Fibromyalgia Pain Points

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...

Is Fibromyalgia Pain Different From Chronic Pain?

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...

Difference Between Sore And Spasming Back And Shoulder Muscles

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...

Dehydration Headache or Chronic Migraine?

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 (...

Is Chiropractic Care Safe After Spine Treatment Or Surgery?

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...

Patient Safety is our Top Priority

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 other...

Muscle Spasms: What Do They Mean and Should I Be Worried?

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...

Running with Sciatica: Is it Safe?

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on January 20, 2020

Sciatica can be a painful condition and interfere with exercise—here’s what you need to know.

You’ve probably heard people talk about having sciatica, and that’s for good reason—many people experience a form of pain related to the sciatic nerve at some point in their lives.

That’s because the sciatic nerve is actually the largest nerve in the entire body, extending from your lower back all the way down through the muscles and joints of your hips, glutes, legs, and feet. Because it affects so many structures in your body, it can be relatively easy for it to become injured or irritated, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness, in your back, buttocks, or legs.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition of pain as a result of the...

Are There Travel Restrictions With Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on December 15, 2019

30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”

A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is an implantable device that delivers electric pulses to specific nerve fibers that control pain.
SCS is not a cure for chronic pain, but can help manage pain symptoms.
Because SCS uses an implantable generator that produces low-level electric pulses, patients need to be cautious of certain lifestyle choices.

The leaders of Utah pain management at Southwest Spine and Pain Center offer spinal cord stimulation as a treatment option for those living in chronic pain. To learn more about this device and the procedure itself, please visit our treatments page. If you already have a...

Are Chronic Headaches and Back Pain Linked?

Submitted by Southwest Spine and Pain on November 17, 2019

It seems like some people just can’t get a break. Researchers are discovering that people who have chronic headaches are also more likely to have chronic low back pain.

Research published in July in the Journal of Headache and Pain looked at 14 studies from around the world—studies from Denmark, the United States, Germany, Iran, Tunisia, the UK and Qatar—that had examined a link between headache and low back pain.

Some of the studies were small—just 88 participants—while other were quite large. One international study included over 404,000 people. The ages of people in the various studies ranged from 9.8 to 102.

The researchers found a...

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