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Category: Pain Management

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. 

 

Stress Fractures in Young Athletes

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Stress fractures affect many people of all ages, but they are particularly prevalent in young athletes who are not fully grown and lack the proper training to participate in a competitive sport. Even professional athletes get stress fractures, though, so no one is immune to these painful occurrences.

Stress fractures are basically small cracks in a bone. They’re caused by repetitive force, usually from overuse due to repeatedly jumping up and down or running over long distances. They occur most often in the weight-bearing bones of the lower foot and leg. Young athletes who engage in high-impact sports such as track and field, tennis, basketball, and gymnastics are at the highest risk.

Why do so many young athletes develop stress fractures?

Training too hard without proper conditioning will boost an athlete’s risk of getting a stress fracture. That’s because when the athlete’s muscles become too tired and can’t readily absorb the impact of competition and training, that stress gets transferred to the bones.

Athletes who have flat feet are more prone to such fractures, as are those who:

  • Run on hard surfaces
  • Run with improper footwear
  • Suffer from eating disorders
  • Suffer from low bone mineral density or osteoporosis

The PARS Stress Fracture

Also known as spondylolysis, the PARS stress fracture usually occurs in the lower back, resulting from repetitive hyperextension and rotation activities, says American Bone Health. Young athletes who participate in sports involving twisting movements and backwards bending are at a higher risk of a PARS stress fracture, which affects 30 percent of young athletes. Sports where hyperextension of the back are routine occurrences include gymnastics, diving, wrestling, football, pole vaulting, weight lifting, dancing, volleyball, and high jumping.

Treatment

Young athletes with stress fractures may have to wear a walking boot or brace, or use crutches until the bone heals. This will help reduce the bone’s weight-bearing load. Surgery is an option for extreme cases, but there are many non-surgical treatment options that may be a better fit for a young person.

In most cases, lifestyle changes can go a long way toward alleviating the pain of stress fractures.

  • Get plenty of rest. Do not use the affected limb until your doctor clears you.
  • Ice the area. Apply ice packs to the injury for 15 minutes every few hours. This will reduce swelling and relieve pain.
  • Resume activity slowly. Don’t jump back into sports; instead slowly start off with non-weight-bearing activities, such as swimming, before progressing to your usual activities.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers

To learn how our pain management clinic can help relieve a stress fracture or any other acute or chronic pain, 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.  We utilize state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive techniques to restore function and improve your overall quality of life.

 

 

Signs Your Back Pain Could be a More Serious Problem

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Everyone gets the occasional tweaked back or dull lower back pain. But if you’re experiencing more frequent and more painful back issues as time goes on, this could signal a more serious problem. 

From a sudden spike in discomfort, numbness or weakness, to loss of bladder function and high fever, here are some signs that your back pain needs immediate attention. 

Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain

First off, let’s discuss the differences between the two types of back pain. Acute pain is basically a short-term pain that usually has an identifiable source, such as strenuous exercise or an awkward movement. It usually heals within a few weeks without treatment and you can get back to your normal routine. 

Chronic pain is a long-term pain. It too can be triggered by an injury, but usually an underlying condition is the root cause. Chronic pain is serious in that symptoms are typically strong enough to affect your overall health, quality of life and mobility for extended periods of time. Chronic pain can come on suddenly, to be sure, but usually it will build gradually and last more than a couple of months.

Adding to the complexity is the fact that chronic back pain may be recurrent, which means it can go away and then come back – over and over again. Overall, chronic back pain is serious and should be evaluated by a doctor. The cause could be a degenerative or slipped disc from an accident, or it could be attributable to a condition such as spinal stenosis.

But there are other times when back pain is an emergency that can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment.

When Back Pain Becomes an Emergency

When back pain is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to be seen right away. Here are some of the symptoms to be on the lookout for:

  • Sudden spike in discomfort, pain, weakness or numbness
  • High fever
  • Loss of bladder or bowel function
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Pain resulting from a fall or blow to the back
  • Unexplainable weight loss
  • Pain that spreads down one or both legs, especially below the knee 
  • Severe pain that does not improve with rest

Once you receive emergency care for the situation at hand, it’s important to make an appointment with a back specialist who can discuss causes, treatments and options for managing the pain going forward.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers for Back Pain Treatment

Whether the cause of your serious back pain is a result of a muscle strain or a bulging disc, contact the back specialists at Summit Spine and Joint Centers right away.  Call us at (844) 972-7752 and make an appointment to visit one our 23 pain centers including our featured new location for Pain Management in Athens, GA.  We utilize state-of-the-art techniques to restore function and improve your overall quality of life.

