Sciatica is one of those things where there’s no question whether someone has it or not. The pain or the shock-like feeling is so strong that it can’t be mistaken for anything else. One patient dealing with sciatica knew exactly what the pain or shock was. She remembered having it one time while pregnant. A…
Brain metastasis is a growth that appears in the brain from cancer that originates elsewhere in the body. A brain metastasis is not the same thing as a primary brain tumor because those begin in the brain. While any cancer can spread to the brain, the most common cancers that cause metastases are lung, breast,…
Before learning about cervical disc herniation, it helps to have a quick synopsis of the spinal anatomy. The spinal column represents the body’s main support structure. This contains five regions with the top region being cervical, which pertains to the neck. In the spine are bones known as vertebrae. Each region has multiple vertebrae. A…
Let’s start by analyzing the word spondylolisthesis. Spondylo refers to the spine. Listhesis means slipping. Put them together and the word refers to a slip in the spine. Before going further, here’s a quick review of the spine’s anatomy. The bones in the spine are called vertebrae. They comprise the spine’s building blocks. Discs sit…
The spine’s anatomy may be complex, but it contains a sophisticated system of bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Think of the spine like the internet in which the nerves provide the connections. They flow everywhere from the tips of the toes up to the brain. The nerves also branch out on the sides of…
The cervical spine refers to the neck region of the spine that supports the body. In a relaxed position, the typical cervical spine has a “C” shaped curve called lordosis. The opening of the curve goes toward the back of the neck. Kyphosis is the opposite of lordosis. Cervical means relating to the neck. While…
Also known as tic douloureux, trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition affecting the trigeminal nerve. The nerve provides sensations in the face including the forehead, eyes, mouth, sinus cavities, and jaw. The condition occurs when a blood vessel compresses on the nerve. It causes pain during face-related activities such as teeth brushing, face washing, eating…
Cervical refers to the neck while myelopathy is a disorder of the spinal cord. Thus, cervical myelopathy is a spinal cord compression in the neck. Here’s an overview of the spine to explain what happens with cervical myelopathy. The spine contains major nerves that run from the brain to the arms, legs, fingers, and toes.…
The anatomy of the spine is an amazing and complex thing. That’s because it contains bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It’s like the internet inside the spine as the nerves flow from the brain on down through the spine down and ends at the tips of the toes. They also branch out on the…
To understand cervical radiculopathy, it helps to be familiar with the anatomy of the spine. The spine consists of bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It houses major nerves that run from the brain to the arms, legs, fingers, and toes. The vertebrae are the bones that make up the building blocks of the spine.…