Blog Archive

When you have joint pain, you can’t think about anything else. Have your aches, stiffness, and physical limitations become the center of your life? You’re not alone, but there’s comfort in numbers because the more people spread information and research, the closer you are to lasting relief. May is Arthritis...

In the jarring aftermath of an automobile collision, you feel both instant relief and impending dread. You dust off particles of glass, collect your shaken consciousness, and experience the pain-relieving surge of adrenaline.  You do a quick self-assessment and breathe a sigh of relief when you realize you’re okay. But...

When you wake up, you want to feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever’s on your to-do list. So, if the first thing you notice is a stiff neck, you know it will be a challenging day. Dr. Dinash Yanamadula at Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Lawrenceville and Edgewater,...

Most people think a headache is a headache, but there are more than 150 distinct headache types, and they all require a different treatment approach.  One thing they all have in common is that they cause pain, and when it comes to pain, Dr. Dinash Yanamadula is the go-to expert...

Herniated discs, bone spurs, tumors, poor posture, obesity, and even an awkward sitting position can put pressure on your sciatic nerve and cause sciatica.  You might feel tingling, numbness, or outright pain anywhere along the nerve’s path, which begins in your lower back and travels through your bottom and down...

Arthritis is a household term most people know, but until it affected you, you may not have bothered to look into it. Now that your joints are feeling the effects, you want to know all you can about why you got it, how to slow down its progression, and most...

If you’re one of the 250,000-500,000 Americans with a narrowing spinal canal — spinal stenosis — you know the pain and limitations it brings. Pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling often accompany spinal stenosis, and the symptoms travel from the narrowed place in your spine to the corresponding limbs.  For example,...

With more than 150 different types of headaches, identifying the type you have is the first step in finding relief.  Some headaches are primary headaches, meaning they don’t stem from some other condition. Others are considered secondary headaches because they are symptoms of medical issues, such as sinus infections, dehydration,...

Did you have chickenpox as a child? If so, the virus that caused it is still in your body. Although dormant and not actively causing problems, it can wake any time and trigger shingles, a painful rash that could have lasting complications. We specialize in reducing pain from all sources, including...

After sitting at your desk for hours, you slowly stand and reach for the sky or bend to touch your toes. You know it helps you feel better, but do you know why? Dr. Dinash Yanamadula and Dr. Christine Savela do, and they’re here to explain the biology behind stretching. At Princeton...

Sciatica is the common name for radiculopathy, the medical term for that pins-and-needles sensation that runs down your leg, the weakness in your hip and limb, and the sometimes-shocking electric jolt of pain that can stop you in your tracks.  It means that something has compressed or damaged a nerve...

Your lower back pain isn’t surprising — in fact, you kind of expected it. And why shouldn’t you? The statistics seem to indicate that back pain is inevitable. 65 million American adults have or have had back pain 16 million suffer from chronic back pain Back pain is to blame for...

Your joints have multiple moving parts, are constantly active, and withstand considerable weight and pressure, so they’re naturally susceptible to occasional aches and pains from overuse, injury, and inflammation. But arthritis is different. Arthritis is an incurable, chronic, progressive disease that degrades and stiffens your joints, causing pain and reduced mobility. That’s...

Many chronic headache sufferers and their doctors find it difficult to pinpoint the cause of their pain. If you’re one of them, it might interest you to know that your diet may be the culprit. From certain food triggers to the nutrients your body needs for optimal brain functioning, diet can significantly...

Scientists, researchers, and physicians have suspected a link between shingles and stroke for some time, but ongoing studies had yet to deliver definitive proof — until now.  In November 2022, the Journal of the American Heart Association published a study on “Herpes Zoster and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.” The...

Herniated discs are common back injuries, especially among middle-aged and elderly folks, though they can happen to anyone. Trauma, tissue degeneration, or stress and strain can damage the cushiony discs between your bony vertebrae and cause significant pain. If you’ve experienced a herniated disc, you want relief as quickly as...

Few types of pain compare to migraine pain. It seems to come out of nowhere and zaps you for hours or days.  As a board-certified pain specialist, Dr. Dinash Yanamadula at Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Edgewater and Lawrenceville, New Jersey, diagnoses and treats migraine disease often. Whether occasional...

Freelancers have worked from home for years, but the rest of us experienced it for the first time during the pandemic. What was born out of necessity looks like it’s here to stay. A national survey shows that almost 98% of folks who worked remotely during the lockdowns would like...

A joint is a point where bones come together, held in place and supported by soft tissues including ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Whether due to aging or injury, joints can become damaged, leaving you with pain and stiffness that make it difficult to get through your day. If your joints ache all...

Your sciatic nerve runs from the small of your back through your bottom and down each leg. It starts at your coccyx and exits this small bone through a narrow opening called a foramen. An injury or illness that narrows the foramen can irritate the sciatic nerve and cause pain,...

