Hawthorne sits at the heart of the South Bay, within a short drive for patients across much of western Los Angeles County. Our Hawthorne clinic has been part of Southwest Pain Management’s commitment to this area for years, and over that time we have worked with patients from Hawthorne itself, Gardena, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Inglewood, and throughout the South Bay.
This guide is for patients new to pain management as a specialty. It walks through what pain management actually is, what it can help with, and what a first visit to our Hawthorne clinic involves.
What Is Pain Management?
Pain management is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating pain, particularly pain that has lasted longer than a few weeks or that has not responded to standard care. The specialty developed around the idea that persistent pain is often its own medical problem, distinct from the injury that first caused it, and that dedicated expertise in pain diagnosis and treatment produces better outcomes than managing chronic pain in a generalist setting.
A pain management physician is trained to:
- Identify the specific source of chronic pain
- Perform interventional procedures that target that source
- Design medication plans that emphasize appropriate, effective, and non-opioid-first approaches
- Coordinate with other providers — primary care, physical therapy, surgery — when appropriate
- Build treatment plans that look at pain in the context of function, sleep, and quality of life
Common Conditions We See at Our Hawthorne Clinic
Among the most common reasons South Bay patients come to our Hawthorne location:
Back pain. Lower back pain is the most common, but cervical (neck) and thoracic (mid-back) pain are also frequent. Treatment depends on identifying whether the pain is coming from discs, facet joints, the sacroiliac joint, muscles, or a combination.
Sciatica and radiating nerve pain. Pain that starts in the back and travels into the leg (or from the neck into the arm) from nerve root irritation.
Joint pain. Chronic knee, hip, and shoulder pain from arthritis, overuse, or injury.
Post-surgical pain. Pain that has persisted longer than expected after an operation, sometimes with a nerve component.
Headaches and facial pain. Including migraines, tension patterns, and occipital neuralgia.
Neuropathic pain. Chronic nerve pain from conditions like diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, or idiopathic causes.
Complex and widespread pain. Including fibromyalgia and conditions that involve multiple regions.
Treatment Options at Our Hawthorne Clinic
The toolkit for modern pain management is broad. At our Hawthorne location, we offer:
Interventional procedures. Epidural steroid injections (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), facet joint injections and medial branch blocks, sacroiliac joint injections, trigger point injections, peripheral nerve blocks, and radiofrequency procedures.
Medication management. A coordinated approach emphasizing non-opioid options, with careful monitoring when opioids are part of the plan.
Acupuncture. For patients who benefit from it as part of a broader plan.
Physical therapy coordination. We work closely with physical therapy providers to ensure that interventional pain reduction and functional rehabilitation reinforce each other.
Post-surgical non-opioid protocols. Multimodal approaches for patients who want to minimize opioid use after surgery or who need help transitioning off post-surgical opioids.
Opioid use disorder treatment. For patients with a history of opioid use disorder, we provide appropriate care within our scope of practice.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
A first pain management appointment is longer than a typical doctor’s visit. Expect to spend meaningful time discussing:
- Your pain history — when it started, what it feels like, what makes it worse and better
- What you have already tried (medications, physical therapy, injections, other specialists)
- Relevant medical history, including any prior surgeries and imaging
- Medications you currently take
- Your goals — whether those are returning to work, sleeping through the night, getting back to a specific activity, or reducing your reliance on medication
Bring any imaging reports or records from previous providers you can. The more context we have, the more specific our recommendations can be.
Most first visits end with an initial treatment plan and, if appropriate, scheduling for a follow-up or a procedure. Procedures are typically scheduled for a separate visit rather than performed the same day.
Our Approach to Your Care
A few principles guide how we approach patient care at our Hawthorne clinic:
Diagnosis-first. Treatment depends on knowing what is actually driving the pain. We spend time on diagnosis because it saves time on treatment.
Least invasive effective approach. When several treatments could help, we generally start with the least invasive one.
Non-opioid-first medication strategy. Most of our patients are managed with combinations of interventional procedures and non-opioid medication. When opioids are appropriate, they are one carefully monitored piece of a larger plan.
Coordination with your other providers. We communicate with your primary care physician, physical therapist, and any surgeons you are working with.
Honest expectations. We talk realistically about what treatment can and cannot accomplish. Some pain can be significantly reduced; some can be managed but not eliminated. Setting honest expectations is part of good care.
Insurance and Scheduling
Most health plans cover pain management services. Specific coverage for individual procedures varies by plan. When you call to schedule, the front-desk team can help you understand what your plan requires (for example, whether you need a primary care referral) and can verify benefits for any specific procedure that is being discussed.
Pain Management at Southwest Pain Management’s Hawthorne Clinic
Our Hawthorne clinic serves South Bay patients with the full range of interventional and medication-management services. We are part of the same Southwest Pain Management group as our Ventura and Woodland Hills locations, and our clinical approach is consistent across all three clinics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a pain specialist in Hawthorne? It depends on your insurance. Some HMO plans require a primary care referral. Many PPO plans do not. The front-desk team can check your specific plan.
What should I bring to my first visit? Any imaging reports you have, a list of current medications, a summary of what treatments you have already tried, and your insurance information.
Does insurance cover pain management visits and procedures? Most health plans cover pain management services, with specific coverage for individual procedures varying by plan. We can help verify your benefits.
How long is a first visit? Most first visits take between 45 minutes and an hour.
Can I see a pain specialist for a second opinion? Yes. Many patients come for a second opinion after seeing another specialist or before making a decision about surgery.
Will I be prescribed opioids? Most patients at our practice are managed with combinations of non-opioid medications and interventional procedures. When opioids are considered, they are one carefully monitored component of a larger plan.
Request an Appointment
Contact Southwest Pain Management to request a visit at our Hawthorne clinic.
Our Mission
The mission of Southwest Pain Management is to empower you to restore function, decrease pain, and live your life to its fullest.
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