Blog Archive

You know that unmistakable sensation coursing through your limbs. Maybe it starts as a dull ache, slowly intensifying into sharp, shooting pain. Or perhaps it's a constant tingling, a numbness that never quite fades. That’s peripheral neuropathy for you — and once it hits, it tends to stick around. So,...

Whether you get into a minor fender-bender or a major collision, car accidents are stressful and chaotic. While you’re checking for injuries, swapping information, and making sure everyone’s okay, whiplash might not even cross your mind. But an early assessment is crucial to protect your neck from lasting damage. Once...

In any given three-month period in the United States, one in four adults has a day with back pain. More seriously, 8% of adults have high-impact back pain that limits their lives. And the numbers surrounding neck pain aren’t any better — it has a prevalence rate of about 30%....

Most people have experienced back pain at some point. After all, even sleeping funny can cause discomfort that completely derails your day. But what do you do when back pain persists for weeks, months, or years at a time? Those situations require expert care from an interventional orthopedic specialist like...

Unlike other broken bones in the body, a compression fracture occurs in your spine and causes a vertebra to collapse. Dr. Vladimir Fiks uses an integrative approach to treating pain conditions like compression fractures at Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon. Whenever possible, Dr. Fiks turns to noninvasive treatments,...

Trying to live with chronic back pain isn’t easy. It’s even harder when it seems like you’ve tried everything, but nothing provides relief. Fortunately, medical interventions continue getting better, opening new doors toward pain relief. One example is basivertebral nerve ablation — also known as the Intracept® procedure.  Dr. Vladimir...

Stenosis can impact any part of the spine, but it’s especially common in the lower back. It develops when space inside the spinal canal narrows, constricting the nerves and spinal cord passing through. Spinal stenosis is a common problem, especially among people over 50. By this point, degenerative changes in...

Back pain is a common problem. Low back pain alone troubles an estimated 619 million people worldwide. However, this widespread issue can have several causes, and they each require personalized treatments.  Dr. Vladimir Fiks offers proven interventional treatments for spinal pain, including symptoms caused by osteoarthritis, at Advanced Pain Management...

Any surgery can be scary, especially when it involves the spine. However, advancements in technology and surgical approaches have made these procedures safer and more successful than those in the past. And even better? Recovery takes a fraction of the time. Dr. Vladimir Fiks uses minimally invasive techniques to perform...

Nerves are wondrous things. They send countless messages, enable movement and sensation, and make essential functions possible, like breathing, sweating, and digesting. They can also cause significant pain and dysfunction when something goes wrong.  Experts use the term “peripheral neuropathy” to describe more than 100 diseases. They can have many...

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

It’s never been easy treating chronic pain because it occurs for numerous reasons and varies significantly from person to person. Fortunately, advancements in medicine have brought new and innovative solutions to complex issues like nerve pain. Dr. Vladimir Fiks offers the latest treatment options in orthopedic medicine at Advanced Pain...

Estimates show that approximately 46% of the population experiences headaches. This may not seem like a huge problem, but they’re in the top 10 of the most disabling conditions worldwide. On top of that, they’re the fourth or fifth most common reason for emergency room visits in the United States...

A car accident only takes a split second, but it can cause injuries that last a lifetime — even if they don’t seem severe at the time. The good news is expert medical care can get you on the road to recovery faster and with better long-term outcomes. If you’ve...

No one wants an injury to leave them on the sidelines, but it’s a common problem for anyone who’s physically active. The good news is that treatment options keep getting better. One such option is Regenexx®, which doesn’t involve surgery and can help an injury heal faster than surgical treatment....

We all have a subjective idea of how our brains are doing—some days we feel “off” or have “brain fog,” while other days we feel like we can take on the world. But how much better are we on the good days? And are lifestyle or health changes making a...

If back surgery fails to solve your problems, you’re not alone. Up to 40% of people who receive surgery for back pain continue to have pain. Experts refer to this condition as failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). The good news is you’re not out of options.  Vladimir Fiks, MD, of...

Your spine consists of 33 bones called vertebrae, and they’re stacked on top of each other. This structure has a natural curve that functions like a spring, helping to absorb shock, maintain balance, and allow for movement throughout your torso. Unfortunately, these bones can also sustain damage, especially compression fractures, because of...

People often associate physical therapy with injuries and surgery. However, these programs can also help treat other conditions, including peripheral neuropathy pain. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when you have damaged nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord. This part of your nervous system helps carry signals from your body to your...

If you suffer from chronic hip pain, surgery may not be your only option. Minimally invasive techniques are revolutionizing the field of pain management, and one such option is radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Vladimir Fiks, MD, of Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, is an expert in performing RFA. With...