Dr. Dinash Yanamadula, our board-certified pain management specialist at Princeton Pain & Spine Institute, offers epidural steroid injections for certain painful back conditions, such as low back pain caused by herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and spinal stenosis.  Here, he discusses how epidural steroid injections work and how safe and effective they are....

Most people are familiar with the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool that allows doctors to get a better look at the growth, development, and movement of unborn babies, as well as the working of organs, such as the bladder, kidneys, and heart. But it may surprise you to...

The old adage is true: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And if you suffer from frequent headaches or migraine attacks, you know this firsthand.  Dr. Dinash Yanamadula, our board-certified pain management specialist at Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Lawrenceville and Edgewater, New Jersey, offers...

If you’ve ever had chickenpox — like 99% of people born before 1980 — the virus (varicella zoster) that caused it still lives in your body. It lies dormant for many years, suppressed by your immune system until something awakens it, such as a weakened immune system, stress, allergies, or...

Daily life comes with its ups and downs, and some days are more stressful than others. In short bursts, stress can kick you into high gear to meet a deadline, jump out of the way of an oncoming car, or muster the courage to stand your ground in an argument....

Achy joints can stem from a long list of potential causes, including, but not limited to: Infection Injury Arthritis Inflammation Fibromyalgia Sprains Tendonitis Bursitis Osteoporosis These are just a few of the many conditions that can affect your joints, so how do you know which treatment is best? It all...

Back pain is one of the most pervasive health problems in the United States. Almost 65 million Americans experience back pain at some point, and 16 million of them suffer with it chronically.  Dr. Dinash Yanamadula at Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Lawrenceville and Edgewater, New Jersey, specializes in...

The “no pain, no gain” adage makes a lot of sense in certain circumstances. For example, if you’re trying to increase muscle mass, you need to tear down muscle fibers so new tissue can repair the damage and build on the foundation. The same holds true for mental activity —...

Neck pain is pretty common — it affects up to 75% of people worldwide. The cause can be as simple as sleeping on an unsupportive pillow or as serious as cancer. Our specialists, led by Dinash Yanamadula, MD, at Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Lawrenceville and Edgewater, New Jersey,...

Your bones are porous inside and resemble a sponge with countless tiny holes and spaces. Strong, healthy bones have small, tightly knit spaces, but a disease called osteoporosis changes that, widening the holes and weakening the bones.  But, does that process cause joint pain, too? That’s a question Dinash Yanamadula,...

Your spine is a complex network of bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves, and there’s not a lot of extra room in the tight space of your spinal column. So, if you experience inflammation in the area, or if your discs or vertebrae move out of position, or if any tissues...

More than 39 million Americans suffer from migraines. They all experience symptoms differently, but they all have the same question: What causes this neurological disease? Here, Dinash Yanamadula, MD, at Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, unpacks the details about migraines to give you a better perspective...

The varicella zoster is a two-for-one virus that can cause both chickenpox and shingles. Fortunately, there are vaccines for both conditions to help you avoid the fever, rash, and pain that typically accompany the infections. At Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Dinash Yanamadula, MD, and our...

Like the local joint down the street where folks get together to socialize, the joints in your body are the places where your bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles meet and mingle. Under healthy circumstances, they all get along. But, if one or more of them are impaired, there can be...

If you’re recovering from an injury or dealing with a chronic pain condition, one of the first things to decline is mobility. Mobility challenges can range in severity. You may have trouble gripping a jar lid, pulling a sweater over your head, or getting out of a chair for example. ...

The more you use things, the faster they wear out. It’s true of everything, from cars, toys, and electronics to your body parts, including your joints. As the cartilage wears down in the knees, hips, and hands, osteoarthritis sets in and pain and stiffness become a way of life. And,...

The most basic human activities, such as walking and standing, require steady balance. Yet, most people don’t intentionally choose exercises to improve this essential function. Fortunately, many workout routines that are designed to increase your cardiovascular capacity, muscle strength, and range of motion can also benefit your balance at the...

We’ve seen the decline of so many normal activities since the COVID-19 pandemic hit: eating out, having parties, celebrating weddings, even basic physical human contact. But one thing has increased dramatically — screen time.  Between computers, tablets, smartphones, and television, studies show that the amount of time people spend looking...

A strong body is a healthy body, and to get that, you need to intentionally incorporate exercise into your daily routine. If your job requires physical labor, you’re ahead of the game, but if you sit at a desk all day, you need to add exercise to your to-do list...

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 5% of all adults suffer from a headache every day, and nearly every single person has one occasionally. They’re so common, in fact, that you may be tempted to just dismiss them as an unfortunate fact of life.  But all headaches mean...

Your spinal column is very complex. It contains 33 vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another. Between your vertebrae are gel-filled discs. And all of this is held together by muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which allow you to bend, flex, extend, and twist. Meanwhile, there are countless sensitive...

