Why Prolonged Sitting And Standing Is Unproductive by Anna Vital, author--Funders and Founders

We thought we would share this infograph that explains why it is not good for your neck and back (and other parts of the body) to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time by Anna Vital, author-- Funders and Founders.

If you suffer from chronic or acute back pain and cannot find relief, it may be time to contact a spine specialist like the physicians at SpineOne.  SpineOne offers a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient. The physicians at SpineOne practice minimally invasive procedures combined with other practices to get you back on your feet and enjoying your life again. SpineOne provides doctor consultations, MRIs and treatments all from the same facility for your convenience. Same-day appointments are also available upon request.

Visit www.SpineOne.com or call 303.500.8611 today.

A List of 6 Best Low Back Pain Exercises for Fast Relief from Misato Alexandre of Fitwirr

A List of 6 Best Low Back Pain Exercises for Fast Relief

How to Tell if You Have Sciatica

Sciatic pain (sciatica), symptomatic of other medical conditions, is when the sciatic nerve or one of its origins along the lumbar (lower) spine is irritated, pressured or damaged causing pain, weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the lower back and extremities.

While a spine specialist can officially diagnose whether you are showing symptoms of sciatica, you can also educate yourself about key sciatic pain indicators. To assist you, SpineOne has provided an online infographic that illustrates some of the sciatic pain symptoms and their locations. Simply click on the image to enlarge, save and/or print it.

If you or someone you know suffers from chronic sciatica and is unable to find a solution, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a spine specialist like the ones at SpineOne. The physicians at SpineOne provide each patient with a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and personalized treatment plan designed to meet their individual health needs. SpineOne offers both minimally invasive services for mild to moderate back pain and more advanced options for discomfort that is either severe or unresponsive to conservative techniques.

Call us at 303.500.8611 or visit www.spineone.com to learn more about our services.  For your convenience, SpineOne offers same-day appointments with consultation, imaging and treatment all within one facility.

How to Avoid Back Pain from Shoveling Snow this Winter

In a national study conducted by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), U.S. National Library of Medicine in 2011, approximately 66,919 (34.3 percent) people sought medical care for lower back injuries caused by shoveling snow from 1990 to 2006. Caused mostly from acute musculoskeletal exertion (54.7 percent), many of these patients suffered from low-back strain followed by a herniated-vertebral disc and then spinal fractures.  That’s an average of 11,500 shoveling-related injuries a year!

Why this happens
Many of us lead sedentary lives that involve working in front of a computer all day, every day, watching sporting events, TV shows and movies and eating less-healthy food (especially during the holidays). Then the first snowfall arrives, and we soon forget the physical demands shoveling hundreds of pounds of heavy, wet snow in freezing temperatures puts on our bodies.  This can be a recipe for disaster if we haven’t kept ourselves in some type of physical shape previously. 

Some information to keep you on your feet this winter
The back specialists at SpineOne have provided some information to help keep you out of the doctor’s office or emergency room this winter.

Check with your doctor
You should always check with your doctor before shoveling if you’ve already injured your back or you have another medical condition. Not only may you hurt your back, but also conducting strenuous work in the cold when you are not used to exercise may increase your chances for a heart attack. It may be best to hire someone else to clear the snow from your driveway.

Warm up
Let’s not kid ourselves. Shoveling snow is a strenuous activity. And you need to stretch to avoid injury like you would with any strenuous activity such as running, swimming, biking or playing sports.

Pace yourself
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Pace yourself and take frequent breaks. If the forecast calls for snowfall over an extended period of time, start shoveling early; it’s better to shovel a few inches of snow at a time than a foot or two all at once. 

Use proper shoveling techniques
Distribute your weight evenly by bending at your knees and hips. Avoid twisting your back to throw snow on a pile; instead, turn your whole body. Take a look at this instructional video—Shoveling snow: How to prevent back injuries courtesy of Lenny Bernstein of the Washington Post before tackling old man winter this season.

Get the proper equipment

Use a shovel that is the right height for you.  We recommend one with an “S” shaped handle for more efficient leverage and better body mechanics when shoveling.  You should always try to push the snow instead of lifting it. Spread rock salt or an “ice melter” on slick spots along the walkway and/or driveway to avoid falls before shoveling.

Dress for success

Dress in layers that are warm and breathable, and like mom says, “Don’t forget to put on your hat!” Choose thicker gloves that keep your hands warm while providing a better grip on the handle of the shovel. Probably most importantly, wear boots with a slip-resistant sole.

Listen to your body

If you feel any type of pain or shortness of breath while shoveling, stop immediately and seek assistance. If you develop pain in your lower back that radiates down one, or both of your legs, you may have a more serious condition. If this is the case, or you fall down and injure your back, you should seek out a qualified spine specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment like the physicians at SpineOne. 

SpineOne offers a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient. The physicians at SpineOne practice minimally invasive procedures combined with other practices to get you back on your feet and enjoying your life again. SpineOne provides doctor consultations, imaging and treatments all from the same facility for your convenience. Same-day appointments are also available upon request.

Call 303.800.5611 or visit www.spineone.com today.

Spinal Functions, Disorders and Associated Symptoms

Click to see larger infograph

Nearly 1/3 of Americans suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain, defined as pain that lasts more than six months, can be continuous, episodic, inconvenient or even life altering. While a sudden injury has an expected trajectory of healing, chronic back and/or neck pain can become a frustrating prospect with no recovery in sight. The ability of chronic pain to ebb and flow over months or years makes it difficult for sufferers to decide whether they should seek treatment. If you have chronic back or neck pain, the following infograph can help you better understand your condition.

If you or someone you know is experiencing chronic neck or back pain and is unable to find a solution, you should always schedule an appointment with a spinespecialist like the ones at SpineOne for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Alizadeh Gets to the Cause of Patients' Back Pain.

Kayvon Alizadeh, M.D., SpineOne

Read what first-time SpineOne patient, Abigail, had to say about her experience and treatment by Dr. Kayvon Alizadeh.

"No doctor (or healthcare provider) has explained the spine as Dr. Alizadeh did. He used terms that I could understand and seemed genuinely interested in getting to the cause of my back pain."

 --Abigail