The Pain Management Group
Blog
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Congratulations to Dr. McHugh!
We are proud to congratulate Dr. McHugh for being recognized as one of Nashville’s Top Doctors by Nashville Lifestyles Magazine. He has received Top Doctors recognition several years in the past, along with recognition from U.S. News & World Report and Castle Connolly. He is a board-certified pain management and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician
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Procedure Spotlight: Discography
Back pain is always frustrating. It can be even worse when you don’t know the cause. Fortunately, there’s an interventional procedure that can help diagnose the cause of persistent, severe back pain. Learn more about discography.
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Procedure Spotlight: Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
An ESI is a common, minimally invasive procedure that involves the injection of both a local anesthetic and a steroid medication into the lowest portion of the epidural space to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Who is a candidate?…
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Procedure Spotlight: Radiofrequency Ablation
Our spotlight procedure for May is the Radiofrequency Ablation. This minimally-invasive procedure is most commonly offered to patients with neck or back pain from facet joint problems like arthritis or injury and reduces or eliminates the pain of damaged facet joints by disrupting the medial branch nerves that carry the pain signals.
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Procedure Spotlight: Kyphoplasty
Back pain is well… a pain. Whether it’s a constant ache or a sharp jab, back pain can keep you from doing what you love. It can even keep you from doing normal, daily activities. If you suffer from back pain, you’re not alone. Each year, an estimated 16 million people report chronic back pain. With those numbers, it’s not surprising that many people consider back pain a normal part of life. But it doesn’t have to be. Learn more about kyphoplasty and how it can treat some types of back pain.
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How to Shop at the Farmer’s Market
Warmer weather is right around the corner. Spring and summer bring many things, and if you’re not a fan of cold weather, you’re probably excited for the season change. One thing that comes in spring is the farmer’s market. Depending on where you live, you might have a year-long market or you might have an outdoor, seasonal market in the spring and summer. Your local farmer’s market is a great place to find seasonal produce. Not only can you save a little money, but you’ll also be getting fresh food. Keep reading to learn more about how to shop at the farmer’s market.
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What is Self-Care?
February is the month of love, a time to show we love our friends, family and partners. But, it can also be a month of self-love! You’ve probably heard of the term “self-care” by now. It’s incredibly popular on the internet, with celebrities and influences promoting the idea. In fact, even Barbie is promoting self-care these days. With all of the information swirling around, though, it can be difficult to know what self-care is and how exactly you should practice it. We’re here to help.
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SMART Goals for the New Year
Every year after the holidays, the “new year, fresh start!” mindset sweeps over us. We have great intentions of joining a gym, eating better, sleeping more or keeping the house picked up. However, for many of us, it’s easy to slip back into bad habits come February.
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Cold Weather and Chronic Pain
During cold weather, joint and other chronic pain can worsen. Whether you have arthritis or inflammation problems, cold weather can worsen your symptoms. There could be many reasons for increased pain during winter months, and it’s important to find ways to reduce your chronic pain during cold weather.
Here are a few tips that could help you reduce chronic pain during cold weather…
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Mindfulness and Thankfulness
On the blog, we’ve talked a lot about mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in life. This means living in a way that promotes overall health by taking care of every aspect of health, including mental health. Living mindfully can help you create ways to respond to situations in life and is particularly helpful for those with chronic pain, who can benefit from reduced stress and increased wellness. During this time of Thanksgiving, mindfulness can be practiced in a number of ways, but perhaps most important is through gratitude. Keep reading to learn more about the links between mindfulness and thankfulness.
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Could Meditation Help Treat Chronic Pain?
Pain can be related to stress when we focus too much on the outside world. Shifting the focus from the outside world to the inner mind and body has piqued the interest of the scientific research community in recent years, resulting in hundreds of studies conducted on the use of meditation as a treatment for chronic pain. As a result, meditation practices have gained respect as a legitimate alternative chronic pain management treatment. One of these studies…
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How to Fight Inflammation with Food
Inflammation can be a big contributor to pain, causing damage in the body and preventing daily activities. Our diets can play a big role in helping our bodies fight inflammation and pain. Compounds called antioxidants, found in many common foods, can help reduce inflammation and damage-causing free radicals. Free Radicals are man-made or natural elements including chemicals your body produces by turning food into energy; environmental toxins, like tobacco, alcohol, and pollution; UV rays from the sun or tanning bed; and substances found in processed foods.
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Health Benefits of Walnuts and Ways to Add Them to Your Diet
Our ingredient of the month for May is the walnut. With heart healthy and anti-inflammatory properties, walnuts pack a powerhouse of nutritional benefits. Not only are they an excellent source of plant-basted protein, they taste great too! Walnuts have a nutty, savory taste profile, perfect in any dish. Check out these tips for incorporating more walnuts into your diet, as well the health benefits of this versatile nut that should be a pantry staple for all.
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Recipe of the Month: Italian Corn Skillet with Toasted Walnuts
For an easy one-pan side dish to add to your next meal, try this simple recipe for Italian Corn Skillets with Toasted Walnuts. This recipe serves six people and only takes 30 minutes to make (15 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook). Better yet, it incorporates our May ingredient of the month, walnuts. Enjoy!
