Arizona Pain & Spine Institute

Featured Arizona Pain and Spine Institute Patient Success Story: Meet Raymond

azpsi — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:43:35 +0000

“ I initially came to Arizona Pain and Spine because I could no longer drive a car any distance and I could no longer play golf. Severe and persistent back pain was threatening to make me inactive. Dr. Ryklin performed a series of spinal injections, and the pain stopped totally. I have driven on several long trips without problem, and I am back to playing golf regularly. I even won a couple of club competitions! The treatments made a major impact on my ability to stay active. The treatments were painless and everything was handled in a very friendly and professional manner. I recommend Arizona Pain and Spine to anyone seeking relief from persistent back pain. “

– Raymond M. Retired College Professor and Coach

Introducing…. Our New Nurse Practitioner Liza Lim MSN, FNP

azpsi — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:05:07 +0000

We are growing here at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute! Allow us to introduce you to Liza Lim the newest member to the Arizona Pain and Spine Institute family. Liza is a Nurse Practitioner and comes to us with over 10 years of nursing experience.

Liza is a graduate of University of the East Ramon Magasaysay in the Phillipines with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She got her Masters of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Phoenix in California. Liza has a passion for Pain Management and she comes to Arizona Pain and Spine Institute with a vast knowledge of interventional pain management treatments. Liza is ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certified and a member of the Arizona Nurses Association as well as the American Academy of Pain Management.

Liza’s expertise is diagnosing and developing a treatment plan that ultimately increases her patient’s quality of life.

Arizona Pain and Spine Institute Virtual Tour

azpsi — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:29:42 +0000

We would love to share with you our State Of The Art Pain Management Facility. Take a look at the Virtual Tour of our facility.

What Are Some Non-Narcotic Options For Pain Management?

azpsi — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:14:53 +0000

Many chronic pain patients don’t want to be on narcotics. They worry about side effects, getting addicted and their quality of life being affected by these medications so they look for other options. Here is a list of therapies that patients can explore if they are wanting a non-narcotic option for the treatment of their pain.

Spinal Cord Stimulator
Epidural Injections
Trigger Point Injections
Electronic Nerve Conduction studies
Nerve Blocks
Acupuncture
Massage Therapy
Yoga
Chiropractic Care

Come see the Physicians at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute to find a treatment solution that works for you. Our comprehensive approach to pain management will decrease your pain and increase your quality of life.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Patient Testimonial Presentation

azpsi — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:25:56 +0000

A few weeks ago Arizona Pain and Spine Institute along with Boston Scientific held a patient education seminar about the Spinal Cord Stimulator. We had the pleasure of presenting this cutting edge technology along with a powerful patient testimonial from Michael Brown, a chronic pain patient who has the Spinal Cord Stimulator implant. Michael Brown is with Race Again Pain, a community for Chronic Pain Sufferers. He shared his incredible success story about the Spinal Cord Stimulator. The room was packed full of patients looking for a non-narcotic option for their pain. They were able to hear a real life story from a patient who suffers from the same type of pain they do and what he has found to be his solution for conquering his pain. After Michael made his presentation Dr. Daniel Ryklin and Dr. Asim Khan were on hand to answer any and all medical questions associated with the Spinal Cord Stimulator. Patients left the presentation feeling educated and excited about a potential option to treat their chronic pain. Here is a Highlight Film of what was discussed at the presentation.

What Is A Trigger Point Injection?

azpsi — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:03:12 +0000

Trigger Point Injections (TPI) are used to treat extremely painful areas of muscle. Normal muscle contracts and relaxes when it is active. A trigger point is a knot or tight, ropy band of muscle that forms when muscle fails to relax. The knot often can be felt under the skin and may twitch involuntarily when touched (called a jump sign).

The trigger point can trap or irritate surrounding nerves and cause referred pain — pain felt in another part of the body. Scar tissue, loss of range of motion, and weakness may develop over time.

