Chronic pain is uncertain by its very nature, reacting erratically to treatments, differing in cause and severity between patients, and waxing and waning like the moon, but without its celestial schedule. Yet even when it’s central to the challenge of living with a chronic condition, uncertainty is not something many patients get used to. Living…

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The piriformis muscle helps the thigh move side to side; piriformis pain related spasms can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause symptoms. The result? Piriformis syndrome. – The piriformis muscle is one of the smaller muscles within the hip. Its origin point in at the base of the spine, and it connects along…

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If you are seeking a prescription for pain medication in the United States, chances are that you will be asked to sign an opioid or pain contract. More than just a piece of paper, this formal agreement legally binds you to a set of very stringent rules regarding pain medication usage. It acts as both…

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Sciatica is one of the most common types of pain, and it’s estimated that up to 40 percent of people will experience at least one episode of sciatica in their lifetimes. Sciatica pain: Becomes more common as we age, and while it is a condition related to the spine, actual pain in the back is…

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Although certainly not a new trend, interest in the balance ball chair or Swiss ball as an alternative active sitting option for office workers hasn’t waned much over the years. Time and time again, as we are reminded that spending most of the working day glued to a screen is doing our backs little favor,…

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It’s estimated that at least 20 percent of adults have experienced neck pain at some point in the last three months. While we’re quick to blame our phones and screens, this is only half the truth. Poor neck posture can exacerbate the issue as it places the joints in an uncomfortable and awkward position. But…

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A rotated or tilted pelvis is often a symptom of muscular imbalance, contributing to chronic back pain via an excessively curved spine and increased stress on the back. Individuals with a pelvic tilt also often experience lordosis in the lower back (duck posture), or kyphosis (rounded shoulders and hunched neck) from excessive sitting. While a…

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With little to do and nowhere to go, your options to relieve back pain may feel limited. It’s difficult to schedule a therapeutic massage or engage in past times that might previously have helped deal with episodes of pain, like a short walk through the park or a quick dip in the local pool. For…

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Telemedicine is not a novel concept. Long before the invention of the Internet, patients were calling their doctors to ask about certain symptoms when it simply wasn’t possible to get to the doctor’s office. It didn’t make up for a thorough assessment or treatment, but it did act as a quick stand-in for a real…

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An improved understanding of the human body and the way our nerves supply us with feedback, about both the outside world and the inner workings of our biology, can help patients recognize why and how they’re feeling pain, and what their treatments and therapies are trying to achieve. When mapping and tracing origins of pain,…

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