Spine-Talks

In this episode of Get Back To It, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Rich Rabin, a technology and product leader whose life was upended by severe nerve pain caused by an L5–S1 disc herniation. What began as manageable glute pain progressed into debilitating nerve symptoms that affected his sleep, mobility, and overall quality of life. After months of conservative treatments—including physical therapy and injections—Rich ultimately underwent a microdiscectomy to relieve nerve compression.While surgery addressed the primary issue, recovery proved gradual and unpredictable. Rich shares candidly about the mental and emotional challenges of healing, the importance of self-advocacy, and learning that spine recovery is rarely linear.Inspired by his own frustration tracking fluctuating symptoms, Rich created Recoverly, a free iPhone app designed to help patients log daily symptoms and identify trends—supporting clearer communication with healthcare providers.Rich’s story is a powerful reminder that healing takes patience; progress isn’t always steady, and resilience can grow from even the most difficult setbacks. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

In this episode of Spine Talks, we  explore the vital topic of osteoporosis — a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures — with two world-class experts from complementary fields: Dr. Robert Adler, an endocrinologist from Virginia Commonwealth University and the Richmond VA Center who has spent more than 30 years studying osteoporosis in women and men, and Dr. Paul Anderson, an orthopedic spine surgeon from the University of Wisconsin who leads bone health programs aimed at preventing fractures and improving surgical outcomes, and co-chairs our Task Force.Together, they uncover what most people don’t realize: bones are living, changing organs that constantly remodel throughout life. The doctors discuss:How bone health changes over time and why osteoporosis is often silent until a fracture occursSimple, preventive steps — nutrition, vitamin D, calcium, and weight-bearing exerciseDiagnostic tools like the DEXA scan, and who should be screenedThe intersection of spine surgery and bone health — why bone optimization matters before surgeryOsteoporosis in men, a frequently overlooked population with higher mortality after fracturesModern treatments, including antiresorptive and anabolic medications, their safety, effectiveness, and how they restore bone strengthThe episode emphasizes that osteoporosis is preventable and treatable, with the right combination of lifestyle, medical care, and awareness. Both doctors encourage patients to be proactive advocates for their bone health and start conversations with their physicians about screening and treatment options. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

A virtual tour of exciting minimally invasive advancements , brought to you by the nation’s leading experts in spinal health care. If you or someone you know is suffering from neck or back pain, you are not alone. Spine-Talks® is where you go for answers. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

 Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

 Dr. Thomas Schuler, CEO of the Virginia Spine Institute and Chairman of the Medical and Scientific Board for the Spine Health Foundation (NSHF) and NSHF CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on spine health. In this message, they talk about telemedicine, home exercise, healthy habits and more. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

Our CEO, Rita Roy, MD and Medical & Scientific Board Chairman, Thomas Schuler, M.D., F.A.C.S. of Virginia Spine Institute host a panel of the nation's top spine experts on adult deformity.1. Lawrence Lenke, MD, Columbia Orthopedics (New York, NY)2. Serena Hu, MD, Stanford University (Redwood City, CA)3. Ron Lehman, MD, Columbia Orthopedics (New York, NY)  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

 Two spine surgeons from our Medical & Scientific Board, Dr. Thomas Schuler (Reston, VA) and Dr. Scott Blumenthal (Plano, TX) discuss what patients need to know about artificial disc replacements.  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

Experts from the National Spine Health Foundation's Medical & Scientific Board answer common patient questions on spine health. Notably, when is spine surgery a good idea?Featured Panelists include: Dr. Thomas Schuler (Reston, VA) as Moderator, Dr. Domagoj Coric (Charlotte, NC), Dr. Zoher Ghogawala (Boston, MA), Dr. Luis Tumialan (Phoenix, AZ), Dr. Michael Wang (Miami, FL), and Dr. Rita Roy (NSHF's CEO). Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

We're excited to introduce our newest Spine Talks episode, featuring insights from Rajin Sethi, Executive Medical Director at Virginia Mason Health's Neuroscience and Spine Center, his dedicated team, and a resilient patient.Sethi's extensive experience will guide you through the complexities of choosing the right treatment for your spine condition. From exploring options to understanding the impact, this episode is your compass toward informed choices for a healthier spine.  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