 

Most Stressful Life Events

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From the death of a child to divorce to personal injury, there are many top stressful life events that can affect both your mental and physical health.

The correlation between stressful life events and physical health has been studied extensively over the years. In fact, the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale is used by physicians and scientists to determine if the most stressful life events can predict future illness. It’s actually a list of 43 stressful life events that have been found to contribute to illness.

This scale is helpful in knowing whether a person is at risk for getting an illness in the future, or even if they can take advantage of stress reduction interventions.

A Look at the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

Back in 1967, researchers Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe found that a strong correlation between health and stress did indeed exist. This prompted them to rank stressful situations on a scale from most to least stressful, indicating which life stressors place individuals at a higher risk for becoming ill.

Each stressful event was assigned a “Life Change Unit” score. Over the course of a year, those scores are added together to calculate your risk of illness. The top 10 most stressful life events for adults are:

  1. Death of a spouse or child
  2. Divorce
  3. Marital separation
  4. Imprisonment
  5. Death of a close family member
  6. Personal injury or illness
  7. Marriage
  8. Dismissal from work
  9. Marital reconciliation
  10. Retirement

For children and teens, the most stressful events include:

  1. Death of a parent
  2. Unplanned pregnancy/abortion
  3. Getting married
  4. Divorce of parents
  5. Acquiring a visible deformity
  6. Fathering a child
  7. Jail sentence of a parent for over one year
  8. Marital separation of parents
  9. Death of a sibling
  10. Change in acceptance by peers

Types of Illness

Of course, there are other stressful life events for both children and adults than those listed above, from buying a new home to being the victim of a crime. The point is, stressful life events can cause a variety of illnesses for anyone of any age.

Stress not only affects our physical health, it also affects our minds and our behaviors. It’s important to be able to recognize and manage common stress symptoms. Ignoring those symptoms can contribute to a variety of health problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Your body will tell you that stress is taking a toll, manifesting itself in chronic pain, fatigue, muscle tension, sleep problems, stomach upset and irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, stress is one of the most common triggers of flare ups of fibromyalgia, a long-term condition causing pain, tenderness and extreme sensitivity to touch.

Some of the types of illnesses that can develop as a result of stress include:

  • Chronic pain (lower back and neck pain)
  • Obesity: This is a root cause of many other serious conditions. When stress becomes chronic, excessive levels of cortisol (stress hormone) develop fatty deposits around the midsection.
  • Diabetes: Stress increases the glucose levels of those with Type 2 diabetes.
  • Depression and anxiety: Stress increases the chances of developing these conditions by 80 percent.
  • Gastrointestinal disorders: Stress can worsen gastrointestinal issues, as well as contribute to chronic heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Premature aging: Studies show that chronic stress accelerates the pace of aging.
  • Alzheimer’s disease: Stress may accelerate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, as it can cause the brain to form lesions more rapidly.

Contact Summit Spine & Joint Centers for Pain Relief

If stress has been manifesting itself in chronic pain or worsening your fibromyalgia and other conditions, call us for a free, no-obligation consultation today at (844) 972-7752. We can help relieve your pain and restore your life with many state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques including treatment options for nerve pain.

 

 

The Best Foods to Eat For Bone and Joint Health

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From salmon to yogurt, the food you eat can strengthen your bones and joints. The National Osteoporosis Foundation says that 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis and another 44 million suffer from low bone density. About 54 million total (half of all adults over the age of 50) are at risk of breaking a bone.

If this describes you or a loved one, you should be very concerned about bone health. One way you can address this concern is to eat the right foods and take the proper supplements.

Truth is, bone disease can be preventable through the addition of plenty of calcium and vitamin D in your daily diet. These two vitamins can help you preserve bone strength as you age. For example, high vitamin D levels can assist with bone health and muscle fatigue as well as improve energy levels. Proper levels of these two nutrients can also help with arthritis.

Examples of Calcium and Vitamin D Rich Foods

Here are some food suggestions that are high in calcium and vitamin D.

