Pain Pathophysiology: Understanding How Chronic Pain Works in Your Body
Living with chronic pain can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. Many of our patients ask, “What’s actually happening in my body when I feel this pain?”
What Happens When Pain Becomes Chronic?
Pain is the body’s warning system – it tells you when something is wrong and needs attention. Sometimes, however, this system can malfunction, causing pain that continues even after an injury has healed or without any clear physical damage. When this pain lasts longer than 6 months, it is called chronic pain, and it happens because of specific changes in your nervous system.
Three Ways Your Pain System Can Change Over Time:
Your Body’s Volume Control Gets Turned Up
Imagine your nervous system has a volume knob for pain signals. With chronic pain, this knob gets stuck on “high.” Your brain and spinal cord become overly sensitive, turning even mild sensations into painful experiences. Activities that shouldn’t hurt – like light touch or gentle movement – can trigger significant discomfort.
Pain Sensors Become Extra Sensitive
The pain sensors throughout your body can also become more sensitive than normal. Think of them as motion detectors that start going off with the slightest movement rather than only when there’s real danger.
Your Brain Creates “Pain Highways”
Your brain is constantly adapting and creating pathways based on experience. With chronic pain, it develops strong “pain highways” that become the default route for signals. Over time, these pathways become so established that pain messages travel more easily and frequently.
The Echo Effect
When you experience repeated pain signals, your spinal cord can develop an “echo effect” where it continues sending pain messages to your brain even after the painful stimulus has stopped. This is like how an echo continues after the original sound has ended.
Your Immune System Gets Involved
Your body’s immune system, which normally fights infection, can accidentally contribute to chronic pain. Certain immune cells can release chemicals that irritate your nerves and keep pain signals firing.
Three Different Types of Chronic Pain
Pain from Tissue Damage
This is the most straightforward type of pain, coming from actual injury to muscles, bones, or organs. It’s usually well-defined and responds to standard pain treatments.
Nerve Pain
When the nerves themselves are damaged or not working properly, they can send incorrect pain signals. This often feels different from regular pain – it might burn, shock, or tingle. Many traditional pain medications don’t work well for this type.
Pain Without Clear Physical Damage
Sometimes extensive testing shows no clear physical cause for pain, yet the pain is very real. Conditions like fibromyalgia fall into this category. This happens because the pain processing system itself has changed.
Balanced Pain Treatment
Understanding how chronic pain works helps us develop better treatments:
Some medications work by calming down your oversensitive nervous system
Physical therapy can help retrain your brain and nervous system
Interventional procedures can interrupt the abnormal pain signals
Psychological approaches help manage the brain’s response to pain
Lifestyle changes can reduce inflammation and immune system irritation
At Edgewood Spine and Pain Management we look at the specific mechanisms causing your pain to create a personalized treatment plan. We don’t just mask symptoms – we address what’s actually happening in your body.
Hope for Healing
Chronic pain isn’t just “all in your head,” but it also involves complex changes throughout your nervous system. The good news is that your nervous system can change again in positive ways. With the right approach, many people experience significant improvement in their pain and quality of life.
If you’re struggling with chronic pain, our team is here to help you understand what’s happening in your body and develop a plan to address it. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
https://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.png00Tom Roskoshttps://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.pngTom Roskos2025-05-28 15:12:452025-06-11 14:07:51Pain Pathophysiology: Understanding How Chronic Pain Works in Your Body
Introducing the Enhanced Edgewood Spine and Pain Management Center: A New Era in Comprehensive Spine Care
At Edgewood Surgical Hospital, we’ve long understood that managing spine and pain conditions requires a thoughtful, comprehensive approach. Today, we’re excited to announce the evolution of our Pain Management Center into the Edgewood Center for Spine and Pain Management, marking an important expansion to further our ability to serve our community’s spine health needs.
This transformation goes far beyond a simple name change. While we have always provided comprehensive pain management services, we’re now integrating advanced surgical capabilities into our treatment offerings. We’re particularly proud to welcome Jeffrey Watts, DO, a distinguished orthopedic spine surgeon, to our team of specialists, joining our established care team that includes Timothy Ko, MD, Robin Molaskey, DO, and Valerie Dodds, CRNP.
A Comprehensive Approach to Spine Health
Our philosophy at the Edgewood Center for Spine and Pain Management remains rooted in conservative, patient-centered care. We believe in exhausting all appropriate non-surgical options before considering more invasive treatments. This approach allows us to provide the right level of care at the right time, always keeping our patients’ best interests at the forefront.
