Wolmed Blog » Pain Management http://wolmed.com/blog Just another WordPress site Wed, 16 May 2012 18:32:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Wol+Med Pain Management Tip of the Day http://wolmed.com/blog/daily-pain-management-tip/wolmed-pain-management-tip-of-the-day/ http://wolmed.com/blog/daily-pain-management-tip/wolmed-pain-management-tip-of-the-day/#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:48:42 +0000 mulrich http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=406 Does you bra fit you?

For many people dealing with pain is a daily occurrence, and the best they can hope for is to just try and manage the pain. There are many small things that one can do to help manage this pain, and Wol+Med is here to help provide them to you.

Hopefully this tip can help ease the pain for some of our lady followers, and guys this can help you empathize with the pain the women in your life deal with.

Daily Tip:

If you bra is causing you back pain, it could be because an incorrectly sized bra. Having the wrong size bra can lead to sore neck and back muscles. This pain can be easily fixed if your bra is fitted by a professional. Don’t let the word professional scare you. Victoria’s Secret does a fantastic job fitting women for the correct bra size, and they have many stores. Like your Wol+Med Pain Management Professional, they are close by and here to assist you.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/daily-pain-management-tip/wolmed-pain-management-tip-of-the-day/feed/ 0 Classifying My Pain – Do I Need Pain Management? http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/classifying-my-pain-to-figure-out-if-i-need-pain-management/ http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/classifying-my-pain-to-figure-out-if-i-need-pain-management/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:59:06 +0000 mulrich http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=385 If you are reading this article, you’re probably experiencing pain at some level, but don’t know if pain management is an option for you.  The best way to figure out this conundrum is to first classify the different types of pain.  With classification comes clarification, which in turn helps you understand that pain management can help you, and that you don’t have to suffer in pain alone.  Let’s start of by defining what pain is.

  • Pain: The International Association for the Study of Pain calls pain “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage”.

Now that you know the definition for pain, let’s classify the two types of pain to better understand which type you may have.

  • Acute Pain: The Harvard Medical Dictionary defines it as “Severe pain that occurs suddenly and usually lasts a short while.” Many doctors classify pain as acute when pain last less than 30 days.
  • Chronic Pain:  Wikipedia defines it as “pain that has lasted for a long time,” or “pain that extends beyond the expected period of healing.” The two most commonly used markers doctors use to determine if pain is passing from acute to chronic is between 3 to 6 months since onset.

Now that you understand the difference between acute pain and chronic pain, let’s review other ways to classify pain by the kind of damage that causes it.

  • Tissue Damage: Also called nociceptive pain, The Richeimer Pain Medical Group states “Nociceptors are the nerves which sense and respond to parts of the body which suffer from damage.” This type of pain can occur from “sprains, bone fractures, burns, bumps, bruises, inflammation, obstructions, and myofascial pain.”
  • Nerve Damage: Also called neuropathic pain, Medicine Net states that Neuropathic pain “results from injury to the nervous system.” This type of pain “can occur after trauma or because of many diseases such as multiple sclerosis and stroke.”
  • Psychogenic pain: Web MD states that “Psychogenic pain most often has a physical origin either in tissue damage or nerve damage, but the pain caused by that damage is increased or prolonged by such factors as fear, depression, stress, or anxiety. In some cases, pain originates from a psychological condition.”

Properly classifying your pain, while not a diagnosis of what is causing your pain, is always helpful in determining if pain management can be an option for you.   Your next step should be to visit with a trained pain management doctor to see how they can help ease your pain.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/classifying-my-pain-to-figure-out-if-i-need-pain-management/feed/ 0 Surprising Back Pain Statistics – No American’s Safe http://wolmed.com/blog/auto-injuries/surprising-back-pain-statistics%e2%80%93-no-american%e2%80%99s-safe/ http://wolmed.com/blog/auto-injuries/surprising-back-pain-statistics%e2%80%93-no-american%e2%80%99s-safe/#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:47:32 +0000 mulrich http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=376 Whether you are young and indestructible and think nothing can hurt you, or you are an adult in relatively good health and feel like you will never get old, I have news for you; pain isn’t just for the old.

