Fentanyl Patches for Chronic Pain Conditions

February 29, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Fentanyl pain patches are a form of treatment for serious chronic conditions. They are typically used only when all other treatment methods have been explored and exhausted. In this article, we are going to talk about pain patches and when they should and should NOT be used to treat pain.

What are Fentanyl Pain Patches?

A pain patch (also called a Fentanyl patch) is an opiate (or narcotic) analgesic. They work by changing the way the brain interprets pain signals sent from other areas of the body. These patches are placed on the patient’s skin near the location of the pain. Once applied, fentanyl seeps into the skin over a period of 24-72 hours and reduces pain.

When Should Pain Patches be Used?

Fentanyl patches are most effective for treating chronic pain in patients who need consistent pain treatment, and who cannot explore other treatment methods. Pain patches should not be used to treat acute pain conditions that will resolve on their own, or pain that can be better treated with alternate methods. These patches have a host of serious potential side effects, including:

Nausea and vomiting
Breathing problems
Constipation
Dizziness or headaches

Since fentanyl patches are categorized as narcotics, they are extremely addictive. As a result, there is a significant risk of overdose and possibly death – especially if the patient does not follow the exact application instructions. For that reason, it’s essential that you follow your doctor’s prescription and instructions exactly when using a fentanyl patch to treat your pain.

If you are living your life in pain from an injury, condition, or illness, a pain patch may be able to help you return to a pain-free existence. The pain management doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating patients in Edina and the surrounding suburbs for over 20 years. Contact our clinic today to set up your appointment and get to the bottom of your pain.

Is it Normal for a Doctor Not to Know the Effects of a Medication?

February 24, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Doctors are incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to medical conditions, injuries, treatments, and medications. But should you expect your physician to know the ins and outs of every medication on the market? In other words, is it normal for a doctor to NOT know the effects of a particular medication? That’s our topic for today’s article.

The State of Pain Medications

There are thousands of FDA approved drugs on the market that a doctor may prescribe a patient. With that many medications, it’s difficult for a doctor to be an expert on every single one. While there are many individual drugs approved by the FDA, many are used to treat similar conditions and have similar side effects.

So while your physician may not know everything about every FDA-approved drug on the market, they likely have a good grasp on the drug’s category and similar medications. If you are curious about a specific drug or a new drug, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor. Even if they aren’t familiar with it, they will be able to do some research and provide you some feedback and advice.

The Type of Doctor Matters

On another note, some doctors know more about prescription medications than others. A pain management physician is generally going to have a more in-depth knowledge of specific meds than a surgeon would. That’s not to say that surgeons are clueless when it comes to medication – but their primary focus is on surgical techniques. A pain management doctor, on the other hand, focuses solely on the identification and treatment of pain conditions.

If you have questions regarding any medication you’re taking, or that you’re considering taking, contact a qualified pain management doctor today. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN our pain relief specialists are well versed in the effects of all FDA-approved medications. Contact our office to set up your appointment with one of our pain physicians.

Which Type of MRI is Right for You?

February 22, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

MRI (short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a diagnostic tool that can be invaluable to doctors trying to diagnose and treat various conditions and injuries. With current advancements in technology, there are now several different types of MRI scans. In this article, we will discuss the various types of MRI machines and help you figure out which type of MRI exam is right for your situation.

Closed MRI

A close MRI is what most people picture when they think of an MRI. Closed MRI scans work great, but there are several downsides. They’re loud and cramped, which can be a huge issue for a patient who suffers from claustrophobia. Despite these drawbacks, closed MRIs still provide the best image quality of any MRI machine.

Open MRI

Compared to a traditional closed MRI, an open MRI is much less cramped. The patient still lies down inside the machine during the exam, but the space is much larger and less claustrophobic. Open MRIs are also better for obese patients who may not be able to fit inside a closed MRI machine.

Standing & Sitting MRI

Taking the open MRI scan to another level, some new machines allow patients to sit or stand during their exam. These machines provide an extra level of comfort for the patient, but they are rare.

It’s important to note that not all clinics have all of these types of MRI machines. Some facilities only have traditional closed MRIs. That being said, it’s always good to ask about your options, especially if you are claustrophobic.

If you are struggling with a painful condition or injury, don’t suffer through life in pain. Get the help you need from a skilled pain management physician. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our physicians have been helping Minnesotans recover from their pain for over twenty years. Contact our office today to set up your appointment and wave goodbye to your pain.

