Blog - Medical Info - TriState Pain

Good and Bad Exercises for Arthritis Patients

Physical exercise can be challenging for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For adults who have a long history of a sedentary lifestyle, commencing a planned exercise routine can be particularly frustrating. However, the importance of including exercise as a part of an overall arthritis management plan has been clearly demonstrated, per a Journal of Aging Research article. (Since the Arthritis Foundation reports that arthritis affects at least one in four adults, taking your arthritis pain seriously by obtaining early treatment is advisable.)

At Tristate Pain Institute, we utilize a wide variety of therapeutic modalities to treat pain resulting from diverse health conditions (including arthritis pain... Read more

Shingles – Diagnosis and Treatment

Shingles (caused by Herpes Zoster) is often excruciatingly painful, and the risk of contracting it increases with age. Around 25 percent of all adults aged 50 and older will develop this viral disease unless vaccinated against it (per the National Institutes of Health). According to the Centers for Disease Control(CDC), the most common Shingles complication is postherpetic neuralgia.

The CDCalso reports that between 10-15 percent of people afflicted with Shingles will develop this type of nerve pain. If you are one of those people, you may benefit by a visit to Tristate Pain Institute. Our medical providers at our sites in Arizona and Nevada treat neuropathic pain such as... Read more

Sleeping with a Herniated Disc

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc refers to an intervertebral disc tear that causes the nucleus pulposus (central portion) to rupture and irritate surrounding spinal discs and nerves. This medical condition can develop anywhere in the spine, including the cervical (neck), thoracic (middle back), and lumbar (lower back) regions.

Spinal discs act as cushions between vertebrae, helping the spine bend and move more fluidly. Over time, discs may become dehydrated, less flexible, or injured, causing them to herniate or bulge. Sleeping comfortably is often a concern for individuals suffering from a slipped disc, so the pain management... Read more

What Is Cervicocranial Syndrome?

Cervicocranial syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that are believed to be caused by instability and misalignment in the cervical vertebrae (neck bones).

The condition is also sometimes called Barré-Lieou syndrome or posterior cervical sympathetic syndrome. Cervicocranial syndrome can include a wide range of symptoms. They include:

Headache Neck pain Sinus congestion Facial pain Ear pain Vertigo (dizziness or loss of balance) Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Disturbed vision Hoarseness and loss of voice Clicking in the neck Difficulty swallowing Pain at the carotid artery

What causes cervicocranial syndrome?

With cervicocranial syndrome, weak or injured ligaments in the neck cause the cervical vertebrae to become... Read more

Should I Buy a Knee or Back Brace at a Drugstore?

When you’re in pain, you may find yourself browsing the brace section at your local drugstore, wondering if one of these foam and Velcro devices could be the answer to your pain.

Braces seem to be available for almost any part of your body—back, elbows, knees, ankles, wrists, neck, etc. It’s understandable that you might want to try one, but in general, it’s best to see your doctor first.

The wrong brace, or the right brace that’s not fitted properly, could be a waste of money. Worse, it might even make your pain worse. The doctors at Tri-State Pain can tell you whether a brace will help you, and they can help fit you with one.

Here’s a quick look at two of the most popular types of braces—knee and back braces.... Read more

How to Exercise When You Have Chronic Pains

You know that old saying about exercise—no pain, no gain? Well, it’s wrong.

We encourage all our patients to exercise. It can help keep your heart strong, relieve depression, help you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen the muscles that support your joints, build bone strength, and improve sleep.

But what if when you try to exercise, your pain gets worse? For chronic pain sufferers, that’s a real issue. There are no surefire answers to that problem, but we do have some tips that may help you increase your activity level more comfortably.

Start slow. If you’ve been completely sedentary, start with a leisurely 5 or 10-minute walk or something similar. Build up slowly to faster and longer bouts of exercise. If you’re... Read more