Pain Clinics Columbus OH

In a typical multidisciplinary pain clinic, a patient will be treated by the following specialists.....

• Physician or neurosurgeon

• Anesthesiologist

• Psychologist.. using cognitive and behavioral treatment methods, including training in biofeedback and relaxation, self-hypnosis, assertiveness and stress management.

• Physical Therapist... using TENS, a pool, or exercise groups, with a goal of encouraging patients to pursue an independent exercise program.

• Occupational Therapist.... work simplification and energy conservation.

• Therapeutic Recreation Specialist...  will teach patients how to constructively use their leisure time.

• Dietitian.... nutritional assessment and counseling, educates patients about weight control and the effects of certain foods in relation to pain levels.

• Social Worker....  will assist patient with family and home situations.

• Nurse....  educates and monitors the inpatient.

Currently, there are approximately 384 "accredited" pain management programs, clinics and pain centers in the country (vs. an estimated 410 in 1997 and 439 in 1995).  A total of 122 are now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (C.A.R.F.), which has developed standards for multidisciplinary programs along with the American Pain Society.  This figure is down from 208 in 1999. CARF-affiliated programs are staffed by a multi-disciplinary team. 

Another 47  individuals and pain clinics are accredited by the American Academy of Pain Management (vs. 80 in 2001).  Another 215 programs are estimated to be housed in JCAHO-accredited hospitals.  It’s important to note that the hospital itself is accredited by JCAHO--not the pain program.   Another 250 or so non-accredited programs exist, usually smaller in size in terms of the depth and expertise of their staffs.

In addition to these chronic pain programs and centers, there are an estimated 2,900 anesthesiologists nationwide who are active in pain therapy.  This is up from an estimated 2,752 in 1997, as these professionals continue to move into the pain management field. Anesthesiologists practice in most cases as solo practitioners.   We know that there are, at minimum, at least 2,834 anesthesiologists  certified in pain therapy as of November 2003, by the American Board of Anesthesiology. 

Marketdata estimated that 8% of ALL anesthesiologists in the nation were active in pain management in 1997.  We believe this share to have risen to 10.6% today. The American Society of Anesthesiology reports that they have 24,326 active, practicing or resident anesthesiologists members in the United States (of a total membership of 38,707).  The larger figure includes retired doctors, students, past presidents, affiliates, and some foreign professionals not living in the U.S.