April 2017 - Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota

Spring Activities that can Cause Pain

April 24, 2017/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Spring has sprung here in Minnesota, and that means people are getting out of the house and engaging in activities that have been on hold during the winter. But these spring activities can often lead to increased levels of pain. In this patient education article, we are going to talk about a few common spring activities that can result in pain and related symptoms.

Yard Work

Yards take a lot of work to maintain. From mowing the lawn, to emptying the gutters, to maintaining a garden, these tasks can take a physical toll on the body. Lifting and hauling mulch can cause back pain. Kneeling down to plant flowers can hurt your knees, and using various garden tools over time can lead to the development of arthritic conditions. Make sure you’re always practicing good form with these movements, and if you do start experiencing pain – seek medical help.

Outdoor Running / Jogging

Shin splints are perhaps the most common pain condition related to running – whether outdoors or inside on a treadmill. Running outdoors presents its own unique set of potential risks. Jogging on uneven terrain can lead to foot and ankle injuries, for example.

Golf, Tennis & Other Sports

Golf, tennis, and other outdoor sports also start up again this time of year. To avoid pain and injuries remember to focus on proper technique with your tennis or golf swing. It’s also important to warm up before these physical activities.

Minneapolis Back Pain Doctors

The pain management doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating patients for back pain in the Twin Cities area for over two decades. We offer a wide range of treatment options for acute and chronic pain – including pain medication, injections, spinal stimulation, and stem cell therapies such as PRP and Prolotherapy. The most effective treatment for you will depend heavily on your specific condition, injury, and medical history. A skilled pain management physician can take all of these factors into account when developing a treatment strategy. Reach out to us today to set up your appointment with one of our board-certified pain doctors at our Minneapolis or Edina pain clinics.

Pain Symptoms that Need Immediate Medical Attention

April 17, 2017/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

When you’re in pain, it can be difficult to figure out whether your symptoms warrant a trip to Urgent Care, or if you should wait and see if the pain and symptoms resolve on their own. In this article, we are going to discuss a few pain symptoms that should be checked out immediately by a medical professional.

Head Injuries & Pain

Head injuries should always be examined as soon as possible by a doctor. Even minor concussions are considered traumatic brain injuries, and can cause serious pain and cognitive issues such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and headaches. Always seek medical attention after a head injury of any kind.

Chest Pain & Heart Attack Symptoms

Another instance when you should seek immediate medical help is when you notice the tell-tale signs of a heart attack. Sudden pain in your chest and/or arm, accompanied by shortness of breath can indicate a heart attack. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone else – get to the hospital as soon as possible.

Stroke Symptoms

Common stroke symptoms include a sudden loss of feeling on one side of your face or body, as well as difficulty speaking or communicating. Strokes need to be treated as soon as possible to avoid serious health issues.

Serious Fractures & Cuts

Severe bone fractures and deep cuts should also be treated right away. Deep wounds can cause massive blood loss that may be life-threatening. Bone fractures typically cause an immense amount of pain, and can cause serious issues if not treated as quickly as possible following an accident or injury.

Twin Cities Pain Clinics

The board-certified pain management doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have over two decades of experience treating patients throughout Minnesota for all types of pain – from acute to chronic. If you or a loved one is living a life in pain, reach out to us today to set up an appointment. We work hand-in-hand with each patient to develop a unique strategy that fits their individual needs. Contact our pain management physicians today and set up your appointment at our Minneapolis or Edina clinic.

Recognizing and Treating Changes in Pain

April 10, 2017/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Many people who experience chronic pain have varying levels of pain over time. Sometimes the pain increases to unbearable levels, while other times it is almost non-existent. In this article, we are going to talk about how to recognize and treat any changes in your chronic pain levels.

When Pain Gets Worse

If you’re already experiencing pain, more pain is the last thing you want to deal with. Even if you’re on a treatment plan already, you may experience an increase in pain for a variety of reasons. Maybe you sustained an injury, or a treatment that was working previously has become less effective. It can take time to find a treatment method that really works for you in the long term.

The most important thing to do if you find your pain getting worse is to tell your doctor. They can then work with you to find a course of treatment that works for your unique situation.

When Pain Gets Better

If you find your pain getting better – that’s great news! However, you may not be out of the woods yet, so don’t stop any treatment you’re currently taking. If you recently had a pain injection and notice a decrease in pain levels – the injection likely helped. But the effects of that injection may not last forever. So when you notice a pain level improvement – be happy, but cautiously optimistic.

It’s also important to keep track of what specific treatments or changes contributed to the improvement. That way you can narrow down what is working and continue down that path. Be sure to inform your doctor of any improvement in pain levels so they can keep track of what treatment methods work.

Minneapolis Pain Doctors

The Minnesota pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have over two decades of experience providing treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Our board-certified pain management physicians serve the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area and are experienced in the most innovative pain treatments – including stem cell injections (PRP and Prolotherapy). If you are suffering through each day in pain, we can help. Give us a call today or fill out the appointment form on this site to set up your appointment at our Edina or Minneapolis pain clinics.

Treating Pain After a Hyperextension Injury

April 3, 2017/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Hyperextension injuries are relatively common (especially among athletes), and can be quite painful. Identifying a hyperextension injury when it happens is essential before moving forward with pain relief treatment options. This article focuses on treating back pain after a hyperextension injury. We will talk about what causes hyperextension injuries, and how they can be best treated when they occur.

What is a Hyperextension Injury?

A hyperextension injury occurs when you extend a limb too far too quickly, stretching your ligaments out past their normal range of motion. These injuries most often occur during sports and exercise (athletes are potentially vulnerable to these injuries). However, they can also occur at work, or due to accidents (slip and falls, car crashes, etc.).

Hyperextension injuries can impact several parts of the body, including:

Knee
Arm
Wrist
Fingers
Elbows
Shoulders

Treating Hyperextension Injuries

Hyperextension injuries can be extremely painful and also decrease a person’s overall functionality and range-of-motion. A solid treatment strategy has to be built on an accurate diagnosis, so that’s the first step in the process. Your doctor should be able to diagnose your hyperextension injury with a routine physical exam, medical history, and potentially additional imaging tests (such as x-ray, CT scan, or MRI). Treatment options vary based on the extent of the injury. Most hyperextension injuries can be effectively treated with conservative methods such as rest, injections, pain medication, and potentially PRP injections to stimulate natural regeneration.

Twin Cities Pain Physicians

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board-certified pain management doctors have been treating patients throughout the Twin Cities for several decades. We offer pain relief treatment options for acute and chronic pain from a variety of injuries and conditions. Our pain physicians are trained in the most innovative of treatment options, including regenerative stem cell procedures such as PRP and Prolotherapy injections. Contact a Minnesota pain doctor now and set up an appointment at our Minneapolis or Edina clinics today.