Spine and Sports Medicine NYC

Imagine this. When you get here it’s all about you. You’re “it”. The entire visit with your physical therapist or doctor is centered around giving you an experience uncommon in today’s impersonal medical world. After all, you are a dignified human being with specific needs that require talented people who truly care, delivered in a spa-like environment that is first class in every respect.

Our goal at Spine and Sports is to markedly improve your life. Pain relief is usually the first step. Restoring your human potential and optimizing your health is next. We continuously ask ourselves the question, “how can we best serve your health needs?” We live in that question. And the answer, in short, is always the same: a commitment to excellence in everything we do. Excellence is the answer. It’s what we value most. As such, our staff is continuously upgrading their knowledge base in order to give you the best.

Spine and Sports combines several specialities: physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, dentists, and other rehab specialists. Each patient is assigned to their own personal physical therapist who knows and understands each patients’ personal and often complex needs. The physical therapists’ and doctor’s goal is to help you move from pain, injury, or dysfunction to pain-free restoration of function in the shortest possible time.

To learn more about Spine and Sports Medicine or to schedule an appointment, call us at 212.986.3888 or check us out at http://spineandsports.com.

• Starbucks Spinach and Feta Wrap claims to be made with cage-free eggs but the egg whites in the ingredient list are actually made up of 12 different ingredients. 
• McDonald’s Oatmeal has more sugar than a Snickers bar and 10 calories less than an Egg McMuffin.
• Chick-Fil-A Chicken, Egg & Cheese on Sunflower Multigrain Bagel uses multigrain as an advertising ploy. “Multigrain” means the bagel could be made with whole grains or refined grains, with no proportion specified. In addition, this breakfast option has 20g of fat and over 1200mg of sodium. Healthy? NO. 
• Burger King Breakfast Bowl is an egg scrambler with over 40 grams of fat. Need we say more?
• Dunkin Donuts Honey Bran Raisin Muffin has 5 grams of fiber (not too bad!) but let’s not forget the 44 grams of sugar that make the muffin more sugary than many of their donuts.
• Taco Bell just launched a new breakfast program. Let’s just say it’s not worth mentioning. 

In summary, avoid fast food at all costs. 

Did anyone ever tell you that your pain is all in your head? This assessment is not totally accurate, as pain is both a physical and psychological experience. Often times we are able to minimize the feeling of physical pain through certain techniques that target our thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. The brain plays such a central role in the pain process and “there are a number of self-management techniques for pain”, according to Dr. Brian Kessler, our Medical Director at Spine and Sports.

Self Management Techniques for Pain

• Deep breathing exercises
• Muscle relaxation
• Guided imagery
• Meditation 
• Thought stopping (exiting rumination on negative thoughts)
• Positive conversations
• Daily interaction with friends and family

Self-management techniques can give a person an increased sense of control over his or her pain. According to Dr. Kessler, “This can help to reduce pain levels, and with less pain, a person is able to function better.” In summary, while pain isn’t completely in your head, there are actions you can take to help yourself psychologically manage your physical pain.  

If you are experiencing chronic pain in New York, visit us online or call us at 212.986.3888 to book an appointment.

Who Needs Physical Therapy?

That needs to be determined by a health care provider, but patients who typically can benefit from physical therapy are those who would benefit from strengthening or increasing flexibility of injured body parts. Physical therapy also helps with correcting poor posture, which is a problem that leads to many musculoskeletal conditions. Finally, patients who have had surgery usually need physical therapy to help restore function, strength and range of motion, as well as to minimize scar tissue that can decrease performance and function of the very area that was operated on.

Who needs chiropractic treatments?

Not only patients who have back pain are candidates from chiropractic care. This is a very common misconception about chiropractic treatment. Anyone who demonstrates spinal segmental dysfunction (joints not moving normally, or to the extent they are supposed to) would most certainly benefit from chiropractic care. Interestingly, this often does not produce pain or symptoms for years, but can be detected early through a number of different methods that chiropractors frequently employ. This can actually prevent degeneration and arthritis that would otherwise have occurred later in life and produced pain and restriction of movement.

