Chronic Pain Chronicles with Dr Karmy

There was a time in Ontario when chronic pain patients who didn’t respond to physiotherapy or surgery were often given only basic advice to exercise or referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist to ensure they weren’t suffering from depression. But then, Dr. Peter Rothbart changed everything by founding the first community-based chronic pain clinic in the province. In this episode, I interview Dr....

In this episode, Dr. Karmy dives into the facts and misconceptions surrounding cortisone injections. Often misunderstood, these powerful anti-inflammatory treatments can offer significant relief for joint pain, tendon issues, and nerve inflammation.  Join Dr Karmy as he explores when cortisone is most effective, its potential risks, and why it may not be the silver bullet for chronic pain that man...

Botox is best known as a cosmetic treatment, however in addition to cosmetic uses it has a wide range of medical applications. In this episode, Dr Karmy explores the role of Botox therapeutic injections in managing chronic migraines—a condition that impacts millions worldwide and is often resistant to traditional medications.  Join Dr. Karmy as he breaks down the science behind Botox for migraine...

In this episode, Dr Karmy explores the world of radiofrequency ablation—a novel, OHIP-covered treatment for chronic back pain. He goes over the differences between radiofrequency ablation, pulsed radiofrequency, and cooled radiofrequency ablation, uncovering how each technique works and when they should be considered viable treatment options.   Join Dr Karmy as he breaks down these advanced proced...

In this episode, Dr Karmy is joined by Dr. James Henry, a pioneering expert in the field, where they dive deep into the neurobiology of pain.  Trained at McGill University and with a distinguished career spanning Western University and McMaster's Michael De Groote Pain Center, Dr. Henry brings a wealth of knowledge on the role of neuropeptides in chronic pain.  Join in on their conversation,...

In this episode, Dr Karmy will take an in-depth look at the newest treatment for osteoarthritis—the nSTRIDE Autologous Protein Solution (APS) kit. Like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), this treatment is made from the patient's own blood.  How does it compare to PRP?  Is it worth trying? Dr. Karmy will not only explain the science behind nSTRIDE from existing clinical literature but also share insi...

An in-depth discussion of the most popular regenerative medicine approaches to chronic pain management in Ontario. Approaches discussed include Prolotherapy, Prolozone, nSTRIDE, PRP, and autologous stem cell injections. The pros and cons of each approach is discussed to help you decide whether or not you want to dip your toes into one of these approaches. Tune in to learn about which regenerative...

Nerve blocks are the most common procedure performed for chronic pain management in Ontario. Over 55,000 patients receive this treatment every year. Yet despite the widespread use of this procedure, there is some controversy about this approach.  Nerve blocks happen to be one of the first procedures Dr. Grigory Karmy learned to perform. In this episode,  Dr. Karmy will share what he has learned af...

Dr. Grigory Karmy offers a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic potential of ketamine and lidocaine infusions in managing various medical conditions, from chronic pain to treatment-resistant depression. He elucidates how these infusions work, their mechanisms of action, and the scientific evidence supporting their use. Tune in to learn about ketamine and lidocaine infusions in chronic pain ma...

This episode explores the current approach to opioids in Ontario from the perspective of a clinician with over 20 years of experience in chronic pain management. The segment takes a close look at how the approach to opioids has evolved over the past two decades.  Despite their longstanding presence in pain management, opioids remain shrouded in confusion and misconceptions. Through expert analysis...