Why Surgery Is Often a Last Resort for Disc Problems
Discs heal slowly. That’s not a flaw — it’s biology. Because discs have limited blood supply, healing depends on: Surgery bypasses this process. In many cases, it permanently alters spinal mechanics, which is why re-herniation and adjacent segment degeneration are well-documented long-term risks. This is why conservative care is often the first and best approach […]
When Is Back Surgery Actually Necessary?
Back surgery is sometimes necessary — but it is far less common than people think. True surgical necessity usually involves: What surgery does not do well is heal discs. Surgery removes tissue, stabilizes segments, or decompresses nerves — but it does not restore disc health. Many patients are advised to pursue surgery because symptoms haven’t […]
Do All Disc Herniations Require Surgery?
Many people are told they have a herniated disc and immediately assume surgery is inevitable. That assumption causes unnecessary fear — and in many cases, unnecessary procedures. The truth is simple: most disc herniations do not require surgery. In fact, many patients respond well to conservative care. However, oftentimes, the typical conservative options like physical […]
Can a disc herniation show on an x-ray?
If you’re experiencing back pain, numbness, or tingling, your doctor likely recommended imaging tests to find the cause. That’s standard practice in modern healthcare. Many patients ask me, “Can a herniated disc be seen on an X-ray?” The short answer is no—X-rays do not show soft tissues like discs, but other imaging methods can help […]
Sciatica: Causes, Treatments, and Outcomes
Sciatica is a common term that is quickly diagnosed and recognized by many healthcare providers. It often characterized as pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in one of both legs. This is due because there stenosis in the spine which is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the […]
Sciatica: Am I Doomed?
Many patients use the colloquial term of sciatica. Thus far in my career, I’ve come to accept this word as part of our daily vocabulary. Previously, I would vehemently educate people on how that is a non-specific term and doesn’t describe what is really going on. So here, we’re going to set the record straight. […]
Understanding Gabapentin: How It Temporarily Blocks Pain
Developed initially as an anti-convulsant, gabapentin has found a crucial role in managing various types of neuropathic pain. In this post, I’ll explain how this drug works to block pain signals temporarily. The Science Behind Gabapentin To understand how gabapentin blocks pain, we must delve into our nervous system’s intricate workings. Gabapentin’s effectiveness lies in […]
Stem Cell Treatments: Are They Worth It?
As a healthcare provider who is solely focused on providing the best treatments for my patients, I am always learning about new treatments for pain relief. Though I specialize in conservative spine care (no addictive opioids, risky epidural injections, or invasive spine surgeries), I am open to learning about the subsequent best treatment. Stem cells […]
Injections: Cortisone vs Epidural
As a spine specialist focused on non-surgical and non-invasive procedures, I don’t prescribe injections in my office. Thus far in my career, I’ve consulted with over one thousand patients. Each person comes to me with a unique case, which includes pain, dysfunction, and immobility. With every case, I have to understand where a patient has […]
Spine Surgery Procedures: What Are They? How Much Do They Cost?
Suppose you have a herniated disc and have been told that surgery is your only option. In that case, it’s crucial to understand the various surgical procedures for treating herniated discs, their costs, and both short-term and long-term effects. I have colleagues from many of the significant surgical groups here in Indianapolis. Our conversations usually […]
