Migraine | Headache | Pain Management | Tyler TX

June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

Each June the medical community and patients work together to increase awareness of migraines and headaches. It is estimated more than 37 million Americans experience migraines on an ongoing basis, with countless people experiencing headaches as part of daily life. The pain management physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler understand that headaches and migraines can become debilitating in Tyler, Texas residents. This is why we want to take the time to bring awareness of these two common health conditions and explain how they differ.

Migraine and Headache Overview

Every single person experiences a headache at one time or another. The pain can range from a slight amount of pressure to a throbbing sensation that is relentless. When the pain becomes more severe, it is often difficult for an individual to differentiate between a headache and a migraine. By understanding the difference, people can achieve faster pain relief through better pain management treatments.

An Overview of Headaches

Headaches are simply defined as unwanted and unpleasant pains located in the head area that causes pressure and aching. The pain can range from a mild annoyance to severe discomfort, and typically occurs on both sides of the head. The most common areas impacted include the temples, forehead and back of the neck, and the pain can last from only minutes to a week.

The most common headache types include:

• Tension headaches caused by stress, anxiety and muscle strain.
• Sinus headaches that co-exist with sinus infection symptoms such as congestion, cough, stuffy nose and facial pressure.
• Cluster headaches that are severely unpleasant and occur on one side of the head in clusters.
• Ice pick headaches that feel like a person is getting stabbed in the head with an ice pick, causing sudden, intense and sharp head pain.

An Overview of Migraines

Many people think of a migraine when a severe headache occurs, and that is simply not the case in many patients. A migraine is classified as a neurological disease with a number of different subtypes. Migraines not only cause pain in the head, they are also linked with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light, seeing spots and temporary vision loss.

Migraines usually impact just one side of the head and cause intense pain that makes daily activities difficult to impossible.

Migraines are typically divided into two categories: a migraine with aura and a migraine without aura. An “aura” defines the sensations a person experiences before migraine pain begins. Common aura items include seeing unusual lines or flashing lights, difficulty thinking, less mentally alert, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet and an unusual sense of taste, touch and smell. Certain migraine sufferers experience a “prodrome” phase a day or two before the pain that causes depression, irritability, constipation and/or neck stiffness.

Pain Management Options for Headaches and Migraines

Many headaches ease with time and simple at-home treatments such as rest, heat therapy and over-the-counter medications.

Pain management for migraines has a much different approach. Prevention is the best treatment. A physician will work with each migraine patient to help them avoid stress, make changes in lifestyle and diet choices and/or take necessary medications such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications. When migraine pain is present, patients often benefit from medications specifically designed to reduce migraines quickly.

If you live in the Tyler, Texas area and would like to discuss your headache or migraine, please contact the pain management physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler.

Osteoarthritis | Degenerative Joint Disease | Joint Health

An Overview of Osteoarthritis and Joint Health

Each May the United States recognizes the national impact arthritis has on the population during National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis is a common cause of diminished joint health and affects more than 50 million Americans. This staggering number makes it the number one cause of disability in the US. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis and is caused when the bones’ protective layer of cartilage becomes worn down by wear and tear and aging. Thousands of East Texas residents struggle with osteoarthritis and require medical care to help ease the painful symptoms. If you are one of these individuals, please contact the pain management doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler today for a thorough treatment plan.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Degenerative joint disease is marked by the gradual degeneration of a joint’s articular cartilage, the white, smooth substance that covers the ends of each bone. Cartilage plays a critical role in overall joint health by providing a smooth surface for two bones to glide over each other when the joint is in motion.

When osteoarthritis occurs, it causes a gradual decline in joint health. What begins as a small decrease in articular cartilage, progresses to a rough, frayed surface that causes bone to rub against bone while the joint is moving during everyday, sports and work activities.

Middle-aged and older adults are most commonly impacted by degenerative joint disease because of the body’s natural aging process and years of joint wear and tear. Other risk factors outside of age include genetics, obesity, joint overuse and a previous joint injury and/or surgery.

What are Common Osteoarthritis Symptoms?

Osteoarthritis is characterized by joint pain, loss of function, swelling and inflammation. The symptoms typically begin as a dull ache and annoyance that gradually develop into chronic pain and discomfort.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Degenerative Joint Disease

In order to diagnose degenerative joint disease, the pain management doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler must perform a medical review, detailed physical examination and diagnostic tests such as x-rays and/or MRIs. The combination of these items allows the physicians to gain more knowledge about factors that could potentially lead to declining joint health caused by osteoarthritis, as well as allow them to view the soft and bony structures in great detail to confirm the loss of articular cartilage.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease so it is important treatment begins as early as possible. If degenerative joint disease is diagnosed shortly after symptoms begin, treatment is usually non-surgical and involves anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), rest, activity modifications and physical therapy. If the condition has progressed past conservative measures, surgery by an orthopedic specialist may be required.

For additional information on joint health and osteoarthritis, or to determine if you are suffering from degenerative joint disease, please contact the East Texas pain management doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler.

Epidural Lysis of Adhesions | Scar Tissue Pain | Tyler Texas

An Overview of Epidural Lysis of Adhesions for Scar Tissue Pain

After the human body has experienced an injury from a traumatic event, or following surgery, scar tissue may form. In many patients, scar tissue does not cause pain or discomfort, but certain individuals may experience scar tissue pain in the spinal area following a back injury or surgery. When this back pain begins to hinder everyday life, individuals in the Tyler, Texas area are encouraged to contact the pain management specialists at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler to learn more about the safe and effective treatment option known as epidural lysis of adhesions.

What is Scar Tissue?

The formation of scars is caused by skin trauma. Under this area of damage, fibroblasts (healing cells) cover the injured area and form collagen. This collagen is the building block to scar tissue, also known as adhesions in the medical field.

What Causes Spinal Scar Tissue Pain?

Following an injury impacting the spine, or after back surgery, scar tissue typically develops in the epidural space (the area between the spinal cord and the vertebral bones that surround it). The development of these adhesions is a natural part of the healing process. Unfortunately when an excess amount of scar tissue develops, it has the ability to compress the nerves and restrict nerve movement, often leading to pain and inflammation.

What is Epidural Lysis of Adhesions?

When scar tissue pain in the spinal area becomes chronic, many individuals search for a treatment option. Dr. Kenneth Fults and Dr. Janine Islam with Pain Recovery Center of Tyler provide a treatment known as epidural lysis of adhesions. This procedure utilizes a special catheter and a combination of medications to break up scar tissue and help ease pain.

Using x-ray guidance, a catheter is inserted into the troubling scar tissue area inside the epidural space. The catheter’s mechanical forces, as well as tissue-softening medications, help break up the area of scar tissue. With the scar tissue eliminated, the tension on the impacted nerves is reduced, thus relieving pain and discomfort.

Epidural lysis of adhesions is performed in-office with the patient under local anesthesia. The procedure usually takes approximately 30-60 minutes to perform followed by a short recovery period.

The majority of patients who undergo this specific treatment for scar tissue pain in the spine report significant improvements in mobility, physical health and overall pain level. Physical therapy is typically recommended following the treatment to help sustain symptom relief.

If you live in the Tyler, Texas area and are suffering from scar tissue pain in the spinal area, please contact Pain Recovery Center of Tyler today for additional information on epidural lysis of adhesions.

Plantar Fasciitis | Heel Pain | Tyler Texas

An Overview of Plantar Fasciitis

If an individual experiences heel pain when they step out of bed each morning or after exercise, they may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. This common overuse injury occurs when the strong band of tissue responsible for supporting the foot’s arch becomes irritated and inflamed. The Tyler, Texas pain management doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler are available to help patients of all ages treat this condition so they can return to daily and sports activities pain-free.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

In order to better understand this cause of heel pain, it is best to understand what the plantar fascia is and where it is located. The plantar fascia is a thin, long ligament that lies directly beneath the skin on the bottom of the foot. This particular ligament is responsible for connecting the heel to the front of the foot, as well as for supporting the foot’s arch. The plantar fascia is designed to withstand a great amount of stress daily, but it can become torn or damaged from overuse.

When too much pressure is placed on the plantar fascia, the ligament can experience damage. The human body’s natural response to any injury is inflammation. This inflammation causes the heel pain and stiffness associated with plantar fasciitis.

Several factors are associated with plantar fasciitis, including:

• Obesity
• Repetitive sports activities, especially running
• New or increased athletic activity
• A very high foot arch
• Tight calf muscles

Diagnosing and Treating this Cause of Heel Pain

Even though plantar fasciitis may begin with only mild heel pain found at the heel bone, this condition often develops into a chronic ailment that has the ability to change how an individual walks.

A pain management doctor will first examine the affected foot to diagnose the exact cause of heel pain. The examination will look for a high arch, limited “up” motion of the ankle, an area of tenderness just in front of the heel bone and pain that worsens when the patient flexes their foot and the physician pushes on the plantar fascia.

A physician may also perform x-ray images in order to get a clear view of the bones in the foot. Bone spurs, fractures and arthritis will need to be eliminated to reach a final diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.

