Pain management is a branch of medicine that applies the latest in treatment methods to reduce or control pain. Our fellowship trained, board certified pain specialist’s specialize in a variety of solutions including pharmacological, interventional and alternatives to reduce or control pain.
At Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center, our pain management group offers a variety of options tailored to address all of our patients’ pain management needs.
Comprehensive Pain Management Services for all Pain Conditions
- Complex pain and spine disorders
- Acute and chronic pain management
- Diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures
- Electrodiagnostic testing
- Neuromodulation for chronic pain management
Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center offers inpatient, outpatient, surgical and non surgical services, as well as cutting-edge, minimally invasive pain management treatment for patients with acute or chronic pain. For more information, please contact one of our pain specialists @ 540.347.9220 or visit www.BroAva.com.
The thoracic spine consists of 12 chest (thoracic) bones (vertebrae.) These bones consist of connective tissues, muscles, spinal segments, nerves, and joints which are separated by pads of cartilage that cushion the bones in the upper back. This article from http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/thoracic-spine-anatomy-and-upper-back-pain explains how the thoracic spine can be a main source of pain for the upper back.
Muscular problems – In most cases, upper back pain is caused by muscle irritation or tension. Poor posture or any type of irritation of the large back and shoulder muscles are usually the cause.
Arthritis – Inflammation in the spine due to arthritis may cause soreness, pressure to the nerve, and or limited range of motion.
Vertebral fractures – Compression fractures caused by osteoporosis are the main cause of thoracic spine pain as the body ages. Compression fractures can occur anywhere in the spine but typically materialize in the lower vertebrae of the thoracic spine.
Scoliosis – Scoliosis is a spine abnormality in which the spine curves sideways which can cause upper back pain.
Joint Dysfunction – Pain caused by joint dysfunction, (where the ribs are connected to the spine at each level of the thoracic spine, can cause pain.
Kyphosis (hunchback) – There are many factors that can cause kyphosis, including poor posture or a deformity such as ankylosing spondylitis or Scheuermann’s kyphosis. Even though kyphosis is a deformity, it can still cause serious pain.
Pain in the thoracic spine can indicate a sign of more serious underlying disease. At Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center, our physicians treat nearly every kind of condition including spinal trauma of the neck and back, tumors and infections of the spine, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and adult degenerative conditions of the back. Call today to schedule an appointment – 540.347.9220 or visit us @ www.broava.com for more information.
Suffering with Acute or Chronic Pain? This Lecture is for YOU!
Join Dr. Daniel Heller for a FREE Community Q & A Lecture!
If persistent pain is interfering with the life you used to enjoy, we can help. Our team of caregivers has received advanced training in pain management. We work together across multiple healthcare disciplines to help manage your pain. We assess your condition, evaluate past treatments and discuss new treatment options to build a plan that is right for you.
Please come and meet Daniel Heller, M.D.
WHEN
Thursday May 9th, 2013
6:00-6:30PM Appetizers
6:30PM Presentation REGISTER TODAY TO WIN A $250 GIFT CARD!
WHERE
Holiday Inn MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!!!
111 Hospitality Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
PLEASE RSVP TO
Jill Smith
540.347.9298 ext 270
jsmith@broava.com
The physicians and staff of Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center would like to say “Thanks” to you, our patients for voting three of our doctors in Excellence and Compassionate care for the 2012 Compassionate Doctor Award!
The Compassionate Doctor Award is given to select physicians every year in recognition of exceptional patient care, services and compassion, and is granted based on actual patient reviews.
More than 200,000 patients across the United States provide online feedback about their medical care every month. Patients rate their physicians based on the care they receive, including bedside manner, doctor-patient face time, follow-up care and the courtesy of the office staff. Hundreds of thousands of these individual patient reviews were written and shared over the course of 2012. Only physicians with the highest patient rating for their compassion and bedside manner are selected to receive the Compassionate Doctor Award.
Of the nation’s 870,000 working physicians, only three percent were awarded the Compassionate Doctor Award in 2012.
Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center is proud of its award-winning physicians:
Dr. David Kim, director of pain management, specializes in medical acupuncture, pain management and interventional procedures. Dr. Kim is fellowship-trained in interventional pain management and is the founder of Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center’s interventional pain clinic. He holds privileges at Fauquier Hospital, is a diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and is American Medical Association board-certified in pain medicine. Dr. Kim is a two-time recipient of the Compassionate Doctor Award (2011 − 2012).
Dr. Robert Smith, orthopaedic surgeon, specializes in sports medicine and serves as the team physician for Fauquier High School. He is fellowship-trained in sports medicine, and helped care for the Baltimore Ravens and regional college teams. Dr. Smith is a first-time recipient of the Compassionate Doctor Award.
Dr. Jeffrey Wise, orthopaedic surgeon, specializes spinal care, joint replacement and general orthopedics. He holds privileges at Fauquier and Fair Oaks hospitals, is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, and a member of the North American Spine Society. Dr. Wise serves as the team physician for Kettle Run High School and is one of the physicians for Virginia Gold Cup. Dr. Wise is a two-time recipient of the Compassionate Doctor Award (2011 − 2012).
Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center (BROAVA) offers world-class orthopedic services, including expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Our practice features nine centers of excellence staffed with eight highly accomplished physicians, a dedicated team of assistants, and subject-matter experts in physical therapy, massage therapy and medical nutrition. The staff and service offerings combine to make BROAVA unrivaled in the region as a provider of comprehensive, multidisciplinary orthopaedic and spine services.
Please contact one of our experts @ 540.347.9220 for more information.
A pinched nerve occurs when one or more of our nerves are affected due to pressure surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons.
Results of a Pinched Nerve
- Sharp or burning pain
- Difficulty controlling specific muscles
- Tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
A pinched nerve can transpire several places in the body. Here are a few tips to try –
- Analgesic medications – Aspirin, or anti-inflammatory, (ibuprofen) can control the pain.
- Ice – Ice is an anti-inflammatory. It will also relieve pain. Most often we turn to heat to ease the pain however, this can cause further inflammation and more pain!
- Physical Therapy – Ice therapy combined with gentle stretching can help relax the affected area.
- Injections – A localized steroid injection may reduce swelling and inflammation around the pinched nerve. This is done on an outpatient basis by a physician.
Please see your doctor if the signs and symptoms of a pinched nerve last for more than a few days and don’t improve with conservative treatments as listed above. Depending on your condition, surgery may be required.
The physicians, pain medicine specialists, and physical therapists of Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center can help. Our goal is to get you back to good health. Please contact us today @ 540.347.9220 to schedule an appointment or simply for more information.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect any joint in the body. Usually our flexible joints such as the wrists, hands, and feet are the most common joints attacked. Rheumatoid arthritis is not limited to the wrists, hands or feet. It may lead to other inflammatory disorders that may affect many tissues and organs. RA can cause excruciating pain and lead to significant and painful joint deformities.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Loss of flexibility
- Headaches
- Swollen, inflamed red joints that are warm to the touch
- Fatigue
- Morning stiffness
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Fever
Treatment
Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis there are several treatment options available. Early diagnosis is critical to prevent joint damage and loss of movement. The physicians at Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center will diagnose and recommend the best treatment plan for you the patient. Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center will provide non-surgical options through physical or occupational therapy, as well as pain management to reduce or eliminate your pain and allow you to function as you would in normal everyday life. For more information please contact one of our specialists at 540.347-9220.
Prevent Neck Pain at Work with Correct Ergonomics!
It’s important to look at workplace ergonomics as part of treatment and prevention of neck pain. Most often we forget. This Spine Health article explains what you can do to reduce painful neck pain.
When sitting at a desk and looking straight ahead:
- Eyes should point directly at the top third of your computer screen.
- Forearms should be approximately parallel with the floor when typing.
- Elbows should be at the side.
- Feet should be flat on the floor with the thighs parallel with the floor.
- If you stand or perform driving tasks, make sure that one side of the body is not constantly rotated more than the other side, and that there is as much symmetry in repetitive tasks as possible.
If you are experiencing neck pain, Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center can help. Our team of board certified physicians as well as our physical therapy and rehabilitation department (including massage therapy) will diagnose your neck pain and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Call us today at (540) 347-9220 to schedule an appointment or simply for more information.
