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Saturday, August 18, 2018

Knowing the Basics of Peripheral Neuropathy Research

Peripheral neuropathy refers to a debilitating health condition which has very few effective treatments. Previously, researchers could not understand the underlying or defining molecular mechanisms, according to new research findings conducted by researchers at McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Because of this, peripheral neuropathy research hopes to improve and increase the movement of new treatments to tackle the complexity of the disease. According to information made available by the US National Institute of Health, about 20 million Americans suffer from one or other form of peripheral neuropathy. Either disease or trauma can inflict damage to the peripheral nervous system which causes numbness, weakness, or pain. Also, this can affect people with cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or such other conditions.

Here at the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho, we continually search for new research and clinical trials into this disease. We strive to study, acquire, and implement better peripheral neuropathy research and treatment for patients suffering from the ailment.

Peripheral Neuropathy in a Broad Perspective

Peripheral neuropathy exists as the form of neuropathy which damages your peripheral nerves. The immediate result of such damage can include: weakness, pain, and numbness. Usually, your hands or feet will be the first affected areas. However, it has the potential to also affect other areas of your body.

The peripheral nervous system of your body works by sending information from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to all other parts of your body.

The cause of a peripheral neuropathy can originate from infections or traumatic injuries. Other causes include: inherited causes, problems with your metabolism, and exposure to dangerous toxins. However, diabetes mellitus remains one of the most prominent causes of peripheral neuropathy.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

While not comprehensive, the causes of peripheral neuropathy include:

  • Diabetes – Over half of the people suffering from diabetes have some type of neuropathies
  • Medications – Some types of medications taken to treat a certain illness, like chemotherapy for cancer, can result in peripheral neuropathy
  • Alcoholism – Poor and unhealthy dietary choices undertaken by people suffering from alcoholism can lead to a serious deficiency in vitamin levels
  • Exposure to poisons – Hazardous substances like metals and heavy chemicals can lead to serious cases of neuropathy damage to the nervous system
  • Autoimmune diseases – These include rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammatory disease, and more.
  • Tumors
  • Vitamin deficiency – Lack of basic B Vitamins like vitamin B1, B12, B6, as well as Vitamin E
  • Other diseases – Like liver diseases, kidney disease, connective tissue disorder, and more.

The latest peripheral neuropathy research has discovered over 100 types and causes of the ailment. Each of these cases present unique clues on their own. At the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho, our specialists know exactly how to identify the cause. Also, we offer solutions to them once you have taken the necessary steps at our facility.

What Are the Various Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?

Each and every nerve which forms part of your nervous system has a design to function in a specific manner. Therefore, symptoms will depend on the type of affected nerve. For the purpose of clarity, let’s categorize the human nerves:

  • Motor nerves – responsible for controlling muscular movement
  • Sensory nerves – receive and interpret sensations like vibration, temperature, touch, or pain from the skin
  • Autonomic nerves – responsible for controlling the bodily functions, heart rate, blood function, bladder, and digestion

In a broader sense, the various signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy might include, but not limited to:

  • A gradual feeling of prickling, numbness, or tingling in your hands or feet. This feeling has the potential of spreading upward into your legs and arms
  • Becoming extremely sensitive to touch, whether slight or heavy
  • Burning, freezing, sharp, jabbing, or throbbing pain
  • Falling and lack of coordination
  • Affected motor nerves can cause paralysis or muscle weakness

In a situation where autonomous nerves become affected, the symptoms and signs may include:

  • Altered sweating and heat intolerance, or
  • Bladder, bowel, or digestive problems, and finally
  • Lightheadedness, changes in blood pressure, and dizziness

One important note, peripheral neuropathy research has demonstrated the condition can affect just one nerve. In this case, it would be called “mononeuropathy.” The term “multiple mononeuropathies” refers to when it affects two or more nerves in different areas of the body. Additionally, if many nerves become affected, it is called “polyneuropathy.”

At the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho—(208) 629-2492, we have all the technology and experience to diagnose and verify your type of peripheral neuropathy. Also, we will provide you with the right treatment.

In What Ways Can I Prevent Peripheral Neuropathy?

If you have been asking this question, then you have come to the right place. At the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho, our specialists understand recent peripheral neuropathy research findings and recommendations. As a result, these have equipped us to help patients and potential sufferers prevent the disease.

From the latest peripheral neuropathy research, you can prevent the ailment. First of all, you should manage whatever medical condition which exposes you to the risk of peripheral neuropathy. Such medical conditions include diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and alcoholism. Second, our Medicare experts can help you tackle these problems and put you beyond risks of the disorder. Finally, give us a call at (208) 629-2492 and we can set you up for better health. Let us use the latest peripheral neuropathy research findings and clinical trials for your benefit.

Additionally, here are some prevention tips for you which peripheral neuropathy research has taught us.

  • Eat and maintain a rich diet which must include fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grain. This helps keep your nerves healthy, also
  • Engage in a regular workout under your doctor’s supervision. Get a half-to-full hour of daily exercise for a minimum of three times a week, and finally,
  • You should avoid activities which may result in nerve damage. These can include: repetitive motions, cramped positions, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to toxic materials.

Do any of these above symptoms seem to describe something you have? Call the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho at (208) 629-2492, to find out more about peripheral neuropathy research.

