A day in the life of an interventional pain physician

Interventional pain physicians specialize in using minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat chronic pain conditions like back, neck and joint pain. They work closely with patients to create personalized treatment plans that may include injections, nerve blocks, medication management and physical therapy to improve quality of life.

If you've ever wondered what an average day for an interventional pain physician looks like, Soorena Khojasteh, MD, System Chief of Pain Medicine at Main Line Health, walks us through a typical day for him.

Starting mornings out right

My day begins early, before the sun rises. I wake up with my alarm at 5 a.m. and start my morning routine. By 5:30 a.m., I'm out the door, ready for an hour of exercise. This morning workout sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. It's a time for me to clear my mind, focus on my physical well-being and prepare for the day ahead.

After exercising, I head back home to help get the kids ready for school. Breakfasts are made, backpacks are checked and there's always a bit of hustle and bustle. Three days of the week, I'm lucky enough to drive the kids to school. These car rides are precious moments for us, filled with lively debates about music selection, seating in the car and sometimes even conversations about school!

Arriving at the office

Three days each week, I am at the office at 9 a.m., ready to dive into my work as an interventional pain physician. My office hours stretch until 5 p.m., filled with new patient evaluations and follow-ups. I work closely with my patients to understand their pain and develop treatment plans that improve their quality of life.

Most patients seeking care at our office have suffered with pain for months and even years. A majority of these are spinal related pain conditions, but we also care for less common conditions such as fibromyalgia, abdominal pain and cancer pain. We are very focused on making the appropriate diagnosis so we can tailor make a treatment plan focused on addressing that patient's most pressing needs. This often requires a combination of non-opioid medications, procedural approaches to treating pain and referrals to behavioral and physical therapy.

It's a challenging yet rewarding role that demands empathy, precision and continuous learning. I work closely with our entire pain management team including nurse practitioners, physician associates, pain psychologists, medical assistants to ensure patients across practice are engaged in our multi-disciplinary approach.

On the other two days of the week, my schedule shifts. These days start even earlier, with procedures beginning at 7:30 a.m. I spend these days focused on performing minimally invasive procedures that help manage and alleviate chronic pain. These procedures require a high level of skill and concentration, but the relief they bring to my patients makes every effort worthwhile. These procedures vary from simple epidural steroid injections to more sophisticated spinal cord stimulators and finally definitive treatments such as minimally invasive lumbar decompression, disc replacement therapy and basivertebral nerve ablation.

We're lucky to have an incredible peri-operative team that provide patients a first-class patient experience. I work until 3:30 p.m. on these days, ensuring that I can still make it home for dinner.

Returning home to round out the day with family

Regardless of the day's schedule, I always make it home by 6 p.m. for dinner with my family. Dinner time is our opportunity to reconnect, share our day's experiences and enjoy a meal together. Despite the usual chaos involved with family dinner, it's a cherished part of my routine that reinforces the importance of family bonds.

Each day is a balance of professional responsibilities and personal commitments. From early morning workouts to family dinners, every moment is a blend of productivity and quality time with loved ones. This structured yet fulfilling routine keeps me motivated and grounded, ensuring that I give my best both at work and at home.

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