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I recently had the honor and privilege to present an Atlanta veteran, who is one of our patients, at the annual Medtronic holiday event as their story of the year. This patient shattered her ankle in the Army, but Georgia Pain and Wellness Center successfully placed in her a Spinal Stimulator Implant, and her pain was reduced by 90 percent. Later, in checking the serial number of the device, it turned out that it was coincidentally built in part by the veteran’s mother in Puerto Rico who works at a Medtronic factory assembling batteries for these devices. As a $125 billion company, the odds of this happening are basically an impossibility. Please feel free to share this uplifting story.
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How Do I Know if I Have a Headache Problem?

Most headaches can be diagnosed by a medical history and physical exam. Rarely, to rule out other causes of headaches such as an aneurysm, tumor, or structural abnormality, a doctor may call for vision tests, X-rays, a CT scan, MRI, a lumbar puncture, or an EEG.

What Are the Treatments for Headaches?

There are many headache remedies. What works for one person may not work for another. However, almost all practitioners consider lifestyle changes that help control stress and regular exercise an important part of headache treatment and prevention. Avoiding situations that trigger your headaches is also vital.

Medications for Headaches

Most tension headaches can be helped by taking pain relievers such as aspirin, Aleve, Tylenol, or Advil. But be careful! Taking too many of these easy-to-buy pills is a major cause of new, more-difficult-to-treat headaches called rebound or pain reliever-induced headaches. If you need to take these drugs often, see your health care provider. Do not use aspirin in anyone under the age of 19 since it may increase the risk for Reye’s Syndrome.

A class of drugs known as triptans have become the mainstay ofmigraine treatment. These drugs include naratriptan (Amerge), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Zecuity), rizatriptan (Maxalt), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others. These drugs come in several forms, including pills, injections, and skin patches.

Ergotamine is also an effective drug for many headache sufferers. It’s available as a suppository if the vomiting caused by migraines prevents you from keeping a pill down. A therapeutic nasal spray based on the serotonin-inhibiting drug dihydroergotamine (DHE 45) acts quickly to constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation.

Aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if taken at the first sign of a migraine attack, also can be effective.

If you have three or more severe, prolonged migraines per month, your health care provider may suggest using preventive treatments on a continual basis. These may include:

• Blood pressure drugs such as propranolol, verapamil, and others
• Antidepressants
• Antiseizure drugs
• Muscle relaxants
• Relaxation and biofeedback techniques
• Avoidance of certain foods
• Cefaly, a small headband device that gives electrical impulses on the skin at the forehead. This stimulates a nerve associated with migraine headaches.

Simple pain relievers do little for cluster headaches because they do not act quickly enough. However, doctors have found that inhaling pure oxygen can be highly effective in providing relief. An anethestic such as lidocaine placed inside the nose  helps some people. Using triptans such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) or ergotamine preparations at the first sign of a cluster headache might also bring relief. Preventive medicines are often used at the first sign of a new cluster of headaches. Choices include verapamil, a blood pressure medicine, or a short course of a steroid like prednisone.

Decongestants — and sometimes antibiotic treatment — can relievesinus headaches.

Avoiding Headache Triggers

If you identify factors that trigger your headaches — such as certain foods, caffeine, alcohol, or noise — try to avoid these triggers. To learn more about what triggers your headaches, keep a headache diary that includes answers to these questions.

• When did you first develop headaches?
• How often do you have them?
• Do you experience symptoms prior to the headaches?
• Where is the pain exactly?
• How long does it last?
• At what time of day do the headaches occur?
• Does the eating of certain types of food precede your headaches?
• If you’re female, at what time in your monthly cycle do they occur?
• Are the headaches triggered by physical or environmental factors, such as odor, noise, or certain kinds of weather?
• What words most accurately describe the pain of your headache: throbbing, stabbing, blinding, piercing, for example?

Chiropractic and Osteopathy to Treat Headaches

When muscle strain causes tension headaches, a chiropractor may be able to ease the strain by spinal or cervical manipulation and realignment.

Osteopaths are also able to supplement their treatment of headaches by using various forms of manipulation and soft-tissue techniques to the head, neck, and upper back.

Biofeedback and Relaxation and Headache Control

Biofeedback and relaxation techniques can be effective for headache relief.

Electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback helps you control how specific muscle groups react to stress. This may help prevent or relieve tension headaches.

Acupuncture for Headaches

Several studies have shown that acupuncture may help relieve tension and migraine headaches.

