Groin Pain – Causes & Treatment Methods

March 30, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain, Uncategorized /by Matthew Thorson

Groin pain can affect men and women alike, and can be severely debilitating – interfering with a person’s everyday routine. This article is focused on the topic of groin pain. We’ll walk through the various potential causes of pain in the groin area, and also offer some methods for treating groin pain.

Potential Causes of Groin Pain

There are many factors that may contribute to the development of groin pain – from injuries, to pre-existing conditions and diseases. Here are some of the common and not so common causes of groin pain:

Hernia
Kidney Stones
Testicular Cancer
Inflammation of the testicles or epididymis
Prostate infections and inflammation
Strains and sprains in the groin region

The severity of these conditions and injuries varies widely – as do the appropriate treatment methods. For certain types of groin pain, surgery is required to ensure long-term pain relief. In other cases, a patient can benefit from non-surgical options.

Treating Groin Pain

A successful treatment strategy must be built on an accurate diagnosis. If you don’t know the root cause of the pain, you can waste time and make errors in the course of treatment. For example, groin hernias and kidney stones nearly always require surgical treatment or removal, while strains, sprains, or inflammation in the region can generally be treated with conservative methods like pain medications, physical therapy, and simple rest.

Schedule an appointment today if you are experiencing pain in your groin. A skilled pain management doctor can help you determine the root cause of your pain and walk you through your options for treatment. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our doctors have over twenty years experience treating Minnesota patients for all sorts of groin-related pain. We’ve got the experience and knowledge to get you back to a pain-free life. Call our office today to set up your appointment.

PRP for Spine Injuries & Conditions

March 28, 2016/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

There are many forms of back pain, and many ways to treat pain that originates in the spine. From over-the-counter pain medications to surgery, choosing the right treatment approach can be challenging. This article will focus on Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections for spine pain. We will talk about the benefits of PRP treatment for spinal conditions and injuries.

Spine Pain

Pain in the spine can result from acute injuries, or from degenerative conditions like arthritis. Whatever the cause, back pain can be annoying at best and debilitating at worst. While many patients will attempt to suffer through their back pain, this strategy typically only makes things worse. Addressing the pain head on and developing a treatment strategy is the best way to reduce pain in the long term.

PRP Injections for Back Pain

PRP Therapy is an innovative new treatment that uses the patient’s own blood platelets to regenerate damaged tissues. The process is simple – a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient. Then the platelet-rich plasma is separated out of that blood and injected back into the patient. These platelets immediately go to work repairing lost or damaged tissue. Best of all, PRP injections are natural and relatively pain-free.

Spine surgery can be a good treatment option for people experiencing back pain, but all surgical procedures require trauma. It’s typically best to exhaust all other treatment approaches before deciding to go under the knife. That’s why many patients are turning to PRP injections to relieve their back pain.

If you have sustained a spinal injury, or have a pre-existing spine condition that it causing you pain, PRP injections may be a viable treatment option for you. The pain management physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating patients with spinal pain for over twenty years. Our team of doctors offer cutting edge treatments for all types of pain conditions. Contact our Edina office today to schedule an appointment and see if you are a good candidate for PRP therapy.

Rib Pain – Types, Causes, Treatments

March 23, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Our ribs help protect a good portion of our internal organs including the heart and lungs. Sometimes, while protecting these vital organs, the ribs can sustain damage that leads to pain. In this article, we are going to discuss the various types of rib pain, the related causes, and some treatment options.

Types & Causes of Rib Pain

Rib pain comes in many forms, and can be caused by a variety of factors. Here are some of the potential types of rib pain and associated causes:

Broken or fractured ribs
Bruised ribs
Osteoporosis and other bone diseases
Inflammation of rib cartilage
Lung issues and conditions
Muscle spasms

Most of these causes will present with pain in the ribs and surrounding areas. If you notice any pain in your ribs after an injury, or pain that comes on without a clear cause, seek medical attention immediately. Rib fractures in particular need to be treated right away to ensure that no other bodily structures have been damaged. Seek medical attention right away if you believe you have sustained a rib injury.

Treatment Options

First and foremost, treating rib pain requires an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause. In order to solidify a diagnosis, your physician will likely perform a physical examination, as well as various diagnostic tests like x-ray, MRI, or CT scans. Most rib pain is treated non-operatively with conservative treatment approaches such as rest, bracing, pain medications, and injection therapy.

If you are experiencing pain in your rib cage, make an appointment with a pain specialist today to talk about treatment options. The pain physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have more than twenty years of experience treating patients for rib pain. Our doctors serve the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area and surrounding suburbs. Contact our office today to make your appointment!

