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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

5 days ago

Stress, anxiety, chronic pain, poor sleep—it’s all connected. And if you’re stuck in that cycle, this episode is for you.

This episode unpacks the powerful mind-body connection between chronic pain and mental health, bringing light to the invisible ways they interact. Because here’s the truth: mental health and physical health are deeply connected; and when one suffers, the other often does too.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, VSI Neurologist, Dr. Ella Akkerman, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Yash Mehta, dig into the hidden ways emotional experiences like burnout, anxiety, grief, and trauma don’t just live in your head—they also echo throughout the body as tension, fatigue, migraines, chronic pain, and more.

Get ready to learn:
- How emotional distress can speak through the body as physical pain
- Why so many people suffer in silence, and how to change the narrative
- What real, healing conversations between doctors and patients can look like
- Actionable ways to care for both your mind and body—starting today

If you’re living in pain that no one seems to understand, this conversation offers clarity and validation and will arm you with practical tools to take the next step.

The body keeps score, and recognizing that connection is the first step toward experiencing relief.

🎧 Find this episode on your favorite streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-back-to-your-life/id1621538885?i=1000708439047
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3cGP2aBwkgdewM2sHD1QLf?si=cfc1c7c750cb43e9

🔗For additional support and resources visit vsispine.com

📲 FOLLOW US on social media
VSI on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_spine/
Dr. Mehta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mehta_physiatrist/
Dr. Akkerman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_neurology/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vsi_spine?lang=en

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #chronicpain #painrelief #stressrelief #anxiety #grief #trauma #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

When Mental Health Hurts: The Mind-Body Connection

35

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

7 days ago

What if your mood was the secret to managing pain?

Dr. Akkerman was recently interviewed by iHeart Radio on how stress can cause pain and the parts of our brain chemistry that make this possible. When we’re happy, our serotonin and endorphins go up, naturally reducing pain. But when we’re stressed, stress hormones take over which increases pain sensitivity and overloads the nervous system.

Understanding this cycle is the first step to breaking it!

iHeart Radio Asks: How Does Stress Literally Hurt?

249

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

1 weeks ago

How can stress literally cause pain? In this iHeart Radio interview, neurologist Dr. Ella Akkerman from VSI explains how chronic stress can manifest as very real, physical pain. She breaks down the powerful brain-body connection of our emotional and physical health, revealing why your daily stressors might be at the root of headaches, back pain, or other aches.

In this conversation, you'll learn:
- How stress triggers physical pain through the brain’s chemistry
- The role of the amygdala, hypothalamus, serotonin, and cortisol
- How chronic stress affects both children and adults
- Why mental health and neurological health are deeply connected
- Practical ways to manage stress and reduce inflammation
- How to be your own best health advocate in today’s medical system

Whether you’re dealing with constant headaches, fatigue, or emotional burnout, understanding the root of your symptoms is key. This interview will help you connect the dots and take back control of your well-being.

🖥️ For more information or to schedule a consultation with VSI, visit: www.VSIspine.com

Dr. Ella Akkerman is a board-certified Neurologist with over 15 years of experience treating a wide range of neurological disorders, including chronic headaches, migraines, nerve pain, balance issues, progressive neuropathy, movement disorders, and other general neurological conditions. She specializes in patient-centered care, expert diagnostics, and interdisciplinary treatment. She translates complex neurological issues into clear concepts, empowering patients along every step of their healthcare journey.
For learn more about Dr. Akkerman, visit: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ella-akkerman/
📲 Follow VSI Neurology on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_neurology/

#NationalStressAwarenessMonth #stress #stressrelief #stressmanagement #stressreduction #painrelief #backpainrelief #stressandpain

iHeart Radio Asks: Does Stress Literally Hurt? | Explained by a Neurologist

11

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

2 weeks ago

Can failed back surgery syndrome be fixed? In this video, spine surgeon Dr. Eshan Jazini explains how one patient overcame failed back surgery syndrome with a successful lumbar disc replacement. Find out why traditional spine surgeries sometimes fall short, and how disc replacement can preserve natural motion and eliminate chronic back pain.

This case follows a young, active patient who experienced persistent lower back pain after a microdiscectomy. Despite a technically successful surgery, his expectations were not met: he couldn’t hike, lift, or sit through classes. Through careful diagnosis, patient-centered planning, and advanced spine surgery techniques, he was able to return to a fully active lifestyle.