People often drag their feet when facing medical treatment, because it’s often associated with pain, discomfort, and lengthy downtimes.  But, advancements in technology have completely transformed the face of therapy. That includes cutting-edge approaches without incisions, risky medications, or long post-treatment recovery times. Instead, they work with your body to...

People often assume arthritis is one disease. However, it’s actually a broad term that refers to joint diseases that cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness where bones meet in the body. There are more than 100 types of conditions that fall under this general term, even though it’s often associated with the aging...

Have you ever tried something on or given it a “test run” before buying it? This crucial step can help determine whether it’s a great fit before you take it home. It’s also a similar concept to a spinal cord stimulation trial, except this test run is to make sure...

People often assume the only answer for chronic pain is more medication or surgery. However, there are numerous approaches that can provide relief without lengthy downtimes or dangerous side effects. One of these innovative treatments is radiofrequency ablation. Vladimir Fiks, MD, of Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, is...

When you live with arthritis, even the simplest tasks can seem impossible. That’s because this inflammatory joint disease causes pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, and it can worsen with time.  In the past, there were few options to effectively ease arthritis symptoms. But things have changed significantly in recent years,...

Chronic back pain can significantly impact daily life. But the prospect of spinal surgery can seem daunting. Fortunately, advancements in medicine and surgery have made it possible to perform many procedures with less cutting and less downtime than used to be possible. And, the new techniques often provide more reliable...

Life is too short to live with persistent neck pain. However, finding effective pain relief can be a tricky process. As an interventional pain management specialist, Vladimir Fiks, MD, knows that neck and spine pain can have many origins, and each cause can respond to different forms of treatment. In...

Chronic pain is a common problem, especially when it involves the back. Fortunately, there are numerous pain management solutions that can help you get relief. However, these treatments aren’t “one-size-fits-all.” Instead, you need an accurate diagnosis to determine which therapy can provide the best outcome. Vladimir Fiks, MD, specializes in...

There’s an old saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, this approach can cause more harm than good if you’ve been in a car accident, even a minor fender bender. Each year, more than 3 million people sustain serious injuries in car accidents. These incidents often cause visible trauma in...

Back pain is a common problem. It’s so common, in fact, it’s one of the main reasons people head to the doctor. This issue can vary from person to person, and it can be acute or chronic. Either way, 8 in 10 people end up with some form of back pain during...

We see quite a few patients with fibromyalgia in our clinic. Frequently, they come to us at a later stages of their quest for treatment but sometimes we get to see them earlier, when non-pharmacological options can still be sufficient. Drug free interventions are generally recommended as first-line treatment of...

Placebo is a beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug or treatment, which cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must therefore be due to the patient's belief in that treatment. This could be a real problem when interpreting the results of the diagnostic procedures but...

Do you live with acute or chronic pain? MLS® Laser Therapy may be able to give you the relief you need. Vladimir Fiks, MD, is passionate about bringing an integrative approach to pain management at his practice in Portland, Oregon. While in his care at Advanced Pain Management Center, you can rest easy...

Using your body to heal your body may seem like a far-fetched concept. However, that’s precisely how regenerative medicine treatments, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy work. Unlike medications that focus on your symptoms, regenerative therapies focus on healing the problem causing your pain. One of the most well-known forms of regenerative...

Did you know that around 8 in 10 Americans have back pain at some point in their lives? Experiencing problems from time to time is bad enough. But, when it becomes chronic, this issue can impact your everyday life, especially if nothing seems to provide relief. Vladimir Fiks, MD, of Advanced Pain Management...

Losing sensation in your foot from time to time usually isn’t cause for concern. In fact, it’s a fairly typical response to certain habits, like: Sitting on your feet Kneeling or sitting for extended periods Crossing your legs for too long Wearing overly tight shoes, socks, or pants In these...

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has revolutionized the pain management industry.  These small implantable devices use low levels of electricity to interfere with the pain signals going to your brain. It’s so effective that Vladimir Fiks, MD, recommends spinal cord stimulation for several types of back pain, including: Sciatica Chronic back, neck, arm, or...

If you’ve had a migraine, you know firsthand how painful and debilitating they can be. Common signs of migraine include: Head pain on one or both sides that pulses or throbs Pins and needle sensations in the arm or leg Numbness or weakness in the face or body Difficulty speaking...

The idea of having spinal surgery can seem daunting. However, medical advancements have created far less invasive methods for performing many of these procedures, including spinal fusion. Spinal fusion is the process of welding bones in your spine together to relieve chronic pain. In the past, this was an extensive...

People often use the terms “tendon” and “ligament” interchangeably. However, these two connective tissues do very different jobs. Your tendons connect the muscles in your body to your bones. Your ligaments, on the other hand, connect your bones to other bones. While tendons and ligaments have their differences, they do...

