Blog Archive

Introduction Lower back pain is a prevalent and often debilitating condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. While the discomfort and limitations it imposes during waking hours are well recognized, its impact on sleep quality is equally significant yet frequently overlooked. The relationship between lower back pain and sleep disturbances...

Discover the cause of shoulder pain with our comprehensive shoulder pain diagnosis charts. Explore diagnosis and treatment options Contents Introduction to Shoulder Pain Anatomy of the Shoulder Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Charts Front Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Chart Back Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Chart Symptoms and Causes of Shoulder Pain Diagnostic Approaches for...

Understanding and Treating Pain Between Shoulder Blades. Discover the causes of upper back pain between the shoulder blades, from muscle strain to underlying conditions in this useful guide.  Upper back pain located between the shoulder blades can range from a mild annoyance to a debilitating condition, impacting daily activities and...

Immediate Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief: Stretches, Exercises and other Techniques for Easing Sciatica Pain and Discomfort Understanding Sciatica: Path to Immediate Relief Sciatica, characterized by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, is a common affliction that impacts many people's quality of life. The sciatic nerve, extending...

What Your Knee Pain May Indicate Based on Its Location Navigating the complexities of knee pain can often feel like deciphering a detailed map, each region indicating a unique cause or underlying condition. Our "Knee Pain Location Chart" serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding what your knee pain may...

Foot Pain Causes, Conditions and Treatments Learn about the causes of foot pain with our foot pain chart and diagram. Overcome foot or ankle pain | Foot and ankle conditions, symptoms, and treatments Foot pain is a common complaint that can arise from a variety of sources, each affecting different...

Discover the causes of knee pain, including injuries and arthritis, and learn how to prevent and manage it with effective treatment options. Contents Knee pain What is knee pain? Possible Causes Diagnosis Treatment  Home Remedies and Self-Care Medications Physical Therapy and Exercises When to Call the Doctor Exercises to Strengthen...

It would be hard to overstate the importance of your spine. This structure is ground zero for your entire musculoskeletal system, and its health can have no small impact on your life. Unfortunately, your spine is also ground zero for a host of issues that can leave you with nagging...

Contents What is jaw pain? Possible Causes and Diagnoses What is the difference between TMD and TMJ? TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint TMD: Temporomandibular Disorders Care and Treatment TMJ Pain Relief: 10 Best Practices to relieve jaw pain When to Call the Doctor Lifestyle strategies to reduce jaw pain long-term Contact Us...

Ketamine Therapy for Depression | The Ultimate Guide 2024: Navigating the Path to Relief with Ketamine Therapy In the realm of mental health, ketamine therapy for depression stands out as a beacon of hope, particularly for those grappling with treatment-resistant depression. This innovative ketamine treatment has transformed the landscape of...

Introduction: Living with arthritis can be challenging, as the persistent pain and inflammation associated with this condition can significantly impact daily life. From difficulty performing routine tasks to reduced mobility and quality of life, arthritis poses a significant burden for millions of individuals worldwide. Fortunately, advancements in pain management techniques...

Table of Contents 1. Introduction to Lumbar Spinal Stenosis 2. Anatomy of the Spine 3. Causes of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis 4. Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis 5. Diagnosing Lumbar Spinal Stenosis 6. Treatment Options 7. Managing Symptoms at Home 8. Preventing Lumbar Spinal Stenosis 9. Living with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis...

It’s not until something is wrong that you realize just how important certain joints are in your body, which is often the case with shoulders. As the 2 million Americans who seek medical help for rotator cuff tears each year can tell you, life is limited when your shoulder is...

Contents Introduction Understanding Trigger Point Injections Combination of Trigger Point Injections with Physical Therapy Modalities Conditions Treated with Trigger Point Injections Importance of Medical Supervision Evidence-Based Efficacy of Trigger Point Injections Understanding Trigger Points What are Trigger Points? How do Trigger Points Develop? Common Locations of Trigger Points in the...

What is The Best Painkiller For Spinal Stenosis? Contents What is Spinal Stenosis? What causes spinal stenosis? Why is My Spinal Stenosis So Painful? How Do You Prevent Spinal Stenosis From Getting Worse? What Helps Relieve Severe Spinal Stenosis Pain? Treatment for spinal stenosis Physical Therapy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis...

Discover the Difference: Personalized Care at Our Community-Based Pain Medicine and Spine Care Practice Here at our local community-based medical practice, we pride ourselves on delivering superior outcomes through a commitment to personalized care.  Unlike the large impersonal academic centers like Stanford or UCSF, where patients often feel lost in...

Contents What Is Ketamine? What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy? What conditions is ketamine infusion therapy effective for? How does ketamine infusion therapy treatment work? The benefits of ketamine infusion therapy IV ketamine infusion for chronic pain IV ketamine infusion for depression IV ketamine infusion for anxiety IV ketamine infusion for...

Contents What is lumbar spinal stenosis? How common is spinal stenosis? What are the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis? What are the causes of lumbar spinal stenosis? How is lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosed? How is lumbar spinal stenosis treated? How do I prevent lumbar spinal stenosis? Living with lumbar spinal...

Understanding Trigger Point Injections (TPI) for Pain Relief What are Trigger Points and How Do They Cause Pain? Trigger points are hyperirritable spots found within a taut band of skeletal muscle or its associated fascia, often referred to as "muscle knots." These spots are not only tender to the touch...

Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Understanding PPO Insurance 3. Benefits of PPO Insurance for Pain Management 4. Finding a PPO Pain Doctor 5. Out-of-Network Benefits 6. Popular PPO Healthcare Insurance Providers in California 7. Making an Appointment with Pain Medicine Consultants 8. Preparing for Your Pain Management Appointment 9....

Introduction: In today's fast-paced work environments, ensuring safety is paramount to protecting both employees and businesses. Workplace injuries can have significant consequences, affecting productivity, morale, and overall well-being. At Pain Medicine Consultants, our team of experienced providers, including Dr. Richard Shinaman, MD, Dr. Ruben Kalra, MD, Dr. William Longton, MD,...

Introduction: Is Joint Pain Bringing You Down? Joint pain is not merely an inconvenience; it's a significant obstacle that can impede your ability to lead a fulfilling life. From hindering your mobility to affecting your mental health, the impact of joint pain should not be underestimated, especially as the colder...

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of RA is crucial for prompt diagnosis and effective management.  At Pain Medicine Consultants, our providers, Dr. Richard Shinaman, Dr. Ruben Kalra, Dr. William Longton, and Dr. Nathaniel Gamsky,...

Introduction: Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition characterized by the forward displacement of one vertebra over another, often leading to back pain and discomfort. As a prevalent cause of back pain, understanding spondylolisthesis and its effects on back health is crucial. This article aims to educate patients about spondylolisthesis, its impact...

Introduction: Hip pain can be debilitating, impacting mobility and overall quality of life. While steroid injections are a common treatment option, they may not always be the best choice for everyone. At Pain Medicine Consultants, we recognize the importance of exploring alternative treatments when steroids aren't ideal for managing hip...

The 10 Benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Harnessing the Power of Your Body's Healing Abilities Introduction: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a cutting-edge medical treatment that harnesses the body's natural healing mechanisms to promote tissue repair and regeneration.  PRP has gained widespread recognition for its efficacy in treating various...

Introduction: Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common overuse injury characterized by pain and tenderness on the outer side of the elbow. This condition primarily affects the muscles and tendons responsible for wrist extension and finger movement. While it is often associated with activities like playing tennis,...

Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has gained popularity as a cutting-edge treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions, including joint pain, tendon injuries, and osteoarthritis. However, misconceptions and myths surrounding PRP therapy often lead to confusion among patients seeking effective pain management solutions.  In this article, we aim to debunk common myths...

Introduction: Back pain is a common and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide.  While conservative treatments such as medication and physical therapy can provide relief for some individuals, others may require more targeted interventions to manage their symptoms effectively.  Facet joint injections are one such treatment option that...

Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for alleviating joint pain and promoting tissue healing.  By harnessing the regenerative properties of platelets found in the patient's blood, PRP therapy offers a natural and effective solution for individuals seeking relief from joint pain without resorting to surgery...