As Western Pennsylvania’s only true one-stop destination for spine health, we now offer an unprecedented continuum of care that includes:
Advanced diagnostic imaging and testing
Physical therapy and rehabilitation services
Minimally invasive pain management procedures
Surgical interventions when necessary
Comprehensive follow-up care
Meet Dr. Jeffrey Watts: Bringing Surgical Excellence Home
We’re thrilled to welcome an area native, Dr. Jeffrey Watts. Board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Watts brings extensive expertise in spine surgery and shares our commitment to patient-centered care.
“Many spine problems can be treated successfully without surgery,” says Dr. Watts. “When possible, I believe in utilizing all non-operative treatment options before resorting to surgery.”
Dr. Watts completed his medical training at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, Pennsylvania. He then went on to his Orthopedic Surgery residency at the St. Joseph Health Center in Warren, Ohio and fellowship training in orthopedic spine surgery at the distinguished Texas Back Institute Research Foundation, Dallas, TX.
Comprehensive Services Under One Roof
Our expanded service lineup now includes:
Spinal cord stimulation
Discectomy and laminectomy procedures
Cervical and lumbar fusions
SI joint fusions
Innovative Iovera treatment
Kyphoplasty
Carpal tunnel decompression
Peroneal nerve decompression
Streamlined Care for Better Outcomes
What sets us apart is our ability to provide seamless, coordinated care throughout your entire treatment journey. No more navigating between multiple facilities or dealing with complex referral processes. At the Edgewood Center for Spine and Pain Management, we coordinate all aspects of your care – from initial imaging and diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation – under one roof.
Our integrated approach means better communication between your healthcare providers, more efficient treatment planning, and ultimately, better outcomes for you. Whether you need conservative pain management or more advanced surgical intervention, our team works together to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Looking to the Future
As we embark on this new chapter, our commitment to providing exceptional spine care remains unwavering. We look forward to serving our community with an even more comprehensive range of services, always maintaining our focus on conservative, patient-centered care, while having the full spectrum of treatment options available when needed.
For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, contact the Edgewood Center for Spine and Pain Management today.
https://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.png00Tom Roskoshttps://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.pngTom Roskos2025-02-21 14:58:532025-02-21 15:00:22Introducing the Enhanced Edgewood Spine and Pain Management Center: A New Era in Comprehensive Spine Care
If you’re due to head in for cataract surgery in the near future this guide on what to expect both pre- and post-cataract surgery should help!
Any health issue is scary, even one as common as cataracts… So common, in fact, that half of us will have cataracts by age 75.
If you’re like most people, part of your stress comes from a fear of the unknown. So, we’re here to solve that problem and give you a better idea of what to expect pre-and post-cataract surgery.
https://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Edgewood-Cataract.jpg257746brian brayhttps://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.pngbrian bray2024-12-05 19:55:522024-12-31 16:57:21A Clear-As-Day Guide on What to Expect Pre- and Post-Cataract Surgery
Infection rates are a major source of dialogue for every hospital and surgical center because high rates of infection impact both the patients and the reputation of the facility itself. More importantly, hospital-acquired infections are incredibly dangerous, leading to longer hospital stays, increased health care charges, increased recovery times and (potentially) even life-threatening side effects for patients.Read more
An anesthetic is a drug used to create a safe loss of consciousness. These drugs are frequently used during surgeries and numerous other minimally invasive procedures to keep patients calm and comfortable. While anesthetics can be given in numerous forms, including topical applications and oral formulas, the option most commonly used for major surgeries is known as general anesthesia.Read more
Quality of life is defined as your general sense of wellbeing. Not only does it refer to how you feel mentally and emotionally about your day-to-day life, but also it refers to your overall physical health. While every person will have a different idea about what constitutes his or her perfect quality of life, one thing is certain. Read more
https://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/matheus-ferrero-yfmjALh1S6s-unsplash-scaled.jpg17062560brian brayhttps://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.pngbrian bray2019-08-29 13:19:532019-08-29 13:19:53What is Pain Management?
