Chronic pain affects an astounding 20 percent of US adults, and an estimated 8 percent of US adults report high-impact chronic pain. These conditions can be challenging to identify and treat, with various potential causes and factors, many of which have no real cure. Treatments for chronic pain typically involve physical therapy, opioid and non-opioid…

Read More

The only thing worse than a terrible headache is one that occurs more days than not, with no apparent end in sight. Yet, for about four percent of the general population, that nightmare is a reality. Chronic daily headaches describe a cluster of chronic conditions that cause headaches on more than 15 days a month,…

Read More

Roughly 65 million Americans report some form of back pain annually. Up to 16 million Americans struggle with chronic back pain because it impacts the quality of life and significantly affects day-to-day activities. While our backs are meant to support us for a lifetime, certain factors – from recurring injuries and occupational hazards to genetic…

Read More

Headaches are ubiquitous, but not every type of head pain is the same. Specific intensities, patterns, and, most importantly, headache location, can tell you a lot about why your head hurts and what you should do. Defining a Headache A headache is any pain isolated in or around the head, so identifying its cause can…

Read More

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. When a person is first infected with this virus, they get chickenpox. In other words, shingles occur when the varicella-zoster virus begins attacking the spine again, usually due to a weakening immune system or aging. Most cases of shingles occur as isolated…

Read More

While degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a tremendously frightening term, it is an overwhelmingly common spine condition. Its prevalence correlates roughly with age, insofar that 40 percent of people qualify for DDD at the age of 40, and about 80 percent qualify at 80. Nearly all of us eventually struggle with DDD if we live…

Read More

Have you ever felt inexplicable nagging or lasting muscle pain in a specific body part, potentially accompanied by a small bump or knot under your skin, continued tenderness, and sleep deprivation? If so, you may be experiencing myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial pain plays a vital role in avoiding injuries by alerting us to minor tissue…

Read More

Fibromyalgia pain can cause you to ache all over, affecting your muscles, skin, and joints. It can make it difficult to move or to rest. Certain medications do not affect it, and some days it seems like the pain will not ever go away. Fibromyalgia used to be understood as a systemic inflammatory disease, chiefly…

Read More

Cancer is a terrifying illness, regardless of its type or severity. One of the most feared aspects of a cancer diagnosis is the spread of pain as the disease progresses through the body – and cancer treatment also involves managing, diminishing, and hopefully eliminating that pain through various therapies and pharmacology. As a patient’s condition…

Read More

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic pain condition with no definite cure. However, it can be managed via various treatments, depending on the nature and severity of a patient’s arthritis. Unlike osteoarthritis, which typically occurs due to age and/or wear-and-tear, or gout, which may cause arthritis due to uric acid crystals in the joints, rheumatoid arthritis…

Read More