8 Spinal Conditions That May Be Treated Using MISS (Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery)

Many people suffer from neck and back pain that is easily treated and cured most of the time. But sometimes, it can lead to serious conditions that require surgery to alleviate the pain. There are ...

What Is the Difference between a Bulging Disc and a Herniated Disc?

If you are experiencing neck pain or lower back pain you may wonder if you have a bulging or herniated disc. Sometimes, people may even refer to a bulging disc as a “slipped disc” or a herniated di...

How to Know When It’s Time for Spine Surgery

Back pain can’t be ignored, as anyone who has experienced it can tell you. It impacts people in different ways, and often times it will resolve on its own with non-surgical care and treatment. But ...

Osteoarthritis – Don’t Let it Get You Down

Your joints start to weaken and wear down as your body grows older, and osteoarthritis, or spinal arthritis, may be a condition that you experience. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage that cushio...

How to Know If a Head Injury Requires Medical Attention

Every time we bump our heads we immediately start to wonder, “Is that serious?” or “Should I be concerned?” This is probably because of media coverage and social media stories that circulate about ...

Causes & Treatments of Lumbar Herniated Discs

Everyone experiences lower back pain from time to time whether it’s dull, stabbing or shooting pain. Even if you don’t remember doing something tojar your back you should see a doctor if your lower...

Heavy Lifting at the Holidays – Be Sure to Protect Your Back

The last few months of the year always seem to be the busiest. From traveling and shopping to decorating and dealing with changing weather, there are many different opportunities for you to hurt yo...

Exercising After Spine Surgery: What You Need to Know

If you’re an active individual, you understand the importance of exercise and physical activity to keep your body healthy and your muscles strong. Exercise prevents other complications of being ina...

What is Chronic Pain?

Acute pain is something that you feel as a normal reaction by the nervous system to alert you to possible injury. If you put your hand on a hot stove, you will experience acute pain to tell you to ...

What Could Be Causing Your Upper Back Pain?

The upper back is comprised of 12 vertebrae in the middle of the spine which allows you to stand upright and protects the organs in your chest. Upper back injuries and problems are less common than...

Six Great Foods for Improved Brain Health

The phrase, “you are what you eat” rings true when it comes to your brain. What you put into your body affects your brain’s ability to function. And if you’ve ever had days ...

Neurosurgeon or Orthopedic Surgeon: How to Choose the Right Surgeon for You

Many years ago, spine surgery was performed primarily by neurosurgeons. Today, however, spine surgery is often performed by either a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon. And while both are very k...

Alternatives to Pain Medicine for Managing Back Pain

If you’re experiencing severe back pain, your first inclination may be to take over-the-counter pain medications, or make an appointment to see a doctor for a stronger prescription medication. Whil...

Tips to Avoid Back Pain from Golfing

Houston is filled with some great golf courses which means we also see more patients with back pain caused by golfing. One of the most common complaints and injuries experienced by both amateur and...

Concussions: Facts and Myths You Need to Know

If you are an athlete, have ever been an athlete, or have a child who is an athlete, you’re probably at least marginally aware of the meaning of concussion. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain i...

Spinal Infections: What You Need to Know

If you suffer from back pain or neck pain, finding relief can be possible and often without requiring surgery. But first you need a doctor – preferably a back specialist – to identify what is causi...

Now You Can Get Back On Your Feet Quicker After Neck or Back Surgery

Recovering from neck or back surgery can be a challenge especially for the first few days–but thanks to an emerging trend, you could be back on your feet much sooner. What is ERAS? ERAS is sh...

Your Leg Pain Could be Caused by a Herniated Disc

Having pain in your leg can come from many different sources, from wearing improper shoes to an accident or injury. One cause of leg pain that you may not be aware of is a herniated disc. Read on t...

Diet and Back Pain: Is There a Connection?

Could the foods you’re eating be contributing to your back pain? Possibly. It’s no secret that good nutrition and a balanced diet are key factors of good health – but what may surprise some people ...

Reduce Your Soda Habit to Keep your Heart and Brain Healthy

Convenience is key for people on the go. In addition to portable packaging, brilliant advertising has the soda industry booming. Various marketing campaigns have told us for years that “it...

