Living with back pain can be a frustrating experience. If you have an aching back, it can be a significant challenge to go about your daily routine and accomplish your tasks. Many people experience the added frustration of trying many strategies to eliminate back pain only to have it continue. Some people look to surgical procedures to relieve back pain, but others are less comfortable with this strategy. An innovative strategy called spinal cord stimulation provides patients with a less invasive option to treat back pain. At Summit Healthcare Pain Clinic, we have many strategies for addressing back pain, including spinal cord stimulation.
Here are a few points on how it works and if it may be the right treatment for you.
What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Have you tried everything you can think of to get rid of back pain with little to no success? Spinal cord stimulation may be an option for you to help finally deal with the problem once and for all. Many conservative treatments, such as taking over-the-counter pain medications, or wearing supportive devices, like a back brace, aim to address the symptoms that back pain causes and do not necessarily address it at the source. Spinal cord stimulation is an option for those seeking a minimally invasive strategy to attack back pain by seeking out its origins. Spinal cord stimulation involves inserting a small device near the spinal cord to send targeted electrical shocks to block pain messages to the brain.Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation
Many people hesitate to have back surgery because some procedures have long and painful recovery. Like other procedures, Spinal Cord Stimulation surgery generally doesn’t immobilize you for too long, as most patients can resume light activities after about two weeks of recovery. The adjustments you make depend on your situation, such as if you must modify your work routine. Still, our professionals can make recommendations based on how well the device performs, your physical capabilities, and your pain tolerance. If you’re interested in learning more about Spinal Cord Stimulation, please schedule a consultation with our Show Low office by calling us at 855-768-4968.
Here are a few points on how hip bursitis affects you and how we can help.
What Is Hip Bursitis?
Some people confuse hip bursitis with arthritis because the conditions often present with similar levels of discomfort. However, hip bursitis is different because, unlike arthritis, hip bursitis is a condition with temporary symptoms that can be reversed. Arthritis is gradual wear-and-tear on the joints, and the damage can be so severe in some situations that it may require total joint replacement to restore mobility to the area.
Also, hip bursitis typically manifests as a byproduct of overusing your hip joints, causing painful inflammation in the bursa sacs of your hips.
What Causes Hip Bursitis?
Many activities can cause symptoms of hip bursitis to develop. Physical activities that involve heavy use of the hips can eventually lead to hip bursitis symptoms. Some activities that can cause hip bursitis can include
- Running
- Deep squats
- Cycling
- Cardio
- Tilting exercises
Prolonged repetition of these activities can cause swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking if left unchecked.
Treating Hip Bursitis
One of the best ways to help relieve pain related to hip bursitis is to give your hips rest. Many healthcare professionals provide patients with crutches to help take pressure off the hips. For many cases of hip bursitis, a combination of rest, support, medication, and physical therapy is enough to help some patients feel their best. In other cases, more aggressive strategies may be necessary to help get your hip pain under control. If hip pain has significantly impacted your quality of life, please schedule a consultation with our Show Low location by calling us today at 855-768-4968.
Here are a few causes of degenerative disc disease and how we can help.
Injuries
If you’ve suffered a fall from height, keeping a watchful eye on your spinal health is essential. Degenerative Disc Disease can occur after you’ve experienced an injury related to a fall from height because the impact from hitting the ground can cause your discs to slip, bulge or rupture. Over time, the damage from the injury can accelerate the breaking down of your spinal discs, causing symptoms of degenerative disc disease.
Performing Physical Work
If you work a physically demanding job, it can affect your long-term spinal health. Physically taxing jobs typically require repetitive bending, twisting, or stooping motions. Performing these movements can wreak havoc on your back and eventually wear down your spinal discs, resulting in degenerative disc disease.
Obesity
Another cause related to degenerative disc disease is being obese. Carrying excess weight puts additional pressure on your body and can affect your joints, heart, and spine. The extra strain on your spine may speed up the process of your spinal discs breaking down and cause the onset of degenerative disc disease. Getting weight to manageable levels can help relieve some of the pressure on your spine and other joints, helping to restore your quality of life.
Treating Degenerative Disc Disease
Here at Summit Health Pain Clinic, we have innovative treatment options to help deal with degenerative disc disease and get you back to enjoying your favorite activities. The best treatment method for you depends on the cause of your condition, symptoms, and professional recommendation.
To schedule a consultation with one of our experts, please contact our Show Low office by calling us at 855-768-4968.
What Causes Hip Bursitis?
Hip bursitis can be a painful experience, but understanding some causes can help determine the best strategy for controlling the pain. One of the typical causes of hip bursitis is the overuse of the hip. Being overweight and participating in rigorous activities can create additional strain on the hip joint, causing pain.
Another cause of hip bursitis is rheumatoid arthritis. This condition occurs when the immune system begins to attack healthy tissues. Many experts still debate why this occurs, but some think this happens because of genetics and stress.
Risk Factors for Hip Bursitis
Although preventing hip bursitis is challenging, understanding the risk factors play a crucial role in getting treated. Smoking is one of the most significant contributors to the development of hip bursitis. The tobacco from cigarette smoke robs your bones of essential nutrients, leading to rheumatoid arthritis, a byproduct of hip bursitis.
