Pain Management

Effective Headache Treatments in Royal Palm Beach

Headaches are more than an inconvenience; they can be debilitating and significantly impact daily life. In Royal Palm Beach, finding effective treatments is crucial for regaining control over your life. The good news is that there are various approaches to managing and treating headaches, offering hope for a pain-free future.

In this blog, we will explore various headache treatments available to help you find relief and improve your quality of life.

Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of Headaches

Headaches are one of the most common complaints among patients. Whether it is a mild tension headache or a severe migraine, these painful episodes disrupt work, family time, and social activities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), headaches are the third leading cause of disability worldwide. They are believed to affect an estimated 40% of the population globally. This high prevalence underscores the need for effective treatment strategies.

Migraines, in particular, can be incredibly disruptive. For many, migraines are not just occasional annoyances but chronic conditions that require ongoing management.

Different Types of Headaches and Their Symptoms

A headache is a pain in the head or face. It is often described as pressure that can be constant, throbbing, sharp, or dull. Headaches vary significantly in severity, pain type, location, and frequency. Understanding the type of headache you ‘are experiencing is the first step toward effective treatment. The following are the most common types of headaches, each with unique symptoms and triggers.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type. They often feel like a tight band around the head and are usually caused by stress, poor posture, or muscle strain. Symptoms include a dull, aching pain and tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulders.

Migraines

The Cleveland Clinic states that an estimated 12% of people in the United States experience migraines. Migraines are more intense than headaches and often accompanied by throbbing pain on one side of the head. Other visual symptoms, like seeing dots, zigzags, or sparks in your vision typically occur with migraines. Additional symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, motion, and sound. Triggers vary but often include hormonal changes, certain medications, and stress.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are rare but extremely painful. They occur in cyclical patterns (clusters) and are characterized by severe pain, usually around one eye. Other symptoms include eye redness, tearing, and nasal congestion.

Recognizing these types can help you and your healthcare provider develop a targeted treatment plan.

Traditional Headache Treatments and Their Limitations

Traditional treatments often involve over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. While these can be effective for mild headaches, they often fall short in managing more severe or chronic conditions. Also, using these medications too often could lead to long-term, more frequent headaches.

Prescription medications are available for migraines and other severe headaches. These include triptans, which specifically target migraine symptoms and preventive medications that reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. However, these medications can have side effects and are not always suitable for long-term use.

Relying solely on medication may not address the underlying causes of headaches. That is why it is important to see your healthcare provider if you are experiencing frequent or chronic headache symptoms.

Diagnosis for Headaches

Your provider will evaluate your personal and family medical history, discuss your headache symptoms and lifestyle, and carry out a physical exam. In some instances, they may recommend further testing, such as imaging tests, to help determine if your headaches are connected to an issue with your central nervous system. This helps the provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan to manage your symptoms effectively.

Exploring Effective Headache Treatments

For those looking for comprehensive headache relief, a combination of approaches often yields the best results.

Holistic Approaches

Holistic treatments focus on the entire person rather than just the symptoms. Your healthcare provider will work with you to develop ways to help prevent your headache symptoms, such as avoiding the triggers that cause your symptoms. This may include adjustments to medications, lifestyle changes, or practicing relaxation techniques, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care.

These methods have shown promise in reducing headache frequency and intensity in some people. They aim to relieve tension, improve blood flow, and promote overall well-being.

Non-Invasive Treatments

Non-invasive treatments, such as biofeedback and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can also be effective. Biofeedback helps patients gain control over physiological functions that can trigger headaches, while CBT addresses the mental and emotional aspects of pain management.

Innovative Solutions

Innovative treatments, including the use of medical devices like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units and wearable migraine relief devices, are gaining popularity. These devices offer pain relief without needing medication and can be used at home.

Practical Tips for Managing and Preventing Headaches

In addition to professional treatment, there are several practical steps you can take to manage and prevent headaches in daily life:

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are crucial for overall health and can help reduce headache frequency. Also, stay hydrated and avoid triggers, such as caffeine and processed foods.

Stress Management

Stress is a common trigger for headaches. Techniques such as yoga, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness can help manage stress levels. Prioritizing relaxation and self-care is essential for preventing tension headaches.