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 8/18/2018 7:36:00 PM
Saturday, July 21, 2018

What Is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is the damage to the nerves of the body in people who have diabetes. The condition develops gradually and worsens over the course of time. Susceptible people usually have high blood pressure, overweight, and high blood cholesterol. In addition, those who cannot control their blood sugar levels lean toward diabetic neuropathy.

Neuropathy can affect the nerves outside the skull, the ganglia, and the spinal cord. Also affected, the nerves which control the functioning of vital organs, like bladder, stomach, heart, and intestines. Additionally, it affects the nerves which control the periphery or outside of the body like the hands and feet. Finally, it affects the automatic functions of the body like digestion or your heart rate can develop problems. In fact, diabetic neuropathy can affect any part of the body. Pain Care Clinic of Idaho can help diagnose and treat your diabetic neuropathic problems. Simply call us at (208) 629-2492, we can assist you to recover or gain much improvement.

Types of Diabetic Neuropathy

Consider the four main types of neuropathy:

1. Autonomic neuropathy

This the second most common type of nerve damage. It affects the nerves which control involuntary actions of the body, such as sweat glands, digestive system, sex organs, bladder, and heart rate.  Neuropathy of the digestive system causes trouble swallowing, gastroparesis and constipation. Furthermore, it can cause erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women. Neuropathy in the bladder can make it hard to empty the bladder fully. People with autonomic neuropathy can also have hypoglycemia causing heart palpitations and sweating which makes it hard to know when blood glucose levels are too low.

People with type 2 diabetes may have reduced blood pressure after standing from sitting, making them feel light-headed or dizzy.

2. Focal neuropathy

Damage occurs in groups of nerves or to one particular nerve, causing weakness of the area and is very painful. Focal nerve damage can affect the upper body, legs or head. This type of nerve damage disappears in weeks or months without leaving extensive consequences, unlike other types of nerve damage. Symptoms include: double vision, focus inability, pain in: stomach, lower back, chest, thigh, pelvic region, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

At Pain Care Clinic of Idaho–(208) 629-2492, we know exactly how to handle these kinds of challenges. Just put a call through to us and let our specialists handle the rest.

3. Peripheral neuropathy

This occurs when the nerves which detect temperature and touch are damaged. It affects the hands and feet. This is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy. Additionally, the mild to severe symptoms, occurring mostly at night, include: burning sensation, cramping or pain, numbness, insensitive to cold and hot temperatures. Also, muscle weakness and reflex losses can lead to changes in balance and mobility.  Nerve damage and poor blood circulation in people with diabetes makes it hard for wounds to heal. (Which causes more risk of complications from foot injuries.)

4. Proximal neuropathy

This is not common but seen in older adults with type 2 diabetes. It affects the legs, hips, and thighs. This type of nerve damage causes inability to stand after sitting without being helped. It is always painful.

Causes of Diabetic Neuropathy among People with Diabetes

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause Neuropathy.

Long time exposure to a higher level of glucose can damage the nerves, thereby causing neuropathy. High levels of blood fat called triglycerides and their toxic by-products can cause nerve damage. Good glucose control in type 1 diabetes people can lower nerve damage by 60%. In addition, controlling lipid levels can lower the cause of neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes.

Other factors which cause diabetic neuropathy:

  • Smoking or alcohol
  • Vitamin B deficiency
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome – Mechanical or repetitive movement injury
  • High blood pressure
  • Low level of vitamin B12

Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy

The specialists at Pain Care Clinic of Idaho–(208) 629-2492 will carry out a physical examination and foot examination for the following:

  • Knees and ankle reflexes
  • Responses of legs and feet to stimuli like touch, movement, temperature, and pain
  • Color changes
  • Changes in skin texture
  • Test to know thiamine and vitamin B1 levels
  • Finally, check of blood pressure, heart rate variability, and ultrasound.

If the physician suspects diabetic neuropathy, then, the patient will undergo diagnostic tests like Nerve Conduction Velocity test which record the speed of the induced signal in the nerves. Also Electromyogram, which records the electrical activity of the muscles.

Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy

Especially relevant, managing cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and controlling blood sugar help prevent nerve damage. The treatment of diabetic neuropathy focuses on controlling the symptoms and reducing the pain.

Certain drugs can control diabetic neuropathy pain. These include anticonvulsant drugs, opioid-like drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors.

Physical Therapy with drugs can reduce pain and the drug dependency. Physical therapists help people with muscle weakness and muscle cramps. They also reduce the burning sensation in the feet and legs. Electrical nerve stimulation can relieve foot ulcers and the feeling of stiffness.

People who use a prosthesis due to loss of a limb as a result of diabetic neuropathy can undergo Gait training. This ‘relearning’ how to walk helps to prevent foot complications. You can get Gait training from Pain Care Clinic of Idaho by calling (208) 629-2492. Additionally, topical lotions and supplements will also provide relief.

Our massage therapist at Pain Care Clinic of Idaho–(208) 629-2492 can offer regular massages which stretch the muscles. Exercises, such as aerobics or swimming, can maintain muscle strength. Additionally, patients can regain foot sensitivity using high-frequency sound waves to stimulate the tissue under the skin surface (called therapeutic ultrasound).

