Submitted by Rachel Cohen on September 25, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- According to Live Science, there may be a connection between a condition that causes ringing ears called tinnitus and chronic pain.
- The report found both conditions experience similar changes in two areas of the brain, which may help researchers discover possible treatment options for the two ailments.
- The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss the theory that ringing ears and chronic pain may be linked.
Tinnitus, a condition that causes a person’s ears to constantly ring, and chronic pain may share an...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on September 23, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Arthritis of the spine, also called spinal osteoarthritis, is a progressive, sometimes painful condition that can lead to the development of herniated discs or bone spurs.
- Patients suffering from this type of arthritis usually experience symptoms such as pain, weakness, tingling, or stiffness in the back that radiates down the legs and feet.
- The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss various non-surgical treatment options for those with arthritis in the back.
Do you experience increased back pain or stiffness in the morning? Have you experienced warmth, localized tenderness, or loss of flexibility in your spine these last few months or years? Have these...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on September 18, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Most individuals, regardless if they have chronic back pain, can benefit from stretching their back muscles.
- For those with back pain, however, there are certain back stretches that may help alleviate pain and discomfort.
- The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center provide patients with general back stretching tips for their chronic back pain.
Back stretches are a form of conservative therapy that may help patients increase the flexibility and mobilization of soft tissues surrounding their spine. Although good back stretches may not be the end all be all of treatment for patients with chronic back pain, they can certainly help strengthen the back and reduce pain...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on September 16, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Because there is no cure for fibromyalgia, physicians may recommend a number of treatments and behavioral therapies to control symptoms.
- To supplement interventional pain care, pain management specialists may also suggest prescription pain medication for total relief.
- Utah’s leading pain management group discusses medications and other treatment options that may be effective for fibromyalgia pain.
According to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by fatigue and widespread muscle pain, affects roughly 2-4% of the U.S. population. This is significant considering there are many individuals with fibromyalgia who do not have the access...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on September 11, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Heel pain is a common foot condition that normally heals itself after a few weeks or months of rest and minimal activity.
- Although most cases of heel pain are generally harmless, there are instances where heel pain can become severe and persistent (chronic).
- The pain management physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss treatment options for those suffering from chronic heel pain.
The heel bone, also called the calcaneus, is the largest bone in the human foot. Because this bone is designed to support a person’s body weight, it is often subjected to significant stress and damage. Most patients with heel pain develop it from arthritis, infection, or injury. On the other hand,...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on September 9, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- According to the National Pain Report, melatonin may reduce pain and insomnia in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.
- Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps the body regulate sleep and wake cycles.
- Utah’s leading pain management group at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discusses whether or not melatonin helps fibromyalgia pain and insomnia.
Most patients living with fibromyalgia report symptoms other than pain, such as fatigue, irritability, mood changes, and insomnia. For these patients, it may be difficult to concentrate, fall asleep, or receive a restful night’s sleep, which may exacerbate...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on September 4, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Regenerative medicine is a form of treatment that uses the body’s natural cells and mechanics to heal damaged or painful muscles, tissues, ligaments, and in some cases, bones.
- This unique treatment modality is performed in an outpatient setting, meaning the patient is able to return to some level of functioning that same day.
- The pain management physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss the benefits of regenerative medicine using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
Regenerative therapy helps alleviate pain and boost healing...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on September 2, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Also called Bechterew’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that causes painful swelling in between vertebrae in the spine.
- In some cases, ankylosing spondylitis can cause vertebrae in the spine to fuse together, making the spine less flexible and hunched.
- The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments for ankylosing spondylitis.
Cases of ankylosing spondylitis that involve the fusion of vertebrae in the spine may make the spine less flexible and affect a person’s ability to breathe comfortably. Additionally, this condition may cause the natural curves of the spine to flatten, forcing it to hunch...
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Submitted by Rachel Cohen on August 20, 2015
30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Roughly 80% of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, according to Mayo Clinic.
- Back pain can range from a dull, mild ache to severe, debilitating pain depending on its cause.
- The pain management physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain Center share common causes of low back pain.
Chronic low back pain can occur for any number of reasons, and unfortunately, when it occurs it may cause incapacitating discomfort. If your back pain has evolved to the point it requires frequent doctors visits or an absence from work, it may be time to see a pain management specialist. The physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain can...
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Submitted by Chelsey Ballarte on August 17, 2015
Patients who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia face a lot of criticism. They might often hear harsh phrases from their peers along the lines of, “But you don’t look sick!” But do the critics have a point? Is a patient who looks healthy and feels pain for no reason really just imagining it in his or her head? At Southwest Spine and Pain, we answer with no. Even though it has many misconceptions, fibromyalgia is a real condition that many patients suffer from.
So where does this misconception that fibromyalgia is made up come from? One of the reasons is that fibromyalgia is a complex disease that stands out compared to other pain-...
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