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VSI® | Spine Solutions

3 days 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

2 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

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

2 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

2 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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VSI® | Spine Solutions

3 weeks ago

85% of Americans start their day with caffeine, often within minutes of waking up. But did you know that when and how you drink your morning coffee could be sabotaging its brain-boosting benefits? Most of us reach for caffeine within minutes of waking up—but experts say we might be doing it all wrong.

VSI Neurologist, Dr. Ella Akkerman, recently joined Fox5 DC's Lion Lunch Hour to reveal the science behind optimizing your daily cup of joe.

In this segment, Dr. Akkerman covers:
✅ The best time to drink coffee (hint: it's NOT right when you wake up)
✅ Why you should always eat before your first cup
✅ How much caffeine is too much—and which roasts have less
✅ What to add (and avoid) in your coffee for maximum brain benefits
✅ Warning signs that your caffeine routine isn't working for you

👩‍⚕️ 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 specializes in patient-centered care, expert diagnostics, and interdisciplinary treatment. She translates complex neurological issues into clear concepts, empowering patients along every step of their healthcare journey.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Akkerman: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ella-akkerman/

#coffee #coffeebenefits #caffeine #neurology #headacherelief #Fox5DC

How to Optimize Your Morning Coffee | Neurologist Explains

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks ago

At VSI®, recovery is planned before the procedure even begins, leading to more effective and efficient outcomes for our patients.

If spine surgery is in your future, make sure recovery a part of the discussion with your surgeon.

To learn more about Recovery Revolution at VSI, visit https://www.spinemd.com/recovery

Recovery Revolution™ at VSI, Explained by Dr. Good

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks ago

Dr. Christopher Good, President & CEO of VSI, joins Fox 5 DC Morning News to discuss groundbreaking research on spine surgery recovery and introduce The Recovery Revolution™.

The Recovery Gap Crisis
For 1.6 million Americans who undergo spine surgery each year, recovery is the hardest and most neglected phase of spine care. Dr. Good co-led one of the largest spine surgery recovery studies ever conducted, analyzing data from more than 50,000 patients nationwide. The findings are clear: when recovery is planned, supported, and personalized, patients heal faster, experience less pain, and dramatically reduce readmission rates.

Three Ways to Close the Recovery Gap:
- Start Before Surgery: Build recovery into the plan with prehab, education, and strength training so patients go in stronger and heal faster.
- Treat the Whole Patient: Combine high-tech and holistic therapies from hyperbaric oxygen and aquatic therapy to nutrition and mindfulness to accelerate healing and restore function.
- Make Recovery the Metric: Shift success from what happens in the OR to how patients live after. Measure outcomes, track progress, and make recovery the true definition of surgical excellence.

0:00 - Introducing the Recovery Gap
0:23 - The 50,000 Patient Study
1:30 - Top Research Findings on Spine Surgery Recovery
2:04 - Why Doctors Ignore Recovery
3:19 - What to Look for in a Spine Surgeon
3:53 - Dr. Good's Personal Story
4:46 - The Recovery Revolution™

About Dr. Good:
Dr. Christopher Good is a double board-certified spine surgeon ranked in the top 7% of physicians nationwide. He has pioneered the use of robotics, navigation, and augmented reality in spine surgery, and has been consistently named Top Doctor by Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia Magazine. His passion for spine care began with his father's difficult recovery after spine surgery, motivating his lifelong dedication to improving patient outcomes.
To learn more about Dr. Good, visit: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-christopher-good/
Dr. Good’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.chris_good/

Featured on: Fox 5 DC Morning News
Air Date: November 6, 2025

Learn More About The Recovery Revolution™:
🌐 Website: https://www.spinemd.com/recovery
📞 Schedule a Consultation: 703.709.1114
📧 Contact: mycare@spinemd.com

#SpineSurgery #RecoveryRevolution #Fox5DC #VSI #DrChristopherGood #postopcare #SurgicalRecovery #BackPain #NeckPain #PatientCare #GetBackToYourLife

Why Recovery After Spine Surgery Matters Most | Dr. Good on Fox5 DC

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 months ago

Dr. Jazini, Spine Surgeon, explains a surgical milestone: the East Coast’s first two-level lumbar disc replacement surgery combined with the TOPS™ (Total Posterior Spine) System.

The procedure addressed the patient's severe back pain due to spinal stenosis and disc degeneration from previous spinal fusion surgery.

To restore function, stability, and motion in the patient, Dr. Jazini utilized a custom, 360-degree approach to address the patient's multiple spinal conditions and relieve their painful symptoms.

To learn more about this milestone, visit the official announcement: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/blog/first-customized-disc-replacement-with-tops/

TOPS + Disc Replacement: Alternative to Spinal Fusion Surgery

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 months ago

If you’ve tried rest, ice, and every “miracle fix” that pops up on your feed, Laser Therapy might be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

Why it works:
➡️ reduces inflammation
➡️ speeds up tissue repair
➡️ improves circulation
➡️ supports healing for both acute pain and chronic pain

#lasertherapy #painreliever #chronicpainrelief #acutepain #acutepainrelief

Tried Everything for Pain? This Light-Based Treatment ACTUALLY Works!

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