Pain Management

Specialists Who Treat Back Pain

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

There are many types of health practitioners that care for patients with spinal conditions, and each has a slightly different role. Selection of the most appropriate type of health professional—or team of health professionals—largely depends on the patient’s symptoms and the length of time the symptoms have been present.

Types of Conditions Treated by Cold Lasers

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:17:25 -0800

Cold laser therapy can stimulate all cell types including muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, etc., so a number of conditions can be treated by cold laser therapy. Some of conditions that may typically be treated by cold laser therapy include:

Cold Laser Therapy Advantages and Disadvantages

Ben Parr — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:19:16 -0800

Cold laser therapy is a newer procedure with several advantages and disadvantages. This article outlines some of the advantages, risks, and contraindications for cold laser therapy

History of Cold Laser Therapy

Ben Parr — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:19:14 -0800

Cold Laser Therapy has been used in clinical practice all around the world for over four decades. In 1916, Albert Einstein conceived the theory of Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission of Radiation or LASER. In 1967, Professor Andre Mester began using low power lasers in medicine. Dr. Mester is recognized by many as the grandfather of laser therapy.

F.D.A Recognition of Cold Laser Therapy

The F.D.A classifies medical lasers into three categories:

Cold Laser Therapy Pain Management Treatment

Ben Parr — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:19:12 -0800

Cold Laser Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue and is thought to help accelerate the healing process. It can be used on patients who suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions in order to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms and increase functionality.

Practical Tips for Cooling Back Pain

Ellen — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:59:19 -0700

Your back pain doesn't take a vacation just because it's summer time! There are a number of back pain relief remedies that you can easily incorporate into your summer routine to help manage your pain (and some of the heat). This newsletter provides a number of relatively simple back pain relief tips.

Pain Management Techniques

spine-health — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:17:10 -0800

Clinical research is continually being conducted to help determine which pain management therapies are the most effective in treating back pain and neck pain. Consult your physician if you have questions about a specific program.

Pain Management for Chronic Back Pain

spine-health — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:06:25 -0800

Introduction to pain management for chronic back pain

More Pain Management Info

Back Pain Specialists

Neuropathic Pain

Electrotherapy

Back/Neck Pain Mediation

Rechargeable Spinal Cord Stimulators for Chronic Pain (Research Article)

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

Back pain relief – overview of neurostimulators

Spinal cord stimulators are battery-powered electronic devices enclosed in a small metal container that are surgically implanted under the patient’s skin in the low back area. They send low levels of electrical energy to nerve fibers with the goal of preventing pain signals from reaching the brain. Depending on the patient, the pain is to some degree replaced with a feeling that is often described as a tingling or warm sensation.

Qualifications for a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

There are four general areas of qualification for doctors of osteopathy:

Professional education
Board certification
Continuing medical education
Licensure
read more

Treatment by a Doctor of Osteopathy

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

After a thorough examination and diagnosis, treatment may include osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), medications, various types of injections and/or back surgery.

The number of OMT treatments required varies with each patient and condition. While there exist no “hard and fast” rules as to the duration and exact number of treatments required, objective improvement in pain and/or functional abilities should become apparent in as few as five to six consecutive treatments, unless there are prominent complicating factors.

Percutaneous Neuromodulation Therapy (PNT)

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

(Research Article)

Percutaneous neuromodulation therapy (PNT™) is a new, non-surgical treatment that is based on the premise that electrical stimulation applied to the deep tissues in the back can help provide relief for certain types of lower back pain.

The treatment has recently received FDA clearance for treatment of lower back pain. It is minimally invasive and performed in the doctor’s office.

Therapists

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

Physical therapist (P.T.)
Occupational therapists (O.T.)
Psychologist

Chronic Pain Management with Rechargeable Spinal Cord Stimulators

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

In March and April of 2005, the Food and Drug Administration gave its approval to two implantable devices that patients can recharge on their own:

Manufactured by Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.—Eon™ Neurostimulation System
Manufactured by Medtronic, Inc.—Restore™ Rechargeable Neurostimulation System

In addition, Boston Scientific Corp. has an FDA-approved rechargeable device called the Precision™ Spinal Cord Stimulation System, which was made available in the U.S.

Osteopathic Medicine and Back Pain

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

Osteopathic Physicians, also known as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.), diagnose and treat all illnesses and injuries and many specialize in treating back pain.

The Osteopathic Medical Visit

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

More Pain Management Info

Chronic Back Pain Management

Back Pain Specialists

Neuropathic Pain

Electrotherapy

Primary Care Providers

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

Primary care physicians (M.D.)
Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.)

How PNT Helps with Lower Back Pain (Research Article)

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

More Physical Therapy Info

Chronic Back Pain Management

Back Pain Specialists

Electrotherapy

Back/Neck Pain Mediation

Specialty Care Physicians and Pain Management

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

Spine Surgeons—Orthopedists and Neurosurgeons
Physiatrist (M.D. or D.O)
Anesthesiologist (M.D. or D.O.)
Neurologist (M.D. or D.O)
Rheumatologist (M.D. or D.O)

References

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

Ren K, Dubner R. Central Nervous System Plasticity and Persistent Pain. Journal of Orofacial Pain. 1999
Woolf CJ, Salter MW. Neuronal Plasticity: Increasing the Gain in Pain. Science. 2000
Hanai F. Effect of Electrical Stimulation of Peripheral Nerves on Neuropathic Pain. Spine. 2000
Ghoname EA, Craig WF, White PF, et al. Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Low Back Pain: A Randomized Crossover Study. JAMA. 1999
read more

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:55:42 -0800

As a treatment, osteopathic manipulation attempts to improve joint range of motion and balance tissue and muscle mechanics in order to relieve pain.

Manipulation techniques by a doctor of osteopathy

There are numerous manipulation techniques a doctor of osteopathy (DO) may use. Common forms of manipulation used today that a patient may encounter include:

More Pain Management Info

Back Pain Specialists

Chronic Pain Management - Patients' Advice: Part III