Young Woman With Back Pain

Steroid Injections: A Non-Invasive Treatment for Fast, Extended Back Pain Relief

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Living with back pain from injury or wear and tear can be overwhelming. When the pain is severe, and you can’t sleep well and have to start canceling important commitments, relief cannot come soon enough.

Steroid injections are a non-invasive, fast-acting, and extended pain relief solution for back pain.

Relief from Upper Back Pain 

There are many possible reasons for pain in the upper back. Common problems such as bulging or herniated disc and disc degeneration can compress nerve roots and cause local inflammation.

The pain often remains around the nerves in the upper back and neck area. But, depending on the condition, it can travel down into the shoulders, arms, and hands.

Upper back or cervical steroid injections stop this pain by reducing inflammation and coating the nerves.

Relief from Lower Back Pain 

Nerves run from your spinal cord out to your lower back and down your legs. When spinal discs become damaged, they can cause inflammation and irritation of the nerve roots close to the spinal cord.

The pain from this inflammation can radiate from your lower back down into your legs. A lower back or caudal steroid injection can reduce inflammation and relieve the pain.

What can I expect during a steroid injection procedure?

Steroid injections are outpatient treatments. For spinal injections, you will lie on an x-ray table, face down.

Before both the cervical and caudal steroid injections, you may receive a calming intravenous or IV medication. The procedures usually take less than 15 minutes.

Upper Back Injection Procedure:

Patients lay face down. One or two injections are administered to the upper back.

A single injection contains a mixture of anesthetic for immediate pain relief and steroids for long-term pain relief.

When you receive two injections, the first is a smaller needle with a local anesthetic, and the second is a larger needle with the steroid.

Lower Back Injection Procedure:

  • Like the upper back or cervical injection procedure, patients lay face down.
  • They receive one or two injections into the lower back, above the tailbone.

How long does the pain relief last?

Many patients report immediate pain relief. For many, this is due to the anesthetic, which wears off within hours.

It usually takes the steroid two or three days to set in and relieve the pain. For some patients, relief can last for months.

Back Pain Treatment at Texas Pain Physicians

You don’t have to lose any more sleep or cancel any more appointments because of back pain. If you think steroid injection may be the answer, we can meet with you ASAP.

Our physicians are experts in pain management who can help you decide on the best treatment.

Book an appointment online or give us a call at (972) 636-5727 today!

Woman with migraine

Want Extended Relief from Chronic Migraines? 7 Things to Know about Botox Treatment

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The thudding pain feels like getting kicked in the head again and again. 

You can only lay down in a dark, quiet room until it goes away.

There is no known cure for chronic migraines.

But…

Imagine living with fewer migraine attacks – or no attacks – for months. Imagine not having to take pain meds all the time.

It’s possible with Botox injections for migraines. Here are seven things to know about this treatment.

1. Does Botox treatment eliminate migraine attacks?

According to the American Migraine Foundation, studies show that Botox injections for migraines reduce the number of days patients suffer from migraines or other headaches by 50%.

2. How does Botox stop migraine attacks?

Botox, or botulinum, is a neurotoxin extracted from mold. Well-known for its use as a cosmetic treatment, the FDA approved Botox as a treatment for migraines in 2010.

Though doctors don’t know precisely how Botox stops migraines, they suggest that it blocks pain signals from reaching the brain.

3. Who can get this treatment?

Those with diagnosed chronic migraine. Chronic migraine symptoms:

  • headaches at least 15 days of each month
  • eight migraine headaches each month
  • these symptoms occur for at least three months

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a headache specialist or neurologist prescribes the treatment.

4. What’s a Botox treatment session like?

The neurologist typically administers shots of Botox in the head and neck once every three months. Doctors don’t give Botox injections more often than every three months because this could trigger the body’s immune response, which would make the treatment ineffective.

Doctors trained to treat migraine with Botox administer the injections (not plastic surgeons trained to use Botox for cosmetic purposes). Around 30 to 40 injections are administered evenly to each side of the head and neck.

