Blog - Part 15

Back Problems from Cycling

First of all, I want to congratulate Chris Froome on winning the Tour de France! He rode a fantastic race, showing his true colors through the arduous mountain climbs and astonishing everyone through some of the toughest time trials the Tour has ever seen. Just because the Tour is over, however, doesn’t mean biking season has ended. Biking can be a great way to get out and exercise through the fall, but it can also cause serious back pain if one doesn’t ride properly. I would like to provide some tips to help prevent unnecessary injury. Believe it or not, back issues from cycling can be related to an individual’s body and/or mechanical discrepancies in the construction of the bike itself. The single most important lesson in this is that the fit of the bike has to be tailored for your body. For starters, many cyclists ride bikes that are too big for them. If you find yourself sitting up too high, you will then have to compensate by leaning forward to reach the handlebars, shifters and brakes. On the other hand, if your bike is too compact, you may over-arch yourself and cause tension in your spinal ligaments. Just

July 23, 2013

The Risks of Overtraining

It’s great that people today are concerned about their health and are proactive about maintaining their bodies. Unfortunately, there is a growing trend that could potentially weaken these noble goals, and it’s called “overtraining”. Overtraining can be described as increasing the frequency, duration or intensity of your normal workout routine too quickly, and it carries many negative side effects. First of all, overtraining can diminish the effectiveness of any workout. It can also cause chronic soreness and lead to injury, insomnia, unexplained weight-loss, and other conditions. The question then becomes: How can I prevent myself from overtraining? Get Your Rest You may have heard of people scheduling workout programs to focus on different muscles throughout the week. This is to prevent overworking specific muscles to prevent tears and pulls. Just as we need to sleep to recuperate mentally and physically, every muscle in our body needs to recover too. Muscles grow while you are sleeping as growth hormones are being released. Without sleep, there is significantly less time for the recovery and growth to take effect. If you have been following a strict workout plan without rest, you may want to consider taking some time off completely to get yourself

July 16, 2013

Is Sleeping in Hammocks Bad for Your Back?

During the summer it can be quite a joy to simply sit back and relax in a hammock. You can read a book, enjoy the scenery, or even take a nap. As it turns out, sleeping in a hammock can actually help you fall asleep faster and give you “better” rest, eliminating tossing and turning. Back pain often leads to discomfort, which can disrupt your sleep cycle and even prevent you from getting to sleep at all. It is important to keep in mind that a strong, supportive hammock that is properly hung is the best option for easy relaxation. Flimsy or smaller versions can lead to lower back pain, so it’s best to avoid those at all costs. Hammocks were first invented for sleeping in Central and South America, and later introduced to Europeans by Christopher Columbus, who brought several back from his voyages to the New World. As early as 1600, the British Royal Navy adopted them for use on ships, as the movement provided superior comfort for their sailors and prevented them from being thrown to the deck if waves tossed the ship. Hammocks can actually help us fall asleep faster and encourage a deeper, more fulfilling

July 11, 2013

New York Magazine Best Doctors

I am thrilled to announce that I have been named one of the top Spine Surgery Specialists for the second year in a row in the New York Magazine “Best Doctors” issue – on stands now! It is an honor to be recognized by such a great publication.

June 25, 2013

Becker’s Spine Review: 8 Ways for Spine Surgeons to Leave a Lasting Mark on the Field

I was honored to be selected by Becker’s Spine Review in July 2012 as a “Top Spine Surgeon Leader for Non-Profit Hospitals” and then again in October 2012 as a “Spine Surgeon Leader to Know.” This month, Becker’s Spine Review interviewed me again for “8 Ways Spine Surgeons to Leave a Lasting Mark on the Field.” Below please find my answers, as dictated to Editor-in-Chief Laura Miller. Spine surgeons have a huge responsibility to provide safe, effective and cost-effective care to patients on a daily basis. However, for surgeons who want to go the extra mile to impact spine care beyond their practice, there are several avenues worth exploring. Advocate for healthcare policy. As healthcare reform moves forward, it will be crucial for spine surgeons to participate in local and national advocacy efforts to positively influence healthcare policy. Surgeons understand what their patients need and have several options to ensure their voices are heard. “One of the big things surgeons can do today is advocating for health policy to protect the ability to provide patient care, access to care and procedure coverage,” says Sean McCance, MD, co-director of spine surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital and director of Spine Associates in New York. “There are several things

