All About Back Pain Treatments

Should I Consider Artificial Disc Replacement for My Back or Neck Pain?

A spinal neurosurgeon and leader in total disc replacement, shares his thoughts on the current state of this surgical alternative to spinal fusion.

Artificial Disc Replacement as a Revision Procedure

Avid basketball player asks if he is a candidate for cervical artificial disc replacement for neck pain that developed years after a successful spinal fusion.

Opioids for Chronic Neck Pain: Nonopioid Treatment Options

Lisa is managing her chronic neck pain using an opioid drug. Her doctor recommends reducing the medication dose and she is worried. A spine surgeon, physiatrist and pain management specialist answer Lisa's pain treatment questions.

Drug Therapy Treats Spinal Ankylosing Spondylitis

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis, a type of spinal inflammatory arthritis, may benefit from SIMPONI ARIA® (golimumab); an infusion drug therapy.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) may be a better surgical option than traditional or open spinal surgery to treat different causes of back pain and neck pain.

What Is a Physiatrist?

A physiatrist is a medical doctor with specialized training in physical medicine, rehabilitation, and pain medicine.

6 Topics to Help You Talk with Your Spine Surgeon

SpineUniverse spoke with Lali Sekhon, MD, PhD, FACS to obtain his advice about preparing for and getting the most from an appointment or consultation with a spine surgeon.

Spinal Cord Stimulation: Potential Benefits and Risks

The potential benefits and risk of spinal cord stimulation vary from patient to patient. It is important to understand that SCS may help reduce your pain, but not eliminate it.

What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial?

A spinal cord stimulation trial period is necessary if you are considering this treatment to reduce and manage your chronic back pain.

What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment that benefits many people with chronic back and leg pain. SCS can help reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain: What You Need to Know

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has become a standard of care for people with chronic back and neck pain. Neurosurgeon answers the questions patients ask.

How Safe Is Cervical Spine Surgery?

Complications during routine neck surgery are rare, and a study shows death, the most serious is virtually nonexistent.

Off-Label Use of BMP in Pediatric Spinal Fusion Controversial

Recent researchthat bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in pediatric spinal fusion surgery does not improve surgery outcomes and should be used with caution.

Use of Biologics in Spine Surgery

Learn about the advances in biologic materials in spine surgery. Jeffrey C. Wang, MD, a practicing spine surgeon answers SpineUniverse.com's questions.

Bone Graft Types for Spinal Fusion Surgery

Autograft and allograft are frequently used bone graft types for spinal fusion surgery, but new biomedical materials are advancing the case for bone graft substitutes.

Robotic Spine Surgery: Q&A with a Pioneer in the Technology

Misconceptions about robotic spine surgery are dispelled by Isador H. Lieberman, MD, a pioneer in the technology. Why he thinks this technology will be the standard of care for complex spine cases within the next 5 years.

Hyperextension Braces: A Type of Spinal Brace

A hyperextension brace is a spinal brace used to restrict forward bending to help your spine heal properly. Learn how this treatment may help you recover from a spinal compression fracture or from spine surgery.

Rigid Braces: A Type of Spinal Brace

Rigid braces may be used to treat low back pain. They are also commonly prescribed to stabilize your lumbar spine after surgery. There are many types of spinal braces (called orthotics or orthoses). This article describes rigid braces.

Molded Jackets: A Type of Spinal Brace

A molded jacket, also called a thoracolumbosacral orthosis, provides rigid stabilization. This brace may treat a number of spinal conditions, including spinal fractures and scoliosis. It can also limit movement after surgery. Learn more here.

Neck Braces: A Type of Spinal Brace

Neck braces are among the most common of all spinal braces (which your doctor may call orthoses or orthotics).

Corsets: A Type of Spinal Brace

There are many types of spinal braces.This article focuses on corsets, which are used for low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease, injury, or spinal deformity.

Exercise and Physical Therapy

Exercise improves strength, range of motion, and flexibility to help heal your spine and prevent back and neck pain.

What Disorders Do Physiatrists Treat?

Physiatrists are most concerned with overall quality of life. To that end, they treat the whole patient, not just one part of the body.

What Is Microlaminectomy and Microlaminotomy?

Microlaminectomy and microlaminotomy are two types of spinal decompression surgical procedures performed to reduce neck pain or back pain caused by a pinched nerve. These spine surgeries remove bone spurs, herniated discs and other tissues that may compress or put pressure on a nerve root or spinal cord.

Interspinous Process Decompression

Discover how interspinous process decompression (IPD)—a minimally invasive spine surgery—can ease your back pain, and learn about its benefits and risks.

Questions About Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Answered

4 common questions patients ask about minimally invasive spine surgery to treat neck and back pain are answered by a surgical expert.

Music as Medicine After Spine Surgery

Music therapy, when combined with standard medical care, reduced pain perception in patients recovering from spinal fusion.

What You Need to Know About Dry Needling for Low Back Pain

Dry needling is an emerging treatment for trigger points; tender and stiff knots of bundled muscles in your low back or neck. Dry needling for low back pain is often combined with physical therapy.

Massage a Real Deal Option for Chronic Low Back Pain

More than 50 percent of massage therapy study participants reported clinically meaningful improvement in their low back pain after their massage therapy program.

Care for Your Low Back According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

There are many different therapies within the specialty of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of low back pain.

Spinal Conditions Treated by Complementary and Alternative Medicine

When conventional medicine fails to relieve your back or neck pain, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) may help.

Microsurgical Treatment of Herniated Discs

Read about how minimally invasive spine surgery can be used to treat herniated discs.

Opioids for Severe Back Pain and Neck Pain

Opioids are powerful prescription-only medications known as analgesics; drugs that may help reduce back and neck pain.

Muscle Relaxants for Back Pain and Neck Pain

Painful muscle spasms in your back or neck may be eased by taking a muscle relaxant medication your doctor prescribes.

Over-the-counter Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for Spine Pain

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are among the most effective and frequently used first-line treatments for back and neck pain. Types of NSAIDs, how these drugs work to reduce spine pain and safety tips.

Analgesics for Back Pain and Neck Pain

Analgesics are pain-relieving drugs often taken to help reduce back or neck pain. You may know them better as painkillers, and some are narcotics.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Older Adults With Back Pain?

New research supports chiropractic care for older adults with back pain. Dr. Cheryl Hawk, DC answers your questions.

How Physical Therapists Use Dry Needling to Ease Back Pain

Some physical therapists in the United States perform dry needling to treat knots in the neck and back that cause muscle pain. How to find a PT licensed to practice dry needling.

Anticonvulsant Medication May Help Relieve Neuropathic Neck and Back Pain

Anticonvulsant medication may reduce neuropathic neck and back pain that originates in the spine's nerves. An anticonvulsant, such as gabapentin, may be prescribed as a first line drug therapy or an adjuvant medicine for spine nerve pain.

I'm in Pain Now—Is My Spine Surgery to Blame?

Why do some people experience back pain, neck pain or other symptoms after spinal surgery? When spine pain returns weeks, months or years after back or neck surgery, you may wonder whether your procedure wasn't successful.

Spine Surgery Risk Factors and Potential Complications

Spine surgery is not completely free of risk for complications. Co-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes can increase a patient’s risk for surgical complication. Many risk factors can be managed to avoid development of a spine surgery-related problem.

NSAIDs for Neck or Back Pain: Helpful or Harmful to You?

Over a period of time, NSAIDs can raise blood pressure and effect kidney function.

Artificial Discs -- Surgical Fad or Real Breakthrough?

The ideal patient for a cervical disc protrusion arthroplasty is the same patient we would consider for an anterior cervical fusion.

Devil's Claw

This herbal remedy is used to reduce pain and inflammation from musculoskeletal disorders (eg, back pain, arthritis).

Burdock

Burdock is an herbal remedy that is used for liver and gallbladder function, and can help relieve gout, arthritis and other inflammatory ailments.

Evening Primrose

The seeds of this plant contain two essential fatty acids: gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid (LA). Both GLA and LA may help reduce pain and inflammation.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn dilates coronary blood vessels, and may help deteriorating heart function, arteriosclerosis, mild types of arrhythmia, and anemia. It may also help lower cholesterol and build immunity.

Pau d'Arco

This herb contains naphthoquinones - chemical compounds with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Kyphoplasty, Vertebroplasty, Vertebral Augmentation Implant: Treatments for Spinal Compression Fractures

Vertebroplasty, balloon kyphoplasty and vertebral body augmentation are minimally invasive surgical procedures performed to stabilize the fracture and relieve back pain caused by with vertebral compression fractures.

Buying From Online Pharmacies: Does the Convenience Outweigh the Risks?

Alarmingly, drugs sold online may be counterfeit (fake), contaminated, or have too high or too low a dose.

Acetaminophen: First-Line Defense for Back and Neck Pain

Acetaminophen is a common first-line treatment for back and neck pain. It’s available over-the-counter and an ingredient in some prescription pain drugs.

Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

Artificial disc replacement is an emerging alternative to spinal fusion for the surgical treatment of severe disc problems. Lumbar artificial disc replacement still has some hurdles to overcome, but cervical disc replacement has made great strides.

Chiropractic Spinal Adjustment: What was that pop?

You're at the chiropractor getting treatment for your back pain, and during a spinal adjustment, you hear a large popping noise. It sounds a bit alarming, doesn't it? Should you be concerned?

Back Pain Treatment by a Physiatrist

Physiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). The patient's primary care physician (PCP) or spine surgeon may refer to a physiatrist for further evaluation, diagnosis and non-surgical treatment.

The Role of Bone Graft in Spinal Fusion Surgery

Bone graft doesn't heal or fuse the spine immediately; instead, bone graft provides a foundation or scaffold for the patient's body to grow new bone.

Interventional Pain Management: A Comprehensive Approach to Chronic Pain

The goals of interventional pain management are to relieve, reduce, or manage pain and improve a patient's overall quality of life.

Stem Cell Therapy and Spine Care

Stem cell therapy might be the non-surgical solution to back and neck pain, and medical practices offering this therapy report a surge of interest from patients. Spine experts, Jeffrey C. Wang, MD, and Zorica Buser, PhD, shed light on the science and stigma of stem cell therapy.

Connecting Back Pain to Depression and Anxiety

As researchers are learning more about the links between pain, depression and anxiety, they are also gaining insight into ways to break the cycle of pain and emotional distress.

CNS Depressants: Treatment for Anxiety and Sleep Disorders

Back and neck pain can be hard to live with, but adding an anxiety or sleep disorder can truly damage your quality of life.

Anti-Depressants for Back Pain and Neck Pain

While the pain-relieving ability of antidepressants isn’t fully understood, it’s believed that these drugs work in the central nervous system to reduce pain signals.

Chiropractic Eases Low Back Pain in Military Members

Evidence-based study outcomes show care by a chiropractor improves low back pain in soldiers with cross-over to civilians.

5 Chiropractic Services to Question

The American Chiropractic Association and the Choosing Wisely campaign released a list of 5 spine care procedures and tests to question.

Nerve, Fusion, and Implant Complications of Spine Surgery

Your spine surgeon will explain the potential benefits and complications related to your overall health, and the particular type of spine surgery recommended.

