Some of the most common conditions that cause frequent pain include arthritis, herniated disc, scoliosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, shingles, and vertebral compression fracture. Fortunately, many interventional pain procedures can drastically reduce or cure the pain associated with these conditions. The following are some of the most common injection procedures for pain management.

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
Conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease may cause pain in the arms, neck, and shoulders. Cervical epidural steroid injections will relieve these uncomfortable symptoms by reducing the inflammation of the associated nerves. This reduction in swelling is accomplished through the injection of anti-inflammatory medication into the epidural space. Depending on the severity of the pain, some patients may need as many as three cervical epidural steroid injections to provide significant relief of the symptoms.

Lumbar Sympathetic Block Procedure
A lumbar sympathetic block procedure is performed to treat many conditions including complex regional pain syndrome, chronic lower extremity pain, and chronic neuropathic pain. Once a patient is lying on his/her back, the doctor will slide a needle around the sympathetic nerves to prevent pain signals from traveling to the brain. This procedure usually requires multiple injections to completely relieve leg pain.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
The purpose of peripheral nerve stimulation is to treat conditions like post-surgical pain, complex regional pain syndrome, back/neck pain, and trigeminal neuralgia. By using electrical impulses from electrodes, the procedure targets the path of the painful nerve in order to disrupt the perception of pain from traveling to the brain. Peripheral nerve stimulation is typically performed in a seven-day trial under local anesthetic and intravenous sedation.

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Injection 
A doctor may perform a sphenopalatine ganglion injection to reduce acute and chronic facial and head pain. Although there are three approaches to this procedure including transnasal, transoral, and lateral, the most common method is the transnasal. The trasnasal approach consists of numbing the cheek before using a fluoroscopy to inject an anesthetic into the ganglion. Performed when a patient is lying down, the approximate length of this procedure is 15 to 30 minutes.

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The carpal tunnel is a passageway inside of your wrist that is meant to protect the median nerve, which runs down the arm and forearm, into your hand. It can sometimes be affected by a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is excessive pressure placed on the median nerve, causing decreased function in the hands and fingers. It can become so severe that it interferes with the ability to perform even the simplest, daily tasks.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The cause varies from person to person. In some situations, engaging in certain actions may bring about the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as working in a job that requires repetitive use of the hands. Some medical problems may cause the bones in your wrist to weaken, which may increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Medical problems that may weaken the bones, include:

• Aging
• Diabetes
• Ganglion cysts
• Gout
• Improperly healed injuries
• Lupus

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome can develop over several years with no noticeable symptoms. However, when symptoms first appear they typically include tingling or burning sensations in the fingers, pain and numbness in the hand, weakness in the hand, and an inability to grasp onto objects. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves injury to the median nerve, so it affects the parts of the hand that the median nerve supplies, including:

• The thumb
• Index finger
• Middle finger
• Lower half of the ring finger

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

There are a variety of non-invasive techniques that are typically used in an attempt to treat the minor symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, including:

• Adjusting lifestyle and working habits
• Resting the wrist by taking several small breaks throughout the day
• Applying ice packs to reduce the swelling
• Wearing a wrist splint
• Taking over-the-counter medications to relieve pain

In cases where non-invasive forms of treatment are unsuccessful, surgery may the only option. Surgery is done to remove the pressure from the median nerve by making the carpal tunnel wider.

Maintaining good overall body healthy, avoiding bad habits and using ergonomically designed equipment may help to reduce the risk of getting this syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be extremely painful, especially if the condition has progressed. If you suspect you may have early onset of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is important to visit your family physician as soon as possible to explore non-invasive treatments, which may help to prevent worsening of the condition.

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Back pain is one of the most common types of pain experienced. It is estimated that 80 percent of people in the United States will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.

One of the most common reasons for pain is the discs that separate the 33 vertebrae in the spine. These discs are soft and provide support to the many bones and nerves that run through the spine. Unfortunately, when one or more of these discs herniate, it results in pain and irritation. Disc denervation is an effective way to treat the pain that results from problems with the spinal discs.

Procedure

A thin needle is first inserted into the skin that provides an anesthetic to numb the skin and underlying tissue. Next, a radiofrequency needle is used under the direction of a real-time x-ray to locate the irritated nerves. A special dye is then used to locate the exact area that is causing the pain. Using the radiofrequency needle, heat is distributed to the correct nerves, causing them to become dull. The needle is then removed from the back and a bandage is placed onto the skin. The entire process takes less than an hour.

Benefits

The procedure is successful in treating back pain in 60 to 70 percent of patients. Those who have success with the procedure experience:

• Increased mobility
• Dramatic improvements in quality of life
• Increased physical function

The procedure is minimally invasive and is done outside of the hospital. Very little recovery time is required and most patients can resume normal activity within days of the procedure. Because real-time x-rays are used to deliver the heat, there is very little risk to other nerves becoming damaged.

Risks

All medical procedures carry some risks, which include bleeding, infection or nerve damage. These risks are rare in disc denervation and have occurred in less than one percent of patients.

Your spine must support your entire body, making it susceptible to damage and pain. Disc denervation can help reduce or eliminate this pain completely, helping you to resume your regular activities once again.

