March 2017 - Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota

Is my Pain Caused by Fibromyalgia or Arachnoiditis?

March 27, 2017/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew Thorson

When you’re dealing with chronic pain, one of the most difficult (and important) issues is figuring out what is causing your pain. Only then can you work toward an effective treatment strategy. In this article, we are going to talk about the differences between fibromyalgia and arachnoiditis and how to differentiate between the two conditions.

Fibromyalgia Pain

We’ve talked about fibromyalgia before on this site. To recap, fibromyalgia is a condition that causes chronic pain throughout the muscles in the body. Some of the possible signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Chronic Pain in the Muscles
Fatigue
Stiffness
Migraine Headaches
Difficulty Concentrating

These are just a few of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia (though there are plenty others). There is no known cure for fibromyalgia, so treatment focuses on managing the condition’s symptoms. The condition can be effectively treated with pain medication, injections, ketamine therapy and regenerative stem cell therapies.

Arachnoiditis Pain

Arachnoiditis is a less common pain condition in which the arachnoid (a member that protects the spinal nerves) becomes inflamed. Here are some of the symptoms that may indicate a diagnosis of arachnoiditis:

Numbness & Tingling in the Legs
Stinging or Burning Pain
Muscle Cramps
Bladder and Bowel Control Issues

Similar to fibromyalgia, there is no cure for arachnoiditis. But there are ways to mitigate the pain and other symptoms caused by arachnoiditis. Potential treatment modalities include pain meds, physical therapy, injections, PRP therapy, and more.

Minnesota Pain Clinic

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN is a leading provider of pain management care in Minnesota. Our board-certified pain doctors have been treating patients with fibromyalgia and arachnoiditis pain for the past two decades. We work in tandem with each patient to determine an accurate diagnosis and develop a strategy for pain management. Contact us today at our Minneapolis or Edina clinics to set up your appointment with a pain specialist and start effectively managing your pain.

I Don’t Like Pain Meds – How Can I Manage My Pain?

March 20, 2017/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew Thorson

For most people, the term “pain management” means taking a lot of pills. Pain pills are certainly one option for pain patients – but some patients can’t or don’t want to take pills for their pain. The good news is that there are many additional options available to patients who are unable or unwilling to take prescription medication for their pain. This patient education article will discuss some of the pain management alternatives for patients who can’t or don’t want to take opioids and other pain pills.

Injection Therapy

Injections are one of the most common methods for reducing chronic pain. There are several types of injections that can help – ketamine therapy, steroidal injections, nerve blocks, epidural injections, and more. The specific type of injection that works for you will depend on what’s causing your pain, and where you are experiencing the pain.

Medical Marijuana

Medicinal marijuana is a pain relief option that may be available to some patients. Medical marijuana is available in the state of Minnesota, but only for certain conditions. Ask your pain management doctor if you qualify and if medicinal cannabis is a good treatment option for your pain.

Stem Cell / Regenerative Treatments

Stem cell injections are another great alternative for patients wishing to avoid pain pills, surgery, or other methods. PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma) injections use the patient’s own blood plasma to help boost tissue regeneration and regrowth, reducing pain in the process. Prolotherapy injections work in a similar fashion, but use natural substances such as saline, dextrose, or sarapin. These procedures are completely natural, pain-free, and non-surgical.

Twin Cities Pain Management Doctors

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN provides treatment for chronic and acute pain to patients throughout the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area, as well as greater Minnesota. Our board-certified pain management physicians have over two decades of experience and are trained in the most innovative pain management procedures and treatments including: prescription medications, injection therapy, and stem cell regenerative treatments (PRP and Prolotherapy). Contact us today to set up your appointment with one of our MN pain doctors at our Edina or Minneapolis clinics.

Living a Normal Life While Dealing with Chronic Pain

March 13, 2017/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew Thorson

People suffering from chronic pain often wonder if they will every live a normal life, free from constant pain again. In this article, we are going to offer some tips for living a “normal” life when you’re suffering from chronic pain.

Never Give Up Hope

Patients dealing with chronic pain from an injury, condition, or surgery have a tendency to fall into despair and give up hope that their pain will ever go away. But it’s incredibly important to remain optimistic and hold onto that hope. Giving in to negative thoughts can exacerbate your already existing pain and make things even worse.

Seek Professional Help

With the sheer amount of information available online, it’s easy to try and treat your pain yourself using DIY methods. This can be a good starting point, but often won’t lead to an effective long-term treatment strategy. You need to seek professional medical help from a doctor who can diagnose your symptoms, condition, and offer treatment options.

Seek Help Specifically from a Pain Specialist

It’s equally important to see a pain specialist for your chronic pain. Some patients do not realize that there is a difference between your primary care provider and a physician who specializes in treating chronic pain. Your primary care physician is trained to identify and treat a wide range of conditions very generally. A pain management doctor has a much deeper understanding of particular pain causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies.

Minneapolis Pain Clinic

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, we offer a variety of treatments for chronic pain conditions, including prescription medication, ketamine therapy, peptide therapy, IV infusion therapy and other injection therapies, medical marijuana, and stem cell treatments like PRP or prolotherapy. Our Minnesota pain management doctors are board certified and have over two decades of experience treating patients throughout the Twin Cities. Contact us today at our Edina or Minneapolis pain clinics to set up your appointment and start living a normal life pain-free!

Pain Management Tips for Dealing with an Achilles Injury

March 6, 2017/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Achilles tendon tears are incredibly painful and debilitating. Without a properly functioning achilles tendon, you can’t jump, run, or walk normally. These tears are common among athletes, but can impact anyone. In this article, we are going to offer a few tips for dealing with the pain associated with an achilles tendon injury.

Take Time to Rest

Achilles tendon injuries require time and rest to heal. Some patients try to push themselves and get back to physical activity before they are fully healed. But returning to physical activity too quickly after an achilles injury can lead to delays in healing and extended pain. Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter so you can recover as quickly as possible.

Seek Pain Management

Even though achilles injuries can take time to heal, that doesn’t mean you need to suffer through the recovery in pain. Talk to a pain doctor to see what options you have available to control your pain.

Consider Stem Cell Therapies

Achilles injuries can also be effectively treated using regenerative stem cell therapies like PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma. PRP injections use the patient’s own blood plasma to promote all natural tissue regrowth. The procedure involves taking a small draw of the patient’s blood, then running it through a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma. Upon completion, the PRP solution is re-injected back into the damaged area. That plasma immediately goes to work repairing damaged tissue in the area, reducing pain in the process. Contact a pain doctor today to see if you are a good candidate for stem cell therapy.

Pain Clinic in Minneapolis

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been treating patients throughout Minneapolis / St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs for the past two decades. Our physicians are board certified in pain management and treat acute and chronic pain from various conditions and injuries. We work with each patient on an individual level to create a treatment plan that works for each patient’s unique needs. Whether you need pain medication, injections, or regenerative stem cell therapy, our doctors have the experience needed to give you the best possible treatment. Contact our Minnesota pain doctors today at one of our Twin Cities pain clinics to set up your appointment.