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VSI® | Spine Solutions

3 hours ago

Migraines affect nearly 40% of people globally, but women are 2–3x more likely to experience them than men.

Hormonal fluctuations can increase pain sensitivity and make migraines more frequent and more disabling and yet, many women’s symptoms are still misunderstood or mistreated. Dr. Ella Akkerman, Neurologist at VSI, joined Fox5 to explain why and what you can do about it if you suffer from migraines.

In this Fox5 DC (Good Day DC) segment, Dr. Akkerman breaks down:
- The difference between a “regular” headache vs. a true migraine
- Common triggers like stress, sleep disruption, and hormones
- What’s happening in the brain (including the role of CGRP)
- Treatment options, including preventive and abortive therapies
- Why tracking symptoms with a migraine diary can help you identify patterns and get relief

Dr. Akkerman also gives a practical tip for understanding if you are suffering from a headache or a migraine: The key is the level of disability. If your headaches are regularly impacting your daily functions and sidelining you from your life, it is not just a regular headache and you could be suffering from migraines.

💡 Learn more and find a specialist for migraine relief: https://www.spinemd.com/conditions/migraines/
📍 VSI (Reston, VA) | Neurology and Spine Care
📲 Follow VSI Neurology on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_neurology/

About Dr. Akkerman:
Dr. Ella Akkerman is a board-certified Neurologist with over 15 years of experience treating neurological disorders including chronic headaches, migraines, nerve pain, balance issues, neuropathy, movement disorders, and more. She focuses on patient-centered care, clear diagnostics, and interdisciplinary treatment. Her true goal is helping patients understand their symptoms and take back quality of life.

#migraine #migraines #womenshealth #neurology #headache #migraineawareness #hormones #GoodDayDC #VSI #VSISpine

Why Women Suffer from Migraines and What Actually Helps

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

6 days ago

For years, back pain dictated Nick’s life.

After being told multi-level fusion was his only option, he sought additional opinions — and found his way to VSI and Dr. Ehsan Jazini where he learned he was a candidate for three-level disc replacement.

Now he’s back to living pain-free 🙌

Tune in to Ep. 86 of Get Back tk Your Life podcast to hear his full journey.

#discreplacement #spinalfusion #spinesurgery #spinesurgeryrecovery

After Three-Level Disc Replacement, Nick is pain-free! #discreplacement #spinesurgery

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

6 days ago

Nick was told he needed fusion. He didn't even know disc replacement existed.

In this episode, Nick shares his remarkable journey after living with chronic back pain for over 20 years. After two failed discectomies and debilitating sciatica that made sitting, walking, and even putting on a belt excruciating, multiple surgeons told him the same thing: you need a multi-level spinal fusion. For this 40-year-old CPA, athlete, and soon-to-be father who wanted to stay active, fusion felt like giving up on the life he loved.

But Nick refused to accept multi-level fusion as his only option. Through persistent research and multiple opinions, he discovered artificial disc replacement (ADR)—a motion-preserving alternative to fusion that no one had mentioned. His three-level disc replacement with VSI spine surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini changed everything. Today, Nick reports ZERO back pain and has returned to skiing, running, weightlifting, and living without restrictions.

In this episode, he shares what happened when he pushed for clarity instead of settling for a single answer, and his advice for others who are searching for the right surgery, and surgical team.

This episode is essential for anyone facing spine surgery, dealing with chronic sciatica, or wondering if there are alternatives to the fusion they've been recommended.

Chapters:
0:00 - Nick's 20-year journey with chronic back pain
5:03 - When pain became unbearable: "I couldn't put on a belt"
6:54 - The recommendation he feared: "You need a multi-level fusion"
10:24 - Refusing to accept spinal fusion as the only solution - Getting second opinions
13:00 - Finding VSI through independent research
15:50 - Pre-surgery support from Dr. Jazini
17:06 - Waking up pain-free: The moment everything changed
17:39 - Recovery process after multi-level disc replacement
19:07 - Life now: Zero back pain since surgery
19:58 - Back to skiing, running, swimming, weightlifting, and more
22:49 - Why multiple opinions literally saved his mobility
23:55 - How to find the right spine surgeon (practical tips)
27:09 - Message of hope for chronic back pain sufferers

Critical Questions Answered:
- How do you know if you're being told about all your options?
- What is the difference between spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement?
- When should you get a second—or fourth—opinion?
- What does recovery look like after multi-level disc replacement surgery?

