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Dr. Matthew McCarty, MD

Bio

Dr Matt McCarty is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist who is also ACGME Fellowship Trained in Pain Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and medical school education from the University of Oklahoma. He completed his Anesthesiology residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Afterwards, he and his wife moved to Tyler, Texas where he practiced Anesthesiology for over 13 years. While there his desire to provide full time Chronic Pain Management matured. He then completed a one year fellowship at the University of South Florida receiving his Advanced Subspecialty Certification in Pain Medicine.

He then moved to Austin with his precious wife and 4 children and now has been practicing pain management since 2003. He continues to enjoy helping restore function to his patients caught in the grip of chronic pain through the use of advanced interventional techniques, behavioral therapy, physical therapy and medications.


Specialties:

Affiliation:

  • South Austin Hospital, Austin Surgical Hospital, St. Davids Medical Center, Seton Southwest, Seton Medical Center, North Austin Medical Center, Westlake Hospital

Location:

Activity

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Pain Medicine:
    Using Marijuana to Treat Pain? A Pill May Outlast a Puff

    MONDAY, April 22 (HealthDay News) -- A pill may work as well as a puff when it comes to using marijuana to treat pain, according to a small but carefully controlled new study. Pain relief from pills may last longer, however, and may not leave people feeling as high as they do after they smoke the...Full Article

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Pain Medicine:
    Stem Cells to Relieve Low Back Pain?

    FRIDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Medical researchers are trying a new treatment for low back pain. Their hope is that harvesting and then re-injecting the body's own bone marrow -- which is rich in stem cells -- may repair worn-out discs in the spine.

    In a small new study, the approac...Full Article

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Pain Medicine:
    Steroid Shots for Sciatica: Benefits Only Brief, Analysis Finds

    MONDAY, Nov. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Spinal steroid injections -- the type involved in the current fungal meningitis outbreak in the United States -- provide only short-term relief for sciatica-related leg and back pain, according to a new analysis.

    Sciatica, a common type of low back pain...Full Article

  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    What causes neck pain?
    The most common cause of neck pain is muscular pain and spasm. This can be brought on through...  Full Post
  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Pain Medicine:
    Botox Shows Promise Against Persistent Neck, Shoulder Pain

    SATURDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Botox injections, long used to smooth away wrinkles, might also soothe chronic neck and shoulder muscle pain, new research suggests.

    This type of persistent pain "is a common disorder that potentially may cause functional impairment in our patients," ...Full Article

  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    What are proper sleeping positions to avoid neck pains?

    We spend about  a third of our life sleeping. That’s a lot of time and certain positions can worsen neck pain. The most important thing to remember is to sleep with a pillow supporting the neck in an anatomically correct position. When sleeping on the back a cervical traction pillow can help people who

    ...  Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    How can sugar affect my fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, or ME/CFS?

    Its controversial  and not yet  scientifically proven that reducing simple sugars in the diet can reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia. That being said it is well known that after heavy meals when wide swings in blood sugar occur there can be a stimulant effect followed by a sedative effect. Since

    ...  Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD has posted a blog entry: Secrets to Drug-Free Pain Relief

    Matthew McCarty, M.D., treats pain. Not run-of-the-mill aches and soreness, but serious pain—the kind that disrupts lives by making it difficult or impossible to work, sleep, or sustain healthy relationships. Many of the people who end up in his office at Balcones Pain Consultants in Austin, Texas, have

    ...Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    How much volunteer work is good for my health?

    Volunteering has both emotional and physical  benefits on our health. As a interventional pain physician I have a goal of getting people to that point where they feel like reaching beyond their needs and assisting others. In a study of recently retired patients with arthritis Dr. Barlow reported that

    ...  Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    Can shingles pain lead to a decline in quality of life?

    Yes. A percentage of people can develop pain after shingles otherwise known as PHN or post herpetic neuralgia. The elderly and those that have a severe case with attendant severe pain can likely go on to suffer from PHN. This pain can be debilitating and lead to depression over time. There have even

    ...  Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    How do anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) help osteoarthritis pain?

    Osteoarthritis is caused by the cartilage between joints breaking down and leading to bone rubbing on bone. This can cause inflammation and swelling. One can see this in large joints but also in the small joints of the spine. Prostaglandins are substances our body produces  during this inflammatory

    ...  Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    How does ibuprofen relieve pain?

    Pain is caused by prostaglandin formation in our body. When a stimulus is received the body produces  prostaglandins at the site. These reactions are dependent on two enzymes, Cox-1 and Cox-2. By inhibiting these enzymes then the prostaglandins are reduced, consequently pain and swelling is reduced.

    ...  Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    What are back schools for back and neck pain?

    Back schools originally started in Sweden. They are information programs where the anatomy . proper function of the back, mechanical strain and proper posture are discussed. Isometric exercises for the abdominal muscles  and physical activity programs are also laid out. The results of such schools on

    ...  Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    Why do so many women have back and neck pain?

     Neck pain and back pain are more common in women than in men. No one knows for sure why but some theories exist. Genetic factors such as degenerative disc disease can lead to arthritis and as well as chronic anxiety/depression can also play a part in the flares of neck and back spasm and pain. This can explain

    ...  Full Post
  • Matthew McCarty, MD
    Matthew McCarty, MD answered:
    What are the possible effects of letting neck pain go untreated?

    Most neck pain is self-limited. That means it will likely go away in several days to a week with rest, stretching and NSAIDs. Neck pain that returns or persists could have underlying causes such as myofascial pain and spasm, degenerative disc disease, disc herniation or bulges, arthritis or more rarely tumor or

    ...  Full Post