A nerve becomes “pinched” or compressed when some type of nearby structure gets too close for comfort. The resulting pressure prevents the affected nerve from functioning properly, which could contribute to reduced sensitivity in the affected area, pain that extends (radiates) to nearby areas such as arms, shoulders, or thighs, numbness and tingling sensations, and […]
View Full ArticleFrom smartphones to smart cars, it seems like everything these days is “smart” in one way or another. Now researchers are hoping to prevent spine pain, which affects roughly 80–90 percent of the population at some point, with smart clothes. Specifically, researchers believe what’s been termed “smart underwear” may be able to ease the stress […]
View Full ArticleIf you plan to see a Los Angeles spine surgeon in an attempt to find relief for your chronic neck pain, one of the things the specialist might suggest is doing certain exercises. The staff at The Spine Institute has put together an infographic detailing the step-by-step process of several exercises that are often effective […]
View Full ArticleAny type of spinal narrowing can be problematic and potentially painful, especially if nearby nerve roots are compressed. If you have foraminal stenosis—which sometimes happens because of age-related changes or sudden (acute) trauma—nerves essentially become trapped in the foramen, which are gaps in vertebrae that allow nerves to pass through the spinal cord to the […]
View Full ArticleThere are some spine-related procedures that will require you to stay in a hospital, medical clinic, or recovery area for a while before you’re discharged. Even if you’ll be going home the same day, it never hurts to be as prepared as possible for the period immediately after your surgery when you’ll need to be […]
View Full ArticleSpinal discs are designed to consistently support the bones of the spine and keep the backbone at its normal height. However, if the tougher outer wall of a disc breaks down, the disc can lose height. When this happens, you have what’s known as a collapsed spinal disc. If not treated, disc problems like this […]
View Full ArticleIf your spouse is planning to have spine surgery, even if it will be an outpatient procedure, you’ll need to accept some added responsibility during your significant other’s healing and recovery process. Taking on this extra burden sometimes strains relationships, but it doesn’t have to if you have a better understanding of what you can […]
View Full ArticleTo maintain stability, the spine needs support from some tissues that are tough and firm. In a nutshell, this is what spinal ligaments called ligamentum flavum do. These tough fibers connect spinal bones (vertebrae) together. Over time, these ligaments become thicker as they calcify or enlarge, which can have a noticeable effect on movement and […]
View Full ArticleRoughly 1 in 7 Americans has diabetes, a disease that can affect every part of the body, even the spine. In fact, there’s new research from an Australian study suggesting people with diabetes are more likely to develop both back and neck pain than individuals who don’t have insulin and/or blood sugar regulation issues. While […]
View Full ArticleBack pain isn’t just for adults. Children can also experience spine-related problems that affect their quality of life. In fact, roughly 1 in 3 kids have back pain, which is just one of the big takeaways from a new study that involved a survey of nearly 4,000 children between the ages of 10 and 18. […]
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