Dr. Matthew Thorson Featured by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine for Expertise in Regenerative Medicine

November 25, 2019/in News /by Matthew Thorson

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine recently released its 2019 ‘Faces of Minneapolis-Saint Paul’ special edition, which features our own Dr. Matthew Thorson as the face of Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Thorson is one of the leading regional experts using Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine to treat chronic pain and illness, helping patients avoid surgery by offering a wide range of conservative but safe, effective treatments. View the feature below to learn more – to schedule a consultation with Dr. Thorson or any of our expert providers, call (612) 207-7463.

Best Places to Live if you Have Chronic Pain

August 25, 2019/in News /by Matthew Thorson

Although many people assume it’s a myth, the climate in which you live can have an impact on your chronic pain. In this article, we will talk about how weather and climate can affect your pain, and some of the best areas to live if you are in chronic pain.

How Weather & Climate Impact Pain

You may have heard your grandpa complain about knee pain when it gets cold or right before a storm. It’s been parodied in movies, tv, books, etc. for decades, and many people assume it’s just an old wives tale (i.e. not true).

But the truth is that cold weather can lead to an increase in joint pain. Changes in air pressure can also lead to headaches and pain in the joints – especially in people who suffer from arthritis or chronic pain conditions.

Knowing that, you may assume that warm weather climates are the best for people who suffer from chronic pain. Many older patients do migrate to warmer climates when they retire, and one of those reasons is often to ease their chronic joint pain. However, there are many other considerations you need to take into account before packing up your life and moving.

Other Considerations

Of course, weather should not be your sole criteria when you are considering a move to lessen your pain. Family, friends, work, and other considerations should take precedent. One of the most important things you need in the fight against chronic pain is a pain management doctor who understands your condition. If you already have a trusted pain doctor in your area, that may be reason enough to stay put (even if you live in a frozen tundra like Minnesota). A great doctor in a cold climate is better than a bad doctor in a warm climate.

If you have any questions about how to treat your chronic pain, contact a pain management physician as soon as possible. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board-certified pain doctors have been treating Minnesotans with all manner of pain conditions for over 20 years. Call our office today to set up your appointment.

How Pain Impacts Your Vital Signs

May 8, 2019/in News /by Matthew Thorson

Vital signs are measurements of the body’s basic functions. Doctors routinely check these vitals in emergency situations, as well as during routine checkups to get a sense of the patient’s overall health and well-being. There are four basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration. In this article we will talk about how pain can influence a patient’s vital signs.

Temperature

Testing your internal body temperature is a good way to tell if your body is suffering from an infection or other malady. Pain often goes hand-in-hand with an increased body temperature. When your body is dealing with an injury, illness, or infection, your temperature goes up as your body attempts to resolve the issue at hand.

Pulse

Pulse is a measurement of your heart rate. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals often check your pulse by holding two fingers to your wrist or neck and counting the heart beats. An increase in heart rate is a typical response to pain in the body.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure of the blood within the body’s circulatory system. Increased blood pressure is another common bodily response to pain.

Respiration

Respiration is a test of your ability to breathe. When your doctor uses his or her stethoscope and tells you to breathe in and out during a clinic visit, they are checking your respiration rate.

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN we treat the full scope of a patient’s pain and other symptoms. Our pain management physicians have over twenty years of experience helping Minnesotans reduce their pain and keep it at bay. If you are going through life in pain, stop dealing with it and get the medical attention you need. Call today to set up your own appointment with a pain physician who can diagnose and treat your pain. Our primary clinic is located in Edina, but we treat patients throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs.

Medical Cannabis for HIV/AIDS Patients

September 25, 2017/0 Comments/in Medical Marijuana /by Matthew Thorson

HIV/AIDS prevents the body from effectively fighting off infection. It is a serious condition that (unfortunately) has no cure. However, there are treatments available to patients that can help reduce the symptoms caused by HIV/AIDS. In this patient education article, we are going to discuss the benefits of medical cannabis for patients with HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS

HIV (short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. The virus specifically attacks the body’s T cells – whose function is to fend off disease and infection. As the virus progresses, it can destroy such a large number of these T cells that the body is unable to defend itself against diseases and infections.

There are 3 stages of HIV:

Acute HIV Infection
Clinical Latency
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

The symptoms of HIV/AIDS can range from mild to severe. Here are a few of the most common symptoms:

Flu-like symptoms: fever, sore throat, fatigue
Weight Loss
Recurring Infections
Nausea
Headaches
Pain in the abdomen and throughout the body

Medical Marijuana as Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for AIDS. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. Medical cannabis can help curb many of the symptoms of HIV/AIDS – including headaches, nausea, and pain. Contact an approved medical marijuana provider to see if you are a good candidate.

Minnesota Medical Marijuana Clinic

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota, we make it a point to provide compassionate, one-on-one care to every patient we treat. Our double board-certified pain management doctors have decades of experience providing care for patients throughout the Twin Cities. We are also certified to prescribe medical marijuana in Minnesota. With clinics in Edina and Minneapolis, we are fully equipped to diagnose and treat your pain. Contact our Minnesota pain doctors today to set up your appointment.

