Understanding Your Pain Is the First Step Toward Finding Relief

Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek pain management care. It can develop because of an injury, changes in the spine, inflammation, nerve compression, or everyday wear and tear. For some people, back pain comes and goes. For others, it can become chronic and significantly affect mobility, sleep, work, and everyday activities.

Conditions associated with back pain may include:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Facet joint pain
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Arthritis of the spine
• Muscle strains and injuries
• Vertebral compression fractures
• Spondylolisthesis

Understanding the source of your back pain is an important first step in determining which treatment options may provide relief.

Neck Pain

Neck pain can make it difficult to work, sleep, drive, exercise, and comfortably perform everyday activities. Pain may originate in the muscles and joints of the neck or involve the discs, vertebrae, and nerves of the cervical spine.

Conditions associated with neck pain may include:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Arthritis
• Spinal stenosis
• Facet joint pain
• Pinched or compressed nerves
• Muscle strains and injuries

Depending on the cause, neck pain may remain localized or extend into the shoulders, arms, and hands.

Sciatica

Sciatica commonly causes pain that begins in the lower back or buttock and travels down one leg. Some people also experience burning, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve or one of the nerve roots that forms it becomes irritated or compressed. Potential causes include:

• Herniated discs
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Degenerative changes in the spine
• Spondylolisthesis
• Bone spurs
• Other conditions that place pressure on spinal nerves

Because sciatica is a symptom of an underlying problem, identifying its cause is an important part of developing an effective treatment plan.

Joint Pain

Pain in the knees, hips, shoulders, and other joints can make even simple movements uncomfortable. Joint pain may develop gradually as a result of wear and tear or occur following an injury.

Conditions associated with joint pain may include:

• Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Inflammation
• Joint injuries
• Degenerative changes

Treatment depends on the affected joint, the underlying cause of the pain, its severity, and how much it is interfering with your daily activities.

Arthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis can cause ongoing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and decreased mobility. Osteoarthritis is particularly common and develops as the cartilage that cushions the joints gradually wears down.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Early diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan can help relieve symptoms, protect joint function, and improve quality of life.

Arthritis can affect many areas of the body, including the:

• Knees
• Hips
• Shoulders
• Spine
• Other joints

While arthritis cannot always be reversed, treatment may help reduce pain, improve mobility, and make everyday activities more comfortable.

Nerve Pain

Nerve pain can feel very different from muscle or joint pain. Patients often describe burning, shooting, tingling, numbness, hypersensitivity, or electric-like sensations. Pain may remain in one area or travel along the path of an affected nerve.

Conditions associated with nerve pain may include:

• Spinal stenosis
• Neuroforaminal stenosis
• Neuropathy
• Radiculopathy
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Nerve compression
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Chronic nerve pain following an injury or surgery

Determining where the pain originates and what is affecting the nerve can help guide treatment recommendations.

Shingles & Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus and can result in a painful rash, often accompanied by burning, tingling, or heightened skin sensitivity. For some people, nerve pain continues even after the rash has healed, a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Symptoms associated with shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia may include:

• Burning, aching, or sharp nerve pain
• Tingling or numbness
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Pain in the area where a shingles rash occurred
• Persistent nerve pain after the rash has healed

When pain from shingles persists, an evaluation can help determine whether pain management treatments may provide relief and improve quality of life.

Headaches & Migraines

Frequent headaches and migraines can interfere with work, sleep, concentration, family activities, and overall quality of life. Head pain can have many causes, and some headaches may be associated with the neck, irritated nerves, or other underlying conditions.

For patients experiencing chronic or recurring headaches, a comprehensive evaluation can help identify headache patterns and determine whether pain management treatments may be an appropriate part of their care.

Persistent Pain After Surgery

Surgery may successfully address an injury or medical condition, yet some patients continue to experience pain after the expected healing period.

Persistent pain after surgery can sometimes be related to:

• Nerve damage or irritation
• Scar tissue
• Changes in the spine
• Continued nerve compression
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Other underlying musculoskeletal or neurological conditions

Continued pain does not necessarily mean another surgery is the next step. A comprehensive evaluation can help identify potential sources of pain and determine whether minimally invasive or other interventional pain management treatments may be appropriate.