Category: Conditions

Pressure on sensitive points in the muscle results in pain. Myofascial pain syndrome can occur after repeated injury or overuse of muscles. Sometimes it manifests a tender muscle knot and pain can be persistent. Treatments include therapy, medication, trigger point injections, relaxation techniques.

Inflammation in the bursal sac. A bursa is a thin sac around a joints that serves as a shock absorber between bone and surrounding soft tissue. The bursal sac is made up of a membrane that contains fluid. Trauma, friction, repetitive use can result in swelling that is localized, tenderness, pain in the affected area. Examples are bursas in the hip, knee, shoulder, or elbow areas. Can be treated with supportive care, rest, ice, medications, and injections just to name a few.

A type of headache that can vary in intensity. It can be associated with nausea and sensitivity to light as well as sound. Some times migraines are preceded by warning symptoms, known as an “aura”. Some triggers include certain foods or drinks, stress, exercise, and hormonal changes. It is important to rule out other causes of headaches.

Pain in the upper or lower extremities that may or may not develop after an injury. The exact cause of complex regional pain syndrome isn’t well understood but may involve abnormal inflammation or nerve dysfunction. Complex regional pain is characterized by pain that is greater than would be expected from the injury that causes it. Treatments include but are not limited to medications, heat or cold therapy, physical therapy, biofeedback, sympathetic blocks, and spinal cord stimulation.

Chronic pain describes pain that lasts more than three to six months or pain beyond the point of tissue healing. Chronic pain can be a lifelong struggle for many. There are some identifiable causes like normal aging/degeneration, joint pain or spine related pain. Others like fibromyalgia are not well understood. Treatment works best if the source is identified, inclusive of but not limited to medication, therapy, psychological counseling, biofeedback, supportive care, and injections. In some cases, surgery may be an option.

The coccyx is the true tailbone, at the very bottom portion of the spine. Persistent tailbone pain is known as coccydynia. Pain can be worsened by sitting or putting pressure on bottom of the spine. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with supportive care, medication, therapy, ganglion impar block, to name a few.

A breakdown of the cartilage in a joint can often lead to dysfunction and limitation of motion in the affected area. At times asymptomatic but the inflammation of surrounding structures can lead to aches and pains that cause a decline in daily functioning with repeated use.

Degeneration of the spine and its structures occurs with normal aging. When the spinal disc ages or degenerates, it doesn’t functional role as part of the spine unit is not as efficient and effective as it used to be. This can lead to symptoms of neck or back pain with or without associated radiation into the extremities. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with medication, therapy, and epidural steroid injections to name a few. In some cases, surgery may be an option.

Refers to abnormal narrowing of the bony canal that houses the spinal nerves or the spinal cord. Can occur from birth or can be acquired as the body ages. At times asymptomatic but noticeable symptoms such as radiating extremity pain from the neck or lower back, weakness, numbness or tingling occur when there is significant narrowing. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with medication, therapy, and epidural steroid injections to name a few. In some cases, surgery may be an option.

A condition in which the annulus fibrosis/outer part of vertebral disc has a defect. This causes the nucleus/inner portion of disc to herniate or slip through the defect. The herniated material can compress or pinch the surrounding nerves. This can cause pain to radiate into the upper extremities if its from the neck/cervical spine or into the lower extremities if from the lower back/lumbar spine. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with medication, therapy, and epidural steroid injections to name a few. In some cases, surgery may be an option.