The Types Of Treatment Available From 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.

Visiting a medical facility where you have not been before can be a nerve wracking experience. It is therefore helpful to know what you can expect when you arrive, and the types of treatments that are applied there. It is recommended to get there a little earlier than your time of appointment (about half an hour to an hour earlier). This is because sometimes there is more than one patient booked for a specific time, and the first to arrive will be seen first.

The hospital will need information from you, and you will therefore have to complete some papers. This is usually only necessary the first time you go. The papers will require details of your medical insurance and your personal information (date of birth, place of residence, name etc.). You may also have to list things like the medicines you are currently taking.

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.




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