When Should You See a Pain Management Specialist?

Pain that lingers for weeks or months is not something you should have to simply live with or endure.

Many people put off care because they assume the pain will improve on its own or nothing can be done. Others try to work around it by resting, changing their routine, or relying on over-the-counter medication. But when pain starts affecting how you work, sleep, move, or get through the day, it may be time to see a pain management specialist.

At Haskell Memorial Hospital, patients have access to pain management care close to home, without the burden of traveling out of town for specialty treatment.

Signs It May Be Time to See a Pain Specialist

Not every ache or pain requires specialty care. But there are clear signs that it may be time to take the next step.

You may benefit from seeing a pain management specialist if:

• Your pain has lasted several weeks or longer
• Pain is limiting your daily activities
• You are having trouble walking, sleeping, working, or staying active
• The pain keeps coming back
• Past treatments have not provided lasting relief
• You are dealing with ongoing back pain, neck pain, joint pain, or nerve pain
• You want to understand the cause of your pain, not just temporarily mask it

Chronic pain can affect far more than physical comfort. Over time, it can wear down quality of life, reduce mobility, and make even basic tasks more difficult.

What a Pain Management Specialist Does

Pain management is about more than medication.

A pain management specialist works to identify what is causing the pain, evaluate what treatments have or have not worked, and build a plan based on the patient’s specific condition and symptoms.

HMH Pain Management Specialist Nick Rose, CRNA, NSPM says that process starts with a focused evaluation.

“We treat chronic pain, that’s my subspecialty,” said Rose. “Whether you’ve had it for two months, three months, or longer. We do a focused assessment and evaluation of really what’s going on, what’s working for you, what has worked, and what hasn’t worked.”

That kind of approach matters because pain is not simple and one patient’s experience is different from another’s. What feels like one problem may have several causes. A personalized evaluation can help patients move toward treatment that is more targeted, more individualized and more effective over time.

Rose says his goal is to look deeper.

“My first encounter with a patient is literally just trying to unfold what is really happening here,” he said. “I try to target exactly what’s going on and get to the absolute root of the problem.”

Why Local Pain Management Matters

Convenient, timely access to pain management can be just as important as the treatment itself.

When specialty care is only available in far from home, patients may delay appointments, skip follow-up care, or go without treatment entirely. That is one reason Haskell Memorial Hospital continues working to bring more specialty services to the community.

“The more specialists we can get here, the more our patients can have visits here and not have to rely on somebody else to get their care done,” said Michelle Stephens, CEO of Haskell Memorial Hospital.

For patients and families in Haskell and the surrounding area, that means specialty pain care is more accessible, more consistent, and easier to fit into everyday life.

Pain Management at the Specialty Clinic at Haskell Memorial Hospital

Haskell Memorial Hospital offers pain management care close to home, making it easier for patients in Haskell and surrounding communities to access personalized treatment without the strain of long-distance travel.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about pain management at Haskell Memorial Hospital, call the clinic at (940) 228-2149, or visit the Pain Management webpage to fill out the form to request a callback.