Dr. Seema V. Nambiar - What Is Pain Medicine?
Seema V. Nambiar, MD, is a well-versed pain management specialist who diagnoses and treats patients at her private practice in Commack, New York. “My goal is to help my patients look and feel better. Controlling pain helps patients live their lives. Cosmetic medicine helps improve appearance and increases self-esteem and... more
What is Pain Medicine?
Pain medicine is a discipline within the field of medicine that focuses on the prevention of pain, and the evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals in pain. A physician who specializes in pain medicine diagnoses and treats patients who have acute, chronic, and/or cancer pain. Common conditions treated through pain medicine include sciatica, degenerative disc disease, and herniated discs.
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is being pinched by something else in the spine. This condition is caused by a number of common spine issues. Sciatica refers to numbness, tingling, or weakness that typically occurs on one side of the body. These symptoms can range from a mild ache to a sharp, intense pain or jolt-like shock while moving. Sciatica will typically resolve on its own through stretches, over-the-counter pain medication, and warm and cold packs.
Degenerative Disc Disease is a condition in which a damaged disc causes pain. It refers to the symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear and tear on a spinal disc. Once a disc is injured, it cannot repair itself. A spiral of degeneration can set in with three stages that appear to occur over 20 to 30 years. Surgery is only recommended if the pain is severe and non-surgical treatments are ineffective.
Herniated Discs can occur anywhere along the spine, but they often occur in the lower back. They are also known as bulging, protruding, or ruptured discs. A disc begins to herniate when its jelly-like nucleus pushes against its outer ring due to wear-and-tear or a sudden injury. This pressure against the outer ring may cause lower back pain. The majority of herniated discs heal through non-surgical treatment such as physical therapy.
