Workers’ Compensation Back Injury Settlement: Your Full Guide from Claim Filing to Final Payout
Reviewed by Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, Deuk Spine InstituteMedically reviewed on December 17, 2025 Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options. Back injuries account for close to 20% […]
The Connection Between Back Pain and Cold Weather: What You Need to Know
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD – Board Certified Neurosurgeon As the temperature drops, many people start to notice familiar aches and stiffness creeping in, especially in their backs. If you’ve ever wondered why your back pain seems worse in winter, you’re not imagining it. Back pain in cold weather is a common concern, and there […]
Reading Your MRI Report: Bulging Discs vs. Herniated Discs
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD – Board Certified Neurosurgeon Key Points ✓ An X-ray cannot diagnose a herniated disc. MRI is the only imaging tool that accurately shows what is happening to the soft tissues in your spine. If no current MRI exists, no treatment should be on the table yet. ✓ There are nearly […]
Sports Injuries and Spine Health: Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Treatments
Understanding Sports-Related Spine Injuries and Their Causes When Tiger Woods made his dramatic return to professional golf following multiple lumbar spine surgeries, including treatment for disc herniation and spondylolisthesis, it became one of sport’s most remarkable comebacks. His story illustrates what countless athletes face: even the most elite competitors are vulnerable to spinal injuries caused […]
Canal Stenosis Treatments: From Physical Therapy to Minimally Invasive Surgery
Canal Stenosis If you have canal stenosis, you’re probably dealing with pain, numbness, or weakness that makes everyday activities difficult. Maybe walking to the mailbox leaves your legs aching, or your hands feel clumsy when you’re trying to button a shirt. Canal stenosis happens when the main tunnel in your spine (called the spinal canal) […]
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery—A New Standard for Patients
In the United States, nearly 65 million people report suffering from chronic back pain, with millions more experiencing chronic neck pain. Chronic neck and back pain are among the most prevalent conditions in the country, and also one of the most costly, ranking sixth overall, with an annual cost of more than $12 billion. Traditionally, […]
Whiplash and Delayed Onset Pain: Why You Hurt Days After an Accident
Whiplash can feel confusing and even a little scary, especially when the pain shows up long after the accident. Many people walk away from a collision or sudden impact thinking they are fine, only to wake up days later with neck pain that seems to come out of nowhere. If this has happened to you, […]
Tech Neck: The Hidden Cost of Looking Down (And How to Reverse It)
A Modern Epidemic Hiding in Plain Sight You’re reading this right now, and chances are your head is tilted down toward a screen. Whether you’re hunched over your laptop, scrolling through your phone, or sitting at your desk, you’re likely adding 30 to 40 pounds of extra pressure on your cervical spine, without even realizing […]
The Night Shift: Best Sleeping Positions and Pillows for Neck Pain
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD | Board-Certified Spine SurgeonMedically Reviewed: December 02, 2024 Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options. Don’t have an MRI yet? Start your spine care journey […]
It’s Not Carpal Tunnel: When Hand Numbness Starts in Your Neck
When Hand Symptoms Start in the Neck, Not the Wrist Symptoms like numbness and tingling going down your arms and into your hands are common signs of carpal tunnel. But what if I told you this is a common misdiagnosis? What if the symptoms were actually coming from your neck? Pinched nerves in the neck […]