Pain Archives

Back Pain? Red-Flag Symptoms That You Shouldn’t Ignore

Aug 9, 2018 · Jim Brown, PhD · Pain

Back pain is normally in your lower back and may cause muscle spasms. But when is back pain serious? A back pain red-flag warning is when the pain is intense, spreads down one or both legs, causes weakness or numbness, or follows a fall or a blow to your back. … Read More

Botox for Migraines: Does It Work?

Aug 7, 2018 · Shandley McMurray · Pain

There’s not much worse than suffering from a chronic migraine. The pounding head, nausea, and pain is debilitating. My last migraine persisted for a month. It was so bad I dreamed of ticking off King Henry the VIII so he could have my head chopped off and relieve me of … Read More

Shingles Pain: 5 Myths and Facts to Set You Straight

Aug 7, 2018 · Jim Brown, PhD · Pain

Almost one in three people in the United States will experience shingles pain during their lifetime. Most will get it once, but it’s possible to get it a second or third time. Shingles pain includes a rash or blisters on the skin. It’s a virus—the same one that causes chickenpox. … Read More

Chronic Inflammation? Here’s How Altering Your Lifestyle Can Help

Aug 7, 2018 · Jim Black · Pain

Your immune system is like a home security system. When you suffer an injury or infection, it sets off an alarm—what we know as an inflammatory response—by sending immune cells to neutralize viruses, bacteria, and other intruders that breach your outer defenses, thereby protecting healthy cells and tissues from damage. … Read More

How to Help Migraines and Chronic Headaches with Just Enough Exercise

Aug 1, 2018 · UHN Staff · Pain

When you consider the question of how to help migraines, "exercise" might not be the first thought that comes to mind. But my own experience—and data resulting from studies—show a correlation. Two years ago, if you asked me what I did for exercise, the only honest answer would be "almost … Read More

What Are Migraine Headaches, and How Do We Stop Them?

Jul 31, 2018 · Jim Brown, PhD · Pain

As many as 28 million Americans, including 25 percent of all adult women, have migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are often misdiagnosed as sinus headaches because the pain is felt across the forehead and the bridge of the nose, just like sinus headaches. The latest genetic and biological research shows that … Read More

What Causes Headaches? These Factors Can Trigger Tension Headaches, Migraines, and More

Jul 26, 2018 · Kate Brophy · Pain

The first thing that might surprise you is that what causes headaches isn't related to anything going on in your brain—in fact, your brain doesn't feel pain, because it doesn't have any pain receptors (the nerve endings that are found throughout the body, and that transmit pain signals). But your … Read More

Low Back Pain? Explore Your Options for Easing the Ache

Jul 24, 2018 · Jim Black · Pain

Just about everyone experiences low back pain at some point. You might strain your back while lifting, twist the wrong way, or sit or sleep in an awkward position. The good news is that you probably can find relief without surgery or other invasive treatments—and maybe even without medications. In … Read More

What Is Scleroderma?

Jul 18, 2018 · Leonaura Rhodes, MD · Pain

You may have heard the term scleroderma but what does it mean? The first half of the word has roots in the Greek word "skleros," or "hard." The second half of the word, "-derma," means "skin." According to the American College of Rheumatology, “Scleroderma (or systemic sclerosis) is an autoimmune … Read More

Headache Cures: 9 Strategies to Ease the Pain

Jul 17, 2018 · Kate Brophy · Pain

Headaches can hit without notice, and multiple types may require different treatments. But there are simple headache cures you can try—strategies to relax tense muscles and stress, both of which can trigger headaches. More complex headache cures include injections you may more commonly associate with cosmetic procedures. There are a … Read More

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