When you need coastal spine and pain treatment you should be looking for a partner/provider. You know your body better than anyone else. You know what works for your body when it comes to pain management and you likely know what does not work. When you need pain management you need a provider that is going to listen to you and pay attention to what you have to say. You need a partner in pain management to really get the most out of the treatment.
Listening is an Important Quality
One of the best things a provider can do is to listen to what you have to say. They should be paying close attention to:
- Your goals
- Your treatment history
- Any future treatment plans
A provider that wants to partner with you in your pain treatment should have a clear idea of what your goals are. In some cases it is very realistic to completely get rid of pain in others reducing pain to a manageable level is the best that treatments can offer. In either case it is important that your provider is listening to your goals and helping to educate you on what to expect from the treatment options.
A partner/provider should review your chart and other doctor’s notes but they should also listen to what you say about your previous treatments and whether they worked for you or not. This can help a provider give you the options that are available and help you to decide which options are likely best based on your past experiences.
A provider should also be paying attention to any other future treatment plans like surgery that may be on the table. They will need to know what the long term goals are for you and how you plan on reaching them. Pain management can be a lifelong activity based on your diagnosis so it is very important that you are part of the team that will be managing your pain.
A Partner is best
You should feel comfortable with your provider and you should feel that you are both working toward common goals when it comes to your health care. A provider that does not have the time to speak to you and come up with a plan with your input is not the best option.
You need a friendly welcoming environment that can help you to participate in your pain management and help you to meet your goals.
