I've seen three different pain management docs and I've received different treatments from all three. I should note that I've not seen them for PN/SFPN, and that may factor in the treatment.

The first doctor was affiliated with the neuro's office I was seeing. I had to fill out bubble forms showing pain locations and levels from one, the other two used written questionnaires. The first 2 docs never did any sort of physical exam. The one I currently treat with will perform neurological assessments each time a new symptom comes up. Again, each time I go in for injections, he will do a physical exam of all of the areas he is treating and he rates his findings independently of what I report. My current doc is the best one I've seen. He was an anesthesiologist first and now specializes in PM.

The first one I saw gave me the impression that he only wanted to prescribe meds and he seemed to be on the retirement plan.

The second one was way better than the first but my experience with him was limited to one condition only.

The third/current is the best. He is thorough, knowledgable, and he listens.

It seems as though you can encounter the full spectrum of docs in this specialty as much as others. I hope this helps answer your question somewhat. Take care.