Forty-two million Americans smoke cigarettes. On November 19, the American Cancer Society will hold the Great American Smokeout’s to encourage smokers to kick the habit for good. Need another reason to quit? Studies show that smoking contributes to chronic back pain. According to new research, smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from an...

Did you know back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work? In fact, it’s the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Often, research shows, work itself can be the cause. Sitting still at a desk day after day can result in serious...

Minimally invasive surgical procedures are now available for most types of back problems that require surgery. If you are struggling with pain and discomfort but cannot risk a long-term absence from work, there may be help available to you. Minimally invasive procedures work through smaller incisions, creating numerous benefits for the patient. If your medical...

If you’ve ever suffered from any of the symptoms associated with sciatica — or if you’re suffering from them right now — you know how debilitating it can be. The cause of your sciatica could be any of a bewildering variety of potentially serious problems. Fortunately, we know how to isolate the specific reason for...

When it comes to spinal fusion surgery, most people are familiar with why the surgery is performed – to provide greater stability to an area of the spine that’s become damaged or unstable from disease or injury; but most men and women are unaware of the wide variety of fusion procedures that are available today...

April is Occupational Therapy Month, so it makes sense to kick off the month with a quick review of the many benefits of physical therapy when it comes to managing back pain and regaining strength and mobility, especially during the post-surgical period. The idea of occupational physical therapy is to make sure the body is...