Myofascial Pain Syndrome | Chronic Pain | Tyler Texas

Myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain condition, is characterized by inflammation and pain that affects the fascia, the connective tissue that covers the body’s muscles. Many patients with this condition report referred pain, a seemingly unrelated area of pain, because of pressure on sensitive points in the muscles. These sensitive areas are commonly referred to as trigger points. The Tyler, Texas pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler specialize in treating numerous chronic pain conditions, including myofascial pain syndrome.

This chronic pain condition typically begins after a muscle has been repetitively contracted over an extended period of time. This is often found in workers and recreational athletes that perform repetitive movements each day. Unlike acute muscle pain, the pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome becomes chronic. This health condition can also be caused by an injury to intervertebral discs, general fatigue, lack of activity (sling usage) and certain medical conditions such as a heart attack.

Symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome include a tender knot in a muscle (trigger point), deep, aching pain in a muscle, acute pain that worsens into chronic pain and difficulty sleeping because of the pain level. Many pain physicians begin treatment of myofascial pain syndrome with a physical therapy and rehabilitation program. A combination of physical therapy, massage and trigger point injections may be prescribed in more severe cases.

For additional information on myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain condition, please contact the pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, proudly serving the greater Tyler, Texas area. You can also view our full blog article dedicated to this topic here.

Lower Back Pain | Pain Management | Tyler Texas

Back pain, most often lower back pain, is a common health condition that affects about 80% of American adults at some point during their lifetime. Back pain is one of the main reasons adults miss work, as well as the leading cause of job disability. The Tyler, Texas pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler specialize in pain management for lower back pain, either acute or chronic pain.

Once patients have a better understanding of the lumbar spine (lower back) they are able to understand where lower back pain begins. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebras with discs in between each vertebra. The discs are responsible for providing cushion and allowing the spine to twist and bend during movements. The spine itself protects the sophisticated spinal nerves that travel through a space known as the spinal canal. The nerves branch out from the spinal canal and transmit messages between the brain and muscles. A system of muscles and ligaments surround the spine and provide support and stability to the lower back.

Lower back pain is commonly caused by improper lifting, lifting an object too heavy, poor posture, a muscle spasm or an awkward movement. The pain can also be caused by a more severe condition such as spinal nerve compression, herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal fractures, spinal arthritis or a failed back surgery.

For additional resources on lower back pain, or to determine the appropriate pain management plan for you, please contact the pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler located in Tyler, Texas. You can also view our full blog article dedicated to this topic here.

Chronic Pain Syndrome | Pain Management | Tyler Texas

Biochemical changes occur in the body associated with long-lasting pain in certain patients. Chronic pain syndrome is a difficult condition for pain physicians to both diagnose and treat since pain signals continue to fire for months, or even years, after the initial injury or health condition is treated and healed. When this occurs, it is critical patients contact a pain management specialist in order to alleviate the unwanted effects of chronic pain. As a multidisciplinary pain management practice located in Tyler, Texas, Pain Recovery Center of Tyler is here to treat patients suffering from chronic pain.

 

Chronic Pain Syndrome Overview

 

Chronic pain syndrome is responsible for causing neuropathic pain (pain triggered by the nervous system) for months or years after the injury or health condition is healed. The condition makes many aspects of life quite difficult for sufferers. Patients suffering from the condition often experience depression, frustration, anger and anxiety. The combination of these emotions may cause patients to no longer maintain a healthy home life or perform everyday work requirements.

Chronic pain syndrome is believed by many health professionals to be associated with certain health conditions and/or injuries. Pain management specialists often link osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar or cervical fractures, mechanical lower back pain, disc herniation and poor posture with long-term pain. 

Chronic pain syndrome requires a tailored pain management treatment plan of both counseling and medical treatment. At a pain management clinic, patients can receive both forms of treatment with a multidisciplinary approach. 

For additional resources on chronic pain syndrome, or to determine the correct pain management approach for your chronic pain, please contact the Tyler, Texas office of Pain Recovery Center of Tyler. You can also view our entire blog article dedicated to this topic here.  

Halloween Safety Tips | Injury Prevention | Tyler Texas

Now is the time of year when kids dress-up in costumes and go trick-or-treating around their community. Dressing-up and enjoying the candy are two of the many reasons families in the greater Tyler, Texas area love Halloween. Before your family begins roaming the streets, follow these Halloween safety tips courtesy of Pain Recovery Center of Tyler. Our pain physicians are proud to serve the East Texas area and to share injury prevention tips for all ages.