Can Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Help Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

September 18, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP, Regenerative Medicine /by Matthew Thorson

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that can cause long-lasting pain and discomfort. If left untreated, the condition can worsen and make even simple tasks like walking painful. There are many ways to treat plantar fasciitis – including regenerative medicine techniques. In this article, we are going to talk about plantar fasciitis and how Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy can be a suitable treatment option for the condition.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition in which the plantar fascia (a long band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes) becomes inflamed. This could be the result of a foot injury, or simply repetitive strain over time.

There are many potential options for treating plantar fasciitis – from rest and bracing, to surgery. While conservative methods typically do not provide enough long-term pain relief, many patients want to avoid surgery if at all possible. Platelet-rich plasma injections offer patients such an alternative – providing long-term pain relief, without having to undergo surgery.

Is PRP a Good Treatment Option?

PRP therapy begins with the extraction of a small amount of blood from the patient. That blood sample is then put in a centrifuge that separates all the elements. The platelet-rich plasma, once separated, is made into a PRP solution, which is then injected into the plantar fascia. These blood platelets go to work right away repairing the damaged plantar fascia tissue.

Find out if you are a good candidate for PRP Therapy.

Twin Cities Pain Management

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota, our double board-certified pain management doctors have over two decades of experience treating patients for both acute and chronic pain conditions. We work one-on-one with every patient we treat to find the best treatment solution – whether it’s pain medication, steroid injections, or regenerative medicine treatments like PRP therapy. If you have foot pain stemming from plantar fasciitis, PRP therapy may be a good treatment option for you. Contact us to see if you are a good candidate. Reach out to us today to set up your appointment at our Edina or Minneapolis pain management clinics.

Medical Cannabis for ALS Patients in Minnesota

September 11, 2017/0 Comments/in Medical Marijuana /by Matthew Thorson

ALS is a debilitating disease that attacks the nerve cells in a patient’s body. Unfortunately, there is no cure for ALS. But numerous treatment options can help alleviate symptoms and reduce pain in patients with the disease. In this article, we are going to focus on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and its treatment options – specifically, medical marijuana.

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease that weakens the patient’s muscles and impairs their ability to physically function. Commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease (after the famous baseball player), ALS causes the body’s nerve cells to gradually break down over time, resulting in disability. In addition to muscle weakness, here are some of the common symptoms of ALS:

Muscle Spasms
Difficulty Speaking
Decreased Muscle Mass
Coordination Issues
Difficulty Swallowing

The exact cause of ALS is unknown, and there is no known cure. However, symptoms can be addressed and alleviated with various treatment methods – including medical marijuana.

Medical Marijuana for ALS Patients

There are several prescription medications that can help slow the progression of ALS symptoms, and physical therapy can help sustain mobility. So how can medical marijuana help? Medical cannabis can help improve patient sleep patterns and mood, increase appetites, and boost speech ability.

Minneapolis Medical Marijuana Doctors

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board-certified Minnesota pain doctors are fully approved to prescribe medical marijuana to qualifying patients. With over twenty years of experience providing pain management care to patients throughout Minnesota, we have the knowledge and experience needed to effectively address your condition. If you are suffering from ALS, make an appointment with a qualified pain doctor to see if you are a good candidate for medical marijuana. Contact us today at one of our medical cannabis pain management clinics (located in Edina and Minneapolis) to set up your appointment with one of our skilled physicians.

Medical Marijuana for Tourette Syndrome

September 5, 2017/0 Comments/in Medical Marijuana /by Matthew Thorson

Tourette syndrome is a nervous system disorder that causes involuntary tics such as blinking or shouting. These symptoms can cause a lot of pain if left unchecked. In this article, we are going to talk about Tourette syndrome – its causes, symptoms, and how medical marijuana can be an effective treatment option.

What is Tourette Syndrome?

Tourette syndrome is a disorder affecting the nervous system that causes a person to make involuntary and repetitive movements and/or sounds, such as:

Eye blinking
Shoulder shrugging
Shouting offensive words or sounds
Stuttering

The exact cause of the condition is unknown – though genetics are thought to play a role. Typically, symptoms begin to manifest in childhood. Sometimes Tourette symptoms dissipate with age, but they may last well into adulthood.

Treating Tourette Syndrome with Medical Marijuana

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Tourette syndrome. However, that does not mean that the symptoms can’t be mitigated. The tics associated with Tourette syndrome can be severe and cause a lot of pain. Tourette syndrome is a chronic condition that can last for many years, or even for the patient’s entire life. Medical marijuana can help reduce the anxiety and stress associated with Tourette syndrome, and also decrease the severity of the patient’s tics.

Minneapolis Medical Cannabis Clinic

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our pain management physicians are approved to prescribe medical marijuana to Minnesota patients with qualifying conditions. Our doctors are board-certified in pain management and have been providing pain management care to patients throughout Minnesota for the past two decades. We are trained in a wide variety of pain relief treatments – including regenerative medicine techniques (PRP & Prolotherapy), and medical cannabis. If you are suffering from Tourette syndrome, give us a call today to see if medical marijuana can help. Contact us today at our Twin Cities pain clinics (located in Minneapolis and Edina) to set up an appointment with one of our physicians and see if you are a good candidate for medical cannabis.

