Paul Christo MD

Electrical stimulation can reduce pain in the form of spinal cord stimulator devices and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy. Today, we’ll learn about Calmare, a new device for relieving chronic pain from Cynthia Chauhan, retired clinical social worker and cancer research advocate, and Dr. Michael Cooney. https://paulchristomd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/13.5-Aches-And-Ga...

Most of us have heard of this ancient Chinese traditional medical treatment. Today, it’s used more and more to treat pain. We’ll hear how successful acupuncture has been for Jamie Shimmel’s fibromyalgia and plantar fasciits. Then, a leading specialist in this field, Dr. Robert Bonakdar from the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine surprises us with […]

Many of us have heard people say that passing a kidney stone is the most painful experience ever. What if it happens to you, and how can you prevent it from happening? Ty Ford, audio engineer and co-producer of Aches and Gains, will revisit his experience with passing a kidney stone and how he got […]

When walking, standing, balancing, even jumping for joy, becomes too painful to even think about, we need answers, treatment, and some sweet relief. We seek out a podiatrist and Dr. Elliott Udell is one of the best.  In fact, he’s the past president of the American Society of Podiatric Medicine.  Over the last 30 years, […]

Musculoskeletal pain is among the most common reasons for seeing a doctor and affects about 30% of adults. Treating this type of pain can be tough, but our first guest, Pete Egoscue has developed a unique exercise therapy program that focuses on posture realignment.  Pete has been an anatomical physiologist since 1978 and been a […]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects over 2 million people and is one of the most costly diseases to our nation’s health care system. Amye Leong, president and CEO of Healthy Motivation was just 18 years old when she was diagnosed with RA and became wheelchair bound within six years while now running her own consulting firm. […]

In part two of our show, Mike Hill (director, writer, and producer) shares some powerful, behind the scenes moments that he experienced while filming the compelling documentary, “Life Before Death”.  Dr. Kathleen Foley then gives us the hope we need to ease our fear of dying a painful death. https://paulchristomd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Aches-And-Gains-028-Will-We-Die-In-Pain-II.mp3

“Life Before Death” is a moving, award winning documentary film that features the worldwide battle by physicians and nurses to stop the epidemic of pain that threatens to condemn one in every ten of us to die a painful death. Through the eyes of patients and their families, we experience very personally the agony of […]

It’s estimated that over 12 million Americans have cancer. Sadly, severe and chronic pain occurs in over 30% of patients undergoing therapy and in almost 70% of patients with advanced disease. Nancy Amato, who is actively battling pancreatic cancer, shares an intimate portrait of her experience while Dr. Oscar De Leon of the Roswell Park […]

Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. It’s one of the oldest documented medicines in history, and there are many therapeutic uses: it manages pain, including the pain of childbirth, relieves spasticity (from multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury), reduces nausea, stimulates appetite and can control glaucoma. On the other […]

Have you thought about using Feverfew, Cat’s Claw, or Ginger to ease your pain? The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4 billion people or 80% of the world population use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care. Dr. Chad Wilde, a pain specialist and herbalist will give us his recommendations on effective […]

There are several facial pain syndromes, but Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) may be the worst. Sudden, stabbing, electrical sensations radiating from the ear down the face are typical leading some to call this syndrome the “suicide disease” because the pain can be so excruciating.  We’ll get a firsthand account of living with and overcoming TN from […]

Imagine how you would feel if you experienced pain while chewing, swallowing, speaking or even yawing? Or, consider living with such limited jaw movement that you couldn’t insert a spoon or fork into your mouth.  Many suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) endure these symptoms every day. According to the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, […]

Arthritis causes joint inflammation and pain. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common disabling diseases in developed countries. Over the age of 60, about 10% of men and 18% of women have symptoms. Despite appropriate treatment, many people continue to experience pain that interferes with both their physical function, and psychological well-being. Lois Pike, […]

Are you afraid of developing pain as you get older? Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the world’s population, and pain is the most common reason they seek medical care. Fortunately, chronic pain is not an inevitable part of aging. Today’s show features  a story of success from Manny Bellmore, an active 76 […]

Electrical stimulation for the treatment of pain has been around for thousands of years. Learn about neurostimulation, a technique that uses electric impulses to relieve chronic pain. You’ll hear a riveting story from Adam Hammond, a former member of the US Army Golden Nights Parachute Team, as he describes how a nerve stimulator restored his life […]

Everyday things like sitting or exercising can be virtually impossible if you are suffering from pudendal neuralgia, commonly called cyclist’s syndrome, which affects the pelvic floor. Patients feel stabbing, stinging, or burning sensations around the anal, scrotal, or labial regions of the body. Leslie describes how normal childbirth led to a feeling of having a “lit […]

Three year old triathletes?  Elite sports and early specialization for seven year olds? Are we harming our kids with our obsession with youth sports, and putting them at risk for a lifetime of pain? To answer these questions, join Mark Hyman, author of Until it Hurts: America’s Obsession with Youth Sports and How It Harms […]

Shoulder pain is so common that it affects up to 66% of the population at some point in life. Conditions like impingement, tendinitis and rotator cuff tears are the most common. Johns Hopkins orthopedist and shoulder expert Dr. Ed McFarland discusses what we need to know about the causes and treatments of shoulder pain. Former […]

If all efforts to relieve your pain fail or if the pain of cancer plagues you, an implantable pain pump may be the answer.  This device delivers tiny, controlled doses of pain medicine directly to the spinal cord. We are joined by Ami McCarty, who will describe what a difference her pain pump has made […]

Many mind-body therapies help us cope with life events and optimize personal health. A specific mind-body therapy called Chakra Balancing is rooted in the tantric and yoga traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.  We will explore this rich and complex system of energy healing with both of our guests. Jennifer Becker describes how well chakra balancing […]

It was commonly thought that the nervous system of newborn babies wasn’t developed enough at birth to experience pain.  Even though medical thinking has changed, it’s frightening to realize that under treating or simply not treating pain in sick babies may lead to a life of pain. Pam McFadyen shares an intimate portrait of having […]

Many know that President John F. Kennedy suffered from low back pain. But, Kennedy’s medical history was far more serious and complex.  In fact, his health was a closely guarded secret. It wasn’t until the release of his medical records in 2002 that the public became aware of his lifelong struggle with pain. In the […]

Many know that President John F. Kennedy suffered from low back pain. But, Kennedy’s medical history was far more serious and complex.  In fact, his health was a closely guarded secret. It wasn’t until the release of his medical records in 2002 that the public became aware of his lifelong struggle with pain. The first […]

Electrical stimulation of areas deep inside the brain is used to treat severe tremors and movement disorders caused by conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Our guests Thomas Ashley shares a true story of triumph over “firelike” pain and neurosurgeon Dr. Andre Machado, the Cleveland Clinic, explores this fascinating therapy of accessing our inner brain for pain […]