Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine

11/16/2023

Celebrating tomorrow at in .

~also known as rehabilitation medicine, is a branch of that is dedicated to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of all types of related to the , , and .

Looking forward to meeting more colleagues in this fantastic field and celebrating the power of PM&R!

11/16/2023

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08/29/2023

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Pain Management Physician specializing in Spine & Sports Medicine and Regenerative Medicine located in Denver, CO

08/29/2023

Just about everyone feels from time to time. When you cut your finger or pull a muscle, pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. Once the injury heals, you stop hurting.

Chronic pain is different. Your body keeps hurting weeks, months, or even years after the injury. Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts for 3 to 6 months or more.

Chronic pain can have real effects on your day-to-day life and your mental health. But you and Dr Navarkal at Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine can work together to treat it.

Symptoms~

Chronic pain can range from mild to severe. It can continue day after day or come and go. The pain can feel like:
• A dull ache
• Throbbing
• Burning
• Shooting
• Squeezing
• Stinging
• Soreness
• Stiffness

Chronic Pain and Your Mental Health~

Chronic pain can interfere with your daily life, keeping you from doing things you want and need to do. It can take a toll on your self-esteem and make you feel angry , depressed, anxious, and frustrated.

The link between your emotions and pain can create a cycle. When you hurt, you're more likely to feel depressed.

Do you think you might be suffering with ?

Dr. Navarkal and his team at Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine provide physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy and much more.

Check out our website for more info: https://www.rockymountainspineandsports.com/

Our team approach to pain management helps patients feel better and get back to those activities they love as quickly as possible.

Call our office today for a consultation.

Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine
650 South Cherry St, Suite 1015
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: 303-377-7777

08/29/2023

September is month. Let’s look at the impact of in America:

https://uspainfoundation.org/news/the-impact-of-pain-in-america/

Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine offers an integrative, multidisciplinary approach to pain management. We will create a highly personalized treatment plan for you.

Contact us today: 303-377-7777

Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine
Rock Navarkal, MD, JD
650 South Cherry St, Suite 1015
Denver, CO 80246

02/15/2023

When to see your doctor about joint pain?

As a rule of thumb, you should see your doctor immediately, if your joint pain was caused by an injury.

Make an appointment to be seen immediately if your joint pain is accompanied by: swelling, redness, tenderness and warmth around the joint.

If joint pain is stopping you from doing normal activities, affecting your sleep, the pain is getting worse or keeps returning , the pain has not improved after a couple days of conservative treatments-it’s time to see your doctor.

Dr Navarkal specializes in joint pain and sports injuries. https://www.rockymountainspineandsports.com/services/joint-pain

Don’t ignore the pain or assume it’s just something you have to “deal with”.

The sooner you see a doctor for joint pain, the better.
Dr Navarkal suggests if you are worried about it, you should schedule a visit. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Call our office at 303-377-7777 or use our convenient online scheduling:
https://www.rockymountainspineandsports.com/contactus

02/15/2023

Regenerative Medicine for Pain Management

Regenerative medicine is a fast-growing, highly-developed technology that is increasingly being used to manage conditions such as chronic and acute pain.

It is a viable alternative for those who are suffering from chronic and acute tendon, ligament and muscle injuries.

These treatments help the body heal or rebuild itself.

Kinds of regenerative treatments and medicine used for chronic and acute pain:

Stem Cells For Therapy
�First kind of regenerative treatment and medicine. Stem cells naturally renew themselves through cell division and transform into a very broad spectrum of various kinds of body tissue.

Stem cells reside in many sites throughout the human body, including the skin, bone marrow, blood (placental and peripheral), and tissue (placental and adipose).

We use stem cell treatment to treat many recurrent pain ailments.

Usually, regenerative treatments and medicine involves taking out someone’s stem cells and additional, complimentary cells from stem-cell-rich sites on the body, then purifying, concentrating, and injecting the ingredients to create a precisely-mixed extract into the injured or weakened tissue.

Stem cell therapy as regenerative treatments and medicine for pain has been effective for people with low back or neck pain caused by degenerative vertebral discs or joint pain in the shoulders, hips, or knees caused by osteoarthritis.

Stem cell therapy has potential to help people recover in a short period of time, avoid surgery,and help avoid the side effects that come with surgery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
�A therapy that targets a host of assorted recurrent pain conditions that are chronic and acute, such as muscle strain, arthritis, arthrofibrosis, tendonosis, muscle fibrosis, meniscal injury, defects in the articular cartilage, chronic synovitis and joint inflammation, as well as for orthopedic and plastic surgery, sports medicine, and wound care.

Furthermore, this fluid has a very high growth factor (up to three to five times greater). More specifically, synthesizing platelets and releasing proteins can aid in the underpinning procedures in creating new tissue.

Its highly potent growth factor makes plasma that is platelet-rich promising for having a regenerative effect on damaged tissue.

Many famous athletes, including Kobe Bryant, Brian Urlacher, David Ortiz, and Tiger Woods, have benefited from the use of PRP therapy.

Research suggests that therapy using plasma that is platelet-rich can improve cell proliferation, collagen production, gene expression, and matrix synthesis.�
These are the benefits for considering regenerative therapies:

*Same-day procedure:�
Most procedures are performed in less than an hour. Many patients are able to return to their regular routines the next day.

*Reduce the necessity for major surgery.
�The goal of regenerative therapy is to heal injured tissue and not just alleviate pain temporarily.
Regenerative therapies may reduce or eliminate the need for surgery by treating injured tissues before the damage progresses further.

*Pain relief and healing for common back, joint and connective tissue injuries.
� Regenerative medicine therapy has been proven to accelerate healing for osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, rotator cuff tears, tennis and golfer’s elbow, tendonitis and tendon-related injuries and plantar fasciitis.

These therapies are also proven beneficial to treat osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip and spine. Although recovery times vary, improvement in pain and mobility occur within 4 to 6 weeks after treatment. Patients may continue to see improvement in pain and mobility for up to 12 months.

Regenerative treatments and medicine might be appropriate for you, depending on your specific case.

Dr Navarkal is a specialty-trained regenerative medicine doctor who strives to be at the forefront in providing cutting edge pain management and regenerative medicine options.

To arrange for a private consultation with Dr. Navarkal on the uses of regenerative medicine, call and schedule an appointment: 720-807-0623
or schedule online: https://www.rockymountainspineandsports.com/

Trusted Pain Management Specialist serving Denver, CO. Contact us at 720-807-0623 or visit us at 650 South Cherry St, Suite 1015, Denver, CO 80246: Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine

02/07/2023

Chronic back pain affects millions of Americans. It is one of most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. When back pain becomes chronic , one’s quality of life can be greatly impacted. Simple chores such as doing laundry and bending to load the dishwasher can be a living nitemare for back pain sufferers.

Depression, anger, anxiety and mood swings are just some of the emotional side effects of chronic back pain leading sufferers to stay at home more frequently, limiting both physical activity and socializing.

Dr Navarkal is an expert spine and pain management physician who is very familiar with the devastating effects chronic back pain can have on people’s lives .

When physical therapy and other conservative measures don’t seem to alleviate symptoms, Dr Navarkal may suggest considering the benefits of a spinal cord stimulator for relief from chronic back pain.

What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

A spinal cord stimulator is a type of implantable neuromodulation device that is used to send electrical signals to certain areas of the spinal cord for the treatment of various pain conditions.

The neuromodulation device is a very small device which is implanted just under the skin to manage chronic back pain by interrupting pain signals to your brain.

The medical technology used for spinal cord stimulators has advanced greatly in recent years and they are considered an effective drug free treatment for chronic back pain.

How does it work?

The implantation of a stimulator is a relatively minor procedure.
Neuromodulation with a spinal cord stimulator is a two-stage process and starts with a trial.

An implanted lead, which is powered by an implanted battery or receiver, is placed against your spinal cord. This system sends electrical pulses that block the pain messages to
your brain.

You can anticipate a week long trial with the stimulator before Dr Navarkal proceeds to implanting the device. This gives the patient the opportunity to judge the efficacy of the device and also allows Dr Navarkal the time to adjust the settings for the best pain relief results.

To learn more about spinal cord stimulators and to find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment schedule an appointment by calling our office Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine 303-377-7777 or schedule using our online booking feature https://www.rockymountainspineandsports.com/contactus on our website.

02/05/2023

5 Tips to Consider when Discussing your Chronic Pain with Family and Friends.

If you are reading this article, you are probably dealing with chronic pain and wondering how to broach the subject with your friends and family members.

It can be very challenging finding the right words to explain something as personal as chronic pain for many reasons.

You may dread the thought of discussing such a delicate topic as your struggle with pain, but the benefits of letting friends and family know and their support for you can be extremely beneficial.

It's important to be selective, choosing people you trust and those who you intuitively feel are empathetic and supportive.

Here are 5 tips to consider when opening the dialogue to others about your chronic pain :

NAMING A CONDITION/ EDUCATION ABOUT YOUR CONDITION.

Addressing the condition with a name . Discuss your diagnosis and how it has impacted your life. Reading and learning as much as you can about your condition to educate and answer intelligently any questions that may be asked.

EXPLAIN TRIGGERS AND FLAREUPS

Familiarize the people you choose to talk with about the types of things that can cause you to have spikes in your pain levels.

HOW TO SUPPORT YOU

Tell your friends and family the things they can do to support you in your journey. Clarify that there may be good days and bad days. Inform them that you are working consistently with your doctor to discover ways to control your pain. It can be a work in progress and you will greatly appreciate their understanding and support -if you experience an unexpected flare up of symptoms.

