Pain flare ups (or breakthrough pain) are increases in already existing pain that impact a person’s daily life and activities. Pain flares can be absolutely debilitating, but there are methods for treatment. In this article, we are going to discuss pain flare ups – how long they last, and how to identify & treat them when they occur.
What is a Pain Flare-up?
A pain flare-up is a dramatic increase in a person’s level of pain that occurs suddenly. Pain flares (also known as breakthrough pain) aren’t new pain, but an increase of an already existing pain. Flare-ups are highly subjective – some patients experience flares that last for a few minute or hours, while others can have flares that last for days or weeks at a time.
Pain flares are common in patients who suffer from chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and CRPS. These patients generally have bouts of time where their pain is diminished, only to have the pain flare up again out of nowhere.
So what causes a pain flare-up? Many flares are tied directly to certain chronic pain conditions. Sometimes these flares can be triggered by stress, or injury. Other times it can be set off by everyday activities like exercise, or work.
Treating Pain Flare-ups
Treating pain flare-ups requires, first and foremost, an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing the pain. Once you know what’s causing your pain, you can begin to strategize how to treat it using pain medications, injections, regenerative medicine, or other modalities. Ultimately, pain flare-ups are extremely patient-specific and should be treated as such.
Minneapolis Pain Management Clinic
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been providing pain management care to the Twin Cities for the past two decades. Our board-certified pain doctors are equipped to treat all types of pain, and are trained in the most innovative treatment modalities – including PRP and other regenerative medicine strategies. Whether you’ve just started experiencing pain flare-ups, or you’re dealing with a chronic pain condition, our pain management doctors have the expertise needed to devise a treatment plan that works. Contact our Edina pain clinic today to set up your appointment and get started with one of our skilled Minnesota pain physicians.
Pain Flare-ups – How Long They Last & How to Treat Them
/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew ThorsonPain flare ups (or breakthrough pain) are increases in already existing pain that impact a person’s daily life and activities. Pain flares can be absolutely debilitating, but there are methods for treatment. In this article, we are going to discuss pain flare ups – how long they last, and how to identify & treat them when they occur.
What is a Pain Flare-up?
A pain flare-up is a dramatic increase in a person’s level of pain that occurs suddenly. Pain flares (also known as breakthrough pain) aren’t new pain, but an increase of an already existing pain. Flare-ups are highly subjective – some patients experience flares that last for a few minute or hours, while others can have flares that last for days or weeks at a time.
Pain flares are common in patients who suffer from chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and CRPS. These patients generally have bouts of time where their pain is diminished, only to have the pain flare up again out of nowhere.
So what causes a pain flare-up? Many flares are tied directly to certain chronic pain conditions. Sometimes these flares can be triggered by stress, or injury. Other times it can be set off by everyday activities like exercise, or work.
Treating Pain Flare-ups
Treating pain flare-ups requires, first and foremost, an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing the pain. Once you know what’s causing your pain, you can begin to strategize how to treat it using pain medications, injections, regenerative medicine, or other modalities. Ultimately, pain flare-ups are extremely patient-specific and should be treated as such.
Minneapolis Pain Management Clinic
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been providing pain management care to the Twin Cities for the past two decades. Our board-certified pain doctors are equipped to treat all types of pain, and are trained in the most innovative treatment modalities – including PRP and other regenerative medicine strategies. Whether you’ve just started experiencing pain flare-ups, or you’re dealing with a chronic pain condition, our pain management doctors have the expertise needed to devise a treatment plan that works. Contact our Edina pain clinic today to set up your appointment and get started with one of our skilled Minnesota pain physicians.
4 Pain Relief Tips for People with Knee Pain
/0 Comments/in Knee Injury /by Matthew ThorsonKnee pain can be a tricky symptom to treat because it can be caused by so many different factors. Understanding its causes and available treatment options is essential to successful treatment. To help patients suffering from knee pain better understand how to approach their pain, this article offers up four tips for effectively identifying and treating your knee pain.
Get an Accurate Diagnosis
The most important first step is to get an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing your knee pain. Treating a torn ACL is a lot different than treating Osteoarthritis of the knee. You need to have an accurate picture of what’s wrong before you start down a treatment path.
Second Opinions Are OK
If you are unsatisfied with your initial diagnosis or recommended treatment strategy, don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. Medicine is not black and white, and different doctors have different approaches. Some work better than others.
Stick to Your Treatment Plan
Once you’ve visited a pain management doctor and you have a treatment plan in place, it’s essential that you stick to it, even if it doesn’t provide immediate pain relief. Many patients get frustrated when their treatment doesn’t work right away and stop their treatment plan. This is the worst thing you can do. Stick with your doctor-recommended strategy, and then revisit its success after you’ve completed the treatment course. At that point you can make changes to the treatment strategy if need be.
