Published February 26, 2021
When it comes to pain and pain treatment, it can feel like there are more questions than answers. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most in our practice.
1. What's the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Chronic pain is ongoing, typically lasting more than six months without resolving. It can be caused by illness or injury, or have no obvious cause. Acute pain comes from a specific incident or cause.
2. What kinds of acute pain are there?
Acute pain has many causes. Common ones are slip-and-fall and car accidents, but it also includes other injuries and sometimes surgery.
3. When should I see a doctor?
If you've been hurt in an accident in Florida, see a doctor right away. To get your full insurance coverage, Florida law requires you to be seen within 14 days of the accident.
If your pain persists and you're past the 14-day window, still see a medical provider who can give relief or refer you to a specialist. Legal reasons aside, sooner really is better: getting seen puts you on the path to recovery faster.
4. Will I get a diagnosis?
When you see a pain specialist at AIPI, your doctor and the medical team work together to reach a diagnosis where appropriate, taking into account your injury or accident, your medical history and other details.
5. What is a pain management specialist?
A physician with specialized training in diagnosing, evaluating and treating pain using a range of medical techniques and technology.
6. What treatments are available for acute pain?
Depending on your needs, we offer radiofrequency ablation, pain management injections and spinal cord stimulation, among others.
7. Will opioids be part of my treatment?
Our goal is to treat the cause of your pain for long-term relief, without relying on potentially addictive drugs or unnecessary surgery.
8. What should I expect during treatment?
From your first contact with AIPI, our goal is to help you feel better. We use current technology to treat a wide range of conditions and build a treatment plan around your needs.
If you have more questions about acute pain, or you or a loved one is in pain from a personal injury, our team is here to help. Reach out any time to schedule a consultation.