Daniel Nelson, MD
Washington’s Leader and Specialist in Interventional Pain Medicine
What Is Interventional Pain Medicine?
Interventional pain medicine, also referred to as interventional pain management, is a medical sub-specialty which uses numerous methods to relieve, reduce, or manage pain and improve a patient's overall quality of life. Through minimally invasive techniques, specifically designed to diagnose and treat painful conditions, patients can return to their everyday activities quickly and without reliance on medications. These treatments are ideal for both acute and chronic pain and can be used to alleviate even the most complex sources of pain.
What exactly is an interventional pain specialist?
As the field of medicine learns more about the complexities of pain, it has become more important to have physicians, like Dr. Daniel Nelson, with specialized knowledge and skills to treat these conditions. An interventional pain management specialist is a physician (MD or DO) with special training in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of all different types of pain. They also possess the following:
- An in-depth knowledge of the physiology of pain
- The ability to evaluate patients with complicated pain problems.
- An understanding of specialized tests for diagnosing painful conditions.
- Skills to perform procedures (such as nerve blocks, spinal injections, joint injections, and other interventional techniques)
In addition, the broad variety of treatments available to treat pain is growing rapidly and becoming more complex. With an increasing number of new therapies, techniques, and technologies for the treatment of pain, becoming available every year, Dr. Nelson is uniquely trained to use this new knowledge safely and effectively to help patients.
Why should you see an interventional pain management specialist?
- If pain interferes with your daily routine and cannot be managed through conservative therapies.
- If you are still trying to find a diagnosis for you pain.
- If you want to avoid surgery if possible.
- If you suffer from neck, back, joint (shoulder, knee, elbow, foot, etc.), or nerve pain (like sciatica).
- If you have been in pain, even for years, and have been told there’s nothing that can be done to treat your pain.
- If you’ve had surgery but are still experiencing pain
What to expect from an interventional pain specialist?
The interventional pain management specialist will conduct an evaluation which typically consists of:
- A review of your history
- A physical examination
- A neurological examination
- A careful review of all medical records and diagnostic studies including imaging.
A correct diagnosis is the first and the most important step in the treatment of debilitating and unresolved pain.
Based on the evaluation of your medical condition, the interventional pain physician will develop a tailored plan to diagnose and treat your pain.
There is a variety of interventions that may be considered not only for treatment purposes, but also for diagnostic purposes.
Please visit our “Conditions” page to learn about the painful conditions we treat and visit our “Procedures” page to learn about the interventions and treatments we offer.
Call our office to make an appointment with Sarah Goble or Dr. Nelson.
