| Because of the holidays, we will not be sending out a December 26, 2007, issue of the spineadvisor. Look for your next issue on January 9, 2008, and happy holidays from all of us at SpineUniverse! |
Ask The Experts
Holiday football game is a pain in the neck!
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Question:
On Thanksgiving Day, I played in my family’s touch football game. My team won, but I hurt my neck really badly as I scored the game winning touchdown. I was looking back for a pass from the quarterback (my daughter), and I caught it in the end zone. Very exciting! But my brother was standing right in the way, so I ran into him. End result, the muscles on the left side of my neck feel like they have all been strained. My wife says I should go see a doctor, but I’m wondering: will this neck pain go away on its own? Should I put heat on it (my daughter says I should use ice)? Can I take pain medication for it? Is there anything I can do to make the strain heal faster?
– Missoula, MT |
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Answer:
Well, at least your team won! If it is just a strain—and most neck pain is caused by a sprain or a strain—you should feel better by next year. Of course, that’s not as long as it sounds: Most neck pain "goes away" in 6-10 weeks, so you should be in less pain by the end of January…Read Complete Answer |
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Back and Neck Pain
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive…you've heard the term, but what does it mean?
It’s a medical term applied to surgeries that use a small incision and microscopic instruments. It’s also known as arthroscopic surgery, and surgeons have used this procedure since the 1970s on knees and shoulders. Now you can have a minimally invasive spine surgery.
With arthroscopic procedures, there’s little blood loss and scarring, plus you don’t get put under general anesthesia. But is it the right option for you?... Read More
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Wellness and Lifestyle
What You Don’t Want for Christmas:
Weight Gain and Back Pain
Find out how many pounds our readers say they gain during the holidays! |
Everything at the holidays just tastes better, doesn’t it? And that makes it very difficult to pass up the sugar cookies and second helpings of casserole and all the treats in the office.
But the holidays can give you a gift you don’t want: extra pounds that are tough to lose. What’s more, that extra weight can lead to back pain down the road.
Read the results from SpineUniverse’s holiday weight gain survey, and find out how you can make this holiday season very merry by being very healthy. Think of it as a present to your back! ... Read More
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Sponsored by: Laser Spine Institute
Patients’ Guide to Laser Spine Surgery
Think you might be right for laser spine surgery (an arthroscopic procedure)? Visit the Laser Spine Institute’s Resource Center on SpineUniverse for detailed answers to the who, what, why, and how of laser spine surgery.
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| Spine Care Tips: |
Avoid Weight Gain and Back Pain During the Holidays with These Healthy Recipes
Eating healthier this holiday season will make you feel better now. Plus, it will help your back later since extra pounds put more strain on your back. To keep your holidays healthy, follow these delicious, easy, and very healthy recipes.
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| Clinical Trial News: |
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Have you been diagnosed with moderate to severe lumbar spinal stenosis?
If you meet this study’s criteria, you could be a candidate to participate in the TFAS™ clinical trial. TFAS™ is a modular spinal device intended to replace diseased facet joints following surgical removal. TFAS™ offers an alternative to rigid spinal fusion. TFAS™ may eliminate the need to harvest bone graft from the hip, preserves intervertebral motion, and restores spinal stability.
To learn more about this clinical trial click here, or click the button below. |
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