You know those questions you want to ask your doctor, but hesitate to ask because it feels too personal or awkward to bring up? You’re not alone.

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life™ podcast, we’re tackling the ten (10) most common questions patients often hesitate to ask their spine surgeon – sensitive, yet essential, questions that can feel awkward or intimidating to voice.

Join our expert Physician Assistants, Thao Allen, Ian Brown, and Sam Mueller, who bring over 25 years of combined experience at VSI. They’re here to address everything from post-surgery pain to activity restrictions, to intimacy concerns, and more.

Whether you’re worried about what’s normal, how to manage unexpected symptoms, or when you can get back to your routine, this episode provides candid, reassuring answers to help you navigate your spine surgery recovery confidently.

Get ready for this open and honest discussion as we uncover the answers to your most pressing questions:

• What should I expect after spine surgery?

• Is spine surgery really scary?

• What activities can I do after spine surgery?

• How soon can I have sex after surgery?

• What if I can’t poop after surgery?

• Am I too overweight for spine surgery?

• Can I ride a rollercoaster after spine surgery?

• Can I work from home after spine surgery?

• How soon can I exercise after spine surgery?

• Can I drink after spine surgery?

Plus, we share tips on how to ask your own ‘embarrassing’ questions without hesitation. These concerns are more common than you think, and getting the right answers can help you return to the life you love faster.

Released during National PA Week, this episode is also a tribute to the vital role of our VSI Physician Assistants in supporting patients through every stage of their spine health journey.

Tune in now to get your questions answered!

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For additional information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

Today we delve into the world of spine health and supplements with Dr. Christopher Good, a spine surgeon with a passion for holistic wellness. Dr. Good brings his expertise in surgical interventions for spine conditions and sheds light on the role of supplements in promoting overall spinal health and aiding in surgery recovery.

In this episode, Dr. Good shares his journey with supplements and how they have positively impacted his health and well-being. Drawing from his professional experience and extensive research, he’ll guide us through a curated selection of supplements -- ones optimized for fighting inflammation, reducing joint pain, increasing bone health and ones that have shown promising results in supporting spine health and accelerating recovery after surgery… and the supplements most people should take every day.

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For additional information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

What if your mindset could be the missing link in managing pain and speeding up recovery? With life’s demands at an all-time high, mastering your mental game might be the key to staying strong and resilient.

We’ve all heard the phrase “mind over matter,” but did you know there’s science to back it up? In this episode, we’re shifting the focus from surgical solutions to explore how mindset and meditation can be powerful tools in managing back pain and enhancing recovery after spine surgery.

First, we hear from Bina, a patient who credits the strength of a focused mindset to her successful spine surgery recovery. Then, Dr. Christopher Good, Spine Surgeon and President of VSI, dives into the science behind how your mindset can significantly impact pain management and recovery.

Whether you’re practicing breathing techniques or getting started with meditation and mindfulness apps like Smiling Mind, Calm, or Headspace, discover actionable tips on how to harness your mental strength to improve your health outcomes.

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For additional information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

Struggling with back pain while traveling? Whether you're a frequent-flyer, a business traveler, or planning your next vacation, back and body pain can disrupt any journey. In this episode of the Get Back to Your Life™ podcast, Dr. William Kemp, Neurosurgeon at VSI, shares practical strategies to stay pain-free on the road and in the air.

Join Dr. Kemp, Neurosurgeon, as he shares:

• Essential Tips for Road Trips: How to use frequent stops, phone mounts, neck pillows, and lumbar support to manage neck and back pain during long drives.
• Key Strategies for Air Travel: Effective methods for choosing the right luggage, staying active, stretching, staying hydrated, and maintaining good posture on flights.
• Managing Pain During Work Travel: Insights from Dr. Kemp’s personal experiences and advice on how to handle the physical demands of business travel.

Discover how to keep your back pain in check and make the most of your travels. Tune in for expert tips that will help you travel comfortably and pain-free.

Listen now: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For more information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

Welcome to the Get Back to Your Life™ podcast. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Colin Haines, a distinguished spine surgeon at VSI who is an expert in treating spine conditions and a holistic approach to patient care. Dr. Haines is here to shed light on the critical connection between spine health, back pain, and the foods we eat.

In this episode, Dr. Haines deep dives into the essential components of spine health, highlighting how nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy spine. He explains how certain foods can lead to chronic inflammation, exacerbating spine conditions and contributing to persistent back pain. You’ll learn about the best dietary choices to support spine health and reduce inflammation. Whether you’re looking to prevent back pain or manage an existing condition, Dr. Haines provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of inflammation, discussing how it can cause swelling, pressure on nerves, and degenerative changes such as disc degeneration and arthritis.

Tune in as Dr. Haines offers practical dietary tips to help you manage inflammation and support your spine. He will discuss the benefits of anti-inflammatory foods, including [omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, turmeric, and ginger], and provide advice on lifestyle changes that can improve your overall quality of life.

Dr. Haines' extensive knowledge and patient-focused approach make this episode a must-listen for anyone dealing with back pain, spine conditions or looking to improve their spine health through nutrition. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of how diet and inflammation are interconnected and what you can do to support your spine health.

Are you one of the millions of Americans suffering from back pain? Do you find yourself scrolling the internet, hoping to find a quick fix? Join us on "Get Back to Your Life™" for our latest episode, "Truth or Trend: A Spine Surgeon’s Take on Back Pain Relief Hacks," where we delve into the viral world of TikTok health trends and separate fact from fiction.

In this episode, renowned spine surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini debunks and demystifies the hottest TikTok trends promising to cure back pain. From backward walking and perfect sleep positions to the truth about high heels and the effectiveness of spine decompression techniques, Dr. Jazini offers expert analysis and practical advice.

This episode is packed with valuable insights and tips:

• Whether TikTok’s trending back pain remedies are truth or myth.

• Safe and effective back pain relief techniques you can practice at home.

• How to distinguish reliable medical advice from social media misinformation.

Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, and stay tuned for more expert advice on managing back pain and maintaining a healthy spine.

Learn more about VSI at VSISpine.com

Before you book that international flight, consider this: you might not need to venture far from home for disc replacement surgery.

Medical tourism is a billion dollar business. Sometimes people travel overseas for surgery because it’s cheaper. When it comes to spine surgery - many U.S. patients choose to travel abroad - to Germany, in particular - where they’ve historically done more disc replacements than the U.S.

Is that necessary and how can you find a surgeon skilled in doing disc replacements closer to home? We’re sitting down with Chad Cooper, a patient who considered traveling to Europe for his spine surgery, and Dr. Ehsan Jazini, Disc Replacement Pioneer and Spine Surgeon at VSI. Together, they unravel the myth that top-tier disc replacements only exist abroad. Discover insider tips to navigate the options right here at home and avoid the risks of traveling internationally for treatment.

Learn more about VSI at VSISpine.com

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