Shows
Back Talk DocFrom Host to Guest: Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia Discusses Back Care on "Interview the Expert" at The SpineXchangeAfter undergoing multiple spine surgeries himself, Joel Proskewitz founded the SpineXchange to offer educational materials for others who are dealing with back surgery or general back pain. On this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Lakhia sits in the hot seat as he is interviewed by expert guest Joel for the SpineXchange. Joel and Dr. Lakhia cover advice on many different aspects of back care. Both Joel and Dr. Lakhia found a passion for spinal care and education through personal experiences. For Dr. Lakhia, it was his exposure to osteopathic medicine that included over 300 hours of...2024-01-0432 minBack Talk DocWe Feel Your Back Pain with Dr. Joe CheatleEven with their in-depth medical training, doctors can brush off accidents and deny the possibility of a lumbar issue. It’s not until the pain persists or worsens that they come to terms with the possibility of having a longer-term injury. Doctors can even experience a sense of shame about having a spine problem while being a spine expert. On this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia invites his colleague and friend Dr. Joseph Cheatle, a neurosurgeon at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, to discuss the personal challenges that he has faced with low...2023-11-1335 minBack Talk DocEmpathy and Compassion: The Journey from Spine Patient to Provider with Physician Assistant Lindsay HowardWhat happens when the doctor becomes the patient? In the first episode in this new series, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia discusses personal back care journeys with some of his esteemed colleagues.On this episode, he talks with Lindsey Howard, PA-C, a physician assistant in the physiatry department at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Care. Her spine care journey began with scoliosis. When she was 12, she was diagnosed with scoliosis during a routine school screening for the condition. Her spinal curve was 40 degrees and quickly progressed to 72 degrees. Her doctor recommended surgery or, he told her parents, she l...2023-10-3024 minBack Talk DocTalking Artificial Disc and Facet Replacement Surgery with Dr. Vince RossiAs non-urgent medical procedures slowed during the height of COVID in 2020, some docs faced a lot of stress. Vince Rossi, MD, took advantage of his more-open schedule to get an MBA. So, why did Dr. Rossi want to pursue another degree after becoming a successful neurosurgeon? He wanted to better understand the health care system in which he works, believing that knowing the business world would benefit both his patients and his practice. That desire to benefit his patients led him to do a year of his residency in Australia. He was able to see a higher v...2023-10-1037 minBack Talk DocAn integrative approach to low back pain with Dr. Elizabeth YurthYou get hurt, and your instinct is to blame the injury itself, right? For Dr. Elizabeth Yurth, it’s a much broader picture than just the injury. While Dr. Yurth got her start in orthopedics and sports medicine, she took a pivot about 15 years into her career. She started looking at ways to keep patients out of her office, rather than coming back in. “I was patching people back together, throwing them back in the fire, and they're back a month later,” she says of her patients. “So I started to ask, could we do better? Co...2023-08-281h 04Back Talk DocFood Elimination and Pain with Heather WolcottAs a holistic nutritionist, as well as a health and wellness coach, Heather Wolcott understands concerns about all-or-nothing lifestyles and dietary changes. Instead, Heather believes in promoting a well-rounded lifestyle — and understanding that nothing is forever. On this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia and his guest, functional health coach Heather Wolcott, talk about nutrition and its effect on health, wellness, and even pain. Much of their discussion focuses around food elimination diets.Heather understands that the term “elimination diet” can be daunting for some people. But, she says, this form of lifestyle change...2023-08-0938 minBack Talk DocEvaluating Supplement Quality with Dr. Tod CoopermanNutritional supplements are a recurring topic in discussions between doctors and patients. Many people incorporate supplements into the daily routine when they are looking to enhance their well-being or cure an ailment. But how do you know if you’re using the right nutritional supplements? On this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia and Dr. Tod Cooperman, MD discuss how to choose effective supplements, and what factors you should consider when looking to add supplements to your diet. Dr. Cooperman is the president, founder, and editor-in-chief of ConsumerLab.com, which is dedicated to inde...2023-07-2734 minBack Talk DocBack Pain and the Sacroiliac Joint with Tanner Holden, PTDespite its limited range of movement, the sacroiliac joint is prone to instability and is often a source of back pain in patients. On this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia and Tanner Holden, PT from Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates discuss the SI joint itself, some common causes of SI joint pain, and what the latest science has to offer for management. Patients can experience SI joint pain during or after pregnancy, pain from the joint itself, or autoimmune pain. However, diagnosing SI joint pain is rarely straightforward because medical imaging is no...2023-07-1439 minBack Talk DocRethinking Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Disc DiseaseIf your back has been hurting and you haven’t been able to find relief, or you have chronic recurrent arthritic pain, it may be time to explore new options. On this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia hosts a solo episode to reframe how patients should be thinking about osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. He proposes that patients move away from thinking of these conditions as the inevitable result of wear and tear, and instead look at them through the lens of metabolic dysfunction. Using a framework focusing on food and supplementation opti...2023-06-2137 minBack Talk DocBone and Spine Health With Dr. Stephanie PlummerWe all feel invincible sometimes, even as we age. Our minds do a great job of remembering how active and agile we were in our 20s and 30s. Even if we maintain an active lifestyle into our 50s