What Is a Pain Management Doctor? Everything Oklahoma City Residents Need to Know
Rising healthcare costs and a focus on long-term wellness have shifted many patients toward specialized pain care rather than immediate surgery. Research suggests that patients with chronic back pain saved up to $8,000 USD by seeking treatment with a pain physician rather than agreeing to invasive operations.
Finding relief for your pain often starts with over-the-counter medication. At some point in your journey, when the discomfort begins to feel woven into daily life, your doctor may refer you for surgery or to a pain management specialist in Oklahoma City (OKC). The direction you choose can impact your path to pain-free living.
This guide answers the question “What is a pain management doctor?” and explains how these specialists treat chronic pain in Oklahoa City patients. Comprehensive and interventional pain management is designed to benefit you through thorough lifestyle evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs.
What Do Pain Management Doctors Do?
A board-certified pain specialist is trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide range of pain conditions. With a deep understanding of how pain affects the body, pain management doctors help patients by:
Evaluating complex pain conditions
Finding what’s really causing your pain
Understanding your test results and what they mean for your care
Prescribing or adjusting medications when appropriate
Developing personalized treatment plans
Performing minimally invasive procedures
Coordinating supportive therapies for comprehensive care
Pain management doctors use a team-based approach to treat chronic pain, recent injuries, and cancer-related pain. The goal is to help you feel better, move more easily, and enjoy daily activities again.
How Pain Specialists Approach Patient Care
A board-certified expert in anesthesiology and pain medicine identifies the cause of the pain rather than treating symptoms alone. The doctor focuses on treating the whole person through targeted, minimally invasive methods, like joint injections, nerve blocks, or epidurals, to help you avoid surgery when possible. Pain physicians also aim to reduce opioid use and switch to safe, evidence-based, personalized plans.
Patient-centered care provides support with clear expectations, empathy, and education. You gain understanding of your pain and its impact on your physical and emotional well-being. You can adjust your lifestyle and pursue supportive therapies with a clearer understanding of pain conditions under a board-certified pain doctor. Your doctor's qualifications establish trust in the professional you choose.
Training, Credentials, and Board Certifications of a Pain Specialist
An expert interventional pain physician offers non-surgical treatment options designed to support recovery and address pain effectively. Their dedicated experience in pain management and local knowledge can better support your pain recovery journey.
Pain management doctors complete extensive education and training. After earning a medical degree as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), they complete residency training in a related specialty such as anesthesiology, rehabilitation, or neurology.
Many pain management doctors then pursue an additional year or more of advanced fellowship training. This specialized education focuses specifically on diagnosing and treating chronic conditions. The extra training demonstrates their commitment to understanding complex pain conditions and treating them safely and effectively.
Here are some of the multiple disciplines pain specialists undergo in their advanced training:
Pain science and nervous system function: Understanding of how pain signals form, travel through your body, and might feel worse over time.
Medication management and safety: Full education in pain-related medications, focusing on how they work, potential risks, and how to use them carefully and safely to limit reliance on opioids.
Minimally invasive non-surgical care: Hands-on experience in non-surgical methods that lessen pain and support quick recovery.
Greater diagnostic understanding: Use of imaging and specialized testing to accurately pinpoint the source of pain.
Whole-person care planning strategies: Learning how to combine physical therapy, mental well-being, and lifestyle adjustments to create personalized care plans.
Condition-specific pain management: Focused training in common and complex pain conditions, including arthritis, migraines, sciatica, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, cancer-related pain, and musculoskeletal injuries.
This advanced training allows pain specialists to address complex or persistent pain more precisely, which is why primary doctors suggest specialized care when symptoms start to interfere with your daily life. This referral can be a meaningful next step to finding long-term relief.
Why Your Doctor Might Refer You to Pain Management
You may be wondering, "Why is my doctor sending me to pain management?" Your general practitioner (GP) may refer your case to a pain specialist when the condition is complicated or ongoing. Referrals give you access to advanced healthcare services. Your doctor may refer you to an OKC pain management clinic when:
Pain may respond to minimally invasive treatments
Surgery is not recommended or preferred
Standard treatments are no longer effective
Pain continues after surgery
Symptoms suggest nerve-related pain
Pain is persistent, worsening, or spreading
Pain interferes with daily activities or sleep
Long-term pain medication needs reduction
Some interventional pain physicians occasionally need a referral from your doctor, while other clinics accept direct contact from patients. Spine surgeons, oncologists, orthopedic surgeons, or other specialists who work with pain doctors can also refer you.
Many patients wonder whether they need a referral. At Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers, you can schedule directly with no referral required. You can take a proactive approach to your referral through clear communication and regular follow-ups.