Skiing & Snowboarding Head Injuries on the Rise: How to Stay Safe on the Slopes

When you head out to ski or snowboard this winter season, be sure to protect your most important body part – your brain! More and more people are reporting head impacts after seeing what can happen...

Radiating Arm Pain: Could It Be a Pinched Nerve?

If you experience pain that radiates up and down your arm, then you’re likely wondering what’s causing it. And more importantly, you’d like to know what can be done to make the arm pain...

Degenerative Disc Disease: What Exactly Is Degenerating?

If you suffer from neck pain, low back pain, or odd sensations in your arms and legs, you may be told that you’re suffering from degenerative disc disease. But what does that diagnosis really...

Quick Look: Meet the Doctor

Dr. Imran Fayaz is a neurological surgeon specializing in the management of neck pain, back pain, and other spinal disorders. He completed his undergraduate education at University College and obta...

4 Common Causes of Back Pain & How You Can Reduce Discomfort

A condition affecting 31 million people in the United States, chronic back pain is one of the most aggravating long-term conditions, as it typically affects sufferers every single day. In fact, stu...

Is Your Bed To Blame For Your Back Pain?

When your body is tired and aching, most people assume that a good night’s sleep is the answer to finding relief. And they’re right! Rest is often exactly what your body needs to heal i...

3 Ways to Prevent Neck and Back Pain at Work

About 85 percent of Americans suffer from neck and back pain every day. It’s bad enough to try to deal with the pain at home, but many deal with it at work, too. If you’re one of them, these three ...

Back to School… and that Shouldn’t Mean Back Pain!

This year, National Backpack Awareness Day is September 20! Most students look forward to back to school shopping and getting a new backpack for the upcoming school year. With so many colors and st...

A Strong Back = A Healthy Spine

Exercise is not only good for your heart and cardiovascular system, but it helps your bones and joints as well. In order to keep your spine healthy and avoid back pain, it’s particularly impo...

Common Causes of Neck Pain and What to Do About Them

Neck pain is one of the most common things that we all experience from time to time. And it can be caused by a number of things — from how we move and sleep to our lifestyle choices to our ge...

Sleeping with a Cervical Pillow for Neck Pain

When you look at how our bodies are made and how the spinal structure works, our bodies are nothing short of amazing. We’ve discussed before how it’s important to keep our spine healthy...

Do I Need a Neurologist or a Neurosurgeon?

Neurology and neurosurgery focus on the same areas of the body, and often people aren’t sure which type of doctor they need to see. Read here about the differences between the two and how to ...

Neck Pain Caused by Swimming

The summer heat has a way of sending regular exercisers out of the gym and into the pool. Known for being joint friendly, swimming is a great way to cool off while being active and is beneficial fo...

Four Ways to Keep Your Spine Healthy

Your spine consists of a complex set of nerves, ligaments, and muscles that are used to connect different parts of your body. It’s important to keep your spine healthy so that you minimize pain and...

Prevent Brain Injury from Outdoor Activities

The spring and summer months are great times to be outside and active. The weather is warmer and you might find other ways to get in your exercise that involve being outside. Safety should always b...

3 Things to Relieve Pain as You’re Waiting for Surgery

If your doctor has recommended surgery for a back or neck injury or to relieve back or neck pain, you might need to schedule the procedure a few days, or even weeks, in advance. This will depend on...

Is My Back Pain Being Caused by a Herniated Disc?

Your spine, commonly referred to as your backbone, contains 26 different bones called vertebra. In between each vertebrae is a soft disc that is full of a jelly-like substance that cushions the bon...

Exercises to Avoid a Stiff Neck and Back During Cold Weather

Do you feel like the colder it gets outside the achier your back and neck feel? You’re not imagining this correlation. Researchers from the Arthritis Research Institute of America, South Carolina S...

6 Tips to Conquer Back Pain in the Winter

Have you ever heard someone with arthritis or achy joints say they can predict rain or a cold snap better than the local weatherman? Or maybe their back pain increases as the temperature drops? As ...

Back Pain? Consider Your Weight

Any health professional will tell you that maintaining a consistent weight is necessary for your general health. In particular, the function of your spine is greatly impacted weight gain. Excess we...

Is It Just a Headache… or a Brain Tumor?

