Pain Clinic of Spokane

Our offices are closed today, in honor of Memorial Day.

Drive Pain-Free: Tips for Alleviating Lower Back Pain on Long Car Rides 🚗💨

1. Adjust your seat: Make sure your seat is positioned in a way that supports your lower back. Adjust the seat so that your hips are at the same level as your knees and your back is straight. You may also want to add a lumbar support pillow to the small of your back.

2. Take breaks: Make sure to take frequent breaks and get out of the car to stretch your legs and back. Try to stop every hour or so, and take a short walk around the rest area or parking lot.

3. Use cruise control: If your car has cruise control, use it to give your feet and legs a break from constantly pressing on the pedals. This can also help you maintain a steady speed and reduce stress on your lower back.

4. Use a seat cushion: A cushion can help distribute your weight more evenly and reduce pressure on your lower back. Look for a cushion that is specifically designed for car seats and provides good support.

5. Adjust the steering wheel: Adjust the steering wheel so that it is at a comfortable distance from your body. This can help reduce strain on your shoulders, neck, and upper back, which can also contribute to lower back pain.

Why see a pain specialist?

1. Accurate Diagnosis: Pain specialists are highly trained to diagnose the underlying cause of chronic pain. They use specialized techniques and procedures to determine the exact location and source of the pain, which can help in developing an effective treatment plan.

2. Personalized Treatment: Pain specialists work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that suit their individual needs. They take into account the patient's medical history, overall health, and pain tolerance to create a plan that is most effective for the patient.

3. Improved Pain Management: Pain specialists are experts in using a wide range of pain management techniques, including medication, physical therapy, and interventional procedures, to manage chronic pain. They are able to prescribe and manage pain medications safely and effectively, and also offer alternative therapies to help reduce pain.

4. Better Quality of Life: Chronic pain can significantly affect a person's quality of life, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks and enjoy activities. Pain specialists can help people manage their pain effectively, which can lead to an improved quality of life, better sleep, and increased mobility.

5. Increased Functionality: Pain specialists work with patients to help them regain functionality and mobility. They can recommend exercises and other therapies to help improve flexibility and strength, which can help patients return to their normal activities.

Let us help you find the right treatment plan for you!

Did you know, happiness and positive emotions can have a powerful impact on our overall well-being and can help us cope with pain in a more effective way?

Studies have shown that positive emotions, such as happiness, can activate the body's natural painkillers, known as endorphins. These endorphins can help reduce pain perception and increase feelings of well-being. Additionally, positive emotions can help us cope with pain by reducing stress and anxiety, improving our mood, and increasing our sense of social support.

What makes you happy?

Shoulder pain can be a common issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. There are a variety of causes for shoulder pain, including muscle strains, rotator cuff injuries, and frozen shoulder, among others. Here are some tips on how to help alleviate shoulder pain:

1. Rest: Give your shoulder some time to rest and avoid activities that may cause further strain or injury.

2. Ice or heat therapy: Applying ice or heat to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Ice is typically recommended in the acute phase (first 48-72 hours) to reduce swelling, while heat can be used to increase blood flow and promote healing.

3. Physical therapy: A physical therapist can help you develop an exercise program to strengthen your shoulder and improve mobility.

4. Massage or acupuncture: These treatments can help relax muscles and improve circulation to the affected area, which can reduce pain.

5. Posture correction: Poor posture can lead to shoulder pain, so making an effort to improve your posture can help prevent and alleviate shoulder pain.

This quote reminds us that even though we may experience pain and suffering, we also have the ability to overcome it!

It is certainly a powerful message of hope and resilience for those dealing with chronic pain everyday.

Let us give you hope to overcome your pain 💪

Massage therapy provides several benefits for pain management, including:

1. Reduced muscle tension and pain: Massage therapy helps to relieve muscle tension and pain by relaxing tight muscles, improving circulation, and promoting the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.

2. Improved flexibility and range of motion: Massage therapy can help to increase flexibility and range of motion by improving the function of joints and reducing muscle stiffness.

3. Reduced stress and anxiety: Massage therapy can help to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and reducing muscle tension.

4. Improved sleep: Massage therapy can help to improve sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing pain, muscle tension, and stress.

5. Boosted immune system: Massage therapy has been shown to boost the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells and reducing stress hormones.

Be sure to always consult with a doctor or massage therapist before starting massage therapy as part of a pain management plan.

Heat and cold therapy are commonly used for pain management and can provide various benefits:

Heat therapy:
- Increases blood flow and circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area
- Relaxes muscles and can reduce muscle spasms
- Helps to reduce joint stiffness and pain

Cold therapy:
- Reduces inflammation and swelling
- Numbs the affected area, providing temporary pain relief
- Helps to reduce nerve-related pain

It's important to note that the type of pain and its cause will determine which type of therapy is most effective. In general, heat therapy is best for chronic pain, while cold therapy is better for acute injuries. Consult with a doctor or physical therapist to determine the best course of action for your specific pain management needs.

Sleep plays an important role in pain management, as a good night's sleep can help reduce pain and improve overall physical and mental well-being. Here are a few ways in which sleep is important for pain management:

1. Sleep helps to reduce inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a common cause of pain, and research has shown that people who get enough sleep have lower levels of inflammation in their body.