Click here to schedule an appointment with Spine and Sports online.

You have probably spent over 25% of your life sleeping. With that much of your life spent under the sheets, it makes sense that proper sleep and a good mattress can go a long way towards mitigating back pain and improving your health.

Approximately two-thirds of patients with chronic back pain suffer from sleeping disorders and a new study indicates that frequently interrupted sleep can make a person more susceptible to pain by altering the body’s natural systems that regulate and control pain.

“A sleeping disorder associated with chronic back pain should always be addressed as part of a multi-disciplinary, chronic pain treatment approach,” says Dr. Kessler. “As with any symptom of a chronic pain syndrome, the sleep disruption should not be treated in isolation without taking into account proper treatments for the chronic back pain problem that is part of the cause of the sleeping problem.”

In many cases, the right mattress can certainly help, and for those with chronic pain, getting continuous, undisturbed sleep is key to controlling the pain. If you are experiencing chronic back pain in New York, visit us online or call us at 212.986.3888 to book an appointment.

• Potatoes may help lower blood pressure without causing weight gain
• Purple potatoes are higher in antioxidants
• The nutrients in potatoes are found mostly in the skin
• Potatoes have a lot of potassium (known for lowering blood pressure)
• Be sure to keep the skin on or add it to your mashed potatoes
• No known benefits associated with french fries or chips

Learn about this study funded by US Department of Agriculture here.

Signs That You May Have a Sleeping Disorder

• Sleepiness and fatigue throughout the day
• Trouble falling asleep, uncomfortable while in bed
• Waking up frequently during your sleep
• Snoring or trouble breathing while sleeping
• Uncomfortable feeling in your legs while sleeping
• Desire to kick your legs and move them throughout your sleep

Check out the Web MD Visual Guide to Sleep Disorders

EXCUSE: “I don’t have the time.”

You are never too busy to get healthy. Focus on making minor changes first. Getting healthy means feeling physically and mentally stronger, faster, and more energized.

• Limit your intake of coffee-based drinks, fast foods, and drugs. 
• Take a few minutes in the morning and evening to get your blood flowing and stretch out your muscles. 
• Schedule yourself for three days a week to exercise for 30+ minutes. 

EXCUSE: “I have been injured for years. I can’t even run anymore.”

As we age, it becomes easy to hide from our problems and make excuses. If you still experience pain from an old injury you should seek professional attention to develop a recovery program and restore your human potential. Check out Our Philosophy at Spine and Sports. 

Read More →

• Wild Alaskan Salmon 
• Extra Vigin Olive Oil
• Almonds 
• Blueberries
• Red Wine
• Dark Chocolate

• Wear comfortable/supportive shoes when you’re in your house or running local errands. New York City streets can take a toll on your body if you’re walking a few miles a day in your most stylish pair.
• Work on walking and standing with strong posture. Your spine takes a beating every time you slouch! Check out these Tips to Maintain Good Posture.
• Get your blood flowing and stretch, every morning. Make it a routine to go for a short walk (5-10min) or do a few jumping jacks (if it doesn’t hurt your back). Once you get your blood flowing, stretch your upper and lower body. Stretching every morning can save you a lot of pain in the future.
• Lift heavy objects with your lower body and not your back (or don’t lift them at all). 
• Exercise at least three to four times a week and always stretch after you exercise. If you are experiencing severe lower back pain, speak to a professional who can help you develop an exercise routine to alleviate your pain and help prevent future injury. See what Jenna M. had to say about her experience treating her chronic lower back pain at Spine and Sports Medicine NYC.

“I came to Spine and Sports a few months ago hoping to finally get treated for a chronic lower back pain that has persisted for nearly my entire adult life.  I’d never had the insurance coverage before to go to a physical therapist, so now that I have a grown-up job, I decided to treat myself to some health care.

I didn’t really know what to expect from a physical therapist, but this place was exceptional.  I first saw one of the doctors on staff, who gave me a full examination and plotted a schedule of care.  We started out with visits to a chiropractor and a physical therapist, and later they added in therapeutic massage. They also have an acupuncturist on staff as well, though I never utilized those services.

