Neurosurgeons are responsible for the care of all diseases of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the surrounding bone and tissue. Although our professionals at BASIC Spine tend to focus on aberrations of the spinal cord and vertebrae, we are also knowledgeable in the area of brain diseases.

Many brain infections can lead to neurological problems, and can require brain surgery to remove pockets of infection or to apply physical treatments. It is important for those who have problems with the spine and brain to know what infections may occur and how to prevent them.
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Although some back conditions can be diagnosed by a thorough medical history and physical, most problems will require some sort of diagnostic imaging for definitive diagnosis. To the patient, the number and type of these procedures can be bewildering. You may wonder what they are for, what the difference is, and what they show the doctor.

Each type of imaging procedure shows your doctor different aspects of your back condition. Some are particularly effective in showing bone, and some are more suited to soft tissue problems.
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Every year, thousands of men and women become doctors. Some of them are good at their chosen professions, and some are below average. With so many choices out there, it can be difficult for patients to make a determination about what doctor to see for pain treatment.

Chronic back problems are some of the most complex and technically challenging conditions that most doctors will see. How do you pick a doctor and ensure you get the best person for the job?
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Obesity is a rampant problem in the United States, and unfortunately, it can cause a number of back problems. From herniated discs to lordosis, or swayback, excess weight can wreak havoc on your back.

If you already have a predisposition to back conditions, such as from a job that requires lifting, even as much as 10 extra pounds can make you more susceptible to back ailments.

Those who are overweight often experience more difficulty in recovering from minor back problems, as well, and back surgery is sometimes risky for the super obese.
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The television show Today in America with host and former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw did a story on BASIC and featured several of our patients success stories.

We are thrilled to be on this prestigious show and were honored to be able to showcase some of our patients remarkable recoveries. Mr. Bradshaw was a great host and we look forward to the continued success of his program.

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Diabetes is a chronic condition that results in extremely high blood sugar levels. At BASIC, we understand that many chronic pain conditions are often accompanied by other secondary conditions, and further complications. One of the most common conditions that results from the diagnosis of diabetes, and one of the most serious, is diabetic neuropathy.

Causes

Because of the high blood sugar levels that are characteristic of diabetes, many of the nerves in the body can be affected and damaged. Having high levels of sugar in the bloodstream is extremely toxic. (more…)

Spasticity is the abnormal flexion or clenching of muscles. It is manifested by an increase in the tone of the muscle or by stronger, exaggerated reflexes.

Although it can occur anywhere in the body, it is most commonly associated with the arms and legs. This is where the joints of the body become locked up and flexed from the inciting condition. Spasticity can be caused by a number of conditions. The most common one is stroke, because the stroke destroys the portion of the brain responsible for muscle movements.

It also occurs with brain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and head trauma. The condition is characterized by spasms in the muscle, and these spasms are often uncontrollable and painful.

We understand the needs of patients who are experiencing spasticity. (more…)

Nearly all forms of cancer and their resultant treatments cause pain. Whether you have pain from a spinal tumor pushing on nerves or are suffering the pain from having a breast removed, cancer and pain seem to go hand in hand, unfortunately. In our culture, many myths and wrong minded attitudes have developed around the treatment of pain. Simply, if you have pain, you should take something for it. Period.

At BASIC, we are sensitive to your pain management needs as a cancer patient, and we can discuss with you any concerns you might have. You should not suffer in pain – ever! – and we can help you to manage the medications the best way possible.
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Everywhere you turn, from the internet to the grocery store shelves, you are bombarded with advertisements for Advil, Aleve, and Bayer. These drugs form a category of medications known as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and they are recommended for everything from chronic arthritis to headaches.

In addition to aspirin, there are several types of both non-prescription (over the counter) and prescription branded NSAIDs. They are so common, in fact, that you may have overlooked them to treat your chronic pain.
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For many people who suffer back or neck pain, or other forms of chronic pain, their treatment is not the last step of their recovery. There are numerous other side effects that can take place as a patient is recovering from pain, some of them temporary and many of them serious.

One common result of enduring a medical condition, trauma, or pain is developing adjustment disorder. Adjustment disorder (AD) is characterized by an inability to cope or deal with a stressful life event, manifested in a number of symptoms that typically begin two months after the event occurred.

These symptoms include, but are not limited to:

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