.
1. If Pain Worsens with Specific Motion
If your discomfort worsens with certain motions, then seeing your pain management specialist could be precisely what you need. One of the first steps your doctor takes is identifying the root cause of the pain utilizing techniques like selective nerve root blocking or pain mapping. Once your pain specialist gathers adequate information regarding what transpires within your body, they can create an individualized care plan to offer you lasting relief.
2. If you experience difficulties performing everyday movements
In some cases, the pain will naturally decrease with time. However, if you realize that your pain is not decreasing, you should contemplate visiting a pain management doctor. It is not unusual for an injury to affect normal motion range for some time. However, lasting, daunting discomfort that keeps you from performing everyday activities with ease is not normal and warrants medical attention.
3. Radiating Pain or Strange Sensations
Most specialists advise patients to seek specialist care if their pain starts to radiate to the limbs or the whole body. However, radiating pain is not the sole sign to watch out for, as both tingling and numbness indicate possibly serious conditions that require immediate care. For instance, radiating pain accompanied by these odd sensations could indicate nerve damage or disc herniation. Your doctor will perform a comprehensive diagnosis to determine the underlying cause of your pain and suggest the best treatment.
4. A Reliance On Medication
Some people are comfortable with the fact that they can manage their discomfort through over-the-counter medication. However, over-reliance on pain medicines to manage your symptoms is not healthy.
These drugs’ adverse effects may eventually cause even more damage to the body and life quality. If you visit a pain management specialist, they can explore various interventional treatment options with fewer side effects than most drugs.
5. Pain Affects Your Sleep
Sleeplessness and pain relate to both your mental and physical health. Pain makes you lose sleep, while insomnia makes your pain worsen. If you opt to utilize self-help workout routines or over-the-counter sleep aids, but they do not offer relief, you should see a pain management specialist. Your doctor will assess your pain level and analyze any changes to your health.
Chronic pain could hugely affect your life quality, ranging from work or sleep performance to sleep quality. Thus, knowing when to pursue specialist care from a pain doctor is crucial. If you experience one or more of the signs highlighted above, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns and determine viable solutions. Obtaining early treatment ensures you obtain lasting relief as treatment addresses the underlying triggers, and avoids potentially serious conditions associated with your condition.