Introduction: Chronic pain is a complex and debilitating condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. While traditional treatments often focus on medication and physical therapy, emerging research suggests that diet plays a significant role in pain management. Understanding the relationship between diet and pain is essential for effectively managing chronic...

Epidural injections are more than just a tool for labor pain management. At Pain Medicine Consultants, we offer epidural steroid injections (ESIs) as part of our array of treatments in Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, and Corte Madera, CA. Let's delve into what these injections entail and when they might be the...

Introduction: Living with chronic pain can be incredibly challenging, affecting not only your physical well-being but also your quality of life. At Pain Medicine Consultants, our team of experts, including Dr. Richard Shinaman, MD, Dr. Ruben Kalra, MD, Dr. William Longton, MD, and Dr. Nathaniel Gamsky, MD, is dedicated to...

Introduction: Experiencing a torn ligament can be debilitating, impacting individuals of all ages and activity levels. While traditional treatments like rest, physical therapy, and medication may offer relief for some, others continue to struggle with persistent pain and limited mobility. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy emerges as a promising solution, offering...

Regenerative medicine offers promising solutions for individuals struggling with orthopedic conditions, aiming to enhance healing and alleviate symptoms using biologic treatments. At Pain Medicine Consultants, we're committed to providing patients with comprehensive information and personalized care to address their specific needs. Let's delve into the world of regenerative medicine and...

Introduction: With the rise of remote work, many individuals have transitioned from traditional office settings to working from home. While this offers flexibility and convenience, it can also come with its own set of challenges, including ergonomic issues that may lead to back and neck pain. At Pain Medicine Consultants,...

Introduction: Suffering an injury while on the job can be a daunting experience, but knowing how to navigate the aftermath effectively is key to receiving the care and support you need. At Pain Medicine Consultants, our team of dedicated providers – Dr. Richard Shinaman, MD, Dr. Ruben Kalra, MD, Dr....

Back pain is one of the most prevalent and debilitating conditions in America. Around two percent of back pain cases are attributed to bulging discs, a condition that often persists despite conventional remedies. At Pain Medicine Consultants, in Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton and Corte Madera, CA, we recognize the complexities of...

Are you tired of enduring chronic pain with no end in sight? Traditional treatments falling short of providing relief? It might be time to explore a solution that could make a real difference in your journey towards recovery: the epidural steroid shot. At Pain Medicine Consultants, our team of experts,...

You used to jump out of bed every morning, but these days you greet the day with dread, not knowing how much impact your complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) will have on your ability to function. CRPS is a fairly rare condition, affecting about 200,000 people each year in the...

There are some health conditions that truly earn their name, which is certainly true of trigger points. These knots in your muscles not only trigger local pain, they have a way of setting off pain in other areas of your body. If you’re experiencing pain and there's no obvious injury,...

With each passing year, your joint pain continues to transition from an occasional, but most unwelcome, guest to a mostly constant companion. Instead of facing yet another year during which the joint pain only worsens, why not make this the year you swing the discomfort in the other direction?  We...

You feel fine one minute, but you make a seemingly small change in your posture or a movement, and all of sudden, you’re not so fine thanks to pain shooting down your leg. These sudden flares of pain that extend from your lower back, down into one side of your...

You have a cold and develop a headache or perhaps you celebrated a little hard with friends and your head pounds the next day. These are examples of perfectly normal headaches that can make an appearance every once in a while.  But if you struggle with primary and chronic headaches...

If you’re among the millions of Americans who have diabetes — more than 37 million, to be precise — you need to be on your toes about certain complications. One of the more common is diabetic neuropathy, which affects more than half of people with Type 2 diabetes. Nerve damage...

It’s rare to find someone who hasn’t experienced low back pain at least once in their lives. In fact, millions of people struggle with the problem on an ongoing basis.  From degenerative changes in the spine to muscle strains, there are many different roads to low back pain, but we...

