Blog | Navigating Healthcare

Causes of Upper Back Pain

True, the upper back does not cause as many visits to the doctor as the lower back does. Because less motion occurs in the upper than the lower back, this area of the spine does not usually see as much instability as the lower back. However, just because upper back pain tends not to be as prevalent as lower back pain, upper back pain can be just as disruptive and even debilitating. For additional help in answering any question related to upper back pain contact a top back specialist in your area today.

The upper back, or the ‘thoracic spine’ (which literally means ‘pertaining to the chest’) is less likely to develop the more common spinal disorders such as ruptured or herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. These conditions can still, however, occur in the upper back, but are more rare. Because of the limited motion that occurs in the upper back compared to the lower, there is not as much risk of degeneration in this area.

Back Pain, Lower back pain July 1, 2014 0Comments

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Back pain reportedly affects 80 to 90 percent of all Americans at some point in their lives. More than half of us in this country are suffering from lower back pain right now. And lower back pain does not discriminate … both men and women are generally equally affected. In fact, lower back pain is the fifth most common reason for doctor visits in the United States. Are you one of those people? Do you find that you can’t stand or sit for very long? Do you spend a lot more time in bed than usual, just to get a little relief from your lower back pain? Do you find yourself avoiding some of the things you used to enjoy, such as going to the gym or going for walks around your Essex County neighborhood with spouse or friends? Did you know that exercise can often help to relieve back pain, whereas bed rest can actually make it worse? The causes of lower back pain are many, but the good news is that there are things you and your doctor can do to alleviate or even eliminate your lower back pain.

Back Pain, Lower back pain July 1, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Back Pain, Back Pain and Pregnancy June 23, 2014 0Comments

Back Pain and Pregnancy

“Pregnancy is a construction zone going on in your belly!” Could anyone have put it better than TV’s Al Roker? Unfortunately, ‘constructing’ a baby not only affects a pregnant woman’s stomach, but literally every other part of her body as well. And nowhere is that felt more than in her back. If you’ve ever been pregnant, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that more than 70 percent of Essex County women have experienced back pain during pregnancy. Women can experience back pain at any time during pregnancy; however, it is most prevalent in the later months as baby’s weight increases. Back pain during pregnancy can affect your ability to perform your daily functions, your sleep, your health, and it can also affect your baby. What you may not know are the myriad causes, and maybe more important, the treatments.

Back Pain, Back Pain and Pregnancy June 23, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Dental Health, Oral Health June 17, 2014 0Comments

The Anatomy of Teeth

Someone once said that good-looking people with strong teeth get things handed to them on platters. If this is true, undoubtedly it’s because the teeth are one of the first things we see … or should see … when meeting someone for the first time. In fact, in a recent poll, more than 50 percent of people said that a smile is the first thing they notice about someone!

But how much do you really know about teeth? For instance, did you know that, before the invention of toothpaste, people ground up chalk, charcoal, or ashes and added lemon juice or made a honey-tobacco mixture to clean their teeth? Or did you know that in 1800s England people who had false teeth often ate in their bedrooms before events where they gathered for dinners so they could be protected from the embarrassment of having their teeth fall out in front of others? Or, did you know that a common custom in the Middle Ages was to kiss a donkey to relieve toothaches? It’s true!

Dental Health, Oral Health June 17, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

problems with tmj, Temporomandibular joint, TMJ June 10, 2014 0Comments

The Structure of the Jaw

Everyone knows that the jaw is an extremely important part of the human body. Most of us do not think much about our mouths … it’s just a given that we can eat and speak. There’s a lot going on in the human jaw, and a lot that can go wrong if jaw health is not optimal.

The jaw, or ‘mandible,’ is the only part of the face that can move. Without this capacity, of course, we would not be able to eat. And, regardless of what acclaimed ventriloquist Jeff Dunham (especially well known to Floridians) and his famed puppet characters might say, without the capacity of the mandible to move, humans also would not be able to speak. The lower mandible, the movable part, holds the lower teeth in place, while the upper mandible holds the upper teeth in place but does not move. The structure of this part of anatomy is one of the most fascinating in human biology.

problems with tmj, Temporomandibular joint, TMJ June 10, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Healthy Joints, Joint Health, Orthopedic surgeon May 28, 2014 0Comments

Healthy Joints in All Stages of Life

Joint health is important in all stages of life. With each age group there are different measures to take to ensure that joints stay healthy and do not seize up or become stiff. Staying active and eating a healthy diet are part of each stage of life. The job that you choose to work and stress that you have in your life do play a factor in how healthy your joints will be as you age. Maintaining a healthy body begins in the womb and should continue through the end of life stages.

Healthy Joints, Joint Health, Orthopedic surgeon May 28, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Dermatologist, Skin Cancer, Skin Health May 23, 2014 0Comments

Summer Skincare Tips

In the summer months, your skin is more likely to dry out and become unhealthy. It is also more susceptible to harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer. There are a few measures that you can take for skin cancer prevention, such as using a proper SPF protectant. It is suggested that when you will be in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time that you should use an SPF 30 product or higher, this includes in makeup and lip gloss products as well.

Dermatologist, Skin Cancer, Skin Health May 23, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

CoolSculpting, Liposuction, SmartLipo, Weight Loss Procedures May 20, 2014 0Comments

Common Cosmetic Weight Loss Procedures

For a variety of reasons, people seek cosmetic weight loss procedures in order to improve their health and appearance. With the different procedures that are available, it is possible to have little or no recovery time. Some procedures are only for those that require a small amount of fat to be removed, such as 20 pounds or less.

CoolSculpting, Liposuction, SmartLipo, Weight Loss Procedures May 20, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Cosmetic Surgery, Liposuction, SmartLipo May 12, 2014 0Comments

What is SmartLipo?

Rather than putting your body through aggressive liposuction procedures, SmartLipo is a far less evasive option. This procedure is not even a decade old and is gaining popularity quickly. The reason for this being is that the recovery time is much less and. Results vary from patient to patient with some requiring an additional procedure to be completed at a later date.

Cosmetic Surgery, Liposuction, SmartLipo May 12, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Sclerotherapy, Varicose Veins, Vein Center, Vein Treatments May 8, 2014 0Comments

Varicose Vein Treatment Options

Although varicose veins are mostly seen in women, they do occur in men as well. As skin thins or veins become prominent, treatment may be required. In some cases, these protrusions require no treatment at all. Most of the time, treatment is only suggested if they pose other health problems such as edema or improper blood flow.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are raised or swollen blood vessels that usually occur in the legs. Sometimes they will occur in the arms, but this is rare. There are cases where the veins twist or turn. This doesn’t always cause other issues.

Sclerotherapy, Varicose Veins, Vein Center, Vein Treatments May 8, 2014 0Comments 0Likes