Since the advent of the wheel, there have been plenty of accidents to go around, so it isn’t that uncommon to see people of all ages suffering from chronic pain. Statistics show that up to 85% of Americans will suffer chronic back pain at some point in their lives.1  Furthermore, 31 million Americans will experience low-back pain at any given time, while up to half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.4  With statistics like these it’s easy to see why pain management is a necessity for so many Americans.  Listed below, are more interesting facts you should know about back pain.

  • After the common cold, back pain is the top reason for visiting the doctor in the U.S.
  • An upwards of 50 billion dollars is spent each year trying to fix back problems. 3
  • 30-40 percent of all workplace absences are because of back pain.
  • Approximately 25% of adults 20 years and older, reported having lower back pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months. 5
  • Back pain is the number 1 cause of disability in the US for those under 45. 2
  • Most cases of back pain are not caused by serious conditions like arthritis, infections, fractures or cancer.

As you can see, whether you are young or old, back pain shows no favoritism and can affect any one at any age.  If you or a loved one falls into any of these statistical categories and you need a pain management doctor in the DFW area, visit WOLMED and set up an appointment today.

References
1. Orthopedic Clinics of North America, Volume 35, Issue I, Pages 1-5 S. Pai, L. Sundaram
2. Bigos S, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults, Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14. Rockville, MD: U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, AHCPR Pub. No. 95-0642, Dec. 1994.Eyerman, Edward MD. Journal of Neuroimaging. June 1998
3. John P. Kostuik, MD, and Simeon Margolis, MD, Ph.D. Low Back Pain and Osteoporosis. The John Hopkins White Paper on Low Back Pain and Osteoporosis, 2002.
4. Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.
5. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2006, Special Feature on Pain With Chartbook on Trends in the
Health of Americans. Hyattsville, MD.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/auto-injuries/surprising-back-pain-statistics%e2%80%93-no-american%e2%80%99s-safe/feed/ 0 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome hinders home and work life http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-hinders-home-and-work-life/ http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-hinders-home-and-work-life/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:10:00 +0000 admin http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=351 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

When you’re injured at work, it not only affects you at work, but also at home as well. It’s extremely frustrating when you are limited from doing simple things such as holding a cell phone.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is tingling sensation in your hand caused by pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. The National Center for Biotechnology Information says the most common cause of CTS is typing. The most common symptoms of CTS are numbness and weakness in the fingers or hand, and mostly occur at night. Doctors hypothesize that the reasoning that most patients suffer from symptoms at night is that the wrists are held flexed during sleep.

Typing is the major cause of CTS because the same hand or wrist movements are being repeated over and over. These repetitive movements cause swelling, which causes the numbness and tingling. The toughest part about this work related injury is treatment. If you have back pain from playing sports, the most basic treatment is to take a couple days off and rest your back. This is extremely difficult with our hands and wrists because we use them for many different tasks throughout the day and we can’t just stop typing or doing our job.

CTS can be thought of as injury similar to a pulled hamstring, and the best way to prevent those type of injuries is to warm up before starting an activity. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises can be performed 5 minutes before starting work, and done right at your desk. These exercises have been very successful for patients with mild symptoms, and have helped them avoid surgery.

If you start to have symptoms like those above, it is important that you see a Work Injury Expert immediately. If you or a loved one is experiencing CTS symptoms and would like a work injury expert to talk with about your situation, contact WOLMED to set up an appointment to discuss your injury. WOLMED is also CARF certified full service Pain Management Clinic with locations to better serve you in Dallas and Denton.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-hinders-home-and-work-life/feed/ 1 5 Ways for a pain free Valentine’s Day http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/5-ways-for-a-pain-free-valentines-day/ http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/5-ways-for-a-pain-free-valentines-day/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:49:21 +0000 mulrich http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=315

It is estimated that more than 80 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. The pain does not go away, but there are Doctors that can provide treatment and things that can be done at home to manage the pain.

Valentine’s Day is just one day out of the year, but here are some tips that can make that day extra special for someone that suffers from chronic pain in your life.

1. The healing power of touch is well documented. Offer your spouse or significant other a nice back and shoulder massage, and if you are lucky enough, they will offer a massage back.

2. Everyone goes out to eat on Valentine’s Day, and one of the top complaints about restaurants is that they are very uncomfortable. That uncomfortable feeling can be much worse for someone that suffers from chronic pain. Instead of going out, stay in and make a balanced meal and you won’t have to sit in those painful restaurant booths.

