Rachel Cohen's blog

Personality Influences Chronic Back Pain

Submitted by Rachel Cohen on Fri, 05/22/2015 - 9:21am

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

  • A study from Manchester Metropolitan University in England found a patient’s level of anxiety and defensiveness is directly correlated with how they view their chronic pain.
  • Defensive, highly-anxious individuals are more likely to show persistence in the pain management system, according to the study.
  • The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center explain how personality influences chronic back pain.

The study, conducted by researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University in England, looked into the personality types of 70 test participants. These individuals were separated into 4 groups:

Dopamine and Chronic Pain

Submitted by Rachel Cohen on Wed, 05/13/2015 - 9:19am

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?

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Chronic Facial Pain

Submitted by Rachel Cohen on Fri, 05/08/2015 - 9:59am

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.

Signs Of Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Pain)

Submitted by Rachel Cohen on Wed, 05/06/2015 - 9:25am

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:

Brain Mapping For Chronic Pain

Submitted by Rachel Cohen on Fri, 04/24/2015 - 1:52pm

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