and 60s, there are silent diseases that could be lurking in the background. Whether we feel it or not, osteoporosis can sneak up on us, so it’s important to be proactive.Dr. Stephanie Plummer, a physiatrist at Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates, joins Back Talk Doc host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia to share how women — and men — can best support their...2023-05-3136 minBack Talk DocBattlefield Acupuncture for Pain with John HowardBattlefield acupuncture, a form of ear acupuncture, is well-known in military medicine. It’s now making its way to the civilian population due to ease of use, minimal risk involved, and effectiveness in relieving pain.John Howard, a clinician and academic, is a leading authority on this revolutionary technique. Upon earning his degree in acupuncture, he completed a five-year fellowship with the father of battlefield acupuncture himself, Dr. Richard Niemtzow. John joins Back Talk Doc host, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia, to discuss battlefield acupuncture’s history, how it works, as well as some of the programs he runs to h...2023-05-0133 minBack Talk DocPain, Function & Parkinson's with Sam Schroeder, PTFor those living with Parkinson's, back pain and stiffness can be some of the most frustrating symptoms of the neurological disorder. Luckily, with cutting edge physical therapy programs like LSVT BIG®, those living with Parkinson’s can combat the slowing and smallness of movements associated with the disease. Samantha Schroder, DPT, a physical therapist based in Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine’s Charlotte office is certified in the approach. She joins Back Talk Doc host, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia, to discuss how the program reorganizes nerve networks in the brain to improve functioning. The program focuses on big move...2023-04-1927 minBack Talk DocA Guided Meditation for Pain: Breathe and Body ScanIn this special episode, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia offers listeners a guided meditation session to help manage daily pain levels.Dr. Lakhia emphasizes the importance of deep breathing as a powerful tool to connect with the present moment and promote relaxation. This episode is especially helpful for those struggling with pain who are looking for natural ways to manage their symptoms.This meditation is meant to be listened to in a quiet, comfortable environment, perhaps seated in a comfortable chair or laying down comfortably. Do not listen to this meditation if you are operating machinery, a...2023-04-0313 minBack Talk DocBack Surgery Revisions with Patrick Jowdy, MDDuring medical school, Dr. Patrick Jowdy was drawn to neurology and neurosurgery because of the challenges of the pathology and the importance of the work in improving patients’ lives. It was seeing the patients doing well post-op that finalized his interest in neurosurgery.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia talks with colleague Dr. Jowdy, now a neurosurgeon at Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, about how he treats patients who may need second low back surgeries. “Whenever anybody presents with [recurring] issues, the main thing that you need to really tease out is wh...2023-03-1636 minBack Talk DocHeal Your Disc, End your pain with Dr. Greg LutzIt was more than 13 years ago that a veterinarian introduced Dr. Gregory Lutz to platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Dr. Lutz had a lame horse suffering from a tendon injury. With the help of a portable ultrasound, the veterinary physician drew the horse's blood, spun it in a centrifuge, and injected it into the tendon, right there in the stall. Within a few weeks, the horse was running around like a pony. That inspired Dr. Lutz to research this treatment for his own patients. With more than 30 years of clinical experience under his belt, Dr. Lutz has proven himself t...2023-02-2838 minBack Talk DocConquer Pain with Virtual RealityWhen we think of virtual reality, we usually think about its most obvious uses: gaming, socializing, or even shopping. But researchers and doctors are also experimenting with VR in the healthcare field. Harvard MedTech has found that VR has unique properties that help the brain address pain and return to homeostasis in a holistic way. In the Vx Therapy program, clinicians work alongside VR to help guide anyone from surgical patients to hospice patients and veterans toward relief from their pain. Using a biopsychosocial approach, practitioners there have found that creating acute distractions dur...2023-02-1732 minBack Talk DocHip vs. Back pain with Dr. Puneet AggarwalOne of the more challenging conditions for doctors to diagnose whether pain is originating in the hip or back. In this episode of Back Talk Doc, host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia and his guest, Dr. Puneet Aggarwal, MD, troubleshoot different patient symptoms and explore how they would treat them.Dr. Aggarwal is the director of Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute of Sports Medicine, where he specializes in non-surgical treatments for the spine and interventional pain medicine. Dr. Lakhia and Dr. Aggarwal discuss multiple scenarios and treatment methods for a patient presenting hip and back pain. They run t...2023-02-0734 minBack Talk DocGrief Connects Us with Jodi Stern MDWhen his younger sister, Victoria, died from leukemia, Dr. Joseph Stern stepped out of his white coat, becoming more than a physician. He was a patient’s loved one — his sister’s caretaker and advocate.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia talks with Dr. Stern about how his experience with his sister led him to reexamine what it means to be a physician, which he chronicles for readers in his book Grief Connects Us: A Neurosurgeon’s Lessons on Love, Loss, and Compassion. “I saw, as if for the first time: what...2023-01-2739 minBack Talk Doc2022 Gift List for Back PainHoliday shopping season is upon us, and there’s something out there for everyone. Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia reflects on the guests that decked the halls of Back Talk Doc in 2022 and compiled a list of the top ten gifts for people with back pain. The list is inspired by discussions with guests, including Dr. David Schecter and Esther Gokhale, and addresses a range of prices and applications. Finding the perfect gift is tough, so Back Talk’s top ten list helps strike the balance of something that lights up your loved ones’ faces while not depleting your budget...2022-12-1920 minBack Talk DocBack Pain Relief with Spinal Cord StimulationPhysicians strive to find ways for their patients to live healthy, active lifestyles, and that is what attracted Dr. Dave Eichman to the specialty of spinal cord stimulation. In this episode of Back Talk, host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia and his guest, Dr. Eichman, cover what makes a patient a good candidate for the treatment, what to expect from it, and some potential pitfalls. “The unique ability to test the device before committing can help patients feel more confident in their choice. “[Once] you've had the surgery done, there's no going back. But with the stimulator, there...2022-11-2824 minBack Talk DocA Guided Meditation for Pain: Creating a Safe PlaceIf you’re listening to Back Talk Doc, you or someone you know is probably dealing with some type of pain. Chronic pain can be very hard to handle, but many times when we create a mental image of our suffering, we tend to aggravate this pain, thus increasing it. This mental image leads to negativity on a conscious and subconscious level associated with your pain.Today, give your body a safe place to deal with pain. Join us on a guided meditation that will teach techniques to change the mental image that has been cre...2022-10-2012 minBack Talk DocReduce Your Back Pain Frequency with Dr.Carol McMakinIt is never too late to chase after a dream or make a difference in other people’s lives. Dr. Carolyn McMakin, DC is a testament to that. After deciding to pursue her lifelong goal at the age of 40, Dr. McMakin enrolled in pre-med courses and the University of Western States Chiropractic College. Upon graduation, Dr. McMakin opened her own practice and by 1996 began treating patients with a list of frequencies first documented in the 1920s. This work led her to present her results at the American Back Society National Meeting and subsequently publish the first 50 cases of...2022-09-1952 minBack Talk DocNeuropathy and Its Many Facets with Dr. Ki JungHave you ever sat in one position too long and had your foot fall asleep? And when you stood up, you felt a prickling or tingling that was almost painful? Or have you ever rolled over in the middle of the night and found your hand was numb? Each of these occurrences are considered positive symptoms of neuropathy — they are the presence of an abnormal sensation.What exactly is neuropathy and what causes it? On this episode of Back Talk Doc, host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is joined by one of the newer partners at Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine As...2022-09-0845 minBack Talk DocBotanicals and Back Pain with John SlatteryCould a couple of drops of an herb tincture enable someone who underwent open heart surgery to feel her chest for the first time in four years? Could it help you mitigate and prevent back pain?In our society, it’s easy to think that the most complex, advanced medicine is the best cure for any and all pain. And yet, a powerful tool for pain treatment could be an overlooked plant growing in your backyard. In this episode, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia and his guest John Slattery of Desert Tortoise Botanicals dive into herbalism and its potential. 2022-08-1555 minBack Talk DocThe Vagus-Trigeminal-Pain Connection with Sharik Peck, PTImagine relearning how to walk — and learn — in your senior year of high school. For this episode’s guest, Sharik Peck, that was reality. Mr. Peck’s battle with chronic pain began when he was only two years old. As a young child, he fractured his second cervical vertebrae. Years later, he crushed multiple spinal vertebrae in his thoracic region. Finally, he experienced a vertebral artery dissection that forced him to relearn how to walk and learn. Instead of allowing his injuries and pain to defeat him, Mr. Peck used them as inspiration. His goal was simple: Help othe...2022-07-2539 minBack Talk DocBack to the Basics: Reducing Back Pain Through Healthy EatingBack pain can feel impossible to control. However, there are things that you can do to reduce pain. In this episode, Back Talk Doc host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia empowers listeners to reduce back pain through mindful eating and nutrition. As Dr. Lakhia explains, “It's important that we zoom out and ask ourselves, what's really going on with our food and our diet?” By mastering the basics of healthy eating, you can reduce inflammation levels and consequently decrease pain levels. But with the many diets out there, all claiming to be the best, it’s challenging to sort...2022-07-1127 minBack Talk DocReleasing Pain and Trauma with David Berceli, PhDIn a bomb shelter under attack in the Middle East, Dr. David Berceli, PhD observed what would become the foundation for much of his work. As mortar shells assaulted the shelter’s exterior, David observed as young children shook in terror and adults sat, stoic and unmoving. “We train ourselves out of these endogenous rhythmic movements of the human body that actually are designed to help us reduce stress or release trauma,” David observed. “By trembling, those two year olds were actually healthier than the adults who simply froze that mechanism and didn't allow their body to discharge...2022-06-2747 minBack Talk DocBack Pain Relief with Foundation TrainingSometimes, the greatest struggles can bring forth the greatest innovations. That is certainly true for Dr. Eric Goodman, DC, the founder of Foundation Training. As a young man in chiropractic school, his severe back pain from multiple disc herniations became unbearable.“I had about a year left of chiropractic school when my back got bad to the point that I was like, ‘I don't want to be a chiropractor,’” Dr. Goodman tells Dr. Lakhia. “Driving hurt, standing hurt, sitting hurt, and laying hurt. You're just out of options.” It was in experimenting with his own pain i...2022-05-1651 minBack Talk DocBack (Pain)…to the Future. Spine Biologics with Dr. Peter BaileyRegenerative medicine has great potential. It empowers the body’s own healing mechanisms to cure injuries that would normally require surgery or other invasive measures.