Tailbone pain, also called coccydynia or coccygodynia, is pain associated with the coccyx – the small triangular shaped bone at the bottom of the spinal column just below the sacrum. The coccyx is typically composed of three to five fused (or semi-fused) bony segments and...
What is spinal cord stimulation, and how does it work? Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) involves a minimally invasive procedure during which electrical leads are placed in the posterior epidural space (the area between the vertebral canal and the spinal cord) to stimulate the dorsal columns (the...
By William Lian MD Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain has long been an under-recognized and under-diagnosed cause of pain. Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common cause of chronic pain in the United States, with up to 84% of adults experiencing it at some point in...
by Julie Hastings MD and Susan Sorosky MD A ‘physiatrist ‘ (pronounced ‘fizz i’ a trist’) is a physician who specializes in Physiatry, also known as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or PM&R, one of the 24 medical specialties certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties....
The stereotypical picture of a pregnant woman grimacing with discomfort while clutching her low back is well known, but why? And does this have to be the expectation in pregnancy? For many women, pregnancy is a time of excitement, planning, but also of physical discomfort....
We have entered into a new, strange time. The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything the state, country, and world has ever faced. As a result, we are all scrambling to adjust our lives to new restrictions, which are constantly changing. Because the virus is mainly spread...
Food is a basic need of life. For most of human existence, the ability to obtain enough food to survive was a struggle. However, in the modern world, food has never been more readily available or affordable. This constant access to food has led to...
Sleep is a basic human function that plays an important role in our brain function and overall health. Unfortunately, up to 70 million people in the US have a chronic sleep disorder that impacts daily functioning and health1. Good sleep is a combination of how...
As more and more people are turning away from pharmaceutical treatments for musculoskeletal pain, interest in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is on the rise. One of the most common types of TCM used for treating pain is acupuncture. Although acupuncture originated in China thousands of...
By Rishi Vora DO and Susan Sorosky MD The facet joints are located throughout the spine and are a common source of neck and back pain. Where are these joints? What is facet syndrome? How do I know if my spine pain is coming from a...