Neck and Back Blog | New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C.

Time to Fix This Pain In The Neck! When is it time for cervical herniation surgery and what does it involve?

August 30, 2019August 30, 2019 by Dr. Sandro LaRocca, M.D.

The vertebrae that start at the base of your skull and are in your neck are called cervical vertebrae. You have 7 cervical vertebrae and your surgery will name which ones surround the damaged disc. For example, you may have been told you “need a discectomy and fusion of C 6-7.” You may hear your … Read more

How Spine Surgery Has Changed for the Better

July 31, 2019July 31, 2019 by Dr. Sandro LaRocca, M.D.

It’s a great time to be a spine surgeon, and it’s an even better time to be a spine surgery patient! We all know people who had back surgery decades ago and we hear their stories of how enormous and traumatic it was. Just about every type of spine surgery has improved over time. When … Read more

Cervical Neck Surgery Recovery Guide: 5 Tips To Speed Up Time It Takes To Heal

July 31, 2019July 3, 2018 by NJNBI

Neck Surgery Recovery Guide - Lawrenceville, NJ - New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C.

Nobody wants to have spine surgery, but it is sometimes necessary. Naturally, trying alternative remedies and treatments is always the first course of action. If you have experienced neck pain for some time and you have followed the available treatment options but the results you were hoping for haven’t been forthcoming, then you may need … Read more

Pre Surgical Anxiety: 17 Tips on How To Stay Calm Before Going Into Surgery

July 31, 2019June 12, 2018 by NJNBI

Pre Surgery Anxiety Guide - Lawrenceville, NJ - New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C.

The feeling of anxiety before going under surgery, also known as preoperative or preoperational anxiety, is incredibly common. A lot of patients who know they will have surgery will start to experience it. Anxiety before surgery is essentially described as unpleasant stress, uneasiness, or tension that results from the fears and doubts of patients. What … Read more

Considering Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery In New Jersey? Here Are Some Facts and Benefits To Know

July 31, 2019June 11, 2018 by NJNBI

Spondylolisthesis - Toms River, NJ - New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C.

When considering surgery as an option for successfully treating a back condition, it is important to understand the differences between surgeries to determine what option is best for you. Typically, surgery is only reserved for when conservative methods of treatment—such as medication or physical therapy—have failed to provide relief from pain and other symptoms.

12 Common Causes of Back Pain

July 31, 2019May 15, 2018 by NJNBI

Back Pain - Toms River, NJ - New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C.

Your spine is a complex, vital structure made up of vertebrae (bones), tendons, ligaments, muscles and cushiony discs. When there is an issue with any of these components, back pain may be the result.

Is Sciatica Causing My Back Pain or Is It Something Else?

July 31, 2019March 25, 2018 by NJNBI

The term Sciatica is, as you noted below, is generally used as a general term for back pain into the buttock or leg. A true “sciatica” is from compression of the sciatic nerve which is a nerve composed by a number of spinal nerves, typically L3-S1. A true compression is from something like a piriformis syndrome whereas compression of one of the spinal nerves in the spine occurring from one of the conditions you list below.

The Snow Shovelers’ Survival Kit

July 31, 2019February 7, 2018 by NJNBI

Every year, during the few winter months in New Jersey a lot of people are going to wake up in pain. Thousands will make hospital trips and many may even require surgery. Why is there such a spike in back injuries at this part of the winter season? Because people underestimate the risks of back … Read more

7 Resources for Learning About Spine Surgery

July 31, 2019December 29, 2017 by NJNBI

You’ve just been told you may need surgery to correct your spine condition, but where do you go to learn more about the process? With so much information on the Internet, it can be tough deciphering what sites have gathered information from legitimate sources.

Is Your Desk Job a Pain in the Neck?

July 31, 2019September 7, 2017 by NJNBI

You normally wouldn’t think about it, but everything from the way you drive during your daily commute to the arrangement of your desk is affecting your spine, which can literally result in a pain in the neck. Poor posture and bad habits leave your neck stiff and sore. Other symptoms associated with neck pain may include: