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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

8 hours ago

Migraines affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, but despite their prevalence, they’re too often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and dismissed as “just a bad headache”. The truth? Migraines are a complex, invisible, and many times disabling neurological disorder.

VSI neurologist Dr. Ella Akkerman brings clarity and compassion to this conversation, breaking down symptoms, triggers and solutions for migraines / migraine sufferers.

Drawing from her vast experiences as a neurologist, mother, and migraine sufferer herself, Dr. Akkerman shares vivid insights into how migraines impact daily life—from the sensory overload to the silent suffering, and why they affect women and children at disproportionately high rates.
From lifestyle strategies and stress management to cutting-edge medications and wearable technologies, Dr. Akkerman offers a hopeful, actionable roadmap for patients ready to reclaim control and live life on their terms.

Keep listening to learn:
- What migraines really feel like, and why they’re so often misunderstood
- Common triggers (like stress, hormones, sleep disruptions, and more)
- Red flags that require urgent medical attention
- The latest in migraine treatments
- How to recognize early warning signs
- Medications, devices, and lifestyle strategies that work

You don’t have to suffer in silence. Help is here. Let this episode be a powerful first step.

More ways to listen to this episode:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-back-to-your-life/id1621538885?i=1000711143733
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nmFLJs3D4fs16rrbUa1zi?si=9e047c7e40db4875

Learn more about Dr. Akkerman: https://spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ella-akkerman/
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FOLLOW US on social media 👇
VSI Neurology on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_neurology/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vsi_spine?lang=en

#migraines #migrainemanagement #migraineawareness #headache #headacherelief #migrainerelief #migrainetriggers #migrainetreatment #headachehelp #headhurts #headachehomeremedy #headachepain #migraineaura

Migraines: More Than a Headache

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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

1 weeks ago

Billy Joel’s Brain Condition: VSI Neurologist Explains the Rare Diagnosis Behind Tour Cancellations

When music legend Billy Joel announced he was canceling several shows across North American and the U.K., fans were left wondering: What’s going on?

Board-certified neurologist Dr. Ella Akkerman of VSI joined Merit TV to explain the singer's rare neurological condition behind the cancellations — called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) — how it impacts brain function, and why it’s so often missed or misdiagnosed.

Keep watching to learn:
• What Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is and how it’s often mistaken for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease
• Early warning signs of NPH, including balance problems, memory loss, and urinary incontinence
• How NPH is diagnosed and treated, including spinal tap testing and brain shunt surgery
• Billy Joel’s diagnosis and treatment path, and what it means for aging brain health and recovery outcomes

Billy Joel’s story brings much-needed awareness to a condition that is often overlooked, but is treatable with timely care.

🔔 Subscribe for more expert insight from VSI’s top specialists.
Learn more at vsispine.com

📲 Follow Dr. Akkerman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_neurology/

#BillyJoel #NormalPressureHydrocephalus #NPH #BrainHealth #NeurologyExplained #DrEllaAkkerman #VSI #VirginiaSpineInstitute #NeuroAwareness #MeritTV #TourCancelled #BalanceIssues #MemoryLoss #SpinalTap #Neuroscience #NeurologicalDisorders

Understanding Billy Joel’s Diagnosis: Neurologist Explains

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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

1 weeks ago

Tummy time isn’t just for babies anymore… Dr. Mehta joined Fox5 DC to demonstrate how this trending exercise — called Adult Tummy Time — is helping people worldwide relieve their painful symptoms of Tech Neck!

#adulttummytime #tummytime #neckpain #neckpainexercises #neckpainrelief #backpainreliever #workfromhometips

Adult Tummy Time demo to relieve ‘Tech Neck’ neck pain

1.3K

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

2 weeks ago

🚨 THE HOTTEST NEW TREND TO FIGHT TECH NECK PAIN

Turns out tummy time isn’t just for babies anymore! A position once used to help infants build neck strength is now catching on with adults worldwide—and it could be the simple fix you've been searching for for your neck pain.

Now trending across social media, Adult Tummy Time has people lying on the floor to ease tech neck, improve posture, and relieve back pain. But what’s the real benefit behind all the buzz?

Dr. Yash Mehta, Interventional Spine & Sports Medicine Specialist at VSI, joined Fox5 DC to break down the science behind Adult Tummy Time—and why it’s more than just social media hype.

Dr. Mehta explains how Adult Tummy Time helps:
- Engage your back and core muscles for postural support
- Stretch tight hip flexors and chest muscles caused by long hours of sitting
- Reduce neck, shoulder, and lower back pain

Tune in to learn how to do Adult Tummy Time safely, plus tips to incorporate it into your daily routine.

💡For more information about Adult Tummy Time, read Dr. Mehta's blog.
📆 To schedule consultation with Dr. Mehta at VSI visit: www.VSIspine.com
📲 Follow Dr. Mehta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mehta_physiatrist/

🎥 As Seen on FOX5 DC | #AdultTummyTime #techneck #neckpain #neckpainrelief #neckpainreliefexercises #neckpainexercises #posturefix #backpainrelief #Fox5DC #GoodDayDC

🚨Hot New Trend for Neck Pain Relief? Doctor Explains “Adult Tummy Time”

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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

3 weeks 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

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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

3 weeks 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?

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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

3 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

17

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

4 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

74

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

1 months 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

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