To call managing fibromyalgia uncomfortable, difficult, and frustrating is putting it mildly. This life-altering pain condition affects about 4 million people (mostly women) in the United States, forcing them to deal with widespread pain, fatigue, sleep issues, fogginess, and more.  Our team here at Pain Medicine Consultants can certainly do our part to help you manage...

You took a long walk with a friend or played a round of golf and your knees would object for a few hours afterward. Now, what were once sporadic complaints from your knees have turned into a constant roar, and you just want to find relief. The good news is...

When you have arthritis, every month has its challenges. That said, since May is Arthritis Awareness Month in the United States, we thought we’d take this opportunity to review some effective ways in which you can prevent arthritis from casting a long shadow over your life. More than 92 million people in...

Your spine is designed for a far different lifestyle than what you’re likely leading today. Hunting and gathering have been replaced by traveling in cars, sitting at desks, and ordering online, all of which encourage poor posture.  Modern humans are paying the price for these conveniences with degenerative changes along...

When you’re experiencing musculoskeletal pain, typically the best way to tackle the problem is at its source. With myofascial pain, the source may not be where you think, but rather, stems from a trigger point that’s seemingly unrelated. With our trigger point injection therapy, our team here at Pain Medicine...

On the one hand, you know it’s good for the health of your spine to stand up straight and tall. On the other hand, the pain and discomfort that comes with this good posture sends you straight back to hunching over.  If this sounds familiar, the odds are fairly good...

More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, which places them at far greater risk for nerve damage, or peripheral neuropathy. To define greater risk, consider this next statistic: Between a third and half of people with diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy. Our team here at Pain Medicine Consultants understands this heightened...

Pain is becoming far too central to your life and you want to find relief, without resorting to surgery or risky medications. A spinal cord stimulator may hold the key to this relief, and the best way to test that is by undergoing a trial period. For the 50,000 recipients of...

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) may not be all that common — it affects less than 1 in 100,000 of the population — but the pain that comes with the condition is anything but common. In fact, it’s quite intense. If you’re one of the few people struggling with CRPS, finding ways to...

The lifetime prevalence of sciatica is fairly high — 10-40% of people experience the problem at some point, though usually after the age of 20. Due to the high incidence of sciatica, pain management specialists have found many ways in which we can provide relief for this painful condition. At Pain Medicine Consultants,...

You’ve heard people talking about platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and you wonder whether it might play a role in healing your musculoskeletal damage. But before you commit, you want to know whether this new (to you) treatment is safe. To answer this question, our team here at Pain Medicine Consultants...

Cancer and pain don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand, but nearly half of all cancer patients experience either short- or long-term pain related to their disease.  Whether it’s the cancer itself or you’re struggling with post-surgical pain, we want to help you take the pain out of an already difficult situation. To do this,...

Migraines are one of the more common conditions that affects the world’s population — 10% report ongoing problems with migraines, which affect women three times more than men.  What can also be said of migraines is that they develop in people for many different reasons — from the foods they eat to the...

The numbers surrounding hair loss in men and women in the United States are eye-opening — half of women experience thinning hair and the opposite sex has it even worse, as 85% of men have considerably thinner hair by the age of 50. If you’re displeased by the effect that...

The discomfort that comes with sciatica is like no other. The pain doesn’t only occur in your back, but it can shoot down one of your legs. With sciatica, even the simplest tasks, like bending over to pick something up, can be excruciating. When you have sciatica, it’s understandable that...

Of the many complications that can develop due to diabetes, peripheral neuropathy is among the most common, affecting 50% of those who have diabetes in the United States. Not only can this condition lead to ongoing pain and discomfort, it can also threaten your mobility. Our team here at Pain Medicine Consultants specializes in diabetic neuropathy. We...

There are more than 150 different types of headaches, which can range from debilitating and chronic migraines to less serious headaches due to temporary issues, such as caffeine withdrawal or a hangover. If your life seems to be at the mercy of recurring headaches, our team at Pain Medicine Consultants...

The current numbers surrounding depression are alarming in large part due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  In the last pre-pandemic year, nearly 20 million American adults were affected by depression, but new numbers show that a third of adults show signs of clinical anxiety and/or depression, an increase of about...

