Category: Lifestyle

Why Does the Cold Weather Make my Chronic Pain Worse?

Jenny L.F. Andrus, MD If old wives could tell tales, they might let you know that your joints could predict the weather and let you know when rain is coming, or a cold spell was getting ready to move into the area.  As physicians, we typically would say that it was coincidental that our patients… Read more »

Why Does My Knee Feel Like it is Giving Out and Getting Weak?

Image of Dr. Boyd Haynes

Boyd W. Haynes III, MD A very common complaint I hear in the office, especially from my older patients, is “my knee is feeling weaker and weaker and sometimes it just gives out when I’m walking.  Why is that happening to me?” When arthritis of the knee progresses, the cartilage in the joint space erodes. … Read more »

Will my Compressed Spinal Nerve Heal or be Damaged Permanently?

Dr. Carlson

Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD, CPE, FAAOS Every day, I see patients for arm or leg pain and numbness related to pinched nerves in their spine.  These patients all have differing degrees of pain and dysfunction from their back and neck problems.  Each patient deals with their symptoms individually, so there are varying degrees of dysfunction… Read more »

Three Top Reasons for Holiday Injuries

Dr. Bob Snyder

Robert J. Snyder, MD Did you know that Emergency Rooms experience a higher volume of specific types of injuries over the holidays?  Some have more to do with cooking, like cuts from chopping food and burns from candles, fireplaces, ovens or stoves, but many are orthopaedic issues.  In this article, I will discuss those that… Read more »

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Dr. Andrew Martin

Andrew L. Martin, PsyD What is psychodynamic therapy? Psychodynamic therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship problems. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious conflict. Unconscious conflict occurs when the brain tries to think two opposite things at the same time. For instance, trying to see one’s life as safe and controllable,… Read more »

How Untreated Bone Fractures Occur – Part I

Dr. Carlson in the operating room

Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD, CPE It may be hard to imagine that someone would have a bone fracture and not seek appropriate medical treatment or that it could be missed by a practitioner during an exam.  However, this happens more often than you might think.  In three articles, I’ll detail the reasons why broken bones… Read more »

October 10 is World Mental Health Day

Andrew L. Martin, PsyD I am excited as I think about World Mental Health Day (Oct 11.), because this is a great time for mental healthcare. Attitudes toward mental health and mental healthcare continue changing in a positive direction, people are more savvy about their emotional wellbeing, and more help is available than ever before.1… Read more »

Vascular vs. Neurogenic Claudication

Dr. Carlson in dark suit jacket

Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD, CPE (Originally published in Hampton Roads Physicians’ Magazine) When muscles don’t get enough blood flow due to obstructed arteries, cramping pain can result simply from walking or using one’s arms. Vascular claudication (VC) is a condition typically caused by peripheral artery disease and is a debilitating problem that worsens over time…. Read more »

What is Serotonin? Part I

Dr. Jenny Andrus

Jenny L. F. Andrus, MD You may have heard or read about serotonin and its role in the regulation of depression and mood in the human brain. However, this miracle neurotransmitter and hormone plays an important role in quite a few brain functions and bodily functions.  When it is well balanced, we typically feel good. … Read more »