Still in pain after spine surgery? You’re not alone - and more importantly, you're not out of options.   In this powerful 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.   They’ll uncover why post-surgical pain can persist, the overlooked causes, and the most effective next steps for long-term relief. From innovative treatments to holistic approaches, this episode is about helping you understand what’s happening and how to take control of your health and make a full recovery.   Most importantly, failed spine surgery doesn’t mean you failed. And it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. With an accurate diagnosis, a supportive recovery plan, and a surgeon who listens, you can stop spinning in pain cycles and start moving toward lasting relief.   With over three decades of combined experience diagnosing some of the most complex conditions and performing revision surgeries, Dr. Good and Dr. Jazini get to the root causes surgery doesn’t always meet expectations, and they map out new solutions to help you reclaim your quality of life. In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “failed spine surgery syndrome” is (and how it’s often misunderstood)
• Red flags to watch for during recovery
• The importance of the patient-doctor relationship
• Why expectations and communication matter as much as the procedure itself
• How to know when it’s time for a second opinion
• What to ask your surgeon before surgery
• How a collaborative spine care model helps patients get back to their lives—even after surgery has failed them elsewhere

  Whether you’ve had spine surgery and are still in pain—or are trying to make the best decision about what to do next—this episode is honest, hopeful, and designed to help you take back control.    Listen now: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify Watch the full episode on YouTube by searching “VSI Spine”   Find additional expert resources & support at vsispine.com

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: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify For more information on lasting back pain solutions, visit us at VSISpine.com.

You work hard, stay active, and make healthy eating choices—sounds like the perfect formula for wellness, right? But what if skimping on sleep is holding you back? Poor sleep habits could be silently sabotaging your energy, performance, and overall health. In this episode, Dr. Thomas Nguyen, a leading expert in sleep science, reveals the crucial role sleep plays in recovery, longevity, and optimal well-being. Tune in to learn how better sleep can supercharge your health and help you reach your full potential!

Sleep is the foundation of our health, affecting everything from productivity to recovery and pain relief. But did you know that poor sleep can make you feel more pain? It’s true—sleep deprivation triggers inflammation, heightens sensitivity to aches and pains, and slows recovery. The good news? Small changes can make a big difference.

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Nguyen, Interventional Pain Specialist at VSI, reveals why your sleep hygiene and creating the ultimate sleep environment matter more than you think!

From hidden pain triggers in your sleep environment to simple tweaks that lead to better sleep, less pain, and even improved daily function, Dr. Nguyen shares which small upgrades can unearth big wins for your health.

• Does sleep really affect pain tolerance?
• When is it time for a new mattress or pillow?
• How many hours of sleep do you actually need?
• The one thing you can change tonight for better sleep

Tune in for Dr. Nguyen’s expert sleep strategies to help you wake up refreshed—not wrecked. You won’t want to snooze on this episode!

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Find additional expert resources & support at VSISpine.com

Does your jaw ever pop, ache, or lock up? Do you wake up with headaches, ear pain, or even a sore neck? Maybe you’ve written it off to stress, poor posture, or a ‘bad night’s sleep.’ Perhaps you’ve tried mouthguards, painkillers, or that trending TikTok jaw-cracking trick—only to find that nothing works.

  While this may have left you frustrated - you're not alone. Millions struggle with TMJ disorder, yet many don’t realize what’s truly causing their pain—or that real relief is possible. In this episode, VSI Regenerative Medicine Director Dr. Niteesh Bharara and VSI Physical Therapist Diego Herrera—experts in diagnosing and treating TMJ pain at its source—help us uncover the truth about this disorder and the nonsurgical solutions available - that many may not know about.  Key Takeaways for TMJ Sufferers: 

• The biggest TMJ myths (and what’s actually true) 
• Everyday habits that could be exacerbating your pain 
• Science-backed treatments to relieve jaw tension and restore function 
• Signs it’s time to seek medical care—and how to choose the right specialist

  PLUS, a TMJ recovery testimonial:  For VSI patient Caroline, TMJ pain dominated her life. Simple tasks like eating, speaking, and even sleeping became unbearable. The sharp, shooting pain episodes were relentless. She tried everything—mouthguards, Botox, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, dry needling—but not one gave her lasting relief.   Until she discovered a life-changing solution at VSI.  Now, Caroline is back to living the life she feared she’d lost forever. Her story is a testament to the fact that real relief is achievable—and you don’t have to suffer in silence.  This episode is essential listening if you want to overcome TMJ pain and reclaim your life!    Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify Find additional expert resources & support at VSISpine.com.

Spending long hours on your feet can take a serious toll on your body, especially your back—and few professionals feel this more acutely than educators. From standing for hours to racing between classrooms and handling high-stress situations, the physical and emotional demands of education can quietly chip away at your health. In fact, on average educators take approximately 12,000 steps per day and to many, back pain could be a threat or even a career-ending struggle. This patient’s testimonial story illustrates the power of not just ‘living with the pain’ and advocating for the right solutions. 

In this episode, we hear from Chris, a middle school principal, husband, and father, whose debilitating back pain drained his energy, disrupted his career, and impacted his family life. After trying everything from yoga to physical therapy and acupuncture, Chris felt like nothing could truly relieve his pain—until he found Dr. Colin Haines at VSI.

Using a customized approach called hybrid spine surgery—a combination of spinal fusion and disc replacement—Dr. Haines helped Chris overcome his back pain and preserve the natural option of his spine. Months later, Chris went from struggling to stand through the day to hiking pain-free through Zion National Park, his transformation is proof that relief is possible.

