The twice-yearly ritual of adjusting our clocks may seem like a minor inconvenience, but for your brain, it’s anything but trivial. When Daylight Saving Time arrives, VSI neurologist Dr. Ella Akkerman says our bodies face a surprising challenge that extends far beyond simply feeling groggy on Monday morning. Understanding how these time shifts affect your…
Summer Heat and Back Pain: Quick Facts Why It Flares: Heat and humidity promote dehydration and inflammation, sensitize nerves, and compound overuse from summer activities and travel; hot nights can also reduce sleep quality and pain tolerance.Who’s Most Affected: People with disc degeneration, sciatica, spinal stenosis, or facet arthritis; outdoor workers/athletes; pregnant individuals; and anyone…
What if the secret to healing faster was already in the air you breathe? In a special on-location episode of the Get Back to Your Life® Podcast, Dr. Christopher Good, Spine Surgeon and President at VSI, reveals one of the latest breakthroughs in spine surgery recovery: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This innovative treatment is now being…
The Recovery Revolution™ combines advanced surgery, holistic therapies, and proven protocols, validated in a 50,000-patient study, to deliver more effective and efficient recovery. RESTON, VIRGINIA – October 16, 2025 – VSI® is proud to introduce The Recovery Revolution™, a patient-first, data-driven model that reimagines what recovery should look like before, during, and after spine surgery….
Office Chair & Back Pain: Quick Facts If you spend most of your workday sitting, your office chair is more than just a piece of furniture, it’s a crucial part of your spinal health. As spine surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini of VSI explains to Forbes in a recent feature, “A poorly designed office chair encourages…
Pillows and Back Pain: Quick Facts Your Pillow Materials Matter Good alignment of your spine is just as important when you’re lying down as it is when you’re standing up. So if you suffer from back pain, the first thing to consider when lying down is if you have enough support. Having the right pillow…
When VSI neurologist Dr. Ella Akkerman shared her expert insights on caffeine timing with Parade.com, thousands of readers discovered that the timing of their morning coffee matters just as much as the coffee itself. Featured in Parade’s article on coffee hacks for focus and energy, Dr. Akkerman’s science-backed recommendations reveal how understanding your body’s natural…
Weighted vests have taken social media by storm, with fitness enthusiasts everywhere claiming they improve posture, strengthen your back, maintain bone density, and build muscle. But does this trending fitness accessory actually deliver on its promises? Dr. Colin Haines, a spine surgeon at VSI, recently joined NBC4’s health team to separate fact from fiction about…
When it comes to choosing the right footwear, the stakes are higher than you might think. Your feet support your entire body weight and serve as the foundation for your mobility. Dr. Yash Mehta, an Interventional Spine & Sports Medicine doctor at VSI who has been featured in AP News and National Geographic, offers expert…
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…