TPI is used to alleviate myofascial pain syndrome (chronic pain involving tissue that surrounds muscle) that does not respond to other treatment, although there is some debate over its effectiveness. Many muscle groups, especially those in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck, are treated by this method. TPI also can be used to treat Fibromyalgia and tension headaches.

Trigger Point Injections Procedure

Medical specialists such as an orthopedist, physiatrist, pain specialist, or neurologist can administer TPI. Injections are given in the physician’s office and takes approximately 30 minutes. Before performing TPI, the physician may give the patient a nerve block to prevent pain from needle penetration.

A small needle is inserted into the trigger point and a local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine, procaine) with or without a corticosteroid is injected. Injection of medication inactivates the trigger point and thus alleviates pain. Sustained relief usually is achieved with a brief course of treatment. The injection may cause a twitch or pain that lasts a few seconds to a few minutes.

Trigger Point Injections Aftercare

Numbness from the anesthetic may last about an hour and a bruise may form at the injection site. Pain can be relieved by alternately applying moist heat and ice for a day or two. In most cases, stretching exercises and physical therapy are performed following TPI.

What Is An Epidural Injection And Is It Right For You?

azpsi — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:36:22 +0000

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a common treatment option for many forms of low back pain and leg pain. They have been used for low back problems since 1952 and are still an integral part of the non-surgical management of sciatica and low back pain. The goal of the injection is pain relief. At times the injection alone is sufficient to provide relief, but commonly an epidural steroid injection is used in combination with a comprehensive rehabilitation program to provide additional benefit. Most practitioners will agree that Epidural Injections provide relief from pain for one week up to one year. An epidural can be very beneficial for a patient during an acute episode of back and or leg pain. An injection can provide sufficient pain relief to allow a patient to progress with a rehabilitative stretching and exercise program. If the initial injection is effective for a patient, he or she may have up to three in a one-year period. Epidural Injections are a non-narcotic option for patients that are struggling with chronic back, leg or neck pain.

Treating Chronic Back Pain With The Spinal Cord Stimulator

azpsi — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:44:59 +0000

Have you heard of the Spinal Cord Stimulator? A spinal cord stimulator is a device used to exert pulsed electrical signals to the spinal cord to control chronic pain. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS), in the simplest form, consists of stimulating electrodes implanted in the epidural space, an electrical pulse generator implanted in the lower abdominal area or gluteal region, conducting wires connecting the electrodes to the generator, and the generator remote control. SCS has notable analgesic properties and is used in the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome and refractory pain. SCS is a cutting edge, non-narcotic option for treating chronic pain. Not every Pain Management physician is trained to use the Spinal Cord Stimulator. That being said patients often times say that it has never even been introduced as a treatment option. Patients who are a candidate and receive the Spinal Cord Stimulator can often times reduce their pain medicine significantly if not totally. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute is a firm believer of this modality to treat chronic back pain.

Introducing Linda Milam MSN, ANP

azpsi — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 04:40:31 +0000

Introducing Linda Milam MSN, ANP our newest provider at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute. Linda has over 25 years experience as a Nurse with the last 5 years being spent as a Nurse Practitioner in Pain Management. Her patients adore her because of her warm personality and bedside manner. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the practice and we are overjoyed to have her apart of our team.

East Valley Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Support Groups

azpsi — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:18:36 +0000

There are 2 East Valley Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Support Groups. The purpose is to support those who have Fibromyalgia and for those caring for a loved one who has Fibromyalgia. Here are the 2 meeting locations and times:

Support Group Meeting Location:

Hospice Family Care Offices: 1550 S. Alma School Rd. Suite 102 Mesa, AZ 85210

Meeting Days: 2nd Thursday of the month 6:00pm-8:00pm

Support Group Meeting Location:

The Coffee Shop: 3000 E. Ray Rd. in Gilbert

4th Friday every month: 10:30am-1:00pm

Activities: Discussion of what is going on with each other, sharing information and helpful ideas and listening to what has worked for one another.