July 2016 - Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota

Decreasing Time Between Pain Relief

July 28, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Patients who suffer from chronic pain conditions are constantly battling pain. Some days are bearable, and others are filled with excruciating (sometimes debilitating) pain. The most frustrating thing about many chronic pain conditions is that they are difficult to treat in the long run. When you stub your toe it hurts for a few days or weeks and then gets better. Chronic pain does not act that way. Even with time and treatments, chronic pain keeps coming back. In this article, we are going to talk a little bit about what to do when your pain treatments are becoming less and less effective.

Chronic Pain Treatments

Whether you suffer from fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, arthritis, or another condition, there are many methods for treating chronic pain, including:

Pain medication
Injections (trigger point, nerve blocks, steroidal, PRP, prolotherapy, etc.)
Physical therapy
Surgery

For chronic pain sufferers, these treatment techniques often provide pain relief in the short-term, only to have the pain return. This is especially true of pain medications and injections. Most chronic pain patients need to have injections or re-up their prescriptions on a routine basis to keep up with the pain. The specific time between needed injections varies by patient. To make matters even more complicated, sometimes certain treatments can become less effective over time, providing shorter periods of relief to the patient after each treatment. What should you do if this happens to you?

A Constant Battle

Reducing chronic pain is a constant battle. Sometimes your body adapts and treatments that previously worked well, no longer have the same effect. When that happens, it’s essential to have a skilled pain physician by your side who can recommend treatment options that fit your needs.

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our pain management physicians are versed in the latest pain care techniques. We have been helping Minnesotans in pain for the past two decades and have the experience needed to provide the care you need and deserve. Contact our Edina pain clinic today to schedule your appointment and get back to living a pain-free life.

The 4 Most Common Pain Management Treatments

July 25, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

With so many treatment options available to patients these days, it can be difficult to find the best treatment method for your situation. In this article, we are going to walk through a few of the most common pain management treatment options for patients suffering from acute and chronic pain alike.

Pain Medications

Perhaps the most widely utilized pain relief method across the board is the use of pain medications. These can be over-the-counter NSAIDs that you can buy at your local drug store, as well as prescription opioids, narcotics, and other drugs that require a prescription from a physician. Pills can be extremely effective at relieving pain. However, you have to be careful about addiction and overdose. Opioids in particular are highly addictive and easy to overdose on – which is why these drugs require a prescription. It’s important to work with an experienced pain doctor to make sure you are taking the right medications in the right amounts.

Injections

Pain management injections (such as steroid injections and nerve blocks) are another popular form of treatment, particularly for chronic pain patients suffering from nerve disorders. These injections can significantly decrease pain in the affected area. The length of pain relief varies with each patient, and patients with chronic pain typically return for routine injections once the effects of a previous injection have worn off.

Physical Therapy

A strategic physical therapy routine can greatly improve a patient’s pain – especially after an injury or surgical procedure. The effectiveness of physical therapy is highly dependent on having a skilled rehabilitation specialist – so make sure you get a referral from your pain doctor!

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine injections like PRP therapy and prolotherapy have become more popular in recent years as well. The goal of these injections is to help the body repair tissues, rebuild degenerated areas, and reduce pain.

The skilled pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN are well versed in these and more pain management procedures. Our physicians have over two decades of experience treating Minnesotans for all types of pain conditions and injuries. Contact our Edina clinic today to set up your appointment with one of our pain specialists, reduce your pain, and take your life back!

Pain Relief Options when you’re Denied Surgery

July 20, 2016/0 Comments/in Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

Most patients want to avoid surgery at all costs, and consider it only after all other options have been exhausted. But for some patients, surgery isn’t an option at all. In these situations patients are often concerned that they will never be able to relieve their pain without surgical intervention. In this article we are going to talk about some methods for reducing your pain if you have been denied surgery.

Surgery Denial

There are several reasons why a patient may be denied surgery. Perhaps the most common reason for denial is the patient’s age. With many surgical procedures, elderly patients are at an increased risk for infection and other negative side effects. Another common reason is the existence of pre-existing conditions that may prevent a successful procedure.

Keep in mind that all this depends heavily on the specific procedure and the patient’s unique circumstances. You should always talk with your physician about the circumstances surrounding your treatment.

