The Procedures Of A Tampa Pain Management Clinic

By Marissa Velazquez


When someone suffers from ongoing pains that a general practitioner cannot manage very well, a different solution is required. Most people with this problem will visit a Tampa pain management clinic in order to see a doctor who specializes in this field. The clinics available to a patient living in this area will be specified by the person's general doctor, and a reference letter will be written. The patient can then make an appointment.

Often, someone is quite nervous when they have to go to some sort of hospital where they don't know the doctors, nurses and procedures. However, knowing a little more about how the place works, and what to expect, can be encouraging. Firstly, it is wise to arrive sooner rather than later for your appointment. Doctors may have a couple of people to see at the same time, and will therefore see the first person who arrives.

Every patient that comes to these clinics needs to provide their personal information. This information will often include where the person lives, their names, addresses, contact numbers and health insurance details. The forms may be quite a lot to fill in, but they are only required once.

The first visit that you have at the facility is very important because a number of assessments will be done. You should assist the nurses and doctors by bringing along any relevant details regarding your condition. For example, you may have had x-rays done in the past that could be presented to your new doctor.

Be prepared to answer several questions from the nurse who starts your evaluation. She will do tests to find out your temperature and blood pressure, and will also take note of your current weight. In addition she will need to know various things about your lifestyle, your family's medical history, past medications prescribed and allergies. Always give answers that are as truthful as possible.

Additional details will be needed about your specific and current condition. Think about when your pains are most frequent, or the times when they are at their worst, and if you have any other problems, such as vomiting, stiffness or tiredness. The nurse may provide a picture so that you can mark where you feel the most pain.

There are various treatments that are offered by these clinics. Anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure or antidepressant medications could be prescribed, or injections may be used to give the patient some relief. These are pain-blocking injections that work for quite a while, but are not a permanent solution. Certain exercises may also be recommended and carried out at the facility, especially in the case of back problems.

If none of the above-mentioned treatments bring sufficient relief, the doctor may suggest various surgical options. Some surgeries include the insertion of an infusion pump or a spinal cord stimulator. If you feel that the medications that your general physician can prescribe are not sufficiently dealing with your condition, then it is a good option to go to a Tampa pain management clinic for further assistance.




About the Author: