News on Pain Management in Orange Park, FL

Contact us with any questions you have about current or past blog posts from our pain management clinic in North Florida, Orange Park, and St. Augustine, FL. We want to keep our patients better informed about treatments available to them.

arthritis treatment jacksonville fl

About Degenerative Arthritis

Degenerative arthritis is a condition caused by the gradual breakdown, inflammation, and loss of joint cartilage. It affects the spine, hands, feet, and joints, including knees and hips. This condition is common in older individuals, though it may occur in people of all ages.

Cartilage serves as a cushion between bones, so when it begins to break down, it can cause problems with joint movement and lead to swelling, pain, and discomfort. Because this condition can prove disruptive to your daily routine and wellbeing, it is important to seek a trustworthy source for arthritis treatment in Jacksonville, FL.

Relieving Your Joint Pain

There are a large number of options available for joint pain relief, including steroid injections, hyaluronic acid joint lubrication, and peripheral nerve radiofrequency ablations. Another common treatment is regenerative medicine therapies using stem cells, which can promote joint repair.

For those who live with degenerative arthritis, pain may seem like an inevitable fact of life. It is important to bear in mind that relief is possible. Working with a knowledgeable pain management center is the first step in resolving or mitigating your arthritic joint pain. It all starts with exploring the range of treatment options available at Florida Coast Pain and Spine Center.

doctor examining patient’s back

How Nerve Blocks Can Relieve Chronic Back Pain

Living with back pain is difficult. It can distract from your daily activities and may cause discomfort when working, relaxing, or even when you’re trying to sleep. Fortunately, there are many options available when it comes to treatment for back pain in Jacksonville, FL.

One procedure to consider is nerve blocking. This treatment works by targeting a nerve or joint to prevent the pain signal or provide inflammation relief. This may involve the use of an anesthetic or anti-inflammatory injection. While the relief provided by a nerve block is temporary, it could be invaluable for those who suffer from chronic back pain.

Relief for Daily Living

Even temporary relief can change a person’s life. For those who live with back pain daily, a nerve block can change the way they work, play, and interact with friends and loved ones. When pain is a chronic, everyday occurrence, any relief is helpful.

A qualified pain and spine center can ensure that the treatment is right for your specific needs. Extensive diagnostic testing may be required to understand the cause of your pain and whether a nerve block is the best option for you.

When you’re ready to find relief from your chronic back pain, turn to the experts at Florida Coast Pain and Spine Center.

doctor speaking with patient

What Are the Common Causes of Pelvic Pain?

Everyone is different, but biology is the same for all of us, and when you get pelvic pain there are common causes that can be seen as the source. These conditions can be broken down into female issues and male issues. The team at Florida Coast Pain and Spine Center has decided to offer this blog post as a way to educate patients on the various causes of pelvic pain.

Before we begin, we want to stress that if you are facing ongoing discomfort, you should seek assistance at a pain clinic in Jacksonville, FL.

For females, you could be facing vulvodynia, endometriosis, or fibroids. Vulvodynia consists of chronic vulva pain or discomfort in the form of burning or stinging. Endometriosis is caused when uterine tissue (endometrial tissue) grows outside of the uterus. It can be linked to painful menstruation, abnormal bleeding, and painful intercourse. Fibroids are growths of tissue inside the uterus wall, sometimes around the cervix or on the uterine ligaments.

The most common male-exclusive form of pelvic pain is prostatitis, which is the swelling of the prostate gland. It can cause painful urination and may lead to sexual dysfunction.

Many nerve disorders can affect men and women and lead to pelvic pain as well, such as pudendal neuropathy, and genito-femoral neuropathy.

Additional causes can be linked to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and urinary system problems.

polyarthritis

What You Should Know About Polyarthritis

The first step to take for effective arthritis treatment in Jacksonville, FL, is to understand exactly how the condition impacts you. For many people, it’s not just a single joint, but several. If you experience arthritic pain or inflammation in more than four joints, you have polyarthritis and may need a comprehensive treatment plan. Working with an experienced medical team, find care solutions that comprehensively address the following concerns:

Root Condition — Polyarthritis can be produced by a wide range of conditions, and addressing these causes is critical to your wellbeing. Some of the diseases that can lead to it are amyloidosis, lupus, and scleroderma.

Current Needs — Your most immediate concern is likely your ability to mitigate life-limiting symptoms. This can include everything from reducing inflammation to managing pain. Your doctor can assist you with the search for a combination of treatments that produce positive results in your daily life.

Future Developments — The presence of arthritis in multiple joints indicates a pattern, and that means you need to be on the lookout for more symptoms in the future. Practicing lifestyle choices and treatment regimens that support a healthy long-term future plays a huge role in maintaining your mobility and reducing the impact of arthritis on your life.

joint pain

How to Stand Up to Inflammatory Arthritis

There are many different types of inflammatory arthritis with varying effects on sufferers ranging from pain and swelling to warmth and stiffness. This condition can strike at any time, but it often hits individuals in the prime of life.

 

The most common forms of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Other forms can strike without impacting joints, and there are types that impact multiple joints. Whichever type you find yourself facing, arthritis treatment in Jacksonville, FL, is available, and it can be very effective in helping deal with the symptoms.

 

There are many different types of inflammatory arthritis with varying effects on sufferers ranging from pain and swelling to warmth and stiffness. This condition can strike at any time, but it often hits individuals in the prime of life.

The most common forms of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Other forms can strike without impacting joints, and there are types that impact multiple joints. Whichever type you find yourself facing, arthritis treatment in Jacksonville, FL, is available, and it can be very effective in helping deal with the symptoms.

The team at Florida Coast Pain and Spine Center has assembled some helpful tips for dealing with this condition.

At the top of any list that purports to provide advice for dealing with a health issue are always three common factors: rest, exercise, and diet. We will echo those here because they provide a solid foundation of health for everyone of any age. Get plenty of rest and sleep. Exercise regularly for strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, and finally eat a nutritious and balanced diet.

Take prescribed medications and follow the recommendations exactly.

Protect your joints during daily activities to lessen the strain on your joints and decrease the risk of injury.

Lower your stress level. This goes a long way toward easing some symptoms and helping you feel better overall.

Recognize when you reach your physical limitations and ask for help. There’s no shame in this. Instead, it shows intelligence and common sense.

woman holding head over blurred background

What is a Vestibular Migraine?

When most people think of a migraine, headaches are the first symptom to come to mind. For many people, though, pain isn’t the telltale sign to look for. Instead, vertigo that comes and goes might signal the need for vestibular migraine treatment in Jacksonville, FL. Though not always associated with extreme pain, this condition can nonetheless interrupt your life with the sudden onset of:

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Balance Problems
  • Extreme Motion Sensitivity
  • Disorientation and Confusion
  • Feeling Unsteady
  • Sound Sensitivity

So, how does this differ from a traditional migraine? The word “vestibular” refers to the inner ear, which controls your hearing and balance. Symptoms you experience with a vestibular migraine are often more concentrated on vertigo than the traditional headache. In fact, you might not get a headache at all.

Similarly, there is some variation in when vertigo symptoms start. Some patients have migraines for many years before experiencing dizziness. While it’s hard to tell exactly how many people get these kinds of migraines, a safe estimate is around 1% of the overall population. While vertigo symptoms usually strike around age 40, they can appear in both adults and children at any point. If you have a history of migraines and experience any vertigo-like sensations, your doctor may be able to help you seek relief.

doctor with female patient

Medical Cannabis for Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common condition that affects 1 in 10 women. The side-effects can be painful and chronic, but not everyone is comfortable resorting to pain medication or surgery to find relief. The good news is that more and more people are successfully managing their pain with medical marijuana in Jacksonville, FL.

In Jacksonville, FL, you can learn whether your endometriosis pain is treatable with cannabis by visiting Florida Coast Pain and Spine Center. Our center works with many local patients experiencing persistent pain, along with endometriosis-related pain, and we’ve found medical marijuana to be a viable treatment option.

