Platelet Rich Plasma Injections: Extending Athlete’s Careers & Extinguishing Pain

Professional athletes invariably have access to the newest, most advanced technologies in healthcare… and for a good reason. These pros count on their bodies to perform, and they are almost always in the position to get hurt. This is a conundrum faced in all sports leagues, which is why many athletes suffering from a variety of injuries or ailments turn to platelet rich plasma therapy (PRP) for progressive healing for everything from normal wear-and-tear to more advanced injuries. Platelet rich plasma therapy is relatively non-invasive when compared with more traditional options, like surgical intervention, which reduces downtime – allowing athletes and us regular folks to get back into the game in a much shorter time period. Steph Curry, arguably one of the best NBA players…

More than “Just a Headache” – How Injections Can Provide Relief from Migraines & Cluster Headaches

If you, or a loved one, suffer from migraines or cluster headaches, you know the agony an episode entails. Out of desperation, you’ve probably sought treatment from a variety of doctors. The pain may have gotten so bad you’ve spent many nights in the emergency room. While there is no cure for these excruciating ailments, there are plenty of ways to manage the pain in order to lead a more comfortable life with little to no discomfort. While both conditions attack the same area of the body, they are very different, yet similar treatment plans can provide relief. What’s a Migraine? If you’ve suffered a migraine, there’s a good chance you’ll never forget the way it made you feel. These throbbing headaches can potentially last…

When Whiplash Won’t Go Away – Consider Facet Injections

When you hear about whiplash, it may stir up thoughts of clunky soft collar braces, utilized for months on end until the painful condition subsided. Fortunately, this perceived treatment is not the current reality. While a brace can be useful for a few days, facet injections can prove beneficial for those with enduring pain. Statistics on Whiplash  Whiplash is a common injury, affecting about 3 million people each year. Fifty-percent of sufferers end up experiencing chronic pain, which can last for years, which can be managed with facet injections. Whiplash occurs most often as a result of automobile accidents, specifically to those who are rear-ended. It can also be the result of a sports injury, assault, or other type of accident. Women and children are more susceptible…

Everything You Need to Know About Epidural Injections

If you’re seeking out information about epidural steroid injections, it probably means you’re in pain. It may not seem like it at this very moment, but you’re in luck. If you were suffering in pain before 1952, you wouldn’t have access to this effective, pain-relieving tool. First, let’s talk about pain. There’s a good chance your pain is caused by inflammation. The two go hand-in-hand, and the former is the main cause of ailments like arthritis, and many other conditions that cause tremendous pain. Inflammation is actually your body doing its job. When you have an injury, or your body is otherwise under attack, your immune system pumps into overdrive. A chemical response takes place; white blood cells and antibodies come running – and often,…

Are Joint Injections the Answer?

If you’re thinking about getting joint injections to treat your pain, you’re in good company. An early patient who benefited from the treatments was John F. Kennedy. In fact, the procedure helped him so much, he appointed Dr. Janet Travell as the official physician of the White House, and she stayed on to care for later presidents after his untimely death. Dr. Janet Travell was inspired by her father, William Travell, MD. He dedicated his practice to helping people suffering from pain. The young Travell joined her father, and together they helped bring joint injections for the treatment of pain into mainstream medicine. Are joint injections the right treatment for you?  Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or disease; it causes your bodies white blood…

A Quick Guide to Facet Injections

Dealing with spinal issues can be debilitating. It’s probably hard to stand up. You may experience shooting pains due to affected nerves that spread throughout the body, and you could experience headaches. Luckily, modern medicine provides plenty of opportunities for chronic pain relief without relying on the extended use of typical pain medications. The facet joint injection procedure offers temporary, yet sometimes long-term relief for certain painful conditions associated with the spine. The procedure makes up more than 30% of spine injections, so the procedure is routine and safe. Can a facet joint injection procedure help you?  Do you struggle with the inability to stand up straight due to osteoarthritis? It could mean that one or more of your facet joints, joints between vertebrae along the spine that…

Transforaminal Epidural Injections for Lumbar Radiculopathy

Low back pain is one of the most challenging musculoskeletal problems for pain management specialists. Radiculopathy is a syndrome that occurs when back nerves are irritated or inflamed. It is associated with arm or leg symptoms, such as radiating pain, weakness, and numbness. An effective treatment option for patients with lumbar radiculopathy is the transforaminal epidural injection. What does ‘transforaminal’ mean? The medical term ‘transforaminal’ refers to the positioning of the needle along the spinal column. The foramen is the bony hollow archway of the vertebrae, created by protrusions that create a passageway. Spinal nerves run through the passage way as they branch from the spine cord. The spine nerves exit through the foramen and travel to muscles, organs, and sensory body structures. Transforaminal injection…

FAQs on Trigger Point Injections

FAQs on Trigger Point Injections Trigger point injections are a viable option to treat referred pain and reduced functionality associated with muscle tenderness. These injections calm irritated nerves, take care of muscle weakness and improve the range of motion and posture. What is a trigger point? Trigger point refers to a tender, discrete, focal, hyperirritable, spastic or painful spot in the muscle. Felt like a knot or tight band when touched and triggers pain when compressed or pressed, the spot is a part of a muscle irritated due to stress, overuse or spinal issues. The pain gradually radiates to other areas causing impacting postures. Trigger points appear on muscles due to traumatic tissue injury, underlying structural problem, spinal abnormalities, whiplash injury, degenerative disorders, viral syndrome,…

What’s the difference between epidural injections and facet injections?

When it comes to injections for back pain and sciatica, there are two injections that are commonly used – Facet Injections and Epidural Steroid Injections. In fact, there are thousands of them performed every day across America due to their effectiveness. What Are Facet Injections Up and down the spine from the neck all the way to the sacrum, there are facet joints on either side of the spine at every level. These are thumbnail sized joints that contain cartilage and allow for a little bit of motion. Collectively, there are over 40 of them and allow for an incredible range of motion with bending, flexing and twisting. These joints are susceptible to arthritis just like another cartilage joints, therefore, facet joints involve injection of steroid…

Botox Injections and Associated Migraines

When a person experiences a chronic migraine, it can be disabling and debilitating. A headache of this type can sometimes last for days, and it will affect work, family, and social life. It is crucial for a person to have a variety of treatment options so this will be effective. Migraine headaches are often referred to as “sick headaches,” mainly due to the fact that the person also has nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound, and sensitivity to light. One effective new migraine treatment is Botox. Referred to as botulinum toxin, Botox is a neurotoxin produced by clostridium botulinum, which is an actual bacteria that produces gastrointestinal upset from food poisoning. This toxin will paralyze the nerves of the body by blocking the release of acetylcholine…