Actor Chris Hemsworth used it to pump up for Thor, and elite athletes use it to train. But did you know that blood flow restriction — or BFR — is also a tool in physical therapy? Could this new treatment be right for you?    More on VSI at SpineMD.com ..read more

From sex to suicide - there are deep impacts that back and neck pain can have not just on our body - but on our entire lives. Today’s guest is here to honestly talk about how back pain hijacked her life - and how she came back from it.    Learn more about VSI at SpineMD.com ..read more

Today, we’re going to dive into what disc herniation is and how to prevent it …with a patient-turned-expert Spine Surgeon Dr. Colin Haines at Virginia Spine Institute.    From teen athletes to older adults, disc herniation is common and excruciating. The injury can make it difficult to move and even breathe. Today’s guest knows that pain firsthand. Dr. Haines was a high school soccer player when he experienced a disc herniation. That fateful injury ended up leading to his career as a spine surgeon. Today, he shares his story and his hard-earned healthy back tips.    Learn m ..read more

Did you know, treadmills are the #1 cause of injury among home exercise equipment? When the weather outside gets cold, runners are often pushed inside on treadmills, and any runner will tell you — this is a very different form of exercise than running on pavement. So what do you need to keep in mind when it comes to back health and treadmills?  Whether you’re new to exercise or a fitness veteran, we unpack easy ways to stay safe with sports medicine expert Dr. Yash Mehhta.     Learn more about these tips and more about sports medicine safety at SpineMD.com ..read more

It's time to talk about a little-known source of back pain that often goes overlooked. In this episode, Dr. Niteesh Bharara explains more about facet joints and answers your frequently asked questions. What are facet joints? What problems do they cause? And what can you do about it?    Learn more about facet pain and solutions to resolve your pain - visit: VirginiaSpine.com ..read more

When you’re a mom, chronic pain is especially tough robbing you of the things and people you love.   Today’s guest, Paula, was a fitness enthusiast who ran and cycled with her family. Then, Paula underwent back surgery, and nothing went as planned. The unsuccessful surgery relegated Paula to a walker -- until she found a doctor willing to listen. That led her to find Dr. Christopher Good, Spine Surgeon at Virginia Spine Institute, who was determined to solve her medical mystery and get Paula back to her active, pain-free life!  Listen in as Paula tells her story of regainin ..read more

We’re all aware of the awesome feeling of sinking into the couch after a long day at work or for a relaxing weekend.   But after a few hours, being a couch potato can be a real pain in the back or neck.     Jennifer Davis talked with Dr. William Kemp, a neurosurgeon at Virginia Spine Institute - about how to enjoy collapsing on the couch and relaxing without pain.    Learn more about VSI at SpineMD.com ..read more

Risk - it’s a part of life and it’s certainly a part of surgery - hopefully, a small one.   Still, the truth of the matter is - if you’re headed into the OR for a procedure - you want to know what your surgeon is doing to minimize risk.   Today’s guest - Andrew Brunson - had those questions so today we’re talking with him - and his spine surgeon Ehsan Jazini, MD about minimizing risk in back surgery.    Learn more about VSI at SpineMD.com ..read more

Many people will need back surgery at some point in their lives and figuring out the right amount of opioid pain medication to prescribe patients so they don’t have a bunch of pills left over - is trickier than you think.   We’re tackling this issue today with doctors trying to drive important change including Spine Surgeon Ehsan Jazini, MD.    Learn more about VSI at SpineMD.com ..read more

The workplace and workspace of 2022 looks very different than it did just a few years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic.   It has shifted in major ways.   Now people are finding themselves working anywhere and everywhere - from home offices and coffee shops to their car, in an airport or hotel  -  and everywhere in between.   Our bodies are feeling this change - in good and bad ways. So that’s what we’re talking about in this episode with Dr. Yash Mehta, an interventional spine and sports medicine doctor at Virginia Spine Institute.    Learn more about non-sur ..read more