The Spine Health Journal
Clear, careful writing
on the spine.
Straight-talking guides on minimally invasive surgery, common conditions, and traveling in for care — written to help you make a good decision, not to sell you one.
Conditions What is Osteoarthritis of the Spine?
Osteoarthritis of the spine is a condition where cartilage between the vertebrae wears away. This can lead to pain and stiffness as there is no cushioning left in the joints. It is estimated that around 80% of Americans will…
Treatments What is the Treatment for Spinal Bone Spurs?
Bone spurs are small bony growths that form on the edges of vertebrae. Bone spurs are your body’s response to the presence of inflammation or injury to cartilage, tendons, joints, and ligaments. Bone spurs are usually caused by arthritis…
Conditions How to Foam Roll for Back Pain
If you have mild to moderate acute back pain, it can seem like nothing helps to alleviate the occasional discomfort. A massage sounds great, but who really has the time to schedule one after every workout or every rough week…
Spine Health Young Woman Gets Her Life Back With Dr. Melamed
Lauren Butler, a young woman from Ohio, was able to get her life back after a martial arts injury left her suffering with chronic pain and limited mobility. It all started in a Taekwondo class in college, when Lauren was…
Treatments Benefits of Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS) is a revolutionary surgical procedure that provides a minimally invasive alternative to traditional approaches.
Spine Health Why You Should Add Planks to Your Exercise Routine
There are few types of exercises that are as effective at building core strength as planks are. Plank exercises are a simple but challenging workout where your body is elevated parallel to the ground to improve stability. Although crunches…
Spine Health Ways to Increase Back Strength
Increasing back strength is a great way to avoid injuries and having to deal with back pain later down the line. It can also be very beneficial when trying to recover quickly after spine surgery. Below, we will discuss methods…
Spine Health Opioids: Why We Don’t Use Them
Opioids are a type of drug derived from the opium poppy plant that is used to relieve pain. Not only do opioids alleviate pain, but they also create a euphoric or “high” sensation, which has been found to be…
Treatments Do Massages Help Treat Lower Back Pain?
A massage is a pleasant way to relax and relieve stress, but did you know that massages can also be a great treatment for lower back pain? Massage therapy has been used throughout human history in both Eastern and…
Conditions What is an Annular Tear?
An annular tear is an injury to the annulus fibrosus, which is the outer ring of fibers that make up the intervertebral discs in the spine. If a tear of the disc occurs, and the nucleus of the disc…
Conditions What Causes a Bulging Disc?
A bulging disc, also called a herniated or slipped disc, occurs when the soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc pushes through a weak spot in its surrounding, outermost layer. When a disc becomes compressed and bulges out, it may…
Treatments The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
A large majority of spinal surgeries are vastly complex, making them some of the most difficult surgeries to perform and recover from.