The Smoking Spine: Nicotine's Ability to Cause and Worsen Back Pain

The Smoking Spine: Nicotine’s Ability to Cause and Worsen Back Pain

20 percent of American adults are cigarette smokers. Of these individuals, about 80 percent smoke daily. Cigarette smoke has been found to contain over 4,700 chemical substances with the most notable being nicotine. Nicotine in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, oral tobacco and even nicotine patches all contain carcinogenic substances such as hydrocarbons and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA).…

Which Low Back Surgery is Right for Me?

Which Low Back Surgery is Right for Me?

Low back surgery refers to surgery on the lumbar spine between the L1 bone and the L5-S1 level. Decompression, fusion and artificial disc replacement are all options to treat low back conditions. However, it is important to remember that these surgeries are not interchangeable, but instead have very specific indications. Depending on your symptoms and…

How To Take Care of Your Spine

The spine is among the most important components of the human body, and plays a number of different roles in daily function. Avoiding injury to the spine and promoting optimal spinal health are essential to preserving proper function and supporting optimal quality of life for patients of all ages. The team at Rocky Mountain Brain…

Understanding Your MRI of the Lumbar Spine

Understanding Your MRI of the Lumbar Spine

As we get older, we all develop “changes” in our spines.  Studies have shown that about 30% of completely pain-free (asymptomatic) people undergoing a lumbar MRI have abnormalities detected.  After the age of 60 years old, about 90% of people have at least a “degenerative disc.” Low back pain is one of the most common…

What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?

If you suffer from chronic back or neck pain that has not been relieved by surgery or other therapies, spinal cord stimulation may be another option. Also known as neurostimulation, or SCS, this non-drug therapy modifies or blocks nerve activity to relieve pain. Here’s what you need to know about spinal cord stimulation, courtesy of…

What is Revision Spine Surgery?

Having spine surgery does not guarantee that your neck or back problems are gone for good. In some cases, pain and other symptoms can continue. This can mean that the initial procedure was not successful, or it could indicate that you have a recurring condition. Understanding your options if you have continued pain can help…