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Peter Bailey discusses his work in regenerative spinal care. Research on regenerative spinal care is steadily progressing, despite a lack of funding. Most companies fund research into drugs rather than regenerative medicine, so progress has taken time and dedication. In spinal care, regenerative treatments can improve patient pain. For this to be effective, the cause of the pain must be accurately diagnosed to...2022-05-0228 minBack Talk DocFact vs Fiction: Back Rehab with Dr. Stuart McGillFor Dr. Stuart McGill, surgery should be the last resort.In fact, for many patients who don’t properly address their pain, surgery is, at best, a temporary option. Consider this: following a disc hernia procedure, many patients, including those Dr. McGill sees, usually fall back into old habits and run the risk of re-injuring their damaged spine. “So you are going to have to change the way that you move [and] become more efficient in purposefully stimulating the adaption that you need in your body to become robust again,” he says.The problem, Dr. McGill...2022-04-181h 13Back Talk DocBack Pain Relief Through Posture and Movement, With Esther GokhaleWhat if back-pain relief was just a few steps away? Esther Gokhale’s work with posture and movement finds that just changing the way you sit, stand, lie down, and walk can eliminate your back pain. Esther grew up in India helping her mom treat orphaned babies and she studied biochemistry at college. Later, she became a licensed acupuncturist. So when her own pain and herniated disc issues emerged, it motivated Esther to study how people move. “There were some seeds already sown in my brain that ‘there's something going on with people who live close to...2022-04-0449 minBack Talk DocThe Brain-Pain Connection with Dr.David SchechterDr. David Schechter didn’t always buy into the idea of the mind-body pain connection. As a medical student, he relied on conventional and traditional approaches to pain management.But that was before he developed knee pain that felt almost impossible to resolve. He tried mechanical therapy and strengthening exercises as is typically recommended, but nothing seemed to work. So he approached an NYU physiatrist for help: Dr. John Sarno, who became one of America’s most famous back pain doctors.Dr. Sarno told Dr. Schechter that his pain was psychosomatic. “That really threw me for a...2022-03-2137 minBack Talk DocPower of CompoundingBryana Gregory works at a compounding pharmacy, an option that many physicians in traditional medical circles have never considered.But compounding could be the key to recovery and better long-term health for some patients. Rather than seeking only to relieve pain, compounding pharmacists take a holistic approach to a patient’s health to create personalized treatments.“It’s like back in the day, when we used to have apothecaries, and see doctors and pharmacists behind the counter mixing up medications that were customized for the patient,” Bryana says. “Compounding pharmacy is more of an individualized approach.”...2022-03-0739 minBack Talk DocAll About Radiofrequency Ablation for Spinal Arthritis With Dr. Stephanie PlummerHave you ever been told you have “Uncle Arthur,” more commonly known as arthritis? This ailment affects so many that either you or someone you know likely has pain from arthritis. With so many ways for a back to hurt, how do you tell if your back hurts from arthritis?Back pain from arthritis is a somewhat different affair than disc pain or structural pain. Instead of the pain radiating, it stays fairly localized to the facet joints, which Dr. Lakhia refers to as “the knuckles of the spine.”Back Talk Doc guest Dr. Stephanie Plummer...2022-02-2139 minBack Talk DocA Breakthrough Treatment for Low Back PainCarolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates’ Dr. Andrew Sumich is one of a handful of physiatrists across the country participating in trials of Relievant Medsystems' revolutionary technology that can reduce long-term pain for patients with chronic low back pain: the Intracept Spine Procedure.The secret to the procedure lies in new research, which deepens the medical understanding of spinal anatomy. While most patients experiencing low back pain are treated for discogenic pain, recent findings have revealed that pain can actually originate from vertebral endplates, the bones found on either side of the disc.Intracept targets the basivertebral ne...2022-02-0841 minBack Talk DocThese Simple Exercises Will Keep Your Back Healthy With Jackson Bellis, DPTAs a CrossFit level 1 trainer with a 13-year physical therapy career and an interest in golf, running, skiing, and hiking, it’s fair to say that Dr. Jackson Bellis practices what he preaches when it comes to maintaining a healthy back.Dr. Bellis is always challenging his own body and encouraging his patients to safely challenge their bodies to see what they can do.“I really think we can make a big change in back health. And I think looking at the way we move, and the things that work and don't work, is a big...2022-01-2439 minBack Talk DocFact or Fiction: The Truth About Lumbar Spinal InjectionsLumbar spinal injections can help reduce back and leg pain and are a highly requested treatment at our offices.But there are also plenty of misconceptions about them.Can epidurals be a first-line treatment for low back pain? How well can they help us determine a source of pain? Can injections heal discs?We brought on Dr. Joseph Zuhosky, who recently joined our team at Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, to get answers to these questions and more. Along the way, we hope to alleviate some myths and points of confusion about spinal injections.2022-01-0340 minBack Talk DocCBD: Beyond the HypeHealth care has been a constant presence in Matt Parks’s life for much longer than most people.His mother is an ER nurse. His older brother was born with a rare condition and was often hospitalized as a child. And as a college baseball player, Matt started taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to cope with a shoulder injury.He became dependent on the medications and started to experience migraines. He also developed depression when his parents divorced, which he still struggles with.By 2019, having been Vice President and Sales Manager at Williams Me...2021-12-2041 minBack Talk DocA Neurological Approach to Treating Pain with Garrett Salpeter of NeuFitBeing told your pain is only in your head is maddening when it’s your back that hurts. But is there more truth to this statement than we have long believed?NeuFit founder Garrett Salpeter says that pain is sometimes not an accurate depiction of the extent of an injury, but rather an overreaction by your nervous system.At NeuFit, Garrett draws on his background in engineering and neuroscience to help athletes and other patients recover from injury, develop sustainable fitness