Monitor Your Headaches

Keeping a headache diary can help identify triggers and patterns. Note the time, duration, and intensity of your headaches, along with any potential triggers. This information can be invaluable for your healthcare provider in developing an effective treatment plan.

How Advanced Medical in Royal Palm Beach Can Help

At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida, we specialize in providing comprehensive care for headache sufferers. Our team, led by Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and family nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene, offers a range of treatment options tailored to your needs.

Personalized Treatment Plans

We believe in personalized care. Our team takes the time to understand your symptoms, triggers, and lifestyle to develop a treatment plan that works for you. This may include a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and holistic therapies.

On-Site Services

For your convenience, we offer many on-site services, including blood draws, and when necessary, CT scans and MRIs can be performed within our multispecialty building. These diagnostic tools help us identify any underlying conditions contributing to your headaches.

Expert Care and Compassion

We understand the importance of family health. We provide compassionate care and are committed to helping you achieve a better quality of life through effective headache management.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or use our appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!

When to Visit a Family Medicine Provider for Hand and Wrist Pain

The hand is a complex part of the body, made up of many small bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and other structures to allow them to perform a number of intricate movements. The hand and wrist are therefore quite vulnerable to many injuries and conditions which can cause pain and reduced function.

If you have hand and wrist pain that doesn’t seem to be improving despite home remedies (such as taking over-the-counter pain-relief medicine), you should visit a family medicine provider for a medical evaluation – because delaying treatment may allow the problem to become worse. Let’s talk about when you will know that it is indeed necessary to see a family medicine provider for your aching hand and wrist.

When Should I See a Family Medicine Provider About Hand Pain?

Some hand and wrist conditions and injuries are short-term and may go away on their own or with resting the area. But other conditions warrant further investigation and treatment from a family medicine provider in order to have a successful outcome.

You should visit your family medicine provider if:

  • Symptoms don’t improve with rest and ice therapy
  • You experience pain or discomfort even when the hand is not moving
  • You have a reduced range of motion in the hand, wrist, and/or fingers
  • Pain, swelling, or hand/wrist function is getting worse rather than better
  • You have signs of infection (redness, heat, fever, or chills)
  • You experience tingling or numbness regularly in your hands
  • Normal, everyday activities are causing pain or are becoming increasingly difficult
  • Simple treatments and over-the-counter medication do not help

Some symptoms require urgent treatment by a family medicine provider, as they may indicate a fracture or dislocation. Signs may include severe pain, swelling, bruising, an obvious sudden deformity, or an inability to move your hand, wrist, or fingers normally.

Common Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain

There are many potential causes of hand and wrist pain, but some of the most common causes include the following:

Arthritis

The technical definition of arthritis is inflammation in one or more joints. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, and the hand is one of the most common parts of the body to be affected by arthritis.

Arthritis can get worse over time if left untreated. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, as it results from wear-and-tear of the protective cartilage covering the ends of the bones in a joint. If the cartilage has worn down or worn away, it causes painful bone-on-bone rubbing. This can happen to young athletes and active older adults alike.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects the hand and wrist. It occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed or entrapped, preventing it from functioning properly. The median nerve carries messages between the brain, spinal cord, and hand, and signals for sensation and muscle movement. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain and numbness in the hand and fingers – potentially all fingers except the pinkie.

Tendonitis

Tendons are the strong fibers that connect muscles to bones. When a tendon is inflamed, this is tendonitis – which can result when the tendons are irritated in some way.

Tendonitis most frequently develops in the wrist and hand because of overuse, injury, structural abnormalities, or disease, such as arthritis or diabetes. It affects the normal smooth movement of the fingers or wrist, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, tenderness, and reduced function in the affected tendon.

Primary Care Provider in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

If you have hand or wrist pain, the compassionate and skilled medical team at Advanced Medical Clinic is here to provide the proper and necessary treatment to alleviate your pain. We offer comprehensive treatment options and a high standard of patient-centered primary and urgent care services for all of your family’s medical needs.