Treating Running Injuries with PRP Therapy

August 28, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is an emerging regenerative medicine treatment method that can treat a wide variety of injuries and degenerative conditions. We’ve focused on a few specific conditions in previous articles (tennis elbow, knee injuries, etc.). In this article, we are going to talk about common running injuries and how PRP therapy can act as an effective treatment option.

Common Running Injuries

Avid runners can sustain a wide variety of injuries. Here are some of the most common running injuries that we treat:

Stress Fractures
Ankle sprains, strains, and fractures
Knee injuries (ACL, MCL, Meniscus tears)
Foot injuries

The PRP Process – How it Works

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. This therapy uses the patient’s own blood plasma (rich with platelets) to heal, regenerate, and restore damaged tissue. Platelets are an extremely effective element that exists in every person’s blood. These platelets are essentially responsible for repair in times of injury. When you cut your finger and it starts bleeding, your blood platelets go to work immediately to clot the wound and begin the healing process. PRP therapy utilizes these platelets to rebuild damaged tissue. First, a small blood sample is drawn from the patient. Then, after its put through a centrifuge, the solution is re-injected into the patient’s body, where it immediately begins the regeneration process.

Find out if you are a good candidate for PRP Therapy.

Twin Cities PRP Doctors

The Twin Cities pain management physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have decades of experience treating patients with acute and chronic pain. Whether you’ve been injured in an accident, you’re recovering from a surgical procedure, or you have a chronic pain condition, our board-certified pain doctors have the knowledge and experience to help you effectively reduce and manage your pain. Give us a call today to set up your appointment with a Minnesota pain doctor. Our primary clinics are conveniently located in Edina and Minneapolis but we treat patients throughout the state of Minnesota!

Medical Cannabis Now Available for PTSD Patients in Minnesota

August 21, 2017/0 Comments/in Medical Marijuana /by Matthew Thorson

As of this month (August 2017), medical cannabis is now available as a treatment option for Minnesota patients with PTSD. Medical marijuana can be extremely effective in treating the symptoms of PTSD in military veterans and other patients who have experienced traumatic events. In this article, we are going to talk about how medical marijuana can be used as an effective treatment option for PTSD and its related symptoms.

What is PTSD?

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a condition in which the patient experiences anxiety and flashbacks resulting from a specific traumatic event – or series of events. Many military veterans returning from combat experience PTSD as they re-integrate into civilian life. However, PTSD does not solely impact veterans. Anyone can experience PTSD if they have been involved in a traumatic event. For example, a serious car accident may cause PTSD in the future. Some of the symptoms of PTSD include:

Insomnia and/or nightmares
Severe Anxiety
Depression & Loneliness
Flashbacks to the traumatic event(s)
Mood swings

Using Medical Marijuana to Treat PTSD

Medical marijuana has been shown to be an effective treatment option for PTSD symptoms. While, medical cannabis likely won’t work to completely resolve the PTSD, it can work wonders to mitigate the symptoms of the disorder. For example, medical marijuana can help reduce anxiety and stress, and help patients sleep through the night.

Minnesota Medical Cannabis Doctors

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board-certified pain management doctors are certified and approved to prescribe medical cannabis to qualifying Minnesota patients. We have been treating patients in the Twin Cities area for over two decades and have the experience needed to provide you the treatment you deserve. If you are experiencing PTSD and are curious about medical cannabis as a treatment option, contact our Minnesota medical cannabis doctors today at our Minneapolis or Edina clinics to set up your appointment!

PRP Therapy for Sciatica Pain

August 14, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections use regenerative stem cells to treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries – from knee osteoarthritis, to rotator cuff tears. One condition we have not yet discussed in regards to PRP injections is sciatica. This article focuses on sciatica pain and the benefits of PRP therapy for treating the condition without surgery.

Sciatica Back Pain

Sciatica is a condition in which the sciatic nerve (which runs from the base of the spine down both legs) is irritated, causing pain in the low back and legs. The condition is typically caused by bone spurs or herniated discs in the spine, though it can also be the result of other factors, such as acute injury to the back.

PRP Injections for Sciatica

PRP therapy offers a natural, pain-free, and non-surgical treatment alternative for patients suffering from sciatica pain and related symptoms. Here’s how PRP injections work:

The physician draws a small amount of blood from the patient.
The patient’s blood is placed in a centrifuge that works to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
The physician then takes that PRP solution and re-injects it into the patient’s body at the affected area.
The plasma solution goes to work immediately repairing damaged tissue and aiding the body’s natural rejuvenation process.

Twin Cities PRP Doctors

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our goal is to provide specialized and compassionate care to each patient we treat. No matter what your injury or condition, we treat each patient with the individualized care they deserve. Our board-certified pain management doctors have more than two decades of experience treating patients for acute and chronic pain conditions. We are trained in a wide variety of pain treatment methods – including stem cell regenerative medicine techniques such as PRP or Prolotherapy injections. Contact our Twin Cities pain doctors to set up an appointment at our Edina or Minneapolis clinics today.