How to Deal with Pain from Shingles

Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is among the most painful and irritating skin conditions diagnosed in older adults. If you had chickenpox as a child or come into contact with someone with shingles, you have the potential to develop the disease. The virus lies dormant in your system and may recur as a painful rash later in life. Scientists know very little about what causes the rash to occur or how some individuals develop it, and others do not. 

The worst symptom of shingles is pain. It can be a mild burning and itching sensation for some, but for others, it can cause constant, intense pain in large areas of the body. If you are experiencing shingles pain, you have several immediate treatment options. 

Shingles Pain And Other Symptoms

Shingles are not life-threatening, but the pain can cause worry for many patients. It will most likely present right before developing a large rash all over large areas of the torso. However, shingles pain can occur even if a rash never occurs. Some patients develop postherpetic neuralgia, which causes shingles pain even after the blisters have healed. Other signs and symptoms of shingles include: 

  • Pain or burning in the skin
  • Tingling or numbness in large areas of the skin
  • Sensitivity to light or touch
  • A red rash or blisters
  • Itching 
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Fatigue 

Vaccines and Treatment 

A shingles vaccine is available and recommended for individuals over 50. It is recommended whether or not you’ve had chickenpox or shingles before because the disease can occur more than once and can be spread on contact. While the vaccines cannot treat shingles, they can reduce the likelihood of infection and protect others around you from developing the disease. 

Shingles pain is most often treated with: 

  • OTC medications and topical treatments
  • Prescription painkillers
  • Nerve-blocking injections

Other treatment options are available through your physician’s office, so it is best to set up an appointment as soon as you start experiencing symptoms. The sooner you treat shingles, the less likely you will develop severe symptoms. 

Shingles can result in more severe side effects if not treated properly. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your physician immediately to prevent permanent damage: 

  • Pain or a shingles rash near the eye (shingles can cause permanent eye damage)
  • If you’re 60 or older, as older age can increase your likelihood of complications
  • You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system (due to cancer, immune disorders, medications, or other factors)
  • The rash is widespread and very painful

PPOA offers short and long-term treatment for shingles and post-therapeutic neuralgia. If you suspect you may have contracted the disease, contact your local PPOA clinic today. 

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Recover from surgery without getting addicted to painkillers

Patients are often hesitant to undergo surgery for many reasons. Some are scared of the procedure, while others worry about extended hospital stay costs. However, one of the most common concerns we hear among PPOA patients is the treatment process for post-surgery pain. 

Our patients often come to us because they look for a painkiller alternative to their chronic conditions. The last thing they want is to use more painkillers after their surgery. This can also be true for those who have struggled with drug or alcohol addictions and do not want to complicate their recovery process by using opioids. While medication-based recovery is expected in many hospital settings, it is not the only way to deal with post-surgery pain. 

Talk to your doctor about alternatives and safe practices for opioid use after surgery. The first step to a successful recovery is communication. We’d be happy to go over each of these options with you:

Alternative medications

Opioids are most commonly used because of how strong they are, but they are not the only option for pain management. If you believe you can handle a lower level of pain and need something to manage higher levels, talk to your doctor about anti-inflammatory drugs, nerve medications, or muscle relaxants. These can help reduce pain and allow you to return to normal activities faster. 

Mind-body techniques

Your mindset about pain can help you cope with it more successfully, which is why we recommend mindfulness techniques for all patients regardless of their condition. Tools such as acupuncture and mindful meditation can make you more resilient to pain, which is critical in recovering from surgery without opioids. 

Tapering medication use

Typically, post-surgical pain can be handled with over-the-counter medications after a few days. When patients reach day five or more and are still using opioid painkillers, an issue can arise. Ask your doctor about safe tapering dosages to ensure you are off the strong stuff within the first week, and ask them not to provide refills unless you have an in-person consultation. This can help reduce the risk of dependence afterward and protect you when you’re in a vulnerable position. 