Join us for this captivating conversation with world-renowned spine surgeon, Lawrence Lenke, MD, and one of his scoliosis patients, Pat Schellhorn. In this open and honest conversation about Pat’s complex medical diagnosis, Dr. Lenke shares his advice on how doctors can improve their patient care by listening to their patients, counseling patients on the right treatment path, and encouraging patients to be active participants in their medical care. Between Pat’s perseverance to find the right doctor for her treatment and Dr. Lenke’s expertise in spinal deformity, this conversation highlights how important the balance of both are to successful outcomes.  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

Join Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the Spine Health Foundation, as she sits down with Dr. Jason Savage (Orthopedic Spine Surgeon & LSRS President) and Dr. Sara Davin (Pain Psychologist, Cleveland Clinic) to discuss the real impact of low back pain.They cover:-When spine surgery is helpful and when it’s not-The mental health side of chronic pain-How programs like Empowered Relief and “Trek for Surgical Success” are changing recovery-Why whole-person care leads to better outcomes-Tackling stigma and the opioid crisis in spine treatmentIf you or a loved one is dealing with back pain, this conversation offers hope, guidance, and practical tools for navigating the journey.🧠 Learn more at: https://spinehealth.org🔔 Subscribe for more expert insights. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

 If you're experiencing neck pain, you will want to listen to this informative panel discussion with the leading experts on the cervical spine. Learn more about how the spinal cord is the central highway connecting the brain to the body and how it controls the motions in your legs and arms, strength, balance, bowel and bladder function. Expert panelists include National Spine Health Foundation Medical and Scientific Board Members: Dr. Todd Albert (Hospital for Special Surgery), Dr. Jeffery C. Wang (Keck Medicine of USC), Dr. Alexander Vaccaro (Rothman Orthopaedics), Dr. Rick Sasso (Indiana Spine Group), Dr. James S. Harrop (Thomas Jefferson University). Moderated by: Dr. Thomas C. Schuler (Virginia Spine Institute) and Dr. Rita Roy (CEO, NSHF).Most neck problems can be treated nonoperatively with treatments such as anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, home exercise programs, massage and acupuncture. With these conservative treatments, most neck pain can be relieved. In cases where neck pain doesn’t resolve or there is nerve damage, surgery may be recommended. Speaking with your doctor about different options is the best course of action. Disc replacement, fusions and a hybrid of both are a few types of surgery that your doctor may recommend. This panel discusses the benefits and outcomes of these different types of surgery.  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

With the advancements in technology and data, treatments for spinal deformity and pain are abundant for helping those with scoliosis at any age. There is no cookie cutter approach for any one person.  In this video, you will hear from some of the best spine doctors in the nation who are empowering YOU with research to take to your doctor and make informed treatment decisions FOR you.  “We are treating human beings, not an x-ray. We are looking at the patient’s perception of the cosmetic deformity or the pain they want solved,” says Dr. Munish Gupta, spine Surgeon at Washington University Orthopedic.  Tune in to hear more from Dr. Gupta and his colleagues at the National Spine Health Foundation’s panel in Miami as they address the critical shift in medicine over the past couple decades. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

 This easy to follow discussion helps people understand the condition of osteoporosis, which is a weakening of the bones, and why this matters to your spine health. In addition, the experts delve into how to prevent osteoporosis, how to treat it if you have it, and why bone health is such an important component of spine health, and your overall health. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

In the rapidly evolving spine care field, how do experts stay up-to-date on the latest treatments and innovations? Attending professional society meetings like the North American Spine Society (NASS), helps doctors stay current, learn from peers, and be part of the process of evidence development. Listen to this fascinating conversation among NASS leaders covering topics from ethics in research, to congressional action, to getting second opinions. Watch rare public insight into the world’s largest professional spine society meeting and, why people should care. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

When experiencing lower back pain, often it can be challenging to determine the actual source of the pain. The anatomy of the lower back has many important muscles connected to it which are also connected to the pelvic bones. The joint that connects the hip bone to the lower spine is known as the sacroiliac joint or the S-I Joint. The sacroiliac joint can get inflamed, undergo trauma, or otherwise be out of alignment and cause pain that emanates from the gluteal or buttock region. But how do you know if your lower back pain is coming from your spine or from your sacroiliac joint? In our latest Spine-Talks, Dr. David Polly, an illustrious and celebrated spine leader, highlights the importance of identifying where your pain is coming from and the SI Joint journey. Dive deeper into this fascinating presentation and demonstration of the lower back and the SI joint, and learn strategies for managing pain. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

