Nociplastic Pain vs Neuropathic Pain: Why the Difference Changes Treatment Decisions
Quick answer: Neuropathic pain results from a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system, while nociplastic pain describes altered nociception that is not fully explained by tissue damage or a clear nerve lesion. The two mechanisms can overlap, so...
Nociplastic Pain: Why Pain Can Continue Even When Tissue Damage Does Not Explain It
Quick answer: Nociplastic pain is a mechanistic pain descriptor for pain associated with altered nociception when the symptoms are not fully explained by ongoing tissue damage or a clear lesion of the somatosensory nervous system. It is not the same as “imagined...
Modic Changes on MRI: When Do They Matter for Chronic Back Pain?
Quick answer: Modic changes are MRI signal changes in the vertebral bone next to a spinal disc. They can be associated with endplate degeneration and, in selected patients, vertebrogenic pain, but they are not automatically the cause of symptoms and should not be...
When Back Pain Comes From the Vertebral Endplates: Understanding Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain
Quick answer: Vertebrogenic low back pain is a proposed pain mechanism in which damaged vertebral endplates and signaling through the basivertebral nerve contribute to chronic axial low back pain. MRI features such as Modic type 1 or type 2 changes may support the...
Is Your “Sciatica” Actually Cluneal Nerve Entrapment? An Overlooked Cause of Low Back and Buttock Pain
Quick answer: Cluneal nerve entrapment is a peripheral nerve pain syndrome that can produce localized low back pain, upper-buttock pain and sometimes leg symptoms that resemble sciatica. A careful examination and, in selected cases, a targeted diagnostic nerve block...
When Should You See a Pain Specialist for Chronic Back, Neck or Joint Pain?
When Should You See a Pain Specialist for Chronic Back, Neck or Joint Pain? When to see a pain specialist is best approached as a diagnosis-and-function problem, not as a keyword or scan finding. Pain specialists focus on the diagnosis and management of persistent,...
Why Does My Heel Hurt in the Morning? Plantar Fasciitis and Other Causes
Why Does My Heel Hurt in the Morning? Plantar Fasciitis and Other Causes Heel pain in the morning is best approached as a diagnosis-and-function problem, not as a keyword or scan finding. Heel pain that is worst with the first steps after getting out of bed is...
Can Neck Problems Cause Headaches? A Guide to Cervicogenic Headache Treatment
Can Neck Problems Cause Headaches? A Guide to Cervicogenic Headache Treatment Cervicogenic headache treatment is best approached as a diagnosis-and-function problem, not as a keyword or scan finding. A cervicogenic headache is pain felt in the head but generated by...
Frozen Shoulder vs Rotator Cuff Pain: Symptoms, Differences and Treatment
Frozen Shoulder vs Rotator Cuff Pain: Symptoms, Differences and Treatment Frozen shoulder vs rotator cuff is best approached as a diagnosis-and-function problem, not as a keyword or scan finding. Frozen shoulder and rotator cuff disorders can both cause shoulder pain,...
Trigeminal Neuralgia vs Dental Pain: How Can You Tell the Difference?
Trigeminal Neuralgia vs Dental Pain: How Can You Tell the Difference? Trigeminal neuralgia vs dental pain is best approached as a diagnosis-and-function problem, not as a keyword or scan finding. Trigeminal neuralgia causes sudden, severe, electric-shock-like facial...