A pain management team is a group of individuals, both professional and non professional, who will assist in maximizing the quality of your life. This help can be by the provision of physical therapy, prescription of medications, education, training and support. The team will comprise doctors, physical therapists, complementary therapists, family and friends, and each will have a role to play in your care.

Choosing who will best fill each role can be difficult and if you are not comfortable with the way a doctor or therapist communicates with you or treats you, try to discuss this with them, and if you remain unhappy try someone else. Remember that each member of the team should be someone whom you trust and feel comfortable with, and should believe that you are in pain, considers your concerns seriously, and encourages open discussion of your problem.

Each member of the team should know about the other members of the team, be willing to discuss your case with them, and remain receptive to ideas from other members of the group even if they do not agree with them.

The professional members of the team, doctors, physical therapists and complementary therapists should have experience in dealing with people in chronic pain, should not make you feel rushed during a consultation or therapy session, and should be willing to speak with family and friends if you are not well.

Professional carers should discuss the risks as well as the benefits of the therapies involved and be prepared to admit when the answer to a question is not known.  

The professional members of the team, or health care professionals, should include the following people:

1. General practitioner -

Your GP is usually your main health care provider and he/she will be your first point of contact. Your GP will communicate with other members of your health care team and, where appropriate, will refer you to a specialist clinician or surgeon depending on the cause of your pain.  

2. Specialist clinicians -

Specialist clinicians involved in the management of chronic pain include Pain Specialists, Neurologists, Rheumatologists and Psychiatrists.

• A Pain specialist is a physician who has specialised training in the diagnosis and management of pain.
• A neurologist is a physician who specialises in diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves.
• A Rheumatologist is a physician who specialises in diseases of joints and the soft tissues that surround and interact with joints.
• A Psychiatrist is a physician who specialises in diseases which affect emotion and ego.

3. Specialist surgeons -

Specialist surgeons involved in the management of chronic pain include Neurosurgeons and Orthopaedic surgeons,

• A neurosurgeon specialises in the surgical treatment of the brain, spine, or spinal cord and nerves.
• An orthopaedic surgeon specialises in the surgical treatment of bone, muscle and joints.

4. Other medical specialists -

Pain associated with organ disease or cancer may require the skills of physicians and surgeons other than those listed above and may include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgical oncologists.

5. Allied health professionals -

Allied health professionals include Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Rehabilitation counselors, Psychologists, and Social workers.

• Physiotherapists provide physical therapy in the form of massage and manipulation of joints and muscles. They can advise on posture and exercises which may relieve pain, and may use treatments, heat, ultrasound, and traction to ease stiffness and maintain joint and muscle
• Occupational therapists provide advice to help you adapt your environment and daily activities to reduce pain and allow you to live within the restrictions of the pain.
• Rehabilitation counselors provide assistance with employment and retraining issues. They will act as your advocate when navigating the complex rehabilitation system, and provide advice with redeployment or re-employment where necessary.
• Psychologists will assess your response to your pain and teach you techniques to cope with pain.

6. Social workers -

Social workers can provide support and help with different aspects of your life that may be affected by your pain, such as your family life, income and housing, and other life problems.