Finding pain care you can trust
Good pain care exists — but so do clinics that are not what they seem. This page is about how to find a qualified specialist and how to tell the difference. It does not recommend individual providers; it gives you the tools to choose well.
Start with board certification
Pain medicine is a recognized subspecialty. The strongest signal of a qualified physician is board certification — completed fellowship training and a passed certifying exam, most often entered through anesthesiology, physical medicine & rehabilitation, neurology, or psychiatry. You can verify any doctor’s certification yourself, for free, at the sources below.
- ABMS Certification Matters →
The public tool from the American Board of Medical Specialties to check whether a doctor is board certified.
- ABMS — Verify Certification →
Confirm a physician's board certification directly with ABMS.
- ABPMR Physician Search →
Find physicians certified in physical medicine & rehabilitation, one common route into pain medicine.
- SAMHSA — FindTreatment.gov →
A confidential federal locator for substance-use and mental-health treatment.
Questions worth asking at a first visit
A good pain clinician will welcome these. The answers tell you a lot about how they practice.
- Are you board-certified in pain medicine, and through which board?
- Beyond medication, what does your approach include — physical therapy, procedures, psychological support?
- How will we measure whether treatment is working — my function and daily life, not just a pain score?
- What is the plan if the first approach doesn't help enough?
- What are the risks, benefits, and alternatives for anything you recommend?
Red flags to watch for
Most pain clinics are legitimate. But a few operate as “pill mills” or sell one-size-fits-all procedures. Be cautious if a practice does any of the following:
- Prescribes strong opioids on a first visit with no exam, records, or clear diagnosis.
- Operates cash-only, avoids insurance, and keeps few or no records.
- Guarantees a cure, or promises to eliminate your pain completely.
- Offers the same treatment to everyone, or skips a physical exam entirely.
- Discourages second opinions or talking to your other clinicians.
- Pushes hard toward a single expensive procedure, device, or product.
None of these alone proves wrongdoing, but several together are a reason to look elsewhere or get a second opinion.
If opioids or substance use are a worry
Pain and substance use can become tangled, and needing help with that is common and treatable — not a moral failing. Confidential help is available right now:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) — treatment referral for substance use and mental health, 24/7
- SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov: a confidential locator for treatment near you
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
PainMedicine.com is an educational resource, not a clinic or a referral service. Use these tools to inform your own choices, and make care decisions together with a qualified clinician.