Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Frequently Asked Questions

If your question was not featured below, please contact your local location for more information.

What is pain management?

“Pain management” refers to the evaluation and treatment of various conditions that cause pain, yet it is a broad term. Pain management has several components, but some practices focus on one or two aspects and don’t use all of the available resources for pain treatment. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you are seen by a physician who utilizes all therapies for your pain control. That’s exactly what we offer at American Pain Consortium: multifaceted pain management treatment that is individualized to your needs.

What is interventional pain management?

“Interventional pain management” is the practice of injecting pain medicine in targeted areas to get relief. These injections may be done in one session or multiple sessions with two or three injections administered over the course of a few weeks. Although injections typically provide significant relief, they may usually need to be repeated.

What is chronic pain?

While “chronic pain” used to be defined as pain that lasts longer than 6 months, more recently, it has come to mean any pain that persists beyond a reasonably expected time frame for the damage or injury that has occurred.

What training does an interventional pain physician have?

All pain management doctors must graduate from medical school and complete a specialty training program called residency, which may last from 3 to 5 years depending on the specialty. An interventional pain physician completes an additional year of focused training on comprehensive chronic pain treatment with an emphasis on performing safe, efficient injections for a patient’s specific type of pain. Interventional pain physicians must learn about any potential side effects of pain management procedures. All of our physicians at American Pain Consortium have been adequately trained to perform injections for pain treatment.

What insurance does American Pain Consortium accept?

We accept insurance from most major carriers, along with traditional Medicaid and Medicare, and Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways. Please see our insurance information page or call if you have questions at (888) 615-2726.

Do I need a referral to make an appointment?

American Pain Consortium does not require physician referrals; however, your insurance provider might require a referral to cover treatment at our facilities.

Is American Pain Consortium affiliated with a local hospital?

No, our facilities are independently owned and operated.

What types of conditions are treated at American Pain Consortium?

We treat acute injuries, chronic pain, and conditions arising from nerve damage, such as urinary incontinence and peripheral neuropathy. We also offer hormone replacement therapy.

Does American Pain Consortium prescribe pain medication?

When our doctors prescribe pain medication, we only do so if we believe it is in the patient’s best interest. Medication is typically only suitable as a short-term solution because opioid medication can become habit-forming. We never guarantee that a patient will receive pain medication – everyone is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If we determine that prescription opioid medication is a necessary part of a patient’s treatment, we require the patient to sign a medication agreement and follow all guidelines.

Does American Pain Consortium perform back surgery?

We do not perform traditional spine surgery like spinal fusions or laminectomies. Our outpatient surgical treatments are minimally invasive and target the nerves, not the spinal bones or discs. Patients are able to go home the same day as their procedures with us.

Does American Pain Consortium treat anxiety and depression?

Patients who have chronic pain often have depression and/or anxiety, so we have a licensed clinical psychologist on staff who is experienced in treating mental health concerns. We also have a Group Therapy course to help patients learn how to manage the stress and emotional impact of chronic pain.

Will I need physical therapy?

We often prescribe physical therapy as part of a patient’s treatment plan. We offer Physical Therapy at all Central Indiana and Central Ohio locations.

Will you cure my chronic pain?

Most chronic pain patients will never be completely pain-free, but with the right treatment, we can help reduce keep pain levels tolerable and manageable.

Back to top