Tag Archives: spine

In Love and Health: Wyoming women have a history of back pain

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By Dr. Erick Johnson
Love & Health Chiropractic

New moms and new babies can benefit from spinal adjustments. Photo by Dr. Erik Johnson)

As we celebrate Women’s History this month, I can’t help but think of my women patients who have a history of health problems due to poor posture. Poor posture is not something that comes along simply because we forget to stand up straight. Several factors contribute. When women wear heels, the added stress on the hamstrings can impact the low back. Heels also shift the center of gravity forward, arching the back. Pregnancy can further stress the spine – as can carrying a child around on one hip. Women who are uncomfortable with tall height or a large bust may purposefully slouch. To top it off, smart phone use is causing all of us to bend our necks in ways that make our spines react badly.

The postures that result from these behaviors can disperse the loads on your spine incorrectly, weaken the tissues in your lower back, and impact the intricate network of muscles, discs, and joints in your back. The result is, of course, back pain.

As a chiropractor, I often explain to my patients that a healthy back has three natural curves: A forward curve at the neck; a backward curve at the upper back; and an inward curve at the lower back. Holding yourself in good posture maintains these natural curves. Poor posture does the opposite because it stresses muscles, ligaments, and bones.

To test your standing posture, take the Mayo Clinic wall test.

·       Stand with your head, shoulder blades and buttocks touching a wall with your heels about 2 to 4 inches (about 5 to 10 centimeters) away from the wall.

·       Slide your hand behind the curve in your lower back, with your palm flat against the wall. You should feel about one hand’s thickness of space between your back and the wall.

·       If there’s too much space, tighten your abdominal muscles to flatten the curve in your back.

·       If there’s too little space, arch your back so that your hand fits comfortably behind you.

Walk away from the wall while maintaining this posture. Keep it up throughout your daily activities.You will reduce wear and tear on joints, relieve stress on ligaments, and avoid back pain. Good posture can also help prevent muscle strain, overuse disorders, and back and muscular pain.

The good news, you can practice good posture. Save the heels for special occasions, hold your phone at eye level, and take special care during pregnancy and when carrying children. Remember that whatever body you have, it is a miraculous, beautiful gift. No need to slouch! And give your posture a boost with regular chiropractic adjustments.

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

Metro Health first Michigan hospital offering augmented reality guided surgery

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By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is now offering spine surgery using the Augmedics xvision Spine System, a groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) guidance system that allows surgeons to “see through” a patient’s anatomy as if they have “x-ray vision.”

“The xvision Spine System is the first AR guidance system to be used in surgery and we are excited to offer this to our patients at Metro Health,” said Dr. Ronald Grifka, Chief Medical Officer, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “xvision is groundbreaking technology that we feel will be a real game changer for our patients.”

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health reported that the first successful surgery with the Augmedics vision Spine System was on Sept. 21. (Supplied)

Similar to a real-time GPS technology, this “see-through” surgery allows surgeons to know exactly where to place implants in a patient’s unique spine anatomy, bringing a new standard of personalization and care to the operating room. The xvision Spine System is different from other image guidance systems, as it allows surgeons to maintain their focus directly on the patient, rather than searching for a distant screen displaying the patient’s anatomy.

“It utilizes a heads up retina display similar to military fighter jet technology allowing the surgeon to visualize the patient’s anatomy through the skin as if they have x-ray vision,” said Dr. John Keller, Neurosurgery Section Chief, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.

The xvision Spine System consists of a transparent near-eye-display headset and all the elements of a traditional navigation system. It accurately determines the position of surgical tools, in real-time, and superimposes them on the patient’s CT images. The navigation data is then projected onto the surgeon’s retina using the headset, allowing him or her to simultaneously look at both the patient and the navigation data. The xvision Spine System is designed to revolutionize how surgery is done by giving the surgeon better visualization and control, which may lead to safer, easier and more efficient surgical procedures.

“xvision allows our surgeries to be more efficient and more precise,” said Grifka. “I think it will add real benefits to patients and patient care. This is the future of surgery.”

Keller successfully performed his first surgery using xvision on Monday, Sept. 21. There are currently three surgeons who operate at Metro Health who have been trained and are actively using the system.

Advancement in robotic spine surgery comes to Metro Health

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Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is elevating its already renowned spine program, becoming the first hospital in Michigan to acquire the Mazor X™ spine surgery system for minimally invasive procedures.

 

Developed by Mazor Robotics, the Mazor X surgical assistance system combines unprecedented tools and analytics to plan operations, as well as unparalleled image-based guidance during operations.

 

The system brings exceptional precision to minimally invasive procedures. Because they require smaller incisions than open surgery, minimally invasive operations result in less pain, less blood loss and quicker recovery. 

 

“Minimally invasive surgery has been a major focus at Metro Health in recent years,” says Dr. Peter Hahn, chief medical officer. “The Mazor X will further enable our surgeons to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

 

Metro Health was also the first hospital in Michigan to use Mazor’s previous-generation robot for spine surgery, the Renaissance® guidance system.

 

“After completing more than 400 safe and successful surgeries with the previous robot, it was an easy decision to pioneer the Mazor X in Michigan,” says Dr. John Keller, section chief of neurosurgery at Metro. “This new robot gives us advantages before and during surgery that were not available even two years ago.”

 

Smaller incisions can pose a challenge for surgeons because the view of the patient’s anatomy is limited. The Mazor X system overcomes this challenge by providing a CT-based three-dimensional simulation of the patient’s spine, helping surgeons develop an optimal plan before entering the operating room. In addition, computer analytics provide precision guidance during the operation.

 

“Mazor X allows us to operate with greater accuracy, efficiency and confidence,” Hahn says. “We believe this is the safest and most accurate minimally invasive technology for spine procedures available.”