katie and wendel hugging

Generations Apart: The Revolution of Modern Spine Surgery

Modern spine surgery bears almost no resemblance to the spine surgery your parents or grandparents had. Innovation and technological advances have drastically transformed the field. So what does that mean for patients? How different are things today? Wendell and Katie are uniquely positioned to help tell this story. The father/daughter duo had spine surgeries 20…

nurse helping happy patient stand in hospital room

Navigating Spine Surgery Recovery

Recovering from surgery can be a fairly predictable journey. But not always. Sometimes it’s more of a rollercoaster. When that happens, it can be disappointing, frustrating and even painful. One of my patients, Dori, discovered that after she underwent spine surgery. “Generally most people have a pretty linear, upward trajectory of recovery and I assumed…

jama flexing during a competition

Surgery to Strength: A Weightlifter’s Victory Over Back Pain

More people than ever are turning to weight lifting and bodybuilding — nearly 200% more year over year! Weight lifting and strength training come with a ton of health benefits — when done correctly. But injury is also common given the demands of the sport and a common question that comes along with that is…

Whitaker family with kids

Love’s Resilience: Overcoming Back Pain Together

For Valentine’s Day this year, I want to share a powerful love story — not the kind that focuses on first dates, first kisses or over-the-top marriage proposals. I’m talking about partners in pain — and how you help the one you love when debilitating back pain takes over their life. 80% of Americans experience…

mature woman walking her dog on country road in summer.

Active Life After Modern Spinal Fusion

Many people have preconceived notions about spinal fusion surgery. Maybe you remember your parents or grandparents having one. If so — you likely think of an open-back surgery with a long recovery time, a lot of pain and restricted movement. But that was then and this is now. In today’s era of modern back surgery,…

dr. good leaning against operating room table

Life After Modern Spinal Fusion: This is Not Your Grandparents Back Surgery

Many people have preconceived notions about spinal fusion surgery. Maybe you remember your parents or grandparents having one. If so – you likely think of an open-back surgery with a long recovery time, a lot of pain and restricted movement.  But that was then and this is now. In today’s era of modern back surgery,…

Crystal and Katie holding model of a spine

The Healing Power of Friends When You’re in Pain

Dealing with back and body pain is never easy — but it’s especially hard when you shoulder it alone. Studies show people assess the level of their own pain… and cope better with it when they are connected to others instead of feeling isolated to deal with it on their own. That’s something that Crystal…

two women relax on log, look out across bay

The Power of Friendship in Overcoming Back Pain

Dealing with back and body pain is never easy — but it’s especially hard when you shoulder it alone. Studies show people assess the level of their own pain… and cope better with it when they are connected to others instead of feeling isolated to deal with it on their own. That’s something that Crystal…

side view of cheerleaders

When Back Pain is Nothing to ‘Cheer’ About

Cheerleading is an incredible popular sport, with more than 3 million involved across the US. These are serious athletes who can develop very serious injuries, especially along and around the spine. So we are talking in this episode with Dr. Colin Haines from VSI about how he helps competitive cheerleaders deal with back and neck…