An honest conversation

If you are someone who has struggled with drug or alcohol addiction in the past, it is essential to talk to your doctor about this so they can create a plan for you that is safe and effective. For example, some patients in recovery have a spouse or friend hold onto medication to reduce the risk of overuse. You can also request not to receive a prescription for at-home medications, so you don’t use them without medical supervision. 

PPOA is in the fight against the opioid epidemic that is still ravaging this country. We take alternative medicines to pain relief very seriously and help tailor a plan to what’s suitable for you. To learn more about your painkiller-free recovery options, give us a call today!

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Is pain causing my insomnia, or is insomnia causing pain?

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Sleep is often not taken as seriously as it should be. While it may not be disastrous to lose sleep every once and a while over a tight deadline or fun night out, constant sleep deprivation can cause a series of health problems that should be addressed with a physician. Insomnia, one of the most common and troubling sleep disorders, can make a good night’s rest hard to come by and ensure your days are less productive and fulfilling than they would otherwise be. 

Sleep deprivation is the worst symptom of insomnia, but chronic pain comes at a close second. If you are experiencing insomnia and chronic pain simultaneously, talk to your doctor about the links between these issues and what you can do to stop them. 

Is pain causing my insomnia, or is insomnia causing pain?

Studies show that nearly 50% of chronic pain patients experience some form of sleep dysregulation, with most experiencing ongoing insomnia. Because the body is overstimulated due to the pain response, the brain remains active and has trouble falling asleep. Patients often feel restless, and unable to distract themselves from the pain. This can lead to endless nights of struggling to get a good night’s rest and increased fatigue during the day. 

Not only does the pain itself cause sleep disturbances, but common pain medications such as codeine and morphine can also disrupt circadian rhythm and make insomnia more likely. Sleep apnea and breathing issues caused by these medications make waking up in the middle of the night more likely. 

In some cases, those experiencing insomnia can develop chronic pain issues as they toss and turn at night or stay up without giving their bodies a rest. While pain is not a common symptom of insomnia, it may indicate that the problem has become severe and requires medical treatment. 

Complications of Co-Occurring Pain and Insomnia

Chronic patients who experience insomnia, as opposed to those who don’t, experience more severe pain, longer duration of pain, worse flare-ups, and greater levels of mental and emotional dysregulation. Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders are common with chronic pain and insomnia diagnoses. This only worsens the problem, snowballing into a state where the patient feels as if they cannot function at any point in the day. 

Pain and sleeping medications can temporarily alleviate the burden, but the best cure is to treat the underlying condition of your chronic pain. If you are experiencing chronic pain due to an injury illness, or have not received a diagnosis yet, talk to your local PPOA clinic for more information. 

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Back Pain at Night: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Back pain is the most common type of chronic pain in the U.S. Over 80% of adults will experience it at some point in their lives, with more severe cases resulting in spinal stenosis, arthritis, or other long-term chronic pain conditions. While minor back pain may not be a concern after a long day at work or when sleeping on a new mattress for the first time, it can become worrisome if you experience it every night. 

Some types of back pain become worse at night or can keep you awake, causing more problems during the day. If your back pain gets worse at night, it may be from one of these four causes: 

An uncomfortable bed.

If you’re waking up in the middle of the night with back pain, or feel like your back pain is worse after sleeping, it could be caused by your mattress or sleeping position. A mattress that is too soft may not support your spine properly, while a mattress that is too firm can cause aches in the muscles. You may also need a pillow to support your knees or spine depending on the sleeping position that is most comfortable to you.

Pregnancy symptoms. 

Around 50% of women experience acute back pain during pregnancy, especially in later stages. In a recent survey of 200 pregnant women, ⅓ of those who experienced back pain reported worsening symptoms at night with many experiencing sleep disturbances. If the back pain has only started after pregnancy, it may be related to your body’s changing demands. 

Poor posture.

