Get Back To Your Life®

What if your mindset could be the missing link in managing pain and speeding up recovery? With life's demands at an all-time high, mastering your mental game might be the key to staying strong and resilient.

We've all heard the phrase "mind over matter," but did you know there's science to back it up? In this episode, we're shifting the focus from surgical solutions to explore how mindset and meditation can be powerful tools in managing back pain and enhancing recovery after spine surgery.

First, we hear from Bina, a patient who credits the strength of a focused mindset to her successful spine surgery recovery. Then, Dr. Christopher Good, Spine Surgeon and President of VSI, dives into the science behind how your mindset can significantly impact pain management and recovery.

Whether you're practicing breathing techniques or getting started with meditation and mindfulness apps like Smiling Mind, Calm, or Headspace, discover actionable tips on how to harness your mental strength to improve your health outcomes.

Listen now: Youtube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For additional information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

Struggling with back pain while traveling? Whether you're a frequent-flyer, a business traveler, or planning your next vacation, back and body pain can disrupt any journey. In this episode of the Get Back to Your Life™ podcast, Dr. Kemp, Neurosurgeon shares practical strategies to stay pain-free on the road and in the air.

Join Dr. Kemp as he shares:

• Essential Tips for Road Trips: How to use frequent stops, phone mounts, neck pillows, and lumbar support to manage neck and back pain during long drives.
• Key Strategies for Air Travel: Effective methods for choosing the right luggage, staying active, stretching, staying hydrated, and maintaining good posture on flights.
• Managing Pain During Work Travel: Insights from Dr. Kemp's personal experiences and advice on how to handle the physical demands of business travel.

Discover how to keep your back pain in check and make the most of your travels. Tune in for expert tips that will help you travel comfortably and pain-free.

Listen now: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For more information and resources, visit VSISpine.com.

Welcome to the Get Back to Your Life™ podcast. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Colin Haines, a distinguished spine surgeon at VSI who is an expert in treating spine conditions and a holistic approach to patient care. Dr. Haines is here to shed light on the critical connection between spine health, back pain, and the foods we eat.

In this episode, Dr. Haines deep dives into the essential components of spine health, highlighting how nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy spine. He explains how certain foods can lead to chronic inflammation, exacerbating spine conditions and contributing to persistent back pain. You'll learn about the best dietary choices to support spine health and reduce inflammation. Whether you're looking to prevent back pain or manage an existing condition, Dr. Haines provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of inflammation, discussing how it can cause swelling, pressure on nerves, and degenerative changes such as disc degeneration and arthritis.

Tune in as Dr. Haines offers practical dietary tips to help you manage inflammation and support your spine. He will discuss the benefits of anti-inflammatory foods, including [omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, turmeric, and ginger], and provide advice on lifestyle changes that can improve your overall quality of life.

Dr. Haines' extensive knowledge and patient-focused approach make this episode a must-listen for anyone dealing with back pain, spine conditions or looking to improve their spine health through nutrition. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of how diet and inflammation are interconnected and what you can do to support your spine health.

Learn more about VSI at VSISpine.com

Are you one of the millions of Americans suffering from back pain? Do you find yourself scrolling the internet, hoping to find a quick fix? Join us on "Get Back to Your Life™" for our latest episode, "Truth or Trend: A Spine Surgeon's Take on Back Pain Relief Hacks," where we delve into the viral world of TikTok health trends and separate fact from fiction.

In this episode, renowned spine surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini debunks and demystifies the hottest TikTok trends promising to cure back pain. From backward walking and perfect sleep positions to the truth about high heels and the effectiveness of spine decompression techniques, Dr. Jazini offers expert analysis and practical advice.

This episode is packed with valuable insights and tips:

• Whether TikTok's trending back pain remedies are truth or myth.

• Safe and effective back pain relief techniques you can practice at home.

• How to distinguish reliable medical advice from social media misinformation.

Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, and stay tuned for more expert advice on managing back pain and maintaining a healthy spine.

Learn more about VSI at VSISpine.com

Spine surgery today is a world away from what it used to be. What was once a long, invasive procedure with extended recovery times has evolved into a much less invasive process with faster recoveries, thanks to modern techniques and cutting-edge technology. In this episode, we explore the dramatic advancements in spine surgery through the personal stories of Wendell and Katie Sissler — a father and daughter who had spinal fusion surgeries 20 years apart.