Here's what this video covers:
- What is failed back surgery syndrome
- How disc degeneration shows on X-rays and MRI
- Why microdiscectomy may not relieve back pain
- When to consider lumbar artificial disc replacement
- Expected recovery timeline and outcomes
- The importance of setting realistic goals and understanding treatment options

If you are dealing with unresolved back pain after surgery or looking for innovative treatment beyond traditional spinal fusion, check out this special podcast episode with Dr. Jazini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXcif6LPZQ0
To read more about this podcast, go to https://www.spinemd.com/resources/podcasts/solutions-for-pain-after-spine-surgery/

For more educational content and expert insights, visit www.VSISpine.com

Dr. Jazini stands at the forefront of spine surgery as a 2025 Top Doctor, blending technical excellence with heartfelt empathy to support patients on their journey to an improved quality of life. He was recently performed the 100th prodisc® cervical disc replacement surgery; and is the fourth spine surgeon in the United States to achieve this milestone.
To learn more about Dr. Jazini, visit: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ehsan-jazini/

Follow Dr. Jazini on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_jazini/

#failedspinesurgery #failedbacksyndrome #spinesurgery #necksurgery #backsurgery #faildbacksurgerysyndrome #failedsurgery #spinesurgeryrecovery #backpain #discreplacement #lumbarspine #microdiscectomy #artificialdiscreplacement #vsi #chronicbackpain #minimallyinvasivesurgery

Can Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Be Fixed? | Explained by a Spine Surgeon

48

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

3 weeks ago

Jakki was told “it’s all in your head” for 24 years. But her pain was real. And so was the diagnosis doctors kept missing.

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life®, we meet Jakki, a mental health counselor, former athlete, and mom of three, who spent decades searching for answers to chronic, debilitating back pain. After countless misdiagnoses and medical dismissal, she took matters into her own hands — enrolling in radiology courses just to read her own scans.

Through her research, she uncovered the real cause of her pain: Bertolotti Syndrome. That discovery ultimately led her to Dr. Colin Haines at VSI, where she finally received the care, validation, and healing she’d spent decades searching for.

Jakki’s story is a powerful example of medical gaslighting — when a patient’s symptoms are dismissed, minimized, or ignored, often leading to years of unnecessary suffering and delayed diagnosis.

Her breakthrough story is one of persistence and hope, especially for anyone who’s ever felt dismissed, unheard, or overlooked in the healthcare system. And a reminder to not give up: healing is possible.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What medical gaslighting can look and feel like
- Why being dismissed can delay healing
- Signs it may be time for a second opinion
- What can happen when the right doctor listens

🎧 Find this episode on your favorite streaming platforms:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-back-to-your-life/id1621538885?i=1000705534267
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mqzzkjFrTvr4Rk2pH37RH?si=80a46aa7165c4023
▶️ Watch more patient breakthroughs at https://www.vsispine.com

Learn more about Dr. Haines: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-colin-haines/
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FOLLOW US on social media 👇
VSI on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_spine/
Dr. Haines' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.colin_haines/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vsi_spine?lang=en

#bertolotti #bertolottissyndrome #bertolottisyndrome #medicalgaslighting #gaslighting #gaslighter #backpain #backpainrelief #womenshealth #womenshealthcare #womenshealthmonth

Medical Gaslighting: One Patient’s Back Pain Story & Breakthrough Diagnosis

330

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

3 weeks ago

What if the real cause of your back pain has been overlooked for years?

VSI Neurosurgeon Dr. William Kemp reveals how one Veteran—after 20 years of debilitating back pain and increasing opioid medication—finally found lasting relief through a groundbreaking approach to spine care at VSI; offers hope for anyone who’s been cycling through prescriptions and providers with no real answers.

If you or someone you love is dealing with:
- Chronic back or neck pain that never fully goes away
- Frustration after failed spine surgery
- Long-term medication use without true relief
- Frustration with short-term solutions and rushed care...

Then this video is your invitation to consider what’s possible when you find a team that listens, investigates, and treats the whole person—not just your imaging.

📩 Ready to explore your options? Visit www.vsispine.com to schedule a consultation with our world-class team.

About Dr. Kemp:
Dr. William Kemp is a board-certified spine neurosurgeon skilled in treating complex neck and back conditions utilizing leading-edge technology and advanced techniques. With education and training at world-class academic medical centers, he completed his neurosurgery residency at Cleveland Clinic and a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Kemp was awarded the 2024 Top Doctor recognition by Northern Virginia Magazine.

#spinesrugery #backpain #backpainrelief #chronicbackpain #neckpain #hardwareremoval #opioidreduction #failedbacksurgery #failedspinesurgery #failedbacksurgerysyndrome #veteran #inspiringstory

Beating Chronic Back Pain: A Veteran’s Journey to Recovery | VSI

20

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

1 months ago

The truth is that both approaches can relieve pain, but I believe a resection is the better option when possible. Here’s why:

A fusion can trigger a domino effect of weakening other areas of the spine, which can lead to additional surgeries down the road. A resection removes only the bone that shouldn't be there, leaving the healthy structures of the spine untouched.

Icing on the cake: A resection is also a quicker and less painful recovery than a fusion!

