Back pain is one of the most common health complaints, affecting people of all ages and lifestyles. In fact, it’s estimated that 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Despite its prevalence, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding back pain that can prevent people from seeking the right care and treatment.

At our pain clinic, we’ve seen firsthand how misinformation can impact treatment outcomes. In this blog post, we’ll debunk five of the most common myths about back pain and set the record straight, so you can take the right steps toward recovery and better back health.

The spine comprises of a column of vertebral bones intervening with intervertebral discs. (See diagram on the right) These discs play multiple roles including - shock absorption, allowing spine flexibility and movement, maintain disc height and contributing to spinal stability. In this blog, we discuss about the anatomy of the intervertebral disc, annular tears (a common cause of low back pain in young patients) as well as the treatment of this very painful condition. 

Discovered in 1982, CGRP was found to be produced from the same gene that produces calcitonin, a hormone involved in regulating calcium levels in the body. Researchers quickly realized that CGRP acts as a neuropeptide, primarily found in nerve cells, and plays a role in various bodily functions such as pain sensation, regulating blood pressure, and controlling gastrointestinal functions.

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus can lie dormant in your nerve tissues for years. Later in life, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. Shingles typically starts with pain, tingling, or itching in a specific area of your body. After that, fluid filled blisters develop in a band-like pattern on one side of the body and eventually crusts over.

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), often referred to as the "suicide disease," is a relentless and excruciating condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing intense facial pain. While it may not be as well-known as other neurological disorders, its impact on those who suffer from it is profound, both physically and emotionally. In this blog, we will discuss about the causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia and the treatments for them. 

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Imagine a common scenario: you're running, take a misstep, twist your ankle, and end up with a sprain. In many cases, the only treatment needed is rest, cold compression, elevation, and some anti-inflammatory medication. This situation perfectly demonstrates the amazing ability of the body to heal itself.

While our bodies are remarkably adept at self-healing, there are times when injuries or conditions overwhelm this natural ability. This is where regenerative medicine steps in. This exciting field of medicine focuses on augmenting the body's inherent healing processes. It utilizes various approaches to accelerate and improve the body's repair mechanisms, ultimately aiming to restore function and alleviate pain. ​​