Chiropractor or Physical Therapist? Understanding the Differences
Today, I want to talk about a question patients ask me all the time: should I see a chiropractor or a physical therapist? Both professions treat spinal and musculoskeletal pain, but they come from different educational traditions, philosophies of care, and practice models. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right provider, or the […]
Hydration and Your Spinal Discs: Why Water Matters for Your Back
Today, I want to talk about something simple that most of my patients never connect to their back pain: water. Here in the Tampa Bay area, July heat is no joke. We sweat, we lose fluid, and many of us do not replace it. What you may not realize is that your spinal discs depend […]
Why a More Optimistic Surgeon Can Face Greater Risk Than an Aggressive One
It may seem counterintuitive, but the spine surgeon who tells you “you probably don’t need surgery” can actually be taking on more professional risk than the surgeon who recommends operating right away. After more than 30 years practicing orthopaedic spine surgery in the Tampa Bay area, this is a pattern I have seen consistently, and […]
Getting a Spine MRI Can Increase Your Chances of Future Surgery, Even After Your Pain Is Gone
A closer look at an underappreciated consequence of early imaging — and what it means for your long-term spine health. What Most Patients Are Never Told About Spine MRIs Every year, millions of patients with back or neck pain undergo MRI studies. For many, the pain resolves on its own within weeks or months. It […]
Why an Evaluation for Pain After a Minor Auto Accident May Differ From an Evaluation for Everyday Pain
Today, I want to talk about something that comes up often in my practice: why a medical evaluation for back or neck pain after a car accident can look and feel different from an evaluation for pain that develops from everyday life, like gardening, lifting at work, or simply waking up stiff. The underlying spine […]
Steroid Injections for Spine Pain: What’s Rarely Discussed About the Risks
Do you know the risks of an injection?