If you would like to make an appointment with one of our experienced healthcare providers, or to learn more about the services we offer, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or you can request an appointment via our online form now. We look forward to serving you!

Treatments for Whiplash

Whiplash is an acute neck injury that occurs from a forceful backward-and-forward (“whipping”) motion of the neck and head. This injury is most often due to a car accident, but it can also happen when playing sports and in other high-impact activities. The injury stresses the neck muscles, ligaments, and the cervical spine – which is the topmost section of the spinal column in the neck.

Whiplash causes intense neck pain and stiffness, but it may take a couple of days before it is felt. This is why it is important to have a family medicine provider’s evaluation right after suffering a high-impact accident even if you don’t feel like you were injured, because the family medicine provider’s report will serve as proof of the injury if necessary when filing a claim.

The symptoms may go away on their own, but it largely depends on the severity of the injury. Treatment often focuses on pain management and physical therapy exercises to facilitate healing.

How Can Whiplash Be Treated?

A family medicine provider will first assess the extent of your neck injury. Controlling pain is a main focus in treatment, and the treatments may include one or more of the following methods:

Supportive Neck Collar

Your family medicine provider may recommend that you wear a foam collar to prevent neck movement, which can exacerbate the symptoms and slow down the healing process. However, it is not recommended that you wear it for an extended period of time, because the collar can contribute to muscle weakness and atrophy as you’re not using those muscles in your neck.

Home Therapies

The family medicine provider may prescribe anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, or pain-relieving medication. Temperature therapy also helps with recovery, and it is usually advised that patients with whiplash apply heat and ice to the affected area a couple of times each day for 15 minutes each time. Be sure to follow your family medicine provider’s directions in order to prevent getting a burn or frostbite.

Rest

While recovering from a whiplash injury, be sure to get plenty of rest to allow your body to heal. Do not be inactive during the day, however – exercise your legs and walk around to facilitate circulation and movement.

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist (PT) can teach you exercises that will assist with a slow return to your neck’s normal function. Moreover, the PT can also use physical therapy modalities that can ease your neck pain, such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapy.

Family Medicine Provider in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

If you’ve been involved in a car accident or sports accident and are experiencing symptoms of whiplash, our family medicine providers at Advanced Medical Clinic can quickly diagnose your injury and prescribe treatment. We offer full-service medical care for the whole family, from immunizations to checkups to preventive care. We also offer same-day appointments and serve walk-ins for urgent healthcare needs.

To request an appointment with one of our outstanding healthcare providers, call Advanced Medical Clinic today at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your family’s go-to medical clinic!

How to Manage Your Migraines

There are headaches. And then there are migraines. Migraines can cause moderate to severe pain that can be affected by your diet, stress, medications, sleep patterns or environmental factors like certain odors, altitude changes and weather. Because there is no cure for migraines, the best way to manage them is by familiarizing yourself with your unique set of triggers. This way you may be able to not only manage your migraines, but also reduce or even pre-empt them from occurring. Here are some ways how.

Eat well and don’t skip meals

Eating sporadically, skipping meals, or eating foods that are loaded with MSG, fats and sodium, can trigger migraines. Your best bet is to stick to whole and natural foods that are unprocessed, lower your sodium intake, stay hydrated and don’t skip meals. Avoid pickled or marinated foods, as they are loaded with salt and additives; likewise, avoid alcohol.

Try Coffee

Many people report that a cup of coffee can offset migraine symptoms. If a cup of coffee helps, drink it early in the day so you don’t lose sleep at night.

Scent-free Zones

While it’s hard to avoid every triggering scent – especially if you work in an open office or ride public transportation – there are ways to reduce their triggers, especially in your home. Opting for scent-free cleaning supplies and detergents, bath and beauty products, and candles is a good start. Ask friends and guests to respect your scent-free home by not wearing perfume on visits; also speak to your human resource office at work to see if they have a scent-free office policy.

Medications

Certain medications you may be prescribed can trigger migraines. If you feel this is the case, be sure to speak with your family medicine provider to see if there are other medications or strategies you can use to reduce or eliminate this trigger.

