When Is It Time to See a Pain Management Specialist?

September is Pain Awareness Month, a time to better understand pain, how it can affect everyday life and the different types of care available when symptoms do not improve as expected.

Earlier this month, we looked at how pain can impact everyday life, from work and sleep to movement and the activities you enjoy. But once you recognize that pain is becoming an ongoing problem, another question often follows: When is it time to see a pain management specialist?

Pain management is not only for severe or long-term pain. For some patients, it may become the next step when initial treatment has not provided enough relief, the source of the pain is unclear or symptoms may benefit from a more targeted approach.

Understanding what a pain management specialist does can help you know when this type of care may be appropriate for you.

What Does a Pain Management Specialist Do?

Pain can come from many different areas of the body, including the spine, joints, muscles and nerves. Sometimes, knowing where something hurts does not necessarily explain why it hurts.

A pain management specialist can evaluate your symptoms and help determine what may be causing them. At 360 Orthopedics, an evaluation may include a physical examination, review of your medical history and symptoms, and diagnostic testing such as X-rays, MRI, electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies when appropriate.

Once a diagnosis is established, your physician can work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your individual needs. Depending on your condition, treatment may include conservative care, physical or occupational therapy, medication management or interventional pain management.

When Might Pain Management Be the Next Step?

There is no single point when every patient should see a pain management specialist. Your symptoms, diagnosis, previous treatment and overall health can all play a role.

For some patients, pain management may become part of the conversation after conservative treatments have not provided enough relief. In other cases, further evaluation may be helpful when the source of the pain is unclear or symptoms could involve the spine or nerves.

Radiating pain, numbness or tingling, for example, can occur with certain spine and nerve conditions. Because similar symptoms can have different causes, an evaluation can help your physician better understand what may be contributing to them.

Pain management may also be considered when a more targeted treatment could be appropriate. Depending on your diagnosis, interventional pain management may include options such as injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency procedures or other treatments.

Most importantly, seeing a pain management physician does not mean you are committing to an injection or procedure. Your first step is an evaluation and a conversation about the options that may be appropriate for you.

What Can You Expect at a Pain Management Appointment?

If you have never seen a pain management specialist, knowing what to expect can make your first appointment feel a little more straightforward.

Your physician will typically begin by asking about your symptoms, including when they started, where you feel pain, what makes your symptoms better or worse and which treatments you have already tried. Your medical history and any available imaging may also provide helpful information.

A physical examination may be performed, and additional imaging or testing may be recommended when necessary.

Once your physician has a clearer picture of your condition, you can discuss the next steps. Your care plan will depend on your diagnosis, health history, previous treatments and individual goals.

Pain Management With Ashot Kotcharian, MD

At 360 Orthopedics, Ashot Kotcharian, MD, is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician and interventional pain management specialist.

Dr. Kotcharian earned his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania before completing an interventional spine and sports medicine fellowship at the same institution.

Before joining 360 Orthopedics, Dr. Kotcharian served as Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Assistant Fellowship Director of the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Kotcharian is experienced in diagnostic and interventional spinal procedures performed with fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, including steroid injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency denervation.

Meet the Pain Management Team at 360 Orthopedics

Dr. Kotcharian is part of the interventional pain management team at 360 Orthopedics alongside Douglas Constant, MD and Justin Raye, DO.

Dr. Constant is a board-certified pain management physician who specializes in interventional treatments of the neck and spine. He is board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine and completed a pain fellowship at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Raye is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician and interventional pain management specialist. He completed additional fellowship training in interventional pain management at Arizona Pain Specialists.

Together, Dr. Constant, Dr. Kotcharian and Dr. Raye provide patients with access to an experienced team offering interventional pain management and spine care.

Comprehensive Orthopedic and Pain Management Care Close to Home

Sometimes treating pain involves more than one type of care. At 360 Orthopedics, patients have access to pain management, orthopedic surgery, physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine and other orthopedic services within the same practice.

Having these services available as part of one orthopedic team can help support coordinated care and connect patients with additional resources when needed.

With locations in Sarasota, Venice and Lakewood Ranch, 360 Orthopedics provides orthopedic, pain management and rehabilitation care for patients throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties and surrounding Southwest Florida communities.

Finding the Right Next Step for Your Pain

You do not have to know exactly what is causing your pain before asking for help. If your current treatment is not providing enough relief or you have questions about whether pain management may be appropriate, an evaluation can help you better understand what comes next.

As Pain Awareness Month comes to a close, we hope this month's resources have helped you better understand pain and the care options available. At 360 Orthopedics, our team is here to help you find the next step that makes sense for your individual needs.

To schedule an appointment with 360 Orthopedics, call 941-951-2663 or contact our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have chronic pain to see a pain management specialist?

Not necessarily. Pain management may be appropriate for different types of pain depending on the underlying condition, your symptoms and the care you have already received. An evaluation can help determine whether pain management is an appropriate next step.

Does seeing a pain management specialist mean I will need an injection?

No. Injections are one of several treatment options used in pain management. Your physician will first evaluate your condition and discuss which options may be appropriate for you.

What Is Interventional Pain Management?

Interventional pain management uses targeted procedures to help diagnose or manage certain sources of pain. Depending on your condition, treatment may include injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency procedures or other options.

Can Physical Therapy Be Part of Pain Management?

Yes. Physical therapy may be part of the treatment plan for certain conditions. Whether it is appropriate depends on your diagnosis and individual needs.

What Should I Expect During My First Pain Management Appointment?

Your first visit may include a discussion of your symptoms and medical history, a physical examination and a review of previous imaging or treatments. Additional diagnostic testing may be recommended when appropriate.