From Anders Cohen

Among the commonly prescribed medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), including common over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen, among others. These drugs are known for their pain-reducing capabilities, as well as for treating inflammation. Anders Cohen explains that these anti-inflammatory analgesics can also promote the initiation and maintenance of rehabilitation efforts. Opioid therapy – often used as a last resort, due to its narcotic nature – is also used to control chronic back pain, particularly for patients no longer responsive to non-opioid drugs.
Pain may cause behavioral responses unique to every individual, which is why psychiatric medications are also considered in the treatment of chronic back pain. Psychiatric medications are, however, an additional element to a comprehensive treatment plan for chronic pain, never a substitute. Constant and attentive follow-up is necessary to chart progress, detect symptoms that recur, or to discontinue ineffective treatment.

From Anders Cohen

More information on Dr. Anders Cohen may be found at www.esurgeon.com/acohen.

From Anders Cohen

From Anders Cohen

Acupuncture, originated in China over 2,000 years ago, has made its way to American shores and is now very popular as a treatment for many illnesses and symptoms including low back pain. It has also been studied as useful treatment to combat smoking, drinking, and drug addictions as well as easing headaches, menstrual cramps, asthma, nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, and many more.

This treatment involves thin needles placed into the patient’s skin in certain locations (“acupoints”) believed to correspond to the organs and other areas deep inside the body. A natural form of energy (“chi”) is important for a human body to function well. Dr. Anders Cohen adds that the “chi” has both bad (“yin”) and good (“yang”) qualities and finding the balance between these two is the objective of acupuncture.

From Anders Cohen

To seek the help of acupuncture to treat neck and back pain is largely personal. Dr. Anders Cohen advises patients to always seek well-trained acupuncturists to make the procedure painless and make use of sterile needles that carry almost zero percent risks of infection.

From Anders Cohen

The positive effects of acupuncture have not yet been proven scientifically but it is now becoming a well accepted form of treatment as so many people have benefited from the procedure’s substantial effects.

For more information about Dr. Cohen and other non-surgical treatment options, visit esurgeon.com.

From Anders Cohen

Lumbar laminectomy involves the trimming or removal of the roof of the lumbar vertebrae to create space for the nerves passing through the spinal canal. Back pain, radiating hip, buttocks, and leg pain, and numbness or tingling in the back and the lower extremities are symptoms of spinal stenosis, a condition which Dr. Anders Cohen explains is the result of a narrowed spinal canal.

From Anders Cohen

As people age, facet joints and intervertebral discs may either thicken or inflame into arthritic proportions, and osteophytic bone spurs may grow into the spinal canal. This causes spinal stenosis, where the spinal cord and the radiating nerve roots passing through the spinal canal become cramped from pressure impinged upon them by the bony projections. Back pain, radiating hip, buttock, and leg pain, lower extremity numbness, and back muscle weakness ensue.

From Anders Cohen

In a lumbar laminectomy, the soft tissue covering the spine is gently pulled aside to expose the vertebral bone. A portion or all of the lamina of the lumbar vertebrae is cut away, as are bone spurs and herniated discs, which contribute to the overcrowding of the nerves. Once bone removal is complete and all soft tissues are eased back into place, patients can enjoy relief as all sources of nerve and spinal cord compression and the subsequent muscle and limb pain they cause are gone.

For more information on Dr. Cohen, visit esurgeon.com/acohen.

From Anders Cohen

Anders Cohen explains that stress fractures are called vertebral compression fractures, and occur when the vertebral body is “squashed” or compressed in height because the load on the vertebrae exceeds its strength. Vertebral compression fractures can be caused by trauma from an accident, bone thinning from osteoporosis, or the spreading of a tumor into the spine, and may result in back pain, limited mobility, height loss, and spinal deformity. Extreme cases of the fractures are characterized by the protrusion of the vertebral body, as well as the impaired functioning of the bowel and the bladder.

