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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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Chronic Spinal Pain: What Are the Treatment Options?

Many people think that back pain is just something that everyone has to live with at some point in their lives. Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 25% of American adults experience low back pain. Pain is considered chronic once it has lasted for more than three… 

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What Does a Spine Surgeon Treat?

Your spine does it all, from keeping you upright to enabling flexibility of your torso to housing your spinal cord. Naturally, age-related degeneration or back injury can take its toll – and this warrants expert medical attention. The best type of doctor to see for an evaluation and treatment of your back pain is a… 

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What to Know About Scoliosis Treatment for Kids

Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine that causes it to have a pronounced curve, measuring at least 10 degrees or more. It affects the thoracic or lumbar region of the spine. As a result, the shoulders, hips, and waist look uneven. The arms may hang awkwardly beside the body. The head may not look… 

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Most Common Spinal Disorders

There are many issues that can affect the spine, causing back pain and a reduced ability to move the back very well. Spinal disorders may result from an injury, wear, and tear, or a structural deformity. Let’s talk about some of the most common problems that can affect the spine, and where you can go… 

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Five Pain Management Myths

Severe joint pain, back pain, and other orthopedic conditions can prevent you from carrying out your normal everyday activities, from working to driving to grocery shopping. To the rescue is professional medical pain management, which harnesses various techniques to help mitigate acute or chronic pain. There are some common misconceptions and myths surrounding medical pain… 

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What Causes Chronic Spinal Pain?

Spinal pain is often felt in the cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) region. Pain symptoms include stiffness, limited range of motion, weakness, and muscle spasms. Pain can turn chronic, especially without proper treatment. Pain can also radiate into the upper and lower extremities. For whatever reason, chronic spinal pain can keep you from your… 

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Surprising Benefits of Scoliosis Treatment

In scoliosis, the spine takes on a curved shape like an “S” or a “C.” It usually develops after a child undergoes a growth spurt. Mild scoliosis may not cause any problems during the patient’s lifetime. However, if the spinal curvature is moderate to severe, it can cause back pain, disability, and difficulty in breathing… 

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How Will a Doctor Determine the Type of Back Pain I Have?

If you’re plagued by back pain, know that you’re not alone. It is a common problem, which experts estimate to affect up to 80 percent of the adult population in the United States. Back pain may develop without an obvious cause, but it can also occur due to: A muscle or ligament strain – From… 

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Can an Orthopedic Surgeon Help Me with Tailbone Pain in My Spine?

Tailbone pain – also referred to as coccydynia – is pain that occurs in or around the last bone at the bottom of the spine, known as the coccyx (tailbone). Damage or inflammation to the coccyx, or to the surrounding structures, can cause pain and tenderness in the bony area just above the buttocks. Sometimes… 

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Should I See a Doctor for My Back Pain?

Back pain is a common cause of misery not only among many Americans but among millions of people the world over. It comes as no surprise that it has been deemed by experts as one of the world’s biggest health problems. Many cases of back pain are either self-limiting or respond to conservative treatment (over-the-counter… 

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