If you sit at a desk all day and come home with an aching back, it may be due to your daytime posture. Factors such as wearing high heels, bending down often during the day, or heavy lifting can also contribute to posture and movement-related nighttime back pain. If this is the case, you may need to exercise your back or support your posture with the right chair or a back brace 

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of inflammatory arthritis in the spine and the joints between the spine and pelvis. The most common symptoms include pain and stiffness in the back which can worsen at night and disturb sleeping patterns. In a 2018 study, morning stiffness and pain that interrupted or prevented sleep were the two most common symptoms of this type of arthritis. 

If you are experiencing nightly back pain that doesn’t go away with simple lifestyle adjustments, you may want to talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment options. Very rarely, back pain can be a symptom of a more severe injury or illness and should always be addressed with care. 

To learn more about back pain or to talk to a doctor about your symptoms, contact your local PPOA clinic today. 

 

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How to tell when a child is in chronic pain

Young children are often overwhelmed by the world. They live in a place where everything is more significant than them and new. They are also equipped with limited communication skills, which makes navigating their world much more strange and complex—one of the hardest things for kids is to communicate with their parents is pain. 

Your child may not know how to express pain because they don’t understand what is happening. When the cause of pain is apparent, such as a cut or fall, they know to cry and run to mom or dad for help. But when the pain is internal or chronic, they likely don’t understand what is wrong or how to fix it. This can lead to months of behavioral problems that cause frustration for both parent and child. 

As caretakers, we can often find it difficult to distinguish between real pain and purely emotional crying. It is usual for children to call or be fussy over mild emotional hurdles because they are not well-practiced in navigating their emotions. However, chronic pain can mask itself in these normal childhood behaviors and go undiagnosed at no fault to the parent or child. 

Hidden Signs of Pain in Children

While diagnosing chronic or genetic causes of pain in children is difficult, there are tell-tale signs you can look out for that may indicate an internal issue: 

  • They cry or moan when touched or picked up with no apparent cause. This often causes parents to think they want to be left alone, but this is rarely the case, even for shy children.  
  • They are often restless or moody even after a fun day 
  • They hold onto a particular part of the body a lot
  • They avoid moving a specific part of the body
  • Your infant has a sudden change in crying patterns
  • They have a fever or are sweating but show no other signs of a cold or flu
  • They are breathing fast or have a rapid heartbeat
  • They are frowning or are quieter than usual; any changes in personality should be taken seriously as they could indicate a variety of health or emotional issues
  • They refuse to play with other children or are more careful than usual
  • They are often overstimulated or hold their hands over their ears in louder settings

How To Talk To Your Child About Pain

Talking to your child about pain is often more difficult than diagnosing it in the first place. They may not understand what is going on or maybe reluctant to talk about it if the pain happened after an accident. You can make this easier by asking them questions like: 

  • Where is the darling? Can you point the doll to where it hurts on you?
  • What makes the pain worse? What makes it better? 
  • Did something happen that caused it to hurt? 

If you suspect your child may have an internal injury or a chronic pain issue, take them to the pediatrician immediately. They may refer you to a pain specialist like PPOA to treat joint or bone issues, which can significantly improve your child’s quality of life and development.

To learn more about chronic pain in children, contact your local PPOA clinic today. 

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Everything you need to know about Nociceptive Pain

You may have heard of nociceptive pain from your doctor or online, but very rarely is this term used in everyday life. In this guide, we’ll go over the different types, symptoms, and treatment options for nociceptive pain and how your PPOA clinic can help you recover.

Nociceptive pain is simply any pain that occurs after physical injury or due to inflammation internally. It is a pain you feel when you stub your toe, when inflammation in a joint causes arthritis, or when a kidney stone travels through your bladder. 

This type of pain is detected by nociceptors or the nerves that detect acute pain due to abrasion, swelling, or inflammation. This is different from neuropathic pain, caused by sensitivity or dysfunction of the nerves. Neuropathic pain includes chronic conditions like phantom limb pain (dysfunction) or cancer (sensitivity) pain, but acute injuries like nociceptive pain do not necessarily cause these. 