Hormone Changes and Medication

The hormonal changes associated with menstruation and menopause and the medications used to treat them may trigger migraines. The same goes with the hormonal changes that come with pregnancy. Again, speak to your family medicine provider for alternate medications or strategies to minizine the frequency of migraines.

Stress

Stress is a huge trigger; that said it’s not always easy to eliminate all stressors in your life. However, you may consider increasing your exercise levels and focus on wellness to reduce stress levels.

Maintain Adequate Sleep Levels

Not getting enough sleep or constantly changing your sleep schedule can result in migraines. Try to find enough time to get restful sleep at regular hours to reduce your risk of getting migraines.

Sensitivity to Light

Bright lights, glares and fluorescent lighting all can have their effects. That’s why light sensitivity is one of the many reasons those with migraines develop “auras” – seeing flashes or flickering light in the form of stars, spots or halos. If possible, opt for natural lighting. Use computer screen filters to reduce glare. And consider getting an eye check-up, as your migraines may be the result of an eye issue or need of a new glasses or contact prescription.

Changes in Weather, Seasons or Pressure

Many people experience migraines as the barometric pressure drops, or during change of seasons. Understanding how your body adjusts to these changes – and when they occur in your area – can help you prepare for the possibility of migraines.

Know Your Triggers

Before your migraines take full hold, look for any signs such as mood changes, frequent bathroom breaks, random food cravings, and increased sleepiness. If you notice any of these symptoms, find a comfortable space that works for you – it should have dim natural lighting, is quiet and is comforting.

Primary Care in Wellington & Royal Palm Beach

No one should have to deal with migraines. If you are looking for expert medical care that can help you manage your symptoms, then it’s time to reach out to Advance Medical Clinic. With expertise in primary family and internal medicine, our expert providers are caring and compassionate, offering personalized care to you and your loved ones.  If you are experiencing a migraine or its symptoms, or are looking to work with a primary care provider for any reason, seek out an expert. If you live in or around Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, call Advanced Medical Clinic today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!

Equestrian Injuries

It is estimated that more than 30 million Americans ride horses annually – and that more than 2,300 riders under the age of 25 are hospitalized each year due to equestrian injuries.

It might surprise you to learn that horseback riding has a higher injury rate than riding on a motorcycle. After all, horses are large, powerful, and unpredictable animals. They can gallop as fast as 55 mph, and if they fall – or a rider falls off the horse – the impact could be devastating.

Injures from Horseback Riding

The most common injuries sustained from horseback riding occur in the upper extremities – involving the wrist, elbow, and shoulder – which tend to happen when pinned, caught, or flung by a horse. However, the knee, ankle, and foot are also vulnerable during various equestrian activities.

And it’s not just riding – accidents often take place in the stable while handling, feeding, or grooming a horse. There is also the risk of being kicked, bitten, pushed over, or crushed by a horse under certain circumstances, such as when a horse is in conflict with another horse or is fleeing from another horse.

Common injuries while riding or tending horses include:

  • Strains and sprains
  • Bruises
  • Fractures
  • Dislocations
  • Herniated discs
  • Concussions

Traumatic injury to the head is a much less common but nevertheless life-threatening horseback riding injury. Horses have been known to suddenly stop when running, and the momentum throws the rider off of the horse – which can cause severe injury to the rider, particularly if the person lands on their head.

How Can I Avoid Injuries While Riding My Horse?

While it’s understandable that accidents will happen while engaging in certain horseback riding activities, such as jumping and cross-country, other injuries are very avoidable if you take the proper precautions and follow some basic horseback riding safety rules:

Wear a Helmet

Wear an approved, safety-standard hard-shell helmet at all times when mounting and riding a horse. The helmet should always be fastened securely, and you should buy a new one if you ever experience a significant impact. While many trail-riding clubs dispense with this rule, be aware that not wearing a helmet exposes you to a potentially severe injury.

Wear Riding Boots

Be sure you properly match the width of your riding boots to the width of your stirrups in order to avoid getting caught and dragged by a horse. The width of your boot should be only 2 centimeters smaller than the stirrup width – nice and tight, but not too tight.

You may also want to install release catches on your saddle to prevent dragging in case your foot is ever caught. Be sure your feet are correctly positioned in the stirrups.

