Patient Education

Carol Lee Porter would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Carol Lee Porter provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis, commonly referred to as frozen shoulder, is a common condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. This condition is the result of a tightening or thickening of the capsule of connective tissue that protects the structures of the shoulder. Although the exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, it often occurs after a shoulder injury or shoulder surgery, or as a complication of diabetes. Symptoms of frozen shoulder tend to worsen over time, however, even without treatment, symptoms may resolve on their own in about two years time. ...

Back Pain Prevention

At some point in their lives, the great majority of adults will suffer from significant low back pain, usually from an injury at work, at home or at play. Orthopedists, chiropractors, physical therapists, coaches and trainers all have helpful advice regarding back pain prevention. By following their directives, people can minimize the possibility of back injury, and keep themselves healthier in the process. ...

Chronic Pain Syndrome

Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a complex condition, the causes of which are not fully understood. Unlike acute pain, which alerts the patient to a possible injury, infection, or disease, chronic pain persists in the absence of evident damage. While the patient may have suffered a traumatic injury or disorder, in patients with CPS, pain persists even after the injury is healed or the disease is cured, continuing to interfere with the patient's quality of life, or even creating serious disability. Patients are considered to have CPS when they continue to suffer pain well beyond the expected time needed for healing, typically more than 6 months or 1 year. ...

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is the most common cause for a work-related disability and one of the main reasons for people staying home from work. The lower back is one of the most important parts of the body as it holds most of our body weight when we stand and is involved in movement when we bend or twist at the waist. Because of its pivotal role and frequent use, the lower back is susceptible to injury and chronic pain. Lower back pain is especially common in older adults who may have decreased bone strength and muscle elasticity. The spongy cartilage pads, called intervertebral discs, that allow for flexibility may wear away and weaken in an elderly person. ...

Muscle Cramps

Muscles cramps, colloquially known as a charley horse, are a common, painful ailment. While not usually considered serious, the sudden contraction of the muscle, or spasm, can cause serious discomfort and temporarily interfere with function. In some cases, muscle cramps may be a sign of a medical issue that needs to be addressed. Muscle cramps can occur anywhere in the body, but most frequently occur in the legs, affecting the calf, hamstring or quadriceps muscles. ...

Myofascial Pain

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic condition in which trigger points (muscle knots) develop in certain muscles, usually ones that have been injured or overused. Jobs and recreational activities that involve repetitive motions, in which muscles repeatedly contract, are common causes. Trigger points can also be caused by stress and anxiety. Myofascial pain is most common in middle-aged adults, although people of any age may be affected. ...

Non-Needle Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture involves the stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques. There are a variety of approaches to diagnosis and treatment through acupuncture that incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The most well-known type of acupuncture stimulation employs penetration of the skin by thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation. However, there are variations of acupuncture that do not rely on the use of needles. ...

Pain Management

An estimated 70 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain is a major medical condition distinctly different from and more complex than acute pain. Whereas acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert the body to possible injury, chronic pain is a state in which pain persists, for many months or years, beyond the normal course required by healing. The effects, both economic and personal, associated with chronic pain can be significant. They include loss of income; debt from costly medical treatment; impaired mobility; and anxiety and depression. ...

Shoulder FAQs

What are possible causes of shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain is a common ailment experienced by many people, although the incidence of shoulder pain tends to increase with age. This pain may be caused by a number of different shoulder conditions, and may be acute or chronic, and caused by injury or overuse. Damage or injury may occur within the muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. Common shoulder conditions may include: ...

Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis, commonly referred to as frozen shoulder, is a common condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. This condition is the result of a tightening or thickening of the capsule of connective tissue that protects the structures of the shoulder. Although the exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, it often occurs after a shoulder injury or shoulder surgery, or as a complication of diabetes. Symptoms of frozen shoulder tend to worsen over time, however, even without treatment, symptoms may resolve on their own in about two years time. ...

Back Pain Prevention

At some point in their lives, the great majority of adults will suffer from significant low back pain, usually from an injury at work, at home or at play. Orthopedists, chiropractors, physical therapists, coaches and trainers all have helpful advice regarding back pain prevention. By following their directives, people can minimize the possibility of back injury, and keep themselves healthier in the process. ...

Chronic Pain Syndrome

Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a complex condition, the causes of which are not fully understood. Unlike acute pain, which alerts the patient to a possible injury, infection, or disease, chronic pain persists in the absence of evident damage. While the patient may have suffered a traumatic injury or disorder, in patients with CPS, pain persists even after the injury is healed or the disease is cured, continuing to interfere with the patient's quality of life, or even creating serious disability. Patients are considered to have CPS when they continue to suffer pain well beyond the expected time needed for healing, typically more than 6 months or 1 year. ...

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is the most common cause for a work-related disability and one of the main reasons for people staying home from work. The lower back is one of the most important parts of the body as it holds most of our body weight when we stand and is involved in movement when we bend or twist at the waist. Because of its pivotal role and frequent use, the lower back is susceptible to injury and chronic pain. Lower back pain is especially common in older adults who may have decreased bone strength and muscle elasticity. The spongy cartilage pads, called intervertebral discs, that allow for flexibility may wear away and weaken in an elderly person. ...

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy involves hands-on stimulation of the soft tissues of the body to increase blood flow and stimulate the healing process. During massage, skin, muscles, joints and connective tissue are manipulated as a means of reducing pain and stress. Massage therapists are trained professionals who use specific techniques to treat various medical problems. ...

Muscle Cramps

Muscles cramps, colloquially known as a charley horse, are a common, painful ailment. While not usually considered serious, the sudden contraction of the muscle, or spasm, can cause serious discomfort and temporarily interfere with function. In some cases, muscle cramps may be a sign of a medical issue that needs to be addressed. Muscle cramps can occur anywhere in the body, but most frequently occur in the legs, affecting the calf, hamstring or quadriceps muscles. ...

Myofascial Pain

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic condition in which trigger points (muscle knots) develop in certain muscles, usually ones that have been injured or overused. Jobs and recreational activities that involve repetitive motions, in which muscles repeatedly contract, are common causes. Trigger points can also be caused by stress and anxiety. Myofascial pain is most common in middle-aged adults, although people of any age may be affected. ...

Non-Needle Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture involves the stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques. There are a variety of approaches to diagnosis and treatment through acupuncture that incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The most well-known type of acupuncture stimulation employs penetration of the skin by thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation. However, there are variations of acupuncture that do not rely on the use of needles. ...

Pain Management

An estimated 70 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain is a major medical condition distinctly different from and more complex than acute pain. Whereas acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert the body to possible injury, chronic pain is a state in which pain persists, for many months or years, beyond the normal course required by healing. The effects, both economic and personal, associated with chronic pain can be significant. They include loss of income; debt from costly medical treatment; impaired mobility; and anxiety and depression. ...

Shoulder Pain

What are possible causes of shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain is a common ailment experienced by many people, although the incidence of shoulder pain tends to increase with age. This pain may be caused by a number of different shoulder conditions, and may be acute or chronic, and caused by injury or overuse. Damage or injury may occur within the muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. Common shoulder conditions may include: ...