2. Sleep can help to improve mood: Chronic pain can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, and getting enough sleep can help to improve mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

3. Sleep can help to improve physical function: People who get enough sleep tend to have better physical function and are able to perform daily tasks more easily.

4. Sleep can help to improve overall health: Adequate sleep is important for overall health, as it can help to reduce the risk of chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

5. Sleep can help to increase pain tolerance: People who get enough sleep tend to have a higher pain tolerance, which means they can handle pain better.

However, it's also important to note that poor sleep quality can exacerbate chronic pain symptoms, making it harder to manage pain. People with chronic pain should aim for good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding screens before bed, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and creating a comfortable sleeping environment.

🙋‍♀️ What is a common factor in every chronic pain condition?

🔥 Neuro-inflammation AKA inflammation in the nervous system.

🤕 Many people with chronic pain also struggle with inflammatory medical conditions such as diabetes, neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune conditions.

🍽 Healthy patterns of eating provide the brain and body with nutrient dense foods. These foods optimize healing in the nervous, endocrine, immune, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems. 🥗🥑💦🍣🫒🌿

Where do you begin?

⬇️ Reduce the intake of pro-inflammatory foods.
⬆️ Increase the intake of anti-inflammatory foods.

🔑 A key to healing is the nutrition care process in pain management.

Leave us a 🥑 if you love the healing power of food!

Having bad posture doesn’t guarantee you will have pain but MOST people would benefit from some form of a chest opener, working on thoracic extension mobility, strengthening shoulder external rotation and extension and scapular retraction and depression!
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Simply put, we could all probably benefit from more stretching of the muscles in the front and strengthening the muscles of the back!
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Wall Angels are one of our favorite exercises because they accomplish all of those things and they can quickly reveal where you might be tight or weak and what you need to work on.
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Sit with your butt against a wall and your arms up in an “L” or goalpost position.
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Can you keep your chin tucked, your head against the wall, your elbows and wrists against the wall, and keep your ribs from flaring??
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Don’t forget to retest again afterwards to see if you made any improvements!

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Committed to helping improve your quality of life; specializing in the assessment and management of chronic pain of the head, neck, face, and back.

From chronic headaches to degenerative disc disease, we offer relief to patients.
Using research-based treatments, minimally invasive techniques and multidisciplinary approaches, we are able to help patients who have been trying traditional treatments unsuccessfully find enduring pain relief.

All levels and types of pain are important and should be addressed immediately. Get started on a path to relief today by talking to your healthcare provider about a referral to the Pain Clinic of Spokane.

On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free. – Dan Lipinski

New team member alert 🗣🚨

Meet Jocelin ✨

Jocelin has joined our team as a front desk receptionist in Sandpoint. We are so excited to see her grow with this amazing family, and professionally. Here is what she wants you to know about her:

"Hi! I'm very new to the Sagle area and I'm absolutely loving it!!! I am a proud mom of a beautiful 10 year old. We haven't been able to experience too much in the area yet, but so far the lakes have been our favorite part. I've worked in Healthcare for the last 8 years in skilled nursing administration. The pain management specialty is new to me, but it has the such a great change! I am super excited to start this Idaho Pain Clinic chapter 😀"

Next time you're in for an appointment or talk to her over the phone, be sure to say hi!

Staff spotlight of the week: Nina ✨

Nina is a medical assistant at our office here in Spokane. Since she has joined our team, she has shown nothing but diligence and positivity. We cant thank her enough for all of her hard work everyday, and the light she brings into the room.

Just a little about her: She comes from California but considers Washington home. She adores spending time with her family, her dog and spending her free time hiking and or working out. Nina says, "I love my job and learning new things every day and continuing to be very open minded. Helping my grandmother and taking care of her makes me wanna pursue helping other people and being a part of helping relieve their pain. I always have a positive attitude and love working in intense situations because the intensity is what drives me to be better at my job every day."
..and thats why we want to recognize this gem 💎Thank you Nina for being a super valuable member of the team! We appreciate all you do.

New Team Member Alert 🗣🚨

Meet Shalisa!

Shalisa has joined our team as a billing representative in Sandpoint. We are excited to have her on the team and continue her healthcare journey with us ❤️

Here is what Shay would like for our community to know about her: "My name is Shalisa, but you can call me Shay. I am originally from Montana but I have lived in the area now for close to 14 years. I enjoy kayaking, hiking and spending time on all of the beautiful lakes this area has to offer. I recently graduated from Carrington College with my certificate in Medical Billing and Coding. The healthcare industry has always been a passion of mine and I am grateful to work for the Sandpoint community and surrounding areas."

Happy National Receptionist Day to Lisa! We have the best receptionist TEAM, and we are so grateful for everyone's hard work and effort each and everyday ❤️

Our nurses are true life heros! We want to honor them on National Nurses Day. Thank you for your dedication to our patients and staff. You always go above and beyond to make your patients as comfortable as possible - this doesn't go unnoticed!

To Kathy, Cindy, Karenia, Kyle, Lindsey, and Caitlin - we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your service and dedication ❤️