A comprehensive guide on chronic pain, its causes, symptoms, and effective management strategies to improve your quality of life.
The sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and branches out toward the buttocks and legs. When the sciatic nerve is pinched, a person may feel severe pain in these regions that radiates down the legs. In order to confirm a sciatica diagnosis, your physician may analyze your movement to determine the exact location of your pain. An x-ray may be necessary to see if any of the vertebrae in your spine are pressing…
Spotting gray hairs on your head. Forgetting where you put the car keys. Waking up a bit earlier. These things all can be a part of life as we get older. But what about your back. How much back pain is normal? Is it OK to be in pain or is something bigger going on? Yes, basic aches and pains are facts of life. So, a little spine pain is totally normal and common. Still,…
Taking control of painful symptoms is challenging under even the best of circumstances. Yet, taking affirmative steps in this regard can be empowering. These five tips can help you manage your pain both on your own and in connection with others. 1. Become aware of your baseline pain and create a self-care plan. Gain familiarity with your symptoms. This will allow you to recognize when further intervention or changes need to be made, or if your treatment is working. Next, develop…
What Is A Lumbar Medical Branch Block? A lumbar medial branch block is an injection procedure that pinpoints which facet joint in the low back is causing discomfort. Facet joints are small joints located in between vertebrae that help the spine bend and twist. Each one of these unique joints is surrounded by medial branch nerves, which help carry pain signals from the joints to the brain. Although the purpose of a lumbar medial branch…
Dear Chronicillness.co Fellows, As my mother always warned me that to get older is to feel some aches and pains. And I’m feeling them! My knees, my back, my.… And I’m finding lots of kinship among my middle-aged pals. I keep hearing that CBD helps relieve chronic pain. Is it really the miracle cure it claims to be? If so, I’m tempted to run out and buy some CBD. But I’m cautious and have a…
What is “The Spoon Theory?” The spoon theory is relatively simple: living with chronic pain is very different from living a pain-free lifestyle. That living pain-free theoretically has an unlimited number of spoons—whereas those living with a chronic illness have a very limited number of spoons available for each day. Each action may cost one or more of them, depending on what the action requires. If a person living with chronic pain must endure a…
Pain in your neck. Pain in your back. Pain during that time of the month. We’ve all had pain, some of us more than others. But how much do you really know about how to manage all your aches and pains? We spoke with an expert on pain management to get you the answers you need. Yvonne D’Arcy, MS, CRNP, CNS, is a pain management and palliative care nurse practitioner with more than 20 years…
Causes A disc extrusion, also known as a disc herniation, usually occurs from degeneration due to a disease like osteoarthritis or the natural aging process. Other causes may include injury, trauma, overexertion, illness, or obesity. Given the circumstances, disc extrusions are largely unpreventable and may heal on their own without surgery. Symptoms In most cases, an extruded disc will cause referred pain. Meaning, pain that is felt in an area other than where the disc…
Whether you live in a bustling metropolis or a quiet rural area, chances are you’ve been touched by the opioid epidemic in some way—or you will be. While many people can safely use prescription opioids, others end up addicted to them. In fact, most people who end up using heroin (an illegal opioid) started by using prescription opioids. Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More…. Women are more apt than men to…
We’re featuring quick, easy-to-digest information on all things trigger points and referred pain. Continue reading to learn more about treatments for trigger points and referred pain. What Are Trigger Points? Trigger points are palpable nodes in the muscle that are common in the upper back and shoulders. Chronic musculoskeletal disorders may lead to the development of trigger points in other areas of the body as well. Myofascial trigger points are similar but can occur in…