A clinician-reviewed guide to hand and wrist arthritis: how osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis differ, which splints and medications help, when steroid injections are used, and which surgical options exist.
supportedA clinician-reviewed guide to trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis): why the flexor tendon catches at the A1 pulley, how splinting and corticosteroid injections compare, when open or percutaneous release is considered, and what recovery realistically looks like.
supportedA clinician-reviewed guide to de Quervain's tenosynovitis (thumb-side wrist tendon pain): how it is diagnosed with the Finkelstein test, what splinting and corticosteroid injections actually achieve, when first dorsal compartment release is considered, and realistic recovery timelines.
supportedA clinician-reviewed guide to cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve compression at the elbow): how it is diagnosed, what splinting and injections achieve, when surgery is considered, and realistic recovery expectations.
supportedA clinician-reviewed rotator cuff tear pain management guide covering how tears are diagnosed, what physical therapy and subacromial corticosteroid injections realistically achieve, when surgical repair is worth considering, how long recovery takes, and the red flags that need urgent assessment.
supportedA clinician-reviewed frozen shoulder treatment guide covering the three phases of adhesive capsulitis, how it is told apart from rotator cuff problems, what physical therapy and corticosteroid injections realistically achieve, when hydrodilatation or capsular release is considered, and the red flags that need urgent review.
supportedA clinician-reviewed bursitis treatment guide covering shoulder, hip, knee and elbow bursitis: how each type is diagnosed, what conservative care achieves, when a corticosteroid injection helps, how septic bursitis is identified, and the red flags that need same-day care.
supportedA clinician-reviewed guide to myofascial pain syndrome treatment: how trigger points are identified, which physical therapies and medications have evidence, when dry needling or trigger point injections help, and how it differs from fibromyalgia.
supportedA clinician-reviewed guide to occipital neuralgia treatment: how it is diagnosed, what greater occipital nerve blocks do, how long relief lasts, and when Botox, radiofrequency or nerve stimulation are considered.
supportedA clinical guide to thoracic outlet syndrome treatment: how neurogenic, venous and arterial TOS differ, which physical therapy and posture changes come first, what the Adson and Spurling tests show, when surgery is justified, and the red flags that mean the arm symptoms need urgent assessment.
supportedA clinical guide to piriformis syndrome treatment: how it differs from spinal sciatica, what the FAIR test shows, which stretching and physical therapy protocols come first, when steroid or botulinum toxin injections are used, and the red flags that mean the buttock pain is something else.
supportedA clinical guide to osteoporosis and spine pain: how vertebral compression fractures cause sudden back pain, what a T-score means, which fractures heal on their own, when vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty is considered, and the red flags that need urgent imaging.
supportedA clinical guide to adult scoliosis back pain: how a Cobb angle defines scoliosis, why adult pain usually comes from degeneration and nerve compression rather than the curve itself, which non-surgical treatments come first, what injections can and cannot do, and when deformity surgery is considered.
supportedA clinical guide to spondylolisthesis treatment: what vertebral slippage is, how the Meyerding grades work, how common isthmic and degenerative slips are, which non-surgical treatments come first, when injections help, and when decompression with fusion is considered.
supportedA clinical guide to failed back surgery syndrome (post-laminectomy syndrome): how often back surgery fails to relieve pain, the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative causes, how the workup narrows down the pain source, and what conservative, interventional and spinal cord stimulation options actually achieve.
supportedA practical decision guide comparing joint injections and joint replacement surgery for knee and hip arthritis, including what each option realistically achieves, how long relief lasts, injection timing before surgery, and the red flags that change the plan.
supportedHow a discogram (provocative discography) and other diagnostic pain injections work, what a positive result means, complication rates, and when these tests actually change treatment decisions.
supportedA genicular nerve block tests whether the sensory nerves around your knee carry the pain, and radiofrequency ablation extends relief if it does. Here is who they suit, how long relief lasts, what the evidence supports, and the warning signs to watch for.
supportedA lumbar sympathetic block numbs the sympathetic nerve chain beside the L2-L4 vertebrae to interrupt leg pain. Here is what it treats, how long relief lasts, what the evidence shows, and the warning signs to watch for.
supportedA clinician-reviewed guide to celiac plexus blocks for upper abdominal pain: how the injection works, who it helps, anesthetic block versus neurolysis, realistic relief duration, side effects, and red flags.
supportedA stellate ganglion block injects local anesthetic near the sympathetic nerves at the base of the neck to diagnose and treat CRPS and other sympathetically maintained arm, neck, and face pain. Here is how it works, what it feels like, and how long relief lasts.
supportedA cervical epidural steroid injection targets an inflamed nerve root in the neck to relieve arm pain from cervical radiculopathy. This guide covers what the evidence actually shows, interlaminar versus transforaminal approaches, the safety issues specific to the neck, and how to judge whether it worked.
supportedBotulinum toxin is an evidence-based treatment for chronic migraine and several muscle and nerve pain conditions. This guide explains what it is licensed for, how long results last, what it costs in side effects, and where the evidence is weaker.
