Posts made in December 2019

woman with a migraine rubbing her temples

Retinal Migraine Treatment

You may notice your vision is impaired. Perhaps, you have partial or total loss of vision or a blind spot. This is accompanied, usually later, by a severe headache — a migraine. The medical term for this unusual form of migraine is a retinal migraine. This type of migraine headache causes pain and changes in vision. When it occurs in both eyes, the term is migraine with aura.

With eye problems of any sort, it is best to see a doctor quickly to find out what the problem is and get treatment. For migraine treatment in Jacksonville, FL, there are non-surgical remedies your doctor may recommend. Two of the most common include BOTOX and medical marijuana.

BOTOX — When you think of BOTOX, you think of getting rid of wrinkles. However, this treatment also is effective in treating migraine headaches. The ingredient in BOTOX that works so well on fine lines — onabotulinumtoxinA — also provides relief from severe discomfort by preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.

Medical Marijuana — Those suffering from chronic migraines can find a friend in medical cannabis. In fact, it’s a much better option than many prescription medications. It has been proven that medical marijuana provides a safe option for pain relief caused by migraines and other medical conditions.

We urge you to see a doctor when you’re experiencing retinal headaches. Perhaps, BOTOX or medical marijuana can alleviate your suffering.

senior man speaking with pain management doctor

Osteoarthritis Pain Management

Pain is a sign that something is not right with your body. So, when you’re suffering significant discomfort from joint pain — pain that has been bothering you for more than a couple of days — and over-the-counter pain medication doesn’t work, it’s time to seek professional help. At a clinic for pain management in Jacksonville, FL, you can find help for your suffering.

Pain is not something to disregard, thinking it’s just part of the natural aging process. Instead, that moderate-to-high-level discomfort is a red flag that tells you to seek medical help.

What Can You Do about Pain?

There are a great many things you can do for pain — everything from stretching and gentle exercise to medication and medical treatment. Here are four medical treatments that relieve pain from osteoarthritis:

Guided Steroid Injections — Steroids decrease inflammation, while the anesthetic stops the message about pain from getting to the brain.

Hyaluronic Acid Joint Lubrication — Your joints already contain hyaluronic acid. By injecting more into your joints, the additional lubrication relieves suffering.

Peripheral Nerve Radiofrequency Ablations — An electric current is sent to the nerves that relay pain signals. This current heats and destroys the nerves that carry these signals to the brain.

Stem Cell/Regenerative Medicine Therapies — This therapy consists of stem cells injected into the body to repair joints and eliminate or diminish pain.

3D illustration of shoulder pain

Common Causes of Chronic Shoulder Pain

Chronic shoulder pain is a condition that develops from repeated, long-term overuse of the shoulders and neck area. There are a variety of causes. Since each individual is unique, the circumstances of developing chronic pain are many and wide-ranging. Our center for pain management in Jacksonville, FL, will briefly discuss some of the most common causes.

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments that affect patients. This is a chronic condition that is characterized by the loss of cartilage, the smooth surfaces that line your joints. The decrease in cartilage means that your bones are more likely to make direct contact with each other, which can cause pain and make moving your body difficult. There are three types of shoulder arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. The onset of arthritis is more likely to occur as you age, or if your family’s medical history includes conditions that affect the bones or immune system.

Chronic shoulder pain can also happen as part of complications from traumatic injuries that cause your shoulder to dislocate or fracture. Accidents from contact sports, vehicle collisions, and strong falls increase your risk of contracting chronic pain. The nature of these accidents varies widely depending on the circumstances of the accident. As such, many parts of your shoulder, bones, and their connecting tissues can be affected differently.

When planning your pain management program to counteract the effects of chronic pain, it is important to work with a physician you can trust. Contact your health care provider to discuss your treatment options.

 

doctor examining patient’s lower back

How Radiofrequency Ablation can Treat Lower Back Pain

Are you experiencing pain or discomfort in your lower back? Many factors can affect the cause of the pain, such as poor posture or lack of physical activity. Your local spine center in Jacksonville, FL, may have the remedy to your problems. Today, we will talk about radiofrequency ablation.

Your nervous system communicates pain signals to your brain, which causes the body to react to discomfort. Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment that prevents these signals from reaching your brain. This treatment method uses electrical currents from radio waves and stimulates nerve tissue. It is a minimally invasive procedure that burns away nerve fibers quickly. As a result, this treatment can provide immediate relief.

Radiofrequency ablation is highly recommended to patients who suffer from chronic pain localized in the lower back and neck areas. Patients that undergo radiofrequency ablation find relief for six to twelve months after the procedure.

Many patients that choose radiofrequency ablation experience little side effects. However, complications from the procedure may include inflammation and bleeding. Your physician can tell you about the potential risks.

When considering this treatment, it is important to work with a physician at a spine center you can trust. Request an appointment and consult with your practitioner to learn if radiofrequency ablation is the right model of care for you.