Pain

Fighting Off the Winter Blues

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/22/2013 - 1:31pm

For those with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the fall and winter months can be depressing, to say the least. Shorter days, lesser sunshine, and chilly temperatures make for an obvious disruption in the body’s circadian rhythm, which sometimes leads to feelings of depression.

Come January and February, individuals with SAD may feel like not even getting out of bed in the morning. Other symptoms include weight gain, irritability, and social avoidance. At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we know the wintertime can be a hard season for our chronic pain patients. With locations all across Utah, we hope to better serve all of our patients, especially during difficult times.

Air Pressure and Pain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/20/2013 - 10:42am

Scientists and researchers alike agree that pain worsens with colder weather conditions, but could your pain actually predict the weather? On sunny days your pain may be excruciating and sure enough, it rains the following day. One of the longest controversies in medicine is weather conditions and the aggravating affects of physical pain.

In 400 B.C., Hippocrates noticed and hypothesized seasonal illnesses. The Chinese term for rheumatism translates to “wind-damp disease.” However, modern research shows inconclusive and inconsistent results matching weather patterns to reported pain. The inconsistency has left some people to dismiss the relationship at all and chalk it up to physiological misunderstandings.

Nerve Pain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/15/2013 - 7:07am

The funny bone didn’t just get its name because of the weird feeling after hitting it. In fact, the funny bone isn’t a bone at all. The tingling or burning sensation that is felt after hitting the region inside your elbow is actually from pressure of the ulnar nerve against the humerus bone (running from your elbow to your shoulder). Similar feelings of pricking or numbness may occur when you sleep on your arm or leg in a funny position.

Neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves from performing properly. In severe cases, neuropathy can cause paralysis, although it is very rare. For most people with nerve pain, symptoms depend on the severity but usually include pain and weakness.

Holiday Headache Triggers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/13/2013 - 9:12am

It’s that time of year again; winter scented candles, Christmas lists, holiday shopping, and everything that goes along with it. Thanksgiving has yet to come, but most of us are already feeling the stress and headaches that often come during the winter season.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we want to bring pain relief in every form to our patients so that they can enjoy their holidays. Many migraine and headache sufferers anticipate the upcoming agony, but by following our advice, the holidays will be much more merry.

Aching Joints and Joint Management

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/08/2013 - 7:50am

Joint pain occurs in the body’s “hinges.” Not typically requiring hospital care, joint pain is quite common and can be extremely debilitating. Arthritis is one of the biggest causes of joint pain, but other conditions can develop.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we believe in providing the most beneficial advice to our patients. Joint pain can be very painful as the colder weather approaches. Offering the best spine and pain treatments in the state of Utah, Southwest Spine and Pain encourages you to come in for an examination.

Worse Pain in Colder Weather

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 9:27am

For those of us living with a chronic pain condition, predicting weather changes can be felt where pain is persistent. Sinus pain, arthritis pain, and even fibromyalgia symptoms can be greatly intensified once the weather changes; ie raining, lowering temperatures.

You may have heard about this relationship, but never understood why or how pain and weather are related. Researchers suppose that temperature and barometric pressure changes are the cause of increased pain.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we believe in offering treatment that will be affective in all stages of our lives, including drastic weather changes. Whether you have pain from a recent injury, or a chronic pain condition, our specialists consider all factors when designing a treatment plan.

Weather Changes and Fibromyalgia

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/01/2013 - 10:09am

On June 4, 2013, ScienceDaily released a report that found weather changes including temperature, sunshine, and precipitation to not be a factor in the fluctuation of fibromyalgia symptoms. Dutch researchers found hard medical evidence that supported this conclusion and published their reports to Arthritis Care & Research, an American College of Rheumatology journal.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our medical staff continues to investigate the science behind fibromyalgia. As one of medicine’s greatest mysteries, scientists and investigators worldwide continually study the truths behind this condition.

Foods to Avoid for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/18/2013 - 3:03pm

Sometimes, it feels like every movement we make enhances our chronic pain. Instead of staying active, we fall into a pattern of laziness and sluggishness. However, not being active can actually worsen our chronic pain.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we confront chronic pain on a daily basis. From fibromyalgia, to pain from a sport’s injury, the medical team at Southwest treats each condition with professionalism and determination.

Pain Fighting Foods

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/16/2013 - 9:14am

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury. Pain is often associated with this response, but it is normally beneficial. Inflammation is a reaction that happens to heal and prevent infection. However, chronic inflammatory changes can be bad for our health.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we encourage our patients to practice wellness in all avenues of their lives. Though we prescribe medications and other therapies for treatment, some of the best treatment can be done by the patients themselves. To reduce inflammation and pain, patients should seek the following foods to help provide relief.

Dieting to Help Spinal Stenosis

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/11/2013 - 8:45am

People typically decide to go on a diet to lose weight and fix bad eating habits. There are so many great diets filled with colorful and delicious foods out there with a slue of benefits. Dr. Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet is notoriously imitated for its countless health benefits. 

Losing weight, though may indefinitely come with the plan, isn’t the only thing that can be altered and helped while dieting. Spinal pain can actually be reduced by eating food with the proper nutrition. Southwest Spine and Pain Center encourages all patients to choose nutritionally rich foods when they eat as another effort to help with their treatment.