chronic pain treatment near me

Finding the Right Primary Care Provider for Your Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can impede daily life, making even the simplest of tasks difficult. However, with the right primary care provider, you can manage your chronic pain. However, finding the right primary care provider for chronic pain requires some research and consideration. A good provider can make all the difference in your pain management journey. This article aims to help you identify the key factors you should consider when looking for the right primary care provider for your chronic pain.

Understanding Your Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects people in different ways and is often challenging to manage. It diminishes your quality of life, prevents you from doing things you love, and may leave you feeling helpless. Most people experience chronic pain as a result of injury, illness, or degenerative changes, which can lead to long-term discomfort, inflammation, and stiffness.

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for 12 weeks or more, even after the initial injury or illness has healed. Unlike acute (sudden)pain,  chronic pain is the body’s ongoing response to injury, illness, or tissue damage. Chronic pain affects various parts of the body, including the joints, muscles, and nerves, and may lead to other health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

Some common causes of chronic pain include arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, migraines, and back pain. Injuries sustained from accidents, surgeries, and sports are also potential causes of chronic pain. Other factors affecting how you experience chronic pain include age, gender, genetics, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and heavy drinking.

Finding a Primary Care Provider for Managing Chronic Pain

Primary care providers (PCP) are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing chronic pain. A PCP can help with diagnosis, treatment, and management of pain symptoms. Finding the right primary care provider, therefore, plays a crucial role in treating your chronic pain, but where do you start?

1. Look for Experience in Treating Chronic Pain

When searching for a primary care provider for chronic pain, it’s important to look for someone with experience in treating pain symptoms. Family medicine providers who specialize in pain management have a greater understanding of how to diagnose and treat chronic pain, which can make all the difference in your treatment plan.

2. Review Patient Satisfaction Ratings

Patient satisfaction ratings and reviews are one of the best ways to gauge a provider’s effectiveness and bedside manner. Look up review sites or check the provider’s website to see what other patients are saying.

3. Assess Location and Accessibility

When dealing with chronic pain, location and accessibility must be considered. Look for a primary care provider close to your home or place of work and ensure that the practice has suitable parking and is accessible for individuals with mobility issues.

4. Find Out Availability

The availability of your primary care provider can make an enormous difference in your pain management. Ask the potential provider about their availability, when you can schedule appointments, and how they handle emergency situations. It’s essential to ensure that your primary care provider is available during your times of need, especially when dealing with chronic pain.

Creating a Treatment Plan with Your Family Medicine Provider

The first and most important step in creating a treatment plan for chronic pain is to communicate effectively with your family medicine provider. Be open about your symptoms, the time of day that they occur, and any triggers that you have identified. Also, discuss with your family medicine provider what type of pain you are experiencing – whether it be a dull ache, sharp stabbing, or burning sensation.

It is essential to set realistic expectations and goals for chronic pain treatment plans. This includes how often you will see your family medicine provider, any medications that you will take and how often, and the type of treatment you will receive. The plan should also include measurable goals, such as, the amount of pain relief or increased mobility that you hope to achieve. Be clear with your family medicine provider about the level of pain relief that you expect and give feedback on any changes that occur. This will help your family medicine provider adjust the plan accordingly.

Creating a treatment plan is not a guarantee that it will work effectively immediately or indefinitely. Regular check-ins with your family medicine provider can identify changes in the pain condition, discover any tolerance or increased sensitivity to the pain medication, dose-effect relationships, or any potential adverse drug reactions.

Comprehensive Treatment for Chronic Pain in Wellington, FL

When you suffer from chronic pain, it can seem like your life is out of control. You may feel like your pain is always in the driver’s seat, dictating how you go about your day. But it does not have to be that way. With the right primary care provider, you can regain control over your pain and start living a more fulfilling life.

Do you need comprehensive and compassionate treatment for chronic pain in Wellington? You can rely on Advanced Medical, the best family practice in Wellington. Board-certified internist, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, leads our team. Call our helpful staff today at (561) 434-1935 if you want to learn about us and our services. You can submit an online request to book a visit with the best family medicine provider in Wellington.

Chronic Pain – Tips and Advice

Chronic pain can be debilitating and challenging to manage, preventing you from going about your daily life. It can be caused by many things, from sports injuries to medical conditions, and can range from mild to severe. If left untreated, it can significantly impact your quality of life. Thankfully, there are many ways to manage chronic pain and reduce its effects.

Here are some tips and advice you can follow to help manage your chronic pain:

1) Stay Active

Exercise helps strengthen both the body and mind, which can make it easier to cope with chronic pain. Low-impact activities like swimming or walking may be beneficial, as they help keep your joints flexible. Just be sure to talk with your family care provider before beginning any new exercise routine. You can try stretching exercises, yoga, or tai chi, as well. Even simple activities like taking a walk in the park can be beneficial and help boost your mood.

Just be sure not to overdo it. Start slowly and build up your strength over time.

2) Eat Well

Your chronic pain may be easier to manage if you eat a healthy, balanced diet. Consider increasing the amount of fresh produce, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet. This type of diet can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is often a cause of chronic pain.

Your family care provider can also advise you on any specific dietary changes that could be beneficial for managing your pain.

3) Get Sufficient and Restful Sleep

Sleeping enough hours each night is crucial for managing chronic pain. Attempt to get between 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Also, avoid activities or electronics in the hours leading up to bedtime that could disrupt your sleep. Your body uses sleep to heal, so it is important to make sure you get plenty of rest.

4) Manage Stress Levels

Stress can increase pain, so it is important to find ways to manage your stress levels. Certain activities can help you relax and reduce your stress levels. You can try deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, yoga, or even simply taking a walk.