Ever since you had chickenpox as a kid, the virus that caused it — called varicella zoster — has been hiding inside your body like a sleeping giant. As long as nothing wakes it up, you have nothing to worry about.  In fact, the virus may lie dormant for years...

Your sciatic nerve — which is the longest nerve in your body — starts in the small of your back and travels through your buttocks and down each leg to the feet. If this nerve gets irritated or damaged, it can result in a condition called sciatica. Sciatica can cause...

Every day, about 25,000 Americans sprain their ankle, usually while participating in sports. But it can just as easily happen while you’re mowing the lawn or walking down a flight of stairs. A twist or turn inward or outward can stretch or tear the ligaments that support your bones and...

You likely know a few common sense things that can negatively impact your overall health. Not staying hydrated, not getting enough sleep, and not consuming enough vitamins and minerals, for example, is a recipe for a sluggish immune system. But, there are some things that could be exacerbating your back...

If you think physical therapy is just for rehabilitation, think again. Although physical therapy is great at helping people recover from injury, it can do much more than just help you get back in the game. It can help keep you from getting injured in the first place.  Physical therapists...

Generally speaking, all headaches involve pain in the head. But exactly where you feel it, how intense it is, how long it lasts, how often you experience it, and what makes it feel better are all important factors in determining the kinds of headaches you may be experiencing. The more...

Your neck allows you to hold up your 10-pound head, check for oncoming traffic, and bend down to check your texts, multitasking all day long. To do that, it relies on a complex system of muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Although your neck is amazingly capable and resilient, it...

If you’ve ever seen the backside of a switchboard or the tangled cables of a network server, you have an idea of what the nerves look like as they snake in and out of your spinal column. The nerves are delicate, highly sensitive, and extremely numerous, so there’s not much...

Much of your body weight rests on your joints, which are meeting places for bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. If too much weight is constantly bearing down on your joints, they can begin to wear down.  Dinash Yanamadula, MD, at Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, sees...

Dealing with chronic headaches is tough enough, but if they’re linked to a back problem, that’s double-trouble. The two conditions are so common that they rank in the top five causes for disability worldwide. If you have both at the same time, you may be receiving treatment for two different...

Despite its silly name, chickenpox is a serious disease. Caused by the varicella zoster virus, the infection can produce hundreds of blisters all over your body that itch with annoying persistence. It’s highly contagious and was very prevalent in the United States for many years.  The Centers for Disease Control...

People who visit emergency rooms immediately after a car accident come in with a wide variety of injuries. Some of the most common include whiplash, concussion, and damage to the spinal cord.  Even if you’re feeling fine after any kind of accident, though, always err on the side of caution...

Body aches and pains are a natural part of growing older. But back pain doesn’t have to keep you from living life to its fullest. At Princeton Pain and Spine Institute, Dr.  Dinash Yanamadula offers a wide range of medical services that ensure patients can safeguard their health and live...

Pain and injury can really take a toll on your quality of life. Many people with pain and injuries think their only choices for treating them are taking pills or suffering. Fortunately, there are other options that can really make a difference in relieving pain and helping your body to...

When the nerve in your lower back called the sciatic nerve is compressed or damaged, it sends pain through your buttocks and down your leg. It’s usually the result of a herniated disc or bone spur in your spine, or spinal stenosis, a condition that causes your spinal column to...

Have you ever calculated the amount of time you spend looking at screens every day? A recent Forbes article revealed that the average American spends up to 12 hours a day in front of their TVs, computers, and smart device. If you spend your day at work using screens, that figure...

Did you have chickenpox as a kid? Are you experiencing similar symptoms as an adult? Unfortunately, shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, which never leaves the body. Even decades after your chickenpox disappeared, the virus lies dormant in nerves near the spinal cord and brain. Doctors aren’t...

The nerves in your body have a complex job to do. They send sensory information to the brain and maintain two-way communication. Sometimes the nerves in certain areas can become irritated and send constant pain signals to the brain. When this happens, Dr. Yanamadula can deliver a steroid injection to...

Headaches happen to everyone. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the average headache, which might come from lack of sleep, tight headwear, or even an outdated glasses prescription. While headaches are normal, chronic headaches are not. If you experience headaches more than 15 days per month, you know how disrupting...

Are you experiencing stiffness and pain in your back, neck, or shoulders? It may be a result of bad posture. According to the Cleveland Clinic, your head weighs around 10 pounds when it’s in line with your shoulders. If your tilt your head forward by an inch, it can double...

Low Back Pain Low back pain can interfere with your everyday life, making even routine tasks difficult and painful. The right treatment can improve your lower back pain and help you to return to the activities you enjoy. In many cases, low back pain can be successfully treated with nonsurgical...