The joints of the body are unique hinges that provide smooth movements and absorb shock throughout the years. But, over time, these joints may wear out no matter how well individuals try to protect them. While medications and lifestyle changes can decrease joint pain and improve a patient’s quality of life in many circumstances, orthopedic surgery may eventually be needed to replace the broken-down joint with an artificial one. Read more
https://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jafar-ahmed-E285pJbC4uE-unsplash-scaled.jpg17072560brian brayhttps://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.pngbrian bray2019-05-20 20:04:462019-12-09 20:10:21Hip Replacement Surgery: Top Things To Know
Are you reluctant to schedule important surgery because you don’t trust your local hospital? Do you need help in finding a board-certified surgeon who specializes in treating your condition?
https://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/surgeon.jpeg13332000brian brayhttps://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.pngbrian bray2019-04-30 21:07:592019-08-22 19:54:51Putting Yourself in Good Hands: How to Choose the Right Surgeon
Having surgery can be a scary idea, and most of us try to avoid it as much as possible. But, whether you’re getting gallbladder surgery, donating an organ to a loved one or having a tumor removed, sometimes surgery is necessary.
https://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/nurse-with-child.jpg9971500brian brayhttps://edgewoodsurgical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EDGEWOOD_TRANSPARENT_HIREZ-300x81.pngbrian bray2019-04-01 14:26:142019-08-22 19:54:56Pre-Surgery Anxiety: The Top Tips to Stay Calm Before Going Into Surgery
Pain Pathophysiology: Understanding How Chronic Pain Works in Your Body
NewsPain Pathophysiology: Understanding How Chronic Pain Works in Your Body
Living with chronic pain can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. Many of our patients ask, “What’s actually happening in my body when I feel this pain?”
What Happens When Pain Becomes Chronic?
Pain is the body’s warning system – it tells you when something is wrong and needs attention. Sometimes, however, this system can malfunction, causing pain that continues even after an injury has healed or without any clear physical damage. When this pain lasts longer than 6 months, it is called chronic pain, and it happens because of specific changes in your nervous system.
Three Ways Your Pain System Can Change Over Time:
Imagine your nervous system has a volume knob for pain signals. With chronic pain, this knob gets stuck on “high.” Your brain and spinal cord become overly sensitive, turning even mild sensations into painful experiences. Activities that shouldn’t hurt – like light touch or gentle movement – can trigger significant discomfort.
The pain sensors throughout your body can also become more sensitive than normal. Think of them as motion detectors that start going off with the slightest movement rather than only when there’s real danger.
Your brain is constantly adapting and creating pathways based on experience. With chronic pain, it develops strong “pain highways” that become the default route for signals. Over time, these pathways become so established that pain messages travel more easily and frequently.
The Echo Effect
When you experience repeated pain signals, your spinal cord can develop an “echo effect” where it continues sending pain messages to your brain even after the painful stimulus has stopped. This is like how an echo continues after the original sound has ended.
Your Immune System Gets Involved
Your body’s immune system, which normally fights infection, can accidentally contribute to chronic pain. Certain immune cells can release chemicals that irritate your nerves and keep pain signals firing.
Three Different Types of Chronic Pain
This is the most straightforward type of pain, coming from actual injury to muscles, bones, or organs. It’s usually well-defined and responds to standard pain treatments.
When the nerves themselves are damaged or not working properly, they can send incorrect pain signals. This often feels different from regular pain – it might burn, shock, or tingle. Many traditional pain medications don’t work well for this type.
Sometimes extensive testing shows no clear physical cause for pain, yet the pain is very real. Conditions like fibromyalgia fall into this category. This happens because the pain processing system itself has changed.
Balanced Pain Treatment
Understanding how chronic pain works helps us develop better treatments:
At Edgewood Spine and Pain Management we look at the specific mechanisms causing your pain to create a personalized treatment plan. We don’t just mask symptoms – we address what’s actually happening in your body.
Hope for Healing
Chronic pain isn’t just “all in your head,” but it also involves complex changes throughout your nervous system. The good news is that your nervous system can change again in positive ways. With the right approach, many people experience significant improvement in their pain and quality of life.
If you’re struggling with chronic pain, our team is here to help you understand what’s happening in your body and develop a plan to address it. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Introducing the Enhanced Edgewood Spine and Pain Management Center: A New Era in Comprehensive Spine Care
NewsIntroducing the Enhanced Edgewood Spine and Pain Management Center: A New Era in Comprehensive Spine Care
At Edgewood Surgical Hospital, we’ve long understood that managing spine and pain conditions requires a thoughtful, comprehensive approach. Today, we’re excited to announce the evolution of our Pain Management Center into the Edgewood Center for Spine and Pain Management, marking an important expansion to further our ability to serve our community’s spine health needs.
This transformation goes far beyond a simple name change. While we have always provided comprehensive pain management services, we’re now integrating advanced surgical capabilities into our treatment offerings. We’re particularly proud to welcome Jeffrey Watts, DO, a distinguished orthopedic spine surgeon, to our team of specialists, joining our established care team that includes Timothy Ko, MD, Robin Molaskey, DO, and Valerie Dodds, CRNP.