Prevention of Diabetic Neuropathy

Some tips to reduce the risk of diabetic neuropathy:

  • First of all, maintain a healthy weight for your height
  • Likewise, exercise regularly
  • Also, control fat levels and blood pressure via lifestyle and diet changes where necessary
  • Then, control blood glucose levels
  • Additionally, visit a physician regularly if you have symptoms of numbness and pain.

Half of the people with diabetes develop neuropathy. It affects the nerves of the feet causing pain and discomfort, which could lead to complications if left untreated. So, where can you get help? Visit us at Pain Care Clinic of Idaho, or call: (208) 629-2492 to discuss your diabetic neuropathy.

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 7/21/2018 7:35:00 PM
Saturday, June 16, 2018

Have you ever turned to a search engine, typing in something like finding a pain clinic near me, to find some relief? When you have pain, you will look anywhere for relief. Thankfully, there are pain clinics all over the place, all with the intention of helping you feel better. It is very important that you find a nearby pain clinic. If you have to spend hours one way getting there, and double that when you go home, it can make going into a chore. This means you are not as likely to get the help you need, when you need it. This can increase your pain, and leave you struggling more than necessary. Finding local pain clinics should not be a chore.

Benefits of Having a Pain Clinic Near Me

Pain can hit out of nowhere. You can go from feeling fine to being miserable in a very short period of time. If your pain clinic is not nearby, you may not use their services to feel better. The problem with a pain clinic that is not nearby is that you will not go as often. The more often you go, the more managed your pain can be. If you take steps to keep your pain under control, it can keep the spikes from happening as much. This can mean that your pain shows up less frequently. Plus, it can also mean that when it does show up, it does not become as intense.

By seeking a nearby pain clinic, you work with professionals who understand the importance of managing your pain. You do not want to struggle for the rest of your life with pills as your crutch. There are times where pills can help, but do you really want to use them all the time? Chances are you want as much relief as you can get, as soon as you can get it. By keeping to a regular maintenance routine, you can keep your pain under control much more effectively. Imagine waking up one day and having your pain so well managed that you can live your life. Isn’t that your ultimate goal anyway?

What Kind of Relief Can a Pain Clinic Offer?

There are many benefits that come with visiting a pain clinic regularly. No matter what type of pain you are in, they have treatment options that can help. Some people find relief from pain from simple meditation. Others need more active treatments to help with their pain. It all depends on what is going on with you, and what is causing the pain you struggle with.

The first thing you are going to do when you find a local pain clinic is to get an evaluation. They will want to look over what is going on and figure out why. If the why is already known, they will want to find out what treatment options you have tried. They will track what worked and what did not, so they can help you come up with a treatment plan. The more specific you can be during this phase, the better.

Once your pain and pain causes has gone through the evaluation process, you will then get to try out different options. The more options you try, the more things you figure out either help or do not help with your pain. Once you have a few options that provide relief, they can help you set up regular appointments to come in and get those treatments done. This can help your pain stay down between visits. For some, a regular treatment routine can also provide them with long-term pain relief.

Pain Clinics Are the Best Place to Go for Neuropathic Pain

For those that struggle with neuropathy pain, management is crucial when it comes to keeping the effects under control. Since the pain can come and go at a moment’s notice, you need to have a plan. The best plan is one that manages your symptoms so that when the pain hits, you have a direct response. Part of the problem with neuropathic pain is that it can be difficult to treat. It can come with so many symptoms, you may not know what to do when it hits. You need experienced help to manage this type of pain before it takes away your quality of life completely.

By seeking out a local pain clinic, you can find out about what treatment options they have. Typically, neuropathic pain comes from problems with the messages being sent around the body. You may believe that you are in pain, when in fact, you are not. Your body is struggling to understand what your body actually feels. So, it simply interprets the signals as pain. The way to treat this is through options such as Scrambler Therapy.

You must go to a trained and experienced pain clinic if you want Scrambler Therapy. There are only a small number of places with the proper training on how to use this device effectively. What it does is retrain your body to properly recognize the signals being sent around. This way, when you actually have pain, your body will register it properly. When the sensation you feel is tingling or burning, your body will then understand what the sensation is. Scrambler Therapy is proven incredibly effective for many people when it comes to having long-term relief.

Where Can I Find a Pain Clinic Near Me?

Instead of turning to the internet and searching for a pain clinic near me, turn to the professionals here at the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho. We understand your pain. We also understand the importance of having help nearby. Call us and let us work with you to figure out the best treatment plan to manage your pain. That way, the next time your pain flares up, you have somewhere to go. Plus, we can also help come up with a management plan that can hopefully help keep your pain away. That is our specialty, and we are very good at what we do. Let us help you get your life back.

For more information, contact us here at the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho. Our number is (208) 629-2492. Reach out to us and let us be the answer you find the next time you feel the need to search for a pain clinic near me.

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 6/16/2018 7:28:00 PM
Saturday, May 19, 2018

There are a lot of treatments that you can get to relieve back pain, and some of them are very effective when combined with spinal decompression therapy. Not all back pain options provide a lot of relief on their own. Some of them only provide minimal, temporary relief. However, when you combine them, the relief is greater, plus it lasts longer. There are many different issues that can cause back pain. Each of them needs their own type of treatment to get better. If you want to figure out which therapies will work best for you, then you need to reach out to us here at the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho for help.

