Caffeine Boosts the Effectiveness of Painkillers – Latest Research

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It’s been thought for over 3 decades that caffeine may help boost the effectiveness of painkillers. Is it true or a myth? Dr. Greene explains the latest research and what the real deal is.

The Preferred pain center in Arizona is Arizona Pain Specialists. They have Board Certified AZ pain management doctors treating patients with medications and interventional procedures along with physical rehab and Phoenix chiropractic at Valleywide locations.
Call today (602) 507-6550.

Fluoroscopy has Revolutionized Pain Management Scottsdale

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Fluoroscopy has revolutionized the field of pain management Scottsdale. The word fluoroscopy is a fancy word that refers to a machine that involves real-time x-ray allowing physicians to see exactly where the needle is going. With fluoroscopy, existing procedures have been made more accurate, and the field of pain management has seen a lot of new procedures come into play because of its existence.

Since the 1960s, physicians have been doing epidural steroid injections. Without fluoroscopy, though the miss rate with these injections was as high as 40%. If you are a patient experiencing sciatica, that’s a little bit high to fathom. It would be better if there was a  way to improve that accuracy, and that’s what fluoroscopy does.

New procedures have benefited immensely from fluoroscopy including minimally invasive lumbar discectomy, vertebroplasty, and spinal cord stimulators. When pain management doctors in Arizona are doing a procedure under fluoroscopy, they can inject dye which can show if the placement is accurate prior to injecting the medication. It can also show that there’s been a mistake and the needle is inside a vascular structure and prevent the problem with that.

The newest machines continue to improve on image quality. A large patient has a lot of soft tissue to shoot through, and the new machines have optimization so that the doctor can see better than ever before where the needle is going.

Numerous studies have looked at radiation from fluoroscopy. If an individual stands over 6 feet away on the machine while it’s working, over 90% of the radiation dissipates prior to reaching that person. Otherwise, personnel should wear a lead vest and a throat collar for protection. It is well known that cancer can result from excessive radiation exposure over time.

It is no doubt that fluoroscopy has changed the face of pain management making existing procedures that are, and allowing for new and improved procedures to come down the pipeline and benefit patients.

If you are a patient in pain in the Phoenix or Scottsdale metropolitan area or anywhere in the Valley, Preferred Pain Center has the best pain management Mesa AZ doctors and Phoenix providers. Services at the center include medication management, interventional pain management procedures, chiropractor Phoenix treatment, and Scottsdale chiropractor treatment. Call 602-507-6550 to make your appointment today.

Facet Injections Can Provide Excellent Back Pain Relief

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Facet injections give  pain relief that has resulted from facet joint inflammation or arthritis or injury. It is not fully understood how the pain comes about in the facet joint, but it is thought to result from several causes which could be arthritis, injury, degeneration.

The injection into the facet joint only gives  relief that is temporary, which could be from a day to upwards of a few months. Usually the injections are done along with PT  or potentially along with Gilbert chiropractor adjustments as well.

The injection introduces a long-acting steroid, along with a numbing medicine like Lidocaine into the painful joint. This is either placed into the capsule of the joint or potentially alongside the area – the injection may also serve a diagnostic purpose along with a therapeutic purpose.

The facet block inhibits signals going to the brain by numbing the nerves in the region. If the person benefits from a facet block they also may turn into a candidate for a radio-frequency thermal, which is a procedure that kills the nerve endings in the area and provides pain relief with pain management doctors in Arizona.

Those who benefit from facet injections are people suffering from back pain, leg pain, neck pain, or arm pain. This pain is coming from inflammation and typically response to the steroids. The injections are also recommended for those who attempted treatments including Tylenol, anti-inflammatories,  PT, or a back brace.

The facet blocks may be used to treat arthritis, herniated disc, sciatica, or spinal stenosis. Those who have an active infection or  bleeding problems should not have facet injections. Also those with diabetes or hypertension should use caution as injections into the facets may raise blood sugar levels for a brief time or slightly raise blood pressure.

These shots are administered  in an outpatient setting such as an AZ pain center by either anesthesiologists, radiologists,  or Arizona pain doctors utilizing a real time x-ray machine. Typically the individuals feel a pressure sensation but not too much pain as long as the numbing medicine is placed prior to putting in the longer injection needle.

Certain patients they may need a Valium or some other medication to help for the injection. Most folks are able to walk right after the injection  The person should notice pain relief within a few days  after the procedure and if only minimal pain relief is achieved then additional injections may be necessary. Over 75% of individuals get excellent relief from the  injection.

Patients who are on blood thinners should make sure to stop these when their AZ Pain Management physician tells them to.

Facet blocks are an great choice in pain management Phoenix to try prior to an invasive spinal surgery. They have less complications and  risks  than surgery.

Preferred Pain Center is a comprehensive Arizona pain center. We have chiropractors Phoenix AZ and pain doctor Arizona who can help. We have a 24 hour Guarantee and a free massage for new patients!

Call (602) 507-6550 today.