You can avoid vertebral compression fractures through a simple regimen practiced daily. Anders Cohen enumerates:

From Anders Cohen

First, commit to a regular exercise routine. A few minutes of simple exercises such as walking, bike riding, and swimming goes a long way. Exercise does not need to be strenuous and painful.

Second, throw out the junk food. Eat right, eat healthy, and practice healthy living. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol because this contributes to bone density loss and inhibits bone formation.

Third, drink six to eight glasses of water each day to keep you hydrated. Water reduces the stiffness of the spine.

Finally, maintain good posture. Proper posture keeps the bones properly aligned and helps alleviate stress on the musculoskeletal systems.

Find more information about spinal health at www.esurgeon.com/acohen/.

From Anders Cohen

From Anders Cohen

The most common causes of back pain are sprains and strains. Muscle strain is caused by sudden force or pressure applied to the muscles before they are primed for activity, causing rips within the muscle tissue and the blood vessels. The pain is usually not felt upon impact, and only manifests after two to three hours, which is why some people can insist on finishing their tasks at hand and experience intense pain later. Dr. Anders Cohen advises to watch out for muscle strain symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and muscle spasms.

From Anders Cohen

A sprain is caused by the overstretching of the back ligaments. In some cases, the ligaments are completely torn. Sprains are usually caused by severe falls, motor vehicle accidents, overexertion, or twisting the back in the wrong direction. This condition may also cause sciatica – pain that extends down to the buttocks and legs, caused by an irritation of a larger nerve in the lumbar spine.

To prevent muscle strains and pains, it is important to always stretch, warm up, and condition your muscles thoroughly before engaging in strenuous physical activities. It is also advisable to not carry heavy loads, as it may strain the back muscles too much.

From Anders Cohen

More information on Dr. Anders Cohen may be found at www.esurgeon.com/acohen

From Anders Cohen

This contemporary era brought about dramatic changes in workplaces. Thanks to technology, majority of workers spend their time indoors by sitting in front of computers. They are pioneers in the latest trends, which include call center agents, programmers, customer service representatives, auditors, and search engine experts, among many others. Most companies utilize computers to track and enhance their employees’ tasks and progress, which enable faster and better production.

From Anders Cohen

Yet this technological marvel comes with a price. According to a recent article from Health.MSN, prolonged sitting on inappropriate office chairs can lead to back pain. Dr. Anders Cohen says that staying in a static position for a long period of time increases pressure and tension in the back, shoulders, neck, legs, and other body areas. This pressure to the spinal discs and back muscles are guaranteed to cause back pain, and may even result to herniated discs in worst case scenarios.

Spine-Health offers techniques and steps to ensure that a worker is comfortable in his position to avoid experiencing back pain. However, no matter what position a worker uses, it is important not to stay in the same position for more than thirty minutes.

More information about back pain and Dr. Cohen are available at www.esurgeon.com/acohen.

From Anders Cohen

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Unlike most injuries, leg pain may not be caused by leg problems. Dr. Anders Cohen has reason to believe that leg pain may be caused by back injuries.

The lumbar spine carries the most amount of body weight compared to other sections of the back and is prone to a significant amount of force and stress. Due to this, most back pains are results of problems in the lumbar spine or lower back. The lumbar spine plays an important role in holding the body upright. When the lumbar spine is damaged or in pain, the nerves send reaction signals to the brain. There are instances when instead of feeling pain on the lower back, the pain is radiated to the leg.

From Exercise

According to Dr. Anders Cohen, there are several vertebrae which are located in the lumbar spine. These vertebrae are separated by discs, which in turn are supported by ligaments and muscles. These discs play important roles in normal functions of the back and mobility. If these discs deteriorate, rapture, or become injured, the discs could cause extreme pain–an adverse condition referred to as Herniated Discs. Since the spine has numerous nerves which connect to different parts of the body, the leg pain a person may be experiencing could be the result of a radiating back pain from a herniated disc.

Dr. Cohen offers more information about herniated discs at www.esurgeon.com/acohen.