Types of Nociceptive Pain

Nociceptive pain is put into two categories: somatic and visceral. Somatic pain includes pain from the limbs and exterior of your body, while visceral pain comes from the organs. Examples of both include: 

  • Somatic pain – A broken bone, a rash, or arthritis in a joint
  • Visceral pain – A stomachache, a heart attack, or a kidney stone

Chronic Nociceptive Pain

In most cases, nociceptive pain goes away when the injury is healed. While this may take several days or weeks, the pain goes away once the tissue damage or inflammation is resolved. However, a prolonged recovery or repetitive injury can cause chronic nociceptive pain. 

The longevity of the injury makes these nerves more sensitive over time. This leads to pain that doesn’t disappear even when the wound is healed. Common chronic nociceptive pain conditions include arthritis, fibromyalgia, and pelvic pain.

How Is Nociceptive Pain Treated?

In most cases, nociceptive pain is treated by treating the underlying condition and supplementing with temporary pain relievers. If you break your arm, your doctor will set the fractured bone and provide pain medication for the initial shock. However, once the bone is healed, the pain will subside. Other options for complex or chronic nociceptive primary include: 

  • Physical therapy to strengthen the injured muscles or joints
  • Pain medications to alleviate intense or prolonged pain
  • Medical procedures to block nerve receptions
  • Surgeries or other medical procedures to treat underlying conditions
  • Alternative medicine options such as yoga o mindfulness meditation

Nociceptive pain disrupts our lives temporarily, but it should never go on forever without treatment. If you are experiencing chronic pain after an injury, contact your local PPOA clinic to learn about your treatment options.

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How pain affects your facial expression

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Much of our world is socially and culturally constructed, from our goals to the language we use and experiences we consider everyday life. However, a few universal experiences can be shared cross-culturally and at every age in life. One of those, unfortunately, is pain. 

We learn to express pain from a very young age. Children are reliant upon their caretakers to address and relieve sources of pain, so they cry and frown to shape the actions of the adults around them. Crying and laughing are a child’s most essential tools and stay with us as we grow into adults. This is why pain is one of the most accessible feelings to communicate without words and automatically draws the attention of those around us. 

Expressions of pain are often used in classical paintings because they draw the viewer in and are easy to read without any other understanding context of the artwork itself. The facial expressions in a state of pain are most recognizable and captivate the viewer with empathy and anguish. However, it is not just artists interested in the efficacy of facial expressions to communicate pain. Scientists of the earliest decades have been documenting and trying to understand how to quantify the individual experience of pain. 

Charles Darwin studied facial expressions of pain in humans and across species, noting that:

“…[in pain] the mouth may be closely compressed, or more commonly, the lips are retracted, with the teeth clenched or ground together…the eyes stare wildly as if in horrified astonishment.”

Later in scientific history, researchers Chapman and Jones used heat tolerance to observe common facial expressions linked to pain. They noted a specific eyelid movement that was nearly impossible to prevent: 

“[t]he pains reaction end-point was readily observed by watching for the beginning contraction of the eyelids at the outer canthus…Only a small number [of participants] could make any appreciable alteration…even when asked to keep from wincing as long as possible.”

Therefore, it is the eyes in which we most commonly see the pain in others and express it ourselves. However, there are many other ways to communicate pain without using words, some voluntary and some involuntary.

Other common expressions of pain include: 

  • Burrowing of brow 
  • Eyes squeezing 
  • Nose wrinkling and nostrils flaring
  • Lips either become tight or mouth opens
  • Cheeks raising
  • Chin quivering

We recognize these expressions in others, but quantifying them is a different story. The closest physicians have been able to come to clinical practice is the pain chart, which uses visual representations and a numeric rating system to categorize pain. However, this is still largely subjective and can only qualify pain based on self-reporting coupled with symptoms. 

