Discs (Intervertebral discs) are located between the vertebrae. They function as “shock absorbers”. With the help of the anterior and posterior ligaments of the spine, the disc allows flexibility of the spine and is responsible for the height of the spinal column. Discs are narrow in the cervical (neck) spine and progressively enlarge and thicken…
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
Facet Joint Arthropathy
Facet Joint Arthropathy is another possible source of lower back and cervical pain. The pain is the result of degenerative cartilage located between the joints, arthritis, or the compression of descending nerve roots in the intervertebral foramen. Facet Joint Arthropathy can be diagnosed with an MRI or CT. Facet Joint Arthropathy usually occurs in the…
Are you experiencing neck pain?
Experiencing neck pain? Cervical (neck) pain has many causes. Whiplash related to a motor vehicle accident, pulling on your neck while doing sit-ups, using the arm of your couch as a pillow while lying down, habitual neck popping, wrestling, playing football or soccer, and jamming your neck into a pillow while sleeping are just a…
Diabetic Neuropathic Pain
In pain management, it is important to determine the direction of the nerve pain that patients may be experiencing. Diabetic neuropathic pain and its symptoms can range from pain and numbness in your legs and feet. Nerve pain that radiates down the extremities is caused by spinal nerve compression. In the upper extremities, Carpal Tunnel…
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can present itself in many ways. You can experience numbness, along with dull, achy, tingling, electrifying sensations that radiate into your shoulders (left, right, or both) and sometimes your scapula. You may also have problems lifting or raising your arms above your head. You may be a side sleeper and have shoulder pain…
Arthritis
Arthritis is a rheumatic disease that causes inflammation of the joints, stiffness, and deformity. There are more than one hundred different types of arthritis that may affect multiple parts of the body. The most common forms are osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. It can affect people of all ages. Symptoms can come…
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks the body. It affects the joints, skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and salivary glands. When the joints are attacked, the synovium that lines and lubricates the joints is affected. The cartilage and bones are destroyed over time,…
What does it mean if you’re having numbness, tingling, dull, achy pain in your hand(s) and forearm
What does it mean if you’re having numbness, tingling, dull, achy pain in your hand(s) and forearm. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, and de Quervain Tendonitis are commonly seen in primary care and pain management specialties. The symptoms of all three conditions present in similar ways; therefore, a thorough assessment must be performed. In order…
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis is another contributor to spinal pain. It is caused by one or more posterior disc protrusions that occur anywhere along the spinal column and reduce the amount of space around the spinal cord. Depending on the location, people may experience neuropathic pain, muscle weakness, and sometimes depending on the severity, a decline in…
Lower Back Pain (Lumbar Pain)
There are many causes of Lower Back Pain (Lumbar Pain). Lower back pain can be a result of poor lifting and bending mechanics, not properly warming up before exercising, being in a motor vehicle accident, having arthritis, scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine), stiff/tight psoas muscles, or for no specific reason at all. Lower Back Pain…
Spondylosis and Spondylolisthesis
Spondylosis and Spondylolisthesis – Spondylosis is a break in the pars interarticularis of the articular pillar as a result of acute trauma, such as a fall. The disruption is usually bilateral and occurs mostly in the lower back at the L5 section. When there is a bilateral pars fracture the vertebrae can slip forward causing…
The Importance of Stretching
The importance of stretching: I see hundreds of pain patients on a weekly basis, who have lower back pain as a result of stiff muscles. As you get older, you will have a decline in mobility because of the decrease in physical activity. Your tendons and ligaments get tighter and pull your body out of…
Other Forms of Nerve Pain
Nerve pain can present in many ways when there is damage or trauma to the spinal cord. In this article, I will identify the most common types of neuropathic pain that is often seen in the clinical setting, and explain their treatment. Trigeminal Neuralgia Trigeminal neuralgia is a consequence of the fifth cranial nerve (Trigeminal…
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic Pain – The sacrum, ilium, ischium, pubic symphysis, and coccyx are joined to create the pelvis. When there is pain in one area of the pelvis, the pain can be felt in other areas. X-rays are important in determining where the damage is located. Do you have difficulty sitting on both of your glutes?…