regimens, and improve their overall health.Garrett joins this episode of Back Ta...2021-12-1038 minBack Talk DocThe Art and Science of Trigger Point TreatmentsSometimes imaging doesn’t explain a patient’s pain, and when that is the case, many will feel discouraged if not flat-out alarmed.Trigger points can offer answers, and it’s the topic of this episode of Back Talk Doc.Marty Kestin joins the podcast to explain more about trigger points and how they are involved in causing pain. At Ensoma Bodyworks, Marty teaches both patients and students how to restore and improve body functioning by the way of advanced orthopedics like neuromuscular massage therapy and neuroplasticity.Trigger points typically come into play when M...2021-06-2932 minBack Talk DocShould You Be Concerned About Seeing a Physician Assistant for Spine Care?Just like the spine — the clinicians, doctors, and practitioners who practice spinal care comprise a complex system.In this episode of Back Doc Talk, we are talking about the team it takes to manage your spinal health, and especially the role of Physician Assistants (PAs). PAs like Mike Nido of Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates are responsible for a range of treatments and assistance when it comes to fixing back and spine problems.But is patient care compromised when you see a PA instead of a physician?PAs are a backbone of...2021-05-1016 minBack Talk DocHow Back Pain Can Affect Your Relationship (and What to Do About It)We’re talking about healthy relationships on this episode of Back Doc Talk.What does that have to do with back and spine health? A lot. With power couple and relationship coaches Jocelyn and Aaron Freeman at the helm, this episode examines how back and spine issues can affect your relationship and vice versa. Physical pain influences how we feel and how we interact with others, and developing a conscious awareness about how that affects our loved ones is critical.Aaron dissects the difference between pain and suffering, while Jocelyn explains the...2021-04-2642 minBack Talk DocIn’s and Out’s of Spinal Fusions with Dr. Hunter DyerThe general public’s understanding of spinal fusion often starts with a misconception.When Dr. Hunter Dyer talks to people about lumbar fusion, many think that it’s the screws doctors place that are the fusion. But that’s not true — the hardware just holds the spine in alignment until the vertebrae or spinal elements grow back together.As an expert in spinal fusions, Dr. Dyer is familiar with what people get wrong or just don’t understand about caring for their spine and fixing spinal issues. It’s a complicated field of medicine and, as such, pat...2021-04-1344 minBack Talk DocReduce Back Pain and Improve Posture with Active SittingWith fifteen years of experience as a spine physician, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is always on the lookout for ways to help his patients improve their back health, particularly with natural, less invasive methods that can be easily integrated into their day-to-day lives. Today, we’re going to be discussing a common cause of back and neck pain, prolonged periods of sitting.Joining us on this episode of Back Talk Doc is Dr. Turner Osler, a retired trauma surgeon, epidemiologist, entrepreneur, and founder of QOR360, a company designing chairs to improve posture and prevent back pain caused by co...2021-03-2948 minBack Talk DocUncovering Pediatric Spinal Deformities with Dr. Michael BohlOn Episode 13 of Back Talk Doc we spoke with Dr. Matt McGirt about Adult Spinal Deformity (Ep. 13 - Adult Spinal Deformity with Dr. Matt McGirt.) It proved to be a popular and valuable episode for our community, so today we’re following up that episode with a discussion of scoliosis and spinal deformity in pediatric patients.Joining us is Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates’ new partner, Dr. Michael Bohl. Dr. Bohl attended medical school at the University of Michigan and completed his residency at Barrow Neurological Institute. A U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Dr. Bohl was involved in h...2021-03-0934 minBack Talk DocDiagnosing and Treating Upper Back/Thoracic Pain with Dr. Scott OtisWe have addressed numerous aspects of low back pain from surgical angles to medications, nutrition, and injections on the podcast, but an increasing number of patients are also suffering from mid-back pain or “thoracic pain.”On this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is joined by Dr. Scott Otis, a physiatrist at the Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, to discuss thoracic back pain. Dr. Otis attended medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his internship at Riverside Hospital in Columbus. Dr. Otis is currently affiliated with the American Academy of Phys...2021-02-2226 minBack Talk DocA Pain in the Neck (and Back!): How Technology, Stress, and Genetics are Leading to Aches and Pains With Dr. Sameer VemuriBy the numbers, a solid percentage of you are listening to this 29th episode of Back Talk Doc on your mobile device or in front of your computer. You may be hunched over peeping at the show notes on the screen, a noticeable strain rippling down your back. Whether you’re experiencing back or neck pain as you’re reading these words, this episode is here to help.On today's episode of Back Talk Doc, our host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is accompanied by Dr. Sameer Vemuri, a partner at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates. Dr. Vemuri works at t...2021-01-2837 minBack Talk DocElectrical Stimulation Devices for Back PainWhile COVID-19 has the headlines, for many, 2020 has also become synonymous with back pain. Working from home has cast many people from their ergonomic office chairs to couches, spare bedrooms, and dining room chairs. On this episode, our Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia, explores the benefits of utilizing electrical stimulation to combat those work-from-home back pains. Electrical stimulation, a form of neuromodulation, is essentially applying different types of electrical or electricity-based products and magnetic-based products to influence the physiology of your nervous system, that is, the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nervous system. (3:46)Dr. L...2021-01-0726 minBack Talk DocTop 10 Gifts for a Healthy SpineWhile the holiday season is known for evoking feelings of joy and merriment, we know that back pain can dampen even the most festive of spirits. That’s why we’re devoting this episode to our