Wear Proper Clothing

Wear nonskid gloves when riding, and avoid wearing loose-fitting or baggy clothing. You don’t want your clothes to get caught on a branch or other object when riding.

Inspect All Equipment

Maintain and inspect all riding equipment thoroughly before you ride your horse. Consider wearing body-protecting gear to prevent fractures and soft-tissue injuries.

This gear may not protect your spine or chest from a serious blow, but it can spare you from a rib, knee, or elbow injury. Like the helmet, if this gear is ever damaged, get a replacement.

Family Medicine Providers in Wellington

At Advanced Medical Clinic, we treat many horseback riding injuries – as well as other health conditions – in the equestrian community of Wellington, Florida. We pride ourselves on providing personalized, quality health care for you and your entire family.

To learn more about us and about the primary medical care services we offer, or to arrange a visit to our friendly South Florida clinic, call us at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment using our online form. We are always happy to serve you.

Horseback Riding Injury Prevention

If there is one thing Wellington, Florida, is known for, it’s the area’s world-class equestrian community. Folks in these parts love horseback riding, and who can blame them? It’s great exercise for the entire body and invigorating for the spirit.
However, unless you follow the appropriate measures, you can sustain a serious injury while horseback riding. In fact, more than 48,000 Americans are treated for horseback riding injuries each year, according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Often, these injuries result from riders attempting to break a fall – but instead, they suffer bruises, sprains, strains, and fractures to the wrist, shoulder, or elbow. More severe, sometimes life-threatening, horseback riding injuries include damage to the pelvis, spine, and head.

To help prevent horseback riding injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) offers these suggestions:

  • Always wear a helmet that meets industry safety standards when horseback riding.
  • Also be sure to wear well-fitted, sturdy leather boots with a minimal heel. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing.
  • Before you mount, inspect all riding equipment to be sure it isn’t damaged and that it has been secured properly. The saddle and stirrups should be appropriate for your size and properly adjusted.
  • Using safety stirrups that break away in the event of a fall might be a good idea for children and inexperienced riders.
  • Always supervise young horseback riders.
  • If you are an amateur rider, stick with open, flat terrain or a monitored riding arena.
  • Do not attempt jumps or stunts without supervision, as these require a much higher level of riding skill.
  • If you fall off your horse, roll toward the side when you hit the ground to avoid being trampled.
  • Never ride a horse when you’re tired, on medication, or under the influence of alcohol.
  • Keep in mind that horses are flight animals that will bolt and take off running from sudden noises or movements. So be alert for anything that might suddenly startle your horse, and be ready to respond quickly.
  • When trail riding, do not stray from that path. Also, be sure to heed any warning signs.
  • Never stand or walk behind a horse. It might provoke the horse to kick. Horses are less threatened when approached at their shoulder.
  • You can tell a lot about a horse’s disposition or condition by watching its head, especially its ear movements. A horse will react to a sound by directing one or both ears toward the sound. Likewise, if the horse is sleeping, sedated, or under the weather, the ears will be held to the side. And if the horse’s ears are pinned back, it may feel threatened and/or angry.
  • When providing the horse with a treat, keep your hand open and your fingers flat and extended. Otherwise, the horse might unintentionally bite and break your fingers.

Superior Family Health Care in Wellington, Florida

At Advanced Medical Clinic, PA, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, quality health care for your entire family. To learn more about us and the primary services we offer, or to arrange a visit to our friendly Wellington, Florida clinic, call us at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment using our online form. We are always happy to serve you.

When To See a Family Medicine Provider for Your Headaches

Headaches aren’t just caused by crying kids, irritating people, or a bad day.

If you have persistent headaches, it can seem like you can’t catch a break. If you’re experiencing headaches 15 days or more a month and you’ve been experiencing them for over three months, you’re suffering from chronic or persistent headaches.

You may become so used to having headaches that you don’t know when it’s time to see your family medicine provider about it. Here are some signs to be aware of to help you determine when it’s time to seek medical help for your headaches.

3 Primary Types of Head Pain

There are three main categories of head pain that you may experience.

