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Category: Chronic Pain

Cervical Disc Degeneration and Neck Pain

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Having a degenerative disc is very painful. But decades of bending, lifting and twisting can take its toll on your body, especially your neck. Eighty-percent of people suffer from neck pain at some point in their lives. Characterized by the weakening of one or more vertebral discs, this eliminates the natural cushion that is supposed to exist between the vertebrae. This condition happens as we age but it can also result from an injury or repetitive stress.

Cervical disc disease causes radiating pain, along with numbness and weakness in the upper extremities. As a result, this discomfort and loss of mobility can have a big effect on your career, family, and quality of life.

Natural Shock Absorbers

Cervical discs act as natural shock absorbers. When they wear down, pain and swelling can result. The cervical spine in your neck comprises seven bones, known as vertebrae. In between these bones are gel-like substances that provide a cushioning effect. Your cervical discs provide stability to your neck and allow you to swivel it from side to side and up and down easily. The spine would be stiff if you did not have discs.

Over the years, those discs wear out and begin to degenerate, constricting the space between the vertebrae and pinching the nerve roots. This is what is known as cervical degenerative disc disease. You may notice less flexibility in your neck, along with neck pain and stiffness.

A herniated or slipped disc happens when the disc breaks open or bulges out, exerting pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord. Generally, cervical disc disease refers to the slow, gradual  process, while a herniated or slipped disc refers to a sudden onset such as through a neck injury or trauma.

In addition to a painful stiff neck, you may also experience numbness or weakness radiating down your arm or shoulder.

Treatment

Your doctor may diagnose you with cervical disc disease after performing imaging tests such as x-rays, MRIs or CT scans. Over the counter pain medications can be taken to relieve pain and swelling, as well as steroids or prescription painkillers. Physical therapy can also help.

Surgery is also an option, although a last-ditch one at that. This surgery is called a discectomy, and involves the surgeon removing the deteriorating disc and replacing it with a metal disc.

There is a better way that’s not as invasive.

Cervical epidural steroid injection is a state of the art treatment that relieves pain in the neck, arm and shoulders caused by a pinched nerve within in the cervical spine. Herniated discs and spinal stenosis are two conditions that tend to compress nerves, leading to inflammation and pain. This injected medication helps to decrease nerve swelling.

 

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers for Cervical and Neck Pain

Do you suffer from neck pain and stiffness? Do you want a better solution than invasive surgery?  Call us today at (844) 972-7752 and make an appointment to visit one our 22 pain centers including our featured location in August for Pain Management in Gainesville, GA. 

 

Ways to Treat Sciatica Without Surgery

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Sciatica references the pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, which extends from your lower back through your buttocks and hips, and then down each leg. This condition usually only affects one side of the body. Sciatica most commonly arises in cases of herniated disks, bone spurs on the spine or spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spine). All of these can compress parts of the nerve, leading to pain, inflammation, and sometimes numbness in your leg.

While sciatica can get quite painful, most times, you can feel relief with non-surgical treatments as well as physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, exercises and cold therapy.

Common causes of sciatica can include:

  • Compressed Lumbar Disc, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, AKA sciatica
  • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (caused by osteoarthritis and bulging discs)
  • Spondylolisthesis (caused by trauma to the spine)
  • Trauma to the gluteal area
  • Pregnancy

Here at Summit Spine and Joint Centers, we treat many acute and chronic pain conditions of the neck, joints and back, including sciatica, fibromyalgia, disc disease, and spinal stenosis using state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive techniques that help to restore function and ensure a higher quality of life.

It’s always wise to explore all non-surgical options before resorting to an operation as a last-ditch effort. Here are some ways sciatica can be treated without surgery.

How to Alleviate Sciatica

Mild cases of sciatica only need some rest and self-care treatments at home such as hot or cold ice packs. If your symptoms are lasting more than a week, or have resulted from an injury or trauma, see your doctor.

