Category: Health

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Health

Effective Methods for Relieving Elbow Pain

Whether from an injury or overuse, elbow pain can greatly interfere with daily tasks. Los Angeles Elbow Pain Relief doctors provide patient-centered care to help you heal and improve your quality of life.

Dr. Ghodadra will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, including when they started and the underlying cause (if known). He then examines your elbow, assessing range of motion, strength and other factors.

Injections

Injections help reduce pain and inflammation for several weeks. They are a common treatment for tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis and golfer’s elbow, as well as other conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the area such as olecranon bursitis.

A local anesthetic is applied to numb the skin at the injection site. The doctor inserts a needle through the skin and into the joint capsule, guided by fluoroscopic [floor-ah-SKOHP-ik] X-ray guidance or with the use of a contrast dye to confirm correct needle placement.

Some patients experience a brief period of increased pain after the injection. This is caused by the loss of the anesthetic and will not last long. Over-the-counter pain medication and the application of ice (5 minutes, a few times per day) can decrease this discomfort. Several newer injections have recently been shown to be effective in treating tennis elbow, including autologous blood injection (ABI), platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection and sclerosant injection.

Physical Therapy

The elbow is less prone to wear-and-tear damage and arthritis than other joints in the body, but it can still develop pain and stiffness due to overuse. Injury or repetitive movements from sports, work, or daily activities like gripping or opening a jar can cause damage to the tendons, bones, and muscles in the elbow.

Your physical therapist will first assess your elbow and other areas of the arm, hand, or wrist to find the source of your pain and weakness. They will create a plan that includes goals for you, such as functional strength and pain relief.

Although icing, medication, and bracing can help with tennis elbow pain, they aren’t always enough to relieve the pain. If you’re tired of living with elbow pain, book an appointment over the phone or online with orthopedic specialist NEIL GHODADRA, MD to see what treatment options are available for your condition. He provides state-of-the-art treatments to achieve profound pain relief and healing for shoulder and elbow injuries.

Braces

You may know that braces help straighten crooked teeth and malocclusion (the misalignment of the upper and lower jaw). But did you also know that they can relieve elbow pain?

Elbow tendonitis is a common affliction that causes pain on the outer elbow. It happens when repetitive motions inflame the tendons connecting your forearm muscles to your elbow. A tennis elbow brace can reduce this pain by absorbing counterforces and redistributing tension, allowing your tendons to heal.

This traditional design brace features a pad that’s strategically placed to relieve irritated tendon insertions, plus a breathable liner for comfort. Its semi-rigid construction is pre-formed to distribute strap pressure, and it’s designed to fit elbows up to 14 inches in circumference.

This compression brace is similar to a sleeve, and it’s available in various sizes to ensure a comfortable fit. It’s made of a blend of neoprene and HydraMesh fabric, which helps manage sweat. It has two adjustable straps for a secure fit and can help reduce hyperextension, too.

Surgery

If nonsurgical treatment does not alleviate your elbow pain, you may need surgery. It is important that you plan ahead for your surgery to ensure that your healthcare team has the information they need and that you are able to get proper care after your procedure.

During elbow arthroscopy, your surgeon makes one or two small incisions near the lateral epicondyle. A high-powered camera inserted into these incisions (called portals) displays images on a large screen, which allows your surgeon to see the interior of your joint and remove or repair damaged structures.

Your surgeon may use this procedure to remove loose bone or cartilage pieces, which are rubbing together and restricting movement and causing pain. They may also perform this surgery to remove bone spurs, which are growths that pinch bones against each other and cause pain. Your doctor may also replace the elbow joint with a linked or unlinked implant, depending on your situation.

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Health Oral & Dental Health

A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles: How Family Dentists Promote Routine and Preventive Care

Regular visits to your local Northbrook dental clinic is essential for anyone who wants to enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles. In addition to providing dental treatments like fillings and crowns, family dentists are also skilled in providing preventive services such as teeth cleanings and X-ray exams. This allows them to identify potential oral health issues such as gum disease or tooth decay in their earliest stages, when they are much easier to treat.

