CONDITIONS

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Do you have a spinal condition that’s causing you chronic pain intense enough to interfere with your life or day-to-day activities? Are you afraid you’ll never be able to get your pain under control or that it might continue to worsen as you age? 

WELL, YOU’RE NOT ALONE. 

Many people with spinal disorders feel frustrated, confused, and helpless about their conditions. As many as 500,000 people suffer from some form of spinal injury each year. The good news is that you can ease your concerns and fears by gaining a better understanding of your condition. 

 

At NJ Spine and Orthopedic, we work to help you understand your symptoms, diagnose your condition and inform you of the various treatments. Below is an overview of the most common types of spine conditions, as well as other orthopedic conditions.

doctor and patient

When Should You Get Back Pain Treatment Westchester?

Back pain is very common and can be easily treated in the home. Of all the types of back pain, the most common is lumbago (the lower back), although the patient can feel it all through the spine.  Back pain can affect how we move and our daily activities. Because of back pain, we’ve all had to abandon one activity or the other. At the end of the day, Back pain makes one uncomfortable, and it can feel painful. We suffer from back pain as a result of several s such as injuries, physical activities, medical conditions, or as a result of old age. As people get older, the chances of developing pain in the lower back increase as a result of weakening bones, degenerative disk disease, and their work history. When Should I See a Physician For My Back Pain in Westchester? Do you live in Westchester and the severity of your back pain is really bad? This usually determines when you should go see your orthopedic surgeon in the Westchester area. In most cases, the pain isn’t unbearably painful. It can be easily managed, and the cure is expected to fade after a few weeks. As a patient, we recommend you see a doctor if you feel the need to, regardless of how severe or mild you feel pain. After two to three weeks, if you barely notice a difference, we recommend you go to your doctor. What Causes Back Pain? Back pain may be the result of problems with the spine, such as osteoporosis can cause this pain. The human back is made of a complex arrangement of bones, ligaments, muscles, bones, discos, and tendons that gives us our support and enables us to walk around. Cartilages or discs serve as cushions for the bones as they move over one another. Back pain can be caused by damage to any of these parts. Other factors that can result in back pain include stress, poor posture, medical conditions and more. Treating Back Pain Home treatments You can get over-the-counter pain relief medications such as ibuprofen for relief. You can also apply rubs or spray or an ice pack directly in the source of pain to reduce how it feels. If you develop back pain as a result of strenuous activities, you should stop and rest. A massage can also help reduce the effect of back pain. Medical Treatment If the stay-at-home method proves ineffective, here are possible solutions offered by medical doctors. Some types of back pain are resistant to OTC painkillers. In such cases, your doctor or physician may recommend a prescription NSAID. Sometimes you will be asked to use either codeine or hydrocodone. Both of these drugs are narcotics, so they should be used only for short periods and before bed. Patients taking these drugs are also closely monitored by their doctors. Muscle relaxants can also be used to cure the pain you may be feeling. Antidepressants are another class of medication used to treat back

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X ray of inflamed shoulder

What to Expect after Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery

It has been reported that between 18 and 26 percent of American adults will experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives. When a person has persistent shoulder pain, shoulder arthroscopy surgery is one option to alleviate their pain. Shoulder arthroscopy surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that is primarily used to diagnose and treat shoulder pain and issues. With the incisions being only the size of a keyhole, this treatment option allows for shorter recovery periods so that patients get back to life as they knew it before their shoulder problems began.   The board-certified surgeons at NJ Spine & Orthopedic have experience helping patients through minimally invasive procedures like shoulder arthroscopy surgery. If you are planning to have this minimally invasive surgery done in the near future, it is important that you know what to expect after shoulder arthroscopy surgery.  What Are the Shoulder Injuries That Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery Treats? Shoulder pain can arise for a wide variety of reasons, whether you have lifted something too heavy or have been in an accident. If you develop shoulder pain that doesn’t go away with rest and home care, you may need to speak with a doctor and consider surgery. Shoulder arthroscopy surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that involves a surgeon inserting a small camera into an incision to better understand the cause of your pain. If your shoulder needs to be repaired in any way, they will proceed by using small surgical instruments to restore your shoulder to its original state. Some shoulder injuries that can be treated by shoulder arthroscopy surgery include: Bone spurs Biceps tendon injuries Frozen shoulder Osteoarthritis Labrum tears Rotator cuff tears Rotator cuff tendinitis Shoulder instability Shoulder impingement injury If you have a shoulder injury that requires you to undergo shoulder arthroscopy surgery, it is crucial that you are aware of what to expect post-operation.  What Happens after Shoulder Arthroscopy Surgery? Unfortunately, no matter the type of surgery you get, there will always be some pain afterward. While shoulder arthroscopy is minimally invasive, you may experience some discomfort. After completing the surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for a couple of hours to recover. However, this type of surgery is known as outpatient surgery, meaning that you will be able to go home the same day of your procedure, with the entire surgery typically only taking one hour or less. While you can go home the same day as your procedure, you will need someone to pick you up and drive you back home.  After leaving the facility, you will be provided with pain medications if you need them. It is recommended that you have family or friends who can spend the night with you and keep an eye out in case any complications arise. During your surgery, the surgeons may use nerve blocks that numb your shoulder during the procedure and can help minimize pain during recovery. Remember, experiencing pain after surgery is normal and is a normal part

