Pain signals converge in the core of the brainstem where they deeply influence behavior. For checks & balances, the brainstem uses “descending inhibition” as a volume control to reduce pain. Pain physicians leverage this for treatment, via antidepressants, acupuncture, & meditation. Descending inhibition systems To keep pain signals from running out of control, the brainstem…
Pain signal is sent from tissue to the brain. Once in the brain, the signal causes pain. At each stage of its transmission, pain signals are modified and interact with each other in the “pain signal network”. This network consists of 2 major components, in the body & in the brain. Chronic abdominal pain and…
In patients with central sensitization, pain signal is generated directly from within the spinal cord & brain. This means treatments targeting the tissue & peripheral nerves are less effective. To treat central sensitization directly, we use medications that work directly the cells involved in this pathologic process, the glial cells. Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a…
Unlike acute pain, most chronic pain conditions are characterized by “central sensitization.” This is a process where the pain is encoded directly by the brain. The patient therefore may experience pain without any body injury or inflammation. There are no quick cures for central sensitization. It requires specific treatments often delivered repeatedly or over long…
CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) affects hands or feet after injuries or surgeries. The burning pain of CRPS is much harder to treat if not found early. CRPS detection & treatment should START NOW. A referral should be made to a board-certified Pain Medicine specialist, who can perform advanced procedures such as ketamine infusion, bisphosphonate…
Chronic pain is a complex disease. To treat chronic pain most effectively, a team of specialists from several disciplines must collaborate & coordinate.
Unlike acute pain (pain after surgery or injury), chronic pain is a disease driven by a self-reinforcing cyclic process between the nerves, the brain, & the muscles, Injury, Surgery, & Inflammation Initial tissue injury triggers the chronic pain cycle. In the setting of chronic pain, the initial injury may resolve while the chronic pain cycle…
While each patient is on opioids for a different reason, every person on opioids is equally subject to its powerful effects. The most dangerous features of opioids are tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal, which are different from addiction.
While opioids are often necessary to treat surgical pain, some patients end up feeling “stuck” on high-dose opioids. A complete pain management plan before, during, & after surgeries can minimize the need of opioids. Most patients need opioids only up to 4 weeks, rarely up to 12 weeks. Get large printed posters on Etsy for…
Long-term use of opioid medications for non-cancer pain can cause a host of adverse effects. Below are our 2 infographics on opioid adverse effects and alternatives to opioids provided by pain physicians.