Here are some non-surgical options for sciatica pain treatment:

  • Exercise: Because inflammation improves when you stay active, taking short walks can help.
  • Limited bed rest: Sleep on a firm mattress and stay mostly in bed for a few days to see if that helps.
  • Hot and cold packs: Apply to the lower back, on and off, a few times a day. Do cold packs first for a couple of days, then switch to heat packs.
  • Alternative therapies: Yoga, massage, biofeedback, acupuncture
  • Medication: You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and NSAIDS such as ibuprofen and naproxen but don’t use for a long period of time without discussing it with your doctor.
  • Physical therapy: PTs can come up with an exercise and stretching routine to improve posture and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
  • Stretches: Do lower-back stretches every day.
  • Non-surgical procedures: These include Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection, designed to relieve lower back and radiating leg pain. Steroids reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by a variety of spinal conditions.

Surgery isn’t the only option when it comes to sciatica and other spinal pain. Trying non-invasive techniques first can save you a lot of time, money and post-surgical issues.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers

To book a consultation on how to treat your painful sciatica without undergoing invasive surgery,  Call us today at (844) 972-7752 and make an appointment to visit one our 22 pain centers including our featured location in July for Pain Management in Roswell, GA. 

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIAL BRANCH BLOCK

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Do you know what a medial branch block is?

A medial branch block is a treatment we perform at Summit Spine and Joint Centers to help with pain that has developed due to a damaged or inflamed facet joint in the spine. A facet joint is the bony structure that connects spinal vertebrae together. Facet joints help control the movement of the spine and provide extra support and stability for the vertebrae.

When you have a medial branch block, a local anesthetic such as lidocaine is injected into the medial nerve of the facet joint. Injecting the local anesthetic into the medial nerve helps healthcare providers diagnose back pain. If the injection relieves at least 50% of your usual back pain, your healthcare provider will likely confirm that the pain is coming from the facet joint and recommend radiofrequency ablation as treatment. Medial branch blocks are also used to diagnose sacroiliac joint pain.

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If you feel pain when you are bending, twisting or flexing, you may be a candidate for a medial branch block! Call us today to begin your pain free journey! (844) 972-7752

 

 

 

How to Tell Acute Pain From Chronic Pain

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Pain is the way your body can signal that something has happened or that something may be wrong. When that pain happens rapidly and then starts to go away once the source is removed, that is called acute pain. If the pain lasts longer than a period of six months and you still feel that pain, even when the initial injury has been treated, this is known as chronic pain.

Acute Pain

Acute pain appears suddenly by something specific, and the pain is sharp. Acute pain is a “good” pain – it tells you that you have been hurt and is a normal reaction to an event. You feel acute pain when you break an ankle, hit your thumb with a hammer or put your hand on a hot stove top.

It does not last longer than a period of six months and goes away when the underlying cause is removed. Causes of acute pain can include:

  • Injuries
  • Surgery
  • Fractures
  • Dental work
  • Burns and cuts
  • Labor and childbirth

Yes, the pain is very real and very strong when it happens, but it does subside. Generally, once acute pain recedes you are able to move on with your life and live pain free.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is something you typically live with for a long time, perhaps even your whole life. Chronic pain is ongoing and lasts longer than six months. It often continues well after the initial injury or illness has been resolved. That’s because pain signals remain active for weeks, months or years in the nervous system. Some people even have chronic pain even when no past injury, illness or bodily damage has occurred.

More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, according to Healthline.

Chronic pain is associated with the following conditions:

  • Headaches
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Nerve pain
  • Back pain

Stress impacts the body in many ways, and many stressors can result in physical and emotional conditions such as:

  • Tense muscles
  • Limited movement
  • Lack of energy
  • Changes in appetite
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Anger
  • Fear of re-injury, which could limit the ability to engage in leisure activities, physical exercise or return to work.

Many people cannot work due to chronic pain, or miss several days a year from work. Researchers say the total value of lost productivity because of chronic pain in employees is about $300 billion annually. The most common sources of chronic pain include back, hip, knee, and foot pain.

