SpineUniverse Blogs

Anti-inflammatory Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Does What You Eat Have an Effect on RA?

Posted on August 04, 2011 | by Floranne Ernste, MD in Arthritis Talk

"Does what I eat have an effect on my rheumatoid arthritis? I heard about an anti-inflammatory diet that includes eating salmon and dark chocolate and drinking green tea."

Can You Play Sports after Spondylolisthesis Surgery?

Posted on July 21, 2011 | by Neel Anand, MD in Spine Surgery Advice

"My daughter is 17. Last year, she had minimally invasive spine surgery to correct grade IV spondylolisthesis. She’s extremely athletic. Will she be able to be active and return to sports, or will this surgery prevent her from living a normal, healthy life?"

Can I Prevent Having Another Scoliosis Spine Surgery?

Posted on July 21, 2011 | by Neel Anand, MD in Spine Surgery Advice

I’m 41, and I recently had minimally invasive surgery for scoliosis of my thoracic spine. I have rods, hardware, and screws in place. I’m currently doing physical therapy and taking a couple of medications, but how do I know that this surgery will help me?

Spinal Arthritis and Weight Loss

6 ways to treat back pain when you’re overweight.

Posted on July 07, 2011 | by Nicola V. Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA in Back Pain Tips

My doctor says I need to lose weight in order for any types of treatments, including spine surgery, to be effective. I've recently started a weight loss program. My goal is to lose 60 more pounds by the end of the year. I would like to know: What can I do in the meantime to treat my back pain?

Can Acupuncture Help Treat My Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Posted on June 03, 2011 | by Laurie Morse, LAc, MTOM in Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times: Your Guide to Holistic Wellness

I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, and I'm only 29. It's hard for me to walk, and sometimes I can't even tie my own shoes because the pain is so bad. I'm interested in trying acupuncture but don't know if it will help. What can I expect in an acupuncture treatment session?

Will Acupuncture Work to Reduce My Stress and Back Pain?

How Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Relieve Back Pain

Posted on June 03, 2011 | by Laurie Morse, LAc, MTOM in Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times: Your Guide to Holistic Wellness

I'm a woman in my early 50s, and I have chronic low back pain caused by spinal stenosis. I'm thinking about trying acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine to help me cope with my back pain and stress. Will it work for me?

Can Degenerative Disc Disease Cause Nerve Problems in the Feet?

Posted on May 06, 2011 | by Juan S. Uribe, MD, FAANS in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

If you have degenerative disc disease (DDD), you already know that it can cause back pain, but can DDD cause other symptoms, too? Find out whether DDD can cause nerve problems in your feet.

Can Degenerative Disc Disease Go Away on Its Own?

Posted on May 06, 2011 | by Juan S. Uribe, MD, FAANS in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

"Can degenerative disc disease ever go away on its own—without any type of treatment? I'm 56, and I've just been diagnosed with DDD. Is there any chance this disease will ever completely go away, or is it a lifelong condition?"

Can Your Genes Cause Back Pain?

Posted on May 06, 2011 | by Juan S. Uribe, MD, FAANS in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Back pain is extremely common, but can it run in families or is it more often caused by environmental factors? Find out whether there’s a link between back pain and your genes.

Can Radiofrequency Rhizotomy Reduce Neck and Back Pain?

Posted on April 28, 2011 | by Christopher R. Good, MD in Guide to Spine Surgery

"I've had chronic back and neck pain for some time. I've been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, a bulging disc, and bone spurs in my neck. My doctor now wants to try a nerve block for my lower back. Is this temporary? Do the nerves grow back?"

Can the Onset of Degenerative Spine Conditions Be Acute?

Posted on April 28, 2011 | by Christopher R. Good, MD in Guide to Spine Surgery

For many people who have lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, the cause is degeneration. Symptoms of degeneration and pressure on the nerves in the low back can occur very slowly—sometimes over years and decades.

Surgery for Herniated Discs and Sciatica

Should I Have Surgery or Should I Wait?

Posted on April 28, 2011 | by Christopher R. Good, MD in Guide to Spine Surgery

Herniated discs can cause sciatica, which can lead you to try a variety of pain relief techniques. But what happens when non-surgical treatment options don’t work? Find out if you need surgery as well as how long is too long to wait to have surgery.

Long-Term Effects of Whiplash

Can Whiplash Lead to Osteoarthritis and Spinal Stenosis?

Posted on March 08, 2011 | by Jeffrey C. Wang, MD in Spotlight on Back Pain

Usually, whiplash goes away after a few weeks, but in some people, it may contribute to the development of other spine conditions later in life.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Stress

Is there a connection between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and stress?

Posted on March 04, 2011 | by Floranne Ernste, MD in Arthritis Talk

"I'm 58, and I have a very demanding, high-stress job. I've also had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for a few years. It seems like the more stressed I am, the worse my RA gets. Is there really a connection between stress levels and RA? If so, how can I reduce my stress?"

Can Weather Affect Sciatica?

Why sciatica can flare up in colder months, plus 5 prevention tips.

Posted on March 01, 2011 | by Nicola V. Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA in Back Pain Tips

Can weather affect sciatica? One patients reports her sciatic pain is almost unbearable in cold months and tolerable in summer. Is there a connection with the temperature and the severity of pain?