How to Choose the Best Doctor for Your Pain Treatments
Posted on September 30, 2019
If you suffer from chronic pain and have never sought treatment from a pain management specialist, choosing the right physician can be challenging. Unless you know a friend or family member in pain who can tell you of their personal experiences with their own pain doctor, it’s really a guessing game as to where you should turn for relief.
If you find yourself in need a pain management physician and you don’t know where to start, you can begin your search by considering the following 3 factors. Physicians who do not meet these expectations should rank lower on your list of potential choices.
1. Experience
Everyone must start somewhere, and physicians are no exception. But while a doctor who is ‘fresh out of college’ may have the knowledge and expertise required to effectively treat your pain, choosing a doctor who has been practicing for a longer period of time will ensure that you benefit from years of real-world expertise that can mean the difference between guessing or recognizing your particular pain condition.
2. Education / Background
There are many types of physicians, and many of them have more than one specialty. But for those living with chronic pain, your pain physician should first be board-certified in pain medicine / interventional pain management, and may also have certifications in anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, among other sub-specialties.
3. Medical Specialty
Even if a pain physician has the above certifications, you’ll also want to ensure that their specialty relates to your type of pain. For instance, if you experience low back pain, you’ll want to locate a pain doctor who specializes in back pain treatments for patients, among others.
Getting to Know Your Pain Management Physician Before Scheduling Your Consultation
Once your research produces potential candidates for your consideration based on the checklist items above, you’ll still want to learn as much as you can about the physician prior to making a final determination. Any pain clinic worth its salt will have physician bios posted on their website, so that you can get to know the pain doctors before you meet in person. Reading as much as you can about any final candidates gives you the opportunity to get to know them better and may help you determine whether they’ll be a good fit for your needs.
Taking time to consider the above information can help you decide on the most qualified pain management physician to help reduce or eliminate your chronic pain. It’s well worth any time spent doing your research before you book your appointment.
We Put the Checkmarks in All the Right Boxes
At Riverside Pain Physicians, our pain management specialists are experienced, board-certified pain physicians who specialize in customized solutions for acute and chronic pain. We are dedicated to improving your quality of life through our comprehensive process of systematic evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your pain. Finding the cause and effectively treating your pain is our primary goal.
Want to get to know us better? Meet our pain management physicians…
Scott Kramarich, M.D.
Dr. Kramarich is a licensed healthcare risk manager who has completed specialized training to treat patients with suboxone and has an ongoing interest in evaluation and treatment of hormone balance disorders related to pain, aging and stress. Read More »
John T. Woeste, Jr., M.D.
Dr. Woeste has a distinguished career in anesthesiology that includes overseeing hospital pain departments. In his professional capacity as a Jacksonville, FL physician, he has been a department chief in two major hospitals, as well as serving as a Chief in Anesthesiology and Pain Departments at two area medical centers. Read More »
Kisha Thomas, MD
Dr. Thomas is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiology and American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. She has a special interest in improving function for her patients, frequently incorporating physical therapy and lifestyle modifications into the plans for her patients. Read More »
Douglas Boler, MD
Dr. Boler is a multi-lingual U.S. Air Force veteran who specializes in interventional pain management, treating a variety of pain conditions from herniated and degenerated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia and joint pain. Read More »
Contact Riverside Pain Physicians
Riverside Pain Physicians specializes in minimally invasive, multidisciplinary pain treatment options to help patients live a more pain-free life. Our experienced, board-certified pain management physicians utilize a vast array of approaches to better treat our patients’ wide variety of pain conditions.
If you are tired of living with pain and want more information on options for minimizing or eliminating your suffering, contact Riverside Pain Physicians by phone at 904.389.1010 or online at www.RiversidePainPhysicians.com to set up a consultation at one of our 4 Jacksonville clinic locations.
Proven Technologies for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
At Florida Pain Relief Centers, our expert pain management specialists are dedicated to providing powerful, minimally invasive procedures and treatments based on the individual needs of each patient. Our specialists are highly skilled and ready to consult with you to find a customized solution based on your unique situation and the nature of your pain.
Whether the best treatment for your pain is Stem Cell therapy or another proven alternative, we’ll work together with you to find the most effective option to minimize your pain and restore your quality of life.
Call Florida Pain Relief Centers today at 800.215.0029 to schedule a consultation or click the button below to set up a consultation online at one of our clinic locations so we can discuss options for reducing or eliminating your pain.