Your doctor uses these expressions and your self-reported symptoms to understand your pain. The more information you can give them, which is why we encourage you to learn how to communicate your pain with a physician. 

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Best Advice for Managing Fibromyalgia Pain

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Fibromyalgia, a widespread chronic pain disease that affects 6% of the world’s population, is one of the most challenging conditions we treat at PPOA. It is tough to diagnose because of the lack of external symptoms or testing available and is even more difficult on the patients who often wait months or years to receive validation for their pain. 

90% of fibromyalgia patients are women, and these patients are often told by physicians or loved ones that they should stop being so “sensitive” instead of receiving real help. Because it shows no outward symptoms, many patients are accused of exaggerating or faking their symptoms altogether, which only adds to the pain they experience. When you’re in pain all of the time and have no one there to support you, the days can feel as if they never end. 

Below is advice from patients, physicians, and loved ones who actively fight against fibromyalgia in their daily lives: 

Take a hot bath to soothe aches and pains. 

Heat therapy is a common self-care remedy for all types of aches and pains, and it can soothe the whole-body pain experience common for fibro patients. A hot bath can not only release tension in the muscles but provides your mind with much-needed relaxation after a long day. 

Keep your body moving. 

Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when you’re exhausted and in pain, but science shows it is one of the best ways to reduce long-term pain and improve your mood. When you take daily walks or engage in a gentle yoga session, you allow your muscles to stretch rather than ache from a prolonged sedentary lifestyle. Mild exercise can also improve mental clarity and mood, which is crucial when fighting constant pain. 

Pace yourself. 

Fibro patients often feel like they have to ride the wave of their pain and push themselves on days when they’re feeling good. However, this can make flare-ups worse afterward. DOn’t feel like you have to clean the whole house in one day or walk several miles to make up for the days you skipped. Be consistent in your efforts and allow yourself to enjoy your good days rather than feeling the pressure to “make the most” of them. 

Stop comparing yourself to others. 

Fibromyalgia is an invisible disease, making it more challenging to communicate your experience. You may feel as if you have to keep up with the workload of your coworkers or “put on a happy face” when spending time with friends or family, but this only puts you at a more significant disadvantage. Your fibromyalgia is natural, and it does not need to be justified to anyone else. This goes for other people in your life, and other patients you see who you believe are coping better. 

Prioritize self-care. 

Tending to your body’s needs is the best thing you can do to reduce fibromyalgia pain. THings like overworking yourself, eating a sugary diet or skipping meals, and letting your sleep cycle get out of rhythm can all contribute to more pain the next day. Remember to make these things your top priority when planning each day: 

  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Sleep
  • Stress management
  • Relaxation

While these self-care remedies can help lessen fibromyalgia pain, they can only do so much. If you’re ready to talk to a doctor about medical options for fibro pain, contact your local PPOA office today. 

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Five Common Pain Myths you Shouldn’t Believe

Pain is one of the few universal experiences among human beings. No two people lead the same life, but we all experience pain in one form or another. And unfortunately, we often believe the same myths about the pain that hinder our growth and healing. 

These common myths about pain often slow our patients from seeking treatment or expressing their struggles. Feel free to discard these limiting beliefs about chronic pain and replace them with beliefs that can help serve you to find a solution: 

Poor posture is the cause of your back pain

When someone experiences back pain, they often assume it is because they slouch at their desk or have developed “tech neck” from looking at their phone too often. While posture can play a part in back pain, especially job-related, it is not the only answer to why you’re constantly aching. There are a variety of medical conditions that can cause pain throughout the back, with poor posture and muscle fatigue being just one of them. If you are experiencing back pain, talk to a doctor to diagnose before assuming the cause. 

Rest is the best cure for my pain

Many patients with arthritis, back pain, or other chronic issues believe that the pain will subside if they rest long enough. They may take a day or two off (or several weeks if the pain is severe enough) and believe that their pain will be gone when they get back to work. Then, they’re surprised and disheartened when the first activity they do after bed rest results in more pain. 