Top 10 Gift Ideas to promote a healthy spine. If you have a friend or family member struggling with back issues this holiday season, consider a gift that will help them stay active and pain-free in 2021.1. Traditional Medicinal Tea. Medicinal teas are available at most grocery stores, and many contain ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and meadowsweet that can reduce inflammation in the body and...2020-12-1624 minBack Talk DocQxMD, Mobile Solutions That Drive Evidence-Based Medicine with Dr. Daniel SchwartzBecause medicine is in a perpetual state of evolution, it is incumbent upon medical practitioners to be lifelong learners, always sharpening their intellect and skillset. In recent years, much of this continuing education has become reliant on technology. While clinicians have access to scientific journals, magazines, blogs, podcasts, and other digital sources at their fingertips, quickly accessing full research articles continues to be a hindrance. Enter QxMD, a company designing apps to help clinicians keep up with the latest research and integrate decision support tools into their practices.On today’s episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. La...2020-11-2733 minBack Talk DocRegenerative Spine & Orthopedic Medicine with Dr. John LesherFrom Kim Kardashian getting a vampire facial to Hines Ward's extraordinary knee recovery in the weeks leading up to the 2009 Super Bowl, regenerative medicine has gained a tremendous amount of interest in both the lay population and the scientific community. This medical-assisted self-healing process has helped athletes including Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant and other high-profile celebrities not only overcome injuries but increase their recovery times.On this special one-year anniversary episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Lakhia welcomes Dr. John Lesher to discuss regenerative spine and orthopedic medicine, including the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and...2020-11-1352 minBack Talk DocUsing an Inversion Table for Back Pain: Is It Safe?In the world of back pain, there are a variety of vendors in the marketplace offering purported solutions. And, with patients searching for alternatives to injections, physical therapy, surgery, and traditionally prescribed medications, the market for these alternatives treatments is booming. With these solutions ranging in efficacy from widely accepted remedies to ineffective and potentially harmful, how do you know what is and isn’t safe? Welcome to Back Talk Doc.In this episode, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is taking on gravity-assisted devices, more commonly known as inversion tables. Dr. Lakhia reveals his personal experience and research with in...2020-10-2619 minBack Talk DocGolf Rehabilitation and Fitness with Dr. Graham ClaytorIf you live or work in the Carolinas, you probably either play golf or have a friend or loved one that plays. Golf is an excellent sport for children and retirees alike and a popular activity for competitive exercisers that don’t want to strain their bones and muscles in high-impact sports. However, golf can also lead to its fair share of aches and pains, so today’s episode focuses on preventing and treating golf-related injuries.On this episode of Back Talk Doc, our host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia welcomes Dr. Graham Claytor, Director of the Physical Therapy at C...2020-10-1137 minBack Talk DocHealth Care and Spirituality, with Dr. John WelshoferImagine you suffer from a painful disc injury that prevents you from engaging in many of your daily activities. For most people, the obvious course of action is to go see your doctor, where it’s likely you’ll have a physical examination and be prescribed medications and/or surgery. At the end of this course of treatment, you hope to be pain-free and back to your daily routine. Many patients never stop to ask themselves, “is there anything else I could be doing to improve my circumstances?” Dr. John Welshofer would answer you with an emphatic “yes!,” and he’s here to...2020-09-1835 minBack Talk DocPhysical Therapy and Health Tips for Patients with Back Pains, With Dr. Eleanor McMillanDo you frequently suffer from back pain and don’t know the right way to treat them? Or do you think your home exercises are making the pain worse? Patients often mistake the difference between being physically active versus going to physical therapy to treat a specific injury, causing them to worsen the pain and fail to properly recover from herniated discs or muscular back strains.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, our host Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia, welcomes Dr. Eleanor McMillan, a physical therapist who loves to exercise and enjoy a healthy lifestyle; she’s also help...2020-09-0233 minBack Talk DocInnovations in Spine Surgery with Dr. Chris HollandAlthough advancements in technology have made many things possible in medicine, particularly in the surgical aspect, robotics is still somewhat a relatively new concept. This sector is gaining traction in the market, but you won’t find robots in most hospitals in the U.S.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is joined by neurosurgeon Dr. Chris Holland to explore surgical robots utilized in spine surgery. Chris goes in-depth into what surgical robots are, how these work, and how they’re adopted in the OR for neurosurgery or spine surgery. He emphasizes that thes...2020-08-1737 minBack Talk DocIntroduction to Spinal Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery with Dr. Dom CoricReplace defective joints in the knee and hips is not unheard of and there’s a big chance that you or someone you know has had this surgery done. But can this type of procedure be done to address issues in the spinal region?In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is joined by Dr. Dom Coric, who is an expert in spine trauma, spine surgery, and in particular, spinal arthroplasty. They dive deep into all aspects of artificial disc replacement surgery in the neck and lower back. Dom describes what happens during this ty...2020-08-0335 minBack Talk DocWhat’s the Point? Acupuncture vs Dry NeedlingAside from clinical treatments for back pain and pain in general, acupuncture and dry needling are increasingly becoming part of treatment plans prescribed by physicians. However, there are misconceptions about these two interventions, with people often interchanging one for the other.