Get Back To Your Life®

Spine surgery has come a long way, but not every patient is offered the same options. In fact, the treatment you're offered can depend a lot on who you ask. Why is that?

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life®, VSI spine surgeons Dr. Christopher Good and Dr. Alex Upfill-Brown have a candid conversation about where spine surgery stands today, where it still falls short, and what patients should know before making decisions about their treatment.

They explore why two surgeons can look at the same problem and recommend very different approaches, the growing role of motion-preservation and minimally invasive treatments, and how rapidly advancing technologies like robotics and AI are making spine surgery more precise, predictable, and safer for patients.

They also discuss why a second, or even third, opinion can be so valuable, the most important questions patients should ask when choosing a spine surgeon, and why planning for recovery should begin before surgery ever takes place.

Plus, Dr. Upfill-Brown shares the unexpected path that led him to spine surgery, why he chose to join VSI, and the personal philosophy that guides the way he cares for every patient.

Whether you're considering spine surgery, searching for another opinion, or simply trying to understand what options may be available, this unfiltered conversation offers an inside look at how spine care is evolving, and just how that evolution can ultimately mean better options and better outcomes for patients.

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For years, Libbi Logan planned her life around her back pain.

Could she make it to her son's basketball game? Would a road trip result in days of recovery? Was playing tennis worth the pain that would follow?

Like so many people living with chronic back pain, every decision became a calculation.

After years of searching for answers, trying countless treatments, and being told there were few options left, Libbi eventually found a Facebook community of patients with Bertolotti's Syndrome. That search ultimately led her to spine surgeon Dr. Colin Haines at VSI, who asked her a question that changed everything:

"What do you want your life to look like?"

After a comprehensive evaluation, including advanced diagnostics that uncovered the true source of her pain, Dr. Haines developed a surgical plan tailored to Libbi's unique anatomy.

Today, Libbi is back on the tennis court, traveling internationally, and living the life she thought she had lost.

Just six months after surgery with at VSI, Libbi: ✔ Played tennis for the first time in over three years ✔ Walked over 15,000 steps a day through Paris (with zero back pain!) ✔ Flew alone, drove 10 hours, stood on a wobbling fishing boat ✔ Is showing up, fully present, for her son's senior year of high school

If you've been told there's nothing more that can be done, that your imaging looks "normal," or you're still searching for answers, Libbi's story is a reminder that oftentimes the right diagnosis changes everything.

VSI® specializes in diagnosing and treating complex spine conditions, including Bertolotti Syndrome and transitional anatomy. If you're still searching for answers, you don't have to stop here.

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🔗 Learn more about Bertolotti's Syndrome

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What happens when a career-ending injury is followed by years of failed treatments, multiple surgeries, and no clear answers?

In this episode, Sergeant of Investigations, Tim Putney, shares his journey through chronic pain after an on-duty injury nearly ended his law enforcement career and sent him on a years-long search for answers.

What began as a single on-duty injury became a years-long road marked by chronic back pain, failed spine surgeries, a spinal cord stimulator, workers' compensation battles, and dead ends.

Joining the conversation is VSI spine surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini, who discusses why some patients continue to struggle with pain despite previous treatments and spine surgeries, what is often missed in complex cases, and how the right diagnosis can uncover solutions that others may have overlooked.

Together, they explore:

• Failed back surgery and persistent pain

• The impact of chronic pain on mental health

• Challenges first responders face after injury

• Modern spine treatments and recovery advancements

• Why getting the right diagnosis matters

Released during Men's Health Month, this episode highlights a challenge many men face but rarely discuss openly: chronic pain impacts far more than physical health. It can affect identity, relationships, mental health, and the ability to do the things that matter most.

Most importantly, Tim shares how he was able to return to the life he thought he'd lost—including walking his daughter down the aisle.

If you've been told to "just live with it," this conversation offers something many patients desperately need to hear: you may not be out of options.

Watch this full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QlAbHziBoJ4

"I think I found the person who can help me."

Those were the words Kellie whispered to her husband at 2 a.m. after nearly 20 years of chronic back pain, four failed surgeries, and doctors who kept telling her there was nothing more they could do.

In this episode, Kellie shares the emotional reality of living with Bertolotti Syndrome, a frequently overlooked spinal condition that robbed her of running, fitness teaching, and too many moments with her kids. We're also joined briefly by her two children, who reflect on what it was like growing up watching their mom push through it all.

This is a story about chronic pain, motherhood, medical gaslighting, and what happens when you refuse to stop searching for answers.

In this episode, Kellie joins us to talk about:

• Living with chronic back pain as a mother

• What pain looks like from a child's perspective

• Bertolotti Syndrome and why it's so often missed

• The link between chronic pain and mental health

• Self-advocacy when doctors say there's nothing left to try

• What it feels like to finally get your life back

From missing moments with her children to questioning whether she would ever run again, Kellie opens up about the reality so many women silently live through while continuing to show up for the people they love most.

