Back pain can become chronic and debilitating, so it’s helpful to learn how to avoid painful issues. Pursuing a healthy lifestyle plays an important role in many aspects of your life, not the least of which is maintaining a healthy back. Making good choices can decrease your risk of developing...

A common condition that causes compression of the spinal nerves is called spinal stenosis. This means that the gaps between the bones of the spine, or vertebrae, become narrowed. This squeezes the spinal canal, which pinches the nerves and spinal cord, often leading to pain, numbness, or weakness....

No doubt you’ve heard of global positioning system (GPS) that helps you find where you’re going when you travel. Much like GPS, spine surgery can benefit from computer-assisted navigation that provides detailed images and measurements to track anatomy and instruments used during medical...

There are a number of terms for a spinal condition that involves the inner portion of a disc pushing outside of its shell: herniated, protruding, bulging, or ruptured disc. All of these words refer to a condition that can happen anywhere on the spine, although most commonly in the lower back. It...

Your cervical spine, or neck, consists of an elaborate system of bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments and more. These elements all work together to provide you with movement and function. When any of these parts is compromised, it can cause neck pain that impacts your movement and comfort level....

Traditional spine surgery is performed as “open surgery,” which means that the area is opened using a long incision so the surgeon can access the spine and surrounding elements. Medical advancements have brought about minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) that avoids making such a large incision...

Sciatica pain is related to the sciatic nerve, which branches down the spinal cord through the lower back and all the way to the legs. This nerve is the largest one in the body. When it becomes irritated or damaged, the resulting pain can range from minor to severe. The discomfort usually travels...

If you’re facing the possibility of having lumbar fusion surgery to treat lower back pain, you may find that it is a tough decision whether to proceed or not. There are some misconceptions about the surgery that may make it seem scarier and more debilitating than it really is. Medical advancements...