From Exercise

Elite neurosurgeon Dr. Anders Cohen says that one of the most common problems of his patients is spinal stenosis. A highly painful condition, spinal stenosis requires immediate professional attention.

Spinal Stenosis: An Overview

Spinal Stenosis is caused by new growth of bone or tissue on the vertebra. The new growth reduces the space in the spinal canal, pinching nerve roots and causing the body to feel pain. The growth normally causes painful burning, tingling, which, in extreme cases, are accompanied by a numbing sensation from the lower back to the legs, or even to the feet. This extreme pain renders patients to submit to discomfort throughout the day.

From Anders Cohen

Dr. Anders Cohen discusses that a healthy spinal canal has a rounded triangular shape which holds the spinal cord without pinching any of the nerve roots. Nerve roots leave the spinal canal through openings called nerve root canals, which are also free of obstruction. Considering the simple design of the spinal canal, having new bone growth compresses the space, pinches nerve roots, and leads to pain.

Immediate treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, rest, and medications. If these do not work, then surgery is often offered by neurosurgeons. Dr. Cohen always makes sure to discuss with his patients that the benefits of spine surgery must be weighed against its risks. A more detailed explanation about spinal stenosis and its treatment are available at www.esurgeon.com/acohen.

From Anders Cohen

Millions of Americans suffer from back pain, and it is one of the foremost reasons why people visit doctors. Yet half of them do not need back surgery. Dr. Anders Cohen explains that most non-serious back injuries are treatable by non-surgical methods.

From Anders Cohen

Dr. Cohen decides to use alternative therapies for the pain if there is nothing unstable, or problematic with a bone or disk. He believes that techniques that develop body symmetry, strengthen muscles, coordinate strength, and the likes, which bring the body in proper alignment, can ease pain in problem areas. By working on body symmetry, one can lessen soreness, and increase the body’s resistance to fatigue and injury.

From Anders Cohen

Acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic therapy are prime examples of alternative treatments. Acupuncture works by redistributing the body’s energy flow, which in turn balances the body. Dr. Anders Cohen personally experienced the healing wonders caused by acupuncture, and says that he felt 75% better after a treatment. Massages stretches muscles and removes knots in the body, by removing lactic acid which causes pain. Lastly, chiropractic therapies have soft tissue treatments which remove cycles of spasms which also cause soreness.

From Anders Cohen

Aside from these three methods, there are more non-surgical treatments which alleviate pain. Dr. Cohen recommends these treatments before going for surgery, especially if the injury is not intense and serious. More information about Dr. Cohen and his recommended forms of alternative treatments are available at www.esurgeon.com/acohen.

Anders Cohen is an internationally renowned neurosurgeon known for his skillful hands, both in practicing medicine and caring for patients. Previous patients commend his calming and soothing demeanor which gave Dr. Cohen a reputation as a physician who respectfully attends every patient’s needs.

From Anders Cohen

Dr. Cohen is the only medical practitioner in New York to treat degenerative scoliosis and spodylolithesis with minimally invasive decompression and correction. He focuses on cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and pioneered endoscopic lumbar decompression for small disc herniations. He is trained in both traditional and revolutionary advances for less invasive techniques to aid faster recovery periods. He also specializes in Chiari Malformations and Spinal Cord Dethethering for children.

From Anders Cohen

Aside from his exemplary specializations, Anders Cohen is also renowned throughout the world as a medical practitioner with exemplary bedside manners. Majority of his patients praise the doctor on his compassion and commitment to help patients, as well as his obvious patience and diligence in caring for them. In fact, he is frequently mentioned in rating websites such as Vitals.com, Dr.Score, and RateMDs.com for his exemplary service, as well as his staff’s friendliness, promptness, helpfulness, professionalism, and accuracy of diagnosis.

From Anders Cohen

Given his extensive practice in helping athletes, children, adults, and other professionals gave Dr. Cohen the wisdom and skill to give patients satisfactory experiences. More information about this exceptional neurosurgeon is available at www.esurgeon.com/acohen.