How to Prepare for Your First Visit to a Pain Clinic

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we aim to provide personalized pain management solutions. To ensure we understand your unique needs and create an effective treatment plan, please come prepared with the following information:

Medication List: Bring an up-to-date list of all medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements, with dosages and frequency.

Medical Records: If available, bring relevant records such as imaging reports (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), recent lab results, and summaries of past treatments or surgeries for pain.

Previous Treatments: Provide documentation of previous pain therapies, like physical therapy or injections, and share their effectiveness to help guide our recommendations.

Pain History: Be prepared to discuss your pain history, including onset, location, intensity, and triggers. Keeping a pain diary before your visit can be helpful.

Allergies: Inform us of any allergies, especially to medications or anesthesia, for your safety.

Insurance and Identification: Bring your current insurance information and a photo ID.

Family Medical History: Share any family history of chronic pain or related conditions, as it may impact treatment.

Questions and Concerns: Write down any questions or concerns you have about your pain or treatment options for discussion.
 
Your preparation helps us provide the highest level of care possible. We look forward to working with you to help you find relief and improve your quality of life.

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, clear communication about your pain is the foundation for effective, personalized care. When you come in for your visit, our team encourages you to describe your pain as specifically as possible. Let us know exactly where you feel pain—using terms such as “lower back,” “right knee,” or “left shoulder” helps us target our assessment and treatment.
 
Please share how your pain feels: Is it sharp, dull, burning, throbbing, or stabbing? Rate your pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means no pain and 10 means the worst pain imaginable. Let us know how long you have been experiencing this pain and whether it is constant or comes and goes.
 
It’s also important to discuss what affects your pain. Tell us if certain movements, resting, medications, or specific activities make your pain better or worse. Let our Comprehensive Pain Specialists team know how pain impacts your daily life—such as your ability to work, sleep, or enjoy activities. If you have noticed additional symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in bladder or bowel habits, be sure to mention them as these symptoms can help us make a more accurate diagnosis.
 
We recommend keeping a simple pain diary before your appointment—recording when pain occurs, what you were doing at the time, and how severe it felt. This information helps our specialists gain a deeper understanding of your condition.

Finally, be open about any treatments or medications you have tried, including what helped and any side effects you experienced. The more information you provide, the better our team can design a pain management plan customized for your unique needs. Your clear and thorough communication is essential to helping us improve your quality of life.

When you visit Comprehensive Pain Specialists, our team is committed to providing you with a thorough and compassionate evaluation. From your very first appointment, our pain management physicians will take the time to discuss your symptoms in detail. We will ask you to describe your pain—including its location, intensity, and the type of sensation (such as sharp, dull, throbbing, burning, or aching). Understanding when your pain began, whether it followed an injury or specific event, and how it has changed over time is essential to developing your treatment plan.
 
Our providers will also explore how frequently you experience pain, how long it lasts, and if there are any activities, positions, or times of day that make it better or worse. We’ll review any treatments you have already tried—including medications, physical therapy, injections, or alternative therapies—and discuss how effective those treatments have been for you.
 
Your complete medical history is important to us, so we’ll ask about other health conditions, previous surgeries, and current medications or supplements. We also recognize the impact pain has on your daily life, so we’ll ask about your sleep patterns, mood, and how pain affects your work, relationships, and daily activities. Factors such as stress, depression, or anxiety can influence pain, and we take these into account to ensure you receive the most effective care.

After your initial visit, follow-up appointments may be necessary depending on your pain diagnosis and treatment plan. These visits help monitor your response to pain management, adjust medications, review test results, or address new pain issues. You may also be referred to a specialist for further evaluation.

To make the most of your follow-up visits, track any changes in your pain, new symptoms, or side effects, and bring this information with you. Follow any instructions from your pain care team, such as completing lab work or imaging studies. Writing down any questions or concerns about your pain or treatment options will also help.

By staying proactive and prepared, you ensure the most effective and personalized care. If you’re unsure about the need for follow-up or what to expect, don’t hesitate to ask your provider. Our goal is to support you every step of the way on your path to better pain management.
 
Visit Comprehensive Pain Specialists to start your journey toward effective pain management and personalized care. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 1177 PA-315, Dolphin Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. We serve patients from Wilkes-Barre PA, Glen Lyon PA, Dallas PA, Pittston PA, Mountain Top PA, Plymouth PA, and surrounding areas.