A Comprehensive Approach to Spine Health
Our philosophy at the Edgewood Center for Spine and Pain Management remains rooted in conservative, patient-centered care. We believe in exhausting all appropriate non-surgical options before considering more invasive treatments. This approach allows us to provide the right level of care at the right time, always keeping our patients’ best interests at the forefront.
As Western Pennsylvania’s only true one-stop destination for spine health, we now offer an unprecedented continuum of care that includes:
Meet Dr. Jeffrey Watts: Bringing Surgical Excellence Home
We’re thrilled to welcome an area native, Dr. Jeffrey Watts. Board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Watts brings extensive expertise in spine surgery and shares our commitment to patient-centered care.
“Many spine problems can be treated successfully without surgery,” says Dr. Watts. “When possible, I believe in utilizing all non-operative treatment options before resorting to surgery.”
Dr. Watts completed his medical training at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, Pennsylvania. He then went on to his Orthopedic Surgery residency at the St. Joseph Health Center in Warren, Ohio and fellowship training in orthopedic spine surgery at the distinguished Texas Back Institute Research Foundation, Dallas, TX.
Comprehensive Services Under One Roof
Our expanded service lineup now includes:
Streamlined Care for Better Outcomes
What sets us apart is our ability to provide seamless, coordinated care throughout your entire treatment journey. No more navigating between multiple facilities or dealing with complex referral processes. At the Edgewood Center for Spine and Pain Management, we coordinate all aspects of your care – from initial imaging and diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation – under one roof.
Our integrated approach means better communication between your healthcare providers, more efficient treatment planning, and ultimately, better outcomes for you. Whether you need conservative pain management or more advanced surgical intervention, our team works together to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Looking to the Future
As we embark on this new chapter, our commitment to providing exceptional spine care remains unwavering. We look forward to serving our community with an even more comprehensive range of services, always maintaining our focus on conservative, patient-centered care, while having the full spectrum of treatment options available when needed.
For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, contact the Edgewood Center for Spine and Pain Management today.
A Clear-As-Day Guide on What to Expect Pre- and Post-Cataract Surgery
NewsIf you’re due to head in for cataract surgery in the near future this guide on what to expect both pre- and post-cataract surgery should help!
Any health issue is scary, even one as common as cataracts… So common, in fact, that half of us will have cataracts by age 75.
If you’re like most people, part of your stress comes from a fear of the unknown. So, we’re here to solve that problem and give you a better idea of what to expect pre-and post-cataract surgery.
Read more
How We Have Low Infection Rates At Edgewood
NewsInfection rates are a major source of dialogue for every hospital and surgical center because high rates of infection impact both the patients and the reputation of the facility itself. More importantly, hospital-acquired infections are incredibly dangerous, leading to longer hospital stays, increased health care charges, increased recovery times and (potentially) even life-threatening side effects for patients. Read more
Is Non-Opioid Anesthesia Better Than Opioid-Based Anesthesia?
NewsAn anesthetic is a drug used to create a safe loss of consciousness. These drugs are frequently used during surgeries and numerous other minimally invasive procedures to keep patients calm and comfortable. While anesthetics can be given in numerous forms, including topical applications and oral formulas, the option most commonly used for major surgeries is known as general anesthesia. Read more
What is Pain Management?
NewsQuality of life is defined as your general sense of wellbeing. Not only does it refer to how you feel mentally and emotionally about your day-to-day life, but also it refers to your overall physical health. While every person will have a different idea about what constitutes his or her perfect quality of life, one thing is certain. Read more
Hip Replacement Surgery: Top Things To Know
NewsThe joints of the body are unique hinges that provide smooth movements and absorb shock throughout the years. But, over time, these joints may wear out no matter how well individuals try to protect them. While medications and lifestyle changes can decrease joint pain and improve a patient’s quality of life in many circumstances, orthopedic surgery may eventually be needed to replace the broken-down joint with an artificial one. Read more
Edgewood Surgical Hospital Now Accepting UPMC Insurance
NewsLOCAL SURGICAL HOSPITAL ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH UPMC HEALTH PLANS
Edgewood Surgical Hospital is now accepting UPMC Health Plan Insurances for inpatient and outpatient procedures
Read more
Putting Yourself in Good Hands: How to Choose the Right Surgeon
NewsAre you reluctant to schedule important surgery because you don’t trust your local hospital? Do you need help in finding a board-certified surgeon who specializes in treating your condition?
Read more
Pre-Surgery Anxiety: The Top Tips to Stay Calm Before Going Into Surgery
NewsHaving surgery can be a scary idea, and most of us try to avoid it as much as possible. But, whether you’re getting gallbladder surgery, donating an organ to a loved one or having a tumor removed, sometimes surgery is necessary.
Read more