From Scalpels to Stem Cells: How Regenerative Medicine Is Changing Spine Surgery
For much of modern history, orthopedic surgery has relied on precision, hardware, and long recoveries. The rhythm was familiar: a problem in the spine or joint would lead to imaging, diagnosis, and ultimately surgery. But in the last decade, a quiet revolution has begun. Instead of opening the body to fix what is broken, physicians like Dr. Michael Gerling are learning how to help the body repair itself.
How do you get rid of a lower back spasm?
Lower back spasms can be painful, but they are treatable. Certain remedies, stretches, and lifestyle changes can help reduce or get rid of back spasms.
Does losing weight make an athlete better? Associations between body composition and performance
In endurance sports such as running and cross-country skiing, a lighter body weight can improve relative power generation and reduce energy consumption. However, losing weight requires an energy deficit, which can negatively impact health and performance. Therefore, weight optimization always involves balancing the benefits and risks. In addition to weight, body composition can also impact an athlete's performance.
What Is the P.O.L.I.C.E. Principle?
The P.O.L.I.C.E. principle may be the new way to ice and otherwise treat a musculoskeletal injury, such as a sprain or strain. The acronym stands for the five steps involved: protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, and elevation. One thing it's missing? Rest, a component of the long-used R.I.C.E. method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Some healthcare practitioners now consider P.O.L.I.C.E. an advanced and favored approach.
What to Do When You Have No Cartilage in Your Knee
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections is another technique that research shows is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis, including people with no cartilage in their knee. PRP uses concentrated blood platelets that contain growth factors. These growth factors ease pain by reducing the effect of inflammation at the cellular level.