Steps to a Smooth Referral to a Pain Specialist
Successful referrals include doctors effectively communicating with one another and sharing complete information about your case. This approach can help you get an appointment sooner. Clear communication improves your safety as a patient, reduces unnecessary back-and-forth, helps lower costs, and prevents missed steps.
You play an essential role in coordinating your care by staying informed and attentive. You can follow these steps to increase your chances of getting an appointment sooner:
Share thorough information: Send your complete medical history, imaging results, and medication lists to each provider.
Follow-up for next steps: Confirm that your doctor's office has sent referrals and records, and ask questions to understand the next steps in your treatment plan.
Practice diligence and communication: Keep appointments, follow up on test results, and clearly describe how pain affects your daily life to help providers make timely, informed decisions.
By managing part of the process, your care team can work together more efficiently to provide appropriate pain management treatments. Remember, there are pain management doctors who will treat you without a referral, and you could see a relief specialist sooner by contacting them directly.
What Does a Pain Specialist Treat?
Chronic pain is commonly defined as pain lasting longer than three to six months. If your pain has continued for this duration, then it might be time to seek specialized chronic pain care. Pain has many causes, from injury or disease to surgical complications. Changes in comfort level and an inability to practice hobbies or perform natural day-to-day movements signal the right time to see a pain specialist for acute or chronic conditions.
Some of the conditions interventional pain physicians treat include:
Acute Pain
Soreness from accidents or injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, or torn ligaments, can be intense. Older injuries may also flare up over time. Non-surgical treatment options may reduce discomfort and support recovery.
Arthritis
Joint pain from conditions like osteoarthritis or gout affects daily movement. Early and consistent care may help manage symptoms, improve movement, and reduce joint strain without surgery.
Back and Neck Pain
Pain caused by herniated discs, sciatica, or degenerative disc disease limits daily activity. Proper diagnosis and interventional care are designed to improve relief and function.
Headaches and Migraines
Migraines and certain headache disorders may respond to non-surgical pain treatments that reduce symptoms without relying on daily medication.
Joint Pain
Whether joint pain is acute or ongoing, care focuses on identifying the source of discomfort and improving movement and stability.
Nerve Damage
Nerve-related pain may cause tingling, numbness, weakness, or sensitivity. A nerve pain specialist determines the cause and develops a personalized treatment plan.
Scoliosis-Related Pain
Spinal curvature can lead to muscle strain and ongoing discomfort. Non-surgical options reduce pain and support an active lifestyle.
Shoulder Pain
Pain related to posture, overuse, or soft tissue injuries affects strength and range of motion. A comprehensive pain treatment plan addresses symptoms while supporting shoulder function.
If pain is limiting your ability to stay active or comfortable, your local OKC pain clinic can evaluate your condition and explore non-surgical options tailored to your needs.
What is Comprehensive and Interventional Pain Management?
Modern pain management treats your whole body and mind. This includes care for your mental health, emotional well-being, and physical ability. Pain specialists often recommend several approaches to treat your pain holistically.
Interventional and comprehensive pain management work together to provide care for people seeking long-term relief. Proactive pain management offers an alternative to constant medication or surgery. It includes minimally invasive procedures and advanced therapies like radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation.
Pain management has evolved significantly in recent years. Today, pain physicians have access to a wide range of treatment options that many patients find effective. These options go beyond traditional medication-focused approaches. Modern pain care identifies the source of pain and treats it directly, rather than managing symptoms with medication alone.
Traditional Pain Care Versus Modern Pain Management
The shift to safer pain solutions highlights the difference between comprehensive and minimally invasive pain management and medication-only methods. Modern acute and chronic pain treatment is designed to provide:
Focus on treating the underlying problem
Targeted treatments delivered to the source of pain
Opioid-reduced, medication-conscious care
Advanced imaging, including X-rays, scans, and ultrasound techniques
Multiple safe procedures
Personalised care plans
Emphasis on improved function and quality of life
Now that we understand the benefits of modern pain relief and the role of pain specialists, let's take a look at safe pain treatments available in Oklahoma City.
Common Minimally Invasive Pain Treatments in Oklahoma City
Evidence-based pain management practices offer valuable alternatives for many patients in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. If you're driving from The Greens or Quail Creek, you can access faster outcomes and specialized care at pain control clinics in the city.
