156: Doctor, Please Lighten Up My Pain with Dr. Joseph Pergolizzi

by | Jan 13, 2022 | Podcast | 0 comments

Change It Up Radio with Paula Shaw - Episode 156: Doctor, Please Lighten Up My Pain with Dr. Joseph Pergolizzi - Healthy Directions

Today we’re talking about unexplained aches and pain, plus effective ways to target and alleviate both chronic and acute pain.

Muscle pain is a major medical problem for 60-85% of the population who report experiencing nonspecific back pain of muscular origin at some time in their lifetime. My guest today, Joseph Pergolizzi, MD, is an internationally renowned pain specialist, well-versed in multiple issues confronting people experiencing acute and chronic pain, and has certainly been in high demand since the coronavirus has made its rounds. 

But viral infections are only one reason you could be experiencing muscle aches and pain. Other common causes include overexertion and trauma to the body. However, it’s the lesser-known causes of muscle pain that people may be unaware of and could confuse with symptoms of a virus. In this episode, Dr. Pergolizzi shares four surprising sources of lesser-known muscle pain, and three easy do-it-yourself remedies to address these types of muscle pain at home that don’t involve taking pain pills or seeing a doctor.

He also discusses the difference between acute and chronic pain, why some viruses cause muscle pain, the increase in patients reporting and experiencing pain since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when and how pain medications should be used, and when it’s time to see a doctor about muscle pain.

“Pain is a good thing. It’s almost like the alarm in your house when it goes off. It’s there to tell you, “Something’s not right!” You need to stop what you’re doing. You need to readjust.” – Dr. Joseph Pergolizzi

About Dr. Pergolizzi:

Dr. Joseph Pergolizzi Jr. is an internationally renowned perioperative and pain specialist, well-versed in multiple issues confronting patients and caregivers in acute and chronic pain. He runs a highly-regarded pain center in Naples, Florida, is chairman of the Abstract and Poster Selection Committee for PAINWeek, and is a member of the CHANGE PAIN Board. Additionally, he has been awarded the American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award with Commendation.

Early in Pergolizzi’s career, he was concerned that pain patients “had no voice” and were unnecessarily suffering in silence, worried about the side effects of common pain treatment options. Pergolizzi has since devoted his time, working tirelessly, to overcome that fear and get his patients on the road to recovery by offering a variety of treatment options, including holistic approaches, best suited to each individual’s needs. Pergolizzi has been active during the COVID-19 crisis to address chronic pain issues reported by coronavirus patients and is co-author on the published study, “Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on chronic pain management: Looking for the best way to deliver care.”

As a physician, inventor, research scientist, and advocate for pain patients, Pergolizzi has leveraged his medical, regulatory, and business acumen to build a strong track record of success within the healthcare industry. Additionally, he works with Healthy Directions as an adviser and educator on natural solutions for pain management. Pergolizzi has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, platform presentations, and book chapters.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. John’s University and his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine with the high honors. Pergolizzi completed his residency in anesthesia at Georgetown University School of Medicine and a clinical research fellowship in the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research interests focus on acute and chronic pain in adults with a particular focus on pain in older populations.

“Stay positive and realize that you can appropriately and adequately address the pain. And in order to do that, you have to bring your body back to being normal, turning that alarm off in the house. If your alarm was tripped, you wouldn’t just let it keep ringing. You have to be able to turn it off. It’s about bringing the body back to normal, and it starts with what you eat, and what you take, and how you take it.” – Dr. Joseph Pergolizzi

Check out the video below to watch our interview:

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