Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Back Pain
So often we see patients who suffer from anxiety, depression or have extremely stressful lives. These patients often complain of neck and back pain, usually more severe than their testing would indicate. They are not malingering, nor are they exaggerating. They really feel this pain. Let’s talk…… The body’s reaction to stress varies with each […]
Sacroiliitis
The sacroiliac joint is the joint which connects the hip bone with the iliac bone on either side of the lumbar spine. When there is inflammation of this joint it is called Sacroiliitis. Pain is usually worse after staying in one position for any length of time. Moderate movement is actually helpful. Diseases that can […]
Brace Yourself
We see it all the time. The patient comes in to the office and peels off an old worn back brace. When asked why they are wearing it, they will have one of three reasons: they have a job with heavy lifting so they started wearing the brace at work and got into the habit […]
Are you being taken for an unhealthy ride?
Recently this article was produced on PBS News Hour and upset a lot of people (read comments). It also received some positive reviews, mostly from medical practitioners. After reading it, I have to say there is a general agreement among the physicians I have spoken to that much of this article is right on target. […]
What Is Happening in the Operating Room?
So, you have decided to have surgery. You have been to your pre-op appointment and had the whole procedure explained. You explain it to your family by saying “they said it would only take an hour” so the day of surgery your family is freaking out because you’ve been in there two hours. Let’s talk…… […]
Beneficial Beach Walking
You are going to avoid that “long walks on the beach” preference on your dating websites just because it’s that overused. That does not stop it from being one of the more enjoyable exercises around with many benefits, both physical and emotional. Let’s talk….. Besides cool breezes, great scenery and people watching, beach walking is […]
LUMBAR and CERVICAL EPIDURAL SPINAL INJECTIONS (ESI’s)
One treatment that is frequently recommended for patients with spine problems are epidural steroid injections (ESI’s). They are particularly effective for patients who have radiculopathy (nerve pain) and are thought of as ‘conservative care” though they are often done in surgery centers or small OR’s. Properly administered using fluoroscopy (live x-ray), a corticosteroid (Dexamethasone) is […]
Surgery Count Down
Surgery Count Down So you’ve made the decision. You are going to have surgery. Now you have to get ready. So many things have to be considered like, do you live alone? Is access to your house easy? What are you going to be able to do when you get home? Let’s talk… Surgery is […]
Medicine and the Media
Why is Media so Important in Medicine? We often get asked in ShimSpine “There must be a mistake. Why does the board downstairs say Entangle Media is in this office? It’s a doctor’s office.” There is no mistake. Entangle Media is a big part of what we do at ShimSpine and here is why. Let’s […]
