What is pain medicine?

Pain medicine is the study of pain, pain prevention, and the evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of people in pain.

Pain may require specialized diagnostic procedures, including central and peripheral neural blockade or monitored drug infusions. Doctors consider children, adults, and senior citizens’ unique needs and cultural contexts when recommending a comprehensive treatment plan.

Pain doctors and their team may serve as consultants to other healthcare providers. They may provide care at various levels, such as direct treatment, prescribing medication, prescribing rehabilitation services, and performing pain-relieving procedures. They also counsel patients and families, direct a multidisciplinary team, coordinate care with other health care providers, and provide consultative services to public and private agencies to support the patient. Pain clinicians may work in various settings and are competent to treat the entire range of pain encountered in delivering quality health care.