Featuring the National Spine Health Foundation’s Opioid, Pain, & Spine Health Task Force, our experts discuss the significant challenges surrounding back and neck pain management and the appropriate use of opioid medications in managing both acute and chronic spine pain. Our expert panel highlights the complexity of pain management following spine surgery, the risks associated with opioid use, and ways to minimize opioid dependency while effectively managing pain.This compassionate conversation touches on modern strategies, including multimodal pain management, the implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, and the promise of personalized medicine tailored to individual patient needs. Our Task Force dives into the importance of patient education to prevent opioid addiction and the benefit of understanding genetic profiles in predicting opioid dependence to develop strategies to avoid dependence.  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

Neck pain can be a real nuisance but understanding what is going on and how to treat it can make all the difference. A panel of leading spine experts explores the causes, symptoms, and treatments for neck problems, recorded at the Cervical Spine Research Society meeting. Learn about symptoms, non-surgical treatments, when to consider surgery, and modern surgical options. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

When it comes to spine health, taking care of the 33 bones-the vertebrae- that make up your spine is very important. Keeping these bones healthy and strong keeps your spine in motion. If you need to have surgery in your spine, the bones need to be strong enough to sustain the correction that surgery is attempting to do.  And if your vertebrae are weak, they can fracture creating a complicated recovery picture. Osteoporosis is the condition of weakened bones, and knowledge about it should not be limited to the elderly; prevention starts early in life. Staying in motion keeps you alive, so preventing fractures and keeping the bones strong are critical to your life. We dive into these topics in this comprehensive overview of bone health, osteoporosis and your spine. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

Are you at risk for Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis, commonly dubbed the "silent disease," often escapes notice due to a lack of symptoms until a fracture occurs.  Particularly after age 50, monitoring your bone health and bone density becomes crucial. With an estimated 1.5 million spine-related fractures annually attributed to osteoporosis, raising awareness and championing osteoporosis prevention is imperative.This month, the National Spine Health Foundation’s Spine and Bone Health Task Force is highlighting spine and bone health through its latest Spine-Talks video on bone health and bone density. Our dedicated task force is committed to addressing the challenges surrounding bone health, with a strong focus on public education about prevention, management, and strategies to combat osteoporosis. Join us to gain invaluable insights and take a proactive stance toward safeguarding your skeletal strength. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

This latest National Spine Health Foundation (NSHF) Spine-Talks video from our Spine and Bone Health Task Force is focused on the connection between the lumbar/lower spine and bone health and the need to measure your bone density before having a lumbar spine surgery to ensure the best chance of a successful surgical outcome.This episode was captured during the Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS) meeting in Chicago, Illinois and includes not only NSHF’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rita Roy and two members of the Spine and Bone Health Task Force (Drs. Paul Anderson and Benjamin Elder), but also the LSRS President, Dr. Jason Savage.NSHF is proud of our very dedicated Task Force members who are committed to addressing the challenges surrounding spine and bone health, with a strong focus on public education about prevention, management, and strategies to combat osteoporosis. Join us to gain invaluable insights on things you need to consider regarding any procedures you might be considering to help alleviate your lumbar spine and lower back issues. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

 Osteoporosis can lead to fractures, deformities, and poor surgical outcomes. Orthopedic spine surgeons Dr. Paul Anderson and Dr. Venu Nemani discuss how bone health affects cervical spine conditions. Learn why screening is essential, how osteoporosis impacts patients, and discover modern advancements in treatment that can improve outcomes and quality of life. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

In this enlightening episode of Spine Talks, Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, is joined by Dr. Paul Anderson from the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Lora Giangregorio of the Fragility Fracture Network and University of Waterloo to address one of the most common yet under-discussed spine conditions—vertebral compression fractures.Together, they delve into the causes, treatment options, and prevention strategies for fragility fractures, offering both clinical insights and practical advice for patients and caregivers. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

In this episode of Spine Talks, Dr. Rita Roy, alongside Dr. Richard Guyer and Dr. Domagoj Coric, explores the cutting-edge advancements of spine surgery. Discover the evolution of artificial disc replacement, the benefits of motion preservation, and the importance of patient advocacy in accessing new treatments. Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!