If you are dealing with back pain, shoulder pain, or knee pain, one of the first questions that often comes up is: do I need an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI? It is a fair question, and it can feel confusing when each test sounds important but no one has explained the difference between these…
Chronic Back Pain Treatment: Key Takeaways If your back pain has lasted more than three months, you are likely dealing with chronic back pain. Unlike short-term soreness that improves with rest, chronic lower back pain often lingers and can begin to interfere with daily activities, sleep, and overall quality of life. The good news is…
Key Takeaways: Arm Tingling and Numbness Why do I have tingling and numbness that radiates down my arm? Tingling, numbness, “pins and needles,” or a burning sensation that travels down the arm is commonly related to nerve irritation. One of the most frequent causes is a pinched nerve in the neck (often called cervical radiculopathy),…
Discovering Disc Replacement: Key Takeaways What should you do if you’ve been told you need a spinal fusion? This episode of the Get Back To Your Life® podcast follows Nick, a patient from Chicago and lifelong athlete who spent more than half his life managing back pain that kept returning in cycles of endless pain….
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Key Facts Living with back or neck pain can wear you down over time. Simple things like sitting at a desk, driving, or getting a full night’s sleep can become frustrating or even unbearable. Most people try conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections. When those options no longer…
Northern Virginia Magazine Top Doctors: Quick Facts Who are the Top Doctors in Virginia? We are honored that Northern Virginia Magazine recognized VSI physicians as 2026 Top Doctors. This year’s honorees include Dr. Ella Akkerman, Dr. Niteesh Bharara, Dr. Christopher Good, Dr. Colin Haines, Dr. Ehsan Jazini, Dr. Yash Mehta, and Dr. Thomas Nguyen. Each…
Winter Back Pain and Snow Shoveling: Quick Facts Cold weather can make back pain and stiffness more noticeable because muscles tighten in lower temperatures and many people move less during the winter. As circulation and flexibility drop, your spine and supporting muscles may not respond as well to everyday demands, especially sudden tasks like shoveling…
Motion-Preservation Spine Surgery: Quick Facts What is Motion-Preservation Spine Surgery? Motion-preservation spine surgery – like disc replacement surgery, hybrid spine surgery (combining disc replacement and fusion), or minimally invasive spine surgery – use advanced implants and techniques to relieve nerve pressure while maintaining near-normal movement in the spine. Instead of fusing bones together, these procedures…
Excellence in spine surgery and sports medicine requires more than technical skill—it demands innovation, peer respect, and an unwavering commitment to patient outcomes. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that Dr. Niteesh Bharara, Dr. Christopher Good, and Dr. Colin Haines have once again earned Castle Connolly Top Doctor honors for 2026. This achievement places them…
Breakthrough technique by VSI Spine Surgeon Dr. Colin Haines advances a new global standard for precision bone removal and rapid patient recovery Read Official Press Release RESTON, VA — January 20, 2025 — In a historic breakthrough for spine surgery, Dr. Colin Haines, a leading minimally invasive spine surgeon at VSI, has successfully performed the…