3. People that suffer from chronic pain, whether it be from a car accident or work related injury, deal with it every day and sometimes they just need a break from the pain. So after dinner, shut off the TV and the cell phones and sit down and just talk with them. Truly listen and engage them in a conversation about their day and about their pain, and just ask them how you can make their life easier. This sends a clear message: I care about you and I want to ease your suffering.

4. Lavender is an herb that is said to assist in pain relief. So during your talk, make sure to include a nice glass of lavender tea, and this will assist in relieving pain and stress.

5. Because it is Valentine’s Day, chocolate has to be involved somehow. Offer your valentine some good chocolates, or the both of you can share a decadent dessert.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic pain in the DFW area and would like to schedule treatment, visit www.wolmed.com to make an appointment. WOLMED is a CARF certified full serviced Pain Management Clinic with locations to better serve you in Dallas and Denton.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/5-ways-for-a-pain-free-valentines-day/feed/ 0 Kettlebells A Quick and Easy Exercise That Reduces Back Pain http://wolmed.com/blog/lower-back-pain/kettlebells-a-quick-and-easy-exercise-that-reduces-back-pain-2/ http://wolmed.com/blog/lower-back-pain/kettlebells-a-quick-and-easy-exercise-that-reduces-back-pain-2/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:09:38 +0000 mulrich http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=302

WebMD estimates that up to 80% of Americans will at some point in their lives are affected by back pain. Of those, 85% will not find the cause of the pain despite a thorough medical examination.

Because of this, people who suffer from frequent pain, especially back pain; are scared to exercise for fear of hurting themselves. While their fears may seem warranted, studies prove just the opposite, demonstrating that strength training can actually reduce pain and prevent further injury if done properly.

Kettlebells are cast-iron weights that have been used for centuries to train Russian soldiers and athletes, appear to be a promising therapy for back and neck pain, new research shows.

The weights, named for their resemblance to a tea kettle with a looped handle, began showing up in American gyms about 15 years ago and have gained a popular following among exercise buffs looking for a quick full-body workout. Unlike traditional weight training, which typically focuses on lifting exercises, a kettlebell workout requires both swinging and lifting of the weights.

Studies have shown that people training with kettlebells in 20-minute sessions two to three times a week for eight weeks reported less pain as well as improved strength in the trunk and core muscles. Over all, working out with kettlebells reduced lower back pain by 57 percent and cut neck and shoulder pain by 46 percent.

Kettlebell training, while helpful in reducing pain and improving core strength, is also surprisingly aerobic. A study by the American Council on Exercise found that a 20-minute kettlebell workout burns about 21 calories a minute, the equivalent of running at a six-minute-mile pace.

Kettlebells are also an exercise of choice for many people because they are very portable, making it easier to exercise for people on the go.

Because Kettlebells are difficult to control, it’s important to consult with a pain management doctor to see if this exercise will benefit you before meeting with a certified instructor to learn proper form.

The road to better health is paved with the small decisions we make every day, and this quick exercise can help you take control of your back pain.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic neck or back pain and would like to see if rehabilitative exercises can help, visit www.wolmed.com to make an appointment to become part of the 15% who find relief from their chronic neck and back pain. WOLMED is a CARF certified full serviced Pain Management Clinic with locations to better serve you in Dallas and Denton.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/lower-back-pain/kettlebells-a-quick-and-easy-exercise-that-reduces-back-pain-2/feed/ 0 Pain Management – What Is It And Do I Need It? http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/pain-management-%e2%80%93-what-is-it-and-do-i-need-it/ http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/pain-management-%e2%80%93-what-is-it-and-do-i-need-it/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:49:06 +0000 mulrich http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=284

Before I answer any questions, you should ask yourself a couple.  Have you ever had pain that lasted so long that it never seemed to end?  Are you unable to spend quality time with friends and family because of pain?  Do your pain pills make it harder and harder to do the things you love?  Do you feel depressed and anxious because of pain?  Does it feel like you’ve tried everything but you’re still in pain?  If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you could benefit from Pain Management.  Just because it can help doesn’t mean you want to rush out and get it without knowing what it is first.  That’s where I step in and answer the question, “what is Pain Management and do I need it?”

Wikipedia says Pain Management (also called pain medicine by definition), “is a branch of medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain.”