Our physicians are Fellowship-Trained and Board Certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in pain medicine. We have the most advanced training and certifications available for pain medicine interventions and treatments.
Pain Management Services provided by Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center
- Manage chronic pain through prescription medicines or alternative practices including acupuncture and therapeutic massage.
- A full range of spinal interventions including diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
- Suffering from knee pain or arthritis? We offer a range of diagnostic and therapeutic joint injections.
You may be asking yourself “What is Pain Management?”
Pain management is a branch of medicine that applies the latest in treatment methods to reduce or control pain. Our physicians specialize in a variety of solutions including pharmacological, interventional and alternatives to reduce or control pain.
At Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center, our pain management group offers a variety of options tailored to address all of our patients’ pain management needs. We offer inpatient, outpatient, surgical and non-surgical services, as well as cutting-edge, minimally invasive pain management treatment for patients with acute or chronic pain.
No matter what you’re dealing with, our pain management group works closely with the surgeons and therapists at Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center in a multidisciplinary approach to develop a unique treatment plan that best suits each of our patient’s needs. To schedule an appointment with the pain management specialists at Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center please call (540) 347-9220.
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints (the parts where bones meet and move.) It can affect any joint in your body. There are over 100 types of arthritis. The most common is osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and can be caused by trauma, infection or age. Osteoarthritis may affect the larger and smaller joints in the body. Osteoarthritis begins in the cartilage and eventually causes the two opposing bones to erode into each other.
Symptoms
- Joint swelling, pain, and stiffness. Pain and stiffness get worse with long periods of rest or using a joint too long or too hard
- Joints that have lost normal shape and motion
- Tender, inflamed joints. They may actually look red and feel warm
- Feeling fatigued all the time
- Tenderness
- Poor sleep
- Weight loss
- Loss of flexibility
While osteoarthritis is not curable you can prevent it from getting worse. Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center offers many non-surgical and surgical options to treat your condition. Our team of Physical Therapists will work with you to improve muscle strength and provide relief from the pain. If the disease is too far advanced and you are experiencing pain all the time, joint replacement surgery may be needed to replace damaged or infected joints.
If you are experiencing joint pain or suffer with any of the symptoms listed above our board certified, fellowship trained physicians and professionals will provide you with the best diagnoses and treatments available in musculoskeletal care. Please call (540) 347-9220 to schedule an appointment or simply get more information. Our goal: Get you back to good health!
While we can’t stop the snow from coming, we can certainly prepare ourselves and keep our backs healthy! We all know snow shoveling can be a hassle. It can also be a pain in the neck. Literally! Every year, thousands of people seek medical attention at emergency rooms after injuring themselves while snow shoveling. Follow these spine saving tips while shoveling.
- Start early. If the forecast calls for a lot of snow, start shoveling before the storm is over. It’s easier to clear small amounts of snow. And, you’ll be less likely to strain your back lifting shovelfuls of heavy, wet snow.
- Dress for the weather. Hats and gloves and coats will keep you warm. Layers will help, since you’re likely to warm up once you’ve started. But the most important piece of clothing is what you wear on your feet. Choose rugged boots or shoes with soles that grip slippery surfaces well.
- Stretch and warm up. It may seem silly, but a quick stretch to warm up your muscles will help prevent injuries.
- Choose the proper snow shovel. A shovel with a curved handle or an adjustable handle will minimize painful bending, try slightly bending your knees and flex your back 10 degrees or less.
- Avoid tossing snow over the shoulders. Try pushing the snow rather than lifting. If you must lift the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends: “Lift it properly.” Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight. Do not bend at the waist!
- Keep your loads light and manageable. One full shovel can weigh as much as 25 pounds.
- Pace Yourself. Shovel small amounts of snow. Take a break from shoveling every 10-15 minutes. Use this time to continue stretching your muscles.
If you do pull a muscle, strain your back, or slip and fall Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center can help. Some injuries can be treated at home with rest and ice. Others may require medical care. When in doubt – or, if you’re still hurting several days after an injury – call us at (540) 347-9220. Our team of physical therapists and orthopaedic surgeons will work with you to diagnose your injury, plan your recovery and get you back to good health!