By Debra K. Brinker, RN The popularity of regenerative, non-surgical treatments for osteoarthritis has grown in recent years and with good reason. People want options that are less invasive, do not require anesthesia or a hospital stay, and that have successful long-term results.  Being diagnosed with osteoarthritis no longer has to mean giving up leisure activities and signing up for …

By Debra K. Brinker, RN There is an intricate interplay between the various structures of a joint, where injury to one area affects other areas of the joint. When a supporting structure, such as a ligament, becomes injured, the cycle of joint instability begins. This initial injury can cause wear and tear to other areas, furthering instability, until the joint …

By Debra K. Brinker, RN Most of us walk and go about our daily activities without much thought to the structure and stability of our knees, until they begin to hurt or we sustain an injury from a fall or while playing sports. Injuries to the ligaments of the knee are quite common. How often do we hear of athletes …

By Debra K. Brinker, RN Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal pain conditions in the United States, causing individuals physical, social, emotional and economic hardships. The disability from low back pain is so predominant that almost half of the population of the United States has experienced it at some point. Often, it is the result of …

Find Relief with Prolotherapy By Debra K. Brinker, RN Osteoarthritis is a debilitating joint condition that affects people around the world. In fact, it is the most common joint disease globally. Since it is so vast and pervasive, symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) causes substantial physical and psychosocial disability. OA limits millions of people in their daily activities due to its characteristic …

By Debra K. Brinker, RN Are you trying to get to the core of your hip pain or arthritis? Joint instability may be an overlooked reason why you have not yet found long term pain relief. Over the last decade, hip injuries due to hip instability have become increasingly recognized as a source of pain and disability. This makes sense …

By Debra K. Brinker, RN RUNNER’S KNEE- NOT ONLY IN RUNNERS Also known as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), runner’s knee is characterized by anterior knee pain. Sufferers of this condition commonly experience pain behind and around the kneecap or patella. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome can affect one or both knees and is a knee complaint among athletes and non-athletes alike. Besides the tenderness behind, around and at …

Have you suffered a head or neck injury that has left you with chronic pain and debilitating, baffling symptoms that continue to worsen? Finding a specialist in cervical instability may provide answers. Cervical instability occurs when the ligaments are lax and elongated from injury, allowing for an inefficient protective barrier. The cervical vertebrae are held in proper position by ligaments, …

WHAT IS PAIN? Pain indicates tissue damage. In case of joint pain, the tissue that is damaged is “white” tissue. White tissue refers to joint structures with poor blood supply. Due to the limited blood supply, these structures have a compromised healing ability. White joint structures include cartilage, discs, labrum, ligaments, meniscus, and tendons. Conversely, muscles are red tissue. They …

By midlife more than fifty percent of the population experiences significant episodes of low back or lumbar pain. Oftentimes, chronic low back pain leads patients to surgery of the lumbar spine. Unfortunately, ten to forty percent of the lumbosacral spine surgeries done for disabling pain culminate with recurrent or persistent pain. The numbers are so overwhelming that this condition has …