Piriformis Syndrome
Abstract Piriformis syndrome remains an oft misdiagnosed cause of buttock and leg pain. Because of its proximity to the sciatic nerve, variant anatomic relations between the piriformis muscle and sciatic…
Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injections
Abstract Back and neck pain are two of the leading causes of disability in the world, with over one-third of cases being predominantly neuropathic or mixed in nature. The classification…
Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections and Selective Nerve Root Blocks
Abstract Transforaminal epidural steroid injections and selective nerve root blocks provide an alternative intervention to interlaminar epidural injections to target radicular pain. The two former procedures differ regarding the final…
Antitumor Necrosis Factor-α Drugs and Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs for Low Back Pain
Abstract Low back pain is a major source of pain and suffering. A body of knowledge has accumulated over the years which suggests that many of the syndromes causing low…
Tai Chi and Chronic Pain
Abstract Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art with a growing interest. It is an aerobic exercise of mild to moderate intensity. The practice of Tai Chi involves an…
Acupuncture
Abstract Acupuncture (AP) is widely practiced for acute and chronic pain management. National Institute of Health (NIH) consensus statement in 1997 demonstrated favorable results of AP treatments in postoperative pain,…
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Approaches to Pain Management
Abstract This chapter describes the physical medicine and rehabilitation approach to acute and chronic painful musculoskeletal complaints. It highlights the importance of treating the whole patient with the goal of…
Role of Cannabinoids in Pain Management
Abstract Cannabis has been used in medicine for centuries. Modern understanding of the clinical effects of cannabis and cannabinoids in the treatment of pain is evolving. Cannabinoid compounds include phytocannabinoids,…
Ablative Neurosurgical Procedures for Treatment of Chronic Pain
Abstract Neuroablative surgical interventions involve the interruption of peripheral and central nervous system pain pathways. Although the rationale appears logical, the results have not been consistent. Newer treatments including neurostimulation…
Pharmacologic Management of Myofascial Pain
Abstract Myofascial pain is thought to occur by peripheral and central mechanisms. Peripheral factors include trauma, dysregulated deep-tissue microcirculation, and altered muscular metabolism and mitochondrial function. Supraspinal mechanisms include decreased…
