What Disorders Do Pain Medicine (or Pain Management) Specialists Treat?

Steven Richeimer, MD
Chief, Division of Pain Medicine
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
Susan Spinasanta
Senior Medical Editor
SpineUniverse
Desert Hot Springs, CA

Pain medicine (or pain management) specialists treat all types of pain. Acute pain is described as severe or sharp and may signal something is wrong. The pain experienced during dental work is an example of acute pain. Pain lasting 6 months or longer is defined as chronic. This type of pain varies from mild to severe and is consistent. Arthritis pain is often chronic. Although chronic pain is difficult to manage, combining different treatments often produces a good outcome.

Examples of different types of pain-causing spine problems include degenerative disc and joint disease, sciatica, spinal stenosis, spondylosis (spinal arthritis), spondylolisthesis, vertebral and other spinal fractures, and whiplash.

Last Updated: 01/30/2008

Find A Professional in Your Area