Neck Pain from a Dual Monitor Setup

March 21, 2016/0 Comments/in Neck Pain /by Matthew Thorson

In a previous article, we talked about some of the painful conditions and injuries that can occur while working in an office setting. Now let’s talk specifically about pain from your computer setup. This article will go over the types of pain caused by a dual monitor computer setup and also delve into how to prevent and treat related pain.

Pain at your Desk

A dual monitor setup is becoming more and more popular among workers. This type of work station can significantly increase productivity, but there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind to prevent neck pain. Here are a few ways a dual monitor setup can lead to neck pain:

Incorrect placement of the monitors. Make sure both monitors sit right next to each other so you minimize the amount of twisting required by your neck.
Incorrect sitting or standing position. The way you sit or stand relative to your computer screens also has a big impact on the development of pain conditions.

Preventing Neck Pain at your Computer

The best way to treat pain from a dual monitor computer setup is to do everything you can to prevent the pain before it begins. Make sure your setup is ergonomically friendly. That means keeping your monitors about an arm’s reach away from your face. Many people have a tendency to lean way too close to their computers. While this may help you see it puts additional strain on your neck. Also pay attention to the height of your monitors relative to your eye line. Make sure you’re not having to look up or down at your computers while seated or standing. This can lead to craning of the neck, which can result in pain.

If you have developed chronic neck pain that you think may be related to your work setup, talk to a pain management physician to go over some options for treatment. The pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have a successful history of treating patients for all types of neck pain. Our physicians have been practicing in the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs for over twenty years now and have the expertise needed to get you back on the path to a pain-free life. Contact our office today to set up your appointment.

My Doctor Won’t Continue to Prescribe My Meds

March 16, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Prescription medications can be an effective treatment method for patients suffering through pain. In this article, we are going to discuss why a physician may stop prescribing you specific medications and what to do if that happens to you.

Prescribing Meds

Certain prescription pain medications (especially opioids) are extremely addictive. They are very effective at reducing patient pain but they are among the easiest drugs to become addicted to. This is always a concern for prescribing physicians. When prescription opioids are needed – after surgery for example – the general strategy is to start the patient off with a small amount of opioids as needed, and then slowly reduce the amount of opioids by replacing them with other, less addictive pain medications. This is likely the most common reason that your doctor has stopped prescribing you a certain medication.

Addiction

Unfortunately, sometimes patients do become addicted to pain medications. When a physician notices an addiction forming, they will most likely discontinue prescribing the addictive meds. This is for the patient’s own good to avoid a serious addiction and all the baggage that brings with it. If your doctor believes you are starting to become addicted, they will likely have a conversation with you and discuss how to effectively move forward – keeping your pain at bay, while shifting away from the addictive medications. Likewise, if you feel like you are becoming addicted to a medication you are taking, contact your prescribing physician right away to discuss your options.

The pain physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating patients in the Twin Cities for the past two decades. They have the knowledge and expertise to accurately diagnose the cause of your pain and offer recommendations for treatment. If you are suffering through life in pain, contact our office to set up your appointment today!

3 Common Fears about Pain Injections

March 14, 2016/0 Comments/in Injections /by Matthew Thorson

Pain injections are scary for many patients – especially those who have never had one before. As with any medical procedure, facing your fears and dealing with them head on will reduce your anxiety and lead to a more positive experience. With that in mind, this article will discuss some of the common fears patients experience before getting a pain management injection.

Fear – My Injection is Going to Hurt

This is probably the most common fear that patients have when considering injections. Fear of needles is almost universal and nearly everyone has had a traumatic experience getting injections as a child. However, compared to vaccinations, pain management injections (nerve blocks, epidurals, cortisone shots, etc.) involve an anesthetic prior to injection. In other words, the area of injection will be numbed before the injection, which reduces overall pain.

Fear – The Needles Aren’t Clean

It’s fairly common knowledge that you should never reuse needles. Hospitals and clinics have strict policies in place to make sure that a patient is never administered an injection with a used needle. Even so, this is still a fear that many patients experience. If you are anxious about this, talk to your physician.

Fear – My Doctor Might Inject the Wrong Area

It may not be the most common fear, but some patients are concerned that their physician may inject the wrong area. While mistakes do happen from time to time, a physician injecting the completely wrong area of a patient’s body is not common. However, this is all the more reason to go with a pain management doctor with a lot of experience and a great track record.

The pain management physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been performing diagnostic and pain injections for a combined twenty years. With that level of experience, you can put your injection fears at ease. Set up an appointment with one of our knowledgeable pain management doctors today to talk about your situation.