Hear how their experiences differ, from surgical techniques to hospital stays and recovery times. Wendell's 2002 surgery required a large incision and a lengthy recovery, while Katie's 2022 procedure with Dr. Ehsan Jazini involved minimally invasive methods and a quicker return to mobility. Their stories highlight just how much spine surgery has changed and how these innovations are improving patients' lives.

Join us as we dive into the evolution of spine surgery and what the future holds for those in need of treatment. Tune in for their unique perspectives and a closer look at how far the field has come.

Visit VSISpine.com for more information and to schedule a consultation. Listen to this episode on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube

Before you book that international flight, consider this: you might not need to venture far from home for disc replacement surgery.

Medical tourism is a billion dollar business. Sometimes people travel overseas for surgery because it's cheaper. When it comes to spine surgery - many U.S. patients choose to travel abroad - to Germany, in particular - where they've historically done more disc replacements than the U.S.

Is that necessary and how can you find a surgeon skilled in doing disc replacements closer to home? We're sitting down with Chad Cooper, a patient who considered traveling to Europe for his spine surgery, and Dr. Ehsan Jazini, Disc Replacement Pioneer and Spine Surgeon at VSI. Together, they unravel the myth that top-tier disc replacements only exist abroad. Discover insider tips to navigate the options right here at home and avoid the risks of traveling internationally for treatment.

Learn more about VSI at VSISpine.com

Listen to Get Back to Your Life™ podcast on:

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For some people, recovering from surgery is a fairly predictable journey. But for many, many others, the road to healing after surgery turns out to not be straight or easy.

That can be disappointing, frustrating and even painful.

What should you do if you find yourself taking two steps forward and one step back after a procedure?

Spine surgery patient, Dori, and her spine surgeon - Dr. Colin Haines - have tips to get you off the recovery rollercoaster and back to living life the way you want.

Learn more about VSI at VSISpine.com

Interest in weightlifting and bodybuilding has skyrocketed in recent years. However, in a world where strength training has immense benefits, the fear of injury often looms large. Nearly a third of people who lift weights say they had an injury in the last 6 months; and many shy away from seeking treatment for spine issues, fearing they'll be sidelined forever. But one patient is here to dispel that myth. Join us in this episode as we delve into the journey of a former competitive weightlifter and CrossFit owner who refused to let spine surgery dictate his fate. From a debilitating back injury to undergoing disc replacement and spinal fusion surgery, he not only reclaimed his strength but returned to the gym with a newfound determination. Tune in as we explore the possibility of bouncing back to weightlifting after spine surgery. Learn more about VSI at VSISpine.com

Discover crucial insights and candid regrets from a seasoned doctor's perspective on knee surgery.

Long before becoming a doctor, Dr. Bharara was a patient himself, and his own experience undergoing two knee surgeries sparked a revelation – and some regrets. And he says, if he knew then what he knows now, he would never have chosen to have the knee surgeries. He openly admits that armed with his present knowledge, he would have opted out of the procedures altogether.

Join us for an enlightening dialogue with Dr. Bharara, a regionally-recognized Nonsurgical Sports Medicine Doctor and the Director of Regenerative Medicine at VSI. He shares eye-opening insights into modern alternatives to knee surgery. His expertise offers invaluable guidance for those seeking to reassess their pain solutions, favoring natural healing methods and alleviation over invasive procedures.

Whether you're contemplating surgery yourself or simply curious about the evolving landscape of orthopedic care, this podcast promises to enlighten and provoke thought, offering a fresh perspective on a topic that affects millions worldwide.

Learn more about VSI at VSISpine.com

What's in a name for medical practices? Turns out, there's a lot.

Their name, their brand, their tagline - and it all reflects the doctors, the treatment, and the approach that surgeons take in providing care. That means it's critically important for patients, too.

In this episode we're talking with Doctor Christopher Good, a spine surgeon and the CEO and President of VSI, about the what and the why behind revitalizing a major medical center like his VSI. It's the ultimate Victory Story - launching a new chapter of VSI serving and supporting its incredible patients with the ultimate in spine solutions.

Learn more about VSI at SpineMD.com.