Hypermobility Syndrome & Joint Pain

February 17, 2016/0 Comments/in Joint Pain /by Matthew Thorson

If you’ve ever known someone who has claimed to be double jointed – they most likely have a condition known as joint hypermobility syndrome (“double jointed” is not the preferred medical term). In this article, we are going to talk about the causes and symptoms of joint hypermobility syndrome, and also go over some of the treatment methods for this condition.

What is Hypermobility Syndrome?

Joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition in which a person’s joints are able to move beyond the normal range of motion. The cause of the condition is not fully understood, but it is often passed down through specific genes from parents to their children.

Symptoms of hypermobility syndrome can include any of the following:

The ability to touch your forearm with your thumb
The ability to place both hands flat on the ground without bending your knees
Scoliosis or spinal curvature

As our bodies age we become less flexible. As a result, most people with joint hypermobility syndrome will see the condition dissipate over time.

Treating Hypermobility Syndrome

Most cases of joint hypermobility syndrome do not present with any symptoms. In these cases, treatment is not necessary. However, some patients with the condition experience pain and other issues. Patients with hypermobile joints are also more susceptible to injury. In these instances treatment is focused on reducing pain and other symptoms through the use of pain medications, physical therapy exercises, and joint injections.

Although most cases of joint hypermobility syndrome are symptomless, some patients can experience mild to severe pain as a result of the condition. If you are one of these patients, consult with a skilled pain management physician to discuss your treatment options. The physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been providing pain relief to Minnesotans with painful conditions for over two decades. Contact our office to set up your appointment today and get on the road to a pain free life.

3 Tips for Making the Right Decision About your Pain Care

February 15, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Every patient wants to make the right decision about what treatment approach to try. But with so many factors at play it can be tough to figure out how to proceed with your pain care. In this article, we will offer some tips for making the right decision about your pain management care.

Do Your Research

The first, and perhaps most important, step you can take is to educate yourself. Learn everything you can about your pain and its possible causes. In addition, do some research on pain doctors in your area. See if they have a website or social media presence, and check out their reviews from previous patients.

Consider Your Options

As we’ve discussed before, there are many ways to treat pain conditions. From pain medication, to injections, to surgery – it can be difficult to decide what’s right for your situation. For that reason it’s essential that you carefully consider your options before making a decision. Weigh the pros and cons of each treatment method, talk with your physician, and find other patients who have had similar experiences to see what worked for them.

Don’t be Afraid to Move On

If you already have a pain management doctor and for whatever reason you just are not getting along, don’t be afraid to move on. A successful doctor/patient relationship has to be built on trust to be successful. If you don’t trust your doctor, find someone you can place your trust in fully. It may be frustrating, but you will be better for it in the long run.

Making an informed decision about your pain management is as essential as the treatment itself. You want to make sure that you have a physician on your side that understands your condition. The pain management doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have twenty years of experience treating Minnesotans with acute and chronic pain conditions. They have the experience and compassion to provide you with the care you need.

Treating Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

February 10, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

We have briefly mentioned CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) in previous articles, but we’ve never talked about the condition in depth. In this article, we are going to discuss CRPS – what causes it and how you can take steps to treat the condition successfully.

What is CRPS?

CRPS stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It is a chronic pain condition that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. The specific causes of CRPS are not well understood. The condition may develop after an injury, or nerve damage.

Symptoms of CRPS can present with any of the following symptoms:

Pain throughout the body or localized in the back, hands, feet, arms, or legs.
Recurrent headaches
Redness, swelling, or stiffness in the area
Feelings of depression
Tingling or burning sensations on the skin

These symptoms can overlap with various other conditions – making CRPS difficult to treat. To confirm a diagnosis, your doctor will likely order various tests to narrow down an exact CRPS diagnosis.

Treating CRPS

There is no known cure for CRPS – so treatment is focused on reducing symptoms. Once a diagnosis of CRPS has been reached, your physician will begin to formulate a treatment plan. Treatments for CRPS are various and depend on the specific symptoms the patient experiences. Treatments typically include some combination of pain medications, physical therapy, and pain management injections. We also offer ketamine therapy for pain relief from CRPS.

If you are a CRPS sufferer and you feel like you have no options left, don’t give up! There are always pain relief strategies that can still be explored. Make an appointment with a skilled pain management doctor today to talk about your personalized pain relief plan. Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been treating patients with chronic pain conditions like CRPS for over twenty years. Give our office a call today to set up your appointment.