Doctors specializing in pain management know the complex nature of pain, and will approach the problem from several different directions.  Treatment of long term pain may include pharmacologic measures, interventional procedures (epidural steroid injections), physical therapy, application of ice or heat, and psychological measures.  Whatever method is used to treat your pain you can be assured that it’s always with your best interest and comfort in mind.

Now that you understand the benefits of Pain Management a little better, if you or a loved one lives in the DFW area and has answered yes to any of the questions above, contact WOLMED Back & Neck Pain Center and see how Pain Management can help you change your life.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/pain-management-%e2%80%93-what-is-it-and-do-i-need-it/feed/ 0 What Do You Do When Chronic Pain Interrupts Your Sleep http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/what-do-you-do-when-chronic-pain-interrupts-your-sleep/ http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/what-do-you-do-when-chronic-pain-interrupts-your-sleep/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:49:00 +0000 mulrich http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=232 Chronic Pain Management Tips

With nearly 80 million people in the United States suffering from some form of Chronic Pain, it’s easy to assume that many people lose sleep due to pain.  In fact the National Sleep Foundation says that two out of three people with chronic pain have trouble sleeping at night.  Since an essential part of managing chronic pain is sleep, it starts a vicious cycle that makes recovering from chronic pain more difficult.  Since there is no cure, aside from sleep, exercise, time and proper medication dosage that helps with chronic pain, we have decided to post what real patients are saying helped them sleep better when dealing with their pain.  Listed below are real quotes pain sufferers have given on how they sleep better when dealing with chronic pain.

“I sleep great most nights thanks to our Sleep Number bed, a muscle relaxer that I take right before going to bed, and sleeping with CPAP to correct my sleep apnea.”

“I sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs. I also have a pillow to keep my arm level with my shoulders and I make sure the pillow I place under my head is tucked underneath neck between my ear and shoulder. I sleep this way religiously and it has helped align my spine such that I wake up in less pain. “

“Currently i use Flexeril, restoril, percocet 10mg, & tramadol and only get 5-6 hours of rest.”

“Ah sleep….what’s that? I had Restoril and from another doc Ambien, both of which helped, however my current doc will not order anything for me.”

“I’m not able to take ANY pain medications due to allergies, so I just have to live with it.” “Some nights it seems as though I’m up more than I’m down, but so far God has helped me continue to function. It really does help me to reach out to other people and identify with their pain and suffering!”

Do you deal with chronic back and neck pain that makes it hard to sleep?  If so, please respond to this article and leave your feedback and let others know how you are dealing with your chronic pain so you can sleep better. For more information on pain management, or to make an appointment to evaluate your pain, please visit http://www.wolmed.com.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/chronic-pain/what-do-you-do-when-chronic-pain-interrupts-your-sleep/feed/ 0 What’s Really Wrong with Mixing Pain Medications? http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/what%e2%80%99s-really-wrong-with-mixing-pain-medications/ http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/what%e2%80%99s-really-wrong-with-mixing-pain-medications/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:42:36 +0000 mulrich http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=191 Here’s the scenario, it’s been a long day at work and your back is killing you, what do you do?  You first go for the medicine cabinet knowing your husband or wife keeps their leftover pain medication they had from an accident they had last year in there.  Next you grab 2 aspirin because of the pounding headache you got from a stressful day at work.  Last you go to the fridge and get a beer or glass of wine to take all four pills hoping to relax and alleviate the pain quickly.  Does this sound familiar to you?  Read the story again and see if you can find all the mistakes you made in this scenario when taking these pain medications.

Mistake #1. Never use prescription drugs that aren’t yours:

  • While friends and family often have leftover pain medications stored away you should never share medication.  Medication may affect each person different depending on the person’s physiology and could do just as much harm as good.

Mistake #2. Never mix different drugs:

  • Mixing two or more kinds of drugs can have a synergistic effect intensifying the effects of both drugs which can lead to an overdose.
  • Mixing drugs can also have the opposite effect, causing each drug to interfere with the other, affecting each drugs usefulness.

Mistake #3. Never take more than is prescribed:

  • Many people think that because one pill helps, two must be even better.  Pills are given by doctors in doses that will both relieve pain and be safe for that specific person.  Taking more than prescribed can be dangerous to one’s health.

Mistake #4. Never drink alcohol when taking pain medication:

  • Drinking alcohol of any kind not just hard liquor will quickly intensify the effects of pain medications making it harder to drive or do many other mundane tasks.

