Chronic Pain Articles

14Aug 2015 by webadmin@macmdaz.com

Injuries from Exercise – 6 Tips to Prevent It

Exercises to Help Pain
  Injuries from exercise usually resulted from poor form, over-training, or for us klutzes out there common mishaps. These injuries from exercise can at the very least temporarily halt our fitness goals. More serious injuries can put us on the couch for a month or longer. Sometimes the fear surrounding the idea of injury can be more debilitating than the injury itself. That fear can keep you from taking up something you never knew was possible. To help prevent these kinds of injuries it’s best to be like the boy scouts and “be prepared.”   Try these tips to help you avoid injuries from exercise in the beginning. Consult your doctor regarding specific concerns you have. Your doctor can help you determine what is a good starting point for your…
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12Aug 2015 by webadmin@macmdaz.com

Chronic Nerve Pain Linked to Anxiety & Depression

Nerve Pain
Study links brain inflammation triggered by chronic paint to anxiety and depression. Brain inflammation caused by chronic nerve pain alters activity in regions that regulate mood and motivation, suggesting for the first time that a direct biophysical link exists between long-term pain and the depression, anxiety and substance abuse seen in more than half of these patients, UC Irvine and UCLA researchers report. This breakthrough finding also points to new approaches for treating chronic pain, which is second only to bipolar disorder among illness-related causes of suicide. About a quarter of Americans suffer from chronic pain, making it the most common form of enduring illness for those under the age of 60. The Institute of Medicine estimates that this costs our society more than $635 billion per year. In work with rodents, Catherine Cahill,…
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10Aug 2015 by webadmin@macmdaz.com

Vitamin B6 Boosts Your Mood and Your Nerves

Nerve Pain
Among vitamins, Vitamin B6 is one of the most essential vitamins for nerve health and is important for anyone suffering from painful nerve related health problems such as Neuropathy. What Are The Benefits of Vitamin B6? Vitamin B6 performs a variety of functions that are essential for your health.  According to Dee Sandquist, MS, RD, CD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, “It is important for cardiovascular, digestive, immune, muscular, and nervous system function.” Of these many benefits, the most relevant for Neuropathy patients is vitamin B6’s positive affect on nerve health.  Vitamin B6 boosts the health of nerves and is essential in maintaining a properly functioning nervous system.  A deficiency in vitamin B6 can put a strain on the nervous system and result in nerve damage. How Does It Work?…
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08Jul 2015 by admin
5 Natural Neuropathy Treatments

5 Natural Neuropathy Treatments

Chronic Pain News
For those dealing with the painful effects of nerve damage, finding alternative or natural treatments can open new doors in the search for relief. While prescription medications simply mask the pain, natural neuropathy treatments often treat the underlying causes. In many cases, this can result in more lasting relief for the sufferer. Many people have experienced beneficial results by following complementary or alternative medicine. When done as a part of a multi-pronged treatment approach, natural methods have shown great promise. We’ve pulled together a list of 5 natural treatments for treating neuropathy that we’ve seen provide relief for others. Lets take a look: 5 Natural Neuropathy Treatments 1. Acupuncture Acupuncture involves insertion of thin needles into the various points in the body. Though it can seem a bit unsettling to have someone…
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19Jun 2015 by webadmin@macmdaz.com

Massage Therapy Benefits

Therapies & Treatments
Massage Therapy is one of the oldest healing arts; it has been practiced for thousands of years to promote relaxation and well-being. The benefits of massage are far-reaching, having proven beneficial for many chronic conditions including: low back pain, arthritis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and more. According to a 2007 American Massage Therapy Association survey, almost a quarter of all adult Americans had at least one massage in the previous year. More and more people recognize the health benefits of massage. They choose from among many massage styles to get relief from symptoms or to heal injuries, to help with certain health conditions, and to promote overall wellness. Massage, bodywork and somatic therapies are defined as the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of…
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26Apr 2015 by webadmin@macmdaz.com

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Chronic Pain Conditions, Nerve Pain
  Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain condition affecting the arms, hands, legs, and feet, after an injury or trauma to the limb. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is believed to be caused by malfunction of the peripheral and central nervous systems. Individuals have characterized CRPS as prolonged severe pain, changes to the skin, and/or swelling in the affected area. There are two common forms, CRPS-I and CRPS-II. CRPS-I patients do not have confirmed nerve injury. Patients with CRPS-II have confirmed nerve injuries. Symptoms vary in length and severity. In most cases the disease is mild and individuals recover gradually over time. The more severe cases of CRPS patients may never recover, and long-term disability can occur. CRPS is not caused by psychological factors; the constant…
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17Feb 2015 by webadmin@macmdaz.com

Peripheral Neuropathy

Nerve Pain
What is Peripheral Neuropathy? Think of peripheral neuropathy like static on a telephone line, both interrupt the sending of information. Peripheral neuropathy is a result of nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system; causing a disruption of information from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. Peripheral neuropathy can occur following traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, and exposure to toxins. Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include muscle weakness, numbness, tingling sensations (paresthesia), loss of sensation, and pain in the feet and hands, and other parts of the body. Peripheral neuropathy can affect motor nerves (muscle control), sensory nerves (sensations), or automatic nerves (those that control heart rate, breathing, or body temperature). In chronic forms of peripheral neuropathy symptoms develop…
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26Jan 2015 by webadmin@macmdaz.com

Tour de Hero – Blood Donation

Chronic Pain News
Over the weekend Dr. Castillo participated in Tour de Hero, an annual bike race established to raise awareness and recruit blood donors in Arizona leading into the holiday season. The Tour de Hero bike ride was established to raise awareness and recruit blood donors for Arizona patients leading into the holiday season.  Ask your friends, family and co-workers to donate between Nov. 1 and Jan. 10 at a United Blood Services donor center.  You may also donate on your own behalf, as well as secure sponsors to give monetary donations to support United Blood Services’ donor recruitment efforts.  In appreciation for blood donors and sponsors, riders receive discounted Tour de Hero rider fees and earn one ticket for great raffle prizes for each donor recruited. Simply download the Donor Sponsor Card with all the…
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04Jan 2015 by webadmin@macmdaz.com

Chronic Pain: 6 Surprising Triggers

Chronic Pain Conditions
The causes of chronic pain can be deep-seated, emotional, and even as basic as a really bad diet. There's nothing worse than suffering from debilitating chronic pain—except, perhaps, not knowing why you're in pain or how to cope. Treating these mysterious aches has become the mission of Gary Kaplan, DO, a pioneer of integrative medicine and director of the Kaplan Clinic for Integrative Medicine in McLean, Virginia. He treats people with chronic pain every day. In Kaplan's new book, Total Recovery: Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Pain and Depression, he addresses the root causes of chronic pain, and how most doctors are going about treating it in all the wrong ways. "Treating chronic pain is never as straightforward as treating a bacterial infection," he writes. "As a medical scientist, I…
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