Believe it or not, chemotherapy drugs can actually be used to treat arthritis. Most people assume these drugs are for cancer treatments only, but that is not the case. The doses of medication used for rheumatic or autoimmune conditions are lower than the doses used for cancer treatment. While the pain management specialists at The Pain Center of Arizona are not able to administer this treatment at this time, we are always on the forefront of pain management, and can help you look into this treatment if you are interested.

There are many different kinds of arthritis that can affect people, and one of the not-so-well-known types is called reactive arthritis (formerly referred to as Reiter's syndrome). It’s a form of arthritis that affects the joints, eyes, urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body), and skin.

Up until now, researchers have only been able to wonder what the effect of using high-dose opioids on patients is. But according to new research, half of patients on high-dose, long-term opioid therapy had hormonal disturbances or signs of inflammation, while 100 percent reported improved pain control and mental outlook. At The Pain Center of Arizona, our pain management specialists realize that opioids and pain medication can have a place in the treatment of chronic pain, however, our pain doctors also respect that there are serious side effects.

Migraine sufferers know when a migraine is coming thanks to triggers. For women especially, stress, hormones, alcohol, and even the weather have been blamed. But new research shows that it is nearly impossible for patients to identify the exact cause of their migraine episodes without undergoing formal experiments first. At The Pain Center of Arizona, pain management specialists are working constantly to mitigate the impact of these painful, chronic headaches.

A new study shows that smoking and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls have a negative impact on adolescent bone accrual and may become a red flag for a future constrained by low bone mass or osteoporosis and higher fracture rates in postmenopausal years. In the past, depression, anxiety, and smoking have been associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) in adults, but these factors have not previously been studied during adolescence, when more than 50% of bone accrual occurs. This longitudinal preliminary study is the first to demonstrate that. The study is published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, the official journal of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM).

Fibromyalgia patients know that there are many different kinds of medications available to treat fibro symptoms, medications that range from pain medicines to sleeping pills to antidepressants. While some ease pain, others boost mood and improve sleep. Working with a pain management specialist like those at The Pain Center of Arizona can help patients find the right fibromyalgia medication to add to their treatment regimen. That way, symptoms can be managed more effectively.

At The Pain Center Arizona, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common pain syndromes treated.

Back pain and spinal fractures often go hand in hand, especially for patients who are dealing with osteoporosis. Not only is a fractured spine extremely painful, but it can also result in disfigurement and immobility

Italian researchers have discovered that patients who suffer from migraines have reduced cortical thickness and surface area in pain-processing regions of the brain, compared to individuals who never have migraines. At The Pain Center of Arizona, our pain management specialists treat migraines frequently, and understand the difficulties in treating these chronic, painful headaches.

Living with fibromyalgia can be difficult and painful. When traditional treatments do not work, many patients turn to alternative therapies for pain relief. Chinese herbs and over-the-counter supplements have become popular in many patients’ efforts to relieve their pain. At The Pain Center of Arizona, our pain management specialists recommend a comprehensive plan when treating the pain of fibromyalgia.