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VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 days ago

Being told your spine condition is “too complex” can feel overwhelming, especially when the solutions you need don't seem available locally. Patients from across the country come to VSI to receive specialized spine care for complex cases that require advanced experience and precision.

Spine surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini shares a patient's example, demonstrating how the right expertise can open doors when options feel limited—and why distance doesn’t have to stand in the way of high-level spine care.

Learn more about expert spine care at vsispine.com.

Told Your Spine Case is “Too Complex”? Here’s What to Know #spinesurgery #discreplacement

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

2 days ago

Chronic low back and buttock pain caused by Sacroiliac (SI) Joint dysfunction is often overlooked or mistaken for other spine conditions. For patients who have failed conservative treatments like injections or physical therapy, minimally invasive, non-surgical SI joint fusion may offer meaningful, long-term relief.

In this video, Dr. Yash Mehta of VSI speaks with his patient about his experience undergoing non-surgical SI joint fusion. This real patient conversation helps explain what the procedure is actually like—from sedation and comfort during the procedure to recovery expectations and pain improvement over time.

▶️ Learn more about Non-Surgical SI Joint Fusion at VSI: https://www.spinemd.com/treatment/sacroiliac-joint-fusion/

What Is Non-surgical S.I. Joint Fusion?
Non-surgical SI joint fusion using the LINQ® procedure from PainTEQ is an ultra–minimally invasive outpatient treatment for chronic sacroiliac joint pain. Unlike traditional surgical fusion that uses screws and permanently immobilizes the joint, this approach stabilizes the SI joint without hardware, helping reduce pain while maintaining functional movement.

SI Joint Fusion Topics Covered:
0:00 - Introduction: Minimally invasive SI joint fusion at VSI
0:25 - Why did you choose an SI Joint Fusion?
1:55 - What the procedure feels like
2:37 - Sedation, comfort, and pain control
3:21 - Early recovery and activity restrictions
4:30 - Recovery tools and protocols
5:40 - SI Joint Fusion recovery process so far
6:29 - Using Hyperbaric Oxygen for Recovery
7:50 - Advice for others and managing expectations

About Dr. Mehta:
Dr. Yash Mehta is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and received his medical degree at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. With 13 years of education, training, research, and medical experience, he completed residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and an interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which ranks Top 5 in the nation. Dr. Mehta speaks fluent English, Gujarati, Hindi, and conversational Spanish. His expertise in holistic medicine has earned him features in Fox5 and ABC7.

Learn more about Dr. Mehta at https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-yash-mehta/
Follow Dr. Mehta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mehta_physiatrist/

Non-Surgical SI Joint Fusion: A Patient's Experience

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 days ago

After TJ Watt’s collapsed lung made headlines, Spine Surgeon Dr. Good explains the medical reality behind pneumothorax and breaks down the facts around dry needling—what it does, how it’s used, and why dry needling remains a safe, effective tool for treating pain.

To learn more about Dry Needling at VSI, visit vsispine.com

#collapsedlung #dryneedling #dryneedlingtherapy #tjwatt

Can Dry Needling Cause a Collapsed Lung? Dr. Good Explains

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 days ago

Physical Therapist explains the safety and techniques of Dry Needling

526

VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 days ago

That “hangover” you feel after one glass of wine or champagne might not be alcohol at all… it could be a “Migraine Hangover” also known as postdrome.
☝️ It’s a groggy, foggy, dizzy feeling that can follow (or even signal) a migraine…. And holiday celebrations can easily blur the signs—listen to your body and follow Dr. Akkerman's tips!

#migrainemonday #migraine #migrainehangover #hangovercure #migrainerelief

☝️ Tips to Fix a "Migraine Hangover"

454

VSI® | Spine Solutions

2 weeks ago

When headaches control your life, it’s time to take back control — especially during the busy holiday season.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, disrupted sleep, travel stress, and dietary changes create the perfect storm for migraines. But these same triggers appear year-round during weddings, vacations, and major life events.

Headaches affect 40% of the global population, yet they remain one of the most misunderstood and dismissed health conditions. If you've tried everything for relief with no lasting relief, this video is for you.