If you've ever been told your pain is something you just have to live with, or if you love someone who has, Kellie's story is a powerful reminder that your pain is real, and the right answers may still be out there.

If you've been living with back or neck pain for a while, and now spine surgery is part of the conversation, it can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to decide between disc replacement and spinal fusion.

You may find yourself searching for answers, reading other patients' stories, and wondering what the right decision actually is.

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life®, VSI spine surgeon Dr. Colin Haines and physical therapist, Larry Grine, break down how these decisions are made, what makes someone a candidate for disc replacement vs. fusion, and what patients can expect throughout the recovery process.

You'll learn:

• The key differences between Disc Replacement and Spinal Fusion

• How anatomy, lifestyle, and long-term goals influence surgical decisions

• Specialized methods that lead to smoother recovery and better outcomes

• What to expect after spine surgery, from early movement to returning to daily activities

• How a coordinated surgeon + physical therapy teamwork approach supports long-term success

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next, this conversation will help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

If you're in the middle of trying to figure out what to do about your back pain, whether that means researching your diagnosis, weighing surgical options, or trying to understand what recovery actually looks like, this episode was made for you.

We've done something a little different with this one... We went back through some of our most powerful conversations and pulled the moments that matter most for patients at exactly this stage of their journey. Think of it as a "greatest hits", built around the questions we hear most often, and the answers that have resonated most with our listeners over time.

You'll hear from VSI spine surgeons like Dr. Christopher Good and Dr. Ehsan Jazini on what a surgical consultation should look like, and why so many patients end up making decisions without the full picture. You'll also hear from Dr. Colin Haines, Dr. Niteesh Bharara, and Dr. Yash Mehta on why pain persists, what it's actually telling you, and when it's time to stop waiting for it to 'get better'. And you'll hear from one of our Physician Assistants as well as two patients, Rachel and Nick, on what the other side of spine surgery recovery really looks like.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer sense of the questions worth asking, the options worth exploring, and what it actually means to go into a spine surgery decision , and your recovery, feeling prepared.

If any of these conversations resonate with you, we'd encourage you to go deeper. Links to the full YouTube video episodes with every doctor and patient featured today are below:

On Pain Relief:

• Dr. Haines Says, "It's Not Normal to Hurt": Episode 70
• Dr. Bharara Shares the Risks of Pushing Through Pain: Episode 85
• Dr. Mehta's Tips for Lasting Back Pain Relief: Episode 75

On Spine Surgery:

• Dr. Jazini & Dr. Good on Pain After a Prior Surgery: Episode 76
• Dr. Good Explains Spinal Fusion vs. Disc Replacement: Episode 37
• Dr. Jazini Shares the Importance of an Individualized Approach: Episode 58
• VSI Surgical Team Gets Real about Preparing for Surgery: Episode 65

On Spine Surgery Recovery:

• Dr. Good on How to Accelerate Recovery: Episode 82
• Nick's Disc Replacement Journey: Episode 86
• Rachel's Disc Replacement Recovery: Episode 84

Watch the video version of this epiosde on Youtube: https://youtu.be/2DN2URL4mUs?si=DW2hKiavZRPXa0BL

Read the adjoining blog: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/podcasts/the-back-pain-roadmap-from-experts/

Ready to explore your options? Visit VSIspine.com to schedule a consultation with a spine specialist who can discuss an individualized treatment plan to help you overcome your neck and back pain.

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"I was told I needed a multi-level fusion. I didn't even know disc replacement existed."

Nick's back pain started in his early 20s. After a discectomy in his mid-20s, he returned to an active life — until years later when severe sciatica came back and began affecting everything from his ability to put on a belt or sit in a chair.

Multiple surgical consultations led to the same recommendation: spinal fusion. But Nick, an active CPA, soon-to-be dad, and lifelong athlete, wasn't willing to accept that as his only option.

In this episode, Nick shares what happened when he pushed for clarity instead of settling for a single answer. Through additional opinions and independent research, he discovered a motion-preserving alternative to fusion, called artificial disc replacement.

That realization ultimately led him to VSI and Spine Surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini, where Nick learned he was a candidate for a three-level disc replacement.

Today, he reports zero back pain since surgery and has returned to skiing, running, swimming, weightlifting and living without restrictions.

This conversation explores important questions for anyone facing spine surgery:

• How do you know if you're being told about all your options?
• When should you get a second—or fourth—opinion?
• What is the difference between spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement?
• What does recovery look like after multi-level disc replacement surgery?

If you've been told spinal fusion is your only option, or if you're scheduling your life around your back pain, this episode could change your path forward.

Ready to explore your options? Visit VSIspine.com to schedule a consultation with a spine specialist who can discuss both fusion and disc replacement candidacy.

📺 Watch this full episode on YouTube

💡 Read Nick's story in this blog.

🔔 Subscribe to Get Back to Your Life® podcast for more expert advice for taking control of your health.