Complex Spine Surgery: Your Questions Answered

Complex spinal surgery risks and complications often include diabetes, smoking, and obesity. Questions patients ask are answered by a neurosurgeon.

Diabetes and Spine Surgery: What You Need to Know

What you need to know about diabetes and spine surgery. People with diabetes undergoing back or neck surgery to treat a spinal disorder are at risk for complications, such as infection and slow healing.

What Can Physical Therapy Do For Me?

What is physical therapy? What can a physical therapy program do for me that I cannot do on my own?

Conditions Treated with Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

9 spinal disorders that may be treated using minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and the potential benefits.

Vertebroplasty Reduces Pain Following Spine Fractures

Spine fractures are common and disabling in people with osteoporosis. Learn about what new findings suggest about a procedure called vertebroplasty.

Depression is Connected to Back Pain

Treating chronic pain is more than treating the physical symptoms because chronic pain can involve an emotional component.

Chiropractic Treatment Center

The SpineUniverse Chiropractic Treatment Center provides you with everything you need to know about chiropractors and chiropractic care. Learn about the education and training chiropractors receive and the spinal disorders they diagnose and treat.

Chiropractic Subluxations and Adjustments

When subluxations occur, chiropractors use specific techniques to return the vertebrae into their proper positions or mobilize them so they can move freely. These techniques are called spinal manipulations or adjustments. Learn how many of the techniques are performed.

Oral Steroids and Back Pain

Oral steroids, or corticosteroids such as prednisone taken by mouth, are prescription anti-inflammatory medications that may be prescribed to treat low back pain or neck pain. Be sure to discuss potentially serious side effects with your doctor.

Spinal Bracing

Spinal bracing is used for 3 main reasons... An orthotics specialist explains the different types of braces.

Back Pain Questions About Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Answered

Answers to questions patients ask about minimally invasive spine surgery performed to treat back pain and its causes.

Transforaminal Epidural Injections Treat Leg and Back Pain

Epidural glucocortoid, or steroid, spinal injections are commonly given to patient with leg and/or back pain to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbosacral Medial Branch Block Information

An injection to block the medial branch nerves temporarily stops the transmission of pain signals from the spinal joints to the brain.

Supplements to Keep a Healthy Spine

People of all ages take supplements for the impressive, albeit disputed, array of health claims. Some supplements might even help manage your back and neck pain.

Herbal Supplements for Back Pain

If you have back or neck pain and want to explore alternatives to conventional drugs and medications, herbal supplements may be an option. Herbal supplements are natural and often possess medicinal properties, but they can pose safety concerns.

Questions You Should Ask About Pain and Pain Treatment

Pain isn’t just a symptom; it's also a condition—one that only you truly understand. Questions to help your doctor visualize your pain.

Physical Therapy Center

The SpineUniverse Physical Therapy Center provides helpful information about physical therapies used to treat neck and back pain caused by a spinal disorder. Passive therapies include ultrasound and massage, and active PT involves exercise.

Foraminotomy: Spinal Surgical Procedure

A foraminotomy may be combined with other procedures such as a laminotomy or laminectomy.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF): Spine Surgeon Explains

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, TLIF, is a surgical procedure performed to relieve sciatica, decompress spinal nerves and stabilize the low back.

Tame Stress to Reduce Neck and Back Pain

Stress can make your back pain or neck pain worse (or it can even cause back pain!). Learn about 5 tips for managing stress and back pain.

Stem Cell Therapy, Spine Care and Treatment

Are you considering stem cell therapy to help treat your neck or back pain? What you should know about stem cell therapy before pursuing this treatment.

Lumbar Epidural Injection

Lumbar spinal epidural steroids injections may help relieve low back and leg pain often caused by lumbar spinal stenosis or disc herniation.

Spine Surgery Success Story: Fire Chief Back at Work After Cervical Fusion

This fire fighter’s spine surgeon explains cervical myelopathy and the surgical procedure that put his patient back to work.

Confusion About Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure performed to treat spinal deformity and/or stabilize one or more segments of the spine to prevent painful motion or micro-motion.

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Compared to open spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery offers several advantages. Learn about the benefits.

Facet Joint Block Animation

Facet joint block video animation demonstrates how this spinal injection treats neck or back pain caused by a cervical or lumbar spine condition.

Occupational Therapy: Questions and Answers

The purpose of Occupational Therapy (OT) is to help people increase their functional independence in daily life while preventing or minimizing disability.

Lumbar Laminectomy Animation

Lumbar laminectomy video animation explains how this surgery treats low back and/or leg pain. Laminectomy is spinal decompression that is performed to remove tissues compressing nerves.

Spinal Surgery Complications Animation

Spine surgery comes with risks, and in this short animation, you'll learn about possible spine surgery complications. This will help you make an informed decision about your back pain treatment plan.

Percutaneous Discectomy

Percutaneous disc decompression or percutaneous discectomy is a type of spine surgery performed to treat sciatica back and leg pain caused by a bulging disc or herniated disc.

Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain

Seeing a doctor of chiropractic, otherwise known as a chiropractor, chiropractic physician or DC, can be a beneficial step towards effectively treating low back pain.

Bone Growth Stimulation is Wearable Therapy After Spinal Fusion

Your body’s ability to heal and repair is particularly important during a spine surgery that involves fusion—joining two or bone spinal bones together.

Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon Education and Training

Orthopaedic spine surgeons are highly educated medical professionals who specialize in treating all types of spinal disorders and conditions.

TLIF and PLIF: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries

Learn what spine conditions TLIF and PLIF are most commonly used for, how they can be performed minimally invasively, and the potential risks associated with these spine surgeries.

Role of the Pain Management Specialist

Pain management doctors are pain medicine specialists who work to reduce their patients' pain, improve functional abilities and quality of life. The pain management team is made up of different medical professionals including physiatrists, oncologists, anesthesiologists, and physical therapists.

Spinal Traction

Spinal traction is a non-surgical therapy that gently separates or distracts the spinal column in opposite directions to stabilize or change the position of vertebrae and soft tissues.

Surgery for Herniated Disc with Sciatica: Find the Right Surgeon, Ask the Right Questions

A lumbar herniated disc is a common cause of sciatica resulting in low back and leg pain that is called a lumbar radiculopathy. Information about how to choose a spine surgeon and 10 smart questions to ask.

Chiropractic Therapies

Although their main method of treatment is the spinal manipulation, many chiropractors also use other therapies to treat their patients. This article provides patients with information about many of the most common chiropractic therapies.

A Chiropractic Visit: Diagnostic Tests and Treatment

Chiropractors use a variety of tests as part of the physical examination to help diagnose the patient's problem.

Hot and Cold Therapies for Pain and Discomfort

Hot and cold therapies are the oldest forms of treatment to help reduce muscle inflammation, tenderness, and pain. Learn more in this article.

Cervical Spine Surgery: An Overview

Cervical spine surgery is performed by removing a disc or a bone and fusing the vertebrae together with a bone graft either in front of or behind the spine.

Cervical Epidural Injection

A cervical epidural injection places anti-inflammatory medicine into the spine's epidural space to reduce nerve root inflammation to help reduce neck pain, and shoulder and/or arm pain.

Spine Surgery Overview

Is spine surgery your only option for back pain? This article helps patients understand when a spine procedure may be recommended.

What You Should Know About Sciatica and Nonsurgical Treatment

Sciatica is low back and leg pain usually accompanied by numbness, tingling and occasionally weakness along the sciatic nerve. There are many causes, and a variety non-surgical treatment options.

What Is Microdiscectomy?

Microdiscectomy is one of the most common minimally invasive spine procedures. Also known as microdecompression, microdiscectomy is a type of decompression technique that takes pressure off your spinal cord or nerve roots to relieve your pain.

Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment for Neck, Back and Sacroiliac Pain

Radiofrequency ablation may help manage your back pain, and may be combined with other non-surgical therapies. Radiofrequency neurotomy and rhizotomy are other names for this procedure.

Cigarette Smoking and Its Impact on Spinal Fusions

Smoking cigarettes weakens the body's systems and does not let them function normally due to the increased levels of toxins in the body.

Laminotomy versus Laminectomy

Learn the difference between two surgical procedures relating to the lamina. The lamina is a thin, bony plate that covers and protects the spinal canal and spinal cord.

What Is the Relation Between Chiropractic and Spinal Manipulation?

Chiropractors perform the majority of spinal manipulations in the US. The goal of spinal manipulation is to...

Manipulation Under Anesthesia for Back, Neck and Joint Pain

Manipulation under anesthesia is a noninvasive stretching and manipulative technique performed by a trained and certified physician to help relieve back, neck, and joint pain.

Radiofrequency Neurotomy Information for Sacroiliac Joint Pain

A neurotomy is a non-surgical pain management procedure that may help ease sacroiliac joint pain.

SI Joint Fusion is Highly Successful in Most People Who Respond to an SI Joint Block

Sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion using the iFuse Implant System is highly successful in people with SI joint dysfunction who have a physical exam pointing to the SI joint and experience pain relief during a diagnostic SI joint block (injection of a numbing agent into the SI joint).

Spine Surgery: PreOperative Questions

Patients have many questions about surgery. Answers to some of these questions include topics such as anesthesia, recovery time, physical therapy, and cost.

Spine Surgery: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are scheduled to have spinal surgery, one way to relieve your anxiety about the procedure is to learn all you can about the procedure. This article includes some sample questions that you can take with you to your next appointment.

Causes of Failed Back Surgery Are Multifactorial

"How can surgeons reduce the risk for failed back surgery syndrome?" is the question Dr. Ralph Rashbaum answers.

What To Do If You’re Considering Back Surgery

If you are contemplating spine surgery, and want to potentially avoid failed back surgery, you may be interested to know what an orthopaedic spine surgeon recommends you consider—including, important questions to ask.

What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)?

In order to be classified as failed back surgery syndrome, there has to be a correlation between the surgical event and the failure to improve as a direct result of the surgery.

Treatment for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed back surgery syndrome, FBSS, and its treatment considerations are explained by Ralph Rashbaum, MD, an orthopaedic spine surgery. Dr. Rashbaum explains his approach to proper patient care when back surgery is not successful.

Non-operative Interventions for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Ralph Rashbaum, MD, and orthopaedic spine surgeon answers questions posed by SpineUniverse about failed back surgery syndrome. In this segment, Dr. Rashbaum explains when surgery is not elective and important considerations for both patients and surgeons.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a type of spine surgery performed from the back of the spine involving discectomy, interbody cages and bone graft for spinal fusion.

Epidural Injection for Low Back and Leg Pain

Spinal epidural injections place powerful anti-inflammatory medication near or at the pain-provoking nerve area of the spine.

Is Acupuncture Effective to Help or Reduce Back Pain, and is it Safe?

Today, as people are becoming more aware of alternative treatments and seek pain relief options that do not include medication. Acupuncture seems to have jumped to the top of many people’s radar.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chiropractic

Article answers frequently asked questions about chiropractic care. Find out how often you’ll need to visit a chiropractor to ease your back pain, as well as how to choose a good chiropractor for your back or neck pain.