FAMILIARIZE THEM WITH PAIN PATTERNS

Familiarize them with the unpredictability of chronic pain and let them know pain levels can change daily. Some days can be better than others, and pain levels can literally change from minute to minute. Ask them to remember this and not to take it personally if you need to cancel plans.

IT’S OK TO ASK FOR HELP

Tell the other person how they can help and support you. Know that it's ok to ask for help. Often times friends and family really want to help and just need to know precisely what is needed. Be specific in letting them know what they can do to help you.

Talking about your pain doesn't have to be difficult or uncomfortable. These 5 tips
should make navigating the discussion about your journey a little easier.

02/03/2023

A diet rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, or both may have anti-inflammatory properties with an added benefit of pain reduction.

You may be asking what are some great anti - inflammatory foods?

KALE
�Dark and leafy, kale is high in the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin C. It’s also a good source of flavonoids and polyphenols plant compounds with antioxidant properties that may help fight inflammation, too.

SPINACH
�Like its cousin kale, spinach is a dark leafy green that’s high in antioxidants as well as the mineral magnesium—a good thing since magnesium deficiencies are known to produce an inflammatory response.

BLUEBERRIES
�Blueberries are high in antioxidant vitamins and polyphenols.

CHERRIES
�Both sweet and tart cherries are packed with vitamins and polyphenols.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH
�This gourd’s orange color is indicative of its beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, both of which are great antioxidants.

SALMON
�Fatty fish like salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fat, which studies has shown its link to reduced inflammation.

AVOCADOS
�Not only are avocados excellent sources of omega-3s, they also contain vitamin E, vitamin C, and fiber. Some studies have found that people who follow high-fiber diets have lower blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation.

WALNUTS
�These nuts are high in vitamin E and omega-3s, making them a double whammy when it comes to fighting inflammation. Adding nuts to oatmeal or a salad is an easy way to add an anti-inflammatory food to your meal.

CHIA SEEDS
�Small but mighty, chia seeds are packed with omega-3s and fiber.

TUMERIC
�The spice turmeric has been long-touted as an anti-inflammatory powerhouse.

Consider adding these food to your diet in the fight against chronic pain.

01/07/2023

Are you still suffering with pain?

Don't let another day go by in pain!

Call Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine for a consultation with Dr Navarkal, pain management expert.

What is interventional pain management?

Interventional pain management helps relieve chronic, debilitating pain with a variety of different techniques.

Dr. Navarkal may recommend an interventional approach to pain management as part of your comprehensive treatment plan.

What are common interventional pain management techniques?

There are too many different types of interventional pain management procedures to mention here.

Depending on your specific condition, Dr. Navarkal may use one of the following techniques along with other therapies to help you cope with chronic pain:

Nerve Block Injections

Nerve block injections offer temporary pain relief by sending powerful medicines onto or close to your nerves. An epidural steroid injection is one of the most common nerve block injections that may work at various levels of your spinal column.

Radiofrequency Neurotomy

Also called radiofrequency ablation, this type of injection creates a heat lesion on certain nerves. Radiofrequency neurotomy eliminates pain by blocking pain nerve signals.

Pain Pumps

Intrathecal pump implants, or pain pumps, deliver potent medicines, such as morphine, directly to the source of your pain. These medicines interrupt pain signals to your brain. Since pump implants are a more invasive procedure than injections, Dr. Navarkal only uses them as a final option when others have failed.

Nerve Stimulation

Similar to a pain pump, nerve stimulation requires an implant in your body. Instead of sending medication, this procedure uses electrical stimulation to treat pain. Electrical stimulation is effective at reducing many types of pain by blocking pain signals at various points on the pain signal pathway.

What conditions respond to interventional pain management?

Dr. Navarkal uses interventional pain management as part of a multidisciplinary approach to treating the following conditions:

• Chronic low back pain
• Chronic neck pain
• Pain following surgical procedures
• Chronic headaches, mouth pain, or face pain
• Muscle or bone pain
• Joint pain
• Neuropathic Pain
• CRPS/RSD

How do I know if interventional pain management is right for me?

Chronic pain is difficult to treat, and finding a management plan that works to relieve your specific pain can seem perplexing.

If you feel like you’ve already tried everything, don’t lose hope.

Dr. Navarkal works with you to discover the right combination of therapies to help ease or eliminate your pain.

The best way to discover how interventional pain management can help you is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Navarkal.

Call Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine or book online today.

Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine
Rock Navarkal, MD, JD
650 South Cherry St, Suite 1015, Denver, CO 80246
Phone Appointments: 720-807-0623
General inquiries:
303-377-7777

https://www.rockymountainspineandsports.com/services/interventional-pain-management