Cervical Spine/Neck

July 2nd, 2024 by New Jersey Brain and Spine

NJBS Wins Awards

At New Jersey Brain and Spine, we are thrilled to announce that Castle Connolly has recognized us as the #1 Neurosurgery practice in New Jersey, and #5 Nationally for the second consecutive year. This recognition is a testament to our team's unwavering dedication and unparalleled expertise. This prestigious honor reflects not only the quality of care we provide but also our commitment to improving the lives of our patients through innovative treatments and compassionate service. What is the Castle Connolly...

Road to Recovery: Surgical and Non-Surgical Approaches for Meningioma Treatment

What is a Meningioma? A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Although not technically a brain tumor, it is included in this category because it may compress or squeeze the adjacent brain, spinal cord, nerves and vessels. There are several types and grades of Meningioma. Meningiomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor, accounting for approximately 30 percent of all brain tumors. Most meningiomas grow...

Unraveling the Enigma: Understanding Schwannoma and Its Impact on Nerves

A schwannoma is a type of tumor that develops from Schwann cells in a person’s peripheral nervous system or nerve roots. It is sometimes also called a neuroma. Schwann cells assist the conduction of nerve signals. They wrap around peripheral nerves and provide protection and support. The body’s peripheral nervous system includes nerves that travel from your spinal cord and brain to carry signals to and from the rest of your body. Schwannomas can often appear in nerves that enable sensations...

Exercises and Stretches for Sciatica Relief

If you’re suffering from sciatica, there’s good news: Exercises and stretches are a viable route to sciatica relief. Sciatica is an extremely common condition, affecting about 40% of Americans at some point in their lives. Although sometimes sciatica improves on its own without significant intervention, it’s important for patients to know that there are ways to address challenging symptoms. What is Sciatica? Sciatica is pain from damage to or pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is actually the...

Laminectomy vs. Laminotomy: What’s the Difference

Laminotomy and laminectomy are types of surgeries to remove part or most of a spinal bone called the lamina. The lamina is the back part of each vertebra (spinal bone) and covers the spinal canal, the area around the spinal cord. Both procedures reduce pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves to relieve pain. What’s the Difference? The difference between these two different procedures is significant. A laminectomy refers to a surgical operation that totally removes the lamina. On...

Exercises and Rehabilitation for Spine Disc Herniation Recovery

Spine disc herniation has a range of treatment and recovery plans, ranging from more conservative and small-scale options to more intensive treatment. In many cases, specific exercises and rehabilitation will make the recovery effort the smoothest. As you assess your level of discomfort, consulting with a doctor can help you decide the best next steps for a full and relatively fast recovery. Spinal Disc Herniation and Treatment A comprehensive spine center can help provide you with the resources you need...

Dr Roy Vingan New Jersey Brain and Spine

Spinal Fusion Procedure Relieves Back Pain

Back pain. These are two words that can send a shiver down your spine (no pun intended). Back pain is a ubiquitous problem that plagues people globally and may originate from an array of causes, including poor posture, heavy lifting, injury, or underlying health conditions like osteoporosis, scoliosis, and herniated discs. Data from 2019 reveals that approximately 39% of adults had experienced back pain within the past three months. With almost four in every ten adults dealing with such back...

Treatment Options for Chiari Malformation: Surgery and Non-Surgical Approaches

Chiari malformations are a group of complex brain abnormalities that affect the area in lower posterior skull where the brain and spinal cord connect. The most common form is the Chiari Type 1 malformation, which we will focus on in this article.. What Causes a Chiari malformation? The exact cause of Chiari malformations are unknown. Sometimes the condition is present from birth, but the most common form (Type 1) is normally found in adulthood after symptoms develop. Doctors categorize Chiari...

Preparing for Chiari Decompression Surgery

Chiari decompression surgery is a procedure that people seek to address their Chiari malformation symptoms. Chiari malformation can cause headaches, neck pain, numbness, and difficulty with balance and coordination for those with the condition. Some people address these symptoms with medication and physical therapy. For others, Chiari decompression surgery is the best option. Chiari malformation comes in several types, and there are nuances to treating each type. Chiari malformation type 1 and type 2 are most common, whereas type 3...