Our mission is to help our patients heal from debilitating emotional and physical pain so that they can regain a full and meaningful life. Here are some of the conditions that we offer solutions for. There are other disorders and syndromes we treat, so please reach out to discuss your situation, as we’ll work alongside your current provider.
Psychological Conditions
Anxiety
Anxiety is a persistent feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat, sweating, and feeling stressed. Anxiety disorders may include panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions or compulsions or both that cause significant distress, interfere with normal daily functioning, and consume a lot of time. The affected individual recognizes these obsessions and compulsions as excessive or unreasonable.
PTSD
Post–traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological reaction occurring after experiencing a highly stressful event (such as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event. Although PTSD is typically associated with veterans who have suffered trauma on the battlefield, it is also commonly seen in civilians who have experienced sexual assault, life-threatening events or disasters, childhood trauma, injury, disease, or suddenly losing a loved one.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder with alternating cycles of depression and mania. It is characterized by unpredictable changes in mood and impaired social function. Manic episodes may include symptoms such as elation and unpredictability, sleep loss, and loss of touch with reality, while depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation, and loss of interest in daily activities. Mood episodes last days to months at a time and may also be associated with suicidal thoughts.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Postpartum depression is diagnosed after a woman has given birth. It may occur soon after delivery or up to a year later. Changes in hormones, work and social relationships, sleep loss, and anxiety from the new role of motherhood can all lead to PPD, but it’s essential to receive help quickly to achieve lasting remission. Ascend Health Center is a proud member of the Summit County Board of Health’s Maternal Depression Network as we work with area providers, including OB/Gyns, endocrinologists, and functional medicine physicians.
Physical Pain
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of joints. RA can also involve inflammation of tissues in other areas of the body, such as the lungs, heart, and eyes. Because it can affect multiple organs of the body, RA is referred to as a systemic illness. Although RA is a chronic illness, patients may experience long periods without symptoms.
Peripheral Neuropathy & Nerve Syndromes
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition affecting motor, sensory, or vasomotor nerve fibers marked by muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness. Traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes, and exposure to toxins can result in painful nerve damage.
Sciatica
Sciatica refers to pain or discomfort associated with the sciatic nerve. This nerve runs from the lower part of the spinal cord, down the back of the leg, to the foot. Injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause the characteristic pain of sciatica: a sharp or burning pain that radiates from the lower back or hip, possibly following the path of the sciatic nerve to the foot.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
CRPS is one of the most painful conditions possible and doesn’t always respond to opioids and conventional pain management. Chronic, burning pain characterizes the syndrome, usually of one or more extremities that typically occurs following an injury. It is often accompanied by swelling, skin discoloration, abnormal sweating, and impaired function in the affected area. CRPS is also called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).
Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches are recurring headaches characterized by unilateral onset, severe throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and autonomic disturbances such as dizziness and faintness. The disorder occurs more frequently in women than men and a predisposition to headaches may be inherited. Migraines cause severe pain and are one of the leading causes of disability in the world.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, tenderness, and stiffness of muscles and associated connective tissue structures. It is typically accompanied by fatigue, headache, and sleep disturbances. Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, many physicians believe that it is linked to faulty communication between the brain and nerve pain signals. Fibromyalgia commonly occurs in people who also struggle with mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.