Meningitis Outbreak Linked to Spinal Injections

You may have heard about a recent outbreak of meningitis linked to spinal injections for back pain. We have the latest updates on the outbreak and recall, including which states have been affected and symptoms to look out for.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation May Help Reduce Neck and Back Pain

TENS works to decrease pain perception and may be used to control acute and chronic pain. It may also be used with other treatments such as exercise.

Ultrasound Warms Neck or Back Muscles for Active Physical Therapy

Ultrasound is a passive modality: a supplement to the primary treatment (e.g. exercise). Passive modalities typically are used to relax the patient, a distraction from pain, and/or to warm muscles for exercise.

Physical Therapy: TENS, Ultrasound, Heat and Cryotherapy

Physical therapy to treat neck or back pain usually includes ice and heat, ultrasound and/or TENs; transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation.

Spine Surgery Risks and Potential Complications

Complications of spine surgery to treat neck or back pain are often similar to other operations, except spinal surgery may involve greater risk depending on how it is performed (open or minimally invasive) and if spinal instrumentation and fusion are involved.

The McKenzie System

The McKenzie system is a method of evaluating and treating spinal disorders developed by New Zealand Physiotherapist Robin McKenzie.

Biofeedback: Questions and Answers

Biofeedback can help a patient to affect a particular function specific to a problem through mental or physical exercises, such as relieving neck pain due to muscle tension.

Foraminotomy: Taking Pressure off Spinal Nerves

A spine surgeon explains spinal nerve compression and how it may be treated by surgical decompression, a foraminotomy.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy

Anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) is a common surgical procedure to treat chronic neck pain or other disorders affecting the cervical spine. A spine surgeon explains what will happen during an anterior cervical discectomy.

Chiropractic Care to Manage Chronic Low Back Pain

Low back pain is not necessarily an acute problem that goes away within 6 weeks.This can require patients to receive additional chiropractic care, along with any other medical services they may need.

Spine Surgeons’ Role in Preventing Failed Back Syndrome

Dr. Ralph Rashbaum, an orthopaedic surgeon answers the question, "Do all roads lead back to the operating room when it comes to failed back surgery?"

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) Animation

TLIF video animation explains transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, a type of spine surgery performed to treat spinal conditions that cause low back and leg pain, such as discogenic pain, disc herniation and/or spondylolisthesis

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) Animation

PLIF video animation explains posterior lumbar interbody fusion, a type of spine surgery performed to treat spinal conditions that cause low back and leg pain, such as disc herniation and/or spondylolisthesis.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) Animation

ALIF video animation explains anterior lumbar interbody fusion, a type of spine surgery performed to treat spinal conditions that cause low back and leg pain, such as discogenic pain, degenerative disc disease or disc herniation.

Spinal Injections Animation

Spinal injection treatment video animation explains pain management procedures that help reduce neck and back pain and offer diagnostic information.

10 Back and Neck Pain Medication Safety Tips

Much can be lost in translation from the time your physician writes your prescription to when your pharmacist fills it. These 10 tips will help you advocate for your health in the complex world of prescription drugs.

Raising Awareness of Opioid Use in Older Adults and the Elderly

SpineUniverse reported on a study that indicated a 10% increase in opioid addiction or dependency in patients prescribed such medications to treat postoperative pain.

How to Choose a Spine Surgeon

It is important for patients to be as involved as possible in their own medical care. If you are able to choose your physician, here are some guidelines on what to look for in a spine specialist.

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Spine surgeons are always seeking new ways to perform spine surgery in a safe, effective way that will make your recovery less painful and more rapid.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) Surgery Treats Low Back Pain

ALIF may be recommended to treat certain spinal conditions that may cause back and/or leg pain or instability.

Degenerative Disc Replacement Animation

Artificial disc replacement video animation explains how degenerative disc replacement is surgical performed, who is a candidate, and how total disc replacement differs from spinal fusion to treat neck and back pain.

How Often Is Chiropractic Needed for Low Back Pain?

How many chiropractic treatments are necessary to treat low back pain? Do chiropractors recommend other types of treatment besides spinal adjustments and manipulation?

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Selective (Transforaminal) Epidural Spinal Injection

A lumbar epidural steroid injection, transforaminal spinal injection, and selective epidural injection are types of diagnostic spinal injections that may help your doctor pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and provide relief from back pain.

Alternative Treatments Center

The SpineUniverse Alternative Treatment Center can help you find trustworthy information about complementary and integrative alternative practices.

Spinal Fusion Instrumentation Removal: Pros and Cons

If an issue with your spinal instrumentation develops, your doctor may recommend removing it or leaving it in place. Why would your doctor suggest one or the other?

Second Opinion on Spine Surgery: Rude or Smart?

Most people don't dare to ask for a second opinion?" Although patients may want to get a second opinion, many feel it is being disrepectful. Is it?

iFuse System For Sacroiliac Joint Pain Shows High Success Rate and Patient Satisfaction

The iFuse system showed a high rate of patient satisfaction and was linked to reduced need for opioid medications.

Lumbar Facet Joint Injection Information

Get the answers to your questions related to lumbar facet joint injections including what to know during and after the procedure.

Are You Depressed?

Depression and back pain often intertwine, but there is help. Article from a psychologist gives tips for moving through depression (which should help you deal with your back pain, too).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Back Pain

Author, a specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides an alternative angle of understanding low back pain through the model of TCM.

Acupuncture for Children With Back Pain

Can pediatric acupuncture help treat chronic pain caused by spinal conditions?

Questions to Ask Your Alternative Medicine Practitioner

The more questions you ask, the more informed you'll be. And the more informed you are, the more involved you can be in your healthcare decisions. Sample questions included in this article.

Drugs and Medications Center

The SpineUniverse Drugs and Medications Center explains over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications used to treat back pain and neck pain.

What Is Post-operative Care?

Post-operative recovery starts in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).

Patient-Controlled Analgesia – PCA

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a pain management therapy commonly used in hospitals. Learn more about the benefits.

Advancements in Spine Surgery

Technological and biological advances are on the horizon that will work in concert with minimally invasive techniques.

Anesthesia - Questions and Answers

Answers to patient’s questions about anesthesia and spine surgery includes important information you should discuss with your doctor before you reach the operating room.

Surgery: Should I or Shouldn't I?

When it comes to spine surgery, patients are active participants in the decision-making process and are ultimately responsible for deciding whether to have spine surgery.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery: What It Is and What It Isn’t

Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) uses a small incision and specialized instruments to surgically treat spinal disorders ESS should not be confused with traditional procedures, such as minimally invasive, micro invasive and/or laser spine surgeries.

Physical Therapy: Questions and Answers

Physical therapy combines passive modalities with active exercise to help patients resume normal activities more quickly.

St. John's Wort

This herb is used to treat depression, anxiety, insomnia, hyperinsomnia (excessive sleep), wounds, and hemorrhoids.

Stinging Nettle

It has been used for hundreds of years to treat eczema, gout, anemia, arthritis, and rheumatism (joint inflammation and pain).

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is used to treat urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland. In addition, this herb may stimulate appetite and act as a diuretic.

Peppermint

This herb may enhance digestion and used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, morning sickness, menstrual cramps, poor appetite, gas, diarrhea, headache, migraine, and skin irritations.

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle is used to treat psoriasis. This herb may also protect the liver from acetaminophen, a non-aspirin pain reliever.

Licorice

Licorice derivatives have been used to cleanse the colon, relieve bronchitis (increase fluidity of mucus), kill staph and strep infections and control candida.

Kava Kava

Kavapyrones, a key chemical component in kava, is believed to impact the brain much the same way as certain pharmaceutical drugs. Kavalactone, another active chemical in kava, can numb the mouth, gums, and/or tongue.

Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is an herbal preparation made from grapes. The extract contains oligomeric proanthocyandin (OPC), an important antioxidant.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal may cleanse the body, counter infection, and strengthen the immune system. It may help to relieve cold/flu symptoms (sore throat, earaches),and improve digestion.

Ginseng: American, Asian, Siberian

Each ginseng type may help alleviate stress (physical, mental, environmental), fatigue (increases endurance, stamina), poor mental performance (eg, concentration), symptoms associated with menopause, and may protect against colds.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is often referred to as GBE (Ginkgo Biloba Extract). Although ginkgo biloba is a tree, the leaves are used to make standardized GBE preparations.

Ginger

In herbal preparations ginger is used to cleanse the colon (bowel disorders), stimulate circulation, and to reduce the symptoms of motion, morning, and seasickness.

Garlic

Garlic is used to treat a wide variety of diseases and infections. This herb may enhance immune function (protects against infection), detoxify the body, lower blood pressure and blood lipid levels, and improve circulation.

Feverfew

Feverfew has a wide variety of uses. For starters, it is an herbal remedy that can help alleviate migraine.

Eucalyptus

Herbal preparations may help clear chest congestion, kill bacteria, increase blood flow, reduce swelling, and ease tired sore muscles.

Echinacea

The herb contains copper, enzymes, fatty acids, glucose, potassium, protein, resin, sulfur, tannins, and vitamins A, C, and E.

Comfrey

Comfrey is used to treat the following: bedsores, stings, bruises, burns, dry skin, dermatitis, leg ulcers, rashes, and sunburn.

Chamomile: German and Roman (English)

Chamomile stimulates appetite, is used as a nerve tonic, and to aid sleep. It may be used as a mouthwash for minor mouth and gum infections.

Celery Seed

These seeds are used to treat high blood pressure, nervousness and anxiety, muscle spasms, and to stimulate appetite.

Cayenne

Capsaicin, which makes cayenne taste hot, may help lower body temperature. Cayenne may improve circulation, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots, and heart disease.

Cats Claw

This herb is used to cleanse the intestinal tract, has antioxidant properties, may enhance the action of white blood cells and may act as an anti-inflammatory.

Barberry

The bark and stems may be used medicinally to decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, slow breathing, reduce bronchial congestion (mucus), reduce fever and swelling, and treat arthritis and psoriasis (ointment form).

Aloe

Aloe, a clear thick gel-like substance, flows from the inside of cut leaves. Aloe can be used externally and internally.

Back and Neck Braces Animation

Has your doctor prescribed a back or neck brace? This video animation explains the purpose of a spinal brace, how they are made, and different types of braces for the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine.

Why Medical Clearance Before Spine Surgery?

Medical clearance before spine surgery evaluates your general health, existing medical problems or comorbidities, and risk potential for complications. This pre-operative clearance provides information your surgeon uses to reduce risks before, during and after back or neck surgery.

Cervical Disc Replacement for Neck or Arm Pain

Cervical disc replacement is considered an option for some patients with arm or neck pain, and symptoms related to a problem involving one or two cervical discs.

Prayer as a Component of Managing Chronic Pain

People with chronic pain frequently rely on religious activities or beliefs, including prayer, to help them cope. Is prayer or meditation something you should consider as part of your pain management plan?

Second Opinions: Five Things About This Patient Right

Getting a second opinion can feel awkward or even inappropriate, but it’s a smart practice if you have concerns or doubts.

Regular Exercise Reduces Anxiety Associated with Chronic Pain

To combat the multi-faceted nature of chronic back pain, doctors often suggest that patients exercise. Article explains a new report that finds that regular exercise may help reduce the symptoms of chronic pain, especially if they have anxiety.

Are You Ready for Surgery?

