A pain management specialist is a doctor that is uniquely trained to diagnose and provide treatment for a wide range of pain disorders and conditions. A pain management doctor treats many types of long-lasting, chronic, pain such as low back pain, nerve pain, and arthritis pain. Most pain management methods are non-invasive and are easily administered or prescribed in-office. Pain Management Specialists offer a comprehensive blend of medication-based treatment and procedures that are designed to relieve your pain
Dr. Javier Placer and is an expertly trained pain management specialist, additionally trained in spinal cord injury management. Thousands of patients have trusted Dr. Placer to accurately diagnose and provide treatment for their pain conditions, alongside his highly trained professional staff. You don’t need to live a life of pain and suffering, consult with specialist Dr. Javier Placer and make your pain a thing of the past.
Types of Pain Treated by a Pain Management Specialist
Pain specialists typically treat patients that fall into one or more of these three main groups. The first pain group is the result of damaged tissues in the body, typically found in the joints. The second originates as a symptom of a nerve disorder, and the final group is mixed pain which encompasses broader areas like your back.
Pain Disorders Caused By Tissue Injury
- Osteoarthritis (usually in the knees or hips)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease – affecting small joints like fingers, wrists)
Nerve Pain or Nervous System Pain Disorders
- Stroke (post-stroke pain recovery)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injury
- Neuropathy (nerve pain due to shingles, HIV, diabetes)
Mixed Pain Disorders
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Cancer
Pain specialists are highly trained medical professionals, often requiring 9 years of medical training to achieve this accreditation. Four years of medical school offers a broad fundamental education, with an additional four years of hands-on training in more specialized fields, of which Dr. Javier Placer excelled in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The final year is solely dedicated to specialized pain treatment, resulting in certification from the American Board of Pain Medicine.
A Diverse Treatment Approach
Pain management doctors are trained to treat you in a step-wise manner.
- Initial treatment methods involve medications such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and/or anti-depressants. Depending on the cause of your pain you may also receive injections that numb pain.
- Secondary treatment involves more advanced procedures such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or viscosupplementation. It may also be necessary to be prescribed stronger pain medications.
- During RFA, heat or chemical agents are applied to a problematic nerve, selectively destroying it to stop disorderly pain signals. It is used for chronic pain problems such as arthritis of the spine.
- Viscosupplementation injections introduce lubricating fluid into painful joints, used for arthritis pain.
- Tertiary treatment methods may include implanted pain pumps or a spinal cord stimulator. These treatments act to relieve pain directly at the spinal cord, which is the body’s control center for pain signals. Alternatively, regenerative medicine therapy is another viable option at this stage
Choosing the Right Pain Management Specialist
Dr. Javier Placer understands that communication is one of the key elements at the heart of a healthy doctor-patient relationship. You can trust in his medical experience, training, and compassionate demeanor – all qualities to look for in a pain management doctor. Desirable qualities in a pain doctor/pain clinic:
- Expertise & specialized knowledge of pain disorders
- Able to evaluate and diagnose rare and difficult pain disorders
- Prescribes the best medication for your pain condition
- Uses a wide array of diagnostic tools to pinpoint the source of your pain
- Years of experience performing actual procedures (nerve blocks, spinal injections, pain pumps)
- Modern/State of the art medical equipment
- A diverse team of expertly trained staff
What To Expect From Your First Visit
The first time you consult with Dr. Javier Placer, pain management specialist, he will ask you questions about your pain symptoms, examine your past records, medication list, and prior diagnostics like X-ray, MRI, CT scans. The doctor will perform a thorough physical exam.
Common Questions You Will Likely be Asked on Your First Visit:
- Where is your pain?
- Describe your pain – dull, sharp, aching, tingling?
- How often do you feel pain?
- When is your pain the most intense?
- Setting for the pain? (is it worse standing, sitting, laying down)
- Does anything help with your pain?
- Do any other symptoms accompany your pain?
Pain Management Specialist Services Available in Davenport, Clermont, & Orlando, Florida
If you have additional questions about how a pain management specialist can help you, reach out to Dr. Javier Placer and his team of professionals for more information. Your pain relief journey starts as soon as you schedule your first consultation. Make a better quality of life your priority, call our office to speak with a member of our team, or click here schedule an appointment online today!
