Category: Muscle spasms

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 »

Five Commonly Believed Myths about “Pinched” Nerves in the Spine

Dr. Carlson in the operating room

Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD, CPE As a spine surgeon, I answer questions from patients daily having to do with spine-related issues.  I also find that I must frequently correct misinformation or commonly held beliefs about pinched nerves and how they impact the body.  In this article, I thought it would be prudent to address some… Read more »

Five Quick Steps to Improve Your Posture

Jonathan Lorusso

Jonathan Lorusso, LPTA When you see someone striking enter a room, what is one of the first things you notice?  It may be their beauty or their expensive suit, but it probably has to do with how they carry themselves and their posture.  But did you know that good posture is also beneficial to your… Read more »

I’ve Returned to Work after a COVID-19 Furlough – Now My Back is Killing Me!

Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD Even though our unwelcome houseguest is still hanging around, many people who were unemployed, laid off or furloughed because of COVID-19 are now returning to work out of economic necessity.  These folks are surprised to find that they are experiencing significant back pain, perhaps for the first time in their lives,… Read more »

Acute and Chronic Cervical (Neck) Sprain

Mark W. McFarland, DO The neck area or cervical spine has many muscles, ligaments and tendons that help to support, stabilize, and provide movement for the neck and head as they sit on the spinal vertebrae.  When you think about it anatomically, it’s an architectural masterpiece that works together beautifully when healthy.  But then, life… Read more »

Cervical Dystonia

Dr. Mark McFarland

Mark W. McFarland, DO Cervical Dystonia, also called spasmodic torticollis, is a painful disorder that causes twisting or turning of the head due to involuntary spasms of the muscles in the neck.  It can cause the head to twist in a variety of directions, like chin to chest, chin straight up or down or ear… Read more »