Should You Give Spinal Decompression Therapy a Try?

When you have back pain that simply won’t go away, you may want to consider spinal decompression therapy. It is very effective at relieving pain for most people. It is especially effective if there are issues with the discs, such as them degenerating, or when a pinched nerve is the cause of your pain. However, those are not the only times that spinal decompression therapy is helpful. You can also get relief from things such as pain following a trauma or injury, pain following a surgery, and ailments like arthritis and diabetes.

What Benefits Can You Get from Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy brings with it a lot of pain relieving benefits. First, when you slowly stretch out the spine, you can add up to 20% more space between each of the components within your spine. This means the area between your discs can grow up as much as 20%. This allows for more blood to flow through to those areas and allows for any pinched nerves to get relief. By having more blood flowing to that area, you get increased healing, plus decreased pain. Your body also gets extra oxygen in those spaces, which also boosts healing. When the area was thinner, it was much harder for your body to push blood in there. This could lead to throbbing pain, and a decreased blood flow, which then leaves you hurting more. Open spaces mean that your body is in less pain, and more readily able to heal.

A lot of people also get increased mobility following spinal decompression therapy. When the spine is able to be stretched out slowly, it can allow for things to realign themselves properly. This can make moving around less painful and give you back some of your missing quality of life. The more you can move around, the stronger those muscles are able to remain. This protects your spine and makes it harder for it to get injured all over again after it gets the chance to heal.

Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Work with Scrambler Therapy?

One of the more effective therapies for back pain is Scrambler Therapy. With this treatment, it allows your body to relearn how to process pain signals being sent around properly. When you struggle with chronic pain, your body can get the signals somewhat muddled. By getting Scrambler Therapy, your body learns to recognize when you are actually in pain, and when you feel something else.

By combining Scrambler Therapy with spinal decompression therapy, you can get a lot of relief. Your body learns to read pain signals properly, so you know what parts of your back hurt, and what are feeling another sensation. Then, you can add in spinal decompression therapy to help the areas of your back that do, in fact, hurt. It can be difficult for your back to heal up properly if it believes the entire surface is in pain. However, when your back knows what areas to target, the repair cells go to the right place, and you begin feeling better faster.

The Pain Care Clinic of Idaho Can Help

When relief is what you seek, then you want to come in and see us. Our highly skilled team of professionals can help you with your pain struggles. We can work with you to figure out what causes your pain, and then come up with a treatment plan that encompasses each type of therapy that provides you relief. Something as simple as combining multiple types of therapy could be the key to you getting relief. Don’t go through another day where pain rules your life. Call us today, and let us help guide you down the path to pain relief.

When you want to have a better quality of life, and bypass the daily struggles of back pain, we can help. Reach out to us here at the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho by calling (208) 629-2492 today. Let us figure out if you would benefit from options such as Scrambler Therapy and spinal decompression therapy.

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 5/19/2018 7:27:00 PM
Saturday, April 21, 2018

When seeking different upper back pain treatment options, you need to find ones that will help relieve your pain. If you struggle with chronic upper back pain, it can quickly diminish your quality of life. There are many different options that you can turn to. However, not all of them are going to help. They depend on what caused your pain, and what you have already tried to do to alleviate your pain. Here are some of the best upper back pain treatment options to consider, and how they can help.

Touch Can Really Help Relieve Pain When Used as an Upper Back Pain Treatment

There are many different types of touch that can help as upper back pain treatment options. First, you have massage. This helps bring healing and extra oxygen and blood to the area that hurts. It can speed up healing, plus it can decrease how much pain you feel during that process. The more often you get a massage, the more of these benefits you can experience.

Next, you have physical therapy. This is a hands-on approach to teaching the muscle groups in your upper back how to function properly again. This is typically most effective after some type of an upper back injury. You will work with a physical therapist who can help you move your body purposefully. This teaches your body how to move in a way that will not aggravate the pain you already have. Plus, it can help strengthen the sore parts of your body, decreasing your overall pain.

You also have chiropractic manipulation. This is when you see a chiropractor to have the different parts of your upper back put back into their proper places. It is called an alignment. They take the different components of your back, such as your vertebrae and your discs, and put them into their rightful spots. A lot of people struggle with upper back pain due to misaligned parts of their spine. This can bring about quick relief. Plus, it can also become more effective over time if you keep getting alignments to keep everything in place.

Resting Can Both Help and Hinder Upper Back Pain

When you struggle with upper back pain, you may feel like resting. This is a good idea, to some extent. However, if you rest too much, it can actually increase your pain. When you first notice upper back pain, taking it easy is a good option. That way, you will not increase how much pain you have. It can also keep you from adding to the problem, leaving you in more pain. However, if you rest too long, it can actually leave you in more pain. Resting can cause your muscles to atrophy and leave you weaker than when you started. While you should rest, especially if you suffered some type of upper back injury, you must keep it to a short amount time. Resting for 2-4 days is fine, but for weeks on end could have negative results.

