kid holding yellow backpack

Kids’ Backpacks: How Much Is Too Much Weight?

Why Backpack Weight Matters for Kids’ Spine Health No matter how expensive or well-designed the backpack is, carrying a heavy load repeatedly every day could very well be putting your child’s spine health at risk. If you’ve noticed your child struggling to put on or take off their backpack before, it’s probably too heavy! As…

Young male experiencing migraine in summer heat
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Tips to Manage Migraines in the Summer Heat

Migraines are the sixth most disabling illness worldwide, affecting nearly 40 million Americans and one in four households. While migraines can strike in any season, summer brings its own surge in cases. In fact, one study found that for every 10°F increase in temperature, migraine likeliness rose by 6%. So why does heat make migraines…

Woman sitting and feeling dizzy

Silent Migraines: The Migraine with No Headache

Have you ever experienced sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells, visual disturbances, nausea, or dizziness, but didn’t have the accompanying head pain that is usually associated with migraines? You may be experiencing a silent migraine. Silent migraines can often be known as the “quiet” migraine you didn’t see coming and so people often overlook the…

man touching his head with pain insomnia

Painsomnia: The Link Between Pain and Sleep Disruption

When the lights go out and the world quiets down, many people look forward to a restful night’s sleep. But for those living with chronic pain, nighttime can be a battleground, where rest is replaced with discomfort. This frustrating phenomenon is known as painsomnia, and it affects millions. Dr. Thomas Nguyen, as featured in Everyday…

a young woman lying on the sofa in the living room with migraine
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Strategies for Migraine Relief from a Neurologist

If you think migraines are just headaches, think again. In this episode of the Get Back to Your Life® podcast, neurologist Dr. Ella Akkerman breaks down the debilitating nature of migraines and why it’s time we take them seriously. “Migraines are not just bad headaches. They’re disabling, life-changing. And so do not sit in silence…

Man suffering from Migraine

Neurologist Busts 4 Common Migraine Myths for National Migraine Awareness Month

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (#MHAM) which is an important time to raise awareness of these debilitating and chronic headaches that affect millions of Americans.  As a board-certified neurologist providing concierge care for neck and back conditions, chronic pain and headache disorders are one of my specialties and what I find in…