You need to prepare for surgery just as much as your surgeon does. You are about to enter one of the most important athletic contests of your life. Dr. McLaughlin explores how you can prepare for your spinal surgery.

Natural Remedies to Soothe Stress and Ease Anxiety

If you're suffering from frequent bouts of anxiety, your body and mind are signaling that they need more down time to restore balance.

Does Back Pain Have You in a Funk?

Chronic pain and depression are two of the most common health problems that health professionals encounter, yet only a small percentage of studies have investigated the relationship between these conditions.

5 Ways a Spa Visit May Help Reduce Back Pain

Acupuncture and massage are therapies that may help reduce back pain.

Can Therapeutic Massage Help Relieve Back Pain?

Therapeutic massage is an alternative treatment for people with a variety of spine conditions. Here are 5 things to know about therapeutic massage.

Mind and Body Treatments for Back Pain

This may help prevent many conditions, including back and neck pain.

Acupressure: A Safe Alternative Therapy

Acupressure involves applying precise pressure to any of 650 body pressure points to help treat back/neck pain related to a spinal disorder.

Massage for Spine Health: 5 Tips for Choosing a Massage Therapist

Research supports the view that massage is a legitimate back pain treatment, offering a viable option to medications or more invasive methods to manage spine pain.

Alcohol: Pain Killer or Pain Causer?

Research studies have found that moderate use of alcohol does relieve pain, such as back or neck pain for many people.

Healing Power of Man’s Best Friend—and Cats, too/Pets Can Be Powerful Medicine

Pain medicine specialist, Steven Richeimer, MD, explains why having a pet, or interacting with a trained dog or cat may improve a pain patient's quality of life.

Artificial Cervical Disc Implant Surgery: First of its Kind in US!

SpineUniverse interviews Rick Sasso, M.D., one of the spine surgeons who performed one of the first artificial cervical implant surgery in North America.

Surgical Technique: Reversal of Anterior Cervical Fusion by Placement of an Artificial Disc Prosthesis

Learn how the first reported case of reversal of a previously fused segment was surgically corrected using an artificial disc.

Selecting a Complementary, Alternative or Integrative Health Practitioner

More people are looking into complementary, alternative and/or integrative health treatments to treat back and neck pain.

Prescription Medications and You

There are some important things you should be aware of when taking prescription medications.

What Is Neurointerventional Surgery?

Neurointerventional surgeons have special training to treat spinal disorders. Learn about their education and training and if they can help treat your back or neck pain.

What You Should Look for in a Chiropractor

Tips to find the right chiropractor for your back pain or neck pain. Check his/her education and credentials and make sure it's someone you're comfortable with.

Spine Specialists On-Call: Charité Artificial Disc

"Disc replacement is the most significant advancement since the modern treatment of spinal disorders began 70 years ago" as stated by Richard Guyer, MD.

Spondylotic Cervical Myelopathy Treated with Two Level Artificial Disc Placement

Part 2 of Associate Professor Lali Sekhon's case report about a two level cervical artificial disc placement.

Spine Specialists On-Call: Artificial Disc Technology and Low Back Pain

The Charité artificial disc offers some patients with degenerative disc disease a treatment option to alleviate discogenic back pain.

Intervertebral Disc Replacement

Prosthetic devices to replace the intervertebral disc may be broadly divided into devices that replace the nucleus only, leaving the annulus and cartilaginous portions of the endplate intact, and devices that replace the entire disc.

Steroids, Cortisone, Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Cortisone and cortisone-like steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications.

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement Using the Bryan

Replacement of the cervical disc with an artificial disc does not require bone grafting, maintains motion and balance.

Lumbar Discectomy: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Back pain and sciatica may result from a herniated disc. Learn what happens when a disc ruptures and what non-surgical and surgical treatments are available.

What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery is an attractive option for patients who want a quicker recovery after surgery, less post-operative pain, and smaller incisions.

Sympathetic Nerve Block Information

A sympathetic nerve block involves injecting numbing medicine around the nerves in the low back or neck to temporaily switch pain off.

Costotransverse and Costovertebral Joint Injection Information

The costotransverse and costovertebral joints are small joints where the ribs join the mid back. This injection may help relieve pain in the back, ribs, chest, or abdomen.

Thoracic Epidural Injection

An epidural injection places anti-inflammatory medicine into the epidural space to decrease inflammation of the nerve roots, hopefully reducing the pain in the mid back or around the rib cage.

Caudal Epidural Injection Information

Read how this treatment may help to decrease nerve root inflammation and hopefully reduce back or leg pain.

Physical Therapists: Professionals Working Toward Wellness

Physical therapists are highly educated medical professionals who work with patients toward wellness and injury prevention.

What Is Spinal Instrumentation and Spinal Fusion?

Spinal instrumentation and fusion may be performed to stabilize the spine following disc removal (discectomy) and spinal decompression surgery (laminectomy).

Smoking, Tobacco Use, e-Cigarettes and Spine Surgery

Five spine surgeons answer questions from SpineUniverse.com about smoking, tobacco use, including e-cigarettes and spinal surgery.

Reversal of Anterior Cervical Fusion by Placement of an Artificial Disc Prosthesis

The first reported case of reversal of a previously fused segment in the cervical spine using an artificial disc.

What Is Microforaminotomy?

Microforaminotomy is a type of minimally invasive spine surgery that helps relieve pressure on your spinal cord or nerve roots. Smaller incisions and a faster recovery may make this procedure more attractive than open foraminotomy.

10 Ways to Prevent Medical Errors in Back Pain Treatment

10 prevention tips for people with back and neck pain to help you avoid medical errors. Examples of common medical errors and understanding your role.

Four Things to Know About Your Patient Rights at the Hospital

When you need medical care—whether it’s for a spine condition or otherwise—your health is at risk, and you must rely on other people to fix what’s ailing you.

Lumbar Laminectomy

Lumbar laminectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat spinal stenosis, a degenerative condition in which the spinal canal becomes narrowed and creates pressure on the spinal cord.

Artificial Disc Surgery in the Cervical Spine

Cervical disc replacement is a new technique that is becoming more available worldwide. In Part 1 of his article, Dr. Lali Sekhon discusses cervical discs and fusion.

An Introduction to Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery was developed out of the desire to effectively treat disorders of the spinal discs with minimal muscle-related injury and with rapid recovery. Learn the basics of minimally invasive surgery here.

Pain Management Techniques to Help Conquer Back and Neck Pain

The purpose of this article is to help you understand pain management. Included is an explanation of the different types of pain and treatments pain management specialists use to fight pain.

Spine Surgeon Tells Patients How to Prepare for an Appointment

Since most of us aren’t likely to have much time with a specialist, we asked Lali Sekhon, MD to share his advice on making the most of your doctor’s visit.

Cervical Spine Bracing Options: Halo Ring, Crowns, or Vest

A halo, also known as a 'halo ring' or 'halo crown', is used to manage different conditions that destabilize the cervical spine.

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.

Magnet Therapy

Magnet therapy is a type of alternative treatment some people have used to minimize back pain.

Education and Training for Alternative Medicine Practitioners

The education and training of alternative medicine practitioners varies based on where you live and the specialty of the CAM practitioner.

Bisphosphonates: Osteoporosis Medications That May Help Prevent Spinal Fractures

This article is about a specific class of drugs call bisphosphonates. These medications help increase bone mineral density in the spine (and hips) and may help reduce the risk of fracture.

Treatments for Opioid-induced Constipation

Opioid-induced constipation is a common side effect of taking opioids for chronic back pain or neck pain, Learn about over-the-counter and prescription treatments for OIC.

Cervical Facet Joint Injection Information

A facet joint injection serves several purposes. By placing numbing medicine into the joint, the amount of immediate pain relief experienced will help confirm or deny the joint as a source of pain.

What Is Opioid-Induced Constipation?

If you are prescribed opioids for your chronic back pain or neck pain, you may experience opioid-induced constipation. Learn what signs and symptoms to watch for and why this is a common side effect of opioids.

Pain Management Techniques to Help Conquer Back and Neck Pain

Spine specialists help patients who suffer acute and chronic pain to find relief using new procedures and devices that include radiofrequency discal procedures, spinal pumps and stimulators.

Epidural Injections to Reduce Pain from Pinched Nerves

The epidural space is often used to deliver medicine close to the spinal nerves. Local anesthetics and anti-inflammatory steroids help to reduce inflammation that can cause pinched nerves.

How Doctors Diagnose and Treat Lordosis

Doctor John Regan presents patients with information about how abnormal lordosis is diagnosed and treatment options.

AxiaLIF

Deciding whether to have spine surgery can be scary, even if it is minimally invasive. Find out how AxiaLIF-a type of minimally invasive spine surgery-can relieve your back pain, and learn about its advantages and disadvantages.

Mini-open ALIF

Discover how mini-open anterior lumbar interbody fusion is performed, what conditions it’s used for, and the risks associated with this minimally invasive spine surgery.

Spinal Pumps and Spinal Cord Stimulators

Although far from panaceas, spinal pumps and spinal cord stimulators have proven to be very effective with carefully selected patients whose severe pain persists despite prior treatment efforts.

The History of Chiropractic

Chiropractic started in the late 1800s, and it has come a long way since then. Learn about the development of chiropractic and its various techniques, such as spinal manipulation.

Questions to Consider When Choosing a Chiropractor

Chiropractors can specialize in many areas, including orthopaedics, neurology, sports injuries, and nutrition. Answer these questions to determine if you've chosen the right chiropractor to fit your needs.

What is a Chiropractor?

A doctor of chiropractic (DC), chiropractor or chiropractic physician, is an allied healthcare professional trained to diagnose and treat spinal disorders, including the body’s musculoskeletal and nervous systems. DCs treat infants, children, and adults and believe in non-surgical drug-free approaches to improving whole body health.

Chiropractor Education and Training

Chiropractic education and training is much more than spinal manipulation and includes anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pathology.

10 Tips to Make Your Spine Care Experience Safer

As you work with medical professionals, remember you are a consumer of health services—and you’re more in control than you may think.

Medications Glossary

Terms and definitions help you better understand the drugs and medications used to treat neck and back pain.

Chiropractic Care of Short Leg Syndrome, Low Back and Neck Pain

Chiropractor explains causes of back and neck pain, including functional and structural short leg problems and whiplash known as cervical acceleration deceleration injury (CAD).

Patients with Back or Neck Pain Have a Voice in Their Spine Care

As a patient with neck or back pain, you have specific rights that help protect you and your information.

Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Interlaminar Epidural Injection Information

An epidural injection places anti-infllammatory medicine into the epidural space to reduce nerve inflammation and pain.

How Doctors of Chiropractic Manage Back and Neck Pain

The premise of chiropractic medicine is to be minimally invasive to the body and to enhance the body's ability to heal itself.

Medications for Back Pain and Neck Pain

Read important information regarding over-the-counter and prescription medications for both acute and chronic back pain.

Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist or Doctor about Medications

It's essential to have clear communication with your doctor and pharmacist when it comes to taking drugs and medications. Understanding your treatment will better help you reduce your back and neck pain.

Questions/Answers About Chiropractic Adjustments

Answers to common questions about chiropractic care for back pain or neck pain.