If surgery is a treatment option you’d like to avoid for now, or if you’ve already undergone surgery without success, you may want to explore medical cannabis. Its effect on pain is still being studied, but we’re happy to report that several of our patients report relief from migraines, endometriosis, and other conditions after using it.

It’s important to note that endometriosis cannot be cured with any amount of medical marijuana use. In fact, for now, endometriosis cannot be cured at all. However, many people have been able to manage the pain associated with it successfully using medical marijuana and other treatments. We can help you find the one that’s right for you.

doctor with senior patient

Spinal Cord Stimulation – When Spine Surgery Fails

Chronic pain centered in your spine can seem unmanageable, especially when surgery fails. Surgery is often a last resort for people experiencing persistent back pain. However, thanks to advances in pain management, alternative treatments are available at your local spine center in Jacksonville, FL. Spinal cord stimulation, or SCS, may be a viable alternative that resolves your ongoing pain.

The phrase “spinal cord stimulation” describes the process of delivering low-voltage electrical currents to the spine by way of an implanted device. It may help to compare SCS devices to pacemakers, which continuously generate electrical impulses to help control the heartbeat; SCS devices continuously deliver currents that block pain and help patients go about their daily routines. The procedure is not heavily invasive, though general anesthesia may be necessary for some approaches.

If you’re interested in learning whether SCS is a viable treatment option for you, the first step is finding out whether you’re a good candidate. The specialists at your local spine center can help you understand your pain and explore all treatments available for patients with your specific history. In general, people who have not experienced improved symptoms following spine surgery are eligible candidates for SCS.

Make an appointment at Florida Coast Pain and Spine Center to learn more about your back pain treatment options.

patient talking to doctor about joint pain

When You Think You Have Arthritis

Does pain in your joints have you wondering if it could mean something more for your health? As we grow older, we start to notice aches and cramps where there were none before. However, there are times when it’s best to err on the side of caution and see a pain doctor in Jacksonville, FL, about your concerns. Here are some early warning signs that may indicate arthritis:

Pain/stiffness interfering with your daily routine. As a general rule of thumb, any difference in your body’s condition or function that stops you from pursuing everyday activities calls for a doctor visit. If you’re unable to get around or use your hands as easily as you once did, you should schedule a doctor visit.

Persistent joint swelling. Swollen joints are common signs of arthritis, but they can also mean other things for your health. Many people overexert themselves without realizing and feel the results of that exertion the next day. If your joints are frequently swollen and stiff, though, you may need to see a specialist.

Family history of arthritis. Many health problems can be prevented or at least delayed with help from a specialist. Preventative measures, such as regular exercise, a healthier diet, and even certain medications can help mitigate the effects of arthritis if you have a family history.

For comprehensive arthritis treatment, call Florida Coast Pain and Spine Center at 904.449.7246.

medical marijuana jacksonville fl

Treating Fibromyalgia with Medical Cannabis

Fibromyalgia is a relatively modern condition that has only recently become better known in the medical community. However, despite increased awareness, many professionals are at a loss when it comes to treatment options. Because fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic pain, many physicians are inclined to prescribe pain medication. They’re also understandably hesitant; pain medication can cause a host of unwanted side-effects, including dependence.

But thanks to new legislature, many states are allowing clinics to offer medical cannabis as a chronic pain treatment alternative. Medical marijuana in Jacksonville, FL, is now a viable treatment option for several people that struggle with the everyday effects of fibromyalgia, including aches, stiffness, and swelling. Research is ongoing, but the results are promising.

Of the fibromyalgia treatments available today, medical marijuana is one of the safest and most benign. In the past, doctors generally prescribed fibromyalgia patients opioids and antidepressants. While many patients experienced benefits, a significant number experienced unpleasant or dangerous side-effects. More and more people began to search for treatments that didn’t come with risks of withdrawal and addiction.

If medical marijuana sounds like a treatment option that could work for your chronic pain, we encourage you to do your research. Meet with a pain doctor that can provide more information about cannabis’s role in pain relief. Medical marijuana may be the answer to your daily struggles.

Call Florida Coast Pain and Spine Center at 904.449.7246 to learn if medical marijuana is a viable treatment for your fibromyalgia pain.