Anyone who ever experiences a troublesome headache can’t help but wonder at some point if they might have a brain tumor. Most never act on that paranoia, but there are times when you should p...

Spinal Cord Injuries

What is spinal cord injury? A spinal cord injury usually begins with a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae. The damage begins at the moment of injury when dis...

How Dehydration Affects Your Brain

Ever get a fuzzy-headed feeling making it hard to stay focused or concentrate on what you’re doing? If you’re finding that it’s hard to come with answers to easy questions, or you just can’t shake ...

Tips to Keep Exercise a Part of Your Daily Routine

We all know that exercise is good for us and can prevent a variety of diseases and ailments as well alleviate stress and boost our confidence by helping us look good. The problem that most people h...

Memory Loss: Could it be Alzheimer’s?

Do you sometimes wonder if you or a loved one might be experiencing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s? These 10 tips will help you recognize what’s typical as we age compared to the symptoms of Alzheimer...

Healthy Aging and Your Brain

One of the first things people recognize as a sign of aging is becoming forgetful. Our brains begin to change as we age, affecting how we store memories. It’s a common misconception that forgetfuln...

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – How to Know if You May Need Surgery

Most people who use their hands regularly, especially those who do repetitive movements like typing, experience pain and discomfort caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a con...

The Future of Surgery

For those of us who thought Google Glass was just another fun toy that Google came up with, it’s time to reconsider. Google Glass is more than a computer – it’s a professional tool that can even be...

Smoking and Back Pain – A Closer Look

If you are a tobacco smoker, you may wonder how such a habit can cause or increase pain in the back. After all, the most common causes of back pain that we hear about the most have to do with stren...

Headaches: Causes and Cures

Nearly everyone experiences a headache at least sometimes. Most often they’re caused by conditions that are treatable. If you experience headaches on a frequent basis, please contact your phy...

Scoliosis Awareness

In most U.S. schools, students receive three routine medical screening tests: vision, hearing, and scoliosis. The first two need no explanation, but many people aren’t familiar with scoliosis, or a...

Could You Be At Risk for a Stroke?

Strokes can happen at any age, and it’s important to understand what they do to the brain and the measures you can take to prevent them. Approximately 7 million Americans above the age of 20 suffer...

Preventing Infections After Surgery

We’ve all heard of infections happening after a surgical procedure. Do you know why these infections happen? Contrary to popular belief, it does not always (though in some cases it can) have to do ...

Aquatic Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are injuries that come from the brain being struck by an outside force. These injuries have a cataclysmic effect on the rest of the body, causing muscle groups to weaken or...

Brain Games – Are they Worth Your Time?

Have you found it a little harder lately to remember your to-do list, or concentrate on a project at work? Or maybe you can’t seem to remember people’s names as well as you used to. It ...

Quick Look: What is a Mini Stroke?

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient stroke that lasts only a few minutes. This is often called a “mini stroke”. This type of stroke was recently brought to light when forme...

Quick Look: What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is not a disease, but a symptom of brain damage. It’s a neurological disorder caused by damage to the portions of the brain that are responsible for language. Primary signs of the dis...

Dr. Fayaz Challenges YOU!

The Brain and Spine Institute of North Houston is teaming up with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. During the...

Meditate and Call Me in the Morning

Today’s society seems to be moving faster than ever before. Between family and work obligations, do you ever just want a mental time-out? Meditation can offer you that break without taking a ...

Brain Injuries Don’t Discriminate

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Along with the Brain Injury Association of America, we at The Brain and Spine Institute encourage you to get educated about TBIs, also known as Traumatic Brai...

Improve Your Posture with a Foam Roller

How many times were you told as a child to “stand up straight?” More than likely your parents recognized the importance of good posture and maybe even regretted that theirs wasn’t...

Know the Signs of Stroke – The Life You Save Could be Your Own

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults. The signs of a stroke are something everyone should be aware of. It c...

Diving & The Risk of Spinal Cord Injury

What is more enjoyable than diving into a cold swimming pool on a hot summer day? What seems like a simple and fun activity can actually lead to a traumatic injury. According to ABC News approximat...

Diagnosing and Treating Spinal Muscular Atrophy

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month. SMA is a genetic disease that attacks nerve cells, called motor neurons, in your spinal cord. These neurons communicate with your voluntary ...