The Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) is a small bundle of nerves connected to each vertebra along your spine. The DRG is critical in processing pain signals and transmitting them to your brain. They have a particularly important role in how you experience pain. The DRG act as the body’s internal traffic light: they control when signals can enter the spinal cord, therefore allowing pain signals to travel to the brain. The Dorsal Root Ganglion … [Read more...] about What is DRG Stimulation?
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The Field of Pain Management
As the medical field has expanded and the complexities of pain have become more well-known, pain management physicians have become more available to patients. Pain management is a specialty that requires additional training and education surrounding pain. Physicians that pursue this route in their medical career play an important role in bringing quality of life to patients who are suffering. Pain management doctors are experts in the … [Read more...] about The Field of Pain Management
Seasonal Activities for Pain Relief
When you live with pain, the change in seasons isn’t always a welcomed change. Warmer weather and humid days may have your running for air conditioning. The expectations of summer typically include spending time outside, having cookouts, and even going on vacation - all things that can increase the symptoms of chronic pain. Pain can take away from the joys of summer. It can mean getting out of bed in the morning is difficult and instead … [Read more...] about Seasonal Activities for Pain Relief
Treatment Options for Acute Pain
Acute vs. Chronic Pain Pain management is not limited to those suffering from preexisting chronic pain conditions. While chronic pain is typically ongoing pain that lasts longer than six months, acute pain is a form of pain that comes on suddenly as a result of a physical trauma and lasts less than six months. It can stem from broken bones, surgery, even childbirth. After acute pain subsidies, people can enjoy going back to life as normal, … [Read more...] about Treatment Options for Acute Pain
Epidural Steroid Injections: Things to Know
Epidural steroid injections (ESI) are a minimally invasive procedure performed to help reduce inflammation and pain caused by nerve root compression. Nerve compressions are caused by herniated discs, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis. Pain, numbness, or weakness along the nerve are symptoms of nerve compression, referred to as radiculopathy. This pain can last for days or even years if left untreated. The goal of an epidural steroid … [Read more...] about Epidural Steroid Injections: Things to Know
Early Signs of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a gradual disease, with symptoms that appear over a long period of time. Depending on the joints and bones that are affected, symptoms vary, some that are more severe than others. Osteoarthritis affects over 27 million Americans each year. The symptoms mirror those of other chronic illnesses as well as show up differently depending on the patient’s lifestyle, making it hard to diagnose. However, there are early signs of … [Read more...] about Early Signs of Osteoarthritis