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Submitted by Rachel Meyer on May 20, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • Southwest Spine and Pain Center provides a number of cutting-edge spine and pain care services including diagnostic and advanced imaging, interventional medicine, surgical care and post-surgery rehabilitation.
  • The leaders of Utah pain management bring years of experience from world-class training facilities like Harvard and Mayo Clinic.
  • At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, the team is dedicated to putting the needs of the patient first and providing the best care possible.

About Southwest Spine and Pain Center

The double-board certified physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain Center opened their first practice in St. George, Utah in 2011. Since then, the three...

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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on May 15, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • A celiac plexus block is a minimally invasive procedure commonly used to diagnose and reduce abdominal pain from cancer or pancreatitis
  • Much like other injections, a celiac plexus block is used to block nerves in and around the abdomen.
  • The leaders in Utah pain management at Southwest Spine and Pain Center explain what to expect before, during and after a celiac plexus block.

Pancreatic cancer can cause serve pain to those it effects, and according to researchers at the San Raffaele Institute in Italy, a celiac plexus block causes fewer adverse effects than most opioids for these patients. The pain management specialists at...

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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on May 13, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • According to researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas, dopamine, often referred to as the “pleasure hormone,” may also promote chronic pain.
  • Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that manages different functions like cognition, movement and reward-motivation behavior.
  • The leaders in Utah pain management at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss how the brain chemical dopamine affects chronic pain.

What is Dopamine?

Dopamine, is an essential neurotransmitter that helps control pleasure centers in the brain. When you...

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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on May 8, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • Chronic facial pain is difficult to treat because the face is a such sensitive area.
  • In conjunction with other medications and pain treatments, a sphenopalatine ganglion block may be used to alleviate chronic facial pain.
  • Utah’s leading pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center provide sphenopalatine ganglion blocks for patients with chronic facial pain.

A sphenopalatine ganglion block is a minimally invasive procedure that administers an anesthetic and medication to the sphenopalatine ganglion nerves. These nerves are located in the midface behind the nasal passages and they supply the lacrimal gland, nasal cavity glands, sinuses, palate and upper pharynx.

...

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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on May 6, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • Peripheral neuropathy is a chronic condition that usually develops from damage to the peripheral nerves.
  • Peripheral nerves have different functions; some control sensation, movement or bodily functions (i.e. blood pressure, digestion, bladder, etc.)
  • The leaders in Utah pain management at Southwest Spine and Pain Center provide insight on common signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain).

Although there is no singular known cause, physicians have speculated the following instances and factors my contribute to the development of peripheral neuropathy, or nerve pain:

  • Traumatic injuries
  • Infections
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Metabolic problems...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on May 1, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • Shingles is a viral infection, medically referred to as acute herpes zoster, that usually develops a painful skin rash on parts of the body.
  • Pain from shingles may begin several days before the rash develops, which may make it difficult for physicians to diagnose.
  • The team at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discusses what treatments can help relieve shingles pain.

People who’ve had the chicken pox as children, also called varicella zoster virus, are susceptible to developing shingles. Why? Because shortly after chicken pox heals, the virus moves from the skin to an area near the spinal cord. The virus usually remains dormant for a number of years, but can become...

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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on April 29, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • A herniated disc refers to the soft, inner component of the vertebrae pushing through its tough exterior, irritating nearby nerves.
  • Some herniated discs show little-to-no signs or symptoms in patients, while others are very apparent.
  • The pain management physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss what are the causes and symptoms of a herniated disc.

Spinal discs are similar to a jelly, or crème-filled donut: they are made of a soft, rubbery center with a tough exterior. When a herniated disc occurs, also referred to as a “slipped” or “ruptured” disc, the softer inside is pushed through cracks of the tougher exterior, which can irritate nerves in the spine. Some patients may...

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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on April 24, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • Individuals with chronic pain may be met with apprehension from certain physicians because the condition is difficult to diagnose and is often self-reported.
  • According to researchers from the University of Colorado, brain imaging may help physicians and pain management specialists validate treatment for chronic pain.
  • The team at Southwest Spine and Pain Center shares this new method for mapping out pain in the brain.

Diagnosing Chronic Pain

We’ve said it time and time again, but we’ll reiterate: chronic pain is a complex condition that can be difficult...

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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on April 22, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • Failed back or neck surgery syndrome (FBSS / FNSS) describes pain that is felt after a corrective procedure.
  • It’s important patients keep in mind any surgical procedure can fail or provide inadequate relief for known or unknown reasons.
  • The pain management physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain Center may recommend a combination of interventional and conservative treatments for FBSS and FNSS.

Surgery to the neck or back may be performed to stabilize, remove or repair a damaged joint that’s causing pain. Although these procedures are designed to correct the area causing pain, and most do, it’s important patients keep in mind there are instances where a patient’s pain may not be...

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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on April 17, 2015

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • According to Consumer Reports, opioid is an epidemic in the U.S. with roughly 45 people a day (more than 16,600 people a year) dying from drug overdoses.
  • Opioid pain medicine can be habit-forming, even with regular doses, so it’s important patients take what’s prescribed by their physician.
  • Prescription pain medication can be safe when used properly. The physicians talk about the consequences of taking more pain medication than recommended.

Taking more pain medication than prescribed or recommended can be dangerous for a number of reasons. To start, opioid dependency is a very real, life-threatening occurrence that can lead to addiction, overdose or even death.

Other...

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