When Karen Finney went into the hospital for brain surgery, she was well aware of the gender pain gap: women in pain are taken and treated less seriously than men in pain. Women of color are affected even more severely, and as a Black woman, Finney knew the hill to relief would be even steeper to climb. When she woke up after surgery to remove her brain tumor, she was in excruciating pain. She was…
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A detailed guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis, exploring its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and effective treatments to manage joint inflammation and improve quality of life.
Should You Have Back Surgery for Your Pain?
Back pain is extremely common, with experts estimating that up to 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives. If your back pain is disabling and persistent, your health care provider may recommend diagnostic tests like an XRAY or MRI to determine if surgery may be the best option for you. Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More…. Back surgery can help relieve some causes…
Back Pain Is Not a Normal Part of Aging
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,…
5 Tips to Take Control of Your Pain
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…
Lumbar Medial Branch Block (Injection In The Low Back)
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…
Expert Urges Women to Be Self-Advocates in Managing Pain
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…
How Communities Are Helping Women and Families Fight the Opioid Crisis?
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…
Questions to Ask Before and After Surgery
Why Does Communication Matter to Doctors and Patients Before and After Surgery? Hospitalization and surgery are demanding life events that lead to considerable stress and anxiety in patients. The fear of the “unknown” is a powerful force for the patient especially during the perioperative surgical time period. Unfortunately, medical errors and medications errors are often linked to miscommunication, anxiety and poor patient satisfaction which are common occurrences. Moreover, patients perceive the day of surgery as…
Turning a Moment of Change Into Transformational Momentum for Chronic Pain Management
This is an amazing time to be a woman in our country. In the past six months alone we’ve had women at the helm of three network morning shows, we’ve had a record number of women running Fortune 500 companies, and our thrilling women’s national team just won the World Cup. But this is not enough. Women aren’t running the three major networks, the record number of Fortune 500 CEOs was just 33, and when…
Sit-ups May Cause Back Pain
If sit-ups are a part of your regular workout routine, you may want to reconsider. The Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps are already doing so after a study found that 56% of fitness–related injuries came from sit-ups. The article goes on to say that while the armed forces are reviewing their fitness standards, the Canadian Armed Forces have already done away with sit-ups. So why are sit-ups so bad? Studies show that the lumbar…