The Healthy Discs in Your Low Back Are Full of Bacteria?

Every so often you come across a scientific article that so challenges what doctors think they know that it blows your mind. That just happened today when I ran across an article that showed that our low back discs are filled with bacteria just like the microbiome in our guts! The mind-blower? Physicians are taught…read more

Spinal Fusion Is It Worth It? More Research Says No…

A spinal fusion is a surgery that uses hardware and screws to “fix” together two or more vertebrae to make a damaged section of spine immovable. Given that this is a big surgery with many known serious side effects, a patient the other day posed this question: “Spinal fusion is it worth it?” My answer,…read more

Can You Avoid Spinal Stenosis Surgery?

How do you avoid spinal stenosis surgery? How effective is spinal stenosis surgery? How dangerous is spinal stenosis surgery? How long is recovery after spinal stenosis surgery? What activities should be avoided with spinal stenosis? Is walking bad for spinal stenosis? Let’s dig in. What is Spinal Stenosis? When you hear a doctor say “spinal…read more

My Own Non-Surgical Spondylolisthesis Recovery

If you read this blog, you know I have a chronic back issue called spondylolisthesis. However, this past year, I have had my crew at our Colorado HQ working on it and there’s nothing like results to again show me how important our treatments can be. Let me explain. What Is Spondylolisthesis? Spondylolisthesis means that…read more

Hip Replacement or Back Fusion First? Timing Matters When Considering Risks

One of the clinical scenarios where bone marrow concentrate doesn’t work well is severe hip arthritis. In these cases, we often tell patients to get a hip replacement. However, it’s critical to understand that the body is connected, so for example, getting a back fusion may impact your hip replacement. Before I share the newest…read more

Is Scoliosis Surgery Worth It?

Several years ago, one of our employees had severe scoliosis and was in severe pain. Given that this was a structural problem, I wasn’t sure we could help, but I developed a procedure called a percutaneous scolioplasty that did eventually make a difference. Let me review another patient today whose nonsurgical treatment results surprised me.…read more

How to Avoid Surgery and Steroids for a Slipped Disc

If you see an orthopedic physician or orthopedic surgeon for back pain that turns out to be a slipped disc, the overwhelming chances are that you will be treated with steroids, and when that fails, surgery. But in the risk versus benefit equation that should govern all medical treatment, is that the best plan? Let’s…read more

Does Chronic Back Pain Mean a Shorter Life?

If your back hurts, you’ve likely never considered that it may shorten your life. However, new research conducted with that aim may surprise you as it did me. Let’s dive in. What You Should Know About Chronic Back Pain According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, chronic low back pain (in 2010…read more