Headaches and Mind-Body Medicine

Hypnosis, deep breathing, visualization, meditation, and yoga may provide relief from pain by relieving system-wide stress and tension. This may help for tension headaches. Hypnosis may lower your perception of pain.

Cognitive behavioral therapy mixes meditation and relaxation with education in coping skills, motivation, and behavior. With the help of a psychotherapist you can learn to change negative thoughts and attitudes, modify the way you respond to stress, and possibly help avoid tension headaches.

Botox for Headaches

Botox, widely known for use as a cosmetic agent, has been FDA approved to prevent chronic migraine headache in adults. The agency defines chronic headache as having a migraine headache 15 or more days per month with headaches lasting four hours a day or longer. To treat chronic migraine headache, Botox is given about every three months as multiple injections around the head and neck. Recent research, though, has not shown effectiveness in the prevention of tension headaches.

How Can I Prevent Headaches?

If you identify factors that make your headaches worse — certain foods, caffeine, alcohol, or noise, for example — try to avoid these triggers.

There are medications and relaxation techniques that can prevent headaches, make them happen less often, and/or make them less severe. Ask your doctor if some of them might be right for you.

Also, Cefaly is the first FDA-approved device for preventing migraines in people over age 18. The portable headband-like device gives electrical impulses on the skin at the forehead. This stimulates  the trigeminal nerve, which is associated with migraine headaches. Cefaly is used once a day for 20 minutes, and when it’s on you’ll feel a tingling or massaging sensation.

Compression fractures in the spine can happen in multiple instances. It is more common than one would think. This is an injury that can effect people from all ways of life. Luckily there is a new treatment to help relieve pain and prevent the vertebrae in the spine from collapsing again. This procedure is a specialty of Dr. Patel. If you would like more information regarding how Kyphoplasty may be the right solution for your compression fractures, Click HERE.

Whether it was a slip and fall at your job, a car wreck, or ongoing back problems we have treatment options to help chronic pain. Chronic pain can get in the way of doing normal everyday activities. Imagine if something as simple as cooking dinner for your family became too hard to do. Pain can leave you with limited options in your mobility.

One treatment option that Georgia Pain and Wellness Center offers is Spinal Cord Stimulation. This treatment option involves electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain in the back and legs. The electrical pulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain. Spine Cord Stimulation is an option for people who suffer from neuropathic pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed.

Let one of our Board Certified Physician’s help relieve your chronic pain. Why choose us? At Georgia Pain and Wellness Center we provide compassionate care, comprehensive evaluation and testing, and proven treatment options for a variety of pain issues. Most of our testing is pain free and the minimally invasive procedures are performed in one of our four state-of-the-art surgery center. At Georgia Pain and Wellness Center, we relieve your pain and help restore your life!

Is your life being controlled by back pain? If you can’t sleep, get around like you use to, or normal everyday activities become a burden, then back pain may be ruining your life. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2010, back pain is the number one leading cause to disability in the United States. Some experts even go on to say that approximately 80% of the population will experience some type of back pain in their lifetime. At Georgia Pain and Wellness Center we can get help you restore your life and get you back to being pain-free.

What options do you have? Georgia Pain and Wellness Center offers many different procedures for our patients. Some of the treatment options are minimally invasive procedures. Kyphoplasty is one minimally-invasive procedure that repairs a vertebral compression fracture. It helps restore the spine’s natural shape. Some patients experience rapid pain relief after the procedure. Kyphoplasty involves a balloon device that is placed through the needle and into the vertebral body. The physician carefully inflates this balloon to expand the fractured bone. When the balloon is deflated, it leaves a cavity in the middle of the vertebral body. The balloon is removed. For some patients, more than one needle and balloon may be used.

Our doctor’s understand that each patient is different and will develop a unique plan that is specific to the patients needs. Visit our website for more information or give us a call at (770) 962-3642 to see if you’re a candidate for this procedure.

A herniated disc is a common injury that can affect any part of the spine. A herniated disc can cause severe pain and other problems in the arms or legs. A herniated disc occurs when the nucleus pushes through the outer wall. This herniation can result in a large bulge that can press against nearby nerve roots.

Herniated discs commonly result from age-related weakening of the spinal discs. This is called disc degeneration, and it can occur gradually over many years as a result of normal wear and tear on the spine. A herniated disc can also result from a traumatic injury, or from lifting a heavy object improperly.

Symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending on the location of the disc and the severity of the rupture. Some herniated discs cause no symptoms, and a person with this type of injury may not realize the disc is damaged. But a herniated disc can also cause severe pain, numbness or tingling, and weakness. Most herniated discs occur in the lower back, where they can cause symptoms in the buttocks, legs and feet.

Treatment options for herniated disc depend on the location and severity of the injury. A herniated disc may be treated with pain-relieving medications, muscle relaxers and corticosteroid injections. Visit our website for more information or give us a call at (770) 962-3642.

Have you heard of a treatment option known as Stem Cells? At Georgia Pain and Wellness Center it’s one of the many treatment options that our patients can choose from to help with joint pain. What are stem cells? Stem cells are master cells, meaning they are blank slates that can grow to become different types of cells based on their surround ones. Stem cells can be used to treat damaged spinal cord injury, diseases, and neurological issues.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells injected into degenerated areas to help regrow normal tissues and heal the bones, ligaments, and tendons. This therapy can also help avoid surgery and the risk involved. The stem cells are injected into (knees, shoulders, elbows) and other degenerated tissues under x-ray and ultrasound guidance by our highly trained physicians. Stem cell therapy is a same day procedure and the patient will feel some discomfort after the injection. Stem cells are stimulating growth in cells and tissues, therefore it requires time to see if actually is improving.

Some patients may start noticing change within a few weeks and others it make take months. Are you a candidate for this treatment option? Patients who have soft tissue injuries would be ideal candidates for this therapy. Patients with an active infection, blood borne illnesses or patients on blood thinners wouldn’t be a candidate for stem cells therapy. A talk with one of our highly trained physicians can determine if you would be candidate for stem cells therapy. For information please visit our website or give us a call at (770) 962-3642

If you’ve been experiencing chronic knee pain, one of the many non-surgical procedures that we offer is Platelet Rich Plasma Injection. The concentrated platelets promote natural healing of damaged ligaments, cartilage and tendons.

Here are some facts that you should know about Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) :

1. PRP uses parts of your own blood to help your body heal itself. A sample of your blood is spun around in a centrifuge. This separates it into platelets, plasma, and red and white blood cells.
2. The doctor injects the mixture (PRP) into your damaged tissues. The immune system reacts quickly and special white blood cells called “macrophages” rush in and take away damaged cells.
3. Stems cells and other cells begin to multiply and overtime repair and rebuild damaged tissues.
4. Imaging is used to pinpoint specific areas for the injection(s)
5. You may have to come back for more injections as you heal.

To see if you’re a candidate for this treatment option give us a call (770) 962-3642 or visit our website for more information.

The nature of pain

Pain is an all-too-familiar problem and the most common reason that people see a physician. Unfortunately, alleviating pain isn’t always straightforward. At least 100 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain, according to the Institute of Medicine. The American Academy of Pain Medicine reports that chronic pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.

Pain serves an important purpose by alerting you to injuries such as a sprained ankle or burned hand. Chronic pain, however, is often more complex. People often think of pain as a purely physical sensation. However, pain has biological, psychological and emotional factors. Furthermore, chronic pain can cause feelings such as anger, hopelessness, sadness and anxiety. T

To treat pain effectively, you must address the physical, emotional and psychological aspects.
Medical treatments, including medication, surgery, rehabilitation and physical therapy, may be helpful for treating chronic pain. Psychological treatments are also an important part of pain management. Understanding and managing the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that accompany the discomfort can help you cope more effectively with your pain — and can actually reduce the intensity of your pain.

Seeing a psychologist about pain

Psychologists are experts in helping people cope with the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that accompany chronic pain. They may work with individuals and families through an independent private practice or as part of a health care team in a clinical setting. Patients with chronic pain may be referred to psychologists by other health care providers. Psychologists may collaborate with other health care professionals to address both the physical and emotional aspects of the patient’s pain.

When working with a psychologist, you can expect to discuss your physical and emotional health. The psychologist will ask about the pain you experience, where and when it occurs, and what factors may affect it. In addition, he or she will likely ask you to discuss any worries or stresses, including those related to your pain. You also may be asked to complete a questionnaire that allows you to record your own thoughts and feelings about your pain.Having a comprehensive understanding of your concerns will help the psychologist begin to develop a treatment plan.

For patients dealing with chronic pain, treatment plans are designed for that particular patient. The plan often involves teaching relaxation techniques, changing old beliefs about pain, building new coping skills and addressing any anxiety or depression that may accompany your pain.

