There are three main problems that can occur within your spine: cervical spine issues, thoracic spine issues, and lumbar spine issues. Here are the differences between these problems and how you can diagnose them. Common Problems of the Cervical Spine WHAT IS IT? The cervical spine is in your neck region and houses the spinal cord that sends messages from the brain to control all aspects of the body. It consists of seven bones which are separated…
CONSERVATIVE AND SURGICAL TREATMENTS FOR YOUR SPINE
Treatment Options Treatments for medical concerns related to the spine vary from conservative to surgical interventions. Depending on the area of the spine, the level of injury or disability, and the degree of problems in those injuries, treatment options will vary. Whether your spinal issues are related to arthritis, hernias, sciatica, or sprains and strains, you can find effective solutions to treat all issues of the cervical, thoracic, and lum…
Finding a top rated team of interventional pain management specialists requires one to understand what you need in a provider. When seeking a pain management medical provider to address my spinal issues, choose carefully. These tips will help you find the right medical specialist. Experience and Training It goes without saying that using a highly trained medical professional is absolutely mandatory. Your doctor must be renowned in their field and…
Seeking Treatment for Spinal Trauma & Spinal Injuries
Spinal trauma can impair movement, cause chronic pain, and impact your quality of life. Seeking out a spine specialist for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment can return you to the life you want to live and make all the difference in the world. Whether your spinal trauma is caused by an injury, accident at work or a chronic condition, you can get support to get moving again. Diagnosis Accurate diagnosis of your medical concern is the fi…
Michael S. Chang, MD was recently interviewed for an azcentral article. Read about Dr. Chang and his expertise on spinal conditions in children and adults.
Your spine might well be the oddest part of your body. It evolved too poorly to do its job well, undergoes changes from morning to night, and has the same number of vertebrae as a giraffe. It’s made from billions of neurons and keeps your brain in contact with the rest of your body. As spine specialists, we thought we'd share some fun facts about the spine in time for Halloween: If You Want To become Taller, Visit the Moon Gravity affects your he…
You might think that numbness and tingling don't deserve serious care because these symptoms seem more benign than pain, but any unusual sensation is your body’s request for change. Numbness can be surprisingly debilitating. It even takes a toll on your emotional resources. It should be looked into as soon as possible, because it may indicate stroke, seizures, or circulation loss. Numbness Complete or partial numbness is usually a sign of damage …
When Does Spinal Arthritis Become Spinal Stenosis?
As a part of normal aging, the spine can develop arthritis. The discs lose their water content and begin to collapse, bone spurs form, and the ligaments around the joints of the spine begin to thicken. After age 50, these slowly growing bone spurs and thickened ligaments may begin to narrow the spinal canal and compress nerves. The result is slowly worsening pain into the buttocks, hips, thighs, and legs. Walking and standing are often worse than…
Spinal Stenosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
We all know that the more miles you put on your car, the more likely it is to begin having wear and tear problems. Our spines work in the same way. Like a car, the spine has important relationships among its moving parts. The car can be traded for a new one but we must take care of our spine as best we can for many years. Spinal stenosis, often an end stage of the spine degenerative process, is characterized by leg pain with walking. Pain will go…
"A PINCHED NERVE IN THE NECK" What is it? In between the vertebrae of the neck are cervical discs. The cervical disc serves to cushion the weight of the head while allowing the vertebrae to move. When a piece of the disc escapes through a tear in its thick containment ligaments called the annulus, this is called a cervical disc herniation. Herniations occur into the spinal canal and can compress the spinal nerves or even the spinal cord. Causes M…
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