Spine Universe Author Biography

Kelly came to SpineUniverse from the candy industry, where she had the pleasure of writing about America’s best chocolate. When she wasn’t eating candy, she learned how to take technical subjects and write about them in a way that just about anyone could understand. Kelly applies that same principle when writing about the spine. Only this time around, there’s far less sugar involved.

In her free time, Kelly enjoys reading, traveling, and running.

SpineUniverse articles from Kelly Rehan

• A Vacation from Back Pain
  Summer is the season to burn some vacation time and hit the road. The longer days and warmer weather may make it easier to get away, but summer travel includes cramped flights and seemingly-endless road trips. And that can take a toll on your back.
• Acupuncture Reduces Back Pain Better than Mainstream Methods
  A research team found that acupuncture delivered more relief to back pain patients than standard treatments-- even if toothpicks were used instead of needles. Article describes study and includes a spine professional's opinion on the results.
• All Fibromyalgia Treatments
  While we don't know very much about fibromyalgia, there is still a variety of treatment options available-- from alternative treatments to medications-- that may help east your symptoms. This article outlines fibromyalgia treatments.
• Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia
  Many patients achieve fibromyalgia pain relief from complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). Acupuncture, biofeedback, and massage are popular treatments. Herbal supplements and meditation are also good options.
• Alternative Treatments for Herniated Disc: Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Massage
  Alternative and complementary treatments such as acupuncture, acupressure, and massage may reduce pain associated with a herniated or bulging disc.
• Alternative Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
  Many people with rheumatoid arthritis find pain relief from complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). Acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage, relaxation therapy, and mind-body exercises like yoga and Pilates are popular options.
• Autumn: The Season to Shape Up
  There are aspects of fall that encourage physical activity and healthy eating, which help alleviate back pain. Seasonal autumn produce and outdoor exercise are two ways to stay in shape this fall season. Article has exercise and diet tips.
• Common Fibromyalgia Questions
  The article features some common questions that people often ask regarding fibromyalgia, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available.
• Drugs and Medications for Fibromyalgia
  There are a variety of drugs and medications available to treat your fibromyalgia symptoms, but they won't cure it. The FDA has approved three medications to treat fibromyalgia, but they are not your only option.
• Drugs and Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis
  There are many drugs and medications available to treat your rheumatoid arthritis, but they won't cure it. Over-the-counter drugs, including NSAIDs, and prescription medications, such as DMARDs, will help reduce joint pain and inflammation.
• Drugs, Medications, and Spinal Injections for Herniated Discs
  Herniated discs often compress nerve roots and cause pain, but a variety of medications and injections can help manage your symptoms. This general article overviews what options are available.
• Exercise and Fibromyalgia
  Exercise is an essential part of fibromyalgia treatment. Physical activity reduces symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and will even help you sleep better. Here's how to develop an exercise program that's effective at managing your symptoms.
• Exercise and Herniated Discs
  Exercise is an important part of herniated disc treatment. You and your doctor can work together to develop an exercise program that's enjoyable and effective at reducing your pain.
• Exercise and Rheumatoid Arthritis
  Exercise is an essential part of relieving your rheumatoid arthritis pain. Exercise promotes joint health and muscle strength, and is even good for your mental health. Here's how to develop a program that's effective at managing your symptoms.
• Fashion and Back Pain
  It can be hard to understand the connection between what you wear and its effect on your spine. But your fashion choices have an impact on the overall health of your back. Article describes the three biggest culprits-- shoes, clothing, and handbags.
• FDA Issues Warning for Some Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs
  The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)announced that TNF blockers, a class of drugs commonly used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, may increase the risk of cancer in children and young adults.
• Fibromyalgia Causes
  Researchers have not yet determined the exact cause of fibromyalgia, though recent evidence shows that many factors-- from injury to abnormal cerebral blood flow-- may impact the likelihood of developing the condition.
• Fibromyalgia Facts and Tips
  Fibromyalgia is an elusive disorder-- no definitive causes or accurate tests currently exist. However, there are some things we do know about this mysterious condition. This article includes some facts and tips to boost your fibromyalgia understandin
• Fibromyalgia Symptoms
  Fibromyalgia carries an impressive list of symptoms that are often hard to ignore. The most common symptom is chronic widespread pain, though patients also experience extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, and even depression.
• Fibromyalgia Tender Points
  Fibromyalgia is known for painful tender points throughout the body. These tender points are often confused with trigger points. Doctors have identified 18 tender points that help them determine whether a patient has fibromyalgia.