Neuropathic Drugs and Medications

Neuropathic pain is characterized by chronic burning, tingling, and numbness.This article explores the medication options for neuropathic pain.

Prescription NSAIDs: Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for Neck or Back Pain

Prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be effective to help reduce neck or back pain.

What Disorders Do Chiropractors Treat?

Chiropractors diagnose and treat many different spinal disorders that cause neck and back pain, including tailbone pain, whiplash, sprains and strains, and degenerative disc disease.

The Truth about Cortisone Shots

Today, with a careful assessment of the benefits, cortisone is a very useful and effective tool in treating back pain.

Update to FDA Warning: Some Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Drugs Not Linked to Cancer Risk

Regarding common drugs prescribed to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the FDA warning did not acknowledge the impact of these medications on cancer risk, or that JIA alone increases cancer risk.

Questions to Ask Your Orthotist

An orthotist is a specialist who designs and fits braces. During your visit with your orthotist, it's important to come prepared with questions.

Recovery from Lumbar Fusion Surgery

What to expect after lumbar fusion surgery during recovery includes post-operative activities, discharge instructions and warning signs that warrant calling your spine surgeon.

Procedure: Lumbar Laminectomy

Lumbar laminectomy is a type of decompression spine surgery performed in the low back. The purpose of the procedure is to remove nerve compression often caused by a herniated disc and/or bony overgrowths called osteophytes.

Spinal Bracing Center

The SpineUniverse Spinal Bracing Center covers the basics of when braces are used to treat spinal conditions.

Regenerative Medicine Procedures, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Information about the types of specialists who may perform stem cell therapies, how a procedure may be performed, and potential risks.

Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells 101

Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy is a relatively new area of medicine. The purpose of this article series is to help you understand related terminology, and explain where human stem cells originate and how they develop.

Chiropractic Eases Low Back Pain in Female Veterans Studied

Study showed that chiropractic delivered meaningful relief to female veterans with low back pain.

From Facing Paralysis to Pain Free: One Man’s Spine Surgery Success Story

Firefighter’s story of cervical spinal cord compression caused by three bulging discs could have caused paralysis. His spine surgery journey and positive outcome.

Informed Consent in Plain Language

Knowing your rights related to informed consent will allow you to make decisions about your health with full knowledge and confidence.

After Spine Surgery: Eat Right to Heal Fast

After neck or back surgery your entire body goes through a recovery process. A high-quality diet or meal plan can help ensure a smoother and speedier one.

Sacroiliac and Lumbosacral Belts: A Type of Spinal Brace

Sacroiliac and lumbosacral belts are back braces that treat pain in the lumbar spine and sacrum. If you have low back pain, your doctor may recommend one of these spinal braces to immobilize the painful area and allow it to heal. Learn more here.

Joint and Soft Tissue Mobilization

Mobilization is a hands-on manual therapy designed to restore joint movement, power, and range of motion.

Biologic Drugs for Back Pain and Neck Pain

Biologic drugs are a special, complex class of medications that help treat spinal inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

Spinal Cord Stimulation FAQs

Will a spinal cord stimulator free you from your back pain? This and other FAQs are answered by F. Todd Wetzel, MD.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

These sample questions and guidelines will help you prepare for your visit with an osteopathic doctor.

Post-Operative Care: Activity, Incision Care, Rehab and Recovery

Each day following spine surgery the patient is encouraged to increase physical activity and to be as independent as possible.

Surgical Recovery: OK to Leave the Hospital

Before getting the okay to go home, your doctor will make sure of certain things. Learn more in this article.

Massage Therapy Helps Ease Neck and Back Pain

Massage is a treatment option for back pain and neck pain. Learn the basics of massage therapy and find out how it can help reduce your back or neck pain.

Low Back Spinal Fusion vs an Artificial Disc Implant

SpineUniverse’s interview with Jack Zigler, MD continues. Here Dr. Zigler discusses the differences between lumbar spinal fusion and a surgical procedure wherein an artificial low back disc is implanted.

Long-term Lumbar (Low Back) Artificial Disc Studies Show Positive Results

SpineUniverse spoke with Jack Zigler, MD, an orthopaedic spine surgeon who has first-hand experience with low back artificial disc technology. Here he shares long-term results after studying patient outcomes.

BMPs and Biologic Materials in Spine Surgery

There has been a great deal of controversy regarding the use of BMP in spine surgery. A practicing spine surgeon and leader in the field of biologic materials, answers our questions in the insightful interview.

Understanding Your Prescription

Understanding your prescription entails more than just filling it at the pharmacy. This guide includes important medication tips to take into consideration to help you and your family be healthy and safe.

Lumbar Discectomy: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

This article gives a step-by-step overview of what happens during lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, which is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure used to treat herniated discs.

Epidural Steroid Injections and Low Back Pain

Epidural steroid injections are an effective method of treatment for more serious lower back pain.

Recovery from Lumbar Artificial Disc Surgery

Patients recover in artificial disc surgery in about half the time it takes to recover from lumbar spine fusion. Patients are up and walking the afternoon of their surgery.

What Treatments Do Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine Provide?

The aim of osteopathic medicine is to improve back or neck pain, range of motion, and function.

Preparing For Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Article provides hints on how to prepare your home, what to expect before admission and after admission for your lumbar surgery.

Surgical Wound Care: Questions and Answers

Read this article to get answers to the most common questions patients ask about spine surgical wound care.

Neurosurgeon or Orthopedic Surgeon? Does it Matter?

It is important for patients to realize that both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons perform spine surgery. There is an emerging field of "spine surgery" that incorporates both specialties.

Solid Growth: Bone Grafts’ Role in Spine Surgery and Fusion Success

Ever-advancing medical technology has afforded patients undergoing neck or back spinal fusion surgery a wealth of options when it comes to bone grafts.

What Disorders Do Orthopaedic Spine Surgeons Treat?

Orthopaedic spine surgeons treat all disorders and conditions that affect the spine.

Back Conditions Treated by Spinal Bracing

Read this article to learn about the back and neck conditions that may be treated using spinal bracing (also known as orthotic management).

Minimally Invasive TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)

PLIF and TLIF are two different types of fusion surgeries that may be effective in the treatment of spinal instability.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF): Advantages

A unique feature of the TLIF technique is its ability to restore interbody height and proper spinal curavature, which further helps to stabilize the spine and adds to its fusion potential.

Spine Specialists On-Call: Spinal Nerve Compression and Unilateral Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

The goal of lumbar spine surgery typically involves removing pressure off spinal nerves, a procedure called nerve decompression.

Prescription Lidoderm Patches May Help Relieve Back Pain

Lidoderm is a topic lidocaine patch 5% that may help reduce nerve-related back or neck pain.

Nerve Blocks: Medication Injections

Blocks with local anesthetic can be used to control acute pain. Blocks often provide diagnostic information, helping to determine the source of the pain.

What Is a Neurosurgeon?

A neurosurgeon is a medical specialist who treats diseases and conditions affecting the nervous system, which includes the brain, the spine and spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves.

Back Pain and Spas: Hydrotherapy, Pilates, Yoga

Today, spas offer people a wide variety of services, many of which can be very beneficial to the health of your spine.

Treating Low Back Pain with Passive Modalities

A good back rehab program is returning to function and activity while learning to control the symptoms of low back pain.

Back Pain Treatment: Acupuncture, Chiropractic, and Physical Therapy

Acupuncture, chiropractic, and/or physical therapy are treatments commonly provided to patients to help treat back and neck pain.

Back Pain Treatment: Spine Surgery

Before having spine surgery, make sure you fully understand your back pain treatment options.

Questions to Ask Your Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

This guideline will help you prepare for your visit with an orthopaedic spine surgeon. Plus questions to ask.

What Treatments Do Orthopaedic Spine Surgeons Provide?

Some orthopaedic surgeons specialize in specific types of spine surgery, such as minimally invasive surgery.

What is an Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon?

Orthopaedic spine specialists are orthopaedists who further specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal diseases and conditions.

Chiropractic Care Includes More than Spinal Manipulation

Chiropractic care is more than spinal manipulation: learn what else will happen at your chiropractor's office as he/she treats your back pain.

Hydrotherapy and Aquatic Therapy

Gentle water exercises use the water's resistance to build muscle strength and flexibility. Water exercise can benefit people who find weight bearing exercise difficult (or painful) on dry land.

Pain Relief and Healing with Laser Therapy

High-power lasers are typically found in physical therapy clinics and chiropractic offices.....

How Spine Surgery Treats Cervical Myelopathy and Deformity

A neurosurgeon explains his diagnosis and treatment of a patient with cervical myelopathy and deformity.

6 Ways to Lower Your Back and Neck Pain Prescription Drug Costs

Given the rising drug costs, more people are facing the choice between scrimping to afford a prescription and suffering from back pain.

Pain Management Center

The Pain Management Center on SpineUniverse helps you understand various pain management treatments and techniques. Learn about spinal pumps, spinal cord stimulation, and other treatments pain management specialists use to help chronic pain sufferers find pain relief.

Other Osteoporosis Medications That May Help Prevent Spinal Fractures

There are many different types of medications that doctors may prescribe to treat osteoporosis and help reduce the risk for a painful spinal fracture.

Osteoporosis Drug Shows Promise for Fracture Prevention

Osteoporosis affects many postmenopausal women. This study compared alendronate and romosozumab to determine which drug better reduced fracture risk.

6 Ways Regular Exercise Affects Chronic Pain

An analysis of 33 different studies concluded that exercise reduces pain and improves physical functionality related to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants and Stimulants

An overview of central nervous system (CNS) depressants and stimulants; their prescribed use and guidelines to prevent abuse.

Facet Rhizotomy

The goal of a facet rhizotomy is to relieve back pain by "shutting off" the pain signals. Facet rhizotomies are also called radiofrequency rhizotomies, and they are pain management techniques that target the nerves near the facet joints.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF): Indications

A TLIF procedure may be indicated for certain patients with specific spinal conditions. Read on to learn more.

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbosacral Spinal Nerve Injection (Diagnostic Transforaminal Injection)

A selective nerve root block provides important information about which nerve is causing pain.

Pain Management: Therapy Targeted to Treat Chronic Pain

Some patients with chronic back or neck pain should not be discouraged as there are other treatments besides drug therapy to help alleviate pain.

References: Non-deformity Spinal Bracing

References to Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc's article about non-deformity spinal bracing.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Education and Training

Osteopathic doctors may specialize in and become board certified in many difference fields. DOs are licensed by the state in which they practice.

What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?

Many osteopathic doctors specialize in areas such as orthopaedics, pediatrics and rehabilitation.

Spine Centers: An Attractive Option for Patients

A Spine Center is a freestanding surgical center designed specifically for outpatient spine surgery. For people with certain spinal conditions, all of their medical needs can be met under one roof.

Cervical Spine Surgery: Home Care and Neck Health Maintenance

How to maintain your neck health for a lifetime. Tips for neck health.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Lumbar Discectomy

Post operative care and what to expect at home following a Micro Endoscopic Discectomy (MED) procedure for treatment of a herniated disc.

Cervical Spine Surgery: Preparation Steps

This article will help you prepare for your cervical spine surgery. Hints on how to prepare your home, what to expect before admission and after admission for your cervical surgery.