It is reported that 90% of patients respond favorably to simple treatment options within 10 months. The most common treatments include:

• Rest
• Ice therapy
• NSAIDs
• Cortisone injections
• Physical therapy
• Specific exercises designed to target a tight calf and the plantar fascia

If you live in the Tyler, Texas area and believe plantar fasciitis is the cause of your heel pain, please contact the pain management doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler for a diagnosis and detailed treatment plan.

Back Pain Causes | Neck Pain Causes | Tyler Texas

What You Need to Know about Common Back Pain Causes and Neck Pain Causes

The spine is an extremely complex structure that is prone to injury during normal activities, while engaging in athletics and from the body’s natural aging process. When Tyler, Texas area patients visit with a pain management doctor at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, they often want more information on the most common back pain causes and neck pain causes. There is never one specific response. This is because there are a wide number of conditions that affect the spine, and they all depend on a patient’s age, activity level and overall health.

The Most Common Back Pain Causes

Did you know back pain is one of the most common complaints in the medical field? According to the Mayo Clinic, an estimated 80% of Americans will experience low back pain at least once in their lives. Although back pain is very common, it is usually not a serious concern. In many cases, back pain resolves with traditional pain management options within three months.

Adults between the ages of 35-55 years are more susceptible to back pain. Many experts believe this is because individuals in this age range are still quite active but the spine is beginning to show signs of age.

The back is composed of a sophisticated structure that includes bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs and nerves. A problem with one or more of these structures can lead to back pain.

The most common back pain causes include:

• Strained muscles and ligaments from abnormal lifting
• Muscle spasms from an abrupt and awkward movement
• Everyday items such as repetitive motions and poor posture
• Structural problems such as osteoarthritis that causes spinal stenosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis), sciatica, a bulging disc or a ruptured disc
• Sleep problems caused by a chronic health condition and/or a bad mattress

The Most Common Neck Pain Causes

Neck pain is less prevalent than back pain, but yet millions of Americans still struggle with this common health complaint. The majority of neck pain causes can be treated with non-surgical measures that alleviate the pain level well before it becomes a chronic pain condition.

Much like the back, the neck is prone to injury because of the spine’s complex structure and the many components involved. Any problem with one or more structures can cause an individual to experience troublesome neck pain.

The most common neck pain causes include:

• A soft tissue injury caused by sleeping in the wrong position, whiplash or straining while lifting a heavy object
• Daily items such as leaning the neck forward while working on a computer and repetitive movements
• Structural problems such as cervical osteoarthritis, facet joint damage and herniated discs

If you live in the Greater Tyler, Texas area and would like to learn more about common back pain causes and neck pain causes, please contact the pain management doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler.

Spine Anatomy | Back & Neck Pain | Tyler Texas

The Connection between Spine Anatomy and Back & Neck Pain

The spine is a very complex structure composed of 33 individual bones that are stacked one on top of the other. This column provides support to the human body and allows movement that is crucial to everyday life, all while protecting the spinal cord from injury. When one or more of the bones and/or supporting spinal components become injured, individuals in the Tyler, Texas area often report back pain or neck pain. The pain doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler specialize in spine anatomy and the many causes of back and neck pain.

An Overview of Spine Anatomy

The spinal column is one of the most important parts of the human body. This structure supports the center of the body (the trunk) and allows movements ranging from standing upright to twisting to bending.

Spine anatomy includes 33 vertebrae (the individual bones), muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves that protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is responsible for providing communication to the brain.

The three spinal regions include:

• Cervical spine (neck) that is composed of the top 7 vertebrae
• Thoracic spine (upper back) that is composed of 12 vertebrae
• Lumbar spine (lower back) that is composed of 5 vertebrae
• The sacrum and tailbone are composed of 9 vertebrae that are fused together to form a solid bone unit

The various spinal elements include:

• Vertebrae that support the majority of the weight placed on the spine
• Intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers between each vertebrae
• Facet joints that connect the bony arches of the vertebral bodies
• Spinal cord and associated nerves that carry electrical signals to the brain
• Spinal muscles that maintain posture and move the trunk and limbs

Any of these structures can be impacted by an acute injury or a chronic health condition, leading to pain, tingling, numbness, weakness and loss of mobility.

Common Causes of Back and Neck Pain

Neck and back pain affects millions of Americans, many in the Greater Tyler, Texas area. Fortunately, many cases of pain heal with time and do not become a chronic health condition. It is estimated approximately 50% of people feel relief within two weeks and approximately 90% of people feel alleviated pain within three months.

Low back pain caused by lumbar spine conditions often include a disc herniation, degenerative disc disease (DDD), isthmic spondylolisthesis, degenerative spondylolisthesis and facet joint osteoarthritis.

