Three of the Biggest Trends in Pain Management Today

Pain management as a specialty is a technologically improving field. Each year there seems to be at least a couple procedures that are made better with technological improvements or something new is introduced to help alleviate pain in patients.

These are 3 of the biggest trends being seen in pain treatment today some of which are technological, others of which are simply clinical related.

1. Pain doctors are starting to perform minimally invasive spine surgery. If you have been to see a modern pain doctor's office recently, you may start to notice that a significant amount of pain doctors are now shifting into performing some procedures that spine surgeons typically performed. An overlap is beginning, and one of the main drivers for this is increased technology with fluoroscopy and minimally invasive instruments. The procedures that pain doctors are starting to perform include lumbar decompression's, discectomies, and intra-discal procedures.

2. Spinal cord stimulation is expanding in indications and improving in technology. The spinal cord stimulator is placed into the spine and serves to block the pain impulses that may radiate down into a person's leg. It has also been shown to help with back pain too. methods of placing spinal cord stimulators continues to evolve. For instance, the pain doctor may place the main paddle in the spinal canal while placing the additional lead in the soft tissues of the back to help reduce back pain better. This is one of the most exciting procedures in pain management today and continues to improve. Patients who have no options for their back pain and surgery is not indicated, having a last resort option such as a spinal cord stimulator is a beautiful thing if it works.

3. Pain doctors are becoming more responsible with prescribing opiate medications. Unfortunately pill mills in United States have tarnished the image of pain doctors. These individuals have devoted their lives to reducing pain and suffering individuals. And a select few have tarnished the image of doctors who are doing it the right way. Pain management doctors who offer comprehensive treatment options, drug testing, pain contracts, and checking pharmacy board monitoring systems definitely have the best interest of the patient at heart. As the DEA has cracked down on pill mills, those are being weeded out and responsible pain clinics are staying in business.

There are some fabulous things happening in pain management today. The next few years will be very exciting to see what technologies continue to improve and what new ones get introduced. With the epidemic of pain in this country today, this revolution of pain treatment options could not be happening at a better time.