Your peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves that lie outside of your brain and spinal cord. This nervous system keeps your brain and spinal cord connected with the rest of your body. Generally speaking, your peripheral nervous system has two primary jobs. It carries sensory and motor information...

Have you been told that a spinal injection could help ease your neck or back pain? While this treatment can provide relief for a variety of conditions, there are several types of injections. At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, also serving the surrounding areas of Aloha, Hillsboro, Beaverton,...

Car accidents are a common problem, especially those resulting in injury. In 2019 alone, 4.5 million Americans required medical care for injuries sustained in motor-vehicle crashes. And, unfortunately, even minor fender benders can lead to physical damage. That’s because they can cause your body to move in sudden, snapping, or...

If you have chronic pain, you know firsthand that it can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being. Fortunately, innovative pain management solutions, such as spinal cord stimulation, can offer relief, even if you haven’t found effective therapies in the past. Vladimir Fiks, MD, brings the latest and...

As pain management specialists, we know firsthand that pain can derail your life, especially if it involves your joints or back. But we also have good news for you: There are solutions. At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, Vladimir Fiks, MD, knows firsthand that effectively treating pain involves...

The brain and spinal cord get a lot of attention for good reason. As the central nervous system, they’re at the very heart of how our bodies work. However, the peripheral nerves, which are outside of the central nervous system, play an equally important role.  The peripheral nerves connect your...

The bones that form your spine are known as vertebrae. Together, they support your weight, allow you to move your back, and protect your spinal cord and the nerves that branch out to the rest of your body.  Unfortunately, if you develop a compression fracture in one of these bones,...

Nothing can derail your life faster than pain. Whether you have an acute injury, such as a muscle strain, or live with a chronic joint condition, such as osteoarthritis, pain can interfere with every aspect of your daily life. In the past, you had to turn to risky medications to...

Your spine contains a stack of bones known as vertebrae. They give your upper body support, stability, and flexibility. Each vertebra also has a small opening. This network of spaces in your spinal column forms a protective channel that contains the delicate nerves that make up your spinal cord. In...

You have one sacroiliac (SI) joint on each side of your pelvis. They’re located where your sacrum — the large triangular bone at the base of your spine — connects to your hip bone (the ilium). These joints get held in place by a taut band of ligaments.  Unlike your...

The human body has two primary parts to its nervous system: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Your central nervous system contains your brain and spinal cord. Your peripheral nervous system contains all of the nerves that lie outside of your central nervous system. Together, your nervous...

Treating symptomatic spinal stenosis with a MILD procedure.  Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal. It can occur at any place in the spine, but is most common in the lower lumbar region and is called lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The spinal canal houses the spinal cord in your back. When stenosis occurs, it can cause pressure...

Spinal injections can be used to treat and diagnose numerous conditions. Vladimir Fiks, MD, of Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, is an expert at using spinal injections to help his patients manage painful ailments. In this blog, he discusses six spinal injections he uses for certain conditions. 1....

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Chronic and Postoperative Knee Pain  Knee pain is one of the most common types of pain that affects people of all ages. Some of the most common causes of knee pain occur from injury to the cartilage or ligaments, arthritis and fractures. Another common occurrence of knee pain is...

Nerve stimulation therapy isn’t new. In fact, doctors have recommended this proven approach for more than 40 years. But what is it, and could it be right for you? At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, Vladimir Fiks, MD, offers two types of nerve stimulation therapy: Peripheral nerve stimulation...

Most of us can expect to experience back pain at some point in life. However, even though it’s a common problem, its intensity and cause can vary significantly from person to person. At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, Vladimir Fiks, MD, specializes in treating all sorts of spinal...

Do you suffer from persistent shoulder pain following a surgery?   Shoulder pain is one of the most common types of pain that may affect a person. In fact, the shoulder is responsible for almost half of all joint dislocations in the US and among those, the axillary nerve is...

Many people assume that surgery is the only option for chronic back pain. However, this isn’t true. Spinal injections and regenerative medicine therapies have proven very effective at treating chronic back pain. As an interventional pain management specialist, Vladimir Fiks, MD, brings an integrative approach to his patients in Portland,...

If you’ve ever experienced shingles, you know of the burning pain that is associated with the rash. In most cases, pain persists until the rash has cleared up. About 20% of all people who get shingles will experience postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). At Advanced Pain Management Center, Dr. Fiks utilizes a...

If you struggle with chronic back or nerve pain, you know it can impact every aspect of your life. Unfortunately, many causes of nerve pain can be difficult to treat. As an experienced interventional pain management physician, Vladimir Fiks, MD, employs cutting edge technology at Advanced Pain Management Center in...