  • Calcium-fortified cereal: Go with a calcium-fortified cereal that’s high in fiber yet low in sugar, and add milk for calcium. Some whole grain cereal with a cup of milk supplies you with 600 mg of calcium.
  • Salmon: Fatty fish is a great way to get vitamin D. All you need is three ounces to get more than 100 percent of your daily value of vitamin D.
  • Dark leafy greens and veggies: Eat a mix of spinach, kale, bok choy and Swiss chard.
  • Yogurt: You can get 400 mg of calcium in one eight-ounce serving, making this a high-protein snack that also offers your body good bacteria for a healthy gut. Get additional protein with Greek yogurt, or try a non-fat yogurt for a healthy snack.
  • Milk Alternatives: From almond and soy to cashew and hemp milk, these alternatives have been fortified with vitamin D and calcium. For example, almond milk gives you up to 45 percent daily value calcium and 25 percent daily value vitamin D.

In addition to these foods, be sure to get out in the sun — in moderation of course. Dubbed the “sunshine vitamin,” you can get all you need for vitamin D with just 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine a day.

Get your vitamin D levels checked regularly by your doctor, especially if you suffer from osteoporosis. He or she may recommend a daily supplement. Also, it’s a good idea to keep track of your daily intake so you have examples to show your doctor or dietitian. Regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises are also recommended.

In the end, if you’re eating a well-balanced diet of dairy, fish, vegetables and fruits, you should be getting enough of these essential nutrients every day.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers for Joint Pain Care

If you suffer from bone or joint stress, we have treatments that can help you. Be sure to eat a healthy diet, but in the meantime, call us for a free, no-obligation consultation today at (844) 972-7752 and make an appointment to visit one our 24 pain centers including our featured new location for Pain Management in Lithia Springs, GA.

 

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Carpal tunnel syndrome arises when there is repeated pressure on your median nerve. The carpal tunnel is actually a narrow passage-way that is surrounded by ligaments and bones on your palm. When the median nerve gets compressed, you can experience numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand and arm.

Unfortunately, carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive condition that will worsen over time without proper care. It affects between one and five percent of the adult population, according to Medline Plus.

Symptoms include:

  • Weakness when you grip objects with one or both hands
  • A feeling of “pins and needles” in your fingers
  • Pain or numbness in one or both hands
  • Swollen feeling in your fingers
  • Burning or tingling in your fingers, particularly the thumb, and index and middle fingers
  • Pain or numbness that worsens at night, interrupting your sleep patterns

Top Causes

Now that you know the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, let’s take a look at the top causes of this condition that affects women 3x more often than men.

  • Small, frequent, repetitive movements with the hands (i.e., using a keyboard)
  • Frequent, repetitive, grasping motions with the hands (sports and certain physical activities)
  • Joint or bone disease (i.e., arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis)
  • Hormonal or metabolic changes (i.e., menopause, thyroid imbalance, pregnancy)
  • Changes in blood sugar levels (i.e., Type 2 diabetes)
  • Other injuries or conditions of the wrist (i.e., strain, sprain, break, dislocation, swelling, inflammation)
  • Family history

In addition to the above causes, there are certain factors that can increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Those factors include:

  • Anatomy: Some people just have naturally narrower carpal tunnels, making it easier for the median nerve to get pinched.
  • Gender: Women are more likely than men to get carpal tunnel syndrome, probably due to their smaller carpal tunnels
  • Nerve-damaging conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Obesity
  • Changes in bodily fluid levels: Fluid retention increases pressure inside the carpal tunnel, which in turn puts pressure on the median nerve.

Preventive Measures

There are ways you can slow the onset and reduce the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can:

  • Maintain a relaxed grip
  • Take frequent breaks from prolonged hand and finger use
  • Avoid overextending your wrist
  • Use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse
  • Keep your hands warm
  • Try stretching and strengthening exercises, either on your own or with a physical or occupational therapist
  • Splint your hand to keep your wrist from moving.

If none of these work, medication management and corticosteroid injections, as well as non-surgical and surgical treatments may be pursued to provide relief of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers for Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Let us provide non-surgical relief for your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. We would be happy to sit down and discuss our non-invasive pain treatments that can help you finally find relief. Call us for a free consultation today at (844) 972-7752 and make an appointment to visit one our 24 pain centers including our featured new location for Pain Management in Lithia Springs, GA.

