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Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal..

Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back and neck pain, and also one of the most misunderstood. Simply put, degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of..

Hip pain is a common complaint that can be caused by a wide variety of problems. The precise location of your hip pain can provide valuable clues about the underlying cause.Problems within..

Spinal discs play a crucial role in the lower back, serving as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, supporting the upper body, and allowing a wide range of movement in all directions.If a..

Knee replacement surgery — also known as knee arthroplasty (ARTH-row-plas-tee) — can help relieve pain and restore function in severely diseased knee joints. The procedure involves cutting away damaged bone and cartilage..

Several factors and conditions can contribute to shoulder pain. The most prevalent cause is rotator cuff tendinitis.This is a condition characterized by swollen tendons. Another common cause of shoulder pain is impingement syndrome where the..

Injections are a nonsurgical treatment option for acute or chronic neck or back pain. They are considered to treat spinal pain after other nonsurgical measures such as medications and/or physical therapy have..

Your neck is made up of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper torso. Cervical discs absorb shock between the bones.The bones, ligaments, and muscles of your neck support your..

Spinal cord stimulation is an aggressive pain management technique that involves the surgical implantation of an electrotherapeutic device onto the spinal cord. In the procedure, a device is implanted that introduces low..

Sciatica refers to back pain caused by a problem with the sciatic nerve. This is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When something..

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a common treatment option for many forms of lower back pain and leg pain. They have been used for decades and are considered an integral part of..

Numbness of the legs results from a compression of the blood flow or to a nerve. This damage can be caused by inflammation, trauma, disease, or infection. The numbness can dissipate quickly..

Tingling fingers usually arises from a lack of blood supply to an area or damage to a nerve or nerves that supply the hand and fingers, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or a cervical..

What most people call the shoulder is really several joints that combine with tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of motion in the arm — from scratching your back to..

Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. In addition, the pain may radiate down your leg or worsen with bending, twisting, lifting, standing or..

Wrist braces offer many benefits to the wearer and can help patients recover from an injury or improve their quality of life if they suffer a chronic condition such as arthritis. Patients should..

When using most back braces today, they will have a compression strap that pulls the back brace snugly around you. When the strap or straps are pulled, this causes a compression to..

Knee braces are the least important part of preventing knee injuries or healing after an injury. Good strength and flexibility are much more important. You should focus on stretching the muscles around your..

A repetitive strain injury (RSI), sometimes referred to as repetitive stress injury, is a gradual buildup of damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves from repetitive motions. RSIs are common and may be..

Wrist tendonitis—sometimes spelled tendinitis—is the inflammation of one or more tendons in the wrist. This inflammation typically causes symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and/or warmth in the wrist.1 Wrist tendonitis is caused due..

A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use of a muscle. Strains can happen in..

Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back and neck pain, and also one of the most misunderstood. Simply put, degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of..

Problems within the hip joint itself tend to result in pain on the inside of your hip or your groin. Hip pain on the outside of your hip, upper thigh or outer..

Chronic lateral ankle pain is recurring pain on the outer side of the ankle often develops after an injury such as a sprained ankle. However, several other conditions also may cause chronic ankle..

PRP injections (or platelet rich plasma therapy) is a new treatment method that relieves pain by promoting long lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions. This rapidly emerging technique is showing exciting potential with..

The iliopsoas muscle flexes your hip, bends your trunk towards your thigh and rotates your thigh bone. It’s made up of two muscles — the psoas and iliacus. These muscles run from..

Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate or severe. They may stay about the same for..

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only..

Cubital tunnel syndrome happens when the ulnar nerve, which passes through the cubital tunnel (a tunnel of muscle, ligament, and bone) on the inside of the elbow, is injured and becomes inflamed,..

As people age, their body composition gradually shifts — the proportion of muscle decreases and the proportion of fat increases. This shift slows their metabolism, making it easier to gain weight. In..

Carpal tunnel syndrome, also called median nerve compression, is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand. It happens because of pressure on your median nerve, which runs the..

Tennis elbow is a type of tendinitis — swelling of the tendons — that causes pain in the elbow and arm. These tendons are bands of tough tissue that connect the muscles of your lower..

Chronic knee pain is long-term pain, swelling, or sensitivity in one or both knees. The cause of your knee pain can determine the symptoms you experience. Many conditions can cause or contribute to chronic knee pain, and many treatments exist…

Regularly stretching the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the spine is an important element of all back exercise programs. Stretches designed to alleviate neck and back pain are likely to be..

A cervical herniated disc can cause many different types of pain or no symptoms at all. The pain can range from an aching in the neck, arm, and/or hand to electric-like pain..

Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which a doctor surgically removes a painful hip joint with arthritis and replaces it with an artificial joint often made from metal and plastic components. It usually is done when..

