'back pain'

We've all heard about people who swear that their arthritic joints flare up when rainy weather is on the way. But is there really a link between weather conditions and pain - especially in the neck and back?

Interestingly, scientific study has yet to prove a direct correlation between arthritic pain and impending weather conditions. So, your uncle who swears his balky knee can predict the next thunderstorm may not necessarily be the most reliable weatherman. However, there is one aspect of the weather that can indeed play a role in your chronic back or neck pain - barometric pressure.

A commercial artist, illustrator, musician and singer, Charles Bithorn loves being active. This Korean War veteran is always on the go, enjoying activities like long walks, gymnastics, hand balancing, art instruction, oil painting, singing, and playing music. But 40 years of chronic pain in his back, hips, and legs from spinal arthritis, herniated discs, pinched nerves, and spinal stenosis threatened to leave Charles unable to do the things he loves. The pain and weakness from his symptoms meant he couldn’t walk, dance, or stand for long periods of time.

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If you're suffering from back and neck pain and conservative treatments have failed to ease your symptoms, there’s a good chance that you’re now researching surgical options. And, if you've looked into Laser Spine Institute's minimally invasive endoscopic procedures, you likely know that our outpatient surgeries are a safe, effective alternative to open back surgery. But if you are still not sure whether or not one of our procedures might be right for you, what if you had the chance to sit down for a one-on-one conversation with a member of our medical team?

Did you know that September is Pain Awareness Month? Perhaps not, but if you're suffering from back pain or neck pain due to a spinal condition, what better reminder to research different wellness trends that may be able to help ease your back pain?

If you're seeking chronic back pain relief, exercising might sound like the last thing you'd want to do. With sharp pain, numbness, and/or tingling in your back making it hard to even get through the day, why would you consider physical activity and movements that might aggravate your condition? As counterintuitive as it might seem, however, there are a variety of gentle, low-impact exercises that can actually be a great way to ease chronic back pain and promote overall spine health. Of course, you'll always want to speak with your doctor before beginning any sort of exercise regimen, and exercising under the supervision of a trained expert (such as a physical therapist) is also a great idea. If you're interested in exercise as a method for obtaining back pain relief, you might consider the following options: