Meet Han Jo Kim, MD: Back Pain Specialist NJ
Dr. Kim, Back Pain Specialist NJ, a New York City native, is a Spine Surgeon at HSS, specializing in cervical spine and scoliosis surgery. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He then completed the coveted Hospital for Special Surgery Orthopaedic Residency, followed by a spine fellowship specializing in Adult and Pediatric Scoliosis and Cervical Spine Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Barnes Jewish Hospital. He was hired to come back to the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York for his spinal deformity and cervical spine surgery expertise.
Contact Us Today: Back Pain Specialist NJ
There are many causes of back pain such as overuse or even sitting and laying down too much. It is important to have a healthy balance. If you have been unfortunate enough to suffer from a back injury, you should consider reaching out to us, Han Jo Kim MD. He is a back pain specialist NJ that’s well versed in solving the problems of your own back pain problems.
People often think that an isolated occurrence or injury is to blame for their back problems. But, a single cause usually can’t be pinpointed, preferably there are several underlying conditions that can contribute to pain in the back area.
Common Causes of Back Pain
- Heavy lifting
- Poor sitting posture
- Frequent bending forward
- Old age
- Obesity
Obviously, these are not the only causes of back pain, but they are pretty common among individuals who struggle with this. There are ways to prevent back pain but also it could be genetic and there is no way to prevent, only treat. Dr. Han Jo Kim, a back pain specialist NJ will be able to treat your pain and help you feel as good as new.
Why Does Pain Occur?
Heavy Lifting
Repeated heavy lifting in awkward or wrong positions can strain your back muscles and spinal ligaments. If you are in poor physical condition, constant heavy lifting can cause muscle spasms that can be painful. If you feel this happening, make sure to rest your back and apply heat and or ice to the pained area. If the pain continues, make sure to call Dr.Han Jo Kim and he will be sure to treat you.
Poor Sitting Posture
Poor posture will not immediately cause pain to your back. But, over time it could cause changes to your spine which will lead to back aching. It could also cause nerve damage because after a while, the pressure on your spine will cause it to move, causing pain.
Frequent bending forward
The worst posture is sitting and leaning forward. This will cause your pelvis to lock and put pressure on the vertebrae. The further you lean forward, the more wear and tear you put on your discs. To prevent this, make sure to try to move around every 20 minutes to stretch out your back. Especially with working from home you have to make sure you get out on your break and move around. That is the best way to prevent these back aches. Learn more here.
Old Age
As we get older the chances for back pain increases. The disks that are between the vertebrae start to rub together causing them to shrink. This will create that back paint that no one is looking for. This pain can be excruciating yet there is no way to prevent it. In addition, over time, the space around our spinal cord gets smaller. This condition, known as spinal stenosis, is known for putting pressure on the cord and spinal nerves, creating pain.
Obesity
Back pain tends to affect about one third of people that are considered obese. When you carry more weight than you’re supposed to, particularly around the midsection, your pelvis will be pulled forward. Every additional pond that you gain will add more strain to your back muscles. Call a back pain specialist NJ to get treated immediately!
Some At Home Solutions
Try to stretch to strengthen your back muscles. The more flexible you are the more you can move and use your back without feeling that strenuous pain. You can take OTC pain relievers to try and relieve some of the pain. But, if this is going on for a while then I would not recommend taking a pain reliever everyday. It’s not good for you and you will end up building a tolerance and will need more and more of the drug. If your pain is persistent then call Dr. Han Jo Kim and you will be assisted. For more information on ways to treat yourself click here.
Contact Our Back Pain Specialist In NJ
While taking all of the preventative measures listed above and practicing good health, pain may still persist. If this is the case, we urge you to visit our back pain specialist NJ, so that you can get the care you need. We will work to assess your condition and determine a treatment plan that works for you. If you would like your pain to subside, be sure to contact us today!
Dr. Han Jo Kim – Back Pain Specialist NJ:
Dr. Han Jo Kim, a Local Spine Surgeon, provides his patients with quality-based healthcare services, specializing in cervical spine and scoliosis surgery. Dr. Han Jo Kim approaches each patient differently based upon their personal history. He will perform surgery when he sees best with techniques tailored specifically to each patient to optimize outcomes. If you need the back pain specialist NJ, contact us today. We can help with your specialized needs and capabilities.
Services Our Back Pain Specialist NJ Offers:
At the office of Han Jo Kim, there are many services and staff members there to help guide our patients to full recovery. Treatment plans and routine procedures are provided to each patient that is made for them. Our number one priority is to ensure we have all your medical history by working with your previous doctors to ensure a complete and efficient treatment plan for you. After a thorough evaluation, we will then proceed with the best service that will bring you to full recovery.
Cervical Spine Surgery:
- When to receive Cervical Spine Surgery: After a back pain specialist NJ completes an evaluation of your pain history, Dr. Han Jo Kim then provides you with options. Keeping track of the conditions you are experiencing, including neck pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, nerve impingement, or damage, is very important.
