In this episode of Chronic Pain Tips for Patients, Dr. Yuri Martins discusses superior cluneal neuralgia, an often-overlooked cause of chronic low back and upper buttock pain. This small sensory nerve problem can sometimes mimic sciatica, sacroiliac joint pain, or arthritis in the spine, which is why the diagnosis may be missed.

Dr. Martins explains where the superior cluneal nerves are located, how they can become irritated or trapped near the iliac crest, what symptoms patients may notice, and why imaging studies do not always reveal the true source of pain. He also reviews how this condition is diagnosed, including the role of a focused physical examination and diagnostic nerve block.

The episode also covers treatment options such as superior cluneal nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and, in selected cases, surgical decompression. Dr. Martins discusses the potential risks of these procedures and why identifying the correct pain generator is essential for creating a more precise treatment plan.

If you have chronic low back or upper buttock pain that has not improved with standard treatments, this episode may help you understand whether superior cluneal neuralgia is worth discussing with your pain physician.

To learn more about chronic pain conditions and available treatment options, visit www.ycmartins.com or call Dr. Martins’ clinic to schedule an evaluation.

In this episode of Chronic Pain Tips for Patients, Dr. Yuri Martins discusses whether sauna, hot baths, infrared heat, and other hyperthermia therapies can help chronic pain. He explains the difference between traditional sauna, infrared sauna, warm-water therapy, balneotherapy, whole-body hyperthermia, and localized heat treatments. The episode reviews where the evidence is strongest, including fibromyalgia and knee osteoarthritis, where the benefits are more modest, such as chronic low back pain, and why patients with neuropathy or reduced sensation should be cautious. Dr. Martins also discusses practical safety tips, realistic expectations, and why heat therapy should be viewed as an adjunct to a broader pain management plan rather than a stand-alone cure.

For more chronic pain education and tips, visit www.ycmartins.com or contact my clinic to schedule an evaluation.

In this episode of Chronic Pain Tips for Patients, Dr. Yuri Martins explains facet joint pain, a common but often misunderstood cause of chronic neck and low back pain. You will learn what facet joints are, how they can cause pain, why MRI findings alone may not identify the true pain source, and how medial branch blocks are used to help diagnose facet-related pain.

Dr. Martins also explains radiofrequency ablation, or RFA, including how the procedure is performed, why sensory and motor testing may be used, what patients may feel afterward, and what risks and complications should be considered. This episode is designed to help patients better understand the step-by-step process of medial branch blocks followed by RFA and why careful patient selection is so important.

To learn more about chronic pain conditions and treatment options, visit www.ycmartins.com.

In this episode of Chronic Pain Tips for Patients, Dr. Yuri Martins discusses marijuana, CBD, THC, and other cannabis-related products for chronic pain. Many patients are curious about cannabis or are already using it, but the science is more nuanced than the marketing. Cannabis may help some patients with chronic pain, particularly certain types of nerve pain, but the expected benefit is usually modest, and the risks should not be ignored.

Dr. Martins explains the difference between THC and CBD, why CBD-only products have weaker evidence for chronic pain, why THC-containing products may carry more risks, and why cannabis should not replace a careful diagnosis or a complete pain treatment plan. He also discusses why product quality and consistency matter, since cannabis products are not regulated like prescription medications.

If you are considering cannabis or CBD for chronic pain, this episode will help you understand the questions you should ask before trying it.

To learn more about chronic pain conditions and treatment options, visit www.ycmartins.com. Please also leave a comment with your thoughts, questions, or topics you would like us to discuss in future episodes.

Pain that travels from the neck into the arm, or from the low back into the leg, may be a sign of irritation or inflammation around a spinal nerve. In this episode of Chronic Pain Tips for Patients, Dr. Yuri C. Martins explains interlaminar epidural steroid injections, a common procedure used to treat selected patients with radicular pain, also called sciatica.

This episode explains what the epidural space is, what “interlaminar” means, how cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and caudal epidural injections differ, and why imaging guidance is used during the procedure. Dr. Martins also discusses what patients can realistically expect from an epidural steroid injection, including why the goal is not to “fix” a disc herniation, but to reduce inflammation around irritated nerves and improve function.

The episode also reviews important risks and complications, including temporary pain increase, headache, dural puncture, bleeding, infection, nerve injury, steroid-related risks, contrast reactions, and radiation exposure. Special attention is given to why patients must tell their pain doctor about blood thinners, diabetes, infections, allergies, pregnancy, prior spine surgery, and previous reactions to injections.

This episode is designed to help chronic pain patients understand the procedure, ask better questions, and feel more prepared before discussing epidural steroid injections with their healthcare team.

To learn more about Dr. Yuri C. Martins, visit:
https://www.ycmartins.com/

Trigger point injections are commonly used to treat myofascial pain, a type of muscle pain that can feel like deep aching, tightness, or painful “knots” in the neck, back, shoulders, hips, or other areas.

In this episode of Chronic Pain Tips for Patients, Dr. Yuri C. Martins explains what trigger points are, how trigger point injections work, and why the procedure may help some patients move better, participate in physical therapy, and break the cycle of pain and muscle tension.

The episode also reviews what patients should know before having trigger point injections, including the potential benefits, common side effects, rare but serious risks, and why the medication injected may not always be the most important part of the procedure. You will also learn why accurate needle placement, patient selection, and a broader treatment plan matter.

This episode is designed to help chronic pain patients feel more informed, more confident, and better prepared to discuss trigger point injections with their healthcare team.

To learn more about Dr. Yuri C. Martins, visit:
https://www.ycmartins.com/

Chronic pain can feel confusing, exhausting, and lonely, especially when no one has explained what is happening in a way that truly makes sense.

In this trailer episode of Chronic Pain Management, Dr. Yuri C. Martins introduces the purpose of the podcast: helping chronic pain patients better understand their pain, learn how physicians evaluate and treat pain conditions, and feel more confident making informed decisions about their care.

This show is for anyone living with chronic pain who is tired of feeling lost in their own body and wants clear, practical, compassionate education from a board-certified chronic pain management physician.

Future episodes will explore topics such as back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, arthritis, sciatica, pain procedures, medications, physical therapy, sleep, stress, and how patients can better advocate for themselves.

To learn more about Dr. Yuri C. Martins, visit:
https://www.ycmartins.com/