Some Therapies Are Effective Upper Back Pain Treatment Options

There are also some therapies that can be very effective upper back pain treatment options. One such therapy that we have found works incredibly well with many types of upper back pain is called the Scrambler Therapy. When you have Scrambler Therapy, it is a way to teach your body how to properly read pain signals, and how to manage them better.

Some types of upper back pain can actually come from problems with the nerves. Your body is trying to understand the signals being sent out by the nerves. However, there is a problem when it comes to deciphering the code. Scrambler Therapy helps your bodydecode the messages properly. That allows your body to realize that it is not actually in pain, but feeling another sensation. This could be something like tingling or a bit of numbness that your body misread.

Learning What Causes Your Back Pain Can Help Narrow Down the Most Effective Upper Back Pain Treatment Options

The best way to figure out which upper back pain treatment options will be best for you is to figure out what caused the pain in the first place. Knowing the cause of your pain helps figure out what things can work, and what things may make it worse. You obviously want to avoid anything that could worsen your back pain. If you randomly try treating it, without knowing the cause, it could make it to where your back pain gets worse instead of better.

When your upper back pain is serious, you need to make sure you get the right treatment to help. Reach out to us here at the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho and let us help. Call us today, at (208) 629-2492, and let us help you determine which upper back pain treatment options will work best for you.

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 4/21/2018 7:26:00 PM
Saturday, March 24, 2018

Are you on the lookout for lower back pain treatment options that can ease your pain? It can be difficult to find ones that really work. Some of them give you relief, but only for a short time. Others never give you any relief at all. Still others actually leave you feeling worse. If you need help trying to figure out which lower back pain treatment options will work best for you, that is where we come in.

What Lower Back Pain Treatment Options Are Out There?

When you struggle with lower back pain, it may not seem like there are any effective lower back pain treatments out there. However, there are many to choose from. You can always start off with medications, but those can make it to where you become dependent. There is always the option of surgery, but again, that has some serious side effects that may come with it. Physical therapy is a great option when you have chronic lower back pain. However, it is not always effective. It depends on what caused your pain in the first place. Each option you have is going to have an upside and a downside to it, for the most part.

Manipulation Can Help Treat Lower Back Pain

For most people, manipulation is the most effective lower back pain treatment option. It gives you a lot of relief, when you continue with the therapy. This type of treatment includes things like chiropractic adjustments and massage. Both of these options can bring about a significant amount of relief on their own. However, when you put them together, they can be even more effective. By putting the elements of your spine back into proper alignment, it can reduce both pain and pressure. This can then reduce your chronic pain, and allow you to go back to living the life you know and love.

Exercise is an Effective Lower Back Pain Treatment Option

One of the more effective parts of physical therapy that can give you relief are the exercises taught to you. They teach you how to move your body the right way to not only alleviate your old pain, but also to avoid new pain. The movements allow your body to heal, and adjust itself so that your problematic posture does not hinder your ability to function moving forward.

When your back hurts, your posture suffers. That is just natural for managing the pain. However, when you start to treat the pain, you must also correct the posture. If you neglect to correct that problem, the pain will continue into the future despite the treatment. Getting a lower back pain treatment that also adjusts and improves this problem can improve your pain now and in the future as well.

On top of physical therapy exercises, natural exercise to tone the body and lose weight can also help. When your back hurts, having extra weight can exacerbate the problem. Plus, if you do not have a strong core of muscles, your entire body can struggle with pain. By strengthening your core and building up your muscles, your joints are stronger. Your balance, flexibility, and mobility also improve. This can help reduce, or even eliminate all of your lower back pain.

There Are Alternative Therapies That Also Work as Lower Back Pain Treatment Options

You also have other lower back pain treatment options you may not be aware of. Outside of medication, surgery, manipulation, physical therapy, and exercise, you also have what many people tout as a great way to reduce and alleviate back pain. It is called Scrambler Therapy. It is a safe and effective method for not only treating lower back pain, but also helping your body learn to better understand pain signals.

When your body sends signals around, they are like messages. These messages have to go through the nerves around your body. When a message passes through, it can change slightly if the nerve is not working properly. Think of it like the old telephone game. By the time the message gets delivered, it may not be the same as when it was sent. Scrambler Therapy allows your body to recalibrate itself in a sense. It helps to teach your body what the signals were supposed to say in the first place. This can help your brain understand what parts of your body actually hurt, and what parts of your body need something else to feel better. It can help your body begin to recognize real pain signals, and ones that just show up saying you hurt.

When you decide that you no longer want to struggle with your back pain, you have options. Reach out to us here at the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho now, by calling (208) 629-2492. Let us know what type of pain you struggle with, and we can help you decide which lower back pain treatment options can help most.

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 3/24/2018 7:25:00 PM
Saturday, February 24, 2018

Have you been thinking about getting electrocutaneous treatment for pain in your body? If so, then you should know there are many benefits of getting this type of treatment. It can help relieve pain that is new, along with pain that may have sidelined your life for an extended period of time. Your body can begin the healing process right away, giving you quality of life back. Finding the right place to turn for electrocutaneous treatment is important. They need to understand where your pain comes from in order to help it go away.

What Exactly Is Electrocutaneous Treatment?