One way to do this is by helping you learn to challenge any unhelpful thoughts you have about pain. A psychologist can help you develop new ways to think about problems and to find solutions. In some cases, distracting yourself from pain is helpful. In other cases, a psychologist can help you develop new ways to think about your pain. Studies have found that some psychotherapy can be as effective as surgery for relieving chronic pain because psychological treatments for pain can alter how your brain processes pain sensations.

A psychologist can also help you make lifestyle changes that will allow you to continue participating in work and recreational activities. And because pain often contributes to insomnia, a psychologist may also help you learn new ways to sleep better.

Progressing and improving

Most patients find they can better manage their pain after just a few sessions with a psychologist. Those who are experiencing depression or dealing with a long-term degenerative medical condition may benefit from a longer course of treatment. Together with your psychologist, you will determine how long treatment should last. The goal is to help you develop skills to cope with your pain and live a full life.

Stress and chronic pain

Having a painful condition is stressful. Unfortunately, stress can contribute to a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, depression and anxiety. In addition, stress can trigger muscle tension or muscle spasms that may increase pain. Managing your emotions can directly affect the intensity of your pain.

Psychologists can help you manage the stresses in your life related to your chronic pain.

Psychologists can help you learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation or breathing exercises to keep stress levels under control. Some psychologists and other health care providers use an approach called biofeedback, which teaches you how to control certain body functions.

In biofeedback, sensors attached to your skin measure your stress response by tracking processes like heart rate, blood pressure and even brain waves. As you learn strategies to relax your muscles and your mind, you can watch on a computer screen as your body’s stress response decreases. In this way, you can determine which relaxation strategies are most effective, and practice using them to control your body’s response to tension.

Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but managing your stress will help your body and your mind and lessen your pain.

Tips for coping with pain

Consider the following steps that can be helpful in changing habits and improving your sleep:
*Stay active. Pain — or the fear of pain — can lead people to stop doing the things they enjoy. It’s important not to let pain take over your life.Know your limits. Continue to be active in a way that acknowledges your physical limitations. Make a plan about how to manage your pain, and don’t push yourself to do more than you can handle.

*Exercise. Stay healthy with low-impact exercise such as stretching, yoga, walking and swimming.

*Make social connections. Call a family member, invite a friend to lunch or make a date for coffee with a pal you haven’t seen in a while. Research shows that people with greater social support are more resilient and experience less depression and anxiety. Ask for help when you need it.

*Distract yourself. When pain flares, find ways to distract your mind from it. Watch a movie, take a walk, engage in a hobby or visit a museum. Pleasant experiences can help you cope with pain.

*Don’t lose hope. With the right kind of psychological treatments, many people learn to manage their pain and think of it in a different way.

*Follow prescriptions carefully. If medications are part of your treatment plan, be sure to use them as prescribed by your doctor to avoid possible dangerous side effects.

In addition to helping you develop better ways to cope with and manage pain, psychologists can help you develop a routine to stay on track with your treatment.

taken from the American Psychological Association

Chronic Pain Syndrome (CPS) is considered to be associated with pain that lasts more than three to six months. Approximately 25% of those who develop pain conditions become diagnosed with Chronic Pain Syndrome. It often starts with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, joint problems, headaches, nerve damage and muscle pains and strains, to name a few. These conditions can affect all age groups and both men and women. People with major depression and other mental health issues are more likely to develop CPS. While therapy is often used to assist in the treatment of depression, a procedure that can assist in pain relief is a nerve block. One type of nerve block is Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA). RFA is used to treat severe chronic pain in the lower (lumbar) back, where radio frequency waves are used to produce heat on specifically identified nerves surrounding the facet joints on either side of the lumbar spine. By generating heat around the nerve, the nerve gets ablated thus destroying its ability to transmit signals to the brain. The nerves to be ablated are identified through injections of local anesthesia (such as lidocaine) prior to the RFA procedure. If the local anesthesia injections provide temporary pain relief, then RFA is performed on the nerve(s) that responded well to the injections. RFA is a minimally invasive procedure which can usually be done in day-surgery clinics, going home shortly after completion of the procedure. The patient is awake during the procedure, so risks associated with general anesthesia are avoided. An intravenous line may be inserted so that mild sedatives can be administered. This procedure can give relief for up to fifteen months and in some cases, medication prescriptions can be reduced or become unnecessary. Talk to your pain management physician and determine if a nerve block is a right course of treatment for you.