Mon - Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sat-Sun: Closed

New Patients:

(865) 337- 5137

Providers:

Fax (888) 839-6922

Home  /  What Is Pain Management?

What Is Pain Management?

Pain Management is a relatively new medical field. It has not started to evolve as a separate unique medical specialty until about late 1980’s – late 1990’s. By that time, it was becoming clear that there is a huge need for dedicated sub-branch of the medicine solely devoted to studying and treating pain and its causes. From its crude beginnings by the first pioneers and amateurs, it has evolved into a fully developed sophisticated science and art. Pain Management is a branch of Medicine that deals with treatment of pain, its causes, symptoms and healing.

It uses an interdisciplinary approach in order to ease the suffering and improve the quality of life of people living with pain. The interdisciplinary approach implies that multiple medical specialists are involved in the treatment plan, those typically include but are not limited to: medical doctors, orthopedic doctors, pain management doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and massage therapists.

What do pain management doctors do?

Treatment options available to pain management doctors include: pharmacological means such as opiate and non-opiate pain killers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants and neuropathic agents. Other options include: interventional procedures, cognitive therapy, home exercise programs, massage, physical therapy, etc.

Pain specialists are often board certified anesthesiologists, neurologists, PM&R doctors that undergo rigorous additional post-graduate training at ACGME-accredited pain management fellowships. Those fellowships are very hard to get into and have the luxury of choosing only a few best candidates out of hundreds that apply each year.

Pain Management doctors deal with many orthopedic problems such as: spinal stenosis, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, bursitis, tendonitis, etc. as well as a wide variety of other pain conditions, ranging from simple migraine to radiculopathy and all the way to “failed-back syndrome” that occurs after many extensive orthopedic spinal surgeries with scar formation and frequent hardware failures.

Patient Reviews

Over 500 five star reviews
Teresa Storie
Teresa Storie
Read More
I have been a patient of Dr. Igor's for 2-3 years now. He is one of the best pain doctors I have been to since becoming sick 12 years ago. He listens to the issues I have and works out a pain management plan with me. He takes the time to explain what is going on and makes me understand. He also has a great sense of humor. I'm so happy to have finally found a great doctor.
Melanie Lynch
Melanie Lynch
Read More
Dr. Igor has done a wonderful job of meeting my needs with pain management. He is very careful with me concerning medications. Although medicine is a necessary evil, he makes sure that my pain management is manageable without "overdoing" the drugs. He is very thorough and does a great job with back procedures. I'm so thankful to have him for my pain management doctor.
Nancy Ladd
Nancy Ladd@username
Read More
I have a lot of issues with pain in my hips and back. I have always been very fearful of going to doctors until I was sent to Dr. Igor Smelyansky. He has been so wonderful to me and always makes me feel like the only patient he has. Thank you.
Paul T. Ondako
Paul T. Ondako@username
Read More
I have known Dr. Igor for 3 or 4 years and am so pleased with his work as a doctor. He is a super doctor. I would be very unhappy if I were told that Dr. Igor was not going to be my doctor. He is a very pleasant person to have as my doctor. I hope that he never stops being by doctor. Thank you Dr. Igor.
Sharon Prater
Sharon Prater@username
Read More
I would like to say I’ve been seeing Dr. Igor for a year now. I really like his attitude he has towards me and tries the best he can to do what he can to help me with my pain management and I would highly recommend him to anyone that needs treatment for pain.
Michael J. Hornyak
Michael J. Hornyak@username
Read More
I have been a patient of Dr. Igor’s for the past three years. I’m 53 years old and have been a carpenter all my life. I have no cartilage in my left knee since 1979, I suffered breaks of L1, T 11, T 12 in 1987 from a fall (30 feet). Have broken right hand several times as a result of my work. Over the years I have seen many different doctors for these issues. Dr. Igor is the only doctor that ...
Edith Compton
Edith Compton@username
Read More
I have been a patient of Dr. Igor for several years and I’m very happy with his care and concern for my well-being. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Igor.
Timothy A. Couch
Timothy A. Couch@username
Read More
I have been treated for my lower back pain by Dr. Igor for three years at Roanne County and Crossville. The injections he has given me have greatly helped. Overall he has taken excellent care of me.
Garland Gibson
Garland Gibson@username
Read More
I have been to Dr. Igor many times and he has helped me a lot. He takes time to ask questions + listens to your problems. He gave me injections and they helped a lot also.
Previous
Next