5. How long does it take to see results?

Results come within 2 to 3 weeks, and the effects last 10-12 weeks. Alternative medication is needed to treat migraines during the ineffective period. Patients see better and better results after multiple treatment cycles.

6. Are there any side effects?

The most common side effects are swelling and bruising at the injection sites. Less common side effects include head and neck pain and headaches.

7. Does insurance cover this?

Botox injection sessions as a treatment for chronic migraines cost thousands of dollars a year. A patient’s insurance company will cover the treatment when the patient has been diagnosed with chronic migraine headaches.

Insurance companies may not cover Botox treatments for adolescents and children.

Migraine treatment in Houston, Dallas, and many other Texas locations. 

Don’t allow this debilitating condition to interfere with your life a day longer.

At Texas Pain Physicians, we have a team of doctors who specialize in pain management. Botox injection is one of our treatments for chronic migraines.

Please give us a call at (972) 636-5727 to set up an appointment at your nearest Texas Pain Physicians location.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold Laser Therapy: Here’s A Treatment That Gets Rid of Pain Without Surgery or Meds.

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Performing daily tasks like holding a computer mouse and bending down to tie your shoes have been painful lately.

As people age, their injuries and chronic pain tend to increase. The body’s natural healing processes start to slow down.

Aging bodies could use some help healing. 

That’s what cold laser therapy, a non-invasive treatment, can provide.

1. What Is Cold Laser Therapy?

Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy, is an FDA-approved treatment for many conditions.

A painless, non-surgical treatment, cold laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate and speed up the body’s natural healing process.

The laser is “cold” because the low-level light is not strong enough to heat tissue. 

2. What Conditions Does it Treat?

Cold laser therapy can lessen or eliminate pain and inflammation and speed up healing in soft tissue.

Conditions it treats include:

  • carpel tunnel syndrome
  • bursitis
  • tendonitis
  • tennis elbow
  • neck pain
  • lower back pain
  • ligament sprains
  • muscle strains
  • pain caused by muscle spasms

2. How does it work?

In any injury site, the body’s natural healing process involves making repairs and removing waste products.

It may help to imagine your body as a piece of property with buildings.

These buildings are destroyed in a storm, and construction workers are now removing the scrap material before rebuilding.

That’s what laser therapy does. It adds workers to the injury site to speed up the healing process.

It also helps increase blood flow, reduces scar tissue, decreases inflammation, and increases cellular growth.

3. What is a treatment session like?

Cold laser therapy is a painless and non-invasive outpatient treatment.

Patients feel the laser device touching their skin, and most patients report a slightly warm sensation. The treatment lasts around 5 to 10 minutes.

4. How long does it take to relieve pain?

Many patients report feeling some relief after the first session. Usually, 6 to 12 treatment sessions spread out over one month will solve most issues.

5. What Are the Overall Benefits?

Cold laser therapy can stimulate the healing process and improve the body’s response to pain. It’s a proven alternative to invasive treatments and pain medication.

 

Cold Laser Therapy in Dallas, Houston, and other Texas locations.

At Texas Pain Physicians, we can work with you to develop a non-invasive treatment plan that gets you feeling better without pain meds.

Cold laser therapy is one of our non-invasive, out-patient therapies for injuries and pain.

Give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or schedule an appointment online today!

Happy Family Playing Together

Who Else Wants To Live Without Chronic Pain?

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Life hurts.

Stepping out into the bright sunlight after a three-hour movie hurts. Stubbing your toe really hurts.

But living with chronic pain always hurts.

Why not give yourself some pain protection by taking a few simple steps to avoid chronic pain?

Exercise the Mind-Body Connection

Research suggests pain involves the body and the mind. These techniques can help you override the pain signals:

Activate the Relaxation Response.

  • Sit in a comfortable position in a quiet space and close your eyes. Take deep “belly breaths” by inhaling deeply so that your belly sticks out as far as possible. Hold each breath for a few seconds, then exhale.
  • Concentrate on your deep breathing. When thoughts interrupt, think of or whisper a word or phrase to regain focus (like ‘cool breeze,’ ‘calm,’ etc.). Do this for 10 to 20 minutes. Lastly, sit quietly for a minute or two, open your eyes and sit quietly for another minute.