- Causes: Dr. Han Jo Kim, back pain specialist NJ, will provide surgical service depending on the problems you’re experiencing, such as degenerative disc disorder, trauma, instability of the spine, and cervical deformities.
Scoliosis Surgery:
- Scoliosis has warning signs that include: uneven shoulders, the one-shoulder blade appears more prominently than the other, an uneven waist, one hip is higher than the other.
- Pediatric Scoliosis: Since scoliosis is commonly found in children before puberty, it is very important to treat this at an adolescent age to combat the problem.
- Adult Scoliosis: Some cases of scoliosis are found in the Adult years instead of the adolescent years. After spine growth is complete, Adult Scoliosis can occur. Some symptoms to stay aware of are leg pain, weakness or numbness, loss of height, uneven alignment of the hips or pelvis, and constant back pain. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us, and we can evaluate if an operation is necessary.
- Our main goal: If we see that a back brace is not reducing pain or discomfort, then Scoliosis Surgery is recommended. Post-surgery, we want our three main goals to succeed. This includes stopping the progression of the spinal cord, reducing the curve, and maintaining your overall trunk balance.
- For more information about Scoliosis surgery or the types of surgeries Dr. Han Jo Kim performs, check out our website and contact our office.
Spinal Deformity Surgery:
- Spinal deformities Treated: Dr. Han Jo Kim has years of experience treating common and rare spinal deformities. We will evaluate and see if surgery is the best option for you. We may encourage surgical services if you have Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Lordosis, or growths, herniated discs, or other deformities.
Types of Spinal Deformity Surgery:
- Decompression/Laminectomy
- Fusion
- Spinal Reconstruction
Causes of Lower Back Pain:
Lower back pain is very common, but there are many different causes to a patient’s lower back pain, some more severe and some not.
- Strains: With too much activity on your lower back, it can cause your muscles to tear and ultimately stress.
- Disc injury: A herniated disc was when your disc slipped or ruptured. This can happen when you twist or over lift something.
- Sciatica: This can be caused by a herniated disc. While this can cause pain in your legs or feet, a sensation like pins and needles.
- Spinal stenosis: causes symptoms such as numbness, cramping, or weakness, due to degeneration of your discs.
- Abdominal spine curvatures: Such as Scoliosis, Kyphosis, and Lordosis. These can be diagnosed in adolescent years. These cause a lot of pain and poor posture in individuals.
- Other conditions: Other conditions cause lower back pain such as Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Spondylitis, and Spondylosis.
- Pregnancy, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, cancer, kidney, and bladder problems are all causes of lower back pain.
Contact Our Back Pain Specialist NJ
Our main goal is a full recovery and freedom from the pain. If you need a back pain specialist NJ, contact our office, and we will set up an appointment and consultation with you! We can help with your specialized needs and capabilities.
If you are in need of a back pain specialist NJ for a severe herniated disc that is causing you immense pain, Dr. Han Jo Kim is here to help you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can treat your pain.
A slipped disc could be a fragment of the disc nucleus that’s pushed out of the annulus, into the canalis vertebralis through a tear or rupture within the annulus. Discs that become herniated typically square measure in associate degree early stage of degeneration. The canalis vertebralis has restricted space that is insufficient for the nerve and therefore the displaced slipped disc fragment. Because of this displacement, the disc presses on spinal nerves, usually manufacturing pain, which can be severe. If you are experiencing this pain, consider Dr. Han Jo Kim as your specialist.
Causes
There are many potential causes of a herniated disc. It could be preventable but could also come genetically from growing. Be sure to visit our back pain specialist NJ and we will be able to help you. Here is a list of possible causes:
- Impact
- Whiplash
- Incorrect movement
- Dehydration
- Stress and tiredness
- Growth
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the size of the herniation of the disk. And especially if the disc is not sitting near a nerve at all, you may feel little to no back pain. However, if it is sitting on a nerve, then there could be great pain or even numbness in the area that the nerve travels to. This could cause pain in the arm back, foot or leg. You could experience muscle weakness or spasms. Leg numbness, pins and needles, and uncomfortable tingling and burning. If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact Dr. Han Jo Kim today!
How Painful Is It?
In most of the people with herniated discs, the pain spreads over the buttocks and goes down the rear of 1 thigh and into the calf. Some individuals have pain in both of your legs. Some people’s legs or feet feel numb or tingly. The pain from a slipped disc typically is worse after you work out and become active and gets higher after you start resting.
Treatment Methods
Not every disc needs intervention. But, when it is needed common treatments are medication, physical therapy, and surgery. The medications that are usually used are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This will relieve pain, decrease inflammation, and reduce any fever. Physical therapy treatments such as chiropractic treatment and stretching will help to mobilize you. Lastly, spinal surgery will help to correct the abnormalities of the spinal cord and surrounding bones. Dr. Han Jo Kim, an back pain specialist NJ will be able to perform these practices to help you feel as good as new!
Exercises
Good Mornings
In this exercise, stand tall with your feet shoulder width apart, and eyes forward. Then, you slowly bend over, keeping