Mistake #5. Never save pain medications:

  • Because pain medications quickly deteriorate once they pass their expiration dates nullifying their effects, leftover medications should be properly disposed of once there is no more need for them.

If you have any further questions about pain management or you or a loved one has a need for a pain management doctor don’t hesitate to call WOLMED to set up an appointment or visit us online at www.wolmed.com.

]]> http://wolmed.com/blog/pain-management/what%e2%80%99s-really-wrong-with-mixing-pain-medications/feed/ 0 WOLMED Patients Give Great Feedback in 2010 http://wolmed.com/blog/healthcare/wolmed-patients-give-great-feedback-in-2010/ http://wolmed.com/blog/healthcare/wolmed-patients-give-great-feedback-in-2010/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:16:27 +0000 chelms http://wolmed.com/blog/?p=119 WOLMED Patient Feedback:  Direct Quotes from Happy Patients in 2010

 1.     Best people I’ve ever encountered and the doctor is great!

2.     They were great!

3.     Everyone is always very nice.

4.     I like you guys.

5.     Above and beyond.  Thank you.

6.     I work hard and so do your people.

7.     The staff here and care I received at WOLMED has been first rate.  I recommend you to all my colleagues.  Thank you.

8.     Love WOLMED!!

9.     Awesome!!

10.   Staff very friendly.

11.     Everyone is friendly.

12.    EXCELLENT!

13.    Great job!

14.     They are wonderful!

15.    Very nice and helpful.  Dr. Helsten always treats me with dignity.

16.    Love coming here!

17.     Very welcoming staff.

18.      Staff very concerned with health and improvement.

19.      Dr. Wolski is my favorite doctor.

20.     Lovely staff and doctor.

21.      WOLMED is the best clinic ever.  Dr. Helsten, Janet, and all staff are superior.

22.      You guys are awesome!

23.      Dr. Wolski and staff rock!

24.      You all are always professional and sweet.  Your availability is beyond amazing.  My husband and I are lucky to have ya’ll around. 

25.      Great medical care with a very friendly staff.

26.       The doctor was wonderful.  He was not only knowledgeable but compassionate and empathetic.

27.      Ya’ll are always great.

28.      The staff is wonderful and courteous.

29.      Everyone is so nice and generally cares.

30.       Awesome doctor!  Girls up front are awesome!

31.        Love you guys!  You’ve taken care of me for 10 years.

32.       Dr. Helsten is always kind and compassionate.  5 years and still satisfied patient.

33.        The doctor goes above and beyond.

34.       Wonderful operation.  No other clinic like yours.

35.       Simply the best!!!

36.       Love this place and the people.

37.       I wish all doctors were just as caring as Dr. Helsten.

38.       I love WOLMED.  They have been great to me and helpful with getting me better from my injuries.

39.        Always great service and nice people.

40.        No other clinic like Wolski Medical.  Dr. Helsten is one of a kind. Please stay forever.

41.         Janet, you always cheer me up.  Thank you.

42.        Outstanding staff and service!  Have and will continue to recommend to others.

43.        All of your staff is very excellent.  Thank you all.

44.        I like Dr. Helsten.  He is a nice man.

45.        I have been really impressed through this ordeal.  The people here have always been more interested in my health and welfare over money.  Thank you.

 46.       Great attention to detail, especially with dealing with OWCP.

 47.       Helsten is the best!

 48.       I couldn’t begin to say enough about WOLMED.  They really care about you here.

 49.       Great experience!  Thanks.

 50.      The doctors and staff here have been a great help to me.  Thanks.

 51.       You guys are the best!

 52.      Very professional.  They take the time to answer all questions and I never feel rushed.

 53.      Dr. Helsten is the best!!!

 54.      Excellent!  Love Dr. Helsten.

 55.      Excellent!  I’m happy with the care the staff and Dr. Helsten give me.

 56.      The doctor’s staff is wonderful.

 57.      Janet made today so amazing.  Every time I come in here I’m nervous, but she is so nice and I’m very thankful for her.

 58.      Very pleased with entire environment, including the rehab staff.

 59.      Best place anywhere!  I come from Dallas just to be treated here.

 60.     Staff was very friendly and professional.  I really appreciate the service I received.  Thank you.

 61.      Dr. Helsten is the best doctor I have every used.  I drive all the way from Plano to see him.

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