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia goes into a discussion on dry needling and acupuncture and the significant differences between these two treatment options. It’s not so much as which is more effective than the other, but rather which intervention is the best course of action for your specific issue....2020-07-2026 minBack Talk DocAll About the Thoracic Outlet SyndromeBesides cases of lower back pain, another common problem that most people face is neck pain. In severe instances, the pain shoots from the neck to the arm, which can lead to numbness and immobility. One condition that is often difficult to diagnose is the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS).In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is joined by Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates’ nurse practitioner Emily Tucker and physical therapist Jay Murugavel in this roundtable discussion on TOS. Drawing from his expertise, Jay dives into what the thoracic outlet is and what causes pain in...2020-07-0641 minBack Talk DocPicture this: Understanding spinal imagingOne of the most common responses to feeling back pain is asking your physician for an x-ray to determine what’s causing it. However, the process of coming to diagnosis to properly treat any pain goes more than just reading off of an x-ray or MRI test result.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia gives a rundown on how physicians determine the proper dedicated imaging option needed for a patient. Numerous factors affect decision-making as each scenario is different. First, the doctor takes a look at the medical history and identifies any red fl...2020-06-2225 minBack Talk DocFood is Medicine: The Benefits of Olive OilManaging inflammation and back pain goes beyond taking medication and undergoing surgeries or therapy. It requires overhauling your lifestyle to one that will support your healing, which involve taking care of your mental well-being, regular exercise, and a nutrition-dense diet. One of the food plans that is known for its anti-inflammatory benefits is the Mediterranean Diet, of which olive oil is a key component.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia speaks to Mary Mori, director for technical services at California Olive Ranch on olive oil. She talks about the olive fruit itself, the...2020-06-0140 minBack Talk DocTop 5 Non-Disc Causes of Low Back Pain and SciaticaIf you are experiencing lower back pain or sciatica, it’s important to determine its cause for proper treatment and better pain management. However, there are some cases where patients, who reported to have issues in this region, find out through medical diagnosis that the cause is not rooted in bulging or degenerative lumbar discs.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia dives deep into the top 5 reasons behind your lower back pain. These are the piriformis syndrome, sacroiliitis, lumbar and gluteal trigger point syndrome, hamstring strains and lumbar facet referral pain patterns. Most of...2020-05-1831 minBack Talk DocAdult Spinal Deformity with Dr. Matt McGirtIt’s pretty common to have your posture be significantly affected by a spine condition. Whether you’ve had congenital scoliosis as a child or went through an accident that caused the deformity, it’s important to have an understanding of these so you know your options are towards recovery. In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia speaks with Dr. Matt McGirt, a partner doctor at the Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates. Dr. McGirt dives deep into spinal deformities that occur in adults, including complex spines and scoliosis. He discusses the types of scoliosis that d...2020-05-0434 minBack Talk DocThe Recommended Diet to Reduce InflammationDid you know that nutrition plays an important role in contributing to your better quality of health and overall well-being? According to research, about 700,000 deaths and 15% disability cases have a correlation to poor nutrition. It’s not just diseases, but the pain that you’re feeling right now in your back and other parts of the body may be because of high levels of inflammation. And as clinics are not operating at full-capacity with the COVID-19 pandemic still underway, you can make a difference in managing your pain with the food that you eat. In this episode of B...2020-04-2030 minBack Talk DocTop 8 Apps to Help With PainThe world has shifted to a new normal due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Everyone is encouraged to stay at home, resulting in the medical community not operating at full capacity. You may not have the same access to your medical practitioner, but you can empower yourself and manage your pain while waiting for the storm to pass.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia shares 8 apps that can help you deal with pain in your back and in other parts of your body. Although these won’t provide the equivalent relief of a prescription pi...2020-04-0624 minBack Talk DocUnderstanding the Science of Practice in Neurosurgery and MedicineDr. Tony Asher, who specializes in brain and spine surgery, talks about the science of practice in this episode of Back Talk Doc. He introduces this concept, that’s being done on a national level, in order to accomplish three goals: boosting healthcare, cost efficiency and patient satisfaction. These outcome science programs aim to collect quantitative data based on studies and experience, and analyze that information, leading to better care for patients.He also shares how physicians can be involved in this initiative, without sacrificing the heart of medicine. There is a risk of devaluing the patient-physician re...2020-03-2338 minBack Talk DocWorth a Shot? Spinal Injections with Dr. Andrew SumichNot to be mistaken with the epidural administered during pregnancy labor and prior to childbirth, injecting medication to the spine has been an option widely considered by patients with low back pain. Whether they experience leg pain or not, or if their inflammation is related to disc herniations, more people are asking for this type of treatment. But did you know that, in particular, epidural steroid injections are not the best course to treat back pain?This week’s episode features Dr. Andrew Sumich of Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, whose expertise revolves around musculoskeletal medicine and in...2020-03-0246 minBack Talk DocBack on track: Exercise recovery with Josh Kollman DC and Bridgette Kelly PTYou don’t need to be a professional athlete to know that it’s important to give your