Electrocutaneous treatment is a form of treatment on the skin to help your body properly interpret pain signals. It involves electrical stimulation on different parts of your body. The intention is to stimulate the nerves to send signals that your mind and nervous system can translate. Sometimes, the body registers pain when there isn’t any. This is often called neuropathy. It tells your body that something hurts, when in fact, it may not be pain that your body experiences. Instead, it could be nerve problems that lead to a tingling, burning, itching, or similar feeling.

When the body gets sent these signals, it sometimes processes them as pain. By using electrocutaneous treatment, you can often get it to interpret the signals better. This lets your central nervous system work with your mind and realize that what your body is feeling is in fact, not pain. It can begin to register the feelings of burning, itching, or tingling instead. The stimulation goes near where the pain is felt by the patient. However, the stimulation does not go on the location that hurts directly. Instead, it is put on a healthier part of the body so that the signals are clear.

What Types of Electrocutaneous Treatment is Out There as Options?

Many people refer to this type of treatment as electrocutaneous treatment, but it also goes by many other names. You may find options for treatment under names like temporal stimulation, electrocutaneous stimulation, and vibratory stimulation. They are all basically the same type of therapy. They all use electrical pulses, or vibrations, to stimulate the body cutaneously, or by means of the skin. However, the effect they get differs based on the technology used.

Scrambler Therapy is a Promising Form of Electrocutaneous Treatment

One of the most promising forms of electrocutaneous treatment is called Scrambler Therapy. It is a specific type of therapy that is working well for patients with many types of neuropathy. Researchers originally started using Scrambler Therapy to help peoplestruggling with chemotherapy induced neuropathy. They noticed many people got significant levels of relief from this process. Since that initial research, it now helps with many types of neuropathy, not just that caused by chemo. It also helps neuropathy stemming from things like diabetes and injury.

Scrambler Therapy helps to train the brain. When you have signals traveling through the body along the same paths where pain signals travel, your brain automatically takes the messages and processes them as pain. However, they are not always pain messages. What Scrambler Therapy has the ability to do is retrain the brain to recognize those signals properly. Instead of reading each signal as pain, it begins to decode each message slowly and carefully. The brain begins to recognize signals for tingling, numbness, and other similar signals. This way, your brain begins to remember what actual pain is, and what other sensations are.

Benefits of Getting Electrocutaneous Treatment

When you go through and get electrocutaneous treatment, your body can begin feeling better. Instead of your brain always telling you that you are in pain, you have the opportunity to feel more normal. Pain can cause your life to become much more difficult. By having less pain to battle each day, life becomes easier. When people lose quality of life to pain, depression often follows quickly. By alleviating pain from your day, it allows you to feel more hopeful and happier.

When you take life back, it helps you feel empowered. It helps you to realize that pain does not need to dictate your life. Make the choice of what you want to do with your future instead of letting pain choose. Something as simple as getting electrocutaneous treatment can give you the ability to do things your pain once took away. Reach out and find out what benefits you may get from this therapy, based on your specific conditions.

When it comes time to getting past pain, one of the best options you have is electrocutaneous treatment. Contact us here at the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho and let us help. You can reach us by calling (208) 629-2492. Let us see if electrocutaneous treatment would be the best way of relieving your pain and giving you back your life.

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 2/24/2018 7:24:00 PM
Saturday, January 20, 2018

Oncologic pain is pain that is related to a person’s cancer. Many times this pain can be severe and at times debilitating. Many oncologic pains can be treated so that the patient does not have to suffer and can live as comfortably as possible.

What Causes Oncologic Pain

Oncologic pain is caused by the cancer itself. Typically a tumor pressing on a nerve, organ, or bone is to blame. The type and severity of pain depends on the type of cancer as well as what stage it is. Other times the pain is caused by cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. This type of pain can result in numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Some pains can also be normal aches and pains, like headaches or muscle strains.

Types of Oncologic Pain

There are different types of oncologic pain that range in severity as well as location. A cancer patient may only experience one type or multiple types of pain.

Acute Oncologic Pain

Acute oncologic pain is usually the result of some type of injury. It lasts until the injury goes away which in some cases can be a long time.

Chronic Oncologic Pain

Chronic pain can last a long time, sometimes months or years. It can be mild or it can be severe. It can also limit what a patient can do on a daily basis as well as be debilitating.

Breakthrough Oncologic Pain

This pain may be the most frustrating for patients because it happens despite the fact that the pain is being treated. As the name suggests, it “breaks through” any relief a patient is receiving from medication or other treatments. It can’t be predicted and can range in severity.

Oncologic pain can affect different parts of the body which can also determine how it is treated.

Nerve Pain

Oncologic pain can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves. When this happens, a patient may feel numb or get a tingling feeling. Sometimes patients also have trouble moving when they have nerve pain.

Bone Pain

Bone pain is sometimes referred to as somatic pain. Cancer can spread into the bone and damage the bone tissue. This pain can be dull or throbbing.

Soft Tissue Pain

This type of pain is felt from an organ or muscle. It is also referred to as visceral pain. It can be extremely severe causing cramping, aching, or throbbing.

Phantom Pain

This pain is pain felt from a body part that is no longer there. Often times breast cancer patients who undergo a mastectomy get phantom pains. Most times phantom pains go away within a few months, but they can last up to a year.