Dr. J.C., my chiropractor, was great.  He is incredibly friendly and personable, and I never felt as good as when I walked out of his office, post-alignment.  I also saw Amy and Luke, the physical therapists, who helped me to design an exercise routine both in and out of the office that would help strengthen my back and alleviate the pain I’d been feeling.  I liked both of them a lot, and the work I was doing with them definitely improved my posture and my strength.  

The office staff were all really warm and welcoming, and they seem to somehow know everyone by name.  They work with you on payment plans and have incredibly flexible scheduling.  I was discharged from the practice within just a few months of arriving, and my back has never felt better. Hopefully you’ll never have to see a physical therapist, but, if you do, this is a good practice to seek out.”

Via Jenna M. (Manhattan, NY) on Yelp

The painful sensation we refer to as muscle soreness tells you that your immune cells are working hard to rebuild damaged muscle tissue. It’s important to understand the best ways to prevent and recover from muscle soreness.

7 Best Ways to Fight Muscle Soreness

• Stay hydrated, drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water/day
• Allow for proper rest and recovery time (2-5 days)
• Use natural mineral compounds (calcium, magnesium, and potassium) which can assist in neutralizing the acid build-up during workouts 
• Take antioxidants to prevent free radicals from causing illness and injury to your muscles
• Take a hot bath or use a heating pad to relax your damaged muscles
• Stretch your muscles in the morning and evening, after your heating
• Massage your sore muscles or seek professional massage therapy

If you experience muscle soreness lasting longer than 5 days it could be a sign of a more serious injury. Feel free to contact us at Spine and Sports Medicine to schedule a consultation to get you on the road to recovery: 212.986.3888.

Photo Credit: Level 9 Personal Training 

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden 900 Washington Ave (at Eastern Pkwy) Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
• New York Botanical Garden Bronx River Pkwy (at Fordham Rd) NY Botanical Garden, The Bronx
• Conservatory Garden at Central Park Fifth Ave (at 105th St) Central Park
• Narrows Botanical Garden Shore Rd (between Bay Ridge Ave and 72nd St) Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
• Queens Botanical Garden 43-50 Main St (at Dahlia Ave) Flushing, Queens

Via TimeOut New York “New York’s Best Gardens”

• Shape Up NYC - Free Fitness Classes with Expert Instructors
• BeFitNYC Free First Mondays - NYC Recreation Centers are free the first Monday of every month.
• Swimming Lessons - NYC Department of Parks and Recreation is offering free swimming lessons for people of all ages.

Signs That You May Need Therapy

• Neck, Mid, or Low Back Pain
• Radiating Pain in Arms and Legs
• Headaches
• Sprains and Strains
• Back Disorders
• Sports Injuries
• Tendonitis
• Spinal Conditions (Scoliosis, Spinal Stenosis, Herniated Discs)
• Post-Operative Surgery Recovery
• Herniated Discs
• Painful Accident or Injury
• Orthopedic Conditions (Read more for full list)

Our Physical Therapy department at Spine and Sports Medicine is comprised of New York State licensed professionals with extensive knowledge and training in anatomy, physiology, and the biomechanics of the body. Our therapists use a hands-on approach and combine many different therapeutic procedures.

Read More →

People these days are eating more and more fast-food. A recent study found that a third of food eaten by kids is cooked outside the home. School is around the corner and it should be our mission as parents to keep our kids and ourselves healthy by understanding how to make exciting and nutritious lunches. 

Pack a Healthy Lunch for Your Kids and Yourself

• Stock up on nuts, trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, canned fruit.
• Buy fresh veggies, fruits, meats, and breads weekly.
• Include a treat: pudding, chocolate grahams, yogurt raisins.
• Plan a weekly lunch menu and ask your kids what they like.
• Pack the lunch the night before (except for sandwiches)
• Diversify the menu, get creative, and don’t forget dessert!

