Pain clinic: Anatomy and physiology—The structure and function for an interventional pain practice

Starting an interventional pain practice requires attention to several different aspects of a medical practice. It is unique in a way that interventions can be offered within the clinic setting. These may include minor procedures, such as a trigger point injection, or a major procedure, such as a spinal cord stimulator trial or even a disk procedure. Each function requires specific setup and equipment availability. Designing the pain clinic according to one's preferences takes time and a year is sometimes not enough. Planning starts right at the beginning of fellowship training. The function continues to evolve based on the growth of a practice as well as change in its paradigm over time. Proper patient flow improves patient satisfaction, medical care, and optimal revenue generation.