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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What is the Mediterranean Diet?
Less restrictive and more variety—it almost sounds too good to be true! The Mediterranean Diet offers simplicity and variety, as well as heart health, weight management and antioxidant benefits. A lifestyle higher in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fatty fish provides a variety while keeping you healthy.
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The Ketogenic Diet
Have you heard of the Ketogenic or keto Diet? Recently, many have claimed the diet can improve health, provide more energy, promote weight loss and eliminate the need for some medications. You might have heard from a friend, family member or co-worker that it is the “miracle diet” that you have to try. But what’s all the fuss?
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Combating the Stigma of Chronic Pain
Oftentimes there is stigma that is associated with chronic pain. A chronic pain diagnosis is life-changing and can be difficult to understand. Because of this, the added stigma of a chronic pain diagnosis can make it much more difficult. Whether it is a lack of belief or judgements from others, this stigma can be harmful to those who experience chronic pain.
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Tips for Family and Friends of Chronic Pain Patients
Understanding chronic pain can be difficult, especially if you’ve never experienced it yourself. It can particularly difficult to adjust to family and friends experiencing chronic pain. You can often end up feeling helpless or sad that loved ones are unable to participate in things they once enjoyed. Having a strong support system is important for chronic pain patients, so here are a few tips for chronic pain friends and family to help adjust to and understand the diagnosis.