 

 

 

 

 

Sleep Posture for a Healthy Spine

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Sleep is a time of restoration. Your body is hard at work repairing and rejuvenating while you’re asleep. However, because you lose conscious control over your body when catching ZZZs, it’s easy to twist your spine or tuck your pelvis in. Existing back pain can get re-aggravated, and then you end up having a less than restful sleep.

If you make a conscious effort to use supported sleeping postures, you can prevent the concentration of stress on your spine, while keeping your back relaxed and creating a healing environment, according to Spine-Health.

So what’s the best sleep position for a healthy spine? Generally, it’s best not to sleep on your stomach, as it disrupts your normal spinal alignment.

Sleep Tips

Check out these tips for a healthier and more comfortable night’s rest.

Elevate Your Knees

If you like to sleep on your back, put a pillow beneath your knees. When you raise them like that, you’re reducing stress on your lower back while maintaining the natural curve of your spine. To support your head and neck, use a head pillow.

Keep Your Hips Stacked

For side sleepers, place a flat, firm pillow between your knees to align the lower spine with the hips. This also keeps the top leg from putting pressure on your lower back or pelvis. You can also use this position to relieve stress on your lower spine, making more room for your spinal nerves. To keep your shoulders in alignment, raise your head slightly by using a pillow.

Align the Ribs and Pelvis

Also for side sleepers, use a lumbar support cushion under your waist to maintain alignment between the pelvis and ribs. Your upper and lower back will thank you!

Avoid Excessive Curling

While in the fetal position, avoid curling up too tightly. You may feel cozy like that, but this can restrict your breathing and can give you a sore back in the morning.

Use a Medium-Firm Mattress

A mattress that’s not too soft will give you the support you need and promote a better night’s sleep. A firm mattress offers a more even surface to reduce body aches and pains.

That being said, don’t go too firm, as this can disturb your neck and back support, causing the pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. And don’t go too soft, either, which could cause your pelvis area to sag in from your body weight.

Best Sleep Position

The overall consensus for the best sleep position for spinal health seems to be on your back. This practice evenly distributes weight throughout the body while avoiding unnatural curves in the spine.

If you don’t like to sleep on your back, the next best position is on your side with your legs outstretched.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers for Spine Health

For more sleep posture tips or to learn how we can help your postural issues with non-invasive techniques, contact us at (844) 972-7752 about visiting one of our 21 centers including our newest location for Pain Management in Commerce, GA. 

3 Stretches for Sciatica Pain Relief

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Sciatic pain, which is caused by the sciatic nerve, can best be described as radiating pain that can travel from the low back down one of your legs. Most people who experience sciatic pain will only have pain on one side of their body. The sciatic nerve can become irritated or inflamed for a few reasons, whether from a herniated disc, a bone spur, muscle tension or injury to the sciatic nerve. Continue reading “3 Stretches for Sciatica Pain Relief”

Do I Qualify for Spinal Cord Stimulation?

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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an FDA-approved treatment for chronic back and limb pain. Designed for patients who have tried other therapies without success, SCS may help reduce or alleviate chronic discomfort in patients who qualify. Continue reading “Do I Qualify for Spinal Cord Stimulation?”

Understanding the Intrathecal Spinal Pump Implant

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If you live with chronic pain due to an injury or illness such as cancer, and have tried other therapies without success, you may be a candidate for an intrathecal spinal pump implant. An intrathecal pump implant uses medication administered directly into the area surrounding your spinal cord, which is called the intrathecal space and contains cerebrospinal fluid. The medication stops pain signals from reaching the brain so you don’t experience discomfort. Continue reading “Understanding the Intrathecal Spinal Pump Implant”

What Is MME & Why Is It Important to Pain Management?

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If you live with chronic pain and have been prescribed opioids, you may have heard of MME. MME stands for morphine milligram equivalents, a measurement pain management physicians use to determine how different opioids relate to each other. Using morphine as the standard, MME is a tool for doctors to compare different drugs in a simplified, unified measurement. This can ensure physicians prescribe safe, effective doses for their patients. Continue reading “What Is MME & Why Is It Important to Pain Management?”

What Is Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation & Do You Qualify?

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Chronic knee pain caused by arthritis and injuries affects millions of people. For many, it can be difficult to fully treat. Pain medication can cause side effects that impact quality of life, but surgery may not be an option. For others, knee replacement surgery has only slightly improved knee pain and they feel they are out of options. Continue reading “What Is Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation & Do You Qualify?”


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