Chronic Knee Pain | Genicular Nerve Block | Tyler Texas

The knee joint is placed under extreme stress day after day. Because of the stress load placed on the knee during everyday activities and sports, knee injuries and degenerative conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis, are extremely common. When chronic knee pain can no longer be treated with traditional pain management treatments, a genicular nerve block may be prescribed by a pain physician. Pain Recovery Center of Tyler is extremely proud to offer Tyler, Texas and East Texas patients this cutting-edge, non-surgical treatment option.

Chronic knee pain is classified as long-term pain, swelling and general discomfort in one or both knees. The exact cause of ongoing pain determines the location of pain, severity of pain, etc. Chronic knee pain, unlike acute pain associated with an injury, is not always linked to one traumatic event. It is often caused by a condition or disease.

A genicular nerve block is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure designed to alleviate chronic knee pain when traditional pain management treatments fail. This particular treatment option utilizes radiofrequency (RF) energy to genicular nerves, the nerves responsible for carrying a pain signal from the knee joint to the brain and central nervous system.

For more resources on chronic knee pain or knee osteoarthritis, or to determine if you are an ideal candidate for a genicular nerve block, please contact the Tyler, Texas pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler. You can also view our entire blog article dedicated to this topic here.

Automobile Accident | Auto Injury Doctor | Tyler Texas

Automobile accidents are a leading cause of injuries throughout the United States, as well as East Texas. Injuries associated with a car accident vary from victim to victim, but several injuries are found more often than not. If you or a loved one becomes injured during a car accident, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Tyler, Texas auto injury doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler.

Not all automobile accident injuries cause immediate pain and other troublesome symptoms. Certain injuries do not develop until weeks after the accident. Common delayed injury symptoms that must be diagnosed and treated by an auto injury doctor include:

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Tingling, numbness or radiating pain in the arms and legs
• Shoulder pain
• Muscle stiffness
• Abdominal pain and swelling

For additional resources on injuries associated with an automobile accident, please contact the Tyler, Texas auto injury doctors at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler. You can also view our full blog article dedicated to this topic here.

Chronic Pain | Senior Citizens | Tyler Texas

It is estimated approximately 88% of senior citizens experience some form of chronic pain at any given time. Seniors are prone to chronic pain because of joint and muscle wear and tear, a decrease in physical activity and the presence of other medical conditions. The pain specialists at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, proudly serving the greater Tyler, Texas area, specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic pain in patients of all ages, including seniors. Our multimodal treatment approach is designed to treat the true cause of pain and return patients to a pain-free and healthy lifestyle.

As seniors age it is sometimes impossible to turn back the hands of time and undo health conditions, past injuries and natural degeneration of the body. If chronic pain is present and affects a senior’s daily life, they are encouraged to visit a pain specialist. A pain specialist is trained and experienced at diagnosing and treating the true cause of pain with a multidisciplinary approach.

A pain specialist can help seniors suffering from chronic pain by utilizing a variety of treatment options. Common treatment options include:

• Pain medications
• Muscle relaxants
• Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
• Steroid injections
• Nerve blocks
• Spinal decompression
• Physical therapy
• Massage therapy

If you live in the Tyler, Texas area and are a senior citizen experiencing chronic pain, please contact the practice of Pain Recovery Center of Tyler. Our pain specialists are available to treat the cause of pain and return seniors to a happy and healthy lifestyle.  You can also view our full blog article dedicated to this topic here.

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.