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7 Daily Habits to Alleviate Upper Back Pain

It has been reported that nearly 65 million Americans have reported issues relating to back pain at some point in their lives. Suffering from back pain can be debilitating and cause a person to miss out on some of their favorite parts of daily life, like walking their dog, playing a sport, or even doing their job. While suffering from back pain may leave a person feeling hopeless, there are habits you can add to your daily routine that may alleviate your upper back pain. The medical professionals of NJ Spine & Orthopedic have experience helping clients who have experienced upper back pain through their minimally invasive spine surgery methods. Aside from medical procedures, there are 7 daily habits that can be implemented into your life that can alleviate upper back pain before you decide if surgery is the right option for you. What Are the 7 Best Habits to Alleviate Upper Back Pain? Determining the root cause of a person’s upper back pain can be difficult. To truly understand what is causing your upper back pain, it is best that you seek the help of an experienced back and spine doctor. However, there are habits you can partake in to help alleviate the pain you are suffering from. Some of the best daily habits to alleviate your upper back pain include: Sleeping with a Pillow under Your Knees If you are someone who sleeps flat on your back, you are putting pressure on your spine each night when you sleep, which can cause pain. By putting a pillow under your knees to elevate your legs at night, you can alleviate some of the pain you are experiencing in your upper back. Work Out Your Core Exercise is one of the most beneficial habits you can maintain to reduce pain in your back. By incorporating a routine that strengthens your core, you can reduce your risk of developing back pain or injuries. Increase Your Vitamin D and Calcium These two vitamins play a crucial role in building strong bones, which in turn helps to alleviate and prevent back pain. Calcium can be found in: Milk Yogurt Leafy greens Vitamin D can be found in: Cheese Egg yolks Fatty fish You can also take vitamin supplements. Wear Different Shoes Make sure you are wearing shoes that have low heels and are comfortable. When you wear a more comfortable shoe, you can greatly reduce any strain on your back. Improve Your Posture Having bad posture will put a strain on your entire back. By ensuring that you are standing straight, you can alleviate some of the pain you may be experiencing. Try Not to Carry Anything Too Heavy To help reduce pain in your upper back, you should reduce any occasions where you may have to pick up or carry a heavy load. Make Sure That You Stretch If you are sitting, standing, or lying down in one place for too long, you may be putting a strain on a part of

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How Can Botox Injections Help with Migraines?