Consider a Regenerative Medicine Approach
A lot of patients are hesitant to even try regenerative medicine treatments like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and prolotherapy injections. But these methods have been widely used for a long time now. Many professional athletes use PRP to recover from sports injuries. Best of all they are completely natural and provide a relatively painless alternative to surgery. So keep an open mind and ask your doctor if regenerative medicine is a good option for your situation.
Minneapolis Knee Pain Doctor
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN offers premier pain management care to patients throughout the Twin Cities. Our physicians are board-certified in pain management, and trained in the most up to date treatment methods – from nerve block injections to regenerative medicine. We treat each patient according to their unique, individual needs. Reach out to us today at our Twin Cities pain clinic to make your appointment with one of our board-certified pain doctors.
Chronic Pain’s Impact on Marriage
/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew ThorsonChronic pain can strongly impact an otherwise healthy long-term relationship. In this article, we are going to discuss the ways in which chronic pain can impact a marriage and offer a few tips for not letting pain get in the way of your relationship.
The Impact of Chronic Pain on a Long-Term Relationship
Anyone who has been married (or been in a long-term relationship of any kind) will tell you that it’s not always a walk in the park. There are good days and bad days, and you have to work together to get through them and make the relationship work. This can be difficult for any couple, but when one or both parties are also dealing with chronic pain, it can seem impossible.
Don’t Let Pain Control Your Relationship
Here are some tips for not letting chronic pain get in the way of your marriage or relationship:
Twin Cities Pain Management
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN is a premier pain clinic serving the Twin Cities metro area. Our pain physicians are board certified and trained in the most innovative pain treatments available, including regenerative medicine techniques like PRP and prolotherapy. If chronic pain is disrupting your marriage or relationship, take action to manage your pain. Our Twin Cities pain doctors have over two decades treating patients with chronic and acute pain. Contact us today at our Edina pain clinic and get back on the road to living a pain free life!
Minnesota Winter Sports Injuries & Pain Treatments
/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew ThorsonThe winters are long in Minnesota, but we make the best of them by being outside as much as possible – in spite of the cold. Winter sports like skiing, hockey, and broomball are quite common in the state of Minnesota. But just like any other sport, there is the possibility of injury and pain. In this article, we are going to talk about a few of the more common injuries that a person can sustain while playing winter sports in Minnesota. We’ll also offer some pain management tips for these injuries.
Hockey Injuries
Hockey is one of the more physically intense sports ever invented. As a result, there are a lot of injuries associated with the sport including, shoulder dislocations, ligament tears in the knee, herniated spinal discs, and more. Hockey also involves a lot of elbow and shoulder movements (checking, passing the puck, etc.). Over time these small actions can add up to overuse conditions like tennis elbow.
Broomball Injuries
Broomball is a popular amateur sport in Minnesota that’s very similar to hockey but without skates and with a ball rather than a puck. As a result many of the injuries associated with hockey also apply to broomball. Additionally, leg and ankle injuries are more common with broomball as falls are much more common than in hockey.
Skiing Injuries
Skiing can lead to a variety of severe injuries caused by falls on the slopes. Broken bones, fractures, dislocations, and sprains are all common among avid skiers. In addition to potential severe injuries related to falls, skiing is also very hard on the knees. Over years of skiing, this can add up to degenerative arthritis and related knee pain.
Twin Cities Pain Doctors
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN provides acute and chronic pain care to patients throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding metro area. Our pain care providers have over twenty years of experience treating patients for all types of winter sports injuries – from back injuries to whiplash. We are also trained in the most innovative procedures, including regenerative medicine injections (PRP and prolotherapy). Contact our Edina pain management clinic today to set up your appointment with one of our board certified pain physicians.
3 Pain Relief Tips for Patients with CRPS
/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew ThorsonComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a painful and difficult to treat condition. Many CRPS patients experience debilitating pain throughout the body on a daily basis. This pain interferes with daily life and can make it impossible to complete even the simplest of tasks. Thankfully, there are effective treatment options for CRPS. In this article, we are going to offer up a few pain relief tips for patients who suffer from CRPS.
Find a Pain Doctor
First and most importantly, find a skilled pain doctor if you haven’t already. A lot of patients try to treat their CRPS pain by themselves to disastrous results. CRPS is one of the most complicated pain conditions, and requires an intricate strategy from a pain expert in order to properly treat.
