We introduce a new monthly feature: Back Story Beat where we explain new medical findings and what they mean to you. This episode looks at a new study regarding how effective opioids and non-opioid medications are in terms of pain management after surgery. 

See the full study here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00582-7/fulltext

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Our miniseries on abortion concludes with our guest Dr. Aileen Gariepy, Director of Complex Family Planning in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell, as we discuss contraception and options when it comes to abortion. We also cover:

(1:44) what complex family planning is, (4:26) the least and most effective contraception, (8:43) pregnancy options counseling, (10:43) medication abortion and procedural abortion, (18:42) inequality and access to care, (24:57) the medical community's view on abortion, and (27:20) abortion misconceptions. 

Learn more about family planning and preconception care here: https://weillcornell.org/services/obstetrics-and-gynecology/family-planning-and-preconception-care

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We do a deep-dive into obstetrics and gynecology as we broach the subject of abortion. Our guest is Dr. Stephen Chasen, Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and Vice Chair for Education and Director of Obstetrics Ultrasound. Together we cover:

(3:46) high-risk pregnancy, (5:21) what every woman can do before getting pregnant to promote a health pregnancy, (8:39) the role of age in pregnancy, (10:04) tests during pregnancy, (14:34) conditions for considering termination, and (19:11) the fallacy of "late-term abortion".

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What is sacroiliac (SI) joint pain and how can you recognize it compared to normal back pain? In this episode we cover:   (1:15) what the sacroiliac joint is, (2:51) what SI joint pain feels like, (4:32) causes of SI joint pain, (7:15) diagnosing SI joint issues, (8:03) SI joint treatment,  and (12:11) preventing SI joint dysfunction. 

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When you feel a burning pain around your joints, how do you know if it's acute tendonitis or the chronic issue of tendonosis? Dr. Singh covers both conditions as well as how to diagnose and treat these issues. We also cover:

(1:26) distinguishing between tendonitis and tendonosis, (4:42) diagnosing tendonitis and tendonosis, (7:14) treatment options, (8:48) importance of stretching and ice, and (10:37) interventional options.

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A recent bout with inflammation sparks the topic for this episode. Why do we feel sore or slow sometimes after exercising? Dr. Singh breaks down inflammation and what we can do to fight it. We cover:

(1:42) what inflammation actually is, (4:02) chronic inflammation, (4:38) preventing inflammation, (6:22) three beverages that can help with inflammation, and (10:05) foods to avoid when it comes to inflammation.

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We take a look at coffee and the effects of caffeine (both positive and negative) on our bodies. Dr. Singh also shares four tips to get the most out of your morning coffee routine. We also cover:   (2:04) the history of coffee, (2:35) what happens when you drink coffee and what the effects of caffeine are, (4:45) the benefits of caffeine, (6:56) negative effects of caffeine, (9:12) getting the most out of your morning coffee routine. 

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This week we explore the science behind osteoarthritis and joint pain, and examine whether supplements are an effective way to help with inflammation and pain. We cover:   (1:04) what happens when you have arthritis, (4:01) how arthritis is typically treated, (5:13) Curcumin and its benefits, (9:51) Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and their impact on inflammation, and (13:54) glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

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We welcome back Dr. Ashley Brissette to discuss how social media and the internet is impacting eye care trends and how we can do a better job when it comes to taking care of our eyes. We also cover:

(2:19) a hair-raising TikTok beauty trend, (3:30) causes and prevention for dark circles under our eyes, (8:23) safety of cosmetic products, (8:59) the benefits of Eye Revive and Daily Practice, (14:04) eye care mistakes, (20:22) eye whitening eye drops, red eyes and allergy season.

Learn more about Dr. Brissette here: https://www.brissettemd.com/

You can find more information about Daily Practice and Eye Revive here: https://www.dailypractice.com/

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Does most of your knowledge on stretching come from what you learned in grade school? The science of stretching has evolved and Dr. Singh dispels myths of stretching and shares tips to prevent injury. We also cover:   (1:17) the benefits of stretching, (3:09) post-exercise stretch vs. pre-exercise stretch, (7:18) static stretching vs. dynamic stretching and when to use them, (9:23) how often you should stretch, and (11:01) avoiding injury.

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