Spine, Back & Neck Treatments

SPINE PHYSIATRY

2025-07-07T13:09:34-07:00

SPINE PHYSIATRY: A conversation with Dr Tina Molumphy and Dr Manoj Mohan of Golden State Orthopedics & Spine

OVERVIEW

For centuries, people with disabilities have been treated by a variety of means, including motion, manipulation, and massage, to promote health, reduce pain, and improve physical function.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) officially became a medical specialty in the United States in 1947 and is now recognized as essential to improved healthcare.

Physiatry in general was developed to improve overall physical function and decrease pain. Spine physiatry focuses on patients with various spine issues. The spine physiatrist is an

SPINE PHYSIATRY2025-07-07T13:09:34-07:00

Flying Doctors Medical Mission, Bahia Tortugas 

2024-02-06T14:01:46-08:00
Bahia Tortugas is a tiny fishing village on the western coast of Baja, CA, and home to about two thousand people who are served by one doctor and his “pasante” or intern. They have limited medical facilities, no functioning operating room, and none of the advanced diagnostic equipment we in the United States consider standard such as an MRI.
Bahia Tortugas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Source: Google Maps

The dry, dusty desert town is exactly ten and a half hours’ drive south of Ensenada and ten and a half hours’ drive
Flying Doctors Medical Mission, Bahia Tortugas 2024-02-06T14:01:46-08:00

XLIF Procedure

2023-11-30T13:58:04-08:00

We’re going talk a little bit about the lateral interbody fusion. Another name for this procedure is the XLIF procedure. This is a procedure in which we access the spine via a lateral flank incision. This provides direct access to the spine with minimal tissue dissection. 

This video will illustrate a little bit more about this technique.

The back is made up of a number of small bones called vertebrae. Cushioning discs present between the vertebrae act as

XLIF Procedure2023-11-30T13:58:04-08:00

AVOID OR MINIMIZE ELBOW INJURIES

2023-05-15T13:37:27-07:00

Lateral epicondylitis

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is caused by repeated muscle contractions of the forearm and wrist, resulting in pain and irritation of the affected muscles.  Overuse of the forearm and wrist muscles, or overloaded muscles may become sore and painful causing inflammation.

An individual with “Tennis elbow” may experience muscle soreness, pain, or persistent discomfort on the outer, or lateral, part of

AVOID OR MINIMIZE ELBOW INJURIES2023-05-15T13:37:27-07:00

AVOID OR MINIMIZE BACK INJURIES

2025-06-06T15:30:28-07:00

Roughly 40 percent of amateur golfers are injured each year, and lower back injuries are the most frequent injury.  Injuries to the lumbar spine are the most common musculoskeletal injuries in golfers. Professional golfers tend to develop overuse injuries, whereas recreational golfers tend to sustain acute traumatic injuries. The lumbar spine intervertebral disc sees forces equivalent to roughly 8 times body weight during a golf swing, with higher peak forces in recreational golfers. The stress on the spine in golf is asymmetric, with increased stress on the trail side (typically the right side), as

AVOID OR MINIMIZE BACK INJURIES2025-06-06T15:30:28-07:00

Dr. Lee Talks to News 7 About Steve Kerrs Back Surgery Woes

2022-05-16T15:19:56-07:00

 

Suffering from nearly two years of complications from surgery, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr advised people on April 23 not to have back surgery, period. Kerr may miss the rest of the NBA Playoffs because of the agony he’s gone through after complications from surgery two years ago for a ruptured disc.

For the vast majority of people, GSOS spine surgeon Dr. Steven Lee told ABC’s News 7, “I would agree with Steve Kerr don’t do surgery.” He echoed Kerr’s advice to do rehab, rehab, rehab before ever considering back surgery.

“So, when people don’t respond to rehab, getting in shape, changing their lifestyle

Dr. Lee Talks to News 7 About Steve Kerrs Back Surgery Woes2022-05-16T15:19:56-07:00

Ten Tips to Avoid and Handle Back Pain When Caring for Your New Baby

2022-05-16T14:49:07-07:00

 

 

Being a new mom or dad can lead to back pain with all that new baby lifting and feeding. Get tips from a back care pro to prevent herniated discs, sciatica and more.

As a new parent, you are warned about the sleepless nights and the frequent diaper changes. But probably no one told you about the possible back pain that can come from carrying and holding an infant for several hours a day.

It is common that during pregnancy a woman will experience back pain due to the extra weight she is carrying. This usually goes away a few weeks after the delivery but

Ten Tips to Avoid and Handle Back Pain When Caring for Your New Baby2022-05-16T14:49:07-07:00

Winter Sports Injuries

2022-05-16T14:45:33-07:00

 

WINTER SPORTS INJURIES

IT’S ALWAYS FUN UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT

We can’t resist the lure of snow at Lake Tahoe, and the winter sports we love. Even during COVID-19 and especially with our warmer Bay Area weather, we are willing to put the chains on the car and brave the winter storms in the mountains to get out and play.

Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowmobiling and sledding are fun winter activities, but they are not without risk. Some things you can do to set yourself up for a successful day include making sure your equipment is in good repair and adequate

Winter Sports Injuries2022-05-16T14:45:33-07:00

Keeping a Healthy Back

2022-05-16T12:57:04-07:00

If you have back pain, you are not alone. Eighty percent of people will experience back pain in their lifetime. While most back pain will resolve within several months, 70 percent of people will have a reoccurrence of their back pain.

With that many people affected, it may seem that back pain is inevitable. It’s not. You can take steps to promote a healthy back through good posture, avoiding strain and appropriate exercises.

Your Back’s Three Natural Curves

Learn and practice good posture and body mechanics. Maintaining your back’s three natural curves (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) in their normal position is important to good

Keeping a Healthy Back2022-05-16T12:57:04-07:00

Four Easy Ways to Prevent Text Neck

2022-06-08T06:36:32-07:00

Text neck, sometimes called tech neck, is a repetitive stress injury caused by constantly looking down at your smartphone, laptop or other mobile device. The orthopedic issue isn’t overuse of these devices, but how that overuse negatively affects your body.

The human head weighs between 10 and 13 pounds, which is fairly heavy. Of course, the neck and spine are designed to support that weight. But that’s not the effective weight when the head is bent down looking at a smartphone or laptop computer.

Consider that neutral head posture is when the ears are in line with the neck and shoulders. For every

Four Easy Ways to Prevent Text Neck2022-06-08T06:36:32-07:00

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