Another year has passed. The new year is always a good time to take stock of things… How are you feeling? Take a moment or two to feel how your spine, back and entire body are working for you… So, how’s it feel? If you answered with anything other than “amazing,” then it’s a good…
The holidays are a time for family get-togethers and giving gifts! But the holidays are also the time of year when sweets are available en masse, which can cause problems if you are dealing with back pain. If you suffer from inflammatory back pain, think twice before you indulge in too many cookies or pieces…
Gleolan (5-ALA) Gleolan, also called ALA HCI or 5-ALA, is one of the most groundbreaking and modern methods available for brain tumor surgery. Gleolan is a visual imaging contrast agent that is used to help map out and define high-grade primary brain tumors like Glioblastoma for surgical removal. This exciting new method allows neurosurgeons to…
Glioblastoma Multiforme is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor type. Glioblastoma is also known as grade IV astrocytoma or glioma. These tumors begin in the brain and grow around the cells that help to support healthy neuron functioning in the brain. Healthy neuron functioning supports your nervous system and helps to carry out signals from…
Patients looking for pain relief may start with ibuprofen. However, bed rest is rarely recommended. Some may try stretching, yoga, physical therapy, and acupuncture. And they still struggle with pain. There may be one more option many overlook. What Is Mindfulness Meditation? Meditation gets a bad rap. Some people think it’s woo-woo. It’s not about…
Before explaining laminectomy, you’ll want to understand the spinal anatomy. Although it’s complex, the spine contains a sophisticated system of bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. Like the internet, the nerves of the spine provide the connections and flow everywhere from the brain down to the tips of the toes. They also branch out on…
Here is a recent case that shows why spinal fusion is often needed along with laminectomy (decompression) surgery. It also illustrates the importance of having a thorough evaluation done by your doctor. What makes a thorough evaluation is having a complete history and proper X-rays. Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) Spinal Fusion Case Study This…
Have you ever visited the school nurse who asks you to bend forward and then checks your spine? That’s a simple test for scoliosis. The spine has natural curves, but they’re more pronounced and different-shaped for people with scoliosis. Because of this, this test can catch some cases of scoliosis early. In other words, people…
If people with neck pain need another reason to quit smoking, here’s a big one. A study has connected smoking to degenerative disease in the cervical spine, which is in the neck. Smoking speeds up the degeneration and causes more damage. How Smoking Affects the Cervical Spine The cervical spine contains bones called vertebrae. Cervical…
Some patients find that smoking provides a brief respite from chronic back pain. But the truth is that smoking causes long-term problems for back pain. A Johns Hopkins University study reported in The New York Times supports this finding. Study Finds Connection Between Smoking and Back Pain The study’s lead author Dr. Nicholas U. Ahn…