Pain Blog

As the colder weather trickles in, bringing with it snow, ice, illnesses, high patient census, and increased workload, instead of practicing more self-care, we tend to feel rushed and fatigued leading to us taking more shortcuts and trying to find the easiest way to do things.

Brittney Fulcher, NP, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Center​​

It is estimated that 50 million adults suffer from chronic pain in the United States. This pain can be mild or severe, episodic or continuous, merely inconvenient or totally incapacitating. Chronic pain is pain that persists for longer than 3-6 months.
 

Terry Gehlhausen, DO, Deaconess Clinic, Oakland City

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States.  More than 100,000 cases have been reported since the disease was first discovered in 1982.  The disease is spread by the bite of a deer tick.

Brittney Fulcher, NP, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Centers
 
Pain will affect everyone at some point in their life. Pain can occur suddenly or can come about slowly and may vary in intensity from mild to more severe pain. The presence of pain is usually an indication that something is wrong within the body. Pain can be acute (temporary)—usually lasting three months or less--or chronic (long term). 

Dusty Fiester, MPT, CLT-LANA at High Pointe Therapy at The Women's Hospital

Cancer teaches us to “Clear the Clutter.” All of us are experiencing a similar time now.  So, while we simplify life to the essentials, what do we keep? 
 

Daniel Griffin, MD, FACOG, Reproductive Endocrinologist, Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital

Endometriosis is a common condition in which part of the uterine lining or glands are located outside of the uterus. Typically the glandular tissue is located in the pelvis and abdomen. The most common symptoms of endometriosis are painful menstrual cycles, pain with intercourse, infertility or an ovarian mass. Learn about the most common treatments for Endometriosis.

Sridhar Bhaskara, MD, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Centers

Shingles is a common, painful rash that will affect up to 1 in 5 people. Identifying and treating shingles quickly can prevent further pain and long-term complications.

Brittney Fulcher, NP-C, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Center
 
Peripheral neuropathy affects an estimated 20 million people. It is often very painful and difficult to treat, and the symptoms can range from mild to more severe. This is a diagnosis that we evaluate and treat on a daily basis at our pain centers, yet some patients have dealt with this condition for years without helpful treatment.

David Moore, MD, Deaconess Clinic Urology
 
If you’ve ever had a kidney stone, you know how extraordinary the pain can be. Learn more about how kidney stones form, how they're treated and how they can be prevented.
 

Paul Harries, MD, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Center

Osteoporosis and back pain are both common issues in patients over the age of 65, and these problems can exist separately or in combination. As a physician, it’s my job to determine the source of a patient’s back pain and figure out the best way to treat it.

Laura Pauckner, FNP, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Centers

Unfortunately, cancer often causes pain, making an already difficult journey even worse. The good news, however, is pain that is caused by cancer can be treated. Once under control, patients experience a better quality of life.
 

Lorien A., MPT, OCS

Pregnancy can cause many discomforts to a woman’s body. Consulting with your doctor is an important first step when suffering from pain. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy for managing your pain.

Amanda Bohleber, MD, Deaconess Clinic Medical Director
 
It’s never been easier to schedule an appointment with a Deaconess doctor or service. Online scheduling is convenient, helps busy families and people on the go, and improves access to the care you need--when and where you need it.
 

Rhiannon Anderson, PA, Orthopaedic Associates

Experiencing joint pain? Surgery is not your only option. There are many conservative (non-surgical) options that can provide significant relief from joint pain.

Donna Lilly, MS, LCSW, LCAC, Chemical Dependency Treatment Coordinator, Deaconess Cross Pointe

Discussions about the opioid crisis are everywhere. You may have heard stories on the news, read articles posted on social media, or had first-hand experience with a friend or loved one. Learn about a program at Deaconess Cross Pointe that helps people addicted to opioids (heroin, prescription pain pills, etc.) and move into recovery.
 

Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown

Your doctors’ appointments are an important and valuable time to connect with your doctor, share your perspective and information, and learn from your doctor’s expertise.  The best appointments happen when patients are very prepared.
 

Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown

Chronic fatigue is a condition that causes someone to be extremely tired—to the point that they can’t function in their daily life.  It is also often misunderstood.
 

Jim Hays, Deaconess Home Medical Equipment, and Tom Fite, R.Ph, Manager, Deaconess Family Pharmacy

Recent national disasters have caused many people to give more thought to emergency preparedness.  As September is Emergency Preparedness Month, it’s a great time to be thinking about being disaster ready.
 

Jared Kiernicki, PA, Orthopaedic Associates

If you’re experiencing pain in any joint—your knee, ankle, shoulder, hip, etc.—you need to know how to best treat it at home. It’s also important to know when it’s time to see a doctor.
 
 

Michelle Galen, MD, Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic
 
Although migraine symptoms are consistent across classifications, there are two clinical distinctions: Episodic Migraines and Chronic Migraines.  Patients with episodic migraines experience 14 or fewer “headache days” per month whereas chronic migraine sufferers have 15 or more “headache days” per month.  

Michelle Galen, MD, Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic
 
Although migraine symptoms are consistent across classifications, there are two clinical distinctions: Episodic Migraines and Chronic Migraines.  Patients with episodic migraines experience 14 or fewer “headache days” per month whereas chronic migraine sufferers have 15 or more “headache days” per month.  

Shingles: A Patient’s Perspective – Part One

Many people don’t know that about one in three people in the US will develop shingles during their lifetime, and older people are at the greatest risk for developing shingles. In fact, half of all people who live to age 85 will develop shingles at some point.
 

Marjorie Oropilla, MD, Deaconess Comprehensive Pain Centers

When someone is in pain, it affects every aspect of their life, and can lead to many questions about how to address pain.  Below, I’ve provided answers to some of the most common questions I receive as a pain management specialist.