Spine Basics – Bret G. Ball, MD, PhD, FAANS

Why Use a Lumbar Support?

Using a lumbar support offers numerous benefits:

• Reduces Back Pain: Proper alignment alleviates pressure on the spine and muscles.

• Promotes Good Posture: Encourages sitting upright, reducing the risk of slouching.

Proper Body Mechanics, Where to Start?

I tell patients to use proper body mechanics all of the time. But it’s really hard to explain exactly what that actually means. If you really want to understand it, going to “back school” with a licensed physical therapist is probably the best way. However, I will try to lay out some of the basics elements of proper body mechanics here to get you started on the right foot.

WHY ARE PATIENTS CALLED “PATIENTS”?

The word patient is one we hear every day in medical settings. It refers to someone receiving care from a doctor, nurse, or other kind of healthcare professional. But have you ever stopped to wonder why we are called “patients”? The answer lies in the word’s etymology and its historical usage, which reveal important insights about how medicine has been viewed and evolved over the centuries.

Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation: A New Frontier in Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Traditional treatments sometimes fall short, leaving patients searching for relief. Among the emerging therapies, Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulation stands out as a promising option, offering targeted pain relief for conditions that have been historically difficult to manage.

What Is a TENS unit and will it work for me?

Back pain is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide. While there are numerous treatments available, one method popular for its non-invasive and drug-free approach is the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units. The truth is, we don’t completely understand how or why they work. However they can be pretty helpful for some patients so I thought it worth discussing them here a little bit.

So what is a TENS Unit?

SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

Spondylolisthesis is more than just a mouthful. It actually is a relatively common condition that can affect any part of the spine, although it is most common in the lumbar region. As a result, one vertebra starts to slip forward and out of alignment with the vertebra below it. This displacement can lead to varying degrees of discomfort and impairment in mobility. Some patients may have spondylolisthesis and not even know it, because it doesn’t always cause symptoms. However, it tends to gradually worsen with time and it can become disabling.

Spondylolisthesis can result from various factors, including:

HONEY FOR STUBBORN WOUNDS

Honey is a traditional medication that has been used across cultures for centuries to help in wound care. It seems to have a variety of properties that can be beneficial for stubborn wounds. If you are worried that your wound may require more than the standard forms of wound care, there’s a chance that honey can be helpful for you.

But What About My Neck Pain?

Do you often find yourself dealing with neck pain, whether from long hours at the desk or poor posture? You’re not alone. In fact, neck pain is almost as common as low back pain. Neck pain can be caused by various factors, including muscle tension, poor ergonomics, and stress. Some neck pain is due to structural problems that may need surgery to fix, but for many patients, non-surgical treatments can be very effective. Incorporating specific exercises into your routine can help alleviate discomfort and improve neck mobility. In this note, we’ll explore some effective exercises to help you find relief from neck pain.

How to Establish a Consistent Exercise Routine

Are you eager to incorporate regular exercise into your daily life but struggle with staying consistent? You’re not alone! Developing a habit of exercise takes dedication, but with the right approach, it’s entirely achievable. Exercise has myriad benefits – maintaining mobility, reducing pain, improving sleep and mood, and on and on. And we need it. Our bodies our meant to move. If a shark stops swimming it drowns. We are not that different. So, if you aren’t exercising like you want, here are some clues to get you started.

shark

Kindness is the Cure

My favorite quote comes from Philo who said, “Be kind to all you meet, for everyone is fighting a great battle.”

I love this quote because it acknowledges two of the great truths of life. First, it is almost always better to be kind. It is really hard to imagine a situation when it is not better to be kind, even if true kindness is not doing what someone else might want at the time.