resize image project 4 chris clayton lifting weights

Patient Testimonial: Healing a Disc Herniation Without Surgery

Do Spine Surgeons Always Recommend Surgery? 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…

jama weight lifting

An Inspiring Story: Recovery After Spine Surgery

As Featured on Men’s Health Network: Thriving After Surgery Men’s Health Network recently had the pleasure of interviewing the dynamic duo of Jama Anders, a professional weightlifter and longtime Crossfit instructor, and his spine surgeon, Dr. Ehsan Jazini, who, in a seemingly miraculous intervention, was able to perform a disc replacement on Jama that would…

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From Spine Surgery to the Starting Line: A Runner’s Comeback Story

Thirty-six-year-old Kathleen Smith of Maryland has been a hardcore athlete her entire life. She started softball at age four and played through college. Back pain has always been a part of her life since at least middle school, but athletic trainers helped her manage it while she was on a team. After college, she moved…

mature woman walking her dog on country road in summer.

Active Life After Modern Spinal Fusion

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,…

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The Power of Friendship in Overcoming Back Pain

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…

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What To Do When Back Pain Makes It Impossible To Work

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…

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Solving Medical Mysteries: Bertolotti Syndrome

Anna started having back pain when she was 16. The diagnosis of Bertolotti Syndrome came quickly for her — by the age of 17. But Regenerative Medicine 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…

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From Sex To Suicide – How Deeply Back Pain Can Impact Your Life

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,…

woman jogging outdoors in the fall

Medical Mystery: One Mom’s Comeback Story

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…