Never Give Up
Dealing with CRPS and chronic pain on a daily basis can lead patients down a path of despair, especially if treatments don’t provide any lasting pain relief. But the worst thing you can do is give in to that despair. Do your best to remain optimistic and keep trying different treatment strategies.
Be Open to New Treatments
Many CRPS patients have tried countless treatment methods already with little to no success. To these patients, it may seem like there’s nothing left to try. However, new treatments and drugs are being developed every day. Regenerative medicine treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is one such innovative treatment that is currently available to patients – Ketamine Therapy is another. It’s important to be open to trying new treatments. Every patient is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Twin Cities CRPS Doctors
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN is a premier Twin Cities pain clinic providing care to patients with both acute and chronic pain. Our pain management doctors have been treating patients with CRPS for over twenty years. We are trained and experienced in all the latest pain treatment methods including steroidal injections and regenerative medicine therapies. Contact us today at our Edina pain clinic to set up your appointment with one of our physicians and get the help you need managing your CRPS pain.
Deadlifting Injuries & Related Pain
/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew ThorsonDeadlifting is a popular weightlifting technique used by body builders, athletes, and others. But many lifters do not use the proper technique, and as a result, end up injuring themselves. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the more common injuries that weightlifters can sustain while deadlifting. We will also talk about some prevention and treatment tips.
Spine Injuries
Herniated spinal discs and pinched nerves can result from deadlifting – either as the direct result of an injury, or because of a buildup of stress over time. These types of spinal injuries need to be examined and treated as soon as possible. The spinal nerves are responsible for our ability to feel and move all of our body parts. If you have an injury involving the nerves in the spine, it’s important to get the treatment you need before any permanent nerve damage is done.
Back Muscle Strains
Deadlifting without using proper form (and sometimes even with the proper form) can result in painful strains, sprains, and tears of the back muscles. Most of these injuries will heal on their own given enough time, but they can be quite painful. Prescription medications, physical therapy, and injections can help manage this type of pain while your body recovers.
Shoulder Injuries & Rotator Cuff Tears
Deadlifting also requires a lot of work from your shoulder muscles. A mistake can easily lead to a rotator cuff injury. Regenerative medicine treatments like Platelet Rich Plasma injections can be a great help in treating these types of injuries.
Twin Cities Pain Management
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN consists of board-certified pain management physicians with over two decades of experience. We specialize in treating patients with back pain, knee pain, and all other types of pain – both acute and chronic. Our pain doctors are trained in the latest treatments, including regenerative medicine injections like PRP and prolotherapy. Contact our Edina pain clinic today to set up your appointment and get started with one of our physicians. No matter what type of pain you are experiencing, we’ve got the knowledge and expertise to get you back on the road to a pain free life.
Hip Bursitis Pain Management Options
/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew ThorsonIn a previous article, we talked about some of the injuries and conditions that can cause hip pain – both chronic and acute. Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into one particular condition that can cause hip pain – bursitis. This article is all about hip bursitis – its causes, symptoms, and pain management options.
What is Hip Bursitis?
Hip bursitis is caused by an inflammation of the bursa (small sacs filled with fluid that help cushion the joints in the body). The condition is most common in older patients, and can be caused by repetitive stress injuries, acute injuries to the hip (e.g. a car accident or sports injury), or previous hip surgery. Here are some of the more common signs and symptoms that may indicate a diagnosis of hip bursitis:
To diagnose hip bursitis, your physician will perform a physical exam. Other imaging tests like x-rays, MRIs, and bone scans may be ordered as well to rule out other conditions.
Treating Hip Bursitis Pain
Alright, now we know a little bit about the causes and symptoms of hip bursitis. But diagnosis is only half the battle. How can hip bursitis be treated? Most hip bursitis cases are treated conservatively, without surgery. Typical treatment options include physical therapy, pain medications, injection therapy, and regenerative medicine injections like PRP and prolotherapy.
Minneapolis Hip Pain Management
The board-certified pain management doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have over twenty years of experience treating patients with hip bursitis. If you are experiencing symptoms of hip bursitis, contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our pain specialists. We can work with you to find a treatment strategy that fits your unique needs. Our primary clinic is located in Edina, but we treat patients throughout the Twin Cities Metro area.
3 Tips for Reducing Inflammation in the Body
/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew ThorsonInflammation often goes hand-in-hand with pain. The two can feed off each other and create a vicious cycle of recurring pain. Whether you have recurring inflammation in your back, legs, foot, or elsewhere in the body, there are easy methods to cut down on the inflammation. The goal of this article is to offer up some tips for reducing inflammation in the body and help manage your pain in the process.