Treating Oncologic Pain

Treating oncologic pain is about managing the pain effectively for the patient. The type of treatment will depend on the patient and the level of pain. Here are the most typical ways oncologic pain is treated:

Over-the-counter pain relievers: This can be anything from Tylenol to Motrin, or ibuprofen.
Weak opioids: These require a doctor’s prescription. An example of such medication is one that contains codeine.
Strong opioids: These also must be ordered from a doctor and can include morphine, oxycodone, and methadone, among others.
Therapy. Besides medication, there are other forms of treatment and therapies that may be used. The Pain Care Clinic of Idaho can help you determine which ones are best for you needs.

Depending on the pain level, some patients may opt for more intense pain management treatments. These can include:

  • Surgery. If nerve pain is the source, a neurosurgeon may cut the nerves to stop the pain. When this is done, the patient will have no feeling and become dumb. This surgery is delicate in nature and should be discussed with a doctor thoroughly so a patient understands all of the risks.
  • Nerve Block. This is not as intense as surgery but is still serious in nature. During this procedure, a numbing drug combined with a steroid is injected around the nerve to stop the pain. It’s important to note that a nerve block can cause muscle paralysis.
  • Epidural. Pain medicine is injected into the areas around the spine, similar to when a pregnant woman receives an epidural during labor. Some patients end up getting pumps implanted so pain medicine can be distributed around the nerves.

In order to accurately treat oncologic pain, patients should track the pain and its severity levels. Keeping a log of pain triggers and length of pain as well as pain location can help doctors determine which type of treatment is best.

For more information on how to deal with oncologic pain, contact the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho at (208) 629-2492. Let their team of experts help you determine what treatments can help to ease your pain.

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Sources:

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/pain/facts-about-cancer-pain.html

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/cancer-and-pain-control/causes-and-types

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-pain/art-20045118?pg=2

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 1/20/2018 7:21:00 PM
Saturday, December 9, 2017

For those suffering from neuropathy, staying active can become a challenge. By understanding the condition and its triggers you can learn what exercises and movements are still safe and effective.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that occurs when your nerves become damaged. It’s estimated that neuropathy affects a little over two percent of the general population and about eight percent of those 55 and older. Neuropathy affects the peripheral nervous system that is in charge of things like voluntary muscle movement, involuntary organ activity, and sensory nerves. When these nerves become damaged, it can cause pain as well as difficulty moving.

What causes neuropathy?

Neuropathy can either be acquired by birth or can develop later in life due to another illness or condition. The neurological disorder Charcot-Marie Tooth disease is the most common form of inherited neuropathy. It affects 1 in every 2,500 people in the United States.

For those who develop neuropathy later in life, there are several conditions that may be to blame. These include:

  • Diabetes
  • Kidney Disorders
  • Chemical Imbalances due to liver diseases
  • Alcohol Abuse
  • Blood diseases and blood vessel damage
  • Vitamin deficiencies (specifically E, B1, B6, B12, and Niacin)
  • Physical trauma

Other medical conditions like HIV, Shingles, and Lyme Disease can also lead to neuropathy.

Of all of the possible causes, diabetes is the most common. High blood sugar can injure nerves throughout your body. For diabetics, this is usually seen in the legs and feet. In order to avoid developing neuropathy if you’re a diabetic it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and remain active.

What are the symptoms of neuropathy?

The symptoms of neuropathy will vary depending on which nerves are affected. When the peripheral nerves are affected symptoms can include:

  • Numbness
  • Inability to feel pain or temperature changes
  • Muscle weakness
  • Loss of balance
  • Increased sensitivity to touch
  • Loss of balance, coordination, and reflexes

If a patient is experiencing neuropathy within the automated nervous system other problems may arise such as:

  • Bladder control issues
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Increased heart rate when you’re resting
  • Stomach issues (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating)

When neuropathy affects the nerves in the lower body (thighs, legs, buttocks) patients may experience sudden or severe pains in those areas as well as weak muscles and weight loss.

If only a specific nerve is involved, symptoms can include:

  • Difficulty focusing
  • Partial paralysis on one side of the face
  • Pain in the chest, abdomen, thigh

Is there a cure for neuropathy?

Some forms of neuropathy can be cured; each case is different. But for the most part it’s about pain management and therapy. Receiving care from the Pain Care Clinic of Idahocan help if you are experiencing some of the many symptoms of neuropathy. Professionals can help pinpoint a specific therapy that will help you deal with your neuropathy issues. Other treatments can include pain medications and cream. In many cases symptoms will lessen but may not completely go away. It’s best to talk to your doctor to determine the best line of treatment for your specific case.

How can I stay active with neuropathy?

One of the best ways to treat neuropathy is to try to remain active. While you may think it is virtually impossible to keep moving through the pain, there are exercises you can do that will help.

Seated exercises with weights

Sit in a sturdy chair or on a balance ball. Choose a pair of hand-held weights that is challenging but manageable. From here you can do arm raises, bicep curls, or any other movement you’d like with the weights while staying seated.

Find the right cardio active

An appropriate cardio active can be anything from walking to swimming depending on what you feel comfortable doing. Some people enjoy water activities because of the soothing benefits of water therapy. A stationary bike indoors is also a popular activity for some with neuropathy.

Flexibility exercises

Ask your doctor about simple stretches you can do at home to keep your joints flexible. A yoga class may also be a possibility if that interests you.