There’s no getting around the fact that life has been plenty stressful for everyone lately. Unfortunately, the longer the stress goes on, the more susceptible you might be to a wide range of mental and physical health conditions, including headaches. Our team here at Pain Medicine Consultants has considerable experience...

There are many causes of back pain, but strains and sprains are among the most common, especially in your lower back. The results of these injuries can range from a minor discomfort to debilitating pain that makes even the smallest movement seem impossible. To help you determine whether your back...

You have a bum knee or an achy elbow, and you’re tired of your life being limited by these painful joints. Unfortunately, the key to great long-term joint health often requires strengthening the joint, but the pain prevents you from taking these necessary steps.  In other words, you’re stuck in...

Of the more than 34 million Americans who have diabetes, half will have some experience with diabetic neuropathy at some point in their lives.  The complications that can stem from neuropathy are incredibly serious and even lead to amputation, which is why monitoring for the earliest signs of nerve damage...

From the moment you get out of bed each day, you rely on your knees to get you to where you need to go. When you injure one of these major joints, you’re not only in considerable pain, but your ability to perform most minor tasks, such as fetching a...

If you’re among the millions of people in the United States (35 million, to be exact) who suffer from migraines, you’ve likely sought treatment after treatment with only mild to moderate success.  We urge you not to give up hope, as there are many ways that we can approach migraine...

The prevalence of joint pain due to arthritis in the United States is staggering. More than 92 million people report doctor-diagnosed arthritis or arthritis symptoms, namely pain and inflammation.  When it comes to arthritis, there’s no benefit or valor to simply soldiering through the pain, because there are many steps...

If you’re one of the millions of Americans (to be precise, 39 million adults and children) who suffer from migraines, you understand all too well the effect that this type of head pain can have on your life. While there’s still some mystery surrounding migraines, the medical world has made...

If you’ve been hobbled by pain, you’ll do most anything to find relief, but perhaps not surgery if you can avoid it. While surgical solutions have come a long way, they certainly aren’t the only options available to you. Here at Pain Medicine Consultants, our team of innovative and qualified...

Every day is a battle to gain the upper hand on your pain and you’re tired of the lack of meaningful results. Or perhaps you’re dealing with major depressive disorder and you feel hope is running out.  These are just two instances in which ketamine infusion therapy is providing much-needed...

There’s much we still don’t entirely understand about cancer, but we do know that there’s an undeniable relationship between this disease and pain, though not in all cases.  The fact is that there are more than 100 different types of cancer and not all of them cause pain. When there...

It’s hard to understate the importance of a good night’s rest. Your body uses this time to renew and repair itself.  If head pain is plaguing you throughout the night, your body is deprived of this critical restorative time. Making matters more complicated, your head pain may stem from a...

You wake to sore muscles and smile knowing that your workout certainly did its job. But if you awaken each day with persistent muscle aches and pains, the problem goes far beyond a new exercise regimen. Here at Pain Medicine Consultants, our team provides expert and experienced care for most...

The role of the human brain in chronic pain disorders and mental health issues is a complex riddle that medical researchers continue to study. In the meantime, we’ve been limited in how we can address problems like neuropathic pain and depression.  But recently, a drug used as an analgesic for...

Fibromyalgia is an incredibly complex disorder that affects your physical, mental, and emotional health. In fact, determining cause and effect when it comes to this complex illness can be tricky, but understanding these links has helped us better treat the problem from many different angles. At Pain Medicine Consultants, our...

Headaches come in many different forms, from chronic migraines to a dull head after a late night out with friends.  Of the dozens of different types of primary headaches, a few account for the majority of cases, and these are the ones that lead to missed workdays, never mind the...

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon disorder that affects about 200,000 people each year in the United States. Unfortunately, CRPS can often be misdiagnosed, which means many people aren’t getting the treatment they need. Our team at Pain Medicine Consultants understands the frustration that comes with conditions like...

Joint pain in the form of arthritis affects more than 54 million people in the United States, and there’s no end in sight to the problem. Experts predict that this number will rise to 78 million by 2040.  While there may be no cure for arthritis (yet), there are many...