Activate Mindfulness.

  • Total focus on an everyday activity you enjoy, such as cooking, reading, playing an instrument, gardening, or writing. Focus on what you are doing and the ways your emotions and senses are reacting to it.

Do Mind-Body Exercises.

  • Tai Chi and Yoga incorporate breath control, stretching, and muscle-building.

Stay Positive.

  • When we are depressed or sick, it’s easy to focus on what we don’t have or how we want things. Focusing on what you do have can help you stay positive. Try keeping a daily journal where you record positive thoughts.

Eat to Reduce Inflammation

You eat every day. Why not make your diet help you fight pain? Try adding some of these antioxidant, inflammation-reducing superfoods into your diet:

  • blueberries
  • raw vegetables: spinach, broccoli, beets, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower
  • green tea
  • dark chocolate
  • salmon
  • ginger
  • turmeric

Diets low in refined carbohydrates such as the Mediterranean or Vegan diets can help you lose weight and reduce inflammation and pain.

Get Treatment for Depression and Anxiety

Please see a qualified mental health professional as soon as possible if you think you have depression.

Your risks of developing chronic pain syndrome or worsening your chronic pain are higher when you are depressed and anxious.

Hire A Physical Therapist

Physical therapists are body-movement experts who can help you avoid chronic pain by exercising.

They help you achieve your body goals, whether you need to rehab an injury, get in shape, or learn to exercise more effectively.

 

Texas Pain Physicians: Expert Chronic Pain Treatment

Almost everyone experiences chronic pain at some point. Our board-certified pain management doctors are experts in treating and managing chronic pain.

Take a step toward being chronic pain-free by giving us a call at (972) 636-5727 or booking an appointment online today!

6 Non-Surgical Remedies for Back Pain

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“Oh!” you gasp as your feet touch the floor and you reach for the chirping alarm. You wonder whether your back pain is here to stay.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide.

Good news! There are lots of effective home treatments for back pain.

1. Use topical treatments.

If you have severe back pain accompanied by inflammation, apply an ice pack or cold compress to help reduce inflammation.

A warm or hot compress can also relieve pain by loosening up muscles.

2. Use OTC medications.

Here are some common over-the-counter medications that can provide temporary pain relief:

  • Muscle relaxants
  • Tylenol (acetaminophen) and aspirin
  • Ibuprofen and naproxen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • Topical pain relief products (ointments, sprays, gels, creams)

3. Do some stretching and exercise.

To recover from back pain, you need to move and do some exercise.

Try to do low-impact physical activities such as walking, biking, and swimming.

For severe back pain, light exercise and gentle stretching such as light yoga or chair yoga can help gradually restore normal movement and extension without causing too much discomfort.

For chronic (non-severe) back pain, exercises that strengthen the core can reduce pain over time. 

4. Try therapeutics.

Therapeutic methods can lessen and eliminate back pain. Patients report positive results from massages, chiropractic alignment, bioelectric therapy, and acupuncture.

5. Eat a healthier diet.

Inflammation is a common cause of chronic pain. A diet high in processed foods, simple carbohydrates, and refined sugar can cause and worsen inflammation.

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole foods can decrease inflammation. Whole foods are foods that have been processed as little as possible and contain no additives or substances.

6. Try sleep hygiene and sleep aids.

Getting enough sleep lowers stress, allows the body to heal faster, and increases pain tolerance.

Practice good sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time every night and avoiding exposure to screens that emit blue light.

Try to stop watching TV and using cell phones and computers at least an hour before bedtime.

Sleep aid supplements like melatonin and magnesium may help induce sleep.

7. Try some stress relief methods.

Stress can contribute to chronic back pain. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and meditation may help relieve stress.

Back Pain Treatment at Texas Pain Physicians

You don’t need to settle for a back pain-filled life a day longer. Texas Pain Physicians has board-certified doctors specialized in pain management who can help you discover the right treatments for you.

Give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or schedule an appointment online today!