When evaluating a chronic pain patient, it is important to think beyond the pain-generating diagnosis and consider co-morbid conditions that may be present and have a direct impact on outcomes.

Self-advocacy can be a game-changer in driving the healthcare industry forward. You are your best advocate. By clearly explaining and advocating for yourself within the short amount of time allotted, you can improve your relationship with your doctor and improve your health. While time is an obvious issue, self-advocacy can help alleviate it.

I’m super-specialized in what I do. I treat addiction and chronic pain and I perform anesthesia. And people get confused and ask, “Are you a psychiatrist or a therapist?” because I listen. I connect. I give a shit.