The incidence of chronic pain in the United States is nothing short of staggering — 20% of adults report chronic pain and 8% report high-impact chronic pain, which means their lives are affected in serious ways.  If you find yourself in these unfortunate groups, you’ve likely looked far and wide...

A whopping 130 million men and women in the United States are experiencing some degree of hair loss — more specifically, 100 million men and 30 million women. In other words, hair loss greatly affects both genders, but we have a solution that can benefit both sides of the fence....

Perhaps you spend hours in a chair in front of a computer screen, straining your neck and shoulders, or your lower back develops a muscle spasm. In either case, a very specific area in your muscle or fascia is so tense that it creates a dull ache that radiates outward,...

Given all that your knees are responsible for in terms of support and mobility, it’s little wonder that knee pain can have such a far-reaching effect on your life. While knee pain isn’t at all uncommon, you need to know the difference between an acute tweak that will resolve itself...

When it comes to managing musculoskeletal issues, the mission is twofold. First, you need to address the pain and discomfort to restore your quality of life. Second, you want to heal the damaged tissue so you don’t run into more problems down the road.  Fortunately, we have the right combination...

Waking up each day to debilitating back or neck pain can wreak havoc on your life. And the road to relief through surgery or medications may not appeal to you because both choices carry considerable risks. Or perhaps you’ve already had surgery and the pain still persists.  Whatever the case,...

Arthritis affects a large percentage of the population in the United States, with numbers that range between 54 and 78 million. And of the 100 million people in the United States who struggle with chronic pain, no small percentage is due to the many different forms of joint disease.  Since...

If you’re struggling with fibromyalgia, you’re no stranger to pain, which can hijack your life in countless ways. And finding relief for this musculoskeletal pain is frustrating since the origin of the pain appears to stem from a problem in the way the neurotransmitters in your brain function.  To tackle...

With each passing year, it may seem like your list of aches and pains continues to grow with no end in sight. Perhaps that old knee injury rears its ugly head or new problems develop as your joints succumb to years of wear-and-tear.  The truth is that aging presents considerable...

While life may be full of coincidences, we don’t believe that the general weight problem and the high incidence of sciatica pain is one of them. To be sure, weight isn’t the only risk factor when it comes to this type of back pain, but it can certainly play a...

Diabetes has been labeled, among other things, as one of the world’s largest health care problems of this century. In the United States alone, diabetes affects 10% of the population and is increasing by a whopping 5% each year. Of the many health consequences that stem from diabetes, diabetic neuropathy...

Migraines affect 1 in 4 households in the United States, and nearly 4 million sufferers are considered chronic, which means they have a whopping 15 migraines a month. These eye-opening numbers get more sobering still if you consider that every 10 seconds, head pain drives someone to an emergency room...

Dealing with chronic pain can be frustrating as treatment after treatment offers temporary relief, but eventually the debilitating pain creeps back in. As medical researchers cast about for longer-lasting solutions for chronic pain, many are focusing on stem cell therapy as a viable and sustainable solution that heals from within...

The human body is amazingly complex and integrated in a way in which everything is somehow connected. And this fact can be made abundantly clear when a problem develops in one area and your nerves cause symptoms (in this case, pain) to radiate outward. When this happens, trigger point injections...

Migraines can cripple your ability to function. These intense headaches can leave you numb, sitting in a dark room, unable to do anything. Are you a migraine sufferer? Then you know how painful they are. What you might not know is how many people experience migraines. Migraines are common, more...

Have you been on antidepressants but still feel depressed? Have you been through counseling, only to fall back into having those feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness? We want you to know you’re not alone: 30%-40% of those who have this mood disorder have what’s referred to as treatment-resistant depression. These...

When you suffer from chronic back pain, finding a treatment that helps you get relief from your discomfort can be trying. In some cases, if conservative treatments fail to reduce your pain or help you regain some of your normal function, surgery may be recommended. But surgery isn’t always the...

Long-term (chronic) back pain can greatly interfere with your life by making it difficult to perform even the simplest task. But successful relief from the pain is often elusive. Invasive surgery, pain medications, and other therapies can worsen the initial issue or bring on troubles of their own. Narcotic pain...