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.

The future of pain management could change drastically if treatment options are produced as a result of this finding. The specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center...

Pain caused by sickle cell disease can be mild or severe— symptoms vary, but at it’s most severe, sickle cell disease can lead to strokes, severe infections and permanent damage to vital organs (i.e. brain, heart, lungs, liver). The double-board certified pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center understand managing chronic pain from sickle cell disease can feel daunting, but they want to assure patients there are treatment options available.

Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that result in atypical hemoglobin molecules “sickling” healthy red blood cells, making them break down prematurely. The disease can be detected in children as early as 4 months old and usually induces extreme pain, shortness of breath and anemia.

If you have acute or...

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.

Joint pain is one of the most common chronic pain conditions that worsens with changes in weather. Studies suggest that a change in barometric pressure is the culprit for pain increases associated with weather changes. Barometric pressure is the weight of the atmosphere that surrounds us, and a change in that pressure will cause either more or less weight to push...

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.

Most fractures occur in the front of the vertebra, which causes...