The Doctor’s Pain Points

  KNUCKLE POPPING Yes, I do it! The popping sound that knuckles make when you crack them is caused by the sudden release of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid that surrounds the joints. Synovial fluid is a thick, clear liquid that helps to lubricate joints and reduce friction. It also contains dissolved gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. When you crack your knuckles, you are stretching the joint capsule that surrounds the joint. This causes the pressure in the synovial fluid to decrease, which allows the dissolved gases to come out of solution. As the gases bubble out, they create a popping sound. The popping sound is harmless, but it is important to note that cracking your knuckles too often can weaken the ligaments that support the joints. This can lead to joint pain and instability. Here are some additional facts about knuckle cracking: * The sound of a knuckle crack can be as loud as 90 decibels, which is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. * The average person ...

The Importance of Family Support for People with Chronic Pain Chronic pain can be a debilitating condition that can have a significant impact on a person's physical, emotional, and social well-being. It can also be very isolating, as people with chronic pain may find it difficult to participate in activities that they used to enjoy. Family support can play a vital role in helping people with chronic pain cope with their condition. Family members can provide emotional support, help with practical tasks, and advocate for their loved one's needs. They can also help to reduce stress and isolation, which can make the pain worse. Here are some ways that family members can support a loved one with chronic pain: Be understanding and patient.  Chronic pain can be frustrating and exhausting, so it's important to be patient with your loved one. Don't get angry or frustrated if they have to cancel plans or can't do something they used to be able to do. Believe them when they sa...

  As a young doctor, I've treated my fair share of pain patients, newly afflicted and long term sufferers alike. And let me tell you, it's not always easy. Sometimes, they're in so much pain that they're just plain grumpy. Other times, they're so desperate for relief that they'll try anything, even if it's not really safe. But one thing I've learned is that pain patients are some of the funniest people I know. They have a way of finding humor in even the most difficult situations. So next time you're feeling sorry for yourself because you have a headache, just remember that there are people out there who are in much worse pain. And they're still finding ways to laugh. If you're a pain patient, don't be afraid to use your sense of humor. It's a great way to cope with pain and make your life a little bit easier. And if you're a doctor, don't be afraid to laugh with your patients. It's a great way to build rapport and...

  If you're living with chronic pain, you know how difficult it can be to find relief. Medications can help but side effects can be problematic. And physical therapy can be helpful, but it's not always enough. But there's another way to manage pain that's often overlooked: reading. That's right, reading can actually help to reduce pain. How? * **It takes your mind off of your pain.** When you're reading, you're focused on the story, not on your pain. This can help to distract you from the discomfort and make it seem less intense. * **It releases endorphins.** Endorphins are natural pain relievers that are released when you're engaged in activities that you enjoy. Reading is one of those activities, so it can help to boost your endorphin levels and reduce your pain. * **It helps you relax.** Reading can help you to relax and de-stress. This can also help to reduce pain, as stress can make pain worse. If you're looking for a natural way to manage your ...

  **Self-Care and Pain Management** Pain is a common experience that can affect people of all ages. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, illness, and surgery. While there is no cure for pain, there are many things that people can do to manage it and improve their quality of life. One important way to manage pain is to practice self-care. Self-care refers to the things that people do to take care of their physical, emotional, and mental health. When people take care of themselves, they are better able to cope with pain and other challenges. There are many different self-care activities that people can do. Some common examples include: * Getting enough sleep * Eating a healthy diet * Exercising regularly * Managing stress * Relaxing and de-stressing * Spending time with loved ones * Doing things that you enjoy It is important to find self-care activities that work for you and that you can stick with. When you find activities that you enjoy and that make you fee...

  November 5, 2022 What’s THE POINT?!  It seems straightforward and blunt but that’s the question that I think when I am interacting with my patients. What does the patient wish to accomplish under my care? What are the goals for that particular doctor-patient interaction and what are the patient’s larger goals? How is the pain in the back, or neck, or knee, of head affecting the patient’s chances of reaching her/her goals? The whole point of what I do is to somehow formulate a plan and execute said plan with the patient’s feedback throughout the process. The plan is based on so many factors but at the foundation of that plan is an understanding of what we are trying to accomplish.  Taking pain from being an all-controlling force and shifting it to being a simple nuisance or non-existent is the ultimate win. But that is not always possible, nor is it always needed. If the knee pain is interfering with being able to walk more than 1 block to get the mail, we may be able...

 JULY 9, 2022      Imagine if someone that you never met told you that you had to wait to move into your house that you bought through a licensed realtor. Or suppose you could not drive your beautiful new car that was sold to you until some random person looked things over but not until 3 to 4 weeks after the sale. It just seems crazy, right?! Well, that’s how many of the tests and procedures are handled within pain management. As a doctor, I perform a thorough history and examination and document my reasons for ordering a test or interventional injection procedure. However, the patient’s insurance company is often giving the yes-or-no response before anything is done. Worse than a delay is the often confusing and vague reasons for denial.      This is unfortunately all too common in medicine as a whole and pain management in particular. There is medical evidence that serves as guidelines for treatment but often the decision-making control is wrestled...

How do you move your body? That is an important question to consider because being active is important for so many aspects of our lives. I firmly believe that “a body in motion stays in motion.” And that is a main reason why I treat pain patients; I want to keep them moving. Pain can often slow down movement to a point that daily activities becomes greatly constricted. A person who can only walk a   few yards before the pain is too severe has trouble grocery shopping, going out with friends or doing many of the “simple things” in life. It is important to move as much as safely possible. Routine exercise encourages the body to strengthen and is your best chance to fight off the shackles that pain can bring. Building a solid base when you’re young is best, but it is never too late to begin an exercise program. I personally enjoy strength-training but I am a proponent of essentially any physical activity that can be done consistently. Yoga, Pilates, dance, walking, swimming, hiking, c...

As a physician, I am often faced with decisions that affect how someone lives. I work as a pain management specialist and it is my job to help diagnose and treat the person’s pain. There is never enough time or enough answers from the tests to make a perfect diagnosis or formulate a perfect treatment plan. Even so, within this imperfect system, I strive to develop a plan that makes sense for each patient. It is exciting and difficult. It is an honorable mission and I am thankful to use my mind and my hands to improve the lives of so many others.  Because of the subjective nature of pain and an individual’s experience, there is no such thing as a copy-and-paste approach to pain management. Yes, there are protocols and guidelines that inform physicians and medical professionals on how to treat similar disease states. But we have to apply that general knowledge to each patient to make a plan that makes sense. And over time, as the pain changes, so too, does the treatment plan. I coun...

I t is important for doctors to remember the reason that we have customers… Patients are the customers that seek out our services because of an ailment or physiological need and our job is to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of their condition. It is truly an honor to serve in this role. However, it is quite challenging! From time constraints to cumbersome electronic systems to declining reimbursement and increased oversight and liability, it is easy for the doctor to lose track of the ultimate reason that he/she has a job.  I, too, have felt the burden of the bureaucracy and external pressures that are ever-present. When that happens, I try my best to tune in to the most pressing issue before me: serving my patient and understanding his/her needs. I am a pain management specialist and as such I deal with physical (and emotional) hurt all the time. The weight of my patient’s needs is heavy for sure. But I smile because I bring a little light into the sometimes dark world that my ...