1. What is pain management?
   
   A: Pain is a complex medical problem that can have profound effects on your physical and mental well-being. The goal of pain management is to help you decrease your level of pain and suffering, to return you to your maximum level of functioning and independence, and to help you restore your quality of life.
   
   
2. When should a person seek a pain management specialist?
   
   A: Seek out a pain management specialist when pain does not respond to the usual and customary treatments within a reasonable period of time. All too often, people see pain management as a last resort for pain, instead of a first stop on the road to wellness. Be aware of your body and take note when you are in pain. If that pain persists — contact your doctor or an accredited pain management specialist immediately.
   
   
3. Is the pain all in my mind?
   
   A: Many people come to this question as a result of failing to find an answer as to why they have pain, or feeling disbelieved by health professionals and acquaintances. Be reassured on this point: there is no such thing as pain in the mind. Pain is either present or absent - it cannot be imagined. In many cases it might not be clear why the pain has continued for so long but that doesn’t mean it is all in the mind. We do know that pain is a very complex interaction of physical, psychological, social and emotional factors, and while people are at INPUT we work hard to help them to understand more about the cause of their particular problems.
   
   
4. Is the solution simply "positive thinking and mind over matter?"
   
   A: While it is possible to ignore milder or temporary pains for a while – as people do with everyday pains – it is much harder when pain is more severe and continues. It is a common experience that the pain is less noticeable when you’re having a nice time – a visit from good friends, perhaps – but that just shows that experiencing pain is influenced by what else is going on around you.
   The problem with trying to disregard pain is that is usually doesn’t go away but builds up, so that your efforts can end in feeling defeated by the pain. It can help not to see it as a battle but to think about ways of negotiating with the pain.
   
   
5. Should I take pain medication only when I have a lot of pain?
   
   A: No. Don't wait until pain becomes severe to take pain medication. Pain is easier to control when it is mild. You should take your pain medication regularly, just as prescribed. Sometimes this means taking medicine on a regular schedule.
   
   
6. Will I become addicted to narcotic pain medications?
   
   A: Not necessarily, if you take your medication exactly as prescribed. A person's likelihood of becoming addicted depends, in part, on his or her addiction history. Addiction is less likely if you have never had an addictive disorder. Ask your doctor about any concerns you may have.
   
   
7. Why do I need to keep taking more of my medicine to have the same effect?
   
   A: This situation occurs when you have developed tolerance to a drug. Tolerance is a normal physiological response to narcotics and occurs when the initial dose of a substance loses its effectiveness over time. Changing the dose or the medication often solves the problem. Just because you have become tolerant to a drug does not mean that you are addicted to that drug.
   
   
8. Should I tell my medical provider that I am having pain?
   
   A: Yes. Your provider needs to assess your pain, so it is very important for your health care team to know if you are in pain.
   
   
9. Some days my acute pain is much worse. What can I do?
   
   A: You might notice at times that you are in more pain than usual (such as at the end of a tiring day or as a result of certain activities). If you notice that certain activities contribute to your pain, or that you feel worse at certain times of the day, medication can be taken prior to the activity (or time of day) to help prevent the pain from occurring. Always be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
   
   
10. How can I tell my doctor how much pain I am in?
    
    A: The best way is to describe your pain as clearly and in as much detail as you possibly can. Most doctors and nurses ask you to describe your level of pain on a scale.
    
    
11. What can my friends and family do to help?
    
    A: Friends and family can benefit you by helping you to live as normally and independently as possible.
    
    
12. Do I have to suffer with chronic pain for the rest of my life?
    
    A: Not necessarily. With proper treatment, people can live full, normal lives after having experienced chronic pain.
    
    
13. What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
    
    A: Acute pain is of short duration, usually the result of an injury, surgery or illness.
    
    Chronic pain is an ongoing condition, often in the back, neck, head, as wells as neuropathic pain (nerve injury pain), musculoskeletal pain, and pain related to illness. Your physician may refer you to the Pain Management Center because your chronic pain condition has not responded to conventional therapies.
    
    Treatments for acute and chronic pain are generally quite different. In some cases, acute and chronic pain can be stopped or alleviated by a single procedure or series of procedures. Sometimes, chronic pain is part of a widespread disease process, and the specific cause may be difficult to pinpoint. Once we have identified the specific factor causing the pain, we may be able to treat it so that the condition no longer occurs. In some patients, the specific factor causing the pain--such as cancer--cannot be changed, but we may be able to reduce the pain or help the patient to better cope with the pain through a combination of medical, psychosocial and rehabilitation techniques.