Consulting a Spine Specialist

Consulting a spine specialist is similar to a visit with your primary care physician except the focus is on the spine. Many helpful preparation tips included.

Questions to Ask Your Neurosurgeon

Not every patient with back or neck pain needs a neurosurgeon. Usually, the patient's primary care physician or chiropractor makes the referral to a neurosurgeon.

What is Acupuncture?

By combining Western knowledge and techniques, acupuncture has become an acceptable and sought after treatment for many disorders including neck and back pain.

Chiropractor Comments About Back Pain Treatment Guidelines

A chiropractic doctor’s view and opinions of the low back pain treatment guidelines issued by the American College of Physicians.

Opioids for Chronic Neck Pain: Continue or Taper the Dose?

Lisa has taken an opioid to manage her chronic neck pain, but her doctor has recommended reducing her dose. Three spine doctors discuss.

Chiropractic Care: What Are the Real Risks?

Chiropractic procedures may appear dangerous or intimidating, but the reality is far from the rumor.

Recovery From Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement

Dr. Richard Guyer, a spine surgeon at the Texas Back Institute shares his thoughts about patient recovery after cervical artificial disc replacement Surgery. .

Spine Specialists On-Call: Complex Cervical Spine Surgery and Anesthesia - Considerations Before and During Surgery

Complex cervical spine surgery requires careful preoperative planning to minimize the patient's risk for complication.

Surgery Recovery: From Hospital to Home

The first part of recovery from spine surgery begins in the hospital.

Six Things to Know About Storing and Disposing Prescription Drugs

Properly disposing of medications is important and more complicated than you think.

Cervical Disc Replacement Considerations and Surgery

Cervical disc replacement surgery is a minimally invasive spine procedure performed to relieve neck and arm pain.

What Treatments Do Neurosurgeons Provide?

Neurosurgeons are trained in the latest surgical techniques to treat spinal disorders.Neurosurgeons are also able to prescribe medication and refer patients for physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement Technology: An Overview

Richard D. Guyer, MD, Chairman of the Texas Back Institute Research Foundation spoke with SpineUniverse about cervical artificial discs.Learn More.

What Disorders Do Neurosurgeons Treat?

Neurosurgeons treat many different dieases and conditions affecting the brain, spine, nervous system, and related structures.

What Disorders Do Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine Treat?

Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) use a holistic approach in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with back and neck pain.

Low-dose Opioids May Help Patients Confront Chronic Back Pain

Opioids make life easier for countless people who live with debilitating pain.

Opioid Pain Relievers

An in-depth description of opioid pain relievers with a view towards new technology.

Mininally Invasive Spine Surgery: Top 5 Questions Answered

Minimally invasive techniques have changed and improved the way many spine surgeries are performed today.

Antibiotic Prophylactic Treatment For Dental Work

Learn what the experts say about antibiotic prophylactic treatment for dental work for patients with spinal implants.

Neurosurgeon Education and Training

Neurosurgeons are highly educated and specially trained spine specialists. It can take upwards of 8 years after medical school to become a neurosurgeon.

Tactical Treatments Help Manage Neck and Back Pain

Pain management specialists provide many different treatments, including activity modification, medications, therapeutic injections, physical therapy, and acupuncture.

Epidural Steroid Injections: Are They Useful?

Steroid injections into the lumbar epidural space are frequently used for low back and related radicular leg pains. The question is do they work? A prominent pain management specialist answers that question.

Spina Bifida: Complications Include Scoliosis and Kyphosis

Myelomeningocele is the most common and severe type of spina bifida. Potential complications include paralysis, bowel and bladder problems, scoliosis, kyphosis, Chiari malformation, clubfoot, and spinal cord tethering.

Spinal Cord Stimulation: Advantages and Risks and Who is a Candidate?

Are you a candidate for spinal cord stimulation? Review the advantages and risks to this pain management technique used for chronic pain patients. Article reviews who can have spinal cord stimulation.

Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Control of Chronic Back Pain

Spinal cord stimulation, also called neurostimulation, may allow patients to achieve significant or total relief from chronic back pain.

Spinal Cord Stimulation: Is it Right for You?

For some patients, spinal cord stimulation is an option to treat chronic low back pain.

Spinal Cord Stimulation: Risks and Benefits

While there is no guarantee that spinal cord stimulation will alleviate all of your discomfort, most patients report a 50% - 70% decrease in pain.

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbosacral Nerve Block

By confirming or denying the exact source of pain a nerve root block provides information allowing for proper treatment.

Thoracic Facet Joint Injection Information

A facet joint injection serves many purposes. Placement of numbing medicine into the joint, may reduce pain and helps confirm/deny the joint as a pain source.

Back Pain Conditions Treated with Medications

If you have back pain or neck pain, regardless of your specific condition, drugs and medications will most likely be part of your treatment regimen.

How Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator Implanted?

Information about the surgical implantation of a spinal cord stimulation system is provided. If your spinal cord stimulation trial was successful, you may be eligible to have a SCS system permanently implanted to reduce and manage chronic back pain.

Cervical Artificial Disc Preserves Neck Mobility: Part 2

The early results of the PRODISC-C artificial disc are promising. Patients return to activity sooner with pain relief and neck mobility.

Spinal Fusion or Artificial Disc Replacement? Spine Experts Speak Out

SpineUniverse spoke to several spine specialists about artificial disc replacement technology. Read on to find out what these experts think.

Artificial Discs: Spine Experts Speak Out

Are artificial cervical discs the cure for neck pain? Read what leading spine experts think about this alternative to spinal fusion and instrumentation.

Spine Surgeons Speak Out About Artificial Disc Replacement

Spine specialists agree that artificial disc replacement presents a challenge to the surgical community to use the same patient selection criteria contained in the FDA's study.

5 Things You Want to Know about Artificial Discs

What makes the artificial disc so exciting is that once it's implanted, the spine is still able to retain mobility and flexibility.

Cervical Artificial Disc Preserves Neck Mobility

A cervical artificial disc may be implanted to relieve pressure on spinal nerves. Spine specialists refer to this condition as nerve root compression.

Lumbar (Low Back) Artificial Discs: Spine Technology Update

The development of artificial discs for implantation into the low back started 20 years ago. Here is the history of these devices and where this technology is today.

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement vs. Spinal Fusion

Dr. Guyer discusses the differences between cervical (neck) artificial disc replacement and spinal fusion.

Spine Biomechanics Laboratory May Help Select the Best Treatments for Spine Disorders

The Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory is helping patients understand exactly how spine conditions affect their movements and muscle activity, and quantifies how much improvement they have made following spine surgery and other treatments.

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement: What You Need To Know

A good surgical candidate would have neck and arm pain. Artificial disc replacement in the kyphotic spine exacerbates existing instability and doesn’t help the situation at all. Learn More.

Opioids and Pain Relief

Opioids act by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract.

Opioids Prescribed Short-term for Postoperative Pain Increased Addiction and Dependency Rates

A study reported a significant increase (10%) in opioid addiction or dependency in patients who received prescription opioid medication to treat postsurgical pain.

What is Pain Management?

What happens when back pain doesn't go away? Doctor Santhosh Thomas provides information about pain and pain management.

Wearing Your Spine Health on Your Sleeve

Wearables, which are devices you wear on your body that track certain types of health care information, instantly update spine specialists on how their patients are doing.

Herbal Remedies: Roman Chamomile

Chamomile is an herbal remedy that helps treat irritable bowel syndrome, and wards off colds.

What is Pharmacogenetics?

Pharmacogenetics combines the study of how drugs work in the body with genetics. Future advances in this area will lead to 'personalized medicine'.

Before Your Surgery

Before your operation, it will be necessary to have blood tests, a chest x-ray and an EKG performed to evaluate your general condition before undergoing anesthesia.

Should You Trust Online Spine Surgery Information?

Researchers evaluated the quality of online information available to patients undergoing cervical spine surgery.

Understanding Lumbar Fusion Surgery

The goal of lumbar fusion surgery is to relieve low back and leg pain, numbness, tingling and weakness, restore nerve function, and stop or prevent abnormal motion in the spine.

Epidural Steroid Injection Before Spine Surgery May Boost Infection Risk

While lumbar epidural steroid injections (LESIs) are considered a safe treatment and diagnostic tool, they come with risks.

Visit to a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

Similar to your medical doctor, your chiropractor will need your complete medical history including x-rays and MRI studies relevant to your current condition.

Percutaneous Neuromodulation Therapy (PNT)

Percutaneous neuromodulation therapy (PNT) is a non-invasive, low-risk procedure that can help treat pain.

What Should I Know about Lumbar Spinal Fusion?

A lumbar spinal fusion surgery may be recommended for various conditions. Learn how the surgeon will perform the fusion and how it will help your pain.

New Technology Advances Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery utilizes small skin incisions, and attempts to leave the body as naturally intact as it was prior to surgery.

Cervical Artificial Disc Surgery

The experience for the patient undergoing implantation of the Bryan artificial cervical disc is remarkably similar to that for a patient undergoing an anterior cervical decompression and fusion.

Case Report: Two Level Artificial Disc Placement to Treat Spondylotic Cervical Myelopathy

Case report about a 56-year-old woman who underwent two level cervical artificial disc replacement to treat spondylotic cervical myelopathy.

Foraminotomy: Posterior Cervical

If surgery is undertaken, it is usually performed as a minimally-invasive procedure. The procedure can be performed as a day stay surgery, but most patients stay in hospital for 1-2 nights.

Artificial Discs - The Future is Bright

Today there are four types of artificial disc designs; composite, hydraulic, elastic and mechanical. Learn about each of these design concepts.

Spinal Disc Replacement: The Development of Artificial Discs

Learn about Spinal Disc Replacement and the Development of Artificial Discs.

How Do Topical Drugs Reduce Back and Neck Pain?

Many different types of medication with different methods of delivery are available to treat patients with back and neck pain.

Safe Medication Use Before Spine Surgery

Some drugs and spine surgery don’t mix. Here’s what you need to know before your procedure.

Opioids in the Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain

Should opioids be used for acute low back pain? A pain management specialist addresses this important pain question.

Anti-depressant Medication Used to Treat Low Back Pain

Should you talk to your doctor about taking this for your low back pain?

Open Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) - An Introduction

The following article provides a basic introduction to the (ALIF) anterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure.

Artificial Discs: Real Reconstructive Surgery for the Low Back

Artificial disc replacement surgery offers the very latest technology in spine surgery.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the third largest area of medicine. In his article, Dr. Ron Grassi explains the types of treatments DCs use to treat patients without drugs or surgery.

Low Back Pain and Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial disc replacement is not for all patients with low back pain and it does not replace the need for spinal fusion.

Minimally Invasive Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF): A Beneficial Union

Spinal surgery has advanced to a new level that utilizes Minimal Access Spinal Technologies (MAST). These innovative surgical techniques replace traditional open procedures.

Case Report: 50-Year-Old Male Treated with PRODISC®

Read about the experience of a 50-year-old man who underwent disc replacement surgery as a participant in the nonrandomized portion of the PRODISC® disc replacement trial.

Minimally Invasive TLIF

Although still being studied, the use and effectiveness of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) seems to be very promising.