Muscle Spasms Due to Osteoarthritis (OA)

March 9, 2016/0 Comments/in Arthritis, Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Osteoarthritis affects many people as they age (and their bodies begin to break down). In addition to pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the joints, osteoarthritis can also cause muscle spasms. In this article, we are going to talk about muscle spasms as they relate to osteoarthritis – how to determine if spasms are caused by OA and some treatment options.

When Osteoarthritis Causes Muscle Spasms

Osteoarthritis (OA for short) is a degenerative condition that impacts a person’s joints. It occurs when the tissue in a person’s joints begins to erode. OA is the most common type of arthritis, and most often impacts the joints in the knees, hips, spine, and hands. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis:

Pain and tenderness in the joint
Decreased range of motion or flexibility
Muscle spasms

Many people experience osteoarthritis symptoms to varying degrees as they age. Early identification can help reduce the severity of pain, inflexibility, and muscle spasms.

How to treat Muscle Spasms Caused by OA

Muscle spasms can be caused by a number of potential factors, so the first step in treatment is determining the precise cause. There is really no way to treat osteoarthritis – but you can mitigate its symptoms, including muscle spasms. Pain medications (over the counter or prescription meds), physical therapy, and various injections can all be useful in decreasing the severity of muscle spasms as well as other symptoms.

The pain management physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating Minnesotan patients suffering from muscle spasms and osteoarthritis for over two decades. Our doctors have the knowledge and experience to diagnose your condition, and put together a treatment strategy that fits your needs. If you are suffering from muscle spasms and have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, set up your appointment with a pain doctor today by contacting our office.

Cluster Headaches – Identification & Treatment

March 7, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Cluster headaches are frequent, recurring headaches that can cause immense pain in patients. In this article, we are going to dive into the topic of cluster headaches and discuss their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

What Causes Cluster Headaches?

Cluster headaches are intense headaches that recur on a daily basis for an extended period of time. Cluster headaches can happen 1-3 times per day over the course of several weeks or months. Often, these headache attacks recur along seasonal lines (i.e. a patient may only experience them in the Spring or Fall). The precise cause of cluster headaches is not understood, but we do know that they are related to a nerve at the base of the brain called the trigeminal nerve.

Symptoms of cluster headaches can include any of the following:

Pain located right behind the eye
Pain that stays on one side of the head
Pain that feels like burning or stabbing
Head pain that lasts for as little as 15 minutes, and as long as a couple hours, only to stop and recur again later in the day

Since there are several different types of headaches, it’s important to differentiate the symptoms to properly diagnose the cluster headaches.

Treating Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are similar to migraine headaches in their severity, but cluster headaches typically do not last as long as migraines. There are various treatment options available to patients suffering from cluster headaches. Pain killers may provide temporary pain relief, but don’t really address the core problem. Certain prescription drugs can help in the prevention of cluster headaches. In severe cases, surgery can be performed to block the trigeminal nerve.

If you are dealing with cluster headaches, seek treatment from a qualified pain management specialist as soon as possible. The pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have a 20 year track record of successfully treating patients for headache pain. Our clinic is located in Edina, but we treat patients throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us today to set up your appointment and get on the road to a pain free life.

3 Tips to Avoid Pain at a Non-Office Job

March 2, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

In an earlier blog post, we talked about a few ways to avoid pain at an office job. But we realize that not everyone works at a typical 9 to 5 desk job. Whether you work in retail, construction, delivery, or any other career that requires you to be on your feet all day, there are ways to prevent pain before it strikes. Here are a few tips for avoiding pain in a non-office job.

Stretch

It may sound silly, but if your job requires a lot of physical activity it’s a good idea to do stretches before and after work. This can prevent injuries in the course of your job and pre-empt stiffness the day after a lot of physical activity. You would do the same when going to the gym to workout – the same goes for a job that requires physical activity.

Take Necessary Breaks

No matter where you’re working, your employer is required to give you several breaks throughout the day. Be sure to take them. Physical exhaustion can lead to mistakes on the job, as well as accidents and injuries.

Don’t Exceed Your Limits

It’s important to know your physical limitations. This can mean asking for help on occasion. If you need to lift something heavy, test the weight first. If it’s too heavy, ask a co-worker for a hand. Asking for help can be a hard thing for a lot of people, but it can prevent serious injury and resulting pain.

If you are experiencing any sort of pain as a result of your daily work activities, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified pain management physician to address and treat your pain. The pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics in Edina, MN have over twenty years of experience helping patients find pain relief. Contact our office today to set up your appointment with one of our Minnesota pain physicians.