The Pain Relief Clinic

Causes Of Shoulder Pain

terence — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:43:40 +0000

Of all the joints in the body, the shoulder probably offers the greatest range of movement yet it is a relatively unstable joint because the ball of the humerus bone doesn’t fit into the shoulder joint completely. Any injury, swelling, tear or entrapment of tendons can cause pain in the shoulder. Some common conditions causing pain in the shoulder include:

Rotator cuff tears.
Frozen shoulder.
Fractures.
Dislocation of the joint.
Tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon).
Arthritis of the shoulder.
Ruptured tendon.

A shoulder pain may also be a referred pain, meaning that the cause of pain occurs at a site other than the shoulder.

Find out how your shoulder pain can be more effectively treated.

For enquiries, Call 64057280

What Is “Slip Disc”?

terence — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:28:40 +0000

Pain due to degenerative disease of the spine is very common and a wide variety of terms are used to explain this condition, including slipped disc, disc prolapse, bulging disc, ruptured disc, compressed disc, herniated disc etc. These terms refer to situations in which the intervertebral disc displaces from its normal anatomical position and bulges out.

The backbone consists of 33 bony parts called vertebrae separated by an elastic and spongy (cartilaginous) disc like structures called intervertebral discs that lie between two vertebrae.
Various blood vessels and nerves pass through these vertebrae and an important structure called spinal cord is present in the tunnel.

The intervertebral disc consists of two parts, a tough outer part (annulus fibrosis) and a softer inner part or a nucleus (annulus pulposus). These discs are especially designed to work as a shock absorber.

What Causes Slip Disc?

terence — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:22:52 +0000

The intervertebral disc and the adjacent vertebrae undergo changes with increasing age. As a result of associated degeneration, the disc loses its ability to retain water. These changes are usually present without causing apparent pain but as the annulus fibrosis thins and radial slits appear in it, this allows the nucleus (annulus pulposus) to bulge and even to rupture through it, resulting in “slipped disc”.

While this degeneration occurs with age, severe trauma may also cause a disc to herniate (bulge out). Some common causes include:

A sudden fall or accident.

Heavy weight lifting.

Long term strain over the back.

What Are The Common Problems Experienced By A Patient With Slip Disc

terence — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:17:00 +0000

Depending on the region of the spine affected, a patient may experience some of the following problems:

Cervical Spine:

Pain and stiffness in neck.

Arm pain.

Weakness and numbness in the arms.

The feeling of pins and needles in the arms.

Unsteadiness of gait.

Thoracic Spine:

Back pain.

Possible physical deformity of the spine.

Lumbar Spine:

Pain in the lower back that may radiate to the buttocks and back of the thighs (sciatica).

Problems in performing daily tasks like picking up things, sitting, walking, running and so on.

Altered bowel or urinary bladder function.

Weakness and numbness in one or both legs.

Impotence and erectile dysfunction (in males).

The pain is often aggravated by work and relieved with rest. The backache will often improve but may last for a long time.

How Is Slip Disc Treated?

terence — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:09:53 +0000

Standard treatment options for slipped disc include:

Non-Surgical Treatment:

Physical therapy which includes a short period of bed rest.

Analgesics for pain.

Muscle relaxants.

Application of heat and cold.

Back exercises.

Weight reduction.

SurgicalTreatment:

Surgery may be indicated depending on the duration and severity of the pain, physical signs, and the radiological findings.

Partial removal of bone or discs may correct the impingement on the spinal cord.

Find out how your slip disc can be more effectively treated.

For enquiries, Call 64057280

Common Types Of Headeache

terence — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:40:01 +0000

There are many reasons a person may experience a headache and each should be managed differently. Some causes are persistent and recurring while others may start suddenly and be very severe. As a headache can sometimes be a symptom of dangerous and urgent conditions, it is important for patients who experience headaches to be assessed by their doctors.

Some features of common types of headache include:

TENSION HEADACHE:

Headache may persist for weeks and can be present throughout the day.
Mild to moderate severity.
Pressing or tightening character of pain.
Not aggravated by routine physical activity.
Often not responsive to simple analgesics.

MIGRAINE:

Headache often occurring over a matter of hours.
May be associated with nausea, vomiting and neurological signs (e.g. tingling or shimmering before the eyes etc)

MENINGITIS:

The patient is generally ill.
There is usually fever present.
Neck stiffness may be present.

SUBARACHNOID HAEMORRHAGE:

This often causes a sudden onset, severe headache.
Often localized but may be diffuse.
May be associated with symptoms like vomiting and neck stiffness.

Find out how your Headache can be more effectively treated.

For enquiries, Call 64057280

What Is Sciatica?

terence — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:25:13 +0000

Sciatica is the name given to pain which originates in the lower back and radiates to the buttocks and down the legs due to irritation of the Sciatic nerve. Sciatica is one of the most common causes of lower backache.
The sciatic nerve is one of the most important and big nerves affecting to the back and lower limbs. It emerges from the openings in the sacral vertebral bone (tail bone) and supplies muscles in the back and lower limbs. In sciatica, the openings in the sacral bone through which the sciatic nerve emerges, is narrowed, causing pressure on the sciatic nerve and resulting pain along its course. As this nerve supplies back and lower limb, there is backache and pain running down the legs.

What Are The Causes Of Sciatica?

terence — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:24:22 +0000

The causes of sciatica are mostly conditions that cause irritation of the nerves. These include:

Fractures of the pelvic or hip bone.
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal).
Prolapsed intervertebral disc.
Osteoarthritis.
Spondylosis.
Intra-spinal abscess.
Intra-spinal tumor.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sciatica?

terence — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:22:10 +0000

The symptoms of sciatica vary according to the severity of impingement on sciatic nerve. Sciatica should be suspected if patients experience:

Pain and cramps in the back, buttocks and down the posterior aspect of legs.
Weakness in the legs during standing and walking.
Pain and weakness that is relieved with rest.
Numbness or tingling in the back and along the legs.
Reduced sensations along the areas supplied by the sciatic nerve.

Find out how Sciatica can be more effectively treated.

For enquiries, Call 64057280

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

terence — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:44:33 +0000

A frozen shoulder is an inflammatory condition of the shoulder ligaments which causes stiffness and restricts shoulder movements. Along with stiffness, there is also varying degree of pan in the shoulder which greatly affects the patient’s quality of life.