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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on May 13, 2021

Lumbago is a general term used to describe pain in the lower back. It affects millions of Americans per year and can be caused by abnormalities in the spine, joints, muscles, or nerves of the lower back. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, lumbago affects 80% of adults (typically job-related) and can be acute or chronic causing either a dull, aching pain or sudden, sharp pain. 

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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on April 12, 2021

A "pinched nerve" means something is putting pressure on a nerve. Any number of things may be the culprit, including repetitive motions in sports or at work, poor posture, excess weight, a ruptured disc, bone spurs or arthritis in the neck.

If you have a pinched nerve in the neck, you’re likely to feel symptoms in the neck, elbow, hands, wrists, or fingers. Symptoms may include:

  • Pain
  • Tingling or “pins and needles” feeling
  • Numbness
  • Weakness

So how can you relieve those symptoms? A number of strategies, some of which can be done at home, may help:  

  • Rest. If an activity hurts, stop doing it for a while to give your body time to heal. You may also want to try cushions or neck rests to relieve...
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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on March 18, 2021

Could the wrong shoes be causing a backache? Maybe. Experts say back pain can have many causes, some originating in the spine itself. But other cases of back pain may result from problems in the feet, knees, or hips.

Back pain is common. About 80 percent of us are going to suffer from it at some point. Tracking down the source of the problem is a key to getting relief.

When feet are the problem

If you have low arches, or “flat feet,” your feet will turn inward when you walk or run. This is called hyper-pronation and can cause your leg to turn inward as well, affecting the alignment of your body all the way up to your back.

The opposite problem, called hyper-supination, can...

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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on November 10, 2020

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread chronic muscle pain and tenderness. This condition is often accompanied by other debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, memory problems and mood swings. Although there is no cure, fibromyalgia is medically manageable through a combination of pain medications, behavioral health therapies, interventional pain treatments and more. Before treatment can be sought, however, physicians must be able to determine whether or not fibromyalgia is to blame for pain symptoms patients are experiencing.

As alluded to previously, fibromyalgia is a difficult condition to diagnose because pain, in general, is a highly personal experience that differs for everyone. While some individuals encounter chronic pain that affects one side or...

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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on October 22, 2020
Fibromyalgia pain differs from general chronic widespread pain in many ways. Fibromyalgia pain is not only characterized by its widespread musculoskeletal pain, but the fatigue, cognitive difficulties and other symptoms it causes (i.e. headaches, depression, restless leg syndrome, etc.). Chronic widespread pain is usually defined as pain that remains active for more than 12 weeks, and it can be mild or severe, episodic or continuous, a minor inconvenience or completely debilitating.

A chronic pain condition of any kind can be burdensome and create serious negative impacts on a patients life. Nevertheless, a recent study lead by researchers at Covance Market Access...

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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on September 16, 2020

Patients who experience sore or spasming muscles may wonder if their symptoms indicate a particular condition, disease, or ailment. For individuals with sore muscles, the first thing to ask is how the symptom developed in the first place. Sore muscles caused by an intense workout or a day spent moving or landscaping are not necessarily things to worry about. Overuse or injury during physical activity, stress, or tension can cause muscles to ache, and over time these symptoms should subside on their own.

However, if your muscle soreness lasts several days or weeks with no sign of easing up, you may want to consider seeing a pain management physician; especially if your muscle soreness was not the result of a strain or sprain during physical activity. Conditions...

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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on August 13, 2020

Now that summer is officially upon us, it’s imperative patients at Southwest Spine and Pain Center prepare themselves for this season’s high temperatures. Why? Simple. People exposed to extreme heat are increasingly susceptible to heat-related health problems such as sunburn, dehydration, muscle cramps, heat rash, and heat stroke. These ailments can exacerbate your pain or cause new pain symptoms to arise. If you plan to be outside for long periods of time, consider the following:

  • Drink plenty of water. We’re talkin’ a gallon each day!
  • Apply and then re-apply SPF 30 or higher every 2 hours
  • Wear light-colored, moisture-wicking, breathable clothes
  • Take frequent breaks where you find shade or go inside
  • Watch for signs of heat exhaustion (...
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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on March 23, 2020

When performed by licensed chiropractic physicians, chiropractic care can be incredibly beneficial in reducing different types of back, neck, or joint pain. However, like any surgical procedure, therapy, or treatment, spinal manipulation can have serious health risks if performed incorrectly or if administered by a chiropractic physician who’s unfamiliar with non-rotational methods of manipulation. If you’re considering chiropractic care for after an interventional pain treatment or minimally invasive spine surgery, take note of the following points.

For patients with chronic back pain due to spinal fractures or degeneration, it’s imperative a physician at Southwest Spine and Pain Center be consulted before chiropractic care is sought. This is especially true for individuals who...

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Submitted by Admin on March 13, 2020

A Note for Our Patients Regarding COVID-19

Before coming to one of our clinics, please consider the following:

  • Have you had a fever and/or new onset of cough or difficulty breathing/shortness of breath?
  • Does you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19?
  • Have you or anyone else come in close contact with someone who recently traveled domestically or internationally to a COVID-19 restricted area to include China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan and Singapore?
  • If any of the above questions is answered "YES", you may be required to wait 14 days for an appointment at our office in order to facilitate the protection of...
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Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on February 23, 2020

Occasional muscle spasms are normal, but here’s how to tell if your muscle spasms may be something more.

Most people have experienced a muscle spasm at one time or another in their lives. Have you ever noticed that sometimes, as you’re trying to go to sleep and just about to drift off, your entire body will suddenly twitch uncontrollably? Well, that unexpected wake-up call is actually a muscle spasm. 

Muscle spasms can occur as a result of a lot of different things, from being tired to stress to certain medical conditions. In many cases, occasional muscle spasms are nothing to be concerned about, but read on for more information about when your muscle spasms might warrant a check-up with your doctor.  

What is a...

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