Unlike general practitioners, family dentists are skilled in treating patients of all ages. This means that they can provide routine dental care for the entire family under a single roof, saving time and effort for everyone involved. It also allows family members to build a long-term relationship with their dentist, who will be familiar with each patient’s unique dental history and needs.

In addition to performing routine dental examinations, family dentists can offer preventive services such as fluoride treatments and the application of sealants to newly erupted molars. These simple measures can dramatically reduce the risk of developing tooth decay and other serious dental problems in the future.

The American Dental Association recommends that adults visit their dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and dental exam. These appointments allow family dentists to remove built-up plaque and tartar, preventing the onset of dental disease. They can also spot potential issues in their earliest stages, when they are easier and less expensive to treat.

A family dentist can also teach patients about proper oral hygiene practices tailored to their specific needs. They can help children establish good habits early on, which can last a lifetime and set them up for success in their adult lives. This includes brushing their teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and eating a nutrient-rich diet that supports strong teeth and healthy gums.

Visiting your local family dentist in Northbrook regularly can also help patients avoid complications caused by poor habits such as grinding their teeth (bruxism) or chewing on hard objects like pencils and pens. Taking these precautions can help patients avoid the need for costly dental repairs or replacements down the road.

While it’s no secret that oral health is linked to overall wellness, a surprising number of people still struggle to access necessary dental care. In 2010, more than 132 million Americans lacked dental insurance, and many of those who did have coverage had difficulty finding providers who accepted their plans. This lack of access can have serious consequences, as dental issues often progress into more severe and costly conditions such as gum disease or tooth loss.

Fortunately, recent developments have helped to hasten shifts towards a unified approach to medical and dental care. The medical community is increasingly aware that the continued separation of dentistry and medicine disproportionately burdens vulnerable populations of patients who have a harder time gaining access to treatment, including those who live in rural areas, are incarcerated, or have low incomes.

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Health

Pregnancy Wellness: The Benefits of Message Therapy

Pregnancy is a beautiful, life-changing experience that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Between morning sickness and a changing body, preparing for a baby and tending to all the normal day-to-day responsibilities, wellness can often get lost in the shuffle. While COVID-19 mitigation behaviors, such as social distancing and limiting contact, are essential for pregnant people to protect themselves and their unborn babies, wellness shouldn’t stop there.

A healthy diet is important during pregnancy, and many women struggle to find enough energy to eat well during the first trimester. Adding nutritional counseling activities to a wellness program, such as learning which foods are best for balancing blood sugar levels and managing nausea symptoms, can help.

Even though some physical discomforts increase during the later stages of pregnancy, it is still a good idea to continue exercise. A regular workout regimen helps reduce the risk of obesity and other health problems, and also improves mood. Including low-impact exercises like walking, swimming and cycling on a stationary bike, in addition to a range of strength training, can help.

Message therapy, also known as relaxation massage, is an ancient practice that can ease common pregnancy aches and pains, such as backaches and leg cramps. It also promotes circulation and decreases stress, which can both benefit the health of mother and baby. For more information on how you can benefit from prenatal massage at Midtown Family Wellness, contact us today.

It is recommended that pregnant women drink a minimum of eight glasses of fluids each day. This can include water, juices and soups. A diet rich in protein, fruits and vegetables is also recommended. It is important to avoid raw and undercooked meat, eggs and fish, as they can lead to a dangerous bacterial or parasitic infection called listeriosis.

While pregnant people are reducing visits to their healthcare providers due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that they stay hydrated and up-to-date on immunizations. Wellness programs can support these goals by offering a wide range of telehealth services that can provide screening for mental health disorders, as well as help with immunization scheduling and nutrition education.

Adding a new baby to the family requires careful planning and financial considerations. For many, it is a time to make sure they are in a solid financial position to cover all of the costs involved, both for the pregnancy and future expenses, such as school tuition and a larger home. Wellness programs can also play an important role in addressing financial challenges, by offering employee-funded childbirth classes and other educational resources.