Non-Surgical Pain Management Options

Being denied surgery is not the end of the world. Even if it seems that you’ve tried every possible treatment under the sun, there are still options available to you. Sometimes it just requires the assistance of a skilled pain management doctor who can work with you to create a treatment approach that fits your needs. There are so many different combinations of treatments that there are almost always new options available to you. For example, if you’ve tried injections before, another type of injection may work better. All of this hinges on the talents of a physical medicine physician to work with you through this process.

The physical medicine doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN are experts in all types of pain management solutions. Our physicians can fully diagnose your condition or injury and recommend options for treatment, whether that be functional medicine options like ketamine therapy or regenerative techniques like PRP therapy, medications or other injection therapies. If you have been denied surgery, contact us today to set up your appointment and learn how to conquer your pain without going under the knife.

Regular Narcotics vs. Extended Release Drugs

July 18, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

There are hundreds of differing types of pain management drugs on the market. Many of these pills are instant release medications – meaning they go to work right away after the patient swallows. Another classification of pain killers is known as “extended release” medication. These drugs are specifically crafted to release steadily over a period of time, rather than all at once. This article will focus on the differences between regular narcotic pain killers and extended release pain medications.

Extended Release Pain Medication

As opposed to most narcotic pain meds that work very quickly, extended release pain meds are designed to dole out pain relief a little bit at a time over a longer period. These drugs are designed with a mechanism inside the pills that dissolves the drug slowly over time. Oxycontin is perhaps the most recognizable extended release medication.

Benefits of Extended Release Meds

The benefit of extended release meds is that the patient is able to take fewer pills to achieve pain relief. These medications also offer fewer side effects in most cases. Better sleep is a big benefit of extended release drugs as well. Rather than waking up in pain when your meds wear off, extended release pills offer small bouts of pain relief throughout the night to keep you asleep.

The best type of pain relief treatment will depend on your underlying condition and unique set of circumstances. Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics offers a full range of pain management treatments for patients suffering with all types of pain. Whether you’re experiencing acute pain from an injury, or chronic pain from a pre-existing condition, our pain management physicians have the knowledge and experience needed to get you back to a pain-free life. We serve patients in Minneapolis / St. Paul, as well as greater Minnesota. Contact our Edina clinic today to set up your appointment.

How Long Does Prolotherapy Last?

July 13, 2016/0 Comments/in Injections, Regenerative Medicine /by Matthew Thorson

One of the most important things every patient in pain wants to know is how long a specific treatment is going to last. Different treatment methods provide different levels and lengths of pain relief and patients want to make the right decision about the treatment that will reduce their pain for the longest time period. In this article, we will discuss how long the effects of prolotherapy injections last in general.

Prolotherapy Injection Timelines

Before we get into the various timelines associated with a general prolotherapy procedure, it’s important to note that each patient’s pain is different and treatments impact each patient differently. As a result, it’s impossible to give an objective answer to the question: “how long does prolotherapy last?” as the answer varies with each patient. That being said, there are some general timelines we can discuss.

Prolotherapy treatment is typically done over several sessions – usually 3-4, but that can increase or decrease based on the patient’s age and medical history. Injections are given about a month apart from each other to allow the body to regenerate after each treatment. Patients will likely not feel immediate pain relief from prolotherapy injections (as opposed to other injections which can give quick pain relief). The point of prolotherapy is to encourage regeneration and growth over a period of time so the patient experiences long-term pain relief.

Twin Cities Prolotherapy

The regenerative medicine specialists at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been performing prolotherapy injections for the past two decades. We have the experience needed to fully diagnose and understand your pain, and craft a treatment strategy that works for your individual needs. Give us a call today at our Edina clinic and set up your appointment with one of our Twin Cities prolotherapy doctors and see how prolotherapy can help reduce your pain.

TMJ, TMD & Jaw Pain

July 11, 2016/0 Comments/in Joint Pain /by Matthew Thorson

TMJ and TMD refer to conditions that impact the joint connecting the jawbone to the skull. This article will explain the differences between TMJ and TMD, and offer some treatment options for your jaw pain.

What is TMJ & TMD?

TMD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and refers to any painful condition that relates to the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. Colloquially, many people refer to these conditions as TMJ (Themporomandibular Joint), but the correct medical term is TMD. Many factors can lead to TMD pain including acute injury, whiplash, grinding your teeth, and arthritis, to name a few.