Try to set aside some time each day to practice relaxation techniques. They can help you manage both your stress and your pain.

5) Talk To Your Provider

If you are still having difficulty managing your chronic pain, talk to your family care provider. They can assess your condition and recommend the best treatment plan for you. This may include therapies such as physical therapy, acupuncture, or even medications.

Your family care provider can also refer you to a specialist, if needed. For example, they can recommend going to an orthopedic surgeon or a pain management specialist.

When To Visit Your Provider for Chronic Pain Relief

Chronic pain can be challenging to manage, but there are many options available for relief. It is important to talk to your family care provider if you are still having difficulty managing your pain. They can assess your condition and recommend the best treatment for you.

Your family care provider can diagnose your pain to determine the underlying cause, which can help them develop an effective treatment plan.

These treatments may include one or a combination of the following:

Medications

You may need to take medication to help manage your chronic pain. Your family care provider can recommend the best type for you, depending on your situation.

Therapies

Physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, and other therapies can help relieve chronic pain. Your family care provider can refer you to a specialist, if needed.

Lifestyle Changes

Making changes to your lifestyle can be beneficial for managing chronic pain. Exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are all important factors.

Identifying Your Triggers

It is also important to be aware of any triggers that can cause your chronic pain to flare up. This could include certain activities, foods, or environmental factors.

Avoiding these triggers can help you manage your pain better and prevent flare-ups.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to talk to your family care provider. They can provide information and advice on how to best manage your chronic pain. With the right approach, you can find relief and lead a healthy, active life.

Comprehensive Treatment for Chronic Pain in Wellington, FL

It is important to remember that everyone experiences chronic pain differently. What works for one person may not work for another. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to try different treatments until you find one that works for you. With the right approach and support, managing chronic pain is possible. With your family care provider’s help, you can create a plan that works for you and helps you find relief from pain.

Do you need comprehensive and compassionate treatment for chronic pain in Wellington? You can rely on Advanced Medical, the best family practice in Wellington. Board-certified internist Dr. Ishan Gunawardene leads our team, which is ready to care for you. Call our helpful staff today at (561) 434-1935 if you want to learn about us and our services. You can submit an online request to book a visit with the best primary care physician in Wellington.

We look forward to managing your pain and helping you live your best life!

Chronic Pain Can Be a Cause of Depression

Chronic pain is a term that describes pain that lasts longer than three months. Sometimes, it also refers to pain that persists beyond the typical time for an illness or injury to heal. Chronic pain isn’t just a physical condition. It’s also an emotional one that has a huge influence on a person’s thoughts and mood. There is a close link between chronic pain and depression, in which chronic pain can cause depression and vice versa. According to recent studies, about 30-50% of people with chronic pain struggle with depression or anxiety. Chronic pain usually aggravates the symptoms of depression, then the subsequent depression makes the pain worse, resulting in a vicious cycle.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is a common condition that millions of people suffer from. Chronic pain refers to pain symptoms that last longer than three months without improvement or pain that comes and goes repeatedly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 50 million adults in the U.S. are suffering from chronic pain.

There are many causes of chronic pain, including various health conditions, diseases, and injuries that damage the body. The degree of pain varies from mild to debilitating. Chronic pain can deteriorate your physical and mental health. It is in your best interest to have an evaluation by a skilled family medicine provider to diagnose the underlying cause and work with you to determine the appropriate treatment measures.

Why is There a Link Between Chronic Pain and Depression?

Depression and chronic pain have some of the same neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that are messengers traveling across the nerves. They also have a few of the same nerve pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

The relationship between chronic pain and depression is complicated, as knowing the trigger that started the vicious circle is usually difficult. Depression can leave you struggling with many things, like your sleep, social life, performance at work, and ability to partake in your favorite hobbies. It can also increase your level of pain and limit your ability to cope with it.

Depression usually affects the overall health of people with chronic pain, yet they may not point out that they are experiencing any depression symptoms. In fact, half of all depressed people visiting their primary care provider only complain of physical symptoms, not depression.

In a comparison between people with both chronic pain and depression and those with only chronic pain, those with both conditions have reported more intense pain, less control of their lives, and have more unhealthy coping strategies.

Treatment Options

Following a professionally designed treatment plan is a good idea to keep your pain and depression under control. Treatment options for both your pain and depression might include:

  • Talk Therapy. Also called psychotherapy, talk therapy is a common treatment for clinical depression. It can help an individual change their patterns of thinking, learn coping skills for symptoms, and help prevent future depressive symptoms.
  • Stress Management. Stress has a big effect on both chronic pain and depression, so learning how to manage it makes a big difference. Methods that have been shown to help include mindfulness, meditations, deep breathing, movement therapies, such as yoga and tai chi, hypnotherapy, and guided imagery.
  • Standard analgesics and antidepressant medications may be prescribed to help relieve your symptoms. Opioids may be prescribed if you are experiencing severe pain. Antidepressants may also be prescribed for depression.

If you are suffering from chronic pain and depression, it isn’t the time to hesitate on informing your primary care provider about the emotional and mental symptoms you’re experiencing. You should get help before your symptoms exacerbate. Receiving the right treatment can help you enjoy your life again.

Chronic Pain Management in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you have chronic pain, you don’t have to deal with it on your own. If you are experiencing chronic pain, seeking medical advice is essential to relieving symptoms. At Advanced Medical, we can help you manage your pain and treat the underlying cause.

To schedule an appointment, contact us at (561) 434-1935 or submit an online appointment request.