Another factor that plays a role in hip bursitis is diabetes. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to issues with circulation, causing compromised blood flow. When this happens, your joints can suffer because they do not receive the nutrients they need to regenerate, causing them to wear down over time.
Other risk factors for hip bursitis include:
- Calcium deposits
- Leg-length inequality
- Spine disease
- Hip injuries
If you’re suffering from hip pain, our office can provide you with the quality care you need to help restore your quality of life. At Summit Health Pain Clinic, we specialize in many strategies to help you get relief. We carefully listen to your concerns and work with you to devise a treatment strategy that best suits your needs.
For more, please schedule a consultation with our office by calling us at 855-768-4968.
Here are a few points on how it works and if it may be a treatment to help you.
What Causes Issues With the Sacroiliac Joint
The sacroiliac joint acts as a buffer when you walk. When you have issues and when incidents such as a traumatic injury, car accident, fall, or arthritis can contribute to problems with the joint.
How Does an SI Joint Stabilization Help?
The Sacroiliac joint is essential to your stability while you stand and acts as a shock absorber when you move. It connects your spine to your pelvis and plays a crucial role in helping you perform critical movements. When you have pain in this area, it can be excruciating and significantly impact your quality of life.
An SI Joint Stabilization is an innovative treatment that can help stabilize the joint and relieve you.
What to Expect With an SI Joint Stabilization
Many people are opposed to surgical procedures of any kind because of concerns surrounding extended stays in the hospital and long recovery times. An SI Joint Stabilization procedure functions differently because it is a minimally invasive surgery involving small incisions in your back to access the SI joint. From here, your doctor can insert a graft to help stabilize the joints by connecting them and stabilizing them.
The procedure takes a little more than an hour to complete and helps many patients experience long-lasting comfort and security in the joint. Many patients can return home the same day and return to their normal activities shortly after, but these results depend on how your body responds to the treatment.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office to learn more about an SI joint stabilization treatment. Please schedule a consultation in Show Low today by calling us at 855-768-4968.
Reduce Your Stress Levels
Although many people look forward to the holiday season, it can be a stressful time of year. Making travel plans, buying gifts, and preparing meals can be maddening. Surprisingly, high-stress levels can cause chronic pain symptoms to worsen. You can combat this by monitoring your stress levels and working hard to avoid situations that make you tense. By managing your stress and finding ways to reduce it, you can help limit the onset of chronic pain in your body.
Get Exercise
If you suffer from chronic pain, you have many valid reasons not to engage in physical activity. But getting exercise can be a surprising way to keep chronic pain at manageable levels. When you exercise, your body releases a hormone called endorphins. These hormones help boost your well-being and can help provide you with some relief from pain.
Although getting exercise may be far down on the list of things you want to do, it can be an effective tool for much-needed pain relief.
Quit Smoking
There are many harmful effects that smoking can have on your body. Increased bodily pain is among the dozens of ways smoking can cause trouble. To help combat the issue, quitting is your best course of action. Some studies indicate that stopping smoking can help give your body some pain relief because it no longer has to work hard to eliminate the toxins that cigarette smoke can bring.
Consult a professional
Sometimes, conservative treatments aren’t enough to get to the issue’s root. In this case, consulting professional advice can help you get a treatment that can fit your situation. Here are Summit Health Pain Clinic, we provide our patients with many options to help deal with chronic pain, including,
- Injection therapy
- Nerve Blocks
- Intrathecal pain pumps
- Spinal cord stimulation
- and others
Please call us to learn more about how we can help you with chronic pain. Please schedule a consultation with our Show Low office by calling us at 855-768-4968.
Here are a few points on how spinal cord stimulation works and if it may be the best treatment for you.
What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Most back surgeries can help correct back pain and relieve those suffering from it. But, some rare occasions where back surgery is ineffective for some, providing no pain relief. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is a condition that characterizes unsuccessful back procedures. FBSS comes with symptoms such as
- Chronic pain in the back and neck
- Numbness in the spine
- Weak Limbs
- Tingling sensations
- And pain that spreads to other areas of the body
Why Some Back Surgeries Fail
Some people already have reservations about having back surgery, so it can be a traumatic experience if they have an unsuccessful procedure. There are a few things that can cause the surgery to go wrong. A common reason is that the candidate may have received an incorrect diagnosis and had an unnecessary procedure. Other factors for FBSS include
- Age
- Hypochondriasis
- Degenerated discs
- Surgical errors
- Implant rejection
Treating Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Pain medication can help temporarily relieve mild symptoms, but a more aggressive approach may be necessary for long-term comfort. One potential solution is spinal cord stimulation.
A spinal cord stimulation procedure uses electrical stimulation to help block pain signals between your spine and brain, giving you much-needed relief.
Some patients may be uncomfortable with an additional procedure on their back. For this reason, your doctor can implement a trial period to help you get acquainted with the device before having it implanted under the skin. Although the thought of another spinal surgery may be worrisome for you, spinal cord stimulation surgery is a minimally invasive procedure completed on an outpatient basis and generally takes an hour or two.