#bertolotti #bertolottisyndrome #bertolottissyndrome #lowbackpain #backpain #chronicpain #fusionvsresection #resectionvsfusion #resectionorfusion #painmanagement #bertolottiresection #spineconditions #medicalmystery #spinespecialist #spinesurgeon

Understanding Treatment Options: Bertolotti Resection Surgery and Spinal Fusion for Bertolotti

582

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

1 months ago

Still in pain after spine surgery? You’re not alone. And more importantly, you're not out of options.
If your procedure didn’t deliver the relief you were promised—or if your symptoms have returned—this episode is for you.

In this powerful Get Back to Your Life® episode, two of the nation’s top spine surgeons, Dr. Christopher Good and Dr. Ehsan Jazini, dive into one of the most challenging realities in spine care: when surgery doesn’t fully relieve the pain.
This is often referred to as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), or persistent pain after spine surgery—a condition that some patients face, and ever fewer fully understand.

Every day at VSI, we help patients from across the country and around the world who were left with pain, confusion, and no clear plan forward, find healing again.

Keep listening to learn:
0:00 - Intro: When Spine Surgery Doesn’t Fix the Pain
1:48 - What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
3:35 - When The Result Doesn't Match The Expectation
5:04 - How & When Surgery Goes Seriously Wrong
6:35 - VSI’s Approach: Meeting Patients Where They Are
8:52 - Signs that a Spine Surgery may have Failed
10:37 - Evaluating What Went Wrong: The Surgeon's Role
13:16 - Red Flags During Spine Surgery Recovery
15:58 - Why Choose VSI for Revision Surgery?
17:53 - How to Choose your Spine Surgeon
19:50 - What to Ask Before Revision Spine Surgery
20:52 - The Role of Technology in Spine Surgery Success
24:35 - Collaborative Care at VSI: Why it Matters
28:00 - New Technologies and Personalized Spine Care
29:45 - Final Takeaways: Advice for Patients Still in Pain After Surgery

You’ll also hear the most overlooked causes of post-surgical pain, from incomplete diagnosis to lack of recovery planning—and how to finally break the cycle of pain and find lasting relief.

Whether you’ve had surgery and are still in pain, or you’re trying to avoid a second surgery, this episode offers clear answers and real hope.

▶️ Watch the full conversation now and take the next step toward getting your life back. To learn more about if failed back surgery can be fixed, watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkhrqI-mFnM&t=4s

🎧 Listen on the go:
Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-back-to-your-life/id1621538885?i=1000703724015
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/episode/7F5MMjGcBOHnJIlNx9xooo?si=e7ae45e0f5d843c2
+ Wherever you get your podcasts
Read more about this episode: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/podcasts/solutions-for-pain-after-spine-surgery/

💡Need a second opinion or want to learn more? Visit www.vsispine.com

Follow us on social media 👇
VSI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_spine/
Dr. Good's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.chris_good/
Dr. Jazini's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_jazini/

#failedspinesurgery #failedbacksyndrome #spinesurgery #necksurgery #backsurgery #faildbacksurgerysyndrome #failedsurgery #spinesurgeryrecovery

Still in Pain After Spine Surgery? What Went Wrong and How to Fix It

296

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

1 months ago

Stress is more than just a feeling — it can manifest in our bodies as real, physical pain, often leading to symptoms like migraines, sleep disturbances, neck pain, and chronic back pain.

VSI Neurologist, Dr. Ella Akkerman, joined FOX 5 DC for National Stress Awareness Month to break down this powerful mind-body connection and how stress can cause and worsen physical pain.

Keep watching to learn:
- How stress affects the nervous system and pain perception
- Practical tools to reduce stress and support nervous system healing
- How everyday items like journals, headphones, mirrors, and weighted blankets can calm your body
- Why reducing screen time and practicing stress management techniques matters for long-term health

Whether you're juggling work, family, financial pressure, or just too much screen time, this segment delivers tangible tools to help you get out of "fight or flight" mode and shift your nervous system into a healing state. As Dr. Akkerman says, "Make your amygdala happy."

To read more about this news segment, visit: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/news/as-seen-on-fox5-dc-tips-to-prevent-stress-related-pain/
🖥️ For more information or to schedule a consultation with VSI, visit: www.VSIspine.com

Dr. Ella Akkerman is a board-certified Neurologist with over 15 years of experience treating a wide range of neurological disorders, including chronic headaches, migraines, nerve pain, balance issues, progressive neuropathy, movement disorders, and other general neurological conditions. She specializes in patient-centered care, expert diagnostics, and interdisciplinary treatment. She translates complex neurological issues into clear concepts, empowering patients along every step of their healthcare journey.
For learn more about Dr. Akkerman, visit: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ella-akkerman/
📲 Follow VSI Neurology on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_neurology

#NationalStressAwarenessMonth #Stress #stressrelief #stressmanagement #stressreduction #painrelief #backpainrelief #stressandpain

Tips to Prevent Stress-Related Pain | As Seen on Fox5 DC

336

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