1. Did you know pain in one or both legs could be coming from the low back?

Doctors call it referred pain. You've felt it when you hit the 'funnybone' at your elbow on something firm and your pinky finger burns and tingles. When a nerve is traumatized, the brain often interprets the sensations as coming from farther down the course of the nerve. Some of the nerves in the low back run down the legs, even all the way to the feet. Commonly people with pinched or irritated nerves in the back will have pain that seems to come from or run down to the legs and feet. Our approach is to treat the source of the pain whenever we can.

2. Did you know there are new medications that can help ease the pain without making you drowsy?

Side effects of medications can be one of the most distressing aspects of chronic pain. Caught between a rock and the proverbial hard place is where many patients are before they come to MPMC. A wide range of options from precise local treatments with non-sedating powerful anti-inflammatory solutions, to systemic therapy with the right combination approach may be right for you.

3. Did you know non-surgical treatment exists for painful and torn discs in the spine?

There was a time when patients whom medicines and physical therapy failed had only the option of surgery to treat the persistent painful symptoms of a back injury. Modern research has taught us that surgery is not a one-size-fits-all solution. In the 21st century we have minimally invasive techniques designed specifically for degenerative discs and that don't require a big incision with a long recovery time. Radiofrequency, Pulsed RF, Anuloplasty, Nucleoplasty, and other intra-discal therapies may be just what the doctor ordered. We would be happy to explain these and other options to you at your appointment.

4. Did you know x-ray guidance is recommended for accurate placement of medications near the spine?

In the past, it was common practice to use the bumps along the back and neck as guides for the placement of medications by needle to find and treat the source of pain. Patients would bend forward in the exam room and the doctor would feel for the 'right spot' and assume the treatment didn't work if the patient didn't get results. Today, there is a better way for precise and accurate location of the needle tip at the believed source of pain. Fluoroscopy and stereotactic placement combined with the traditional hands-on approach results in the most specific targeting of the pain.

5. Did you know many work-related injuries of the neck and back can benefit from modern pain management techniques?

Walk it off, give it time, take two aspirin and call me. What do you do if the pain hangs around much longer than it was supposed to? There is no defined time after which a pain turns from acute to chronic, but people with this kind of pain can tell when it happens. Repetitive or vigorous activities, heavy lifting, and awkward positions can all take a toll on the delicate structures of the neck and back. Fortunately there are alternatives to toughing it out or covering up the pain with drugs.

6. Did you know Eastern approaches including acupuncture and Qigong can be very effective?

We are more than the sum of our parts. In Chinese the word "Qigong" has two characters, Qi (Chi) and Gong. "Qi or chi" means life energy and "Gong" means daily effort. In short, Qigong is a practice to use chi for different purposes including self-healing. Acupuncture, though an ancient technique, has been validated in its modern medical form: the trigger-point injection. We offer an open minded, multi-disciplinary approach to reducing pain.

7. Did you know sleep disturbance is a very common complaint with chronic pain conditions?

Besides the pain keeping you awake, there may be another problem. Patients with chronic pain often report the feel their lives have been derailed. Betrayal by one's own body is how another person put it. Perhaps you can see how distressing this could be, or maybe it already is for you. Short stretches of non-restful sleep, waking up tired, and feeling exhausted all make the pain feel worse. A vicious cycle can follow. Oftentimes, sleep disturbance may be a symptom of depression. It can also be a side effect of the medications used to treat pain. Speak candidly to your doctor about your sleep, she or he may be able to help.

Call 916.568.8338 or use our online information request form for more information about Metropolitan Pain Management Consultants (MPMC).

Our hours are:
Monday through Thursday - 8:30am to 12Noon and 1:00pm to  5:00pm
Friday - 8:30am to 12Noon