Your best bet is to speak with a qualified healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and discuss your situation’s best options.
If you want to learn more about spinal cord stimulation, please get in touch with our Show Low office. Call us today at 855-768-4968 to schedule a consultation.
What Causes Constipation?
Many factors can contribute to constipation symptoms. Sometimes, a diet that is high in carbohydrates can play a significant role in making you constipated. Processed grains such as white pasta or white bread can make you constipated because they are low in fiber, which plays a critical role in keeping your body regulated.
Other causes of constipation include:
- Dehydration
- Lack of physical activity
- Taking certain medications (Opioids, sedatives, blood pressure medicine)
- A low-fiber diet
Is Constipation Dangerous?
Constipation is uncomfortable, and if the condition continues for too long, it could indicate underlying health problems that you must address. One key indicator that something serious may be happening is if you’ve noticed constipation for more than 14 days, as there is a possibility that you may have a blockage in your bowels.
Also, pay attention to other warning signs, such as rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, and perpetual exhaustion.
What You Can Do About Constipation
With a few lifestyle changes, you may be able to get your body regulated again. One thing that can help is adopting a diet high in fiber. Many fruits and vegetables, such as:
- Apples
- Prunes
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Flaxseeds
Effectively restore your bowels’ functionality to help get you regulated again. You can also add whole grain cereals to your diet, as these are high in fiber and can help with regulation.
Also, staying hydrated with water, avoiding sugary drinks, and getting exercise can help with your constipation symptoms.
When to Seek Help
Sometimes constipation can persist despite our best efforts and can come with other symptoms. If your constipation comes with abdominal pain, bloody stool, vomiting, or bloating, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If you need advice on addressing constipation, call our Show Low Office. Schedule a consultation by calling us today at 855-768-4968.
Migraines and Heart Disease
While it may not make sense to think that migraine headaches and your heart health share a connection, a surprising fact is that they share a link.
Studies suggest that chronic migraine headaches may double the risk of heart disease. Some experts believe that migraine headaches can lead to heart attacks also.
Many experts think the connection between migraines may be from inflammation or blood clotting issues, but this hypothesis hasn’t been confirmed.
Migraines and Sensory Issues
A migraine symptom to watch out for are migraines that cause you to see auras. An aura is a sensory disturbance that adds to the discomfort migraines bring. Signs of sensory issues caused by migraines may include sensations of
- Lights flashing around you
- Tingling of the hands
- Tingling in the face
- Seeing spots
- Changes in your vision
- Blind spots
Migraines and Stroke Risk
Auras caused by migraines can lead to mild sensory issues, but in some cases, sensory disturbances can lead to serious trouble.
Some people experience muscle weakness, slurred speech, or numbness in their bodies because of migraines. If you or a loved one display any of these symptoms, seek emergency help immediately and call 911. Symptoms like these are classic warning signs of a life-threatening stroke and need immediate intervention.
The Connection Between Migraines and Mental Health
Chronic stress and anxiety share a link with the presence of migraines. Some experts believe that a history of traumatic events can lead to migraines, so stress management strategies are crucial to combat the effects of migraines.
Sometimes symptoms of depression or anxiety come after chronic migraines develop. Experts aren’t sure why this happens, but some speculate that brain chemistry may factor into the link between mental health and migraines.
If you have migraines and want to learn about your treatment options, call or Show Low office to schedule a consultation at 855-768-4968.
What is CRPS?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) describes long-term pain in the arm or leg. This pain is usually the result of an injury to the area and can cause:
- Inflammation
- Changes in skin color
- Changes in skin temperature
- Swelling
- Hair growth
- Joint stiffness
Many experts believe that most CRPS causes come after a traumatic injury that affects nerve fibers in the arm or leg.
Some people can go on to lead practical lives after their injury, but others develop CRPS over time. Many experts are still unsure of why this happens to some people and not others.
Is CRPS Dangerous?
Although CRPS is not life-threatening, it can have long-lasting impacts on your way of life. CRPS can make it difficult for you to move and make you sensitive to being touched. Also, it’s not uncommon for the pain to spread to another part of the body, further complicating matters.
How is CRPS Diagnosed?
Many tools can help your doctor form an accurate diagnosis and steer you toward the path of good health. A physical exam and a detailed look at your health history are the foundation for a diagnosis. But your doctor may choose to include a few other tools to gain a deeper understanding, including:
- X-rays
- MRI
- Bone Scans (To identify changes to the bones)
- Sweat production tests
Is There a Cure?
While there isn’t a cure for CRPS, several things can help. Your doctor can try conservative methods to manage pain, such as pain relievers, heat therapy, or corticosteroids to help. Also, having a stable support system of family and friends, staying physically active, and participating in things you enjoy can help your mood and mental well-being.
CRPS can impact your quality of life, but speaking with a qualified medical professional can help get you on the path to good health.
To learn more about your options for treating CRPS, reach out to our Show Low office. Call us today at 855-768-4968 to schedule a consultation.