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Even patients who are going to need a specialist eventually can change some of their lifestyle habits in order to better cope with their discomfort. Here is a closer look at some pain management tips that anyone can use to naturally manage their pain and take back control of their life.

Start With a Comprehensive Evaluation

Before taking any steps to treat the pain, it is vital that every patient understands exactly what is taking place in their body. In some instances, the original diagnosis will be miscalculated or completely wrong, and that is why anyone who is struggling with chronic pain will want to speak with a pain management specialist. From there, they can start coming up with a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Create a Pain Journal

A pain journal is a great option to help patients track the symptoms of their medical condition. This information will be invaluable to the doctor and give them insight into exactly what is taking place. These journals should contain thorough information on the individual’s daily activities and habits including their level of pain, the location of the pain, the patient’s meals, sleeping habits, medication that they are taking, and any other factors that could be affecting their well-being.

Managing Stress Levels

Stress plays a major role in the management and treatment of pain. Studies from around the world continue to reveal more information on the difficulties of managing pain if the patient is stressed out. All patients will need to speak with their doctor or a counselor in order to come up with methods that they can use to manage their stress. This process might include treatments ranging from mild exercise and meditation to personal therapy and support groups.

Support Groups

In addition to helping a patient manage their stress, a support group will provide a place where patients can feel safe and comfortable. A support group can also be an excellent pool of contacts to explore new treatment options or find new specialists.

These four pain management tips aim to help you deal physically and emotionally with pain. It’s not too late to take back your life.

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Back pain is a common health problem that can strike at any age. Often, this pain is caused by a combination of problems that may include an injury, obesity and poor posture. Although it can be frustrating to experience nagging pain with every movement, there are several natural remedies for back pain that can help you find relief.

Massage Therapy

The healing power of human touch is a powerful tool for managing pain. Massage therapy is one of the most common natural remedies for back pain and can be used to treat lower pain as well as pain associated with sciatica and herniated discs. In addition to loosening tense muscles, a massage can relieve emotional tension and anxiety. Since stress can intensify pain, this remedy treats both the physical and mental causes of your discomfort. It is important to note, however, that a therapeutic massage should only be administered by a professional that understands the underlying reason for your back pain.

Exercise and Weight Management

The combination of a lack of exercise and obesity can contribute to lax muscles and ligaments that are unable to support the spine. For this reason, those who struggle with chronic pain in their back will need to maintain an appropriate weight to reduce the strain on their spine. In addition to eating a healthy diet and performing general cardiovascular exercises, you can do special back exercises that also help strengthen the core muscles to provide the right type of support.

Chiropractor Treatments

Chiropractors use spinal manipulations to realign the parts of your body that are contributing to the pain. This often involves manipulating a joint toward the end of its clinical range of motion, which can cause a harmless popping sound. However, this is a safe non-invasive procedure that can provide prompt relief. Some pain sufferers experience relief in as little as one session while others may require ongoing sessions to find complete relief.

When back pain occurs, it is important to take a full-on approach to eliminating the cause and providing your body with the support it needs to heal. By utilizing a combination of methods, you will be able to relieve the pain quickly while preventing future instances from occurring.

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In a recent AGA-commissioned poll of adults over 30 found that 43% of chronic pain sufferers have knowingly taken more than the recommended dosage of over-the-counter pain medicine. An overdose of these medicines can cause stomach bleeding, ulcers, and liver damage.

Another finding from the survey was that 38%  of those polled were unaware that combining multiple NSAIDs or multiple acetaminophen products increases the risk of serious health complications.

Click here to read the full article by Robert Preidt.

A herniated disc is also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc. A disc is similar to a jelly-filled doughnut. It has a tough exterior and a softer center. A herniated disc occurs when some of the inner jelly pushes through the exterior, and herniated discs typically occur in the lower back. However, it can also develop inside of the neck.

What Are Some Of The Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc?

In some cases, people with a herniated disc do not have any symptoms. However, if one does have symptoms, then he or she is likely to experience arm pain, weakness, numbness, pain and tingling in the arms or legs. Muscle weakness is another possible symptom of a herniated disc.

Risk Factors

Anyone can develop a herniated disc. However, there are some people who are at a greater risk for it than others. Obesity can increase one’s risk of developing a herniated disc. The excess weight can put extra pressure on the discs. People who have a physically-demanding job are also more likely to develop a herniated disc. Repetitive pulling, lifting and twisting puts pressure on the discs.

Furthermore, genetics can play a role in the development of a herniated disc. People who have a close relative with a herniated disc are more likely to develop it themselves.

Treatment

It is estimated that 90 percent of patients with a herniated disc are able to get relief with conservative treatments. This includes things such as exercising, avoiding painful positions and pain medications. Muscle relaxers and injections can also be used to treat a herniated disc.

Spinal manipulation is another treatment option. This involves adjusting the back. Additionally, a massage can be used to alleviate a herniated disc.

In rare cases, surgery is recommended for a herniated disc. Physicians are likely to recommend surgery if the patient’s condition does not improve within six weeks. Surgery may also be recommended if the patient has trouble standing or walking.

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