Physiatrist Education and Training

Physiatrists are doctors who, in addition to medical school, complete 4 additional years of postdoctoral residency training.

Artificial Disc Replacement

Orthopaedic surgeons have been engaged in research to offer an alternative to lumbar spinal fusion surgery; artificial spinal disc replacement.

Charité Artificial Disc and Degenerative Disc Disease

Although conventional treatment for a severely degenerated disc is spinal fusion, artificial disc replacement is becoming an alternative option.

Discharge Instructions for Microendoscopic Discectomy

Discharge instructions for patients who have undergone microendoscopic discectomy.

Cervical Spine Surgery: Recovery

What to expect immediately after surgery. Personal hygiene, sutures, IV therapy, diet and breathing are some of the topics covered in this article.

Maintaining Your Back for Your Lifetime

Describes how to maintain a healthy back after having undergone a spinal surgery.

Preoperative and Discharge Instructions for Cervical Fusion

Discharge instructions for patients who have undergone a cervical fusion.

Discharge Instructions for Lumbar Laminectomies and Discectomies

Discharge instructions for patients who have undergone lumbar laminectomies or discectomies.

Discharge Instructions for Anterior Cervical Fusions with Instrumentation

Discharge instructions for patients who have undergone anterior cervical fusions with instrumentation.

Discharge Instructions for Anterior and Posterior Cervical Fusion with Halo Placement

Discharge instructions for patients who have undergone anterior and posterior cervical fusion with halo placement.

Collar Care Instructions for Cervical Fusions

Collar care instructions for patients who have undergone cervical fusions.

Discharge Instructions for Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Collar care instructions for patients who have undergone lumbar fusions (anterior, posterior).

Kids with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Motivated to Wear Brace

Experts in the diagnosis and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis comment on the positive effects of compliance counseling that motivated kids to wear their braces.

Bilberry

Bilberry may strengthen blood vessels and connective tissue, build strong capillaries, and improve circulation. The entire plant is used for herbal medicines.

Blackcohosh

Black cohosh, also known as black snakeroot, is an herb made from the plant's roots. This compound may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and benefit the cardiovascular and circulatory systems.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is from the same plant family as mint and contains tannins, eugenol, and terpenes. Tannins are antiviral—eugenol kills bacteria and relaxes muscle spasms—and terpenes are essential oils known to be antiviral and calming.

Coflex Device Shows ‘Similar to Superior’ Rates Compared to Fusion Surgery for Lumbar Stenosis

For moderate to severe lumbar stenosis, use of a motion-preserving stabilization device appears to be as effective as fusion when used in combination with decompression.

Transforaminal Selective Endoscopic Discectomy: Extremely Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatment for Low Back and Leg Pain

Selective Endoscopic Discectomy (SED) is an alternate treatment procedure for some chronic pain patients.

Basic Introduction to Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Learn all about the recently popularized approaches to spine surgery known as thoracoscopic,laparoscopic,endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures.

Adult Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The question what are adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells is answered along with information about where these cells come from.

Predicting Return to Play following Lumbar Discectomy in Professional Football Players

Previous research by Dr. Hsu and colleagues demonstrated that younger age and greater experience were linked to increased likelihood of return to play following lumbar discectomy among NFL players.

Anterior Disectomy and Fusion Using Simmons Keystone Technique: Discussion

A discussion of the two cases involving anterior discectomy and fusion using the Simmons Keystone technique.

FDA Proposes Labeling Changes to Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposes over-the-counter drug labeling changes to safeguard patients.

Pre-operative Steps to Spinal Surgery

In this article, you will learn about the pre-operative steps to help you prepare for your procedure.

Cervical Radiculopathy Treated Surgically on an Outpatient Basis

Cervical radiculopathies can now be treated surgically on an outpatient basis. A surgeon explains his preference for treating cervical radiculopathy(a type of neck pain) by the posterior approach (from the back of the neck) rather than by an anterior discectomy and fusion. Read about this minimally invasive spine surgery technique.

PRESTIGE

There are presently two artificial cervical disc replacement devices that are undergoing FDA approval study in the United States: the Bryan disc and the Prestige disc. This article discusses the Prestige disc

What is Cortisone and How is it Used to Treat Back and Neck Pain?

Doctor Lawrence Kamhi, an Interventional Pain Management specialist answers the question, "What is cortisone?"

Artificial Disc Surgery: Cervical Spine

If you need cervical spine surgery, you may be able to have an artificial disc put in. A neurosurgeon explains how artificial disc surgery differs from traditional fusion, and he reviews one artificial cervical disc.

Back Pain Treatment Options

This article discusses the most commonly used treatments for back pain available today, including drugs and medications to bring pain relief.

Drugs Used to Treat Pain: Opioids - Narcotics

Although the terminology is not precisely correct, pain-relieving opioids are often called narcotics, and they may be prescribed to treat many types of pain.

Safety First: Prescription Medications and You

Safety first! Prevent dangerous problems with prescription medications.

Laser Therapy Shines as an Alternative Complementary Treatment for Pain Management and Healing

Low level laser therapy, or "cold laser" has been found to be effective in treating many different conditions.

Stem Cells and Degenerative Disc Disease

SpineUniverse interviewed Kaliq Chang, MD—an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist about stem cells in the treatment of degenerative disc disease.

New Drug Development

With new research on disease comes new drug development. Here is a complete understanding of how new medications become a part of our lives.

Spinal Fusion and Bone Morphogenetic Protein

Fusions performed with rhBMP-2 are as effective as bone graft without the problems associated with a second surgical site.

Laparoscopic Spinal Fusion

By using special instrumentation and scopes, laparoscopic spinal fusion requires only a small incision in the back. There are numerous benefits to this approach, the most significant being reduced hospital stay and less recuperation time.

Physical Therapy Evaluation for Low Back Pain

A physical therapy evaluation includes a discussion of the patient's symptoms such as how pain developed, past episodes, and activities that aggravate the condition.

Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too

A fact sheet containing important safety information about the use of herbal supplements and claimed health benefits.

Video: Microendoscopic Spinal Surgery

Dr. Richard Fessler, a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery, explains the various techniques. He discusses microendoscopic spinal surgery in this video.

Effectiveness of Spinal Epidural Corticosteroid Injections

Physicans are seeing more patients with osteoarthritis, herniated discs and spinal stenosis. This trend is expected to continue as the American population ages.

Pain Control After Surgery: Breathing for Relaxation

Pain control after spine surgery may include breathing exercises for relaxation.

Laparoscopic Lumbar Spinal Techniques

Minimally invasive spine surgery may involve the use of endoscopes; devices that offer surgeons enhanced visualization capabilities that help to reduce complications, blood loss, and fusion disease.

Charité Artificial Disc: Single-Level Lumbar Disc Disease

Patients involved in the Charité Artificial Disc clinical trials reported a significant decrease in pain after the surgery.

Magnets: Findings from Scientific Studies and Clinical Trials

The research findings so far do not firmly support claims that magnets are effective for the treatment of pain.

Patients' Rights and Informed Consent

Patients rights and informed consent are guidelines designed to help establish a stronger relationship of trust among consumers, health care professionals, health care institutions and health plans.

Scrambler Therapy Treats Neuropathic and Chronic Low Back and Leg Pain

Scrambler technology (Calmare® Pain Therapy Treatment) is a non-invasive therapy that treats neuropathic and chronic pain by surface electro-stimulation.

Cervical Fusion

A cervical fusion can help relieve your neck pain. A neurosurgeon explains how after detailing the parts of your spinal anatomy that can cause neck pain.

Herbal Remedies: Wintergreen

Oil of wintergreen is a herbal remedy is used externally for its anti-inflammatory properties for arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, and sore muscles.

Facet Rhizotomy Procedure: What to Expect

Information to help patients prepare for a facet rhizotomy and what to expect after the procedure. Facet rhizotomy is a pain management treatment option used for chronic pain.

Pain Control After Surgery: Methods You May Be Using

Pain control after surgery. This guide is provided by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Public Health Service.

Herbal Remedies: Jamaican Dogwood

Jamaican dogwood is used as a sedative and anodyne for insomnia caused by pain or nervous tension and is effective for many aliments like neuralgia, migraines, menstruation cramps, sciatica, earaches, and toothaches.

Non-deformity Spinal Bracing: What is the evidence?

Information about non-deformity spinal braces used to treat disorders such as whiplash.

Finding a Massage Therapist

The best way to find a massage therapist is to get a referral from a friend who gets massage therapy, a health professional who is knowledgable about alternative healthcare, or by contacting the American Massage Therapy Association.

I Still Have Back Pain! Now What?

For your back pain that won't go away, you can try a multidisciplinary approach. A combination of different treatments, such as massage, acupuncture, and core strengthening exercises, may bring relief from pain.

Discectomy and Microdiscectomy

Both a discectomy and a microdiscectomy are surgical procedures that are used to remove herniated or ruptured discs.

Back Pain and Degenerative Disc Disease: Are Artificial Discs the Solution?

Surgeons are excited about a new technology that could significantly help patients with degenerative disc disease. Learn why an artificial disc may be a better solution than lumbar fusion and how it could relieve pain caused by disc disease.

Nerve Slides for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome can cause neck pain and arm pain. Article covers nerve slide exercises and stretches to help treat thoracic outlet syndrome.

Pain Control and Surgery: Plan

A guideline to help you discuss post-operative pain management.

What Treatments Do Physical Therapists Provide?

Physical therapy blends many different types of treatments, some are passive, such as heat and cold treatment. Active therapies are those that involve the patient's participation, such as stretching and exercises.

Pain Control and Surgery: Benefits and Risks

Pain management following spine surgery is explained including the benefits and risks.

Minimally Invasive and Open Surgery Procedures

Less invasive spine surgery is the trend that is currently revolutionizing procedures such as discectomy, spinal fusion, laminotomy, and laminectomy.

What is the Future of Pain Research?

Investigators are working to develop a future generation of pain medications that will take advantage of the body's pain switching center.

Spinal Fracture Repair

Because these fractures are painful and the structural integrity of the bone is at risk, surgery is often considered. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are two procedures that can help heal such fractures.

Prescription Pain and Other Medications

Many studies have shown that when properly managed, opioid analgesic compounds are safe and rarely cause addiction.

IDET Explanation: Basic Information from a Pain Management Specialist

IDET is a relatively new pain management treatment option for discogenic pain -- pain that's specifically related to your intervertebral discs. An interventional pain management specialist explains how IDET works.

Back Pain Treatment: Spinal Injections

There are many types of spinal injections used to treat back and neck pain. Two types are highlighted in this informative article: epidural steroid injections and facet joint injections. Learn if these back pain treatment options are right for you.

Questions to Ask Your Chiropractor

These sample questions and guideline will help you prepare for your appointment with a chiropractor.

Stabilization in Spine Surgery

Learn how surgeons incorporate posterior fixation, such as percutaneous pedicle screws and spinous process plates, during spine surgery to help keep your spine stable. Also, learn why spinal instrumentation and spinal fusion go hand-in-hand.

Chiropractic Research Shows Positive Benefits

It's smart to do your own research on back pain or neck pain treatment options. Article reviews research on chiropractic, and it's a good place to start when you're trying to figure out if chiropractic care is right for you.