Halloween Safety Tips and Injury Prevention

• Trick-or-treat safely
• All children should have adult supervision at all times
• Only approach homes that are well-lit
• Beware of family pets when approaching their home

• Keep Halloween costumes creative and safe
• Carry glow sticks or wear glow jewelry as part of the costume
• Select the right size costume and ensure children can walk well in it to avoid trips and falls
• Use face paint and makeup instead of masks to help children see better
• Decorate candy bags with reflective tape
• Select a bright-colored costume, if possible, so children can be seen easier as the sun goes down

• Walk safely while trick-or-treating
• Cross the street at corners only after looking both ways
• Always walk on paths and sidewalks. If the road is the only option, always walk facing traffic
• Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes to avoid foot pain and/or slips and falls

As you and your family head out to trick-or-treat this Halloween, follow these simple Halloween safety tips. To learn even more about injury prevention, contact the Tyler, Texas pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, or visit our website at www.paincentertyler.com. You can also view our full blog article dedicated to this topic here.

Bone and Joint Health | Musculoskeletal Disorders | Tyler Texas

Bone and Joint Action Week, courtesy of the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI), is held every year from October 12-20 to help raise awareness of the many health disorders that affect millions of Americans’ bone health and joint health. It is estimated more than half - 54% - of Americans over the age of 18 years are affected by a musculoskeletal (bone and joint) disorder. These disorders include arthritis, back pain, neck pain, spinal deformity and traumatic injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Pain Recovery Center of Tyler and our two pain physicians are proud to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders in patients living in the greater Tyler, Texas area.

When a musculoskeletal disorder or injury is present, a patient will experience pain, loss of joint mobility and loss of full body function. Here are a few bone and joint health facts, courtesy of the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI):

• 54% of Americans over the age of 18 years are affected by a bone and joint condition
• 33% of these Americans require medical attention for their musculoskeletal disorder
• Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common cause of physical disability and chronic pain
• An estimated $874 billion from 2009-2011 was associated with musculoskeletal disorder treatments and lost wages
• The cost of bone and joint healthcare escalated in 2011 with “Baby Boomers” and is expected to continue for decades

For more resources on bone health and joint health, or to discuss a musculoskeletal disorder with one of our pain physicians, please contact the Tyler, Texas office of Pain Recovery Center of Tyler. You can also view our full blog article dedicated to this topic here.

Pain Management Specialists | Chronic Pain | Tyler TX

Pain is often characterized in the medical community as an uncomfortable feeling that tells the body something is not right. Pain can be acute or chronic, as well as steady, throbbing, stabbing, pinching or aching. Pain often occurs after an automobile accident, work-related injury, sports injury, home injury or other traumatic event. A pain management specialist has advanced, special training in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of various types of pain, including acute pain and chronic pain. Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, serving the greater Tyler, Texas and East Texas area, specializes in pain management and has two highly trained and experienced pain management specialists available to help return patients to normal, everyday activities.

Patients experiencing chronic pain often avoid behaviors and movements that trigger the pain. While this helps eliminate some degree of pain, it creates additional muscle wasting and inflammation of the body’s soft structures. Because of this, our pain management specialists offer a multidisciplinary/multimodal treatment plan that involves pain management and physical therapy. The physical therapy rehabilitation program is designed to change learned behaviors that may have contributed to additional pain, as well as to keep the body mobile. A pain management specialist offers much more than just pain management medications. Pain specialists are able to treat various types of pain by utilizing x-rays, fluoroscopic and guided procedures in hopes of minimizing the need for long-term medications and injections.

For additional information on chronic pain, or to schedule an appointment with a pain management specialist, please contact the Tyler, Texas office of Pain Recovery Center of Tyler. You can also view our full blog article here.

Physical Therapy Month | Rehabilitation | Tyler TX

Every October, the medical community throughout the United States celebrates National Physical Therapy Month. The entire month is used to raise awareness of the numerous benefits of physical therapy and rehabilitation programs, including improvement of motion and mobility and the avoidance of surgery and addictive prescription medications. Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, located in Tyler, Texas, offers an exceptional physical therapy and rehabilitation department designed to relieve chronic pain and restore function in patients.

The 2016 campaign for National Physical Therapy Month is focused on physical therapy as a safe and effective pain management treatment instead of addictive opioids.

Since 1999, American patients have been prescribed addictive opioids at an increasing rate to manage chronic pain. Common opioid medications include Vicodin, Opana, Methodone, OxyContin and Perocet. While these prescription medications can relieve pain, many patients become addicted and experience depression, overdoses and withdrawal symptoms when stopping use.

The CDC is encouraging medical professionals to treat the true cause of chronic pain and not just mask it with prescription medications. Physical therapy is considered a safe and effective pain management alternative to opioid use. Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs are highly successful at relieving pain, improving function and increasing overall health and wellness.

For additional resources on physical therapy and rehabilitation programs to alleviate chronic pain, please contact the physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, proudly serving the greater Tyler, Texas communities. You can also view our entire blog article dedicated to this topic here.