The symptoms of TMJ can include any or all of the following:

Pain in the jaw or face
Inability to open or close your mouth fully (aka “lock jaw”)
Popping, clicking, or cracking sounds in your jaw joints while chewing
Swelling or tenderness on the sides of your face
Headaches or toothaches

Some cases of TMD cause no symptoms, or resolve on their own given time. Other patients experience extreme pain and need to be treated for the condition.

Treatment Options for TMD

Treating jaw pain and TMD requires an accurate diagnosis. Your dentist will check for TMJ issues during routine checkups. Tell them if you are experiencing any TMD related symptoms. If so you may need to see a pain management physician for full treatment. You can attempt to resolve jaw pain symptoms with DIY treatments like over-the-counter medications, ice packs, and relaxation techniques. If these methods don’t work, you may need to consider prescription meds, trigger point injections, or regenerative medicine therapies like PRP or prolotherapy.

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been assisting Minnesotans with their jaw pain for over two decades. Our Twin Cities pain management doctors have the knowledge and experience to help craft a treatment plan that fits your specific needs. Contact our clinic today to set up your appointment.

A Day in the Life of a Chronic Pain Patient

July 7, 2016/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew Thorson

If you’re dealing with a chronic pain condition, just making it through your day can be a trial. It can be difficult for people who have never dealt with chronic pain to understand what a chronic pain patient goes through each day. In this article, we are going to walk through what a typical day is like for a person who suffers from chronic pain.

Morning

Many chronic pain patients wake up in pain, often without a solid night’s sleep. Getting up and getting to work can be incredibly difficult. Imagine your morning routine, and then think about how much harder it would be if you were in immense pain.

Afternoon

Accomplishing tasks at work can be equally tough when you’re in constant pain. Dealing with co-workers and meeting deadlines while simultaneously beating back your pain can be nearly impossible.

Night

Most chronic pain patients have trouble sleeping through the night. Getting to sleep and staying to sleep is often the most difficult part about dealing with chronic pain. If you can’t get a decent night’s sleep for days or weeks on end, your ability to function is seriously hindered. To make matters worse, lack of sleep can exacerbate existing pain, leading to a cycle that’s hard to overcome.

Getting through the day when you suffer from a chronic pain condition can be difficult. Having a plan for managing your pain is the best way to keep your pain at bay. A skilled pain physician can be instrumental in diagnosing and treating your chronic pain. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our physical medicine specialists have been treating Minnesotan patients with fibromyalgia, CRPS, and other chronic pain conditions for the past twenty years. Contact our Edina pain management clinic to set up your appointment today and get the help you need managing your chronic pain.

Prolotherapy for Knee Pain

July 5, 2016/0 Comments/in Knee Injury /by Matthew Thorson

Prolotherapy is a regenerative medicine treatment method that can be an effective option for many different conditions and injuries throughout the body. This article will discuss how prolotherapy can help resolve knee pain caused by various conditions and injuries.

Acute Injury

The knee is a complex structure, with many ligaments, bones, and muscles that can be damaged in an acute accident. Athletes are especially prone to ACL, MCL, and meniscus tears. These injuries can cause immense pain and decreased mobility. Many patients assume that surgery is the only way to effectively treat these injuries, but non-surgical options can be just as effective and much less invasive. Prolotherapy injections are quick, painless, and help spur your body’s natural healing process to regrow damaged or lost tissue and ligaments in the knee.

Osteoarthritis & other Degenerative Conditions

Osteoarthritis of the knee and other degenerative conditions like bursitis and arthritis are common in elderly patients. Many of these conditions develop over time as the body ages and breaks down. There is no way to completely prevent bodily wear-and-tear, but you can utilize treatments like prolotherapy to decrease symptoms. Prolotherapy injections can help naturally regenerate these degenerated tendons and other areas of the knee.

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, we pride ourselves on being experts in regenerative medicine treatments like prolotherapy. Our Edina pain management specialists have been treating patients in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota for over two decades. If you have sustained a knee injury, or have a pre-existing knee condition, consider prolotherapy as a non-surgical treatment alternative. Prolotherapy is completely natural and minimally invasive. The procedure is quick and painless. Give our Edina clinic a call today to set up your appointment with a MN pain doctor and see if prolotherapy is a good treatment option for your knee pain.