Walking and Stretching to Relieve Back Pain
Why do I recommend walking, stretching and exercising for chronic low back pain? For all back pains, we know that a person with good overall condition, good back and stomach muscle strength, and good flexibility will be less likely to develop a chronic back condition. If you have chronic back pain, I would recommend staying […]
Restrictions for an Injured Back
When you have back pain, recommendations include avoiding bending at the waist, and minimizing lifting of any objects more than 25 lbs. How did these restrictions come about? Let’s be frank. When your back hurts, you do not want to bend, or lift anyway. But, as you get better, people are asking for guidelines. When […]
Which Painkiller is Best?
In a prior video, I made a suggestion that if you would like to try medications for back pain, there are options including acetaminophen/paracetamol, and ibuprofen. I counseled against narcotics. Let me be clear. If you have pain, it is completely normal to want to take a medication to decrease the pain. The problem is, […]
Doc, I have back pain. What do I do?
I have been reading the comments to the Shimspine Youtube channel, and I realize that many people are looking for some guidance. So instead of responding to the individual questions, I am starting a series on How I would answer the most common question, which is Doc, I have back pain. What should I do? […]
Don’t Freak Out About Your Doctor’s Notes
Do you ever get scared after reading your medical report? Does the report mention terms like cancer, infection, or fracture? I know it sounds very intimidating. I have had people come to my office telling me their last doctor said they did not have cancer, but their report made it sound like it was possible. […]
Mysterious Spine Terms Decoded
Are You Confused about all of these terms you see on your Medical records about your neck and back doctor’s visits? Well, so are most people. Frankly, if you do not know, the terms can sound intimidating and confusing. Let me try to explain what these commonly used medical terms mean. Axial Pain. What is […]
What is Spine Traction?
What is traction? How does it help your spine? Is it the same as decompression? Is an inversion table a form of traction? The answer is all are forms of traction. There are many variations, but the basic concept is to pull on the spine to provide some pain relief. Traction has been recommended for […]
Does Discectomy Lead to Spinal Fusion?
If you have had a lumbar disc surgery, does that mean you will have a fusion surgery in the future? This is a very common question asked by many. If you have a back operation, does not mean you will have more in the future? More specifically, if you have a lower back discectomy surgery, […]
Exercise Can Relieve Spinal Stenosis
Doe exercise help spinal stenosis? Spinal stenosis is a natural occurrence of an aging spine. Discs degenerate. Ligaments widened. The space for your nerves decrease. To those affected, there can be pain, and walking difficulties. Surgery may or may not be a solution. So, what can you do? It turns out exercise can have a […]
How a Positive Attitude Helps You
If you have chronic pain, then you must first accept it. Only then can you explore ways to make it better. Knowing you can make it better creates hope, which in turn helps you get better. You need both acceptance and Optimism. In my practice, I see many people who are in complete despair. Fortunately, […]
