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Dr. Bradley D. Ahlgren welcomes you to our blog and invites you to browse around for the latest news in orthopedic spine surgery and more.

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Neck and Arm Pain: How Can a Pain Management Doctor Help?

A pain management doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating patients who experience acute (sudden), chronic (ongoing), or intermittent pain. Because of this physician’s focused medical training in determining the precise source of pain and recommending treatment that works, they’re best able to help you quell your pain effectively. If you’re seeking a pain management doctor… 

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Importance of Getting Treatment for Your Child’s Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that most obviously appears when you are standing or sitting upright (apparent when the back is bare), and it is usually in an S-shape or C-shape. It can develop in both adults and children, but children who are between the ages of 10 and 15 are at the… 

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Benefits Of Hands-On (Manual) Physical Therapy

While a massage may bring to mind a relaxing day at the spa, the health benefits of manual therapy go far beyond that. For instance, manual therapy can also help with a musculoskeletal injury or disorder. Physical therapy uses manual or non-drug methods to relieve pain and restore function. Physical therapists skillfully use their hands… 

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When to Consider Injections for Sciatica Pain Relief

The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down both legs to the feet. When this nerve gets irritated or compressed, it can result in a painful condition called sciatica. You may also feel a tingling sensation, numbness, or weakness from your hip down to your foot. (Usually, only one side is affected in sciatica.)… 

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Classification of Orthopedic Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries which are purely orthopedic (musculoskeletal) rather than affecting the spinal cord can take many forms, from hairline vertebral fractures to herniated discs to arthritis. An orthopedic spinal injury can be minor to severe, with minor back injuries possibly needing only noninvasive treatment (such as physical therapy) whereas severe injuries may warrant back surgery… 

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Natural Treatments for Sciatica

Sciatica is a painful condition that affects the sciatic nerve, causing swelling and numbness in the leg. This nerve is located in the lower back and branches to the buttocks and down the legs. Sciatica is usually a symptom of other conditions like herniated disc, bone spur, and spinal stenosis. Fortunately, most cases of sciatica… 

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Spinal Stenosis: Treatment Options

Stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine, which can compress the spinal cord and nerves. It can produce symptoms that range from radiating pain, numbness, and weakness to gait problems, depending on the location of the narrowing. Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck region, while lumbar… 

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Lumbar Spine Herniated Disc Treatment Options

Lumbar disc herniation occurs when the integrity of one or more spinal discs in the lower back gets compromised due to aging, wear-and-tear, disease, or injury. The affected discs may bulge or even burst, pressing on the spinal cord. This pressure can cause pain or, in severe cases, paralysis. Fortunately, there are many herniated disc… 

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What to Expect From Seeing a Pain Management Doctor

There are many back and neck health problems that have pain as a symptom. Some conditions cause temporary pain, such as whiplash. Once the injury heals, the pain goes away. Other conditions are incurable, such as osteoarthritis, and cause chronic pain. Many causes of chronic pain have to do with the musculoskeletal system. This is… 

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Recovering from Low-Back Surgery

Severe back pain is the number-one cause of work absenteeism worldwide – it is a truly debilitating condition. In the U.S., almost 20% of adults report having a recent episode of back pain, particularly in the lower back. If you are able to have surgery to alleviate your back pain, you may be curious about… 

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