Category: Pain Management
Train well to run well
So, you’ve decided to start running this spring.
If you’re healthy, it’s a great way to relieve stress and get exercise while you practice social distancing.
Why not set a goal to compete in one or more of the many races hosted throughout Central Wisconsin this fall to keep your training on track?
You’ll carry the memories of training hard and finishing a race for the rest of your life. But we warn you, running and racing against your own time can be addictive.
To finish, you must start well.
And that means training.
Whether you have your eyes set on […]
Can better sleep reduce your pain?
The short answer is yes. Rapid Eye Movement (REM), the dream state of sleep, and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM), the deepest state of rest, allow your brain and nervous system to recover from the day’s activities.
In his 2017 book, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, Matthew Walker tells readers a lack of sleep makes people vulnerable to significant health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, depression… and chronic pain.
According to Walker, during NREM sleep, the brain prunes memories and transfers short-term memories to long-term memory areas, gains “muscle memory,” […]
Would an ergonomic assessment help you enjoy less stress while working from home?
Have you noticed a pain in your neck, back, shoulders, knees, or hands since the pandemic started?
It may be your workspace:
- A low chair strains your knees.
- A poorly positioned monitor leads to neck pain.
- The wrong seat height or chair pitch can create painful back conditions.
- Incorrect keyboard placement causes pressure and pain in the wrist.
Sitting for hours with your body in the wrong position plus the stresses and strains of working from home, and you have a recipe for tight muscles and pain.
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment to work with the […]
Why do I still hurt? Life’s circumstances can intensify pain.
You went to the doctor when you broke your elbow. They said it would take about six months for everything to heal and feel normal. Since then, you’ve been back to the doctor several times to talk about your elbow pain. Your X-rays show the joint healed well; the MRI showed the soft tissues are in healthy working order, so what’s wrong?
If you’ve followed your doctor’s orders and you still experience pain, it may be related to circumstances in your life.
Your brain produces pain when it perceives a threat.
Sometimes after […]
Meet Caitlyn Van Der Geest, PT, DPT
Caitlyn Van Der Geest, PT, DPT, helps people deal with persistent pain.
Caitlyn Van Der Geest helps patients who are suffering from persistent pain. She specializes in manual therapy, lower quarter mechanics, and helping people relieve chronic pain.
As a graduate of the International Spine and Pain Institute’s Therapeutic Pain Specialist program, Caitlyn has the knowledge and skills to help people learn how to manage and reduce their pain.
“Persistent pain affects people on many levels,” said Caitlyn. “They often lose the ability to do their daily life activities. A customized physical therapy treatment plan can empower people and help them […]
Surgery delayed? Practice self-care at home.
Like many other things, COVID-19 has postponed many elective surgeries.
Waiting is hard! Especially when you were counting on your surgery to relieve your pain and restore your mobility. We understand.
We can’t thank you enough for your patience, understanding, and your resolve as we work together to flatten the curve and preserve the personal protective equipment (PPE) for our heroes battling COVID-19 on healthcare’s frontline.
We hope some of these tips make it a little easier for you to wait and manage the pain until our office—and our community—returns to a healthier time
Manage your pain.
Continue […]
If you need hip surgery, how do you find the best orthopedic surgeon?
Bone & Joint believes that we offer the best orthopedic care in northcentral Wisconsin, but we want you to check us out before you make the decision.
When you’re looking for the best orthopedic surgeon for your condition, there are many things to consider about the surgeon and the facility where your surgery will take place. Here are seven things to check.
Look at the surgeon’s credentials.
Is he or she board-certified or fellowship-trained? Board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons have higher levels of education, training and hands-on experience.
Get referrals.
The best way to check out a […]
Bone & Joint Celebrates 50 Years of Orthopedic Excellence
Bone & Joint, S.C., a provider of specialized orthopedic, sports medicine, pain management, and physical and occupational therapy care, is celebrating 50 years of helping people move better and live active and fulfilling lives.
Thomas O. Miller, MD, opened Bone & Joint’s solo practice in 1969. His goal was to offer patients excellent orthopedic care, using the most advanced medical treatments and the latest technology available at the time. Dr. Miller performed the first joint replacement in the Wausau area and set the standard for orthopedic care in Central Wisconsin.
In 1970, Dr. Richard L. Buechel joined Dr. Miller. Two years later, Dr. […]
You can relieve pain without opioids
Surgery and injuries are painful.
In years past, opioids were thought to be the most effective at reducing or eliminating pain. But with the opioid crisis at epic proportions, it’s time to rethink the use of these medications.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists lists several alternatives to opioids. In addition to the typical over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, steroids, and other non-opioid prescription medications, they suggest a few manual types of pain relief.
Many of these are available through Bone & Joint’s pain management and physical therapy services.
- Physical therapy can help people loosen tight muscles, increase the flexibility […]
Are you low on fluid?
Synovial fluid is a thick, straw-colored substance that lubricates your joints.
Like the oil in your car reduces friction in your engine, this synovial fluid minimizes the friction in your joints; it helps your bones glide past each other when you bend, extend, and rotate.
Synovial fluid allows the 300 joints in your body to move smoothly. Its egg-white consistency thickens under pressure to provide shock absorption. But that’s not all it does. Synovial fluid supplies nutrients to the joint and removes waste products created regenerating bone cells.
When your fluid is low, it can stop the movement.
But that […]
