Chronic Pain Management in Austin, Texas

An arthritic joint is one affected by degradation of cartilage and/or a lack of synovial fluid to protect and bony surfaces. Pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation are telltale signs of joints suffering from arthritis. Physical therapy and medications are sought out as methods of treatment before taking any surgical action.

Back pain is an unfortunately common affliction. Damage to muscles, ligaments, nerves, and the spinal cord itself can cause intense pain, as can poor posture, degenerative diseases, and regular wear and tear. Many problems stem from the lower (lumbar) spine. Both surgical and non-surgical methods can be effective, as back injuries can be widely varied.

Cancer pain can be dull, achy, sharp, burning, and frequency and intensity can vary greatly. Most cancer pain is manageable. Proper medication management as well as specialized treatments such as a nerve block can help ease pain.

Carpal Tunnel is a common condition that occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed or pinched. Pain, numbness and tingling in the hand and arm are the key symptoms. Risk factors include obesity, repetitive wrist work, pregnancy, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Medication, rest, wrist splints, and carpal tunnel injections may help to reduce pain and swelling.

Coccydynia is the inflammation of the tailbone and associated with pain and tenderness at the tailbone between the buttocks. Trauma and falls are the most frequent causes of coccydynia. Coccydynia is usually first treated with NSAID medication.

A donut-shaped pillow can help relieve tailbone pressure. Pain medication, injections, nerve blocks, and physical therapy may help treat coccydynia.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain syndrome, formerly called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Symptoms include burning pain, sensitivity to touch/cold, swelling, changes in skin temperature and color, etc. CPRS can develop after injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack.

Medication, physical therapy, TENS units, neurostimulators, etc are used to treat symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the discs in between the vertebrae deteriorate or break down. Because the discs provide shock absorption and cushioning, degenerative disc disease can cause weakness, pain, muscle spasms, nerve injury, and stiffness.

Some people may not experience any symptoms.

Facet joint syndrome is pain that occurs at the joint between two vertebrae in the spine, and the joints allow your back to be flexible, bend, and twist. Natural aging process, arthritis, and certain spine conditions can restrict the way facet joints move.

This can lead to pain and restricted movement. Chronic cases of facet joint syndrome can be treated with medication, activity modification, and physical therapy. Facet block or injections can confirm that the facet joint is the source, radiofrequency ablation can be used to provide longer-lasting pain relief.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is defined as persistent lumbar spinal pain of unknown origin that either remains despite surgical intervention or appears after surgery in the same area. This pain may develop post-surgery or be exacerbated or insufficiently relieved by the procedure and is also known as Post-laminectomy Syndrome.

A frustrating disease with an as-yet-unknown cause, fibromyalgia is responsible for flare-ups of intense pain in specific point across the body. Lifestyle changes can improve symptoms of mild fibromyalgia. Your may also see results with physical therapy, patient education, support groups, and counseling. Also, in recent years, medical researchers have made several breakthroughs with prescription medications to ease symptoms.

Herniated disc is a condition where the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tougher exterior. Sometimes it is called a “slipped disc” or a “ruptured disc.” A herniated disc can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.

Most commonly, a herniated disc is most often the result of aging-related wear and tear (disc degeneration). As we age, the disks lose water content making them less flexible and less effective at cushioning. Herniated discs can also result from sudden pressure or abrupt forces, such as trauma, violence, motor-vehicle crashes, and sports.

The hip joint is one of the largest joints in the body, and they connect the lower extremities to the pelvis. Hip pain is a condition that includes any pain felt in or around the hip joint. It is possible for hip pain to be felt in the groin, thigh, leg, or even radiating towards the knee.

Knee pain can be described as soreness, aching or stiffness in or around the knee joint. This pain can be acute or chronic and can range from very mild to very severe in nature.
‍
Overall, knee pain can have extensive consequences beyond the immediate discomfort, affecting physical capabilities and emotional well-being. It’s important to address the underlying causes of knee pain with a healthcare provider to manage symptoms and maintain overall health.

Leg pain is a general term referring to a variety of conditions that cause unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities. Leg pain can present as pain, numbness, tingling, “pins and needles” sensations, or other uncomfortable feelings. Pain in the legs is commonly caused by problems in the low back, but can also be caused by issues with the nerves, joints, bones, or muscles of the legs. A combination of patient history, physical examination, and imaging studies help our providers determine the cause of a patient’s leg pain.

The precise neurological cause of migraines still eludes medical professionals, but symptoms can be effectively treated. After migraines have been accurately diagnosed, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes to avoid migraine triggers. Several medications may also be discussed.

Myofascial pain is a common disorder where pressure on sensitive points in the muscles cause pain. Myofascial pain often happens after repeated injury or muscle overuse. Medications, therapy, heat, acupuncture and trigger point injections can help relieve the muscle tension and pain.

Neck pain is marked by feelings of discomfort anywhere in the cervical region – from the bottom of the head to the top of your shoulders. This pain can remain in certain problem areas, or it can begin to radiate through your upper back, shoulders, and arms. Sometimes it’s only a minor issue, and sometimes it feels completely immobilizing.

