Jenny L.F. Andrus, MD If old wives could tell tales, they might let you know that your joints could predict the weather and let you know when rain is coming, or a cold spell was getting ready to move into the area. As physicians, we typically would say that it was coincidental that our patients… Read more »
Andrew L. Martin, PsyD Chronic pain profoundly affects a basic human task – movement – changing it from something we take for granted into a source of anxiety and frustration. We have to move, but we naturally don’t want to hurt. Here are a few concepts for deciding when and how to move in order… Read more »
Jenny L. F. Andrus, MD As an Interventional Pain Management Specialist, I see patients who have every type of pain imaginable and do my best to diagnose and treat the root cause of their pain. Some patients have issues with chronic pain in their pelvis, tailbones, rectums, or reproductive systems due to illness, trauma, cancer… Read more »
Jenny L. F. Andrus. MD In my practice as an Interventional Pain Management Specialist, I can attest to the fact that I see more women than men for the treatment of chronic pain. Research also tells us that women are disproportionately affected by pain conditions more often than men. Even more concerning is they often… Read more »
Andrew L. Martin, PsyD I vividly remember my first relaxation exercise. I was a psychology intern, co-facilitating a fibromyalgia psychotherapy group at the Navy hospital in San Diego. My supervisor led the group in a breathing exercise, and I got caught up in the exercise with the group members. A few minutes later, I was… Read more »
Raj N. Sureja, MD When a patient with chronic neck pain gets referred to me, an Interventional Pain Management Specialist, I am often considered a last resort for treatment. Typically, the patient has tried every treatment that their PCP has to offer, been to a Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, massage therapist, to an Orthopaedist, and may… Read more »
Jenny L. F. Andrus, MD 1. Self-care is key. Exercise and stress management are the most important aspects of your care. Try yoga, swimming or walking. Meditation and Mindfulness are proven stress reducers. Try to do something everyday that relieves your stress and gets you moving. 2. Mood disorders are common with FMS and failure… Read more »
Jenny L. F. Andrus, MD Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) can be a confusing and frightening diagnosis. Patients often get this diagnosis after having been seen by many different specialists. They’re often confused and frustrated by the lack of clarity surrounding the cause or the treatment. This diagnosis is more of a description of your problem rather… Read more »
Jenny L. F. Andrus, MD Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain condition that causes pain all over the body. Often patients will say that they hurt from head to toe. Some of the areas may be more painful than others with patients often reporting higher levels of low back or neck pain. This “all… Read more »
Emily A. Ludwig, PsyD Picture this…your entire family, sitting around the kitchen table, all warm and snuggly, drinking hot cocoa. Everyone is smiling and laughing as your kids take turns talking about how they love spending time at home with you. You’ve got chocolate chip cookies in the oven and a pot of homemade… Read more »