Posture

3-D Printing in Spinal Surgery

In spinal surgery, advancements in technology and medicine have given doctors new ways to combat conditions affecting the human body. Minimally invasive procedures use small incision for less complex procedures; in robotics, surgeons use robotic arms to carry out a minimally invasive procedures with potentially more accuracy. So what about 3-D printing? Technically, it’s been around since the 1980s, but hasn’t been used in medicine until recent years. Commonly used to support or replace body parts that don’t enter the bloodstream, 3-D printing has the ability to fabricate prosthetic limbs, layer by layer, from the ground up. What is 3-D printing? What is 3-D printing? In medicine, 3-D printing, also referred as additive manufacturing, is the process of using plastic or metal gel to shape a replacement body part based on a patient’s MRI or CT scan. 3-D printing is allowing prosthetics to be produced and personalized in complex shapes including hands and fingers. No longer will these devices cost thousands of dollars, removing much of the financial burden patients and their families may face. “If a parent wanted to purchase a 3-D printer of their own and produce hands for their own child, the cost of the printer and

January 27, 2015

Simple Lifestyle Changes You Can Make To Reduce Back Pain

Back pain can hinder us from taking part in the fun activities we love and can also interrupt our day to day life. However, relatively small changes to your routine and overall lifestyle can make a huge impact on your spine health! Outlined below are 6 lifestyle changes you can make to start the New Year off right. 1. Exercise more carefully Staying healthy overall includes the health of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support your spine. By monitoring these key areas you can minimize painful flare-ups. When exercising and lifting weights, be conscious of how you lift: always use the power of your legs and keep your back straight, and stretch before any strenuous physical activity. Consider working closely with a personal trainer, physical therapist, or doctor to create a regular stretching program. 2. Supplement your diet This may come as no surprise, but it’s important to get enough vitamin D, be it through sun exposure or a supplement. Vitamin D helps keep your bones, including your spine, healthy and strong. Additionally, remember to drink plenty of water, as doing so can enhance the height of your intervertebral disks. Did you know your body is composed mostly of

January 6, 2015

The Benefits of Stretching

Stretching is a great way to prevent and ease back pain. It’s also a great way to relieve stress and relax. Stretching involves controlled movement, controlled breathing, and a level of concentration that helps your mind to cancel out the day-to-day chatter in order to focus on the stretch. Many people feel completely invigorated after stretching! The best part is that you don’t need a lot of space, heavy equipment, or anyone to assist you to get a good stretch in. Before you start, though, here are some tips to keep in mind: Stretching should be pain-free; do not force the body into difficult positions Move into the stretch slowly and avoid bouncing, which may actually tear muscles Hold stretches long enough (20-30 seconds) to allow muscles or joints to become loose Wear comfortable clothes that won’t bind If you’re looking for a few stretches to start with, Spine Universe has a few great ideas for stretches that help prevent or relieve back pain. Spine Universe recommends doing them 3 to 5 times each for optimal results. Remember it’s also important to breathe during the stretch, and of course, consult a doctor before starting any new exercise or stretching routine.

December 16, 2014

Bras, Breasts and Back Health

With these exercises, you should be able to avoid discomfort or lessen existing back pain. If the pain is unbearable or is accompanied by tingling in the arms, I recommend consulting your doctor. Whether big, small, sports, or lace – industry figures show that women around the world spend $16 billion on bras. Aesthetics aside, many women find themselves dealing with the frustrating problem of upper and mid-back back pain caused by large breast size. Excessively large breasts, known as breast hypertrophy, put extra stress on the back extensor muscles and spinal disks, leading to muscle tension, spasm and pain. It can also exacerbate the symptoms of thoracic kyphosis, commonly known as hunch back or round back. Other symptoms include tingling in the arms from compressed nerves and pain from bra straps digging into the shoulders. Patients often come to me with the question, “Will breast reduction surgery help my back pain?” The answer is often yes if other treatments – such as physical therapy and postural exercises – fail. Bethannie Snodgrass, MD, plastic surgeon and author of When Less is More: The Complete Guide for Women Considering Breast Reduction Surgery explains, “As women get older and heavier, their shoulders

September 23, 2014

Bad Posture and Back Pain in Children

I can’t stress enough the importance of good posture, and that’s especially true for kids. It’s not just that it makes them look and feel more alert and prepared; bad posture in childhood and adolescence can mean back pain in adulthood. Some doctors report seeing children as young as seven years old with back problems. A major part of the problem is the ways in which our kids learn and relax. Backpacks are heavier than ever, and the chairs most schools provide make good posture very difficult to achieve. Backward sloping chairs mean students have to curve their spines forward to write on desks. Plus, all that recreational time spent hunched over a laptop, PlayStation, or iPad means young backs likely aren’t getting the support they need outside of the classroom, either. There are things parents can do (beyond yelling) so slouchy kids don’t grow into suffering adults. Gentle reminders. Being conscious of good posture is the first step to maintaining it. Your kids don’t want to hear it and you may get sick of saying it, but this is where it begins. Make breaks a priority. We’ve all become accustomed to sitting for long periods of time, but children

September 9, 2014

5 Ways to Avoid Back Pain at Work

When our grandparents worked on farms or in factories, every day posed the risk of serious injury. We think we’ve come a long way, but have you considered the harm you could be doing to your body by sitting at a desk for eight or more hours a day? Humans weren’t designed to be sedentary, but today many of us work in situations that require hours of sitting before a computer, being stationary for at least 50% of the day. With all of this sitting, chances are that many of us aren’t maintaining good posture throughout the day, a bad habit that could lead to lower back pain, as well as other issues such as circulatory problems, gastrointestinal problems, and even depression. Here are some ways to combat poor posture and back pain at work: Get up and walk around – Short walks will not only increase circulation and realign your spine but will be a nice way to break up a long work day. Studies show that taking short breaks can help improve focus, so don’t just do it for your health but for productivity, too! You can even set an alarm on your phone to remind you to

August 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

Lower Back Pain and Core Strength

With over 31 million Americans suffering from lower back pain, this persistent ailment is one of the most common health problems plaguing adults in the United States. While some severe cases are the result of a deeper issue, temporary back pain is quite normal and can be reduced or eliminated through proper exercise and postural techniques. One way I recommend to reduce minor low back pain is through strengthening your core. The core encompasses all of the muscles from your hamstrings up to your neck, from your abdominals to your back muscles. Since all of these muscles work together to support your spine, keeping the core engaged and strong can eliminate minor back , improve posture, and reduce the risk of greater injury down the road. Yoga and pilates, two very popular forms of exercise, focus on engaging and strengthening core muscles. Yoga works the core muscles methodically through balance, flexibility, and relaxation. The core components of pilates are control, concentration, and centering the body. These are all achieved through engaging core muscles and, over time, building strength that can help reduce minor pain. Swimming is also a great way to engage your deep core muscles and hit different

March 5, 2014

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