If you’ve been searching for solutions to chronic back pain or wondering if advanced treatments could help you, don’t miss this inspiring episode. Learn how VSI’s expert spine team helps patients get back on their feet—and back to doing what they love.

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

 

For additional information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

In this special New Year’s episode, we explore the resolutions of doctors as they strive to prioritize health, happiness, and balance in 2025. From finding balance in their busy schedules to prioritizing health and happiness, these medical professionals share the small yet powerful changes they’re planning to make for a brighter year ahead. Whether seeking to improve your physical health, boost your well-being, or achieve more balance, their insights and strategies might inspire your best year yet. Tune in and get motivated to kick off 2025 with purpose!

Hear the doctors at VSI share small yet powerful changes they plan to make in 2025 - giving you a unique glimpse into how they plan to lead healthier, happier, and more balanced lives.

• Dr. Christopher Good | Prioritizing Meaningful Moments with Family 

• Dr. Colin Haines | Unplugging to Reconnect: Embracing Life Beyond Screens

• Dr. Ehsan Jazini | Nurturing Wellness by Fighting Inflammation

• Dr. Niteesh Bharara | Expanding Horizons Through the Power of Reading

• Dr. William Kemp | Exploring the World While Cultivating Work-Life Harmony

• Dr. Yash Mehta | Taking Mindful Walks after Meals to Boost Health

• Dr. Thomas Nguyen | Transforming Rest into a Powerful Recharge

 

Listen to discover actionable wellness tips, hear inspiring stories, and learn how doctors lead by example to create a healthier future. They even reveal some of their most anticipated challenges with these resolutions and how they plan to set themselves up for success. Whether setting your resolutions or seeking motivation, this episode is packed with insights to kickstart your year.

 

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For additional health tips and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

Winter weather can take a serious toll on your back. In this episode, Spine Surgeon, and winter enthusiast, Dr. Colin Haines shares the common pitfalls that can result in seasonal back pain, including improper snow shoveling techniques, slipping on ice, and cold weather inactivity. Discover practical tips to protect your spine, stay active, and prevent injuries throughout the season. Plus, learn how dropping temperatures and barometric pressure changes can contribute to stiffness and flare-ups, especially for those with chronic back conditions. Tune in for expert advice on preventing injuries, staying mobile, and keeping your spine healthy all winter.    Don’t let winter slow you down—tune in for expert advice on staying mobile, injury-free, and keeping your spine in tip-top shape during the chilliest months of the year!   Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify    For additional information and helpful resources, visit VSISpine.com.

Skiing isn’t just a sport—it’s a passion that challenges your body and feeds your soul. But what happens when severe back pain threatens to take that joy away?   In this episode, meet skier and dad Chris Denkers, whose love for skiing wasn’t just about carving the slopes - it was about coaching his twin boys, Wyatt and Riley, national snowboarding competitors who live with cystic fibrosis. When debilitating back pain made it impossible for Chris to ski competitively or even stand in ski boots, he faced the devastating reality of losing both his favorite sport and precious time with his family on the mountain.   Tune in to hear Chris’s inspiring journey from living with chronic back pain, caused by spinal stenosis, to undergoing a life-changing customized spine surgery (combining spinal fusion and disc replacement) with world-renowned spine surgeon Dr. Christopher Good at VSI.  Hear how this innovative hybrid procedure eliminated a decade of pain and restored Chris's active lifestyle. You won't want to miss this powerful story of recovery, resilience, and reclaiming what matters most - on and off the mountain.   Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify   For additional information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

This Veterans Day, we honor the courage and resilience of those who have served our country, recognizing that their bravery often comes with a price—chronic and debilitating pain. U.S. veterans experience significantly higher rates of back and chronic pain compared to civilians and are 40% more likely to suffer from severe pain. Whether due to the physical demands of service, accidents, or injuries, finding lasting relief can be a significant challenge.

In this special episode of Get Back to Your Life, we speak with Aaron Harper, a veteran who endured 33 years of back pain following a service-related injury. Despite decades of suffering, Aaron never gave up hope. With the help of Spine Surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini at VSI, he discovered a life-changing solution that allowed him to reclaim a full and active life. Join us as he shares his inspiring journey and valuable insights to offer hope and guidance to other veterans seeking relief and recovery.

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For additional information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

Millions of young athletes dedicate themselves to reaching the next level in their sport. But with intense training and early specialization comes a troubling rise in sports-related overuse injuries—like stress fractures and Pars injuries—that sideline kids from competition, leaving parents feeling helpless and young athletes questioning their future. Parents watching their child suffer from sports injury pain often ask: What’s next? Will they fully recover, or could pain be a lifelong challenge?

Today’s guest understands that struggle firsthand. At just 15, Matteo Vasiliadis was forced to put his dream of Division 1 collegiate diving on hold for 9 months after suffering a serious overuse injury to his spine. Matteo’s journey to healing didn’t just involve rest and recovery; he pursued an innovative approach with natural therapies and cutting-edge stem cell treatments to help his body repair and strengthen. This combination, performed by Dr. Christopher Good, allowed him to heal from his fractures without surgery, regain his physical abilities, and ultimately get back to the pool competing at Brown University.

If your child is dealing with the pain and frustration of a sports injury, you’re likely wondering—can they come back stronger? Will they be able to pursue their passion without the shadow of long-term pain?

Matteo's story is a must-listen for young athletes and their families, offering valuable insights for young athletes and their families determined to get back to the sport they love. 

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Click here to listen to Dr. Good explain how he found a solution for Matteo.

For additional information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.