Repetitive strain injury: What are the warning signs?

Repetitive strain injury is commonly felt in the forearms and elbows, wrists and hands, and in the neck and shoulders. This condition, unfortunately, is usually overlooked especially if the pain subsides in a few days. However, the condition can be debilitating without the right treatment. Here are some of the signs that a person might be experiencing repetitive strain injury (RSI): 

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1. Numbness, throbbing, or intense pain in the upper limbs 

2. Weakness or stiffness in the aforementioned areas 

3. Lack of control in holding objects 

4. Inability to do simple tasks such as typing, texting, lifting bags, or chopping vegetables 

5. Cramps in the upper extremities 

Many people become aware of the symptoms when they do a specific task. When there's pain associated with day-to-day tasks like typing or playing an instrument, this could possibly be a case of RSI. 

If the condition has been triggered by tasks at work, employees should look into the office setup. The heights of the seats, tables, and computers could be one of the reasons for the strain. Cold temperatures that add tension to the muscles can also contribute to the pain. While in treatment, it is best to minimize the use of the injured part of the body. In most cases, taking painkillers, using splint, and undergoing hot and cold therapy are some of the simple methods that can alleviate the symptoms. But for those with complicated cases, taking a leave from work or school is recommended to allow the muscles to heal fully. 

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Pain management specialist Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D. performs procedures such as selective nerve root injections, sympathetic nerve blocks, and radiofrequency nerve ablation. Visit this blog for related articles.

Relieve Hip Bursitis With These Simple Exercises

Hip pain can be hard to manage especially for people with active lifestyle. Experiencing unnecessary discomfort in this area can prevent a person from executing normal movements. One of the common causes of hip pain is bursitis, which is due to joints that have fluid-filled sacs between tendon and bone. One of the manifestations of this condition includes tenderness in the tendons and swelling. Aside from medication and other pain management methods, exercises can also help alleviate the discomfort in this area.

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Here are some physical activities that will relieve and prevent hip bursitis:

Swimming and water aerobics

Doing physical activities in water prevents further strain on the muscles. It also allows a wide range of motion that will promote regular movement. Those who are experiencing hip bursitis can try working out and doing stretches in a pool to also release stress.

Stretching and strengthening exercises

Runners and other endurance athletes are usually the ones prone to hip bursitis. They must strengthen their lower body with specific exercises to prevent the strain the constant movement can cause. Hamstring, hip, flexor, and glute stretches will develop the body’s strength as the muscles recuperate.

Walking

Going back immediately to strenuous activities like lifting weights and running can cause more pain. Once the discomfort lessens, those who suffer from hip bursitis can exercise by engaging in low-impact activities like walking. Such activity can restore a person’s normal movement while gently stretching the muscles.

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The level of pain caused by hip bursitis can vary. Before engaging in any exercise, it is always best for individuals to always consult their doctor to ensure their safety.

Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D., is a pain management specialist that performs procedures such as selective nerve root injections, sympathetic nerve blocks, and radiofrequency nerve ablation. Visit this blog to know more about Dr. Novak’s practice.

A Tip Sheet For Exercising When Suffering From Chronic Pain

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Patients who suffer from chronic pain are still told to engage in physical activity. Exercise is a major part of overall wellness and health. That said, the thought of movement can be scary for people are constantly in pain. It is a fact that too much of the wrong activity can make the pain worse. This is why pain management specialists have come up with helpful tips for exercising when one has chronic pain.

Start small and build gradually: The first major step is to make the decision. This may sound obvious, but an essential part of any exercise program is the will and desire to move. People can often become trapped in their belief that any movement will trigger an attack. Patients can slowly build their confidence by starting small. The World Health Organization recommends brisk walking for 30 minutes a day to maintain overall health. Those who have chronic pain can begin with just 10 minutes of moderate walking. Even these tiny steps are enough to ensure improved health.

Move at a good pace: Patients with chronic pain should always remember to listen to their bodies. No amount of media should influence one’s decision to exercise -- especially with how fast or how slow one should move. There is, however, a thin but distinct line between listening to one’s body and being stubborn with movement. It is, therefore, best to ask a close friend or family member to monitor one’s behavior and act as a support system.

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Strive for balance: As much as possible, it is best for patients to follow an exercise routine that has elements of cardiovascular, strengthening, and stretching. This will, hopefully, help relieve some pain as muscles become stronger.

Most importantly, patients should remember to be patient with themselves. With the proper therapy, exercise will soon be easier to do.

Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D., specializes in pain management. For more information on managing chronic pain, like this Facebook page.

Simple Exercises To Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CPS) is a condition of stiffness, aching, and burning sensations particularly in the hands and wrist. The pain can also occur randomly, even reaching the arm. Contrary to popular belief that CPS can be acquired through manual office work, there are actually different ways, such as hereditary and pre-existing medical conditions, the condition can be acquired. The good news is, CPS can be prevented. Here are some simple exercises that can help:

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Shake the hands.

Shake the hands as if drying them after a wash. Do this for a minute or two to prevent the tension from settling in the hands and the fingers. However, don’t be too harsh when doing this exercise. Be gentle to the hands and make sure that the tension is released before going back to work.