supportedCancer pain is treatable in most people, yet it is routinely under-treated. This guide explains the three pain types cancer causes, the medication ladder, when nerve blocks and pumps outperform pills, and how bone metastasis pain is handled.
supportedWhen abdominal pain persists after investigations come back normal, the cause is often the abdominal wall nerves or a sensitised gut-brain pathway rather than a missed organ problem. This guide explains how each is identified and treated.
supportedMigraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache, and occipital neuralgia look similar from the outside and are treated very differently. This guide separates them and sets out acute, preventive, and interventional treatment for each.
supportedAn intrathecal pump delivers medication straight into spinal fluid, so tiny doses do the work of large oral ones. This guide covers candidacy, the trial, the drugs used, refill and maintenance realities, and the complications worth knowing about.
supportedKetamine infusions can reduce severe neuropathic and centrally sensitised pain when standard treatment has failed. This guide covers which conditions respond, typical protocols, how long relief lasts, and the real risks of repeated use.
supportedA medial branch block is a diagnostic test, not a long-term treatment. This guide explains what the injection numbs, why relief is meant to be temporary, how the result decides whether radiofrequency ablation will help, and what recovery actually involves.
supportedA pinched spinal nerve — radiculopathy — causes pain, numbness, or weakness that follows a specific path down the arm or leg. This guide covers how the level is identified, what recovery actually looks like, and which treatments change the outcome.
supportedMusculoskeletal chest wall pain is common and treatable, but it must be separated from cardiac and pulmonary causes first. This guide covers costochondritis, rib joint pain, slipping rib, intercostal neuralgia, and how each is treated.
supportedCoccydynia is pain at the very base of the spine, typically worse on sitting and on standing up from a chair. Most cases settle with conservative care; this guide covers the stepwise treatment ladder including injections.
supportedTendonitis is usually tendinopathy — a load and capacity problem rather than inflammation. This guide explains the staged loading approach, what injections do and do not do, and the realistic timeline for the shoulder, elbow, knee, wrist, and Achilles.
supportedTennis elbow and golfer's elbow are load problems, not inflammation problems, which is why rest and steroid injections disappoint. This guide covers diagnosis, the loading programme that works, injection evidence, and realistic timelines.
supportedTrigeminal neuralgia causes brief electric-shock facial pain that ordinary painkillers do not touch. This guide explains why carbamazepine is first-line, what the injection and radiofrequency options do, and when surgery offers the most durable relief.
supportedUpper and mid back pain is usually mechanical and treatable, but the thoracic spine is also where serious causes hide most often. This guide covers the common patterns, what treatment works, and the warning signs that change the plan.
supportedWhiplash is a soft-tissue neck injury from rapid acceleration and deceleration. Most people recover within weeks, but a minority develop persistent symptoms. This guide covers grading, the recovery timeline, and what genuinely helps.
supportedOsteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis need different treatment, and telling them apart changes everything. This guide covers exercise, medication choices, injections, and interventional options for arthritis pain that persists.
supportedCarpal tunnel syndrome is median nerve compression at the wrist, causing night-time numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. This guide covers splinting, injections, nerve testing, and when release surgery is the right call.
supportedChronic pain management works best as a combined plan: movement therapy, psychological support, targeted medication, and interventional procedures used in a stepped order. Here is what the evidence supports in 2026.
supportedChronic pelvic pain usually has more than one contributor — endometriosis, bladder pain syndrome, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, or nerve sensitisation. This guide explains the work-up and the treatments that address each layer.
supportedComplex regional pain syndrome responds best to early, movement-focused treatment. This guide covers diagnosis by the Budapest criteria, the medication and interventional ladder, what stimulation offers, and realistic recovery expectations.
supportedDegenerative disc disease is age-related wear, not a progressive illness, and most people manage it well without surgery. This guide covers the treatment ladder, what the so-called stages actually mean, and how to keep flare-ups short.
supportedDiabetic neuropathy pain responds to a combination of glucose control, specific neuropathic medications, foot protection, and — in refractory cases — spinal cord stimulation. This guide sets out the ladder and realistic expectations.
supportedAn epidural steroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication around an irritated spinal nerve root. Here is how it works, how long relief lasts, what it costs, and who benefits most.
partially-supportedFacet joint injections are used to diagnose and treat pain coming from the small joints of the spine. Here is what recovery looks like, how long relief lasts, and what to do if the injection does not work.
partially-supportedFibromyalgia responds best to graded exercise, sleep repair, and cognitive therapy, supported by a small number of medications. Here is the evidence-based plan, the three commonly used drugs, and why opioids make things worse.
supportedA first pain management visit is an assessment, not a procedure day. Here is what the doctor asks, what exams and tests to expect, why you were referred, and how to prepare so you leave with a real plan.
supportedMost herniated discs improve without surgery, and many shrink on their own over months. This guide covers the non-surgical plan, when injections help, how discectomy decisions are made, and the symptoms that need urgent care.
supportedMost hip pain comes from one of three sources: the joint itself, the tendons and bursa on the outside of the hip, or the lower back referring pain downward. This guide explains how each is told apart and what treatment actually helps at every stage.
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