Botox for Chronic Back and Neck Pain

Botox is FDA-approved for cervical dystonia, but it isn't approved for back pain or neck pain. Read up on if you can use Botox to treat your chronic pain. Article includes insight from a pain management specialist.

SpineCath Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy

SpineCATH IDET therapy is a minimally invasive treatment in which the physician applies controlled levels of thermal energy to a broad section of the affected disc wall.

Symptomatic Disc Bulges and Herniations Without Nerve Root Impingement and Compromise

A review of studies on symptomatic disc bulges and herniations without nerve root impingement and compromise.

Cervical Plates: Provide Neck Stability Using Spinal Instrumentation

A cervical plate is a medically designed implant used to provide neck stability. Cervical plates enhance the rate of fusion and, in some cases, may reduce the need for external bracing following surgery.

What Treatments Do Chiropractors Provide?

Although spinal manipulation or adjustment of subluxations is a mainstay of chiropractic care, these specialists also provide many other therapies.

Selecting a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Practitioner

Suggestions to take when selecting a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner.

X STOP

X STOP is a non-fusion surgical implant for use in treating lumbar spinal stenosis. It's a minimally invasive spine surgery procedure. Learn the benefits and results, and see if it's right for you.

Medical Errors: Prescriptions and Procedures

Proactive patients ask questions about their care including keeping track of medications to help prevent medical errors.

Pedicle Screws

Pedicle screws can be used in spine surgery to correct spinal deformity. This article explains what they are and how they can be used by your surgeon. This article also contains excellent pictures and diagrams of pedicle screws.

Your Weight May Affect Your Spine Surgery Success

A recent study explores whether obesity affects the outcome of lumbar spine surgery used as a treatment for spinal stenosis.

Therapeutic Spinal Traction

Therapeutic spinal traction uses manually or mechanically created forces to stretch and mobilize the spine.

What Can Physical Therapy Do for Me?

Learn about physical therapy treatments and tips on how to improve your posture and body mechanics.

Medical Errors and How to Avoid Them

Patients have a role in preventing medical errors. There are a number of ways you can help prevent medical errors from happening.

Drug Preparations Applied to the Skin Help Relieve Pain

Topical preparations are medications that can help reduce or alleviate pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and soft tissue trauma.

Conserving Energy during Recovery

Information on how to conserve energy while recovering while managing to complete household chores.

How to Select a Physical Therapist

Your primary care doctor will most likely refer you to a physical therapist if you need one. However, if you are selecting a physical therapist on your own, there are things you should take into consideration to ensure that you make the best decision.

Herbal Remedies: St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort has become a popular herbal remedy for its ability to lift the spirit and control mild depression.

Spinal Instrumentation and Fusion

Spinal instrumentation is a generic term for surgical procedures that incorporate the use of screws, rods, cages, plates, and/or cylinders.

Interventional Pain Medicine: Options for Chronic Pain

If your primary care physician cannot pinpoint the source of your pain, it may be best to seek the care of a pain specialist such as an interventional pain medicine physician.

Alternative Treatment for Spinal and Back Pain

Highly skilled medical acupuncturists use locations to treat nerve roots in the cervical and lumbar spine in a manner similar to an epidural injection.

Artificial Disc Replacement: Randomized Clinical Trial Update

The potential benefits of artificial discs allows earlier participation in post-operative rehabilitation and activities and reduces stress to adjacent joints.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): Practices and Treatments Defined

Complementary and alternative medicine, CAM is popular and includes such therapies as acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathic and naturopathic medicine and many others, which are discussed here.

Immediately After Surgery

Post-operative nurses will attend to the patient's every need following surgery. This includes monitoring vital signs and providing pain management.

Recovering from Surgery

An occupational therapist will work with you and address any concerns of how to perform bathing, dressing, toileting, cooking, or light chores safely and independently at home.

Discharge Instructions After Spine Surgery

Post-operative discharge instructions, listed by type of procedure, for patients who have had spine surgery.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): How to Select a Practitioner

Locating a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner that is right for you can be difficult. Included are logical questions to ask a prospective health care provider to help you make an informed choice.

Painkillers and the Kidneys: Analgesic Nephropathy

Analgesic nephropathy is a type of kidney damage resulting from taking painkillers every day for several years.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF): Surgical Techniques

Pedicle screws may be used in conjunction with a posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery to complete correction of a spondylolisthesis.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF): Advantages and Indications

The advantages and indications of a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure are outlined.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF): Spinal Stabilization

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is useful in the correction of degenerative lumbar deformity such as spondylolisthesis or scoliosis.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF): Clinical Results and References

As minimal access techniques and fusion biotechnology continue to develop, clinical outcomes will continue to improve.

Low Back Artificial Disc Device Approved! PRODISC-L

This is a brief overview of information related to United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval to market this product, the PRODISC®-L artificial disc.

Massage Therapy for Health and Fitness

The key to a healthy body is good circulation, and massage is a direct way to improve the flow of blood and lymph. These fluids carry nutrients and oxygen and carry away wastes and toxins.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Glossary

From bone graft to fluoroscopy to spinal fusion, this easy-to-read glossary of common spinal terms explains everything you need to know about minimally invasive spine surgery.

Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy: A Surgical Technique to Reduce Pain

A posterior cervical foraminotomy is a minimally-invasive procedure performed to enlarge the space through which spinal nerves exit the spinal canal. It is meant to relieve neck pain. Read more about this minimally invasive spine surgery technique.

Can You Make Spine Surgery a Positive Experience? I Did!

Thousands of patients face spine fusion surgery every year to treat back pain. This patient shares her experiences and successful surgical outcome.

Appendix I: Research on Theories and Beliefs on How Magnets Might Relieve Pain

The first Appendix supporting the article "Questions and Answers About Using Magnets to Treat Pain."

Appendix II: General and Systemic Reviews on CAM Magnetic Therapy for Pain Published from August 1999 to August 2003

The second Appendix supporting the article "Questions and Answers About Using Magnets to Treat Pain."

Appendix III: Reports on Randomized Clinical Trials of Magnetic Therapy for Pain from January 1997 to March 2004

The third Appendix supporting the article "Questions and Answers About Using Magnets to Treat Pain."

Artificial Disc Placement for Spondylotic Cervical Myelopathy

Follow the case and surgery of a 45-year-old man with spondylotic cervical myelopathy. Prior to surgery, he had increased difficulty walking and using his hands, hand numbness, and occasionally had electric shock-like symptoms through his whole body.

Lumbar Disc Disease and Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial disc replacement is a significant advance in the treatment of disc degeneration and will provide an alternative surgical option in the spine armamentarium.

NSAIDs and Peptic Ulcers

Certain NSAIDs can hinder the mechanisms that protect the stomach lining from the development of a peptic ulcer.

Transforaminal Selective Endoscopic Discectomy: Recovery, Complications, Procedure and Contraindications

An explanation of why selective endoscopic discectomy works as well as possible complications and contraindications.

Magnets and Pain: Terms Defined

Many of the terms associated with magnet therapy are defined.

Magnets and Pain: Controversies, Complications, and Safety

A discussion of the scientific controversies associated with magnet therapy and information for consumers.

Questions and Answers About Using Magnets to Treat Pain

Scientists have found that electromagnets can be used to speed the healing of bone fractures that are not healing well.

References: Magnets and Pain

References to the article "Questions and Answers About Using Magnets to Treat Pain."

Epidural Steroid Injections and Corticosteroids

An epidural injection allows the physician to administer a more potent dose of corticosteroid medication where it is needed.

Epidural Corticosteroid Injections and Back Pain

Pinpointing the cause of back or neck pain is difficult. The cause may not be as obvious as a herniated disc.

Physical Therapist Education and Training

Some physical therapists pursue advanced training and certification in areas such as geriatic, neurologic, orthopaedic, and sports care.

What is a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapists are medical professionals who treat people of all ages with health-related problems that limit physical function.

Why Do I Have to Wear a Brace?

Bracing may be prescribed to help prevent scoliosis - an abnormal curvature of the spine - from progressing.

What Disorders Do Physical Therapists Treat?

Physical therapy is often an integral part of the non-surgical and postoperative care of patients with spinal disorders. Includes a list of spine conditions commonly treated with physical therapy

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Learn the basics of chiropractic, including how chiropractors determine if chiropractic care is best for you. Covers spinal manipulation and explains how chiropractors can address your back pain or neck pain.

Charité Artificial Disc - Clinical Results Tell the Story

The Charité Artificial Disc is a single-level artificial disc that was approved by the FDA in October 2004.

Charité Artificial Disc versus Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

Currently the Charité Artificial Disc is only approved for patients with single-level degenerative disc disease between L4/L5 or L5/S1.

Chiropractic Treatment of Back Pain: Facts & Statistics

Quick facts and statistics about chiropractic care for back pain. For example, learn what conditions chiropractors can treat, as well as what treatments chiropractors provide beyond spinal manipulation (chiropractic adjustment).

Spondylotic Cervical Myelopathy Treated Using an Artificial Disc

Patient case report illustrates the management of single level cervical myelopathy through an anterior disc replacement procedure.

Preparing for Spine Surgery

You are going to have spinal surgery (a spinal fusion). This article provides a walk-through of typical post-operative expectations and procedures.

Water Exercises for Rehabilitation

Athletes who are recovering from an injury or surgery can stay fit by doing water-based strengthening, stretching, proprioceptive, and sport-specific exercises.

Pain Control After Surgery: A Patient's Guide

Pain control after surgery. This guide is provided by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Public Health Service.

Physical Therapy Overview

As team players, the spine specialist, physical therapist, and occupational therapist all work together with the patient and family members to aid in the patient's recovery process.

Narcotics

Narcotics may be prescribed to control more serious pain. These are classified as controlled substances and are addictive.

Stabilization Training

Research indicates an association between chronic low back pain and muscle weakness. The trunk and pelvic muscles are most affected. Lumbar stabilization training can improve the strength, endurance, balance and control of these muscles.

Coping with Arthritis

In the past, doctors advised arthritis patients to rest and avoid exercise. Rest remains important, but doing nothing results in weak muscles, stiff joints, reduced mobility, and lost vitality.

Massage: What Should I Expect?

Learn what to expect when you start getting massage therapy.

Pain Management of Spinal Disorders

Lifestyle issues, therapeutic exercise, medications, injections, alternative treatments and possibly surgery are addressed in the treatment of pain.

Questions to Ask Your Physical Therapist

Your 'how to' guide to prepare for your visit to a physical therapist.

Post-op Spine Care Recovery Tips

Your doctor and post-operative physical therapist will know what's best for your back after surgery. Don't ignore their advice, even if it feels like you're ready to run that marathon.

Spine Surgery Treatments That Decompress Nerves

Laminotomy and Laminectomy,the spinal canal may narrow due to spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or bone spurs. This procedure widens the space of the spinal canal by removing a section of bone called the lamina.

Spine Surgery: The Last Resort

Most back surgery is done to relieve pressure from the nerve or stabilize a segment of the spine.The causes of pinched nerves are many, including vertebral fractures, bulging discs, or bone spurs, just to name a few. Different reasons, different surgical options.

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