Author Archives: Marco A. Rodriguez, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

When to See a Doctor for Back Pain

If you’re experiencing back pain, you’re not alone. Around 80 percent of adult individuals have low back pain during their lifetime. It’s the leading cause of job-related disability and the primary contributor to missing days of work. You can experience back pain from: A fall An accident Changes that occur in your spine as you… read more

Is a Bulging Disc the Same as a Herniated Disc?

You have likely heard the terms herniated disc and bulging disc before. You probably know they’re both associated with your spine. You may even know they both can be painful, but you may be wondering “is a bulging disc the same as a herniated disc?” In a nutshell, no, they’re not the same condition, despite… read more

What 5 Things You Should Look for in a Great Spine Surgeon?

Searching the internet for a spine surgeon in a large metropolitan area can produce an extensive and daunting list. With so many spine surgeons to choose from, how do you determine which one is right for you? How do you evaluate their skills and reputation? Listed below you will find five unique ways to differentiate… read more

Are There Spine Fusion Alternative Surgeries?

If Your Surgeon Recommends A Spine Fusion, Endoscopic Spine Surgery May Be An Excellent Spine Fusion Alternative.  Suffering from back or neck pain can significantly change one’s quality of life and daily physical routines. When conservative efforts such as rest, physical therapy, or chiropractic care have been exhausted, patients are referred to pain management and most… read more

Numbness & Tingling Caused by Spine Conditions

It can be frightening to suddenly notice that your back, arms, or legs are tingling and numb. That feeling of numbness and tingling is often an indication that you’re suffering from one of many spinal conditions, and they’re usually accompanied by back pain of varying severity. This combination of tingling and numbness in the spine… read more

Managing Chronic Back Pain With Acupuncture

Many patients find acupuncture helpful in relieving their chronic back pain. If you consider trying acupuncture for your condition, you may have a few questions, such as how can you use acupuncture for chronic pain, and can acupuncture relieve chronic back pain? Find the answers and more in this short guide. How Does Acupuncture Relieve… read more

Reducing Back Pain From Gardening and Yard Work

Do you experience back pain after gardening? When you garden, you put your back muscles to work, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Just like any other task that requires muscle exertion, yard work requires the right technique and preparation to minimize the risk of strain and pain. Consider these tips for avoiding low… read more

Lower Back Pain After Running

When you run, it places repetitive stress on your back. If you’re already dealing with lower back pain issues, it’s critical you do what you can to reduce lower back strain. Lower back pain after running is common among new runners. But it’s also prevalent in runners who haven’t run in a while and come… read more

Bridging The Gap Between Pain Management and Spine Surgery For Low Back Pain

  How To Manage Low Back Pain After A Weekend Injury Managing your pain after you recently injured your low back over the weekend gardening, playing sports or while jogging around the lake, can be very difficult.  You may be suffering from an acute injury such as a pulled muscle, strain of a ligament or… read more

Am I A Candidate For Stem Cell Treatment?

Identify The Source Of Pain Ideal Candidates for lumbar stem cell treatment include those with discogenic (pain derived from the lumbar disc) low back pain that has failed conservative treatment.  Low back pain can come from multiple sources in the spine.  These include muscle, ligaments, lumbar facet joints, and vertebral discs in your low back.… read more