chronic pain

VR Headset Earns FDA Clearance For Chronic Pain Treatment

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

virtual realityStepping into virtual reality may soon be a way for patients dealing with chronic back pain and fibromyalgia to find relief. Applied VR, a Los Angeles-based virtual reality company, recently announced that one of its headsets received Breakthrough Device Designation from the Food and Drug Administration for treating patients with certain pain conditions.

The EaseVRx is the first virtual reality device to earn this designation from the FDA for treating a chronic pain condition. This designation will make it easier for the development and review of virtual reality devices to help treat chronic pain conditions, and it could also make it more likely that VR therapy to treat chronic pain will soon be covered by insurance.

“AppliedVR is the most evidence-backed VR platform on the market, and today’s FDA designation demonstrates that health experts across the spectrum recognize the therapeutic potential of VR as a viable treatment for pain,” Matthew Stoudt, CEO and co-founder of AppliedVR, said in a statement. “Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupting Americans’ ability to get in-person care safely, we’re looking forward to getting EaseVRx into the hands of people suffering from pain. Providers believe in it, patients want it, and payers are coming around to it.”

How It Works

Patients in the recent clinical trial were asked to wear the headset and watch at least one virtual reality program each day for a period of 21 days. The programs were designed to immerse the user into a virtual environment where they could take in beautiful scenery or even swim with dolphins. The goal behind the program is to help train the brain to focus on what’s going on around a person instead of focusing on chronic pain signals.

At the end of the three-week study, 84 percent of patients reported that they were satisfied with their VR therapy, and on average, pain intensity decreased 30 percent. Patients also reported an improvement in mood, sleep and stress levels, which all play a role in the expression and interpretation of chronic pain.

“Virtual reality is a promising skills-based behavioral medicine that has been shown to have high patient engagement and satisfaction,” said Beth Darnall, PhD, AppliedVR’s chief science advisor. “However, chronic pain patients to date have had very limited access to it, so we’re excited to continue working with the FDA to develop our platform and get it into the market faster.”

We’ve written about virtual reality treatments for chronic pain in the past, but we’re especially excited about this news because it seems like a big step in the right direction. Hopefully they continue to have success with this treatment and more people can find ways to treat or relieve symptoms of their chronic pain.

5 Lifestyle Factors That Contribute To Your Chronic Low Back Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

low back pain lifestyleBack pain is one of if not the most common type of pain condition in the world, as upwards of 90 percent of adults will experience chronic or acute back pain at some point in their life. And the most common location for back pain is in your lumbar or lower spine. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the lifestyle factors that can contribute to chronic low back pain, and we explain how you can prevent and treat it.

Lifestyle Factors That Can Lead To Chronic Low Back Pain

Here’s a look at five factors that can increase your likelihood of developing chronic low back pain later in life.

1. Inactivity – You may think you’re protecting your spine by avoiding overstressing it, and while overstressing structures should be avoided, inactivity is a lot worse for your body than controlled and moderate intensity exercise. Inactivity leads to muscle stagnation and can decrease spinal stability in your lumbar spine, rendering it less able to manage the stress of movement. Sedentary individuals are at a higher risk for low back pain than active individuals.

2. Being Overweight – The heavier you are, the more stress that is displaced on your spine. Over the years, this extra weight works to break down spinal structures faster than normal. We all deal with some natural spinal degeneration, but extra weight can speed up this process. Working towards a healthy weight, even by losing just a few pounds, can take a lot of stress off our lumbar spine and reduce our likelihood of chronic low back pain in the future.

3. Poor Posture – If you’re slouched on the couch, at your office or while reading a book, more stress is going to be channeled to your lumbar spine. If you work in an office or do a lot of driving for your career, poor seated posture can wreck havoc on your back. Most people don’t realize the damage they are doing to their lumbar spine when they slouch because sitting it not a very physical activity, but done incorrectly it can cause major problems for your lumbar spine. Strive to keep your head over your shoulders and avoiding slouching or leaning forward while sitting or driving.

