May 2024

The spinal cord starts at the base of the brain, runs throughout the cervical and thoracic spine, and typically ends at the lower part of the thoracic spine. The spinal …

The spine is an interconnected complex of bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, any of which can become damaged and cause pain, neurological symptoms, or loss of mobility. The vertebrae …

Spinal anatomy is a remarkable combination of strong bones, flexible ligaments and tendons, large muscles, and highly sensitive nerves. It is designed to be incredibly strong, protecting the highly sensitive nerve …

The primary purpose of back surgery or neck surgery is to correct an anatomical lesion in individuals who fail to show improvement with conservative (nonsurgical) treatment. Surgery is not an …

The underlying causes for most occurrences of back pain are non-emergent, but the intense pain and related symptoms often elevate anxiety and prompt a visit to the emergency room (ER). …

At the beginning of an initial doctor’s visit for back or neck pain, a nurse or physician’s assistant is likely to conduct a pre-examination to prepare the doctor for the …

There are several types of tests used to provide images of and/or analyze areas of pathology. These are generally referred to as “diagnostic studies.” The findings of the test(s) are …

Most of our patients do want an MRI at some point, and I think it’s a reasonable thing to do, but what we know from analysis of people with back …

A somatosensory evoked potential test checks the ability of the spinal nerves and spinal cord to send sensory signals from the body to the brain. The entire nerve pathway is …

EMG/NCS stands for electromyogram and nerve conduction studies. And this is an electrical test of your nerves and muscles. The purpose of the test is to localize where your symptoms …