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VSI® | Spine Solutions

3 days ago

If you're in the middle of trying to figure out what to do about your back pain, whether that means researching your diagnosis, weighing surgical options, or trying to understand what recovery actually looks like, this episode was made for you.

We've done something a little different with this one...
We went back through some of our most powerful conversations and pulled the moments that matter most for patients at exactly this stage of their journey. Think of it as a “greatest hits”, built around the questions we hear most often, and the answers that have resonated most with our listeners over time.

You'll hear from VSI spine surgeons like Dr. Christopher Good and Dr. Ehsan Jazini on what a surgical consultation should look like, and why so many patients end up making decisions without the full picture. You'll also hear from Dr. Colin Haines, Dr. Niteesh Bharara, and Dr. Yash Mehta on why pain persists, what it's actually telling you, and when it's time to stop waiting for it to 'get better'. And you'll hear from one of our Physician Assistants as well as two patients, Rachel and Nick, on what the other side of spine surgery recovery really looks like.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer sense of the questions worth asking, the options worth exploring, and what it actually means to go into a spine surgery decision , and your recovery, feeling prepared.

If any of these conversations resonate with you, we'd encourage you to go deeper. Links to the full episodes with every doctor and patient featured today are below.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro: Why Pain Keeps Coming Back
3:47 - What Spine Surgery Should Look Like
6:37 - The Power of Getting a Second Opinion
8:55 - Spine Surgery Recovery
11:53 - What’s on the Other Side of Spine Surgery at VSI

Ready to watch the full episodes?
On Pain Relief:
- Dr. Haines Says, "It's Not Normal to Hurt": https://youtu.be/gUDjPiiCjHE
- Dr. Bharara Shares the Risks of Pushing Through Pain: https://youtu.be/ube8uiuSvww
- Dr. Mehta's Tips for Lasting Back Pain Relief: https://youtu.be/PPCCZz1KqqE

On Spine Surgery:
- Dr. Jazini & Dr. Good on Pain After a Prior Surgery: https://youtu.be/EXcif6LPZQ0
- Dr. Good Explains Spinal Fusion vs. Disc Replacement: https://youtu.be/UO3I4QWMPvY
- Dr. Jazini Shares the Importance of an Individualized Approach: https://youtu.be/ntSbxtB6KfY
- VSI Surgical Team Gets Real about Preparing for Surgery: https://youtu.be/cEtCjGl8G58

On Recovery:
- Dr. Good on How to Accelerate Recovery: https://youtu.be/wvbdfOSL118
- Nick's Disc Replacement Journey: https://youtu.be/yDXCiArmSis
- Rachel's Disc Replacement Recovery: https://youtu.be/dCKS5k8n8oc

Read the blog: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/podcasts/the-back-pain-roadmap-from-experts/

🖥️ For more information about VSI's approach to Spine Surgery, visit us at https://www.vsispine.com
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- VSI on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_spine/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vsi_spine?lang=en

SUBSCRIBE to our channel to see more resources for back and neck pain relief.

#backpain #backpainrelief #spinesurgery #spinesurgeryrecovery #secondopinion #secondopinionspinesurgery #spinesurgeryoptions #backpaintreatmentoptions #persistentbackpain

Before You Say Yes to Spine Surgery… Watch This

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

7 days ago

Dr. Haines is the first surgeon in the Mid-Atlantic to complete 100 disc replacements with prodisc® L from Centinel Spine. While it is one of the options that our surgeons use, our biggest priority is always selecting the right implant for the right patient.

Read more about their achievement here: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/news/vsi-leads-lumbar-disc-replacement/

Which lumbar disc implant is right for me?

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 weeks ago

Basketball is harder on the spine than you might think!

Dr. Bharara, Sports Medicine Physiatrist, joined DC News Now's Living Local DMV show to share what’s really happening to your back on the basketball court + how to protect it this March Madness season.

#basketball #basketballinjury #spinehealth #backpainrelief #sportsmedicine

Basketball is harder on the spine than you might think!

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 weeks ago

March Madness is here... And so is the #1 most injury-prone sport in America 🏀

Did you know basketball accounts for more than a quarter of all sports-related emergency room visits in the U.S.? Whether you're a weekend warrior hitting the rec center or a seasoned player in a competitive league, your body, especially your spine, can take a serious hit every time you step on the court.

Dr. Niteesh Bharara, Sports Medicine Physiatrist and Director of Regenerative Medicine at VSI® joined the Living Local DMV show to share his slam-dunk strategies for staying healthy, mobile, and injury-free this basketball season.

💡 Dr. Bharara doesn't just treat basketball injuries in athletes, he also plays in a competitive league twice a week.

Tune in for expert advice from someone who lives it.

- Why basketball can be uniquely hard on your spine
- The best stretches to warm up to play basketball
- How dehydration makes you significantly more vulnerable to injury
- The importance of core strength for injury prevention
- Dr. B's "48-hour rule" for knowing when it's time to stop "playing through pain" and actually see a doctor
- Cross-training strategies like yoga, Pilates, and tennis that protect you on the court

More Resources:
- Hear more injury prevention tips: https://youtu.be/0OuQNJjKsFU
- Read Dr. Bharara's blog: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/podcasts/safeguarding-your-game-slam-dunk-strategies-to-prevent-basketball-injuries/
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Dr. Niteesh Bharara is a double-board certified physiatrist who is recognized in the top 7% of physicians in the United States and earned his medical degree at University of Alabama. Leading the Mid-Atlantic region in regenerative therapies and injections such as stem cell therapy, PRP therapy, and adipose fat injections, he received training in physical medicine & rehabilitation with a fellowship in pain medicine at Temple University Hospital. His reputation for getting athletes and active individuals back to their passions has earned him the title of Face of Regenerative Medicine by Washingtonian Magazine and Top Doctor recognition in consecutive years.
🔗 Learn more about Dr. Bharara: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-niteesh-bharara/

#marchmadness #Basketball #BackPain #spinehealth #VSI #injuryprevention #basketballinjury

Basketball & Back Pain: Slam Dunk Strategies to Stay Injury-Free

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks ago

VSI Neurologist Dr. Akkerman joined Fox5 DC to break down the warning signs of a migraine and and what you can actually do about it.

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

#migraineawareness #headacherelief #migrainesolutions

Is it ‘just a headache’? Or something more?

1K

VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks 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

1 months 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

1 months 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

186

VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 months 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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