4. Unsupportive Mattress – We spend roughly a third of our lives on our mattress, so it’s important that we invest in a quality mattress that protects our lumbar spine. Super soft mattresses can cause our spine to shift out of a natural alignment as we sleep, whereas very firm mattresses can leave us feeling sore from too little spinal support. Find what’s comfortable for you, and if it’s been longer than seven years since you’ve changed you mattress, consider upgrading to a more supportive model!

5. Lifting, Bending and Twisting – Regardless of whether you work manual labor or you’re just trying to carry the clothes hamper down to the washing machine, it’s important that you understand how to lift and carry objects so that you don’t hurt your lower back. Bend at the knees, not at your spine, and avoid carrying heavy loads that require you to lean backwards in order to complete the lift. Use another person to perform a tandem lift if the object is large or heavy, and try to keep your spine in a healthy alignment no matter what you’re lifting or moving.

And if you develop low back pain, make sure you treat it before it becomes a bigger issue. Dr. Cohn has been helping patients find solutions for their chronic low back pain for decades, and he can do the same for you. For more information, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

The Effects Of Alcohol On Chronic Pain Management

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

pain alcoholAt the end of a long hard day, many people just want to put their feet up and relax, and some also choose to kick back with a beer or a cocktail. Alcohol can affect our mood and our stress level, and it can even help to take our mind off the stressors of the day. However, it’s far from a perfect crutch to lean on if you are battling a chronic pain condition. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the effects of alcohol as it pertains to someone dealing with a chronic pain condition.

Alcohol and Chronic Pain

Even when used responsibly, alcohol can cause problems with our bodies. It can lead to nerve damage and increase our risk for certain types of cancers. However, research shows that a large portion of chronic pain patients are turning to alcohol to help cope with their pain condition. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, roughly 28 percent of chronic pain patients self-medicate with alcohol. That’s more than 1 in 4 pain patients.

The reason many people turn to alcohol is because of the short term relief it appears to provide. It helps to drown out pain signals from nerves and mental stressors like anxiety and depression. The problem is that it doesn’t do this in a healthy way. The short term relief can eventually give way to long term issues, including worsening chronic pain conditions. Nerve signals can become more problematic as the nerves are damaged from alcohol consumption, and relying on alcohol can also push a person further away from healthy treatment options.

For example, drinking alcohol is easier than getting regular exercise, but the benefits of exercise far outweigh the benefits of alcohol. Many people can find the same relief through each option, but one option does this in a positive, healthy way and the other does it in a way that jeopardizes our short- and long-term health. Alcohol intake can also cause problems if you are taking medications, making them ineffective or increasing your risk of dependence, abuse or overdose.

Interestingly, the effects of alcohol on chronic pain have been studied by researchers in the past, and they have found that mild to moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks per day) was associated with a slight reduction in anxiety and pain scores. However, researchers don’t believe that this was due to the physical effect alcohol had on the body. Instead, they believe it had to do with the social effects it had on patients, lowering inhibitions and making patients more socially active. Long term it can cause nerve damage, but in the short term it can trick your brain into getting you into a better mindset, and there are positive associations between improved mental health and similar improvements in physical health.

At the end of the day, please use alcohol responsibly if you have a chronic pain condition. Alcohol should never be used as a coping or treatment strategy, because there are so many healthier and more effective options. If you’re struggling with a pain condition and are trying to find a healthy way to treat it, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

How Is The Pandemic Is Affecting Pain Patients

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

pain Although it seems like we’re starting to come out the other side, we’re still dealing with the fallout of COVID-19 on a daily basis. And while the virus tends to have the most severe effects on older adults, another vulnerable group during this period are chronic pain patients. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how chronic pain sufferers are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pain Patients and the Pandemic

Chronic pain can make getting out of bed a daily battle, and when you add a pandemic to the mix, it only gets worse. Here’s a look at some of the unique ways that the pandemic is affecting patients with chronic conditions.