Fibromyalgia is another common source of pain, with symptoms including exhaustion, depression, restless leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, bladder problems, tingling and numbness, and sensitivity to lights, noise, or temperature.

Chronic pain differs from acute pain in that it doesn’t go away when the initial injury has healed. It can be present and affect your life for months, years or decades. But there are solutions, and they don’t all include invasive surgery.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers

If you suffer from chronic pain that is interfering with your daily life, you may be a good candidate for one of our minimally invasive techniques. Call Summit Spine and Joint Centers today at (844) 972-7752 to make an appointment about visiting one of our 21 centers including our newest location for Pain Management in Stockbridge, GA. 

 

Help! I’m Experiencing Pain All Over My Body

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Help! I’m Experiencing Pain All Over My Body

Experiencing pain on one part of you body can be painful, now imagine if you were experiencing pain all over your body. Experiencing generalized pain throughout the body can be a distressing and perplexing experience. This type of pain, often described as a persistent, all-over ache or pain in multiple areas of the body, can arise from various causes and conditions. Among these, Fibromyalgia is a prominent and somewhat complex example. Some symptoms of Fibromyalgia include: feeling fatigue, stiffness after staying in a position, muscle pain, feeling depressed, swelling, and numbness. However, these symptoms can also be related to other conditions. Let’s dive in and get a better understanding of generalized body pain and possible causes.

Understanding Generalized Body Pain

Generalized body pain can manifest in different ways. It may be a dull, constant ache or a series of sharp, intermittent pains. This pain might be accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and in some cases, mood disorders like anxiety and depression. The severity and frequency can vary from person to person and might be influenced by environmental factors, stress levels, and overall health.

Possible Causes of Generalized Pain

  1. Fibromyalgia: Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas, Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. Its exact cause is unknown, but it’s often associated with traumatic events, repetitive injuries, certain diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis), and family history.
  2. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: This is a complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that worsens with physical or mental activity but doesn’t improve with rest. The pain associated with this condition can be widespread.
  3. Vitamin Deficiencies: Deficiencies in certain vitamins, particularly Vitamin D and B12, can lead to widespread body pain.
  4. Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause widespread inflammation, leading to pain throughout the body.
  5. Sleep Disorders: Poor sleep quality can exacerbate or even cause widespread body pain.
  6. Mental Health Issues: Stress, anxiety, and depression can manifest as physical pain in various parts of the body.
  7. Other Medical Conditions: Thyroid disorders, infections, and other chronic conditions can also lead to generalized pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing the cause of generalized body pain can be challenging due to the range of possible causes. For conditions like Fibromyalgia, there’s no specific test; diagnosis is often made based on a history of widespread pain lasting more than three months and the exclusion of other medical conditions.

Treatment and Management

  1. Medications: For Fibromyalgia, doctors may prescribe pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure drugs. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also help alleviate symptoms.
  2. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can improve pain management through specific exercises that strengthen muscles and improve flexibility and posture.
  3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help manage pain by changing the way one perceives and responds to their pain.
  4. Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and good sleep hygiene can significantly impact pain levels and general wellbeing.
  5. Stress Reduction Techniques: Practices like meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises can help reduce stress, which may in turn alleviate pain.
  6. Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care can provide relief for some individuals.

Coping Strategies

Living with chronic pain can be challenging. Developing coping strategies is essential for maintaining quality of life. These may include joining a support group, engaging in hobbies and activities that bring joy, and practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s important to consult a healthcare provider if you experience widespread pain, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbances, or mood changes. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and quality of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, experiencing pain all over the body can be a symptom of various underlying conditions, including Fibromyalgia. Understanding the potential causes, getting a proper diagnosis, and following a comprehensive treatment plan are crucial steps in managing this type of pain. Incorporating lifestyle changes, stress reduction techniques, and coping strategies can also play a significant role in improving one’s quality of life. As with any health condition, it’s important to work closely with healthcare professionals to develop a personalized approach to treatment and management.


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