Kaitlyn Wekerle's blog

Most women only dream of dancing alongside Patrick Swayze and being lifted and spun in the air in the last act of a summer camp show. For Jennifer Grey, that was a reality. In 2010, “Dancing with the Stars” producers invited Grey to participate in the dancing competition and her 1980s role in Dirty Dancing paid off. Grey went on to win the show’s 11^th season.

Grey didn’t win the show with ease, however. During the competition, Grey sustained numerous neck complications. The night before her last dance, Grey was hospitalized for a ruptured disc in her lower back.

We do all that we can to eliminate back pain. Some cases require physical therapy and epidural injections, while others may require more aggressive therapies such as surgery. When managing back pain, we want to alter our lifestyles to best accommodate for this. One of the simplest ways is to work on posture.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we provide pain management strategies not only for office visits, but for patients to take home with them as well. Good posture not only makes us look younger, but it also eliminates the hunch, promotes good health and mood, and reduces pain.

Most often, patients seek back and spine pain assistance for lower back pain. According to experts, the most common causes of back pain include aging, arthritis, a herniated disc, or a condition such as scoliosis.

However, upper back pain can be just as debilitating as low back pain if not treated immediately. Upper abdominal pain is a term that describes pain in a different location than the spine damage.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center patients can expect a comprehensive and expert assessment followed by a complete treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs and goals. Lower and upper spine pain are conditions that are regularly treated at all of our Utah clinics.

In some cases, pain management can be very complicated. For instance, fibromyalgia’s cause cannot be directly determined and many other pain conditions continue even after extensive therapies and treatments. Because of this, pain management is critical for a patient’s successful improvement and his or her positive engagement with the healthcare facility.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we address both the physical and emotional symptoms associated with pain. Our experience staff gives unconditional care and expert evaluations for an improved quality of life for every patient.

At a pain management facility, doctors and nurses should ensure the policies answer the following questions:

Many people believe that old age is the reason for pain for people over 65. This is partly true. As we get older, our body changes: our bones become a little weaker, our backs aren’t as sturdy as they once were, and our eyesight loses its strength. However, old age isn’t the only source of the problem. There is always a real condition behind these aches and pain.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our medical staff strives to give proper diagnoses and pain education for the elderly patients who are looking for more reasoning than, “You’re getting older.” It is important that all of our patients recognize the relationship between aging and pain so they are equipped with knowledge during pain-related events.

In 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report showed an increasing number of Americans coping with chronic pain each year. Due to this, health care costs were skyrocketing and chronic pain sufferers were dishing out more and more money for continuous treatment.

An estimated 100 million American adults suffer from chronic pain each year and the nation spends roughly $600 billion annually for medical treatment. The IOM recommended a consistent pain management education program for new healthcare professionals, and two US Davis researchers stepped up to the plate.

Pain management is compiled with a number of conservative and aggressive approaches. At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we believe in a multidisciplinary approach to pain management and consult with patients and other specialists to better design an affective treatment plan.

While certain patients show dramatic improvements in pain symptoms, others have little response. Some physicians face difficulties when diagnosing a condition and utilizing an appropriate care plan. The American Medical Association (AMA) has recognized this problem and is now offering an updated pain management education program that includes up-to-date information on the assessment and management of pain.

The June 3, 2013 JAMA Internal Medicine online publication reported findings from a study concerning statin drugs linked to an increased risk for muscle and joint diseases as well as strains, sprains, and dislocations. Statin medications are used for cholesterol control and prevention of heart disease. However, researchers found that statins, such as Zocor and Lipitor, may contribute to muscle weakness, cramps, and tendon problems.

Alex Rodriguez is no longer making headlines about his January hip surgery. Instead, he’s in the spotlight for his involvement with sports-enhancing drugs. While allegations are still being debated, Rodriguez will not be showcasing his post-surgery capabilities this season due to his legal issues.

Whether Rodriguez returns to the field next season or not, doctor’s confirm his surgery to be a success. On January 16, 2013 A-Rod had arthroscopic surgery to repair his left hip. The procedure was to correct a torn labrum, bone impingement, and a cyst formation.

In the past, artificial joints were most often considered with metal implants. However, recent statements have reported the damaging side effects that a metal-on-metal hip implant can cause. According to Fox news, The US Food and Drug Administration stated that metal implants can cause severe tissue and bone damage.

At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, surgeons carefully evaluate every patient to ensure that an implant will outweigh the benefits of an alternative hip system. The Southwest team applies nonsurgical therapies before considering surgical means for treatment.