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#MyVSIVictoryStory

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

2 days 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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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

4 days 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

11

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

2 weeks 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

496

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

2 weeks 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.

🎧 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

💡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

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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

3 weeks 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

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VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

4 weeks ago

The answer is an emphatic yes.

Despite the controversy, the confusion often comes from inconsistent symptoms and a lack of awareness among providers. Just because a patient has imaging features like pseudoarticulation with no pain doesn’t mean the condition itself is a myth.

Painful Bertolotti syndrome is real. It’s up to experienced spine specialists to accurately identify when these structural changes are the true source of pain.

#bertolotti #bertolottisyndrome #bertolottissyndrome #lowbackpain #backpain #chronicpain #radiculopathy #sciatica #painmanagement #misdiagnosed #spineconditions #medicalmystery #spinespecialist #spinesurgeon

Does Bertolotti syndrome truly exist?

1.3K

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

4 weeks ago

A question I always get from my patients after a resection: “Is there a chance for the bone to regrow?”

I haven’t seen bone regrowth after a Bertolotti Resection for these 2 reasons:
1) By creating a wider gap in the resection (not just a small sliver), it minimizes the risk of bone reformation.
2) We use a substance called DuraSeal on the edges of the bone to block bone growth.

By using these techniques and restoring what the body wants this bone to look like, we can prevent this common fear after a Bertolotti Resection.

#bertolottiresection #bertolotti #bertolottisyndrome #bertolottissyndrome #lowbackpain #backpain #chronicpain #radiculopathy #sciatica #painmanagement #misdiagnosed #spineconditions #medicalmystery #spinespecialist #spinesurgeon #operatingroom

Bertolotti Resection BTS (Part 2)!

1K

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

4 weeks ago

Using technology like the O-Arm, I get a precise view of the Bertolotti’s bone and joint, which allows me to make an accurate resection. This is how we make surgery safer and more effective for our patients.

#bertolottiresection #bertolotti #bertolottisyndrome #bertolottissyndrome #lowbackpain #backpain #chronicpain #radiculopathy #sciatica #painmanagement #misdiagnosed #spineconditions #medicalmystery #spinespecialist #spinesurgeon #operatingroom

Bertolotti Resection BTS👏

1.5K

VSI (Virginia Spine Institute)

4 weeks ago

If you’ve been stuck in the endless loop of trying everything for your low back pain—with no lasting relief—this episode is for you.

You’ve done the massage guns. The YouTube stretches. The painkillers. Maybe even acupuncture, back braces, or chiropractors. And yet... your back still hurts.

You’re not imagining it. You’re not weak. And you’re definitely not alone.

Lower back pain affects 1 in 4 American adults and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. But here’s the real problem: most people are chasing temporary fixes that never get to the root cause of their pain. And in the process, they’re losing time, money, energy—and hope.

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life®, Dr. Yash Mehta, Interventional Spine & Sports Medicine at VSI, cuts through the noise. He breaks down what the latest research actually says about back pain treatments, and why many commonly recommended remedies just don’t hold up when it comes to lasting relief.

🎙️You'll learn:
- The real reason your pain keeps coming back
- Why so many common back pain treatments fail—and what to try instead
- The habits that will actually help you protect your spine for the long haul
- How to tell if your back pain is something more serious
- What it actually means to treat the root cause of chronic back pain
- When it’s time to stop experimenting and start seeing a spine specialist
- If you’ve been told to just live with it—or worse, that it’s all in your head—don’t miss this.

🎧Listen now:
Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-back-to-your-life/id1621538885?i=1000701880068
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/episode/6bFdpGdbgBeqcxSLakd9rw?si=eaabee0a49ab4c57
For more information on lasting back pain solutions, visit us at VSISpine.com.

Dr. Yash Mehta is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and received his medical degree at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. With 13 years of education, training, research, and medical experience, he completed residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and an interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which ranks Top 5 in the nation. Dr. Mehta speaks fluent English, Gujarati, Hindi, and conversational Spanish. His expertise in holistic medicine has earned him features in Fox5 and ABC7.
Follow Dr. Mehta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mehta_physiatrist/

Resolving Back Pain: Quick Fixes vs. Lasting Relief | VSI

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