Dr. Sean McCance - NYC Orthopedic Spine Surgeons' Blog

Swimming to Relieve Back Pain

Severe back pain can often deter patients from exercising as lifting weights, running, and even walking can become increasingly difficult when experiencing back pain. However, swimming is often a safe and pain-free way to get in exercise without putting pressure on your back and joints. The buoyancy of the water eliminates the stress that is usually absorbed by our joints during exercise, allowing you to remain active while simultaneously providing pain relief. And, you actually build muscle faster in water than on land due to water’s viscosity—water is 12 times as resistant as air. If you choose to swim to help relieve your back pain, don’t just dive in, especially if you are new to swimming. Begin with standing exercises, like pool aerobics classes, to strengthen your core muscles and adapting your body to the water. When it’s time to swim laps, make sure to take the time to learn the strokes properly. Understanding and adopting correct swimming technique is extremely important, so consider enlisting the help of a trainer or coach to help you learn the proper strokes. All forms of exercise, if done improperly, can cause pain and discomfort, so it is important to learn the correct techniques

June 17, 2014

Summer Exercise Tips

Summer has arrived on the East Coast, and after a long, cold winter, there is nothing New Yorkers are looking forward to more than soaking up the sun. However, as the temperatures rise, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to stay safe in the summer heat. Whether you’re training for a marathon, playing a game of basketball, or even just walking through the park, exercising in the summer months puts added stress on our bodies and increases the likelihood of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, so I’ve put together a few tips to help you stay cool and safe while active this summer. Acclimate yourself to the change in heat and humidity levels. It can take up to 14 days for your body to adjust to temperature changes. Expose yourself regularly to the outdoor heat without engaging in physical activity in order to gradually become accustomed to the summer’s rising temperatures. While your body is adapting, beat the heat and exercise in the mornings or evenings when it is cooler outside! Don’t try to “sweat off” pounds. The weight you shed from sweating is water your body needs! These fluids need to be replenished after exercise. The best way

June 10, 2014

The Schroth Method for Scoliosis

Last month, The New York Times ran a very interesting article in the Science section, written by a woman living with scoliosis. In “Hope for an S-Shaped Back,” Rachel Rabkin Peachman shares her journey of living with scoliosis. Peachman was diagnosed as a child and her condition’s progression was slowed through bracing, which helped allow her to avoid surgery with a 45-degree curve as a young adult. Over time, however, her curve continued to progress, and at 38 years old she is now living with the pain of a 55-degree upper curve and 33-degree lower curve. In hopes of avoiding corrective surgery, she sought out a lesser-known method of physical therapy called the Schroth method. What is the Schroth method? This physical therapy and exercise regimen is tailored to each individual spinal curve with the goal of halting and reversing progression, reducing pain, and improving strength, lung capacity and posture. A Schroth therapist works with patients to develop individualized stretches and exercises to work towards all of those goals. Once patients learn their exercises and stretches, they are asked to practice them at home. Part of the Schroth method involves postural awareness, which encourages patients to stay conscious of their

June 3, 2014

Memorial Day Motivation from David Kirsch

David Kirsch is a fitness expert, wellness guru, and celebrity trainer, who was kind enough to share his best motivational tips for getting a beach body! Check out his website here, and be sure to follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Memorial Day is just a few days away. When thinking about writing a blog to help prepare my clients as well as any exercise enthusiast, I felt that one of the elements often missing is focusing on motivation. Look, the reality is that without motivation, the best exercise plan and nutrition regimen will not succeed. Here, I will talk about some of my best motivation tips to teach you how to stay focused and driven with your eye on the prize – your perfect beach body. Motivation comes in different forms for different people. Many people sabotage their wellness habits from the start by rushing head first into a new fitness pursuit. But a little planning before you start exercising or changing your eating habits will help you stick to your new habits for the long term. Learn to block out time for yourself and don’t feel guilty about it. I have a reminder set on my Blackberry that

May 22, 2014

Proper Running Technique to Avoid Back Pain

Going for a run is a great way to get exercise, especially during the warmer months when the weather allows more frequent outings. I see many patients who are eager to get back to running after fully recovering from surgery. Because running is a repetitive action that can cause stress, I like to remind them that proper running technique is key to avoid unnecessary pain and injuries. Whether you are just a beginner or a full-fledged marathoner, these basic tips will help improve your form and avoid injuries. Getting the right shoes is the first step in running with great form. Recently, the once popular barefoot running shoes made waves, but have been forced to drop claims that they reduce injury and impact on joints. Shoes that provide cushioning and proper arch support are best to reduce the risk of injury. I recommend visiting a specialty running store that performs gait analysis, or spend time with a running trainer. A good evaluation like this can help with footwear choice, and give you tips on how to improve technique. Custom orthotics can be helpful for arches that require a little extra support, too! One of the most common problems for runners lies in their

