* Educational background - University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
* Trained in anesthesia with the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston in Texas
* Member of the team that developed the first chronic pain management program for the military, worldwide
* Concentration in the field of invasive pain management procedures, including simple diagnostic blocks and other major procedures
* Practicing in the Houston area since 1994.
* Knows about chronic pain and how to treat it
* Believes your report of pain
* Listens carefully to your concerns
* Asks you questions and performs diagnostic tests to identify the problem
* Encourages you to ask questions
* Is comfortable when you disagree
* Works with you to develop a pain management plan, including risks and benefits of each treatment
* Tells you when he or she does not know something about your pain problem or treatment
* Will refer out to other specialists, if necessary
Pain is not something you have to live with. Treatments and procedures are available to lessen most pain. If untreated, pain can worsen other health problems, slow down recovery, and interfere with healing.
1. SPEAK UP! - Tell your doctor, nurse, or social worker that you're in pain. It's not a sign of weakness to talk about your pain.
2. TELL YOUR DOCTOR, NURSE, OR SOCIAL WORKER WHERE IT HURTS. - Do you have pain in one place or several places? Does the pain seem to move around?
3. DESCRIBE HOW MUCH YOUR PAIN HURTS. - Use a scale from 0 to 10, where zero means no pain at all and 10 means the worst pain you can imagine. Explain when your pain is the worst, and how it is right now.
4. DESCRIBE WHAT MAKES YOUR PAIN BETTER OR WORSE. - Is the pain always there? Does it go away? Does it get worse when you move in certain ways? Do other things make it better or worse?
5. DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR PAIN FEELS LIKE. - Use specific words like sharp, stabbing, dull, aching, burning, shock-like, tingling, throbbing, deep, pressing, etc.
6. EXPLAIN HOW THE PAIN AFFECTS YOUR DAILY LIFE. - Can you sleep? Work? Exercise? Participate in social activities? Concentrate? How does it affect your mood?