Migraine attacks can be painful and debilitating, affecting your quality of life. Naturally, those who experience these migraines look for ways to relieve the pain. If you are experiencing migraine symptoms for fifteen days or more each month, you may have chronic migraines. Chronic migraines begin as less frequent headache episodes that gradually change into more frequent migraines. Medications for migraine exist to either address acute symptoms or prevent attacks from occurring. However, if medications aren’t helping relieve the pain, there are other preventative measures. One such preventative measure is Botox, an injectable drug made from a purified protein called clostridium botulinum. When injected into the body, it blocks certain chemical signals from your nerves, causing temporary paralysis of the muscles. Though Botox gained popularity as a wrinkle reducer, researchers recognize the potential of Botox for treating medical conditions too. Today Botox can treat problems such as repetitive neck spasms, eye twitching, overactive bladder, and chronic migraine. How Does Botox Treat Migraines? Botox works by reducing muscle contractions and stopping neurotransmitters from sending pain signals to the brain, helping reduce pain. Botox treatments can help reduce symptoms of migraine attacks, including: Nausea Vomiting Sensitivity to lights, sounds, and smells The effects of Botox are only temporary. Patients will need to receive ongoing treatment. The most common treatment timeline involves an injection every twelve weeks, or four times per year. Furthermore, it may take several weeks to experience migraine relief after an injection. Injection sites may include: The upper bridge above the nose Forehead Temples Back of the head Neck Upper back Botox injections themselves tend to be nearly painless, though you may experience a small sting or slight burning sensation with each injection. During the session, your doctor will likely inject multiple doses of Botox into specific points on your head. After the treatment, most patients are able to continue their day as usual. Potential Side Effects of Botox for Treating Migraine Pain Most medical procedures come with side effects; those side effects are rare. Complications and side effects of Botox treatments are rare. The most common side effects of the injections are neck pain and stiffness at the injection site. You may also develop a headache afterward or experience temporary muscle weakness in the neck and upper shoulders. These symptoms may make it hard to keep your head upright. While these don’t sound pleasant, the symptoms usually resolve on their own within a few days. Botox toxin can spread to areas beyond the injection site in rare cases. Should this occur, you may experience: Muscle weakness Vision changes Difficulty swallowing Drooping eyelids Sharply raised eyebrows To reduce the risk of serious side effects and complications, always make sure Botox is prescribed and administered by a trained and trusted healthcare professional. Your doctor may not recommend Botox injections until other treatment options have proven unsuccessful. If other preventive treatments haven’t helped with your chronic migraine symptoms, it may be time to talk to your doctor about Botox. Additionally, a doctor

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How to Avoid Sciatica Pain after Gardening

Gardening can be therapeutic and rewarding. It can promote healthy living and encourage you to go out and get fresh air. Many benefits come from gardening, and it’s understandable why people spend so much time in their gardens. However, gardening can be a physically demanding activity and requires extra care. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or hobbyist, it’s important to take care of your body the same way you care for your garden. It’s common to experience some level of back pain while gardening due to the strain it can place on the back. Sciatica pain generally refers to pain radiating from the back to the leg. This pain may be due to tension along any part of the sciatic nerve pathway. Back and sciatic pain can flare up at any time during a gardening session if the strain on the back is too much. However, the benefits of getting out to garden far outweigh the downsides as long as gardening is done with care. When approached properly, gardening is one of the best forms of exercise you can do for your body and mind. 4 Tips to Avoid Sciatica Pain after Gardening Gardening can bring calmness to mind and help reduce anxiety. However, long periods of planting can take a toll on the back and exasperate existing back pain. This possibility doesn’t mean you need to cross gardening off your list. With a few adjustments and creativity, you can still garden and protect your back from sciatica pain. 1. Warm-up before Gardening Gardening can be a real workout, so warming up the muscles first is beneficial. A five-minute walk and stretching before starting can warm up your muscles to prevent straining yourself while gardening. 2. Lift with Support Lifting heavy pots, bushes, watering cans, and other heavy gardening equipment without proper support can injure the back’s discs, muscles, or ligaments. To lift correctly, begin by squatting and not bending at the waist. Use both hands to hold the object, keeping the object close to the body and slowly straightening the legs. When possible, minimize lifting by using a wagon, dolly, or other lifting aids to carry heavy objects from place to place. 3. Take Frequent Breaks It’s easy to lose track of time when doing an activity one enjoys, but breaks are essential to keep yourself healthy and pain-free. 4. Get Support from Kneelers and Chairs Kneeling on the ground and then standing upright can be painful or even impossible, depending on the level of pain and flexibility you experience. Heavy-duty kneelers, especially those with raised, padded handles, can help you get up and down, allowing you to use your arm strength to aid the process. Kneelers tend to include a well-cushioned base to reduce the impact and stress on your back and knees. Need Back Pain Relief? Work with Spinal Specialists at NJ Spine & Orthopedic NJ Spine & Orthopedic knows that back pain prevents people from participating in activities they love and can make it challenging to

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