Treating Herniated Nucleus Pulposus with Epidural Steroid Injections Intervertebral discs are cushions between each pair of vertebrae in your spine that provide shock absorption. The outer ring of the disc is made up of strong fibers known as the annular fibers or simply annulus. The middle of the intervertebral disc...

Phantom limb pain is a condition in which pain is felt in a limb that is no longer there. Phantom limb pain affects 50-80% of all amputees. Phantom limb pain is described as neuropathic pain (caused by nerve damage), and for some it may be difficult to distinguish between pain...

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries associated with a motor vehicle collision. It typically occurs when the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop, causing the neck to “whip” back and forth rapidly, resulting in injuries to the muscles and tendons of the neck. Although whiplash is a relatively...

It is estimated that 23% of all adults in the United States have arthritis, making it a leading cause of work disability. Arthritis often occurs with age due to wear and tear of joints. As cartilage deteriorates, the cushion and protection of your joints decreases causing inflammation due to the...

Anyone with arthritis knows firsthand how stiff and painful joints can interfere with the ability to perform even the smallest tasks. Arthritis is caused when cartilage — which is a tough, flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones — wears aways. Normally, cartilage cushions joints and allows for smooth...

Peripheral vascular Disease (PVD) is characterized by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) of the arteries of the lower limbs. PVD affects about 10-15% of the entire U.S. population. Common risk factors include: Smoking diabetes, hypertension previous cardiac and cerebrovascular disease.  A common early symptom is intermittent claudication, which typically presents as pain...

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or Reflex Sympathetic Disorder (RSD) is a chronic pain condition that typically affects the arms, legs or feet. It may happen after an injury to a nerve or tissue. This condition causes high numbers of electrical nerve impulses to travel to the affected site. Studies...

For many people, the idea of a laser summons the idea of something suited for outer space. However, lasers are providing breakthroughs in the field of medicine. The word “laser” stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” Fortunately, you can think of lasers in far more general terms...

You probably don’t spend much time thinking about your sacroiliac (SI) joints. However, these joints have an important job. They connect the lowest part of your spine, or sacrum, to your pelvis. And, like other joints in your body, you can develop significant pain in this area from inflammation or...

Causes and Symptoms of Whiplash Injury Whiplash injury is very common in motor vehicle accidents especially with rear-end collisions but may be present in other types of accidents as well. Front end impact of the vehicle or a fall also may be a culprit. Other causes are a sequela of...

Vertebral compression fractures are the most common complication of osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) and can be a significant health issue leading to a lot of pain, disability and potentially serious complications. A fall, cough, or lifting of a heavy object may cause a fracture of the back bones. This...

Even though MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) is considered a “gold standard” in evaluating spinal problems it is not perfect. The difficulty with the results of an MRI scan, as with many other diagnostic studies, is that the "abnormality" that shows up on the MRI scan may not actually be the cause...

Few musculoskeletal conditions can hijack your life the way lower back pain can, as pain and limited mobility effectively sideline you. And when it comes to progressive conditions like spinal stenosis, the problem only gets worse as time goes on, leaving you casting about for solutions that will get you...

Distinguishing between neuropathic and nociceptive pain When determining an effective treatment option, it is important to work with your doctor in ascertaining the correct pain diagnosis. Treatment options differ vastly between nociceptive and neuropathic pain. The most common type of pain that people experience is nociceptive pain. The human body...

The rationale behind diagnosing and treating allergies in the setting of chronic pain. When your immune system overreacts to an allergen, you will likely experience allergy symptoms. Most people either have or know someone who experiences seasonal allergies such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose or itchy eyes at certain times...

As interventional and pain medicine specialists, we are always interested in ways to reduce oral narcotics. We recently started utilizing topical (applied to the skin) compounded pain creams for post-procedure, injection site pain and found that many of our patients found this approach to be very effective for their baseline...

Who takes care of the caregiver? In today’s world, learning to juggle work, family social activities and taking care of ourselves has become a crucial skill for everyone.  This may be especially true for those of us who interact with others who are in chronic pain or are ourselves in...

Incorporating physical therapy with injections After sustaining an injury, it is common to be referred to physical therapy to assist you in regaining proper mobility and to reduce your pain. Depending on the severity of the injury, physical therapy can yield beneficial results in a short time. In some cases,...

I’m not trying to suggest that you actually sleep through the holidays but rather that you learn ways which may help you to get a great night’s rest during the holidays.  As we all know, this time of year brings plenty of cheer, social interaction and let’s face it, stress, and...

At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, OR, our team of pain specialists, led by Dr. Vladimir Fiks, is committed to providing patients with ongoing relief. Spinal cord stimulators can be an excellent choice. Unlike drugs that merely mask the problem, they don’t carry harsh side effects. Nor are they...