June 18, 2013

The Misconceptions and Fears about Spine Surgery

The word “surgery” often causes anxiety and fear for patients. Many times, they specifically ask what treatment options are available aside from surgery because they want to avoid having an operation all together, due to common misconceptions. These misconceptions are about surgery, especially spinal surgery, and I’ve heard them all. More often than not, they get in the way of the best treatment that is available for the patient .The truth is, depending on what type of injury you have and the situation you are in, surgery may end up being your best and safest option for a full recovery. Although surgery is not always the answer, it is also not always the option of last resort. A few common misconceptions that I often hear at my practice are: I will never be able to be active again! Actually, the opposite is often true. Without spinal surgery, many patients continue to suffer from their symptoms, making any type of physical activity painful. After the problem is corrected, patients can very often get back to normal activities, including sports. Also, I usually recommend that my patients begin taking walks quickly after surgery in order to regain mobility, which also helps with the healing

May 28, 2013

Sarah Cohn: “Practice Yoga While You Play Golf”

Nearly six months ago, I performed a revision surgery on patient Sarah Cohn for an Anterior-Posterior Revision Lumbar Fusion for Spondylolisthesis, after she received a failed minimally invasive spine decompression surgery at another practice. Following the revision surgery, Sarah, an avid golfer and yoga enthusiast, recovered quickly and was able to return to her athletic passions. Sarah can play golf again and stretches during rounds with simple yoga. I was touched to not only receive a copy of her book Practice Yoga While You Play Golf but also to be nominated by her for the Mount Sinai Medical Center “Honor Your Doctor” award. Most importantly, I was fascinated by Sarah’s unique fusion of golf and yoga and wanted to share with my readers and patients. You can visit her website at SarahCohnYoga.com and purchase her book here. Read below to see what Sarah had to say about her experience! Q: How did you discover Dr. McCance, and how would you describe your experience with him? A: I was referred to Dr. McCance by a pain management doctor who really wasn’t able to help me. I needed a spinal fusion and Dr. McCance made the process seem less terrifying, plus he spent plenty

May 21, 2013

Herniated Disc of the Lumbar Spine (Part II)

Last week, I posted about herniated discs in the cervical spine (or neck), but herniated discs can also occur in the lumbar spine (low back). Often times, patients suffering from a herniated disc in the lumbar spine are in the 30 – 40 year old age range. Many of the patients that I treat have injured their back from sporting or lifting incidents, but sometimes the injury occurs just from routine activities like bending over to pick up an object on the floor. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, low back pain affects four out of five people; therefore a herniated disc in the lumbar spine can go unnoticed. It is especially important for patients to visit their doctor or a specialist if their low back pain persists longer than 2 weeks or starts to radiate down the leg. Although pain is the first and most noticeable symptom of a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, the severity of the pain depends on which disc is injured and the extent of the herniation. In some cases, the pain may spread over the buttocks, down the back of the thigh and into the calf. The pain may be in one leg

May 14, 2013

Lower Back Pain: Strains

Have you recently moved, cleaned or performed a series of lifting and are experiencing lower back pain, as a result? Dr. Louis Bisogni featured me on his television show Healthy Frontiers, and here I discuss strains of the lower back and why these can be extremely painful. Watch below, and leave me any questions or comments:

May 3, 2013

Healthy Frontiers

Last year, I was lucky enough to be featured on Healthy Frontiers, a television show hosted by Dr. Louis Bisogni, where I was able to discuss a variety of topics that pertain to spinal health and my patients’ well-being. On my blog, we will feature a new segment every Friday. In this particular segment, we examine the “normal spine.”

April 26, 2013

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