A nerve block is a procedure used to determine and temporarily relieve back pain. Specific types of nerve blocks include peripheral and sympathetic nerve blocks, selective nerve root blocks and stellate ganglion blocks. Nerve roots grow through...
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...
More than 50 percent of women ask for an epidural injection by name while in labor. The epidural injection is one of the few treatments with relatively few side effects to the child while giving birth. Epidurals are also administered for pain...
Intrascalene nerve block is a common misspelling of a regional anesthetic called interscalene nerve block. This injectable treatment is administered into the nerves within the shoulder prior to shoulder surgery. Complication of interscalene nerve...
A headache is considered "chronic" if it occurs more than 15 days a month for at least 3 months. Many of these headaches are caused by underlying diseases and conditions, such as infections, problems with intercranial pressure, brain tumors,...
We all have a backache once in awhile, but a herniated disc is a constant backache. A herniated disc is also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc. The disc is the cushion between the vertebrae, the bones of the spine. When the wall of the...
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 sciatic nerve is a large nerve that runs from the back through the buttocks and down the back of the legs. This nerve can be compressed due to trauma either as it exits the spinal column or as it passes through the piriformis muscle in the...
An interscalene nerve block is a form of local anesthetic used prior to shoulder surgery. This anesthetic is applied to specific nerves within the shoulder by an anesthesiologist using a thin needle. Immediately after interscalene nerve block...
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...
Just about everyone experiences hiccups, also known as hiccoughs or singultus. Most people experience them as an amusing interlude or an embarrassing inconvenience, but for some, hiccups can persist for months with serious side effects. Causes...
Scoliosis is a condition characterized by a sideways curvature of the spine. Though commonly diagnosed in childhood, it may also occur in adulthood as a result of spinal degeneration or injury. According to the Cleveland Clinic, adult scoliosis is...
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...
Peripheral neuropathy is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a condition that involves numbness and pain in the hands and feet, similar to a burning or tingling. It may also cause a lack of sensation in these areas. The condition is caused by nerve...
Hiccups, an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, cause the vocal cords to produce the "hic" sound as they close. In the medical field, hiccups are known as singultus. If hiccups last longer than 48 hours, seek medical attention. The doctor...
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...
Corticosteroids are medications, such as hydrocortisone, cortisone and prednisone, used to treat a variety of conditions, states the Mayo Clinic. These medications work by reducing inflammation related to certain condition, such as asthma, lupus...
Occipital neuralgia is a type of headache in which people experience piercing, throbbing or chronic pain in the upper neck, the back of the head and behind the ears. This pain usually begins in the neck before radiating upward and is usually...
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.
Like other forms of aerobic exercise, bicycling provides many health benefits. Unfortunately, your bicycle seat can cause pain and discomfort, possibly leading to nerve damage. Two factors that greatly influence your risk for developing nerve...
Pain medication and antibiotics are two types of medication given following shoulder surgery. Pain control is typically administerered via IV. As patients continue in the post-operative course, they can be transitioned to oral pain medications...
Pain and swelling in your shoulders, arms and hands could be a symptom of a variety of conditions, including arthritis, a traumatic injury or an illness. Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your gender, age and a more in-depth examination...
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...
Excessive sweating, also know as hyperhidrosis, is a common condition that can occur anywhere on the body where sweat glands are located, must noticeably in the armpits. Excessive sweating is typically not physically harmful, but can be...
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...
Degenerative disc disease is a natural process of aging characterized by the compression and wearing away of the discs located between the vertebral bones of the spine, most commonly in the low back. The discs function to protect the vertebral...
Back pain can be a long-lasting source of discomfort for many people. Back pain can result from problems with the vertebrae or the spine's discs, as well as the nearby nerves and muscles. Although back surgery can be used to treat some causes of...
Sweating is a natural way for your body to regulate temperature. When you exercise or spend time in a hot environment, you may find that your face, armpits, hands and feet sweat. Perspiration is also common when you feel stressed, nervous or...
With neuralgia, patients have sharp pain that occurs on the affected nerve. Occipital neuralgia involves the occipital nerves, which are located by the neck's second and third vertebrae. Patients with occipital neuralgia can have problems...
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.
Back pain can slow down your lifestyle if you let it. Facets are the joints in your spine. Learn how to treat facet syndrome in this medical treatment video.
