VSI Blog

Symptoms

LEG LENGTH DISCREPANCY LINKED TO LOWER BACK PAIN

Have you ever been told or noticed that one of your legs is a bit longer than the other?  Do you have incidences of lower back pain?  These two things could be related.  Most individuals have a small difference in their leg lengths.  For some, the discrepancy is small and negligible and will not be [...]

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STRETCH IT OUT: THREE YOGA POSES TO EASE BACK AND NECK PAIN

Many of us experience stiffness and pain in our spine; which can be a pain in the neck {pun intended}! With long hours logged at a desk, a long commute or just a rough night of sleep your back and/or neck may be causing you pain and discomfort. Research suggests that Yoga relieves stress and [...]

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ASK THE EXPERT: WHAT IS FOOT DROP AND HOW IS IT TREATED?

I was recently asked about a condition called foot drop, what the causation is and how it is treated. To start, let’s define what foot drop is; it is a term used to describe the loss of ability to pick one’s foot up.  The medical term for this is dorsiflexion of the foot or raising [...]

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TRUE STORY: MARY UNDERWENT A TLIF AND IS NOW BACK TO THE LIFE SHE LOVES

True Story: Over a period of six months, I saw numerous physicians both orthopedic and neurosurgeons discussing my situation. I used to work in medical research and grant funding, so for me (and my back), this was a research project. Along with my many back diagnoses and because of my scoliosis, I was referred to [...]

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HUNCHED OVER YOUR DESK ALL DAY? GET UP AND STRETCH

  Proper posture is critical in reducing neck, shoulder and low back pain. If you sit at a desk most of the day, chances are you have experienced some sort of pain in your neck and shoulders.  This common pain is a result of poor posture and gravity pulling you down all day long. Our [...]

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ASK THE EXPERT: CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME VS CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY

  I was recently asked “how to recognize the difference between a cervical spine issue versus carpal tunnel syndrome with accompanied numbness.” As a spinal neurosurgeon, I frequently encounter a patient who has symptoms in his or her upper extremity (arm) that seemed to either extend from the shoulder down toward the fingers or extends [...]

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ASK THE EXPERT: HOW DOES A LOW BACK MUSCLE STRAIN OCCUR AND HOW IS IT TREATED?

  How does a low back muscle strain occur and how is it treated? When force exceeds a muscle’s threshold for strength production, injury can occur. Regarding the lumbar spine musculature, lifting from a position of flexion and rotation is the most common mechanism of injury, often creating forces greater than eight times a person’s [...]

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SEVEN TIPS ON REDUCING LOWER BACK PAIN CAUSED BY PREGNANCY

  Pregnant women frequently experience low back pain, especially after the second trimester. As your baby grows, low back pain becomes more pronounced. Between 50 to 70% of all pregnant woman will report having low back pain. Lower Back Pain From Pregnancy Can Be Caused By The Following: Hormonal changes: During pregnancy, certain hormones allow the muscles in the pelvis to [...]

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TRUE STORY: MR. BAKER SPENT 15 YEARS IN PAIN; NOW HE’S BACK TO HIS LIVELIHOOD

True Story: As the owner of Baker Farms in Mt. Jackson, Virginia, my lifelong profession is one that is physically demanding.  I have been pursuing my passion for farming for over 35 years; but not without pain. Over the past 15 years, I’ve learned to live with low back pain until finally one day the pain literally [...]

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TRUE STORY: SHELDON OVERCAME LOWER BACK PAIN AND IS TRAINING AGAIN!

  True Story: I was an extremely healthy 33 year old.  I was just a week away from competing in my second half Ironman and was at peak fitness.  In the past three years I had finished my first marathon, first Half Ironman and completed multiple sprint and Olympic Distance triathlons. Life was very good. Then out [...]

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