• Food and Osteoporosis
  There are ways to prevent osteoporosis, and eating a healthy diet is one of the easiest and most enjoyable. But unfortunately, not all foods are beneficial for your bones. In fact, some nutrients may harm your bones when consumed in high amounts.
• FRAX: A New Tool to Detect Osteoporosis
  A new technique for diagnosing osteoporosis, the World Health Organisation's fracture risk assessment (FRAX) tool, accurately tells if further testing or treatment is needed. Unlike BMD tests, FRAX takes into account risk and cost of treatment.
• Great Pumpkins, Greater Pains
  Pumpkin patches are one of the great mainstays of the fall season. But to make the most of a day trip, you should know how to lift to prevent back pain. Pumpkins are heavier than they look, and they cause pain if you don't know the right technique.
• How Effective is Vertebroplasty?
  A study released in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vertebroplasty delivered similar results as a placebo procedure. Article includes a spine professional's response about the significance of the findings.
• How Psychologists Help Fibromyalgia Patients
  A significant portion of fibromyalgia sufferers experience some sort of mood disorder, typically depression and/or anxiety. Taking care of your mental and emotional health is key to reducing your fibromyalgia symptoms.
• Lift Weights, Lose Pain
  A new study suggests strengthening your sore muscles is a better way to relieve back pain than rest. This article describes new research findings that show weight training as an effective means of reducing-- even eliminating-- back pain.
• Men and Osteoporosis
  Many people consider osteoporosis a woman's disease, but millions of men develop the disease, too. While men don't have the biological risk factors that women have, they still age, which is one of the biggest risk factors for osteoporosis.
• Oxygen-Ozone Treatment
  Oxygen-ozone injections reduce the volume of a herniated disc to take pressure off nerves and relieve pain. Some researchers believe the effectiveness of this treatment is comparable to surgery but without the complications and long recovery time.
• Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia
  You may try physical therapy to manage your fibromyalgia. Passive treatments, including heat therapy, will reduce chronic and acute muscle pain. Active treatments, including core stability exercises, will strengthen muscles and help relieve pain.
• Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs
  Physical therapy often plays a major role in herniated disc recovery. This general article overviews common passive and active physical therapy treatments that reduce symptoms and teach patients how to live a pain-free lifestyle.
• Physical Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis
  Physical therapy helps you manage your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with a variety of passive therapies (such as head and cold therapy) and active therapies (including aerobic exercise). The techniques teach you how to reduce future pain.
• Reduce Stress to Reduce Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
  Stress will exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis pain, so you need to know how to control it. Stress management is important to both your emotional and physical health. This article includes ways to reduce your stress, and in turn, reduce your symptoms.
• Rest to Relieve Fibromyalgia Pain
  A majority of people with fibromyalgia experience sleep disorders. Regardless of your specific sleep problem, sleep issues worsen your fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. Article explains why sleep's important and tips on achieving a restful sleep.
• Sitting, Redefined
  Many teachers are using stability balls in place of traditional classroom chairs to improve posture, concentration, learning, and prevent back pain in students. This article outlines the benefits and drawbacks of ditching your traditional chair for a
• Statins and the Spine
  The anti-cholesterol drug lovastatin (Mevacor) may improve degenerative disc disease surgical outcomes, according to a recent study.
• Stress Management for Fibromyalgia
  There is a connection between stress and pain. In fact, researchers have found that people with fibromyalgia are more susceptible to stress than those who don't. Article overviews the importance of reducing stress and ways to do so.
• Study: Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery for Metastatic Spinal Tumors
  A patient-friendly explanation of study on the effectiveness of stereotactic body radiosurgery on patients with metastatic spinal tumors.
• Study: Vertebroplasty Similar to Placebo
  A study released in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vertebroplasty delivered similar results as a placebo procedure. The results were based on 131 patients who received either actual vertebroplasty treatment or fake vertebroplasty.
• Surgery and Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Study
  A patient-friendly explanation of study on surgery's effectiveness on patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
• Vegans Match Meat Eaters in Bone Health
  A 2009 study found that the bone density of vegan Buddhist nuns and non-vegetarians are identical. Though vegans typically do not consume enough calcium and protein, findings show that they are not at an increased risk for osteoporosis.
• What is Fibromyalgia?
  Fibromyalgia affects millions of Americans and is one of the most common types of widespread chronic pain. Relatively little is known about fibromyalgia, though recent advancements are shedding light on the condition.
• Who Treats Fibromyalgia?
  There's still a lot of doctors who don't know about fibromyalgia, so it can be difficult nailing down a diagnosis and receiving effective treatment. The key is to find a doctor who is knowledgeable and acknowledges the disorder.