Peripheral Neuropathy is know to be a weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet. A common cause of peripheral nephropathy is diabetes, but it can also..

A back brace can help unload some of the weight normally placed on the lower back, in the process reducing pressure on the spine’s joints, discs, and muscles. By reducing spinal pressure, a back brace may lessen painful muscle..

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. While scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular..

Pudendal neuralgia is chronic pain related to the pudendal nerve. Your pudendal nerve runs from your lower back, along your pelvic floor muscles, out to your perineum (the skin between your pubic..

A herniated disc (also called bulged, slipped or ruptured) is a fragment of the disc nucleus that is pushed out of the annulus, into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the..

Fibromyalgia (fi·bro·my·al·gi·a) is a condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. People with fibromyalgia may be..

Sciatic nerves go from your lower back into your legs. When something presses on them, like a slipped disk or a bone spur, you get sciatica. You might have a burning sensation,..

Whether it’s sitting around the family dinner table or munching on endless snacks at a party, the holidays mean food. It can be hard to keep from overdoing it, but it is..

The goal of treatment is to provide pain relief, increase joint mobility and strength, and control the disease to the extent that it is possible. Treatment options include medication, exercise, heat/cold compresses..

With more time being spent at home and anxiety surrounding the pandemic, excessive snacking and unhealthy eating habits have been common. So it is very important to stay healthy and stay active..

We all at Amara Pain & Spine would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Sending you lots of good..

Topical pain medications are absorbed through your skin. The most common varieties are creams or gels that you rub onto the skin over your painful joints https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/in-depth/pain-medications/art-20045899

Every year here at Amara Pain & Spine we sponsor a child with Charlotte Mecklenburg Police department, click the link below for more information. https://www.ncfoplodge9.com/

When your joints are painful or your muscles ache, topical painkillers — those you apply to your skin may offer relief. You’ll find many products for topical pain relief at your local drugstore…

There’s a class of type 2 diabetes drugs that not only improves blood sugar control but may also lead to weight loss. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/expert-answers/byetta/faq-20057955

obesitymedicine.org Weight loss medications are an important component of a complete treatment plan for adults with obesity 

Are you looking for natural ways to boost energy and weight loss? Here are six tips to put into everyday practice. https://www.pcrm.org/news/blog/six-ways-naturally-boost-energy-and-weight-loss

Finding an eating plan that is healthful and enjoyable will help you stick with your weight loss goals for the long term and maintain any weight loss you manage to achieve. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/losing-weight-can-help-you-lose-the-pain-too

All prescription weight-loss drugs approved for long-term use produce significant weight loss compared with placebo. In addition, studies show that the addition of weight-loss medication to lifestyle changes results in greater weight..

Heel spurs are another source of foot pain. These are abnormal growths of bone on the bottom of your heel. You can get them from wearing the wrong shoes or from an abnormal walk..

Ankle pain refers to any type of pain or discomfort in your ankles. This pain could be caused by an injury, like a sprain, or by a medical condition, like arthritis. According..

Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition that causes lower back pain. It occurs when one of your vertebrae, the bones of your spine, slips out of place onto the vertebra below it.  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10302-spondylolisthesis

This is an opportunity to learn about what can be done that has the potential to offer additional relief. https://www.hss.edu/conditions_complementary-alternative-therapies-for-pain.asp

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually, worsen over time and then resolve, usually..

A medial branch nerve block is a type of injection used to determine if the facet joint is causing the patient’s back pain. Facet joints are pairs of small joints between the..

Middle back pain occurs below the neck and above the bottom of the rib cage, in an area called the thoracic spine. There are 12 back bones — the T1 to T12..

Knee pain is a common complaint among adults and most often associated with general wear and tear from daily activities like walking, bending, standing and lifting. Athletes who run or play sports..

Lidocaine patches are used to relieve the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN; the burning, stabbing pains, or aches that may last for months or years after a shingles infection). Lidocaine is in..

 Piriformis injections are commonly used to determine what is causing buttock and sciatica type pain. 

Endometriosis is a disorder where the tissue that makes up the uterine lining (the lining of the womb) grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis is usually found in the lower abdomen, or pelvis,..

Fibromyalgia syndrome affects the muscles and soft tissue. Symptoms include chronic muscle pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and painful tender points or trigger points, which can be relieved through medications, lifestyle changes and..

Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is swelling of the tendons that bend your wrist backward away from your palm. A tendon is a tough cord of tissue that connects muscles..

Knee pain is a common symptom in people of all ages. It may start suddenly, often after an injury or exercise. Knee pain also may begin as a mild discomfort, then slowly..

Improving the way opioids are prescribed through clinical practice guidelines can ensure patients have access to safer, more effective pain treatment while reducing the number of people who potentially misuse or overdose..