Neck pain is not as common as back pain, but there are several prevalent issues that can lead to discomfort, including cervical osteoarthritis, cervical degenerative disc disease, stenosis with myelopathy and foraminal stenosis.

If you live in the Tyler, Texas area and are experiencing back and neck pain associated with abnormal spine anatomy, please contact the pain doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler today for an appointment.

Medical Second Opinion | East Texas

Pain Recovery Center of Tyler Offers Medical Second Opinions in East Texas

Are you starting to question your injury diagnosis and treatment plan under another physician? Have you been told your only treatment option is surgery? Pain Recovery Center of Tyler can help with our medical second opinions. As a pain management clinic offering the most modern and conservative treatment options in the East Texas area, our physicians are available to help individuals gain another perspective on their injury and treatment plan.

Why Should You Consider a Medical Second Opinion?

When an individual suffers from an acute injury or a chronic pain condition, the diagnosis and various treatment options may become confusing. A person may also feel the information they are receiving from their physician is not correct.

The pain management doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler are able to perform a thorough medical review and physical examination, as well as review past and current x-rays, MRIs and other diagnostic tests, in order to provide a medical second opinion. Our team can help a person better understand if:

• Their current injury diagnosis and treatment plan is correct
• They are getting the best treatments available
• They have other pain management options before surgery is required

A medical second opinion also allows individuals to compare diagnosis and treatment plans between two physicians in the East Texas area. After the second opinion is reached, our physicians may validate the existing treatment plan or may offer alternative options they feel are best.

How to Schedule a Pain Management Second Opinion with Pain Recovery Center of Tyler

In order to schedule a second opinion with one of our pain management doctors, you will need to collect a copy of your medical records, MRIs, x-rays and other diagnostic test results. It is important that all individuals do not feel concerned about asking their current physician for these records. All patients should be honest with the original physician, and he/she should not be offended since medical information is vital to all patients.

Once your medical records are gathered, please contact Pain Recovery Center of Tyler’s office directly at (903) 526-5000 for an appointment.

Please take a moment to visit Pain Recovery Center of Tyler’s website here in order to learn more about our physicians and services. Thank you in advance.

Chronic Pain at Night | Pain Physicians Tyler Texas

An Overview of Chronic Pain at Night

Chronic pain at night can become a nightmare for many individuals in East Texas. Unfortunately, poor sleep can make chronic pain worse, leading to the endless cycle of increased pain, less sleep and less sleep, more pain. Because of this, individuals experiencing chronic pain at bedtime must find relief. The Tyler, Texas pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler are available to help patients with numerous diagnostic and treatment options.

The Connection between Sleep and Chronic Pain

The negative impacts of pain-related sleep loss in the United States is staggering. Acute and chronic pain is often associated with stress and poor health. Sleep plays a critical role in both health and stress levels. When individuals are not able to achieve a good night’s sleep on a regular basis, the body begins to shut down, pain increases and stress levels rise.

It has been estimated that only 37% of chronic pain sufferers achieve a good night’s sleep, while 45% of individuals with acute pain have good sleep quality.

Tips to Alleviate Chronic Pain at Night

Pain physicians in Tyler, Texas understand the importance of positive sleep quality in order to alleviate a person’s chronic pain level. Here are tips patients are encouraged to follow:

• Only go to sleep when you are beginning to feel tired. A person is not able to will themselves to sleep at night. In fact, trying to force yourself to sleep actually makes matters worse.
• Cool down your bedroom. Try various temperatures between 60-75 degrees to determine the ideal sleeping temperature.
• Ensure your bed, pillows and blankets promote good sleep quality, such as lumbar support from a mattress and neck support from a pillow.
• Increase physical activity each day. Many chronic pain sufferers believe movement will intensify the pain, but in many cases, regular physical activity is linked to less pain and better sleep.
• Start a journal. Write down all of your thoughts before bed. Many individuals lose sleep on a regular basis because they worry about items at bedtime. Write your worries and thoughts down, close the journal and begin to relax.
• Drink herbal tea and other evening beverages. Avoid coffee and other sugary/caffeinated beverages after dinner. If a person is more sensitive to caffeine, they may begin drinking mainly water and tea after lunch.

Tyler, Texas Pain Physicians are Available to Help Chronic Pain Sufferers

The Tyler, Texas pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler are available to assist individuals suffering from chronic pain at night that negatively impacts sleep. The physicians overall goal and mission is to help patients overcome pain using the most modern and conservative treatments available today, including:

• Spinal decompression
• Physical therapy
• Injection therapy
• Medications, both over-the-counter and prescribed

If you live in the East Texas area and are experiencing troublesome chronic pain at night, please contact the Tyler, Texas pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler today.