Eat Certain Foods, Avoid Others
Your diet has a huge impact on levels of inflammation in your body. Some foods can make inflammation worse, while others can help to reduce it. Do your best to avoid processed foot, refined sugar and flower. Instead, focus on plant-based foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. In other words, avoid eating fast food every day, and opt for a much healthier home-made meal with lots of vegetables.
Rest to Reduce Stress
Stress is one another huge factor that causes inflammation. If your body is stressed, the chances of inflammation are much higher. Make sure you are getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. In addition, engage in activities that reduce your stress levels like yoga, meditation, exercise, etc.
Know Your Allergies
It’s also important to know and avoid the things that you’re allergic to. This includes foods, animals, and seasonal allergies. Allergic reactions often involve inflammation. Avoiding these triggers, or getting proper medical treatment for them is key to avoiding inflammation.
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been treating Minnesota patients suffering from inflammation and pain for the past twenty years. Our team of board-certified pain management doctors is well-versed in the most innovative treatments, from nerve blocks to IV infusion therapy and regenerative medicine procedures like PRP therapy and prolotherapy. If you are dealing with chronic or recurring inflammation and pain, contact our Edina pain clinic today to set up your appointment with one of our pain relief physicians.
Morphine Pump vs. Spinal Cord Stimulator for Back Pain
/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew ThorsonAs we have discussed many times on this blog, there are a wide variety of treatment options for patients who suffer from chronic pain. In this article, we are going to compare and contrast morphine pumps and spinal cord stimulators in terms of the pain management options they provide.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
A spinal cord stimulator is a small device that is surgically implanted into a patient’s body. This device sends electrical signals to the spine at regulated intervals to disrupt the pain signals sent from the spinal nerves to the brain. The idea behind spinal cord stimulation is to interrupt these pain signals in the spinal nerves before they are able to reach the brain. As a result, the patient does not feel the nerve-related pain because their brain has not received the signal to feel pain.
Spinal cord stimulators can be effective pain management solutions for patients with spinal nerve issues (bulging discs, pinched nerves, etc.).
Morphine Pump
A morphine pump is somewhat similar to a spinal cord stimulator in that it is a device that is surgically implanted into a person’s body. This device sends morphine into the spine in order to reduce back pain. The biggest difference between a stimulator and a morphine pain pump is the method of pain relief. A stimulator sends electrical signals to disrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain, while a pain pump is delivering actual medication to the painful area. Both systems of pain relief can be effective for different conditions and injuries. One concern with the morphine pain pump is that you want to regulate the morphine in such a way so the patient doesn’t form an addiction. Spinal cord stimulators don’t have that concern.
Minneapolis Pain Management
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been offering pain management solutions to Minnesota patients for the past two decades. Our board-certified pain doctors have experience treating acute and chronic pain condition, and are trained in the most innovative treatments and procedures, including regenerative medicine techniques (PRP therapy and Prolotherapy injections). If you are suffering from chronic pain and want to get back to living your life without the constant interference of pain, contact our Edina pain doctors today to set up your appointment.
3 Pain Relief Tips for Patients with Sciatica Pain
/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew ThorsonSciatica is a painful condition in which the sciatic nerve at the base of the spine gets pinched. The result is pain and sometimes loss of functionality in the back and legs. In this article, we are going to offer three pain relief tips for patients who are suffering from sciatica-related back and leg pain.
Be Proactive About Your Care
Many patients who suffer from sciatica pain try to treat the condition on their own. DIY home care can only get you so far. You may find some relief treating the condition on your own, but more likely you’ll waste a lot of time and suffer through a lot of pain that could be avoided by consulting with a doctor. The most important piece of advice we can give you is to be proactive about your pain care. Make an appointment with a pain doctor who specializes in treating sciatica, discuss your symptoms, and form a treatment strategy together.
Don’t Avoid Exercise
When you’re suffering from chronic sciatica pain, your first instinct is likely to rest. But sitting and lying down day in and day out typically makes spinal and nerve conditions worse. Don’t go run a marathon if you’re in pain, but get off the couch and do some mild exercise every day.
Consider Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy offer a great surgery alternative to patients with sciatica pain. A lot of patients are hesitant about regenerative PRP injections because they are a relatively new treatment, but PRP can be a very successful treatment strategy for sciatica patients.
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN specializes in the treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions, including sciatica. Our team of board-certified pain doctors and nursing staff are well-versed in the most innovative treatment procedures, including regenerative medicine options such as PRP therapy. With over twenty years of experience, our Edina pain management physicians are fully equipped to help you diagnose and treat your pain. Contact our Twin Cities pain clinic today to set up your appointment with one of our physicians, and get back on the road to living a pain-free life!