The most common type of headache are tension headaches. These can cause mild, moderate, or severe pain in the head, neck, and behind the eyes. The pain can feel like a tight band around the head, or it may be focused at the base of the skull, just atop the neck. These headaches may seem to come out of nowhere and stay for a few days.

One of the most recognizable forms are migraine headaches. It’s commonly felt on one or both sides of the head. It can take the form of painful or unpleasant pulsing or throbbing sensations that are moderately to severely painful. It may be accompanied by nausea, and sensitivity to light.

Cluster headaches typically occur on one side of the head only. These headaches occur in patterns or clusters, and the pain can be excruciating. It may be centered around one eye, and the pain of a cluster headache can wake you from sleep.

When To See a Family Medicine Provider

While it may be inconvenient or you may feel a bit foolish seeing a family medicine provider about your headaches, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Any unusual, significant, or persistent headache pain warrants a visit with your primary care provider. At the very least, seeing your family medicine provider can alleviate any anxiety about whether the headaches indicate a more serious disorder.

These symptoms indicate that you should make an appointment to see your family medicine provider about your headaches: If you experience three or more headaches per week, the headaches keep getting worse and won’t go away, you need to take a pain reliever every day or almost every day to combat the pain or are taking more than two to three doses of over-the-counter pain reliever medications per week to feel better and are noticing the headaches affecting your daily routines or ability to be with your family, work or social life.

If your headaches are accompanied by symptoms such as sudden weakness, dizziness, loss of balance and falling, numbness or tingling, you should seek urgent medical attention.

Difficulty speaking, sudden confusion, seizures, and personality or behavioral changes, blurry vision, double vision, or blind spots all constitute a medical emergency.

If you’re dealing with moderate to severe headaches, whether chronic or occasional, you can get the help you need from the friendly staff at Advanced Medical Clinic. We are ready to help bring you pain relief. Learn more about our primary care services by calling our office at (561) 434-1935. Schedule your appointment over the phone or use our secure online appointment request form.

Is Your Chronic Pain a Sign of something Bigger?

Your body does not own a computer. It can’t send you a text message about your foot or tell you in an email that your appendix is in trouble. Your body has only a few ways of signaling that there is a problem; so it relies on symptoms to show distress. One of the biggest signaling symptoms is pain. Chronic pain (pain that lasts for at least 12 weeks or more) is often a symptom of a disease process or injury.

Feeling fatigued, losing or gaining weight, sleeplessness, anxiety, irritability, changes in appetite, and fevers are all signs that your body is experiencing some kind of stress. Sometimes the reasons behind chronic pain are known; and sometimes they are not.

Chronic Pain May be a Symptom of Something Bigger

Pain may be dull or sharp, it may be constant, or it can come and go at different times. The type of pain, its location and severity, along with other symptoms can be clues as to the underlying cause. Your chronic pain may be related to a known injury, for example, or it could be a symptom of something bigger. Either way, it is your body trying to tell you something important and you should most certainly listen.

Many injuries and disorders can cause chronic pain. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, are known for being painful, even debilitating conditions. The causes of pain can range from minor to severe and include everything from fibromyalgia to ulcers, appendicitis, or even cancer.

Pain can be difficult to describe or even evaluate, because no one else can feel what you are feeling in exactly the same way as you experience it. It is all very subjective and quite personal. There is no single test that can measure and pinpoint pain in every situation. There are, however several different kinds of tests that can aid your family medicine provider in correctly diagnosing the underlying causes of your pain.

Once diagnosed, your family medicine provider can help find the most suitable treatment options for your particular problem. When faced with chronic pain, the goal is to understand the cause, implement treatment that helps to alleviate or reduce it and to restore function in order to provide a better quality of life for you, the patient.

Some people are uneasy about tests, or they are used to the pain and try to push through it and ignore it. This is never a good idea. Chronic pain should be checked out, even if only to set your mind at ease. Chronic pain is not likely to go away on its own, and it could be a symptom of something much more serious. If you are concerned about how chronic pain is affecting your quality of life, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene of Advanced Medical Clinic can answer all of your questions. To make an appointment with us in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, request an appointment online or call (561) 434-1935 today.