”Spider” pushups.

Start by putting the hands together as if in prayer. Then, spread fingers far apart but keep the palms together. This stretch prevents the median nerve from being irritated. One can do this exercise multiple times a day to ensure that the muscles and the nerves are being cared for.

Fix posture.

This may sound simple but these activities are crucial to ensure that the wrists and the hands get a break. Having the wrong posture can put unnecessary weight in the hands, wrists, and arms, making them prone to CPS. Aligning the back and the spine can also relieve the stress that settled in the arms up to the fingers.

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To prevent this painful condition, a person has to be proactive in keeping the joints, bones, and muscles free from stress. At first this may seem to be a great effort but once these simple activities become a habit, the body will be stronger and healthier for it.

A pain management specialist, Dr. Melanie Novak uses a multidisciplinary approach to treating acute pain using injection treatments, medications, physical therapy, and behavior therapy. Visit this blog for more information on her practice.

Workout Injuries Gym Goers Should Be Aware Of

Having the right amount of exercise is essential in contributing to a person’s well-being. However, doing one wrong move or exercising too much can cause injuries. Oftentimes, people shrug off these injuries, but when they happen repetitively, it could lead to more serious conditions. Here are some of the workout injuries gym goers should be careful of:

Knee injuries: Too much running on the treadmill and jumping while using a rope might lead to knee injuries especially if the person’s movement is rushed. A person who is also overweight might need to do these exercises slower to prevent unnecessary strain on this part of the body.

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Shoulder injury: Most gym goers shrug off this injury thinking that painkillers and stretching exercises will make it go away. However, injuring the shoulders can be a serious matter. When the pain wouldn’t subside, it could mean a dislocated bone, fracture, torn ligaments, and even injuries to nerves.

Neck: Doing bench press and other upper body workouts with the wrong posture and movement could cause neck pain. When the lower back and the shoulders are not properly aligned, it could lead to strained neck muscles. When the upper body is not ready for the weight it will carry, the primary area that experiences the tension is the neck.

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To prevent these common injuries, maintaining the right posture and positions are critical. Those working out should also never skip warm-up and cool-down exercises to prepare their body for all the intense activities. “No pain, no gain” may work as a motivational statement, but a gym goer must know when to listen to the body when it needs to take a break from all the exercising.

Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D., provides her patients with the necessary medical procedure to address their pain needs and inform them of proper recovery discipline. For more information, visit this page to learn more about Dr. Novak’s practice.

Conquer Headaches With An Occipital Nerve Block Procedure

Chronic headaches and occipital neuralgia can be draining conditions.They can strike and disturb a person while he or she is going about the usual daily routine. They can disrupt sleep and make a person irritable.The discomfort can sometimes be difficult to endure. Having an occipital nerve block procedure for this kind of headache can bring relief.

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An occipital nerve block is usually done with steroids and anesthetics by injecting the greater and lower occipital nerve. This commonly outpatient procedure requires a patient to be awake. Because it requires an injection, the patient may feel pain at the back of the head where it is administered. For many, this is the only side effect of the procedure. The purpose of this procedure is to block the pain signal or to reduce the inflammation in the occipital nerves.

Depending on the case, some patients require several procedures before they can experience relief from chronic headaches. The first time usually confirms that the pain is indeed coming from the targeted part, and the succeeding ones help manage the pain. Most doctors don’t recommend getting more than three injections in less than a six-month period because the procedure employs steroids and anesthetics which could be harmful when frequently administered.

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The effects of this treatment can last between a week’s time to a few months. To prevent complications, patients must guarantee that they are not allergic to the medication. The safest way is to employ the supervision of a pain management specialist for the procedure.

A pain management physician, Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D. employs a multidisciplinary approach to treating acute pain using injection treatments, medications, physical therapy, and behavior therapy. More articles on pain management can be accessed on this page.

Understanding Pain Among Elderly Patients

Most people accept the fact that with aging comes aches, pains, and other health woes. What is unfortunate however is the reality that many senior folks “are often either untreated or undertreated for pain” as Thomas A. Cavalieri, D.O., pointed out in this article. Dr. Cavalieri noted that there is a host of barriers to effective pain management among the elderly, including proper assessment of pain by physicians.

It is common for many older folks just to dismiss any discomfort as a normal part of aging. It is, after all, what they have learned through the years and most probably saw in their parents. Such mindset, however, can exacerbate their pain, leading to more health woes in the long run.

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What many healthcare providers champion these days is a better understanding of the onset of pain among the elderly. For instance, the prevalence of persistent pain among geriatric patients increases with age. Chronic geriatric pain is defined as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.” And about 50 percent of older adults at home and up to 80 percent of geriatric patients in healthcare facilities are suffering from chronic pain, severely impacting their quality of life.

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With a better understanding of the occurrence of pain among older adults plus a thorough assessment of all syndromes and the patient’s medical history, healthcare providers can craft a more effective pain management and treatment plan for the elderly.

Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D., uses a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of chronic pain. Visit this website for more on Dr. Novak’s practice.