Chronic Pain Education Through Tweeting

In the latest in a series of articles on this blog relating to chronic pain, ABC News has released an interesting article covering many common questions about chronic pain in the form of Twitter tweets.  It is an interesting and engaging lens into the world of chronic pain.  I urge you to take a look at the original article, which can be found by clicking this link.  Considering that as much as 25% of the United States population may be experiencing some form of chronic pain, the disorder is worth looking into. 

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.  This may include a car accident, slip-and-fall accident, and others.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

NPR Weighs In On Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is becoming an issue that is swiftly gaining national attention as more physicians are recognizing the disorder as a valid medical condition.  Among the many national news sources that are covering the topic of chronic pain, the National Public Radio is one of them.  NPR recently ran a radio interview covering an area within chronic pain that many patients grapple with:  the fear of addiction to pain medication versus the discomfort of chronic pain.  To read the NPR interview with Judy Foreman, author of "A Nation in Pain", or listen to the audio version, please click here.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

Potential Genetic Basis For Chronic Pain

Anecdotal information suggests that some members of the population are more sensitive to pain and more susceptible to chronic pain than others. Recently, scientific research suggests that there may a genetic factor that influences the perception and persistence of pain.  To read more about this research, please visit the article here, as originally posted by Medical News Today.  As stated in previous blog posts, the majority of chronic pain begins in the joints and muscles, but then can move into the central nervous system. There is also research that has shown that persistent pain can re-map brain pathways, making pain worsen over time.  To manage this, it is best to consult with your physician as soon as you begin to feel chronic pain symptoms.  Catching the problem early may make treatment easier, less time consuming, and more effective.

Attorney Doug Stoehr takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain due to an accident or injury due to the fault of another.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please visit his website at  http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his office at 814-946-4100.

Neurostimulation For Chronic Pain

For people who suffer from chronic pain, they often have tried many different ways to control their symptoms using drugs, medication, and alternative therapies. Unfortunately, these are not always successful.   For some chronic pain patients, there is the option of a neurostimulator.  This stimulator is a small electronic device that is inserted on the patient's spinal cord and helps to regulate nerve impulses to the areas that are affected by the patient's pain symptoms.  To read more about this method, please click on this link to an article by the Fort Wayne-area newspaper, The News-Sentinel.


Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com. 

Sleep and Exercise Closely Linked for Chronic Pain Patients

The health benefits of exercise are numerous and well-documented.  However, for those people who suffer from chronic pain, the act of exercising may be more limited and painful than the average person.  Chronic pain sufferers also commonly experience issues relating to sleep quality and the amount of sleep they obtain. 

The Huffington Post highlighted this problem in one of their recent articles.  According to the news piece, a recent scientific journal article had results that suggest that "sleep is associated with physical activity for people with chronic pain, with sleep better predicting levels of next-day physical activity than pain intensity or mood in the morning".  These results suggest that sleep and exercise are closely linked for chronic pain patients, and the value of sleep is important for the output and ability to exercise.  

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com. 

For more on the original article from the Huffington Post, please click here. 

Looking for Chronic Pain Resources?

Often, many people who receive a diagnosis of chronic pain are unsure of where to turn for help, information, and resources.  As a result, many websites and support networks have been created to address these needs.  One of the major ones in the United States is the American Chronic Pain Association.  Their online website features resources relating to tracking your pain, managing your medication, and connecting with others to find support.  To visit their website, please click here. 

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com. 

Drunken Snowmobiling?

Unfortunately, and perhaps unbelievably, sharing the snowmobiling trails with people who are drunk and driving is a legitimate cause for concern while enjoying the winter weather.  A recent report by an Erie, PA area news website just covered an incident relating a drunken snowmobiling accident.

According to the report, a New York man was drunkenly operating a snowmobile and crashed into a county sheriff's car last weekend in Marysville, PA.  The 28-year-old driver was charged with several offenses, including snowmobiling white intoxicated, reckless operation, and failing to stop before cross a highway.  The snowmobile nearly hit an oncoming car while attempting to enter the highway without stopping or yielding to traffic. 

Although enjoyable, off-road vehicles, such as snowmobiles, are also a significant cause of serious injury among Pennsylvanians.  Attorney Doug Stoehr of Altoona, PA handles cases involving injury as a result of accidents involving off-road vehicles.  For more information about Attorney Doug Stoehr and his Blair county area practice, please visit his website athttp://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his law firm at 814-946-4100.

for more information on the original article, please click here. 

Pennsylvania Winter Driving-Be Safe!

We have had an unusually high amount of snowstorms here in Pennsylvania this winter.  Consequently, the number of potential road-related accidents will also increase.  Are you prepared to effectively and safely drive in the winter?  Pennsylvania's driving safety website, JustDrivePA.org, has posted some tips to keep you and other travelers safe on the road this winter.

Some important things to consider, as listed on their website, may be second nature to most native Pennsylvanians, but all the tips are worth checking out to see if there is anything you're missing!  Things you may wish to double-check in your car are: making sure your car's radio works properly, making sure your wiper blades don't streak, and having an emergency kit in your car.  Some things you should put in that emergency kit include a flashlight, jumper cables, blankets, and a first aid kit.