Neck Pain | Whiplash Symptoms | Pain Management Tyler TX

Whiplash as a Cause of Neck Pain

Following an automobile accident, many individuals are diagnosed with whiplash. This common cause of neck pain and stiffness occurs when the head and neck are suddenly forced backward and then forward. This puts the cervical spine through extremely quick motions and stress. Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, a pain management clinic in Tyler, Texas, specializes in numerous neck injuries, such as whiplash. The physicians are able to quickly diagnose the condition and treat whiplash symptoms to help return patients to a pain-free lifestyle.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash, medically known as cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome, is an injury to the neck (cervical spine). The condition is characterized by a collection of symptoms that are present following trauma to the neck area. Common areas of damage include discs, ligaments, cervical muscles, intervertebral joints and nerve roots.

Whiplash is most often caused during a car accident when a rear-end collision occurs. Other causes, which are rarer, include high-impact falls, a collision in sports, assault and rollercoasters.

What are Whiplash Symptoms?

Whiplash symptoms can become debilitating if not treated in a timely manner. The most common symptom is neck pain, ranging from a mild annoyance to a pins-and-needles sensation to extreme pain. Other whiplash symptoms include:

• Neck stiffness
• Headaches
• Neck instability
• Reduced range of motion
• Back and shoulder pain
• Tingling, weakness or numbness that radiates into the arm

Whiplash symptoms are often difficult to diagnose since they are associated with many other spinal injuries and conditions. The symptoms are usually not present immediately following an abrupt jerking motion. They tend to develop after more than 24 hours.

Whiplash Diagnosis and Treatment

Whiplash is diagnosed after a thorough physical examination and diagnostic testing. In many cases, specialized imaging, such as MRIs and CT scans, are required to determine the extent of damage to the muscles, ligaments and/or discs.

The treatment of whiplash symptoms is focused on controlling pain and restoring any lost range of motion of the neck. The proper pain management plan varies from one patient to the next, depending on injury severity.

Common treatment options include:

• Rest
• Activity modifications
• Ice and heat therapy
• Medications (over-the-counter and prescription)
• Injection therapy
• Exercises and/or physical therapy
• Foam cervical collars

If you are experiencing neck pain and believe it is a whiplash symptom, please contact the office of Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, a pain management leader in Tyler, Texas.

Physical Therapy Month | Physical Rehabilitation | Tyler TX

National Physical Therapy Month

October is National Physical Therapy Month! Physical rehabilitation is one of the best healing methods following an injury, as well as an effective pain management tool. With the opioid epidemic at an all-time high, many healthcare providers are encouraging patients to find a safer alternative to treatment. Physical therapy is an ideal option. The physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler are available to help patients in the Tyler, Texas area alleviate pain and increase mobility by offering some of the best physical therapists in the area.

This Year’s Message – ‘Choose Physical Therapy’

National Physical Therapy Month occurs each October and is dedicated to raising awareness of this safe and effective pain management treatment. This year, many physicians are focusing on the option to ‘choose physical therapy’ over opioids and other potentially dangerous medications.

Since 1999, Americans have been prescribed opioids at an increasing rate. Painkillers such as Vicodin, OxyContin and methodone have created a health crisis in the United States with thousands of individuals dying each year from an overdose. Not all cases of prescription opioids are bad. When dosed appropriately, these medications are an appropriate part of medical treatment. However, the risks associated with prescription medications include depression, addiction and withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using.

Because of this, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging physicians to reduce the prescription of opioids and offer safe, natural alternatives like physical rehabilitation.

The Many Benefits of Physical Rehabilitation

Professionally licensed physical therapists are trained to treat patients of all ages and abilities in order to improve motion and mobility while reducing the pain level.

Physical rehabilitation offers many benefits including:

• Creates pain-free movement following an injury or chronic health condition
• Helps avoid surgery and the long recovery process
• Helps avoid opioid and other prescription medication dependence
• Improves balance and helps prevent falls
• Manages age-related issues such as arthritis and osteoporosis

A customized physical therapy program can help patients return to their prior level of functioning while reducing pain and other bothersome symptoms. Patients who often benefit from physical rehabilitation include victims of automobile accidents and work injuries, athletes with a sports injury and individuals affected by chronic pain, back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, heart disease and head injuries.

To learn more about physical rehabilitation during National Physical Therapy Month, please contact the Tyler, Texas office of Pain Recovery Center of Tyler. Our physical therapy team is available to assist patients and help them return to an active, healthy and pain-free life.