Medication Management Specialist

What is medication management?

Medication management is the treatment your doctor uses to manage a chronic disease associated with pain or to manage the pain itself. It might be an option if you suffer from arthritis, an injury, or another medical condition associated with long-lasting pain.

What is medication management used for?

Your doctor might recommend medication management if you suffer from one or more of the following:

• Knee pain
• Shoulder pain
• Headaches
• Back or neck pain
• Other types of chronic pain

Medications your doctor can recommend include over-the-counter pain relievers, medications that manage chronic diseases, prescription pain medicines, and injections.

While prescription pain medications are often the last resort, they are sometimes necessary to ease the pain temporarily while you heal from an injury or if you suffer from severe, debilitating pain.

Am I a good candidate for medication management?

To determine if you’re a good candidate for medication management, your doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history. They examine you and can use blood work and/or imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs to pinpoint the cause of your pain.

What should I expect during treatment?

Your pain doctor develops a personalized treatment plan that matches your needs based on the type and severity of your pain. They can recommend one or more of the following:

Over-the-counter pain relievers

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen could be all that’s needed to relieve short-term pain that isn’t severe.

Prescription pain medicines

In the case of severe pain, your doctor can write you a prescription for pain medicine that’s stronger than over-the-counter medications. These medicines are usually indicated for short-term pain after surgery or if you experience severe, long-lasting discomfort.

Medications for disease management

Some medications can manage chronic diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis that are associated with chronic pain. These medicines help prevent the disease from progressing and ease the pain associated with it.

Injections

For certain types of pain like chronic joint pain, your doctor might recommend steroid injections or nerve blocks to relieve discomfort associated with inflammation or an injury.

Which treatment is right for me?

If you suffer from chronic pain, your doctor recommends the most conservative treatment first. This might include rest, ice, compression, elevation, massage, physical therapy, and/or over-the-counter pain relievers.

If you require medication management to treat a chronic condition or relieve long-lasting pain, your doctor works with you to develop a medication management plan that best suits your needs.

Don’t live with debilitating chronic pain when simple treatment options are available at NovaSpine Pain Institute. Schedule an appointment over the phone or use the online contact form today.