Pain

New Study Predicts Who Will Develop Chronic Pain

Maybe poor posture, uncomfortable seating at your job, or repetitive back movement has exacerbated back pain throughout your life. Maybe you sustained an injury from a car accident or fall. Whatever the situation is, back pain affects 80 percent of the American population and is one of the most common reasons for missed work. New research from Northwestern University reported that brain abnormalities could “predispose people to develop chronic pain.”

Managing Chronic Pain as Your Age

As we age, we face the necessity of managing aches and pains our bodies will indefinitely feel. Pain is not a normal symptom of aging, however, years of physical exertions and pressures take a toll on an aging body. Chronic low back pain, joint pain, and degenerative diseases become realities for many of us. While most turn to surgery, there are other better alternatives than going under the knife.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our providers hope to keep people away from the surgical table and in our office for education on conservative treatments. Our four Utah locations give ailing patients easier access to our unmatched care, which includes managing pain without turning to surgery as a first option.

Core Exercises to Manage Lower Back Pain

It is often recommended that people who suffer from back pain use exercise as a basic form of treatment. Aside from clean eating, the use of anti-inflammatory medications, and good posture, exercise can be one of the greatest resources for back pain relief. Exercise doesn’t mean joining a gym either. What is great about this treatment is that it can virtually be accomplished anywhere.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we encourage patients to take treatment into their own hands. Stay motivated by making small changes to your home and work like to accommodate for your back pain treatment. With four locations across Utah, Southwest Spine and Pain Center is the leading pain management facility in the entire state.

What is Interventional Pain Management?

Interventional pain management differs from conventional chronic pain management because it utilizes specialized procedures and techniques to manage pain. Pain management is an umbrella term defining the overall treatment of any kind of pain, while interventional is any non-invasive and conservative treatment for pain.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our physicians and staff are dedicated to helping every patient manage their pain and live happier, healthier, and fuller lives. With four locations across Utah, in Richfield, Cedar City, St. George, and Logan, Southwest Spine and Pain is the leading pain management facility in the southwest United States.

Physical Therapy for Lower Spine Pain

Physical therapy is used for many cases involving lower spine injuries and pain. The focus in lower back therapy is to strengthen the core. Building strength in the abdominals and lower back muscles support the spine and also allow less pressure to be put on the back.

Here at the Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we are devoted to the proper diagnosis and education for the patient. It is a common misconception that exercise to any degree causes injuries and pain to worsen. Although healing and rest are necessary, physical therapy is essential for pain management progress.

Managing Chronic Pain Through the Summer Months

You may have heard that weather changes affect joint pain and it is true! Though hard evidence does not yet prove this theory, most physicians do agree that changes in barometric pressure cause joints to inflame and bones to rub against one another. The summer brings drastic weather changes from the wintery weather, with high temperatures making it more difficult for chronic pain sufferers to cope.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we take all things into consideration when it comes to effects on chronic pain: weather changes included. With four locations across Utah, in Logan, St. George, Richfield, and Cedar City, Southwest Spine and Pain Center is the leading chronic pain management facility in the entire southwest United States.

8 Common Myths About Chronic Pain

One of the most helpful factors in chronic pain treatment is having a reliable support system. Whether you have a supportive family or a great group of friends you can count on to help you out when you need, a support system of any kind is advantageous to your health. Chronic pain can affect numerous facets of your life, from the time you wake up in the morning and all throughout the night.

Smoking and Chronic Pain: What is the connection?

Smoking is bad for you. That is not new information. Advertisements, commercials, and campaigns are swirling around the Internet and social media informing people about the causes of inhaling cigarette smoke. Smoking is definitely linked to increased risk of cancer, but not many people know that smoking will also increase your risk of developing chronic pain.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our treatments do not only improve patients’ chronic pain conditions, but their entire lifestyles as well. St. George, Richfield, Cedar City, and Logan are home to Southwest Spine and Pain locations, giving suffering patients better access to our care. One of the first suggestions to kicking chronic pain is kicking smoking in the butt.

People who smoke are more likely to:

Yoga for Pain Relief

When you experience pain, exercise and physical activity is probably the last thing that you want to do. However, yoga and mindful meditation may help relieve chronic pain without making you feel worn out and tired. At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our specialists encourage patients to do research. Alternative medicine such as acupuncture, tai chi, and yoga can be successful in managing chronic pain.