While rest is critical after surgery or an injury, it won’t make chronic pain disappear. Exercise and stretching are often recommended remedies for chronic conditions, mainly when used with other treatments. Ask your doctor what’s suitable for your body, and don’t assume that bed rest will be your cure-all. 

Medication/surgery/physical therapy is my only option

Those suffering from chronic conditions often read online that surgery or heavy medication use is their only option to make the pain go away. This is not only untrue but limits people’s search when looking for a specialist to treat their pain. At PPOA, we take a holistic approach, incorporating medications, surgeries, physical therapy, medical interventions, and self-care routines when needed. We also go over our treatment options to give you as much control as possible over your pain management. 

The same chronic condition causes the same type of pain for everyone 

Many chronic pain sufferers feel guilty because they don’t “handle” their pain like other patients. They see someone going in for a similar procedure and feel guilty for not being as stoic or as cheerful as they are. But, the truth is that everyone’s pain tolerance and experience are entirely different. Some people experience pain differently or more sensitively or have been suffering from the same condition for much longer. You should never feel the need to compare yourself to others with the same situation or people without chronic pain because no one is going through the same thing as you are. 

Pain is unavoidable as you age

Indeed, we will all experience pain throughout life, both physical and emotional. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to accept your chronic pain condition and not seek treatment. Chronic pain from work or activity-related stress can be treated, even if it has been going on for a long time. And, just because you’re reaching retirement age doesn’t mean you have to slow down your lifestyle. 

At PPOA, we treat everyone’s pain individually to give them the best care and most effective treatments for their unique experience. Contact your local clinic today if you want to learn more about chronic pain or are ready to seek answers. 

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How to know when whiplash becomes chronic pain

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries following a car accident. For most, it causes short-term neck discomfort that goes away after rest. However, for an unlucky few, this injury will stay with them for weeks or months, developing into a chronic pain condition. 

Whiplash is caused when the soft tissue in the neck is strained from a quick back and forth movement of the head. It is commonly experienced in rear-end collisions and other car accidents. Still, it can happen when being struck or when falling, such as in a contact sports injury, a horseback riding fall, or in cases of physical abuse. 

How To Know If You’ve Experienced Whiplash

Whiplash often does not express side effects until several minutes or hours after the injury. Once the adrenaline in your system dies down, you may experience the following symptoms: 

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Headache
  • Problems with vision or hearing
  • Pain in the upper arms or shoulders
  • Dizziness
  • Concussions
  • Fatigue or sleep problems
  • Loss of memory or ability to concentrate
  • Mood changes including irritability or depression

If you have recently fallen, were hit, or were involved in a car accident and noticed these symptoms, you may have suffered from whiplash. While these symptoms may go away on their own, it’s essential to schedule a consultation with your doctor. These symptoms could be a sign of a more severe injury or may develop into chronic pain in the neck that can limit you from living a normal lifestyle. 

When Whiplash Becomes Chronic Pain

Studies show that whiplash often results in long-term problems for the sufferer. Estimates suggest that 50-60% of those who experienced whiplash after an accident develop long-term symptoms including pain, muscle spasms, or limited range of muscle in the upper trapezius muscle (the one that contracts to stabilize the head during the trauma). Other common chronic symptoms of whiplash include: 

  • Prolonged pain or stiffness in the neck and shoulders
  • Vertigo
  • Chronic headaches or migraines
  • Degenerative disc disease and other cervical spine problems
  • Problems with mobility
  • Memory and mood disorders

Because doctors are still learning about whiplash and its effects, treatments are limited and become less effective the longer you wait to seek help. At PPOA, we take whiplash and other spinal injuries very seriously and urge you to seek help as soon as you start experiencing symptoms. The sooner you seek treatment, the more options you have and the less likely your whiplash symptoms are to become chronic. 

To learn more about whiplash treatment, diagnosis, and options in your area, contact your local PPOA clinic today. 

 

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