Isolation – We’re supposed to be limiting our contact with others as much as possible to help cut down on potential transmission, and that can leave us feeling isolated. Those feelings can be amplified in patients with a chronic pain condition who may already feel isolated because of their individual pain condition. Make sure you are staying connected with others as best you can, be it by phone, Facetime or in person with distancing measures in mind.

Worsened Symptoms – If a chronic pain patient caught COVID-19, there’s a chance their symptoms would be worse than the average person’s symptoms. Research has found that genetic and autoimmune deficiencies could contribute to worsening symptoms, and those same issues could have an underlying role in your chronic pain condition. Everyone should make smart decisions when it comes to preventing potential exposure, but this is especially true for chronic pain patients.

Delayed Access To Care – Elective surgeries were delayed when COVID numbers were surging in Minnesota, and now medical centers are dealing with a backlog of patients. This can make it harder to see a doctor as soon as you would like. COVID-19 is delaying access to medical care for all individuals, but patients with chronic pain that may have more regular checkups and screenings now may face additional challenges staying on top of their condition.

Psychological Effects – As we’ve preached about on the blog in the past, chronic pain conditions are rarely only a physical issue. There is also a big psychological side to treating the condition. However, this could become harder to manage as the stress of COVID-19 is adding mental strain to our plate. Try to ensure that you are taking time for your mental health and your physical health each and every day.

If you are finding it even harder to manage your chronic pain during these turbulent times, know that we are here for you. We will do everything in our power to help you have more good days than bad. For more information on how we’ll do this, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

Preventing Chronic Pain From Having Consequences For Your Social Life

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

social isolationChronic pain can be a significant physical problem, but unfortunately it’s not just a physical issue. We’ve talked about how chronic physical pain can have an impact on your mental health on the blog in the past, but today we want to touch on another aspect of your life that chronic pain can affect – your social life. Below, we talk about how chronic pain can negatively affect your social life, and how to prevent this from happening.

Chronic Pain And Your Social Life

If you have a chronic pain condition, you can probably relate to at least one of the points below. Here are a number of ways chronic pain can affect your social life.

1. Withdrawing From Friends – Either because you’re dealing with a flare up or you’re afraid of a flare up when you’re out with friends, it’s easy to start using your pain condition as a reason to turn down invitations or to meet up with others. Never be afraid to say no, but at the same time, make sure you’re also offering and trying to make plans instead of always being the one cancelling or skipping. If you’re afraid of going to the movies with friends, offer to host a movie night. Find a way to stay close to your inner circle on your own terms if chronic pain sometimes gets in the way.

2. It Distracts You – Sometimes chronic pain is all we can think about, and that can take away from your enjoyment when you’re out with others. This can leave you feeling distant even when you’re out with friends. Really try to engage in the activity or the conversation, as this can help take your mind off your pain, and this speaks to the larger point of really working with a pain specialist to find treatment and coping mechanisms to prevent pain from making you mentally distracted.

3. Your Mood – Being in physical pain can have a significant affect on your mood, and nobody wants to hang out with someone whose always in a bad mood. Talk with your doctor about your cognitive treatment options to prevent physical pain from affecting your mood. And while it may not be easy, try to reflect on your mood and your attitudes when you’re with others to see if you believe your pain is making you a negative person.

4. Isolated – Chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated in a different way than described in point one where you’re not physically able to connect with friends. Chronic pain can leave patients feeling different from everyone else, and that can be extremely isolating. Don’t be afraid to talk with your friends and family about how your chronic pain makes you feel. Odds are they are going to be more accepting and welcoming than imagined, because you’d do the same for them if they opened up to you about their struggles.

By working with a specialist who understands the physical, mental, emotional and social effects of chronic pain, you can help ensure that your condition doesn’t spill over into other aspects of your life. Dr. Cohn has been doing that for patients for decades, and he can do the same for you. For more information, reach out to his clinic today.