Winter car accidents are frightening, expensive, and time-consuming.  These accidents may also result in injuries that are extensive, painful, and long-lasting.  If you suffered an injury due to a car accident caused by another, it might be time to consult with an attorney.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania. For more information on his Altoona, PA law firm, please visit his website athttp://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his office at814-946-4100.



To read more about JustDrivePA.org's website and to take their winter driving safety quiz, please click here.

Snowmobiling: A Common Way To Enjoy Winter Landscapes

During our wintry Pennsylvania weather, many residents enjoy outdoor activities such as snowmobiling.  Although snowmobiles are a fun way to enjoy our many outdoor spaces, all riders need to address potential safety concerns before enjoying the trails.  Here are some fast facts about snowmobiles that you might not know!

• In 2013, over 48,000 snowmobiles were sold in the United States.
• Currently, there are 1.4 million registered snowmobiles in America.
• For the 2012-2013 year, there were 38,500 snowmobile registrations in Pennsylvania.
• According to the source below, Pennsylvania ranks among the top 10 states for the number of snowmobiles registered in 2012-2013.

**All facts come from SnowMobile.org.

As you can see, snowmobiling is a very common winter sport in the United States.    It is an enjoyable way to get outside in cold weather and can be a way for families to spend time together. As stated on SnowMobile.org, “Historically individuals who snowmobile at a young age continue to snowmobile with their parents throughout their lives, sharing great experiences as a family. In many winter regions, snowmobiling is simply the main form of winter outdoor recreation and in some cases the main method of transportation available.”

However, off-road vehicles, such as snowmobiles, are also a significant cause of serious injury among Pennsylvanians.  Attorney Doug Stoehr of Altoona, PA handles cases involving injury as a result of accidents involving off-road vehicles.  For more information about Attorney Doug Stoehr and his Blair county area practice, please visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his law firm at 814-946-4100.

ATV Accidents By The Numbers: Part 2

To continue Attorney Doug Stoehr's recent blog posts relating to all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, injury, and death, more information is reported from a February 2013 report compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  This report provided a picture of the frequency and severity of accidents surrounding American ATV users in the past twenty or so years.  

The CPSC reported a number of interesting statistics and facts relating to ATV use, which includes the following:

• In 2010, there was an estimated 10.4 million ATVs in use across the country.  
• At that time, there was a fatality risk of 0.7 per 10,000 ATVs in use. This means that out of 100,000 ATVs in use, about 7 people will be killed while riding one. 
• In 2011, 52% of children under the age of 12 were responsible for the total number of ATV-related injuries in children.
• The CPSC estimated a 98.8 person injury frequency per 10,000 ATV vehicles in use in 2011. This means that out of 100,000 ATVs in use, about 988 people will be injured while riding one. 

As noted above and in previous posts, ATV use can be extremely dangerous in certain situations.  Children appear to be the most susceptible, and account for a large portion of ATV injuries and deaths.  Children under the age of 12 may be especially at risk for harm. Please exercise caution when riding your ATV, wear a helmet, and remain at a safe speed.  Also, do not ride your ATV when the weather or trail conditions suggest a heightened risk for injury.

ATVs, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles are a leading cause of serious injury among Pennsylvanians, especially among our state’s youth.   Attorney Doug Stoehr of Altoona, PA handles cases involving injury as a result of accidents involving off-road vehicles.  For more information about Attorney Doug Stoehr and his central Pennsylvania practice, please visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his law firm at 814-946-4100.

Interested in learning more? Check out the complete CPSC report, which can be found here: http://www.cpsc.gov//Global/Research-and-Statistics/Injury-Statistics/atv2011.pdf.

ATV Accidents By The Numbers: Part 1

In a February 2013 report compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), information was given regarding incidents relating to ATV (all-terrain vehicle) accidents and injuries.

This report was enlightening, and provided a more complete and detailed picture of the frequency and severity of accidents surrounding American ATV users in the past twenty or so years.  Some of the most interesting facts include:

• From 1982-2011, CPSC staff received reports of over 28,000 ATV-related deaths of  children younger than 16 years of age. Out of these fatalities, over 40% were children less than 12 years old. 
• These numbers do not account for accidents that were not reported to the CPSC, which may mean that the prevalence of ATV-related fatalities might actually be greater than expected.
• In 2011, there were over 100,000 ATV-caused emergency room treated injuries.  Over 25% of these injuries were in children under 16 years old. 
• The vast majority of these injuries were either contusions or fractures. Most injuries were found in either the arm/shoulder region or the head/neck region. 
• From January 1982 to December 2011, Pennsylvania had a reported 459 ATV-related fatalities.  They are behind only by California (504) and Texas (478) for the highest number of ATV-related fatalities in the country during that time period.

As noted above, ATVs, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles (such as snowmobiles) are a leading cause of serious injury among Pennsylvanians, especially among our state’s youth.   Attorney Doug Stoehr of Altoona, PA handles cases involving injury as a result of accidents involving off-road vehicles.  For more information about Attorney Doug Stoehr and his Blair county area practice, please visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his law firm at 814-946-4100.

For more information on the CPSC's report, please visit the original report, which can be found here: http://www.cpsc.gov//Global/Research-and-Statistics/Injury-Statistics/atv2011.pdf