I’m sure you’ve heard this before and maybe thought it yourself — if you go to a surgeon, they’re just going to recommend surgery. While I can’t speak for all surgeons, data clearly shows that isn’t always the case. There are so many treatment options to help patients dealing with back and neck pain or…
Many people have preconceived notions about spinal fusion surgery. Maybe you remember your parents or grandparents having one. If so — you likely think of an open-back surgery with a long recovery time, a lot of pain and restricted movement. But that was then and this is now. In today’s era of modern back surgery,…
When Maggie was a junior in high school, the competitive cheerleader suddenly found herself in pain so excruciating, it felt like her leg was on fire. The active tumbler couldn’t sit for more than 20 minutes, sleep, bend, easily walk or cheer. She was forced to give up her sport for several months while she…
Dealing with back and body pain is never easy — but it’s especially hard when you shoulder it alone. Studies show people assess the level of their own pain… and cope better with it when they are connected to others instead of feeling isolated to deal with it on their own. That’s something that Crystal…
About 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their life so it’s no surprise that it deeply impacts many people’s workday. Whether your job is physical and keeps you on your feet all day — or you’re a desk warrior sitting 8 hours a day — back pain can definitely get…
Anna started having back pain when she was 16. The diagnosis of Bertolotti Syndrome came quickly for her — by the age of 17. But treatment to address her debilitating pain took a lot longer to find. Anna was a junior in high school when the pain flare ups started. They ranged from a 3…
When newlywed Valeria came to see me at the age of 28, she was not living the life she had expected or dreamed. A once incredibly active professional, she had been sidelined by intense and chronic pain after hurting her back while exercising with weights at home during the pandemic. Her pain was so severe,…
When you’re a mom, chronic pain is especially tough robbing you of the things and people you love. Paula was a fitness enthusiast who ran and cycled with her family. Then, Paula underwent back surgery, and nothing went as planned. The unsuccessful surgery relegated Paula to a walker — until she found a doctor willing…
How do you pick your back surgeon? It’s an important question for anyone needing to undergo spine surgery, and for Andrew – it’s something he’s had to do twice. Once in 2016 – when he had a spinal fusion on his neck at a major medical institution and then more recently in 2021 – when came to…
Kathryn is only 27 years old, but in many ways – she’s already lived a lifetime. In fact – she’s dealt with debilitating back and hip pain for most of her life. It started when she was 13 and fell on the ice. Kathryn remembers the day: “I swung my backpack over my shoulder in…