If you've been told spinal fusion is your only option, or if you're scheduling your life around your back pain, this episode could change your path forward.
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More Resources from VSI®
🔗 Learn more about disc replacement at VSI → https://www.spinemd.com/treatment/artificial-disc-replacement/
👨‍⚕️ Meet the spine surgeon who treated Nick → https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ehsan-jazini/
💡 Read more about Nick's story in this blog: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/podcasts/choose-between-disc-replacement-and-spinal-fusion/
📺 Subscribe to see more episodes of Get Back to Your Life® podcast - available on all major streaming platforms!

🔗 Learn more about spine surgery options at VSISpine.com

#ArtificialDiscReplacement #spinalfusion #chronicbackpain #sciaticarelief #sciaticapain #discreplacement #artificialdiscreplacement #ADR #backpainrelief #spinesurgery #VSI #spinesurgeon #secondopinion #chronicpain #degenerativediscdisease #spinespecialist #backpainsolutions #painfreelife #medicalpodcast #successstory

Disc Replacement vs. Spinal Fusion: A Patient's Journey to the Right Decision

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

7 days ago

We spend approximately one-third of our lives asleep, and with so many pillow types and options on the market, it can be tricky to tell which one will work best for you.

Try out the “Wall Test” the next time you go to the store or try it at home! Does your current pillow pass the test?

#pillow #bettersleep #sleephealth

If you’ve ever wondered how to choose the right pillow, this video is for you!

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

2 weeks ago

1. “Do I really need a spinal fusion?”
While a fusion is absolutely the right choice for some patients, it’s not the only option. Motion-preserving solutions like artificial disc replacement can relieve back and neck pain while maintaining national motion, helping active individuals get back to what they love.

2. "Can I do my favorite activities after spine surgery?" "
My goal for each of my patients is to get you back to doing the things you love, not sideline you… from my weightlifters to service providers to high level athletes and beyond.

3. "My MRI looks scary. Does that mean I need surgery?"
An MRI can look scary. That doesn’t mean your future is. The image is just one piece of your story.
Find a surgeon who sees you as a person, listens to your concerns, and builds a plan around your goals— not just your MRI image. The goal isn’t to treat a picture — it’s to get you back to the things you love to do.

Top 3 Questions from Spine Surgery patients ask Dr. Jazini

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

2 weeks ago

Pain shooting down your leg. Numbness. Tingling. Weakness.
Sound familiar? How do we help our patients resolve these symptoms?

A lot of people don't know that surgery for a pinched nerve doesn't have to mean a big incision, a long recovery, or weeks out of your life. Endoscopic spine surgery lets me take pressure off nerves through a tiny incision, using ultra-magnified cameras to do what used to require much bigger procedures.

Watch for clips at the end to see how Dr. Haines carefully spreads the muscles to remove a disc herniation that was causing this patient severe lower back pain.

For more on endoscopic spine surgery at VSI, visit https://www.spinemd.com/resources/blog/new-ultra-minimally-invasive-treatment-for-spinal-stenosis/

How do we resolve numbness and tingling nerve irritation?

173

VSI® | Spine Solutions

2 weeks ago

News Flash: Presidents can get back pain, too! #backpain #johnfkennedy #presidentsday

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

3 weeks ago

Is it worth traveling for spine surgery? Here’s why it may be the right decision for you ☝️

506

VSI® | Spine Solutions

3 weeks ago

Dr. Niteesh Bharara explains PRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma), a regenerative medicine procedure that uses your own blood to promote natural healing instead of just masking symptoms.

PRP therapy has become a popular non-surgical treatment for joint pain, tendon injuries, arthritis, and sports injuries. If you're considering PRP injections or want to understand regenerative orthopedic treatments, visit www.vsispine.com for more information.

How Does PRP Therapy Work? #plateletrichplasma #prptherapy

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