Keeping your kids and yourself interested and excited about a packed lunch can limit the need to seek unhealthy options at local fast-food joints. Make sure you include a side of veggies and a side of fruit with every lunch. Provide your kids (or yourself) with enough healthy food (and a treat) to get excited for lunch every day.

Via Emporia Gazette “Get Healthy Pack Your Own Lunch”

A friend of mine was working at her desk recently as a photo editor at a major news agency. Without warning, a sharp, piercing pain shot through her wrist and up her arm. She described it as “an electric shock.” She thought at first it might be just a passing cramp, though she remembered she had been trying to ignore a tingling feeling in her hand and wrist for the last few months and recognized that it might be related.

A trip to the doctor indicated the possibility that the pain was caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist. “Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist,” says Spine & Sports NYC’s own Dr. Kessler. “The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers, as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.” The carpal tunnel — a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand — houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. “The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm.”

Any condition that exerts pressure on the median nerve at the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Tendon inflammation resulting from repetitive work, such as uninterrupted typing, can also cause carpal tunnel symptoms.

Tips on Relieving Wrist Pain

• Prop up your arm with pillows when you lie down
• Avoid using your injured hand as much as possible
• Find a new way to position or move your hand to relieve pressure
• Try to use the other hand more often
• Avoid bending your wrists down for long periods

If you are experience wrist pain and need to schedule a consultation, call us now at 212-986-3888 or visit our website athttp://spineandsports.com/

There are a number of high-end tennis clubs in Manhattan but if you’re looking for an affordable way to play on professional courts, check out these tennis facilities in NYC. In order to play, you can purchase an NYC Tennis Permit here or reserve single-play tickets here.

6 Best Outdoor Tennis Courts in Manhattan

East River Park - Houston Street east of FDR Drive

• Contact: 212.529.7185
• 12 Hard Courts

Central Park - 93rd Street and West Drive

• Contact: 212.280.0205
• 4 Hard Courts
• 26 Fast Dry Courts 
• Lessons Available

Fort Washington Park - 170th Street at the Hudson River 

• Contact: 212.304.2322
• 10 Hard Courts
• Lessons Available

Frederick Johnson Playground - 151st Street east of 7th Ave.

• Contact: 212.234.9609
• 8 Hard Courts
• Lessons Available

Riverside Park (Clay) - 96th Street and Riverside Drive

• Contact: 212.978.0277
• 10 Clay Courts

Riverside Park (Hard) - 119th Street and Riverside Drive

• Contact: 212.978.0277
• 10 Hard Courts
• Lessons Offered

Buy It

• Avocado 4-packs (best deal around at under $4.00)
• Organic tomato 4-packs 
• Organic bananas 
• Trader Joe’s organic hummus (yum)
• Organic chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• Baked goods and breads
• Trader Joe’s extra virgin olive oil
• Cheeses (great selection and prices)
• Dried fruits and nuts (great deals)

Leave It

• Lettuce and other greens
• Most of the packaged produce.
• Pre-packaged meats (no butcher at Trader Joe’s)
• Red meats & fish (overpriced)
• Sugary snacks & “gourmet” candies

Via EatingWell “What to buy and what to skip at Trader Joe’s” 

Running injuries are very specific due to the repetitive nature of the sport, and ankle injuries are the most common sport-related injury. Many common conditions affect runners, including tendonitis, bursitis, shin splints, ankle and Achilles problems, and more.

“Common foot and ankle injuries include sprains, strains, and stress fractures or bone injuries,” says Dr. Kessler. “Many of these injuries are overuse injuries — injuries that result from inadequate conditioning or excessive training that places too much stress on the foot and ankle.”

Warning Signs of a Serious Running Injury

• Pain which increases during the run 
• Locking or catching sensations in the ankle
• Recurrent sprains or instability of the ankle
• Swelling across the front of the ankle joint
• Localized bone tenderness, among others

When in doubt, have it checked out. To schedule an appointment at our midtown Manhattan clinic, please call 212-986-3888 or visit our website at http://spineandsports.com/