According to the Mayo Clinic, complex regional pain syndrome is an uncommon, chronic condition that usually affects the arm or leg. Patients with this condition commonly experience intense burning or aching pain in addition to swelling, skin...
Cluster headaches cause sudden, severe pain on one side of the head. The pain typically lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes. During a headache period, the patient experiences one to four headaches a day for several weeks or months, according to the...
A lumbar nerve block, also known as a lumbar sympathetic block, is a treatment commonly used for pain that results from cancer, spinal problems, neurological disorders and shingles, or herpes zoster affecting the lower extremities. Depending on...
Anesthetics are drugs used to block nerve conduction to prevent pain. Three types of anesthesia include local, regional and general. Local anesthetics are applied to or injected into the skin to block pain in a small area. Regional anesthetics act...
Anyone who has chronic pain will almost always be prescribed some kind of pain-relieving drug as a first line of defense. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to try an over-the-counter drug first. If that doesn't work, a prescription for a...
The celiac nerve, also called the celiac plexus, is a complex network of nerves found in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach. Doctors can provide pain relief for conditions like chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer by performing a celiac...
Novocaine is a local anesthesia used to block nerve impulses and block pain. Injections usually occur before, during and after various surgical and dental procedures. It causes a temporary loss of sensation in the skin and the surrounding organs.
Physicians prescribe Lyrica (pregabalin) to slow nerve impulses that cause seizures and to block nerve-related pain. Lyrica can fight symptomatic pain from the after-effects of shingles (herpes zoster) and diabetic nerve damage. It treats pain...
Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves, triggering pain, numbness and tingling. This condition frequently strikes diabetics, but it may it may also affect others who suffer from alcoholism, vitamin B deficiencies, autoimmune disorders,...
The femoral nerve is the long nerve in the leg that feeds the leg muscles, allowing you to straighten your leg. This nerve also is responsible for feeling in the lower leg and front of the thigh. The tibial nerve affects the calf and foot, while...
Neuropathy is caused by nerve damage to the complex network of nerve fibers throughout the body. Factors causing neuropathy of the leg are diabetes, toxins, drugs, injuries and virus. Affected nerve fibers that transverse the length of the body or...
As the name implies, a cervicogenic headache is a type of headache resulting from a problem originating in the neck. The precise problem in the neck may be one of a number of possibilities but it usually has a "mechanical" aspect to it. The...
If your pain level is mild, over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen may adequately control it. However, a large percentage of cancer patients need something stronger. Prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often offer a great deal...
Athletic trainers and physical therapists sometimes use moist heat for pain relief. A company called Duro-Med Industries manufactures the Therabeads Neck Pain Relief Pack for the home-therapy product market. The company's research and development...
Some dangers of bike riding are obvious, such as muscle injury from overuse and potential injury from crashes in traffic. Less obvious is the risk of nerve damage from sitting on bikes. If you are suffering the symptoms of nerve damage, make some...
Icy Hot is a topical medication available over the counter without a physician's prescription. The medicine uses a combination of ingredients---including menthol and methyl salicylate---to dull pain and relax muscles. The alternative warm and cool...
The back is one of the major physical support systems of the human body. Composed of more than 30 vertebrae, muscles, ligaments and tendons, the backbone protects your spinal cord while working in unison with intervertebral disks to promote fluid...
Wrinkles are an inevitable part of aging as skin begins to lose elasticity. Cosmetic treatments to address the problem may involve strong chemicals, painful procedures and even surgery, and they may be unappealing to people who are looking for...
While the final decision is still out in the medical community about the efficacy of using magnets for pain reduction and healing, the National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that some preliminary evidence is available...
Even though magnetic healing has been around for thousands of years, there are still mixed reports as to whether the therapy works. The National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine says there is a little evidence that magnets relieve...
Armpit odor occurs when sweat combines with bacteria on the skin, producing an unpleasant smell. Although antiperspirants and deodorants can temporarily reduce sweating and odor, you may be looking for a long-term solution if over-the-counter or...
Spinal stenosis is a condition that can cause pain or numbness in your back, legs, neck, shoulders or arms. Other symptoms include weakness or loss of sensation in your arms and legs, balance issues, and bladder and bowel problems. These symptoms...
The fluid-filled discs that serve as shock absorbers between the vertebrae of the spine gradually dry out over time, causing inflammation and instability. This condition, called lumbar degenerative disc disease when it involves the discs of the...
Static magnets provide an unchangeable and measurable magnetic force. According to the National Canter for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, magnets often are designed to fit in jewelry, shoe insoles, mattresses and braces for healing and...
A boxer exposes his body to severe impact and can sustain injuries as a result. Well developed abdominal muscles can absorb most of the impact a boxer suffers when taking a punch, and strong bones can withstand stronger impacts than those that...
Cancer pain can be caused by surgery, treatments, tumor growth, tumor movement and somatic reasons linked to depression and fatigue. According to Cancer Research United Kingdom, each type of pain needs to be treated precisely based on its location...
Occipital neuralgia is pain resulting from trauma to the lesser and/or greater occipital nerves, located in the back of the head. This pain can be felt in the upper back, neck and behind the ears and is usually sharp and shock-like in nature....
An epidural is used to block pain signals from the body to the brain. An epidural is normally used during childbirth but can be used to treat severe localized pain. A doctor will perform an epidural to relieve pain caused by a herniated disk. The...
While every woman's labor is different, there is no getting around the fact that there is going to be some pain involved. Luckily, there are many pain relief options available, each working in a slightly different way. Pregnant women should talk...
Pinched nerves usually occur in the neck, but can lead to pain and muscle spasms throughout the upper back and arm. Learn how to treat a pinched nerve in the neck and stay fit in this sports medicine video.
