Pain

Genes and Chronic Pain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/07/2014 - 9:09am

Could genes play a role in chronic pain? I’m sure you’ve asked yourself this from time to time and have wondered why some people have a higher tolerance for pain than others. More importantly, why do you have to suffer from these torturous symptoms?

We understand your frustration, and according to a recent study published in Medical News Today, there could be an answer to this question. Researchers at Proove Biosciences have identified genetic similarities among patients with similar pain intensities. Meaning, the research team found gene variants that played a significant role in various levels of pain.

Alternatives To Halloween Candy That Won’t Irritate Chronic Pain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/29/2014 - 9:17am

Attempting to eat well this Halloween season may not be entirely realistic; especially if you have a serious sweet tooth and love to indulge in a piece of candy now and again. Unfortunately, if you’re living with chronic pain, you might not have much of a choice in the matter. The simple sugars in cookies, candy and soft drinks trigger your body’s inflammatory response and cause pain.

The medical team at Southwest Spine and Pain Center don’t want you to be in pain during Halloween, but they also don’t want you to miss out on all of the spook-tacular fun. Our solution? Consume Halloween candy alternatives that won’t irritate your chronic pain symptoms.

Weather And Pain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/24/2014 - 11:21am

As we move into the colder winter months, many chronic pain sufferers with a variety of conditions may find their pain worsening. At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our pain management specialists encourage chronic pain patients to be aware of the affects weather can have on their condition and to schedule an appointment at any Southwest Spine and Pain Center location for help with management of your chronic pain.

Preparing For A Marathon With Chronic Pain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/24/2014 - 12:00am

Training for a marathon is tough-- more so if you’re living with chronic pain. The specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center know firsthand how debilitating chronic pain can be, but it’s important to do things you love. Don’t let pain define your body’s limitations; if you’re considering running a marathon, go for it! Just be cognizant of your abilities and avoid these common marathon-training mistakes:

Do Not Increase Running Intensity Too Quickly!

Vertebroplasty

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/17/2014 - 11:34am

One of the greatest advantages of visiting a pain management specialist at Southwest Spine and Pain Center is their ability to perform onsite minimally invasive procedures that allow you to return home the same day while effectively managing your pain. A vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed for spinal compression fractures and has shown great success in decreasing pain.

 A spinal compression fracture can occur from a trauma, or can be due to osteoporosis, which is a weakening of the bones. Depending on the severity of osteoporosis, every day activities like lifting something can cause a spinal compression fracture – and in the most severe cases, a sneeze could cause a fracture.

Preventing Chronic Pain For The Throwing Athlete

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/15/2014 - 7:00am

With the 2014 Major League Baseball World Series beginning next week, the specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center would like to discuss an all-too-common injury that frequents these athletes: chronic shoulder pain.

Chronic shoulder pain can develop for those involved in “overhead throwing” sports like volleyball, tennis and swimming. The constant overhead motion, however, seems to have the greatest impact on baseball pitchers and throwers. Because each throw puts a significant amount of stress on rotator cuff muscles, baseball players can experience immobility and discomfort much quicker than other athletes.

Chronic Pain is More Than Physical

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/25/2014 - 4:41pm

Uncontrollable, persistent pain or chronic pain comes and goes in different phases for many. Some chronic pain patients report intermittent or constant pain and mild to severe pain. Chronic pain conditions are subjective, varying in location and persistency. According to growing bodies of research, impactful pain has a great affect on the body’s immune, neurologic, cardiovascular, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems.

Football Injuries & Chronic Pain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/24/2014 - 4:02pm

If you’re like the millions of Americans who put their lives on hold for Football on Sundays, Mondays, and ok… Thursdays, too, then the following information may be useful. Whether you currently play football for fun or have years of the competitive sport in your past, you may have run into painful injuries a time or two. Football is one of the highest-impact sports in America today and one of the riskiest athletic sports ever.