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) happens when your body’s defenses – your immune system – targets your joint linings. RA affects joints on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists,..

Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back and neck pain, and also one of the most misunderstood. Dgenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck..

In frozen shoulder, the shoulder capsule thickens and becomes stiff and tight. Thick bands of tissue — called adhesions — develop. In many cases, there is less synovial fluid in the joint…

Osteoporosis, which literally means porous bone, is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. As bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly..

Tailbone pain ranges from a dull ache to a fierce stab. It can last for weeks, months or sometimes longer. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10436-coccydynia-tailbone-pain

A celiac plexus block is an injection (shot) of a medication that stops these nerves from feeling pain. This can help treat pain in your upper abdomen. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/celiac-plexus-block

Research shows exercise is an essential aspect in the treatment of chronic pain. With reduced activity the muscles lose tone and can slowly atrophy. www.hopeinstilled.org/43/Exercise-Stretching?gclid=CjwKCAjwsan5BRAOEiwALzomXyIuOJ2xmGHTShv3xWh-9__MT7MC4UThITrRGCrMiXOzvGMyt6QP8BoC1B4QAvD_B\ Call us at 704-503-9338

Identifying anxiety as the cause of your chest pain is an important step in treating your condition. As you learn to manage the side effects of anxiety, you’ll also learn to manage..

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall..

 Bioelectric therapy prompts the body to produce chemicals called endorphins, that decrease or eliminate painful sensations by blocking the message of pain from being delivered to the brain. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-management-treatment-overview#3

Injury, overuse or conditions causing inflammation involving any of the bones, ligaments or tendons in the foot can cause foot pain. Injury to the nerves of the feet may result in intense..

https://www.healthline.com/health/electromyography#preparation Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates the health condition of muscles and the nerve cells that control them

If a damaged or injured tendon fails to heal with rest and physical therapy, a doctor may recommend injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP), also called autologous conditioned plasma (ACP). Many experts believe that..

Orthovisc is a thick or viscous solution of high molecular weight, highly purified sodium hyaluronate in physiological saline. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-orthovisc-190164

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of the median nerve as it passes into the hand. The median nerve is located on the palm side of your hand (also called the carpal tunnel). The median nerve..

Hip joint injections involve injecting medicine directly into the joint. These injections can help diagnose the source of pain, as well as alleviate the discomfort: https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/hip-joint-injections-pain-relief

Muscle inflammation can be caused by repetitive strain, lack of muscle activity, or a direct muscle injury. When muscles are stressed or injured, they often form tender “trigger points” that feel like..

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly referred to as COPD, is a group of progressive lung diseases. The most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Many people with COPD have both of these conditions. https://www.healthline.com/health/copd

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly..

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand. When the..

Lateral epicondylitis, also known as “Tennis Elbow”, is the most common overuse syndrome in the elbow. It is a tendinopathy injury involving the extensor muscles of the forearm. These muscles originate on the lateral..

Lidocaine patches are used to relieve the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN; the burning, stabbing pains, or aches that may last for months or years after a shingles infection). Lidocaine is in..

Fibromyalgia is chronic condition that causes pain all over the body, fatigue, and other symptoms. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people who don’t have it. This is called..

Each bone end is covered with a layer of cartilage that absorbs shock and protects the knee. Basically, the knee is 2 long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons…

It’s estimated that about 1/2 of all American adults attempt to lose weight per year. Exercising is one of the most common ways for those trying to shed those extra pounds. It..

To lose weight, you need snacks. That’s right – we know you’re counting the calories and watching what you eat. And you’re doing a great job of following your clean eating plan!..

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the cause. Some common treatments involve physical therapy, surgery, and injections for increased nerve pressure. Other treatments focus on reducing pain and discomfort with over-the-counter painkillers such as..

In the TPI procedure, a health care professional inserts a small needle into the patient’s trigger point. The injection contains a local anesthetic or saline, and may include a corticosteroid. With the injection, the trigger..

How Can a Wrist Brace Help? Most people bend their wrists when they sleep. That puts pressure on the median nerve. A brace can help because it keeps your wrist in a straight,..

Knee swelling,  signals a problem with the knee. When a mild or minor injury causes swelling, it usually can be treated at home with over-the-counter medication and the R.I.C.E. formula.  https://www.arthritis-health.com/types/general/how-care-swollen-knee

The carpal tunnel is located in the wrist, and is formed by the bones of the wrist and the transverse carpal (wrist) ligament. Through this tunnel pass the median nerve, flexor tendons..

Do you look to smoking for relief from a bad back? Or aching joints? Or abdominal pain? Think twice before lighting up that cigarette. “Nicotine-induced pain relief is short-term. Over time, smoking may..