Nerve pain manifests as a symptom of other afflictions that encroach upon the nerves. It occurs as a result of damaged nerves, resulting in pain and loss of sensation/motor functions. Peripheral neuropathy commonly develops in the body’s longest nerves first.

Neuralgia is pain in the distribution of nerves. For example, trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve in the face. Neuralgia can be caused by aging, diseases like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, and infection (shingles). Neuralgia can be stabbing, burning, and often severe pain due to the irritated or damaged nerve.

Peripheral artery disease, also called peripheral vascular disease, is a condition where poor circulation from narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs and can cause pain to your extremities, usually your legs. Peripheral artery disease is a sign of fatty deposits and calcium building up on the walls of the arteries.

Symptoms include muscle pain or cramping in your legs/arms that’s triggered by activity but disappears after few minutes of rest.

Phantom limb pain is a painful sensation that seems to be coming from a body part that has been amputated and is no longer there. For some people, this sensation can go away on its own, but for others it can be severe and last a long time. The sensation can be burning, shooting, tingling, crushing, etc.

Medications, acupuncture, TENS units, injections, spinal cord stimulation, and nerve blocks may help treat phantom limb pain.

Post Laminectomy Pain Syndrome is a condition where a patient suffers from chronic and persistent pain following surgery in the back. Diffuse, dull and aching pain can be felt in the back or legs. Sharp, pricking, and stabbing pain may be felt in the extremities.

Treatment can include physical therapy, nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, medications, neurostimulators, etc.

Radiculopathy is a radiating pain that can be present in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. This is caused due to the impingement with corresponding inflammation of a radicular nerve. Symptoms can present as numbness, tingling, paresthesia, weakness, and pain. Radiculopathy can be caused by a variety of conditions or injuries. Conservative management strategies to help with radiculopathy include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, bracing, steroids, specifically into the nerve root that is affected (epidural steroid injections in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine), and medications as a last resort to minimize pain.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction refers to the pain in the sacroiliac joint region that is caused by abnormal motion in the sacroiliac (SI) joint. This can cause lower back pain and/or leg pain. Leg pain from sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be difficult to differentiate from sciatic since it feels similar.

Treatment for sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction include, rest, ice/heat, chiropractic care, bracing, and SI joint injections. The injections can help alleviate pain to help return to daily activities.

The sciatic nerve is a crucial part of the nervous system, extending from your spine to your feet. Compression of this nerve can result in a painful condition called sciatica, known for its shooting pains that run through the lower back, down to the feet.

Most cases of sciatica are successfully treated with non-surgical methods. Medication or physical therapy may be suggested by your doctor. If your symptoms do not improve significantly with these medications, your doctor may inject the sciatic nerve roots with steroid medication or seek a surgical option.

Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine, where it has sideways curvature and involve rotational deformities. Scoliosis happens most often during a growth spurt just prior to puberty, but can be caused by cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.

Most children with scoliosis have mild curves and this usually does not require treatment, but may need check-ups for any changes in the curvature. Girls have a higher risk of progression than boys. Bracing and surgery can prevent further progression of the curve.

Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus) that causes a painful rash. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus can lie dormant in nerve tissues near the spinal cord and brain. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles.

Symptoms include pain, sensitivity to touch, red rash that begins after the pain, fluid-filled blisters, itching, fever, headache, and fatigue. Some people can develop post-herpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles, which can lead to a burning pain that can last long after the rash and blisters of shingles resolve.

Shoulder pain occurs when the muscles, tendons or ligaments in your shoulder become overused and irritated. You may experience shoulder pain as a result of injury—such as by overstretching your arm—or from repetitive use, from activities like painting, throwing a ball, or even brushing your teeth. The most common cause of shoulder pain happens when the rotator cuff tendons are trapped under the bony part of the shoulder. When this occurs the tendons experience inflammation or damage. You also may experience shoulder pain as a result of a chronic disease or age-related condition.

Spinal stenosis is also called “spinal narrowing.” Spinal stenosis can cause pressure on the spinal cord and nerves within the spine, most commonly in the neck and lower back. Aging, arthritis, and degenerative conditions cause the bones to change shape and narrow where the spinal cord and nerves run.

Symptoms include pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and impaired bladder/bowel control. Epidural steroid injections (ESI) can help with symptom relief and improved daily function.

Spondylolisthesis is a common spinal disorder in which a vertebra slips forward or backward on an adjacent vertebra. Spondylolisthesis can cause back or leg pain and can be treated to relieve the pain, such as medication, epidural steroid injections, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery.

Spondylolysis is a defect or stress fracture that occurs in the pars interarticularis in the lumbar spine. High impact sports and physically demanding jobs are risk factors for spondylolysis. For most people, spondylolysis does not require surgery.

Back braces allow for the pars to heal. Physical therapy and pain management can help with easing discomfort.

Whiplash injuries are neck injuries that often occur as a result of car accidents, where the head suddenly moves backward and then forward. Other high impact activities, such as bungee jumping, rollercoasters, football, etc, can cause whiplash.

Most common symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, tingling, weakness, or numbness radiating into the shoulder or down the arm. Physical therapy, medication, and chiropractic care may help with whiplash pain. Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) or facet joint injections can target specific areas and provide relief.