May 20, 2014

Improve Your Posture in Just One Post

Practicing good posture is integral to proper spine alignment and can help strengthen core muscles. We all know how important it is to sit tall, but it’s so easy to get a little too comfortable and sink down into a slouch. I’ve found that as soon as I start talking about posture, I immediately see my patients start sitting up straighter and practice their best posture skills. I can bet that many of you who are reading this are starting to sit a little straighter than you did before! Here are five simple tips to improve your posture, and maintaining it long after you’ve finished reading this post. 1. Sit tall, but relaxed: As you straighten up, be sure not to overextend your back. To maintain the position, your back should be straight, with your shoulders and knees relaxed. Attempting to overarch the back can be just as bad as slouching! 2. Work those abs: Keep your core engaged as you adjust your posture. Keeping your abs pulled in tight as you sit at a computer is one way to strengthen core muscles, which can help reduce minor back pain! 3. Raise your screen: As you sit at your computer,

May 13, 2014

What is Scoliosis? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Scoliosis is a somewhat common condition that affects approximately 6 million Americans or 2-3% of the general population. Many people are familiar with back braces that sometimes accompany the treatment of scoliosis. However, from varying degrees of spinal curvature to different treatment options, there’s more to it than just back braces – and I’m sharing a brief guide to understanding what scoliosis is, who it affects, and how it is treated. What is scoliosis? Scoliosis, simply put, is an abnormal curvature of the spine. While a normal spine forms a straight line from the neck to the buttocks, spines with scoliosis curve to form a C or S shape. Who has scoliosis? Scoliosis can begin at any age. Most commonly, it develops in adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15. Juvenile scoliosis occurs when spinal curvature develops in children under the age of 10. Adult onset scoliosis, or degenerative scoliosis, most often develops in adults over the age of 60. Degenerative scoliosis can be caused by a gradual deterioration of discs from a lifetime of wear and tear. While adolescent scoliosis occurs equally among both genders, females are eight times more likely to progress to a degree serious enough

May 6, 2014

Screen Time, Teens, and Back Pain

There is a lot of talk about how dependence on technology and a more sedentary lifestyle affects the health of children and adolescents. Much of the conversation revolves around obesity and its effects on cardiovascular health. However, a new study from the British Chiropractic Association is looking at how this affects back and spine health in still-growing teens. The study surveyed 460 parents with kids aged 11- 16 and found that 40 percent had experienced back or neck pain. Nearly a quarter of parents reported that their children spent between 2 to 4 hours each day watching television or using a tablet or computer. Spending long periods of time in front of a television or computer can lead to bad posture which is a common source of back and neck pain. Thirty-three percent of the children played video games regularly, while only 12 percent participated in active recreation like riding a bike. Most alarmingly, nearly 50 percent of parents admitted that their children do not get enough exercise. This lack of exercise gives way to weaker core muscles, which are needed to support the spine properly. As this sedentary lifestyle increases rates of childhood obesity, it may also lead to

April 29, 2014

Spinal Cord Injuries on the Rise in Older Americans

For years, car accidents were the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injuries in the United States. However, using data from 2007 to 2009, the study found that falls made up 41.5% of traumatic injuries, surpassing car accidents at 35.5%. The study also found that the rate for spinal cord injuries decreased for the 18-64 age group, but increased for those over 65 years old. The research also yielded the conclusion that the average age of adults with a spinal cord injury is 51, a 10-year increase in age from a study of data from 2000 to 2005, and that spinal cord injuries are four to six times more likely to be fatal for the senior population, compared with the younger age group. While the doctors were unable to determine an exact cause for the increase in age or in injuries caused by falls, they did pinpoint a few possible factors. The increase in falls over motor vehicle accidents is likely due to an increase in the use of airbags and more stringent seatbelt laws across the United States. Similarly, they believe that the increase in age is due to the rising average age overall in the United States and

April 29, 2014

It’s Baseball Season, and Injuries Abound

Injuries are common in all sports, and this is especially true in professional baseball, where players engage in repetitive movements on the field for 162 games each season. Back injuries can be detrimental for baseball players, often affecting an athlete’s swing or pitch. As this season kicks off, serious injuries and long-term recoveries are keeping a number of players off the field. Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold is still recovering after undergoing a cervical fusion surgery in July. He is now in physical therapy and remains on the disabled list until he is fully recovered. Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison is still on the disabled list after having surgery to repair a damaged disc last May. This was his third surgery over the past two years and he is still recovering. Clayton Kershaw, starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been on the 15-day disabled list since March 30due to a muscle strain in his upper back that could affect his rotator cuff, but he is expected to return to the mound in May. Here in New York, Brendan Ryan, the Yankees backup shortstop, is currently on the disabled list for a minor “back issue” that he believes

April 16, 2014

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