Blog

Search Blog Posts

Surprising causes of back pain

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on March 18, 2019

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...

Read More

Can topical creams help treat localized chronic pain?

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on February 12, 2019

Treating chronic pain is complicated. With concern growing about overuse of opioids for pain and worries about side effects of some other medicines, many patients are looking for alternatives. One option many consider is medicated creams that are applied to the skin.

Unfortunately, a recent study showed topical creams did not appear to work any better than a placebo. There were a couple of caveats, though; one of the more promising creams was not tested, and the group being tested might not represent the general population.

A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine tested topical creams on a group of patients in...

Read More

Different Classifications of Chronic Pain

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on January 16, 2019

Pain can interfere with both functioning in the workplace and enjoying leisure activities. A Centers for Disease Control(CDC) report in 2018 noted that between 11-40 percent of all US adults live with chronic pain. While the most prevalent causes of pain are arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders, inflammation and circulatory disorders can also contribute to experiences of pain. Indeed, the brain and central nervous system (CNS) transmissions play a crucial role in the transmission of pain to diverse areas of the body.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our clinicians treat many different types of pain. Through utilizing a...

Read More

How Seeking Back Pain Treatment Sooner Could Avoid Use of Opioids

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on December 12, 2018

Back pain often can be nipped in the bud if quickly treated. Your pain due to poor posture or a sedentary lifestyle may be eliminated solely through lifestyle changes or exercises. However, a “slipped disc” or nerve impingement may involve more physician-involved treatment (such as minimally-invasive surgery). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), 25 percent of all US adults reported within the last three months to their physicians an episode of low back pain. Opioids are typically prescribed when all other pain-relief medications have failed, but long-term opioid reliance is not advisable for a...

Read More

What are Common Treatments for Chronic Headaches and Migraines?

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on November 15, 2018

Functioning at home or work can be impeded by chronic headaches and migraines. They can also be symptoms of a health disorder, and differ in terms of their underlying causes. According to the American Migraine Foundation, chronic migraine headaches affect 12 percent of the population. Notably, high blood pressure (BP) has been linked as a causal factor for some headaches. Yet, one in every five people with high BP are unaware that they have this debilitating disorder (per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Meanwhile, non-migraine headaches affect even more adults than...

Read More

What is the difference between stem cell therapy and PRP injections?

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on October 15, 2018

Platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapy are continuously studied for their regenerative benefit in sports medicine and chronic pain treatment. Insurance companies do not currently reimburse these non-surgical treatments because the long-term effects of them need to be studied longer. However, many physicians offer these life-changing treatments to patients in need of restored function, pain relief, and care for knee, ankle, foot, and shoulder injuries for example.

Southwest Spine and Pain Center is proud to announce that we now offer platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection therapy. Patients are encouraged to talk to their Southwest Spine and Pain physician about this treatment option and how it could benefit their chronic condition. With four locations across Utah, Southwest...

Read More

Can Wearable Devices for Posture Help with Chronic Back Pain?

Submitted by Cathy Brown on September 13, 2018

You may have heard about wearable devices that can nudge you into sitting up straight. But how well do they work, and can they really help alleviate your chronic back pain?

Back pain affects 60-80 percent of the U.S. adults, and undoubtedly poor posture contributes to the problem. Too many of us spend too many hours slouched at our desks and hunched over our phones. Tech companies are developing devices to try to nudge us to sit up straight.

The problem is there don’t seem to be any carefully controlled scientific studies of the effectiveness of these devices. Several journalists have tried them out and...

Read More

Join us on September 13 for a free Superion device conference

Submitted by Admin on August 28, 2018

Do you suffer from pain when walking or standing? Do you find relief when leaning over or sitting? Have you tried six months of conservative care without finding relief from your pain? Do you want to avoid undergoing major surgery? 

If you answered “Yes,” we may have a solution for you!

Southwest Spine & Pain Center will be holding a Superion® device conference on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 7-9pm. This free event will be held at Mountain Point Medical Center in their conference room. 

DOWNLOAD THE EVENT FLYER

WHEN
Thursday September 13, 2018
7pm-9pm

WHERE...

Read More

Working Out and Sore Back Muscles—Is It Okay?

Submitted by Cathy Brown on August 24, 2018

You’ve heard the saying, “No pain, no gain.” But is it really true? If you’re in pain, shouldn’t you just lie low?

The truth is probably somewhere in between those two ideas.

Exercise is absolutely good for you, and in fact, moving is usually better than lying in bed for most low back pain. But you need to go about your workouts sensibly.

The best way to do that is to start slowly and gradually build up the length and intensity of your workouts. You want to build your body up, not injure it. A good way to start is by simply walking, starting with as little as 5-10 minutes a day and gradually adding time and distance.

If you’ve been inactive, when you first start working out, you may have some achy muscles, especially if you’re doing a lot more than you’re...

Read More

Stem Cell Treatment a Promising Option for Joint Pain

Submitted by Cathy Brown on July 3, 2018

In Utah, we are blessed with “the greatest snow on earth” and plenty of ski areas where we can enjoy the white stuff. Unfortunately, sometimes carving a path down the slopes can lead to injuries, and after years of skiing, you may have painful arthritis.

Of course, even if you’re not a skier, you may wind up with injuries and arthritis. Osteoarthritis is extremely common, affecting more than 27 million Americans.

The good news is we have some promising new treatments for people with joint pain. One we’re particularly excited about is stem cell therapy.

Although the treatment is not usually covered by insurance because it is relatively...

Read More