Balance exercises

Maintaining balance can be difficult for those with neuropathy. Doing balance exercises regularly can improve balance and stability.

Non-weight bearing exercises are usually most recommended for those with neuropathy. Always consult with your doctor before beginning any form of exercise. Also be sure to have the proper footwear. Not doing so can lead to foot problems for those with neuropathy.

Why should I stay active with neuropathy?

It is extremely important to stay active with neuropathy to improve muscle strength. Exercising regularly can help with heart issues and increase blood flow. Keeping active can also help maintain appropriate glucose levels. Since most neuropathy cases are attributed to diabetes, keeping an eye on glucose levels is crucial. Anything that can be done to keep them at an appropriate level can help with neuropathy and other diabetic issues.

For more information on how to deal with neuropathy, contact the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho at (208) 629-2492. Let their team of experts help you determine what treatments can help to ease your pain.

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Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371580

https://www.everydayhealth.com/neuropathy/guide/

https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/everyday-fitness/how-can-i-stay-active-with-neuropathy/

https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/lifestyle/exercise-and-physical-therapy/#aerobic

https://neuropathysupportnetwork.org/faq-about-neuropathy/

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 12/9/2017 5:51:00 PM
Saturday, November 18, 2017

There are many different pain triggers out there that can leave you struggling with chronic pain. Some of them are totally unavoidable, such as having to have a part of your body amputated. However, some pain triggers are easier to avoid. It is important that you understand what can trigger your pain. The more you know about these triggers, the more you can do to avoid them. Here are five of the most common pain triggers, and some of the best way to avoid them leaving you in chronic pain.

First, You Must Understand What Pain Triggers Are

Pain triggers are simply events in your life that trigger your body to experience pain. Some of the pain is miserable because you feel it, while other pain is miserable because your body registers that it is there. It isn’t that you don’t feel the pain, because you do. It is more that the pain is a problem with the nerves in these particular cases. Your body needs to relearn what the signals are coming from that area, and understand how to decode them properly. This is called neuropathic pain. There are many things that can trigger this type of pain.

Drinking Too Much Alcohol Can Trigger Pain

When you drink alcohol, it can directly affect your nerves. The more you drink, the more damage gets done. The nerve damage that comes from drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is typically permanent. The best way to avoid any type of pain triggers that stem from alcohol, is to avoid drinking any type of alcohol in the first place. Even drinking now and again can damage your nerves. However, the occasional drink would be far less likely to hurt you than consistent drinking would.

Diabetes That is Not Managed Properly is a Common Pain Trigger

When diabetes is not managed the way it should be, it can cause extensive damage. This can include leading to neuropathic pain. You may notice that you struggle with occasional numbness, or you may even struggle with tingling and burning sensations. The best way to avoid this type of pain is to make sure to consistently manage your diabetes. Check your blood sugar regularly, and make sure to keep your insulin levels within the right ranges. This can keep your pain minimized, and keep your diabetes from causing additional damage to your body.

Compressed Nerves Are Common Pain Triggers

One of the more common pain triggers that people do not always recognize includes compressed nerves. This can cause not only chronic pain, but it can also cause tingling and impair movement. The affected nerves can leave you struggling with pain, or they can even make it to where you feel burning each time the nerve tries to send out a signal. The best way to avoid pain triggers that stem from compressed nerves is to get checked as soon as you notice any type of nerve pain. Your medical health care provider will likely suggest getting a chiropractic adjustment. That can help realign the nerves properly so they are no longer compressed together. That can stop your pain, and help improve your ability to move.

Immune Problems Can Trigger Pain

Disorders of the immune system, including things like HIV and even things like food allergies, can trigger widespread pain in the body. The body responds to the signals coming from different parts of the body by triggering an immune response. Your body believes there is a problem, so it sets up its defenses to keep you safe. Even if you do not have a legitimate problem that deserves an immune response, your body believes you are under attack. Your body then sends out the cells to attack the invader, which may result in you hurting. The pain can range from soreness to much more severe, chronic pain. The best way to avoid this type of pain is to figure out what things cause your immune system to respond. If you suffer from food allergies, make sure to steer clear of the foods that cause the response.

Chemotherapy Often Triggers Pain

Chemotherapy does a lot to harm your immune system, but it does so for a good purpose. What the goal is, is to kill off your current immune system, and retrain it to fight off the cancer cells. However, there is no way, at this time, to trigger only specific cells, so it hurts them all. This often leaves you facing a lot of pain, and can be difficult to treat by means of painkillers. The best way to avoid these pain triggers is to talk to your doctors. They often have alternatives that can treat some of the pain, such as the Scrambler Therapy.

Getting Help to Manage Your Pain Triggers

When your pain triggers take over your life, you need to get help. There are many options out there to provide you with relief. Pain does not need to tell you what parts of your life you get to live and what parts of your life you should miss out on. Take your life back, and stop letting pain dictate your life.

When you need help keeping your chronic pain under control, give us a call here at Pain Care Clinic of Idaho. You can reach our caring staff by calling (208) 629-2492 anytime. Let us help you avoid your pain triggers and get your quality of life back!

Posted by info@pccofid.com at 11/18/2017 5:50:00 PM
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