Breaking Down Disease States for Better Pain Management
Effective pain management starts with an accurate diagnosis. Understanding what’s causing your pain — your "disease state" — is the first step to developing a pain management plan that fits your needs and makes a real difference for your quality of life.
Disease states refer to specific health conditions or dysfunctions in your body that lead to symptoms like pain, stiffness, and discomfort. And Eric Fanaee, MD, has the experience you need to find pain management that works.
We follow a thorough evaluation process to identify and break down your disease states so we can tailor your pain management strategy for better, longer-lasting results.
Understanding disease states
A disease state is the specific condition or diagnosis that’s causing the symptoms you’re experiencing. In the context of pain management, common disease states include musculoskeletal conditions like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.
These issues affect your body differently — and while they might share some similar symptoms, they each require a unique treatment approach. Without understanding the specific disease state causing your pain, treatments might address your symptoms only temporarily and leave you stuck in a cycle of discomfort.
Dr. Fanaee and our team take a different approach. We believe that accurately diagnosing the root cause of your pain is the first and most important step in creating an effective treatment plan, and that’s why we emphasize a thorough diagnosis from the start.
Comprehensive evaluation: The key to better pain management
When it comes to diagnosing the source of your pain, Dr. Fanaee leaves no stone unturned. Our evaluation process starts with a detailed conversation. We ask questions about your pain, when it started, and how it’s changed over time.
We also take the time to understand your lifestyle, stressors, and daily habits. Sometimes, factors like poor posture, work-related stress, or repetitive movements can contribute to pain, and addressing these factors can significantly improve your condition.
Your medical history plays an essential role as well — previous injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions can provide valuable insights into what might be contributing to your current pain.
Once we’ve reviewed your symptoms and medical history, we move on to diagnostic testing to confirm or rule out potential causes. Testing can include:
- Bloodwork to rule out infections or inflammatory conditions that could be contributing to your pain
- X-rays to visualize bone structures and identify fractures, joint degeneration, or alignment issues
- MRI to help us see soft tissues like discs, muscles, and nerves
- CT scan for more detailed imaging than an X-ray
- Nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) to measure how well your nerves and muscles are functioning
We combine a detailed patient history with advanced diagnostic tools to determine the precise disease state or states behind your symptoms. Once we confirm your diagnosis, we create a tailored pain management plan that focuses on specific disease states.
Personalized pain management
Dr. Fanaee believes in treating the whole person, not just the pain. Depending on your condition, your treatment plan might include physical therapy, medication, minimally invasive injections, or advanced pain management techniques like nerve blocks or spinal cord stimulation.
In some cases, your pain might not entirely disappear right away, but by addressing the underlying condition and adjusting your treatment plan as needed, we can help you experience meaningful, long-term relief.
Effective pain management is an ongoing process that requires collaboration between you and your provider. Dr. Fanaee works closely with you to ensure that you’re responding well to treatments, and he adjusts your plan if necessary. A strong provider-patient relationship helps better manage your pain and improve your overall quality of life.
By breaking down the specific disease state causing your pain, we provide you with the right tools, treatments, and support to help you regain control of your health. Book a consultation with Dr. Fanaee and our team to get started. Call us at 631-265-2020 today.