The table below highlights minimally invasive methods that avoid surgery and support recovery:
| Treatment | What it treats | Method | Recovery/frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epidural steroid injections | Herniated discs, sciatica, or spine-related injuries | Targeted steroid injection near the spine to reduce inflammation and pain | Same-day recovery for most patients; may repeat 4 times a year as recommended by the clinic |
| Facet Injections | Arthritic or thickened facet joints in back or neck pain | Diagnostic injections into the facet joints between the vertebrae of the spine to reduce swelling and pain | Same-day recovery, periodic to determine pain source |
| Peripheral Nerve Stimulation | Localized nerve pain | Electrical current applied to the peripheral nerves to interrupt pain signals | Minimal downtime; longer-term option |
| Radiofrequency Ablation | Arthritic pain, Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain, chronic joint pain | Heat-based treatment that quiets overactive pain nerves | Short recovery. Relief duration varies by individual; some patients experience up to 18 months of relief |
| Spinal Cord Stimulation | Chronic and severe neuropathic pain and nerve damage | An implantable device that changes pain signals | Trial first, short recovery |
| Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty | Spinal compression fractures causing severe back pain | Minimally invasive procedures involving an injection of bone cement to strengthen fractured vertebrae | Short, same-day recovery. Can offer long-lasting stability and relief |
| Medial Branch Blocks | Facet-related neck or back pain related to arthritis, injury, or degeneration | A diagnostic and therapeutic tool to reduce and identify pain through numbing with corticosteroids | Same-day recovery; diagnostic or therapeutic |
| Occipital nerve blocks | Headaches and migraines | Injection near the base of the skull to reduce nerve irritation or inflammation | Same-day recovery, repeatable |
Pain specialists at our OKC pain clinic believe in a team-based approach to ease your discomfort. You can combine your minimally invasive treatment with drug-free pain relief methods like supplements and acupuncture. Body-mind therapies like yoga, tai-chi, and cognitive behavioral therapies can also ease the stress that pain and autoimmune conditions place on your mental well-being.
Treatment effectiveness depends on varying factors and recovery is different from one person to the next. Speak to your doctor if a method or therapy isn't working for you. Simple adjustments can be made. Your pain management should integrate into your day-to-day life naturally to support lasting relief.
5 Tips for Choosing a Pain Control Clinic in Oklahoma City
The first step to comprehensive care is choosing a pain control clinic near you. You want an environment of care, expertise, and support for your journey to pain-free living. Finding the right pain control clinic in Oklahoma City is a crucial decision, as you want to build a relationship with your team of pain relief experts.
Here are five tips to consider when seeking a pain control clinic in Oklahoma City:
Confirm board certification and specialized training: Look for a pain management doctor with advanced education and certification in pain medicine.
Choose a provider who emphasizes minimally invasive care: Clinics that focus on non-surgical treatments often offer more options and shorter recovery times.
Ask about modern technology and procedures: Practices using advanced imaging and current techniques can deliver more precise, safer care.
Pay attention to patient experience: Strong patient reviews that mention compassionate care and thorough treatments are valuable when doing your research.
Prioritize access and convenience in OKC: Same-day appointments, no referral requirements, and accessible clinic locations help you start care sooner.
Choosing the right pain clinic in OKC sets the foundation for effective, personalized care. Knowing what to expect during your first appointment can help you approach the next step with clarity and confidence.
Expectations During Your First Visit to an OKC Pain Clinic
Expect a thoughtful evaluation focused on understanding your pain and how it affects your daily life, at your first visit to a pain clinic. The pain specialist will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and ask questions about your pain levels, movement ability, and lifestyle.
Your pain doctor will typically perform a physical exam. If needed, they may order imaging studies such as X-rays or scans to gather more information. This approach allows your care team to identify the possible source of your pain and determine next steps.
Pain can be complex, and an initial visit may not always provide a complete diagnosis. In some cases, pain management doctors may recommend a diagnostic procedure, such as a facet injection, to pinpoint the source of the pain. Your response to the procedure gives doctors insight to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
Once the source of pain is clearly identified, your nerve pain specialist determines whether therapeutic injections or other minimally invasive treatments may be appropriate. A personalized treatment plan focuses on targeted, evidence-based care designed to support relief and improved movement. This approach is what you can expect from the caring team at Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers, where we serve Oklahoma City and surrounding communities.
Experience Expert Pain Management in Oklahoma City
Understanding what a board-certified pain doctor does removes doubt and empowers you to take steps toward relief. Pain specialists train to diagnose complex pain conditions, offer minimally invasive, evidence-based treatments, and create personalized care plans that focus on the root cause of pain, not just temporary symptom relief.
Holistic pain management may help you move more easily, improve your quality of life, and progress with confidence. If pain is interfering with your daily life, the team at Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers is available to help you explore safe and effective options to suit your needs and goals.
Ready to find relief? Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers offers same-week appointments with no referral required. Call (405) 751-0011 or complete our contact form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Blake Christensen and discover your path to pain-free living.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results may vary. Treatment options, outcomes, and recovery times depend on each patient's unique condition, overall health, and response to care. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider