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes pain, inflammation, and decreased joint movements. It can occur in any joint but generally affects the hands, knees, hips, or spine …

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts..

In order to break the cycle of depression-sleep or chronic pain-sleep, you need to start by getting your sleep habits under control. Some of the methods you can use to help sleep,..

All patients on long-term opioid therapy should have periodic urine drug tests (UDT). Medical experts agree that an annual UDT for all patients should be standard practice. Subsequent UDTs should be determined..

The hip joint is the body’s largest joint that can withstand repeated motion and a fair amount of wear and tear. Despite its durability, the hip joint isn’t indestructible. With age and..

With opioid addiction and prescription drug abuse considered one of the biggest public health threats of our time in the US, many are asking why so many Americans are struggling with addiction..

Prophylactic knee braces are those devices designed to prevent or reduce the severity of knee injuries; rehabilitative braces are devices aimed to limit motion of injured knees or knees following surgical treatment;..

The official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), Pain Medicine, has published a practice guidelines article titled “Pain Management Best Practices from Multispecialty Organizations during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Public Health..

An immunoassay is a test that relies on biochemistry to measure the presence and/or concentration of an analyte. The analyte can be large proteins, antibodies that a person has produced as a..

Low back pain is not often considered to be a potential problem among young adults. So when back pain strikes at a young age, it comes as a surprise and a source of..

Growing concerns about COVID-19 has caused a surge in online searches on how to properly protect yourself against the virus. In addition to proper handwashing, what else can you do to improve..

Chronic pain patients may be more susceptible to COVID-19, and if infected with the virus, may face different consequences than others. “There is a complex relationship between chronic pain and the immune system,” said..

Amara Pain & Spine Pain Clinic’s #1 priority is to keep our patients and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. At this time, we are offering Electronic office visits to ease everyone’s..

There are many things that older people can initiate themselves or with the support of a carer, if needed, to protect their mental health at this time. These include undertaking physical activity,..

El lumbago se refiere a un dolor que se siente en la región lumbar. Usted también puede presentar rigidez en la espalda, disminución del movimiento de la región lumbar y dificultad para..

A lower back brace can be an effective element of a comprehensive treatment plan for certain spinal conditions, and can provide support for the spine as it heals following back surgery. In..

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS unit) is a device that sends small electrical currents to targeted body parts. These electrical impulses flood the nervous system, reducing its ability to transmit pain..

This medication is used to treat knee pain in patients with joint inflammation (osteoarthritis). It is usually used in patients who have not responded to other treatments such as acetaminophen, exercise, or physical therapy. Hyaluronate (also known as hyaluronan) is similar..

Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve’s stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the test, one or more..

Ultrasound therapy is a treatment used by physical therapists or occupational therapists to relieve pain and to promote tissue healing. There are two main types of ultrasound therapy: thermal and mechanical. Both use sound waves..

A stellate ganglion block is an injection of local anesthetic in the sympathetic nerve tissue of the neck. The nerves are located on either side of the voice box, in the neck…

 In healthy people, a higher resting blood pressure is associated with a decreased sensitivity to acute pain. In other words, if you’re blood pressure is high, you wouldn’t feel as much pain..

After cleansing the skin, a drape will be applied. The medications will be placed in syringes, ensuring sterility. A needle will be placed precisely to the target area, utilizing multiple views for..

A radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys the nerve fibers carrying pain signals to the brain. It can provide lasting relief for people with chronic pain, especially in the..

Plasma is the liquid part of your blood that’s mostly made of water and protein. It lets red and white blood cells and platelets move through your bloodstream. Platelets are a type of blood..

Diabetes and high blood sugars can cause nerve damage called Peripheral Neuropathy which presents as numbness and pain in feet, legs, or hands and sometimes loss of sensation.  This can present as..

Look at this sweet card we received from one of our patients! We would like to wish everyone a blessed holiday season!

https://www.aaomed.org/Platelet-Rich-Plasma-Injections-for-Pain PRP injections (or platelet rich plasma therapy) is a new treatment method that relieves pain by promoting long lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions. This rapidly emerging technique is showing exciting potential..

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. While scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular..

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only..

The kind of back pain that follows heavy lifting or exercising too hard is often caused by muscle strain. But sometimes back pain can be related to a disc that bulges or..

Before leaving the Dcoctor you already have, schedule one last visit with the doctor you are leaving. Ask for a status report on current and recurring health conditions. Take notes, and take..

In spinal fusion, the surgeon joins two adjacent vertebrae (the large bones of the spine) to form a single unit. A common indication for fusion is spondylolisthesis, a misalignment of the vertebrae…

Pain management can be simple or complex, depending on the cause of the pain. An example of pain that is typically less complex would be nerve root irritation from a herniated disc with pain radiating..