3 Tips for Dealing with Pain at the Office

February 8, 2016/0 Comments/in Back Pain, Pain /by Matthew Thorson

We realize that not everyone works in an office setting, but this article is focused specifically on preventing pain in an office. We will discuss tips for dealing with pain in other work settings in a future blog. So without further delay, here are a few tips for dealing with your pain at work.

Consider your Work Setup

The first thing you should do is take a good look at how your work station is set up. If it’s an option, consider installing a stand up desk at your station. Standing desks have been shown to reduce back pain and improve your overall health over time. If a stand up desk is not an option, do everything you can to make your setup ergonomic. At the most simplistic level, make sure your monitor is roughly an arm’s length away, your feet sit flat on the ground, and that your hands rest on the keyboard in such a way that your elbows form 90 degree angles. An ergonomic setup can help prevent back pain, neck pain, wrist pain, and more.

Take Breaks

Sitting at your desk all day every day can take a toll on your back, neck, and other areas of the body. If your job requires you to sit at a desk for extended periods of time, take short breaks every hour or two to stretch out and walk around.

Get Treatment

When pain persists at work after trying these DIY fixes, the next step is to talk to a physician and find a treatment strategy that works for you.

If you are suffering through immense or chronic pain at work, make an appointment with a pain management physician to discuss your options. The skilled Minnesota pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have two decades of experience treating all types of painful conditions. Contact our office to set up your appointment today.

Can Pain Make you Dizzy?

February 5, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Feeling dizzy all the time can really disrupt your daily activities. When a dizzy spell hits, you may not be able to stand, drive, or even read properly. This article is focused on pain and dizziness. We’ll talk about what pain conditions can present with dizziness, and also what to do if your pain medications are making you feel dizzy.

Pain & Dizziness

There are numerous injuries, conditions, and illnesses that can cause both pain and dizziness. Here are some common pain conditions and injuries that may cause dizziness:

Head trauma. Any injury to your head (from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury) may present with a feeling of dizziness.
Many people begin to feel lightheaded when they cut themselves and start bleeding.
Common illnesses like the flu and colds can cause dehydration, which can lead to symptoms of dizziness.

Pain Meds

Dizziness can also be a common side effect of a lot of pain medications. Many prescription opioids, antidepressants, and anticonvulsant pain relievers commonly cause dizziness in the patient. Each patient reacts differently to specific medications, and it’s sometimes difficult to predict what side effects will impact you until you start taking the medication. Thankfully with most of these meds, there are alternatives that you can try if you are experiencing dizziness as a side effect.

If you are experiencing dizzy spells and you think your medications may be the culprit, make an appointment with your doctor to see if there are any alternative medications for your condition.

If you are experiencing dizziness as a result of your pain medication, or simply feel dizzy in conjunction with your pain – contact a skilled pain management physician. Our pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have two decades of experience treating patients in pain. Contact our office today to set up your appointment, get diagnosed, and formulate a plan for recovery.

Should I See my Primary Care Dr. for My Pain?

February 3, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Many doctors specialize in different fields, conditions, and treatments. You want to make sure you have the right doctor with the right experience to treat your condition. In this article, we are going to talk specifically about why you should see a pain management specialist rather than your primary care physician for your pain.

The Role of a Primary Care Physician

A primary care doctor is your regular doctor that you see for routine physicals or check up appointments. Primary care physicians are versed in a wide array of conditions, and are trained to recognize many conditions but may not have the special training to treat every condition (think of it as breadth vs. depth). If your primary care doctor recognizes a complex pain condition or injury in you, they will likely refer you out to a specialized pain management doctor for treatment.

Pain Management Doctors

For many complex pain conditions and injuries, you want to consult with a specialized pain management physician. Pain management doctors are specifically trained to treat pain conditions and reduce a patient’s pain, using any of the following techniques:

Pain injections (nerve blocks, cortisone injections, etc.)
Prescribing pain medications
Spinal stimulation
Regenerative medicine techniques like PRP therapy.

A pain doctor will work with your primary care provider (and any other medical professionals you may have seen) to craft the best possible care strategy for your situation.

Struggling with chronic pain day in and day out is no way to live life. If your pain is getting in the way of your daily activities, take the time to set up an appointment with a pain doctor. The physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota have over 20 years of experience treating patients throughout the state of Minnesota for all types of painful conditions. Contact us today to set up your appointment and start reducing your pain.