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life® podcast, VSI Neurologist Dr. Ella Akkerman explains what's really happening in your brain during a headache or migraine, why different types need different treatments, and how hormonal changes and holiday stress can trigger a painful cycle. Drawing on her clinical expertise and personal experience with migraines, Dr. Akkerman offers practical solutions for real relief.

Read About the Headaches and Migraines Episode Here: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/blog/headaches-and-migraines-relief/

Key Takeaway: You don't have to live with headaches. Breakthrough treatments exist—but the longer you wait, the harder they become to treat.

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About Dr. Akkerman:
Dr. Ella Akkerman is a board-certified Neurologist with over 15 years of experience treating a wide range of neurological disorders, including chronic headaches, migraines, nerve pain, balance issues, progressive neuropathy, movement disorders, and other general neurological conditions. She understands how lifestyle factors like caffeine consumption affect brain health and neurological conditions. Her expertise helps patients optimize their daily habits for better neurological wellness.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Akkerman: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ella-akkerman/
Follow Dr. Akkerman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_neurology/

📞 NEED HELP? If headaches are interfering with your daily life, visit VSIspine.com to request an appointment with a neurologist who specializes in complex headache conditions.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode on iTunes and Spotify.

📺 Subscribe for more physician-led health guidance from the experts at VSI®

🔗 RELATED VIDEOS:
- https://youtu.be/C67Nt3q4iQs
- https://youtu.be/DQQcE5qZ4gk
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpG-BGOglLGNkrUtIWqdLzcriL7rI3jwB

#migrainerelief #migrainetriggers #migrainerelief #headache #headacherelief #headachetreatment #chronicpain #chronicpainrelief #neurology #womenshealth #painmanagement #VSI #healthpodcast #hormonalmigraines #stressmanagement #chronicmigraine #brainhealth #migraineawareness #neurologist

👍 Found this helpful? Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this.

Is This “Just a Headache”? A Neurologist’s Red Flags + Fixes

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

3 weeks ago

Black Friday is right around the corner and you may find yourself wondering “what’s actually worth buying?”

Dr. Yash Mehta, Physiatrist at VSI®, shares his top 3 ‘Doctor-approved’ recommendations for your Black Friday shopping 👆

Comment what items you plan on getting on Black Friday and we'll let you know whether it's doctor-approved.

#blackfriday #cybermonday #thanksgiving #holidayshopping #painrelief #backpainrelief #chronicpainrelief

Black Friday Buys, Rated by a Doctor

161

VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks ago

VSI Spine Surgeon, Dr. Christopher Good, explains a historic surgical milestone, introducing a new minimally invasive surgical option for the treatment of Bertolotti Syndrome.

Visit VSIspine.com for more information.

Inside the World's FIRST Robotic Bertolotti's Resection Surgery | Spine Surgeon Explains

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks ago

85% of Americans start their day with caffeine, but are you drinking it at the right time? Dr. Ella Akkerman, Neurologist at VSI, appeared on Living Local DMV to share expert insights on maximizing coffee's brain-boosting power while avoiding common mistakes that can lead to jitters, crashes, and sleep disruption.

In this segment, Dr. Akkerman discusses:
- The best time to drink coffee (hint: it's not right when you wake up)
- Why timing matters for your brain's natural cortisol rhythms
- How coffee can help with migraine relief when used correctly
- The dangers of drinking coffee on an empty stomach
- What to avoid adding to your coffee to preserve its brain-protective benefits
- Coffee's potential role in protecting against neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's

Dr. Ella Akkerman is a board-certified Neurologist with over 15 years of experience treating a wide range of neurological disorders, including chronic headaches, migraines, nerve pain, balance issues, progressive neuropathy, movement disorders, and other general neurological conditions. She understands how lifestyle factors like caffeine consumption affect brain health and neurological conditions. Her expertise helps patients optimize their daily habits for better neurological wellness.
🔗 Learn more about Dr. Akkerman: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ella-akkerman/
Follow Dr. Akkerman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_neurology/

For more information about VSI and our comprehensive spine and neurological care, visit VSISpine.com or follow us on social media.

#VSI #coffeetips #brainhealth #neurology #caffeinescience #LivingLocalDMV #healthtips #DrEllaAkkerman #coffeeandbrain

Neurologist's Expert Tips: Tapping into Coffee's Power

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