Torrance Pain Clinic Appointment Information: Pre & Post Visit

You're probably excited by the prospect of liberating yourself from debilitating pain -- and our Torrance pain doctors at Rolling Hills Medical are delighted to help you achieve that goal. But along with that excitement, you might also be feeling a bit of trepidation. What should you do before your appointment to make it go as smoothly as possible? What can you expect from your Torrance pain management doctor at our clinic? What will you need to follow up on after the appointment? Let's take a look at the entire process surrounding that all-important initial pain clinic visit.

Preparing for Your Appointment

You'll want to make the most of your valuable time when you're visiting our pain management clinic -- so the more prepared you are, the better. One step you can take right now is to download the necessary forms so you can fill them out in advance. 

It's also important to gather any documents or other information that relates to your current condition. This information may include old X-rays, medical history data, and any journal of symptoms you may have been keeping. you may want to go ahead and write out your current symptoms, questions and concerns so you don't forget to discuss any of them with your practitioner. For instance, you could ask:

• What kinds of conditions might be causing your symptoms
• Why your symptoms seem to change under specific circumstances (if they do)
• Whether your pain is acute or chronic in nature
• What kinds of treatments are most likely to offer relief
• What to expect from different kinds of pain management methods
• Whether there are any best practices you should follow at home, between doctor visits
• Avoid food 6 hours before your visit, and stop taking any pain relievers 4 hours in advance. Call us for guidance on which of your other medications you should or shouldn't take, and whether you'll need someone to drive you home.

Meeting With Your Torrance Pain Management Doctor

Your first appointment with your Torrance pain management doctor will include a detailed discussion of your current symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, work habits, stress levels, diet, and any other factors that might be affecting your condition. A physical evaluation will confirm the underlying cause of your pain. If you've been evaluated and diagnosed by any of our Torrance pain doctors, you may be ready to proceed with a pain management treatment plan.

This treatment may consist of:

• Epidural steroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation
• Facet joint injections to relieve chronic pain caused by degenerative disc disease or other spinal conditions
• Radiofrequency rhizotomy, a technique for deadening nerves via RF energy
• The activation of an implanted spinal cord stimulator to block chronic back or neck pain signals to the brain
• Corrective exercises (which you can perform at home) to loosen painfully tight muscles or connective tissues
• Lifestyle recommendations ranging from dietary changes and weight loss to ergonomic improvements at your workplace

After Your Appointment

Pain management is an ongoing journey which doesn't end the moment you exit your first appointment. Your Torrance pain management doctor will recommend a specific number of treatment sessions over specific intervals of time; you must keep these appointments if you want to receive the full benefit of the treatments you're receiving. You must also follow your post-appointment instructions regarding medication, activity restrictions, exercises, and other practices to help you control your pain between visits.

Learn More From Our Torrance Pain Doctors

Are you ready to learn more from our Torrance pain doctors? Call 424-250-8699 today and schedule your appointment!