Is it Time to See a Pain Specialist?

If you've had chronic pain lasting three months or longer, it's time to see a pain specialist.

According to Dr. William Raoofi, a Fellowship-trained physician in Interventional Pain Management with the Center for Interventional Pain Medicine at Mercy Medical Center, one should first check their primary care doctor, who may order some special tests, labs and diagnostic imaging.

If your primary care doctor refers you to a pain specialist, they will take a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment.

"That (includes) use of things like physical therapy, medications, sometimes procedures such as injections for chronic neck or back pain chiropractic care, acupuncture, a variety of things," Dr. Raoofi said.

Dr. Raoofi added that non-opioid medications can be used to treat chronic pain.

Dr. Raoofi has a special interest in neuromodulation – a form of pain reduction therapy that utilizes technological devices that alter pain signaling in the body to reduce pain and improve function. These types of therapies may include:

• Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
• Spinal Cord Stimulation

View Mercy pain management specialist Dr. William Raoofi’s interview regarding when to seek out a pain specialist.