How do you stay active when pain keeps getting in the way? If your fitness goals get off track because of pain, you're not alone — and even better, you're not out of options.

Pushing through pain, ignoring warning signs, or waiting to "get better first" often leads to setbacks, frustration, and giving up altogether. Most of us aren't lacking motivation; we're missing a clear plan for what to do before surgery becomes the only option.

In this episode, VSI physiatrist and Director of Regenerative Medicine Dr. Niteesh Bharara and VSI physical therapist Greg Morris deliver a practical, hopeful reality check. Together, they walk through the non-operative path that's often missing from traditional care — what exists between "just wait" and surgery — showing how physical therapy and natural healing work together to address the root cause of pain, support real tissue healing, and help people return to training without the extensive recovery that often comes with surgery.

This episode is for you if:

• You have fitness goals, but pain keeps interrupting your progress

• You've been told to "just wait" or "push through it"

• You want real, non-surgical options to move forward

If pain has left you feeling stuck or unsure of what to do next, this episode shows there is another path forward: one that helps you keep moving, training, and doing the activities you love.

📺 Watch this full episode on YouTube🔗 Find expert resources at VSISpine.com

🔔 Subscribe to Get Back to Your Life® podcast for more expert advice for taking control of your health.

Living with chronic back pain often means slowly adapting your life around it. Over time, everyday things – sitting comfortably, traveling, sleeping through the night, keeping up with family, start to require planning, compromise, or avoidance altogether. The hardest part isn't usually the pain itself, but the fear that this may simply be how life will always feel.

After nearly 20 years of back pain and multiple procedures, Rachel, a teacher and mom of two, found herself in that exact place. She describes years of temporary fixes "surgeries that helped, until they didn't," trying everything from lumbar fusion to chiropractors to injections, discectomy and physical therapy, yet lasting relief never came.

Eventually she was told disc replacement surgery wasn't an option for her. Instead, she was warned that her future would likely involve spinal fusion after spinal fusion, each one further limiting her mobility and quality of life. She felt trapped between continuing to manage her pain and facing an uncertain future of additional surgery.

Rather than accepting that outcome, Rachel decided to keep asking questions.

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life®, Rachel shares how seeking another opinion led her to two-level disc replacement surgery with Dr. Colin Haines at VSI®, and how that decision changed what daily life looks like for her today. Her story isn't defined by a single milestone; it instead highlights the return of everyday life… the moments that make life feel normal again… better sleep, greater independence, and the ability to fully participate in activities she had slowly stepped away from.

If you're facing chronic back pain, been told your options are limited, or wondering whether disc replacement may still be worth exploring, Rachel's story serves as a hopeful reminder that being told "no" doesn't always mean the story is over, and that asking the right questions can open doors many people don't realize still exist.

🔗 Find expert resources at VSISpine.com

💡 Read Rachel's story & recovery experience

🔔 Subscribe to Get Back to Your Life® podcast for more real-life patient stories on taking control of your health.

When headaches start shaping your decisions — what you say yes to, where you go, how you plan your day —they're so much more than "just a bad day." They're controlling your life. And you deserve better than living around your pain.

Migraines affect 40% of the global population, yet they remain one of the most misunderstood and dismissed health conditions; many sufferers wait YEARS before seeking help, enduring an invisible illness that disrupts work, sleep, relationships, and daily routines — often without validations or answers. If you've tried everything for relief with no lasting results, this episode is for you.

Recording this episode between Thanksgiving and Christmas isn't a coincidence. The holiday season—with its disrupted routines, travel stress, and dietary changes—creates the perfect storm for headaches and migraines. But these triggers aren't unique to the holidays; they show up during weddings, graduations, vacations, and any major life event. Understanding them now can help you year-round.

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life®, VSI Neurologist and migraine specialist Dr. Ella Akkerman breaks down what's actually happening in your brain during a headache or migraine, why certain types require completely different treatments, and how small daily disruptions can trigger a painful cycle. Drawing on both her clinical expertise and her own experience with migraines, Dr. Akkerman offers clarity, compassion, and a realistic path to relief.

You'll learn:

• The science behind different headache types— tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches—and why identifying yours changes everything

• How hormonal fluctuations (especially during perimenopause and menopause) can amplify migraine patterns

• Why the holiday season creates the "perfect storm" for headaches—and how to protect yourself

• Practical prevention strategies beyond medication, from hydration to stress management

• When it's time to see a neurologist and what treatment options actually work

Whether you're dealing with occasional tension headaches or chronic migraines that disrupt your daily life, this conversation offers validation, answers, and actionable steps toward real relief.

Key takeaway: You don't have to live with headaches in this era of breakthrough treatments. But the longer you wait, the harder they become to treat.

If headaches are interfering with your daily life, expert help is available. Visit VSIspine.com to request an appointment with a neurologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating complex headache conditions.

Subscribe to Get Back to Your Life® for more physician-led guidance on taking control of your health.

To watch this conversation on Youtube, click here.