body the rest and recovery it needs after a grueling workout or training session. Some people forget this and push themselves beyond their limit, increasing the risk of sustaining serious injuries. Even those who regularly exercise, no matter the age group, are as susceptible to getting injuries as an elite athlete.This episode of Back Talk Doc features Dr. Joshua Kollman, chiropractor at Carolina Sports Clinic and physical therapist Bridget Kelly, experts on the topic of recovery from physical exer...2020-02-1755 minBack Talk DocSports and Spine with Jake Beamon PTAVery often you hear this saying in the fitness world and athletic arena, “No pain, no gain”. It’s as if pain should be expected when you do exercise or undergo training for a sport and if you don’t, whatever you’re doing isn’t going to be effective. This kind of misinformation that exists in this field is one of the main reasons why injuries, particularly on the back, are prevalent among athletes. Because the truth is, the most you should feel while training is a little soreness or muscular discomfort.Today’s guest on Back Talk Doc...2020-02-0341 minBack Talk DocTreating Nerve Injuries with Dr. Alan TillotsonOne of the toughest conditions to treat is nerve injuries, particularly when it’s related to spinal conditions such as sciatic nerve injury. There are a lot of options for treatment when it comes to these conditions, which often involve a lot of pain relief medications, for instance. However, there is growing evidence on the effectiveness of the inclusion of herbal and alternative medicine and systems in treatment plans for patients suffering nerve damage. And a growing number of doctors are considering these types of products too.This episode of Back Talk Doc features Dr. Alan Tillotson, a...2020-01-2045 minBack Talk DocCutting Edge Surgery with Dr. Mark SmithCorrecting structural spinal problems involves techniques that will take years to practice and master for any neurosurgeon. Procedures not only need to effectively fix the issue, but make sure that no additional damage is done to adjacent areas, the skin and to the spine itself! Nowadays, patients are recommended a specific variety of surgery that does the job with lower risks compared to an open spine surgery.This episode of Back Talk Doc features Dr. Mark Smith, a practitioner who has been with Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates for 17 years, specializing in brain tumors, spine disorders and surgeries...2020-01-0638 minBack Talk DocBack Injuries at WorkThe statistics surrounding back injuries among adults is alarming and reflects how grave this problem is in society today. About 80% of adults will experience this type of injury, and at least 1 million of recorded cases are caused by manual labor, with trailer truck drivers as the top type of workers suffering from it. Even employees who sit still at their desks for at least 8 hours in a day can sustain these injuries too. Low back pain, which is the leading cause of disability, is common among office workers.Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia talks about the prevalence of back...2019-12-2319 minBack Talk DocThe Narrowed path, Understanding Spinal Stenosis with Joe Cheatle MDThe things that you do in a single day, no matter how minor you think they may be, is going to have a profound effect on your body soon. Are you feeling sharp pain in your legs, for instance? It may be because you’re putting too much pressure on your spinal cord or your unhealthy habits are already taking a toll on your spine. In this episode of Back Talk Doc, neurosurgeon Joe Cheatle, MD – whose interests spans brain tumors and degenerative spinal disorders to name a few – dives deep into spinal stenosis. While this illness is pre...2019-12-0640 minBack Talk DocGlute power with Ryan Klomparens, PTHave you ever heard of gluteal amnesia or dead butt syndrome? Did you know that this can happen when you sit for long periods of time without standing or moving around? Many of us are in this same situation every day, our backs hunched over the computer finishing tasks and projects at work. And if your glutes are weak, chances are you’re experiencing pain in your lower back.In this episode of Back Talk Doc, Ryan Klomparens – who is a Physical Therapist at the Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates – discusses why it’s important to keep your glu...2019-11-2534 minBack Talk DocTop 10 Back Pain MythsCarolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates welcome you to Back Talk Doc, a podcast dedicated to empowering you to take control of your back pain and enhance your quality of life. On this inaugural episode, we introduce our host, Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia, a board certified physiatrist and specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates.Dr. Lakhia is passionate about educating patients on how to care for their back by combining the best of holistic and conventional medicine approaches. He is the author of the patient education booklet, Back Talk, that addresses common questions you may...2019-11-1126 min
The Prosperous DocFinancial Pressures Influencing Physicians with Dr. Sanjiv LakhiaOn this episode of White Coat Wellness, we welcome Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia. Dr. Lakhia is a physician with Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, with offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Fort Mill, South Carolina. Dr. Lakhia joins us to discuss some of the unique financial pressures facing physicians today. (1:35)First, we hear Dr. Lakhi discuss the need for physician-specific health and wealth resources. (2:05) He goes on to examine how sound financial decisions can lead to better physical and emotional health. He also highlights the financial peer pressure that can undermine a physician's financial plans. (3:45) Dr. Lakhia then...2019-10-2126 minBack Talk DocWelcome to Back Talk DocHere on Back Talk Doc you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about back pain and spine health. Brought to you by Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, where providing personalized, highly-skilled, and compassionate spine care has been our specialty for over 75 years. And now, it’s time to understand the cause of back pain and learn about options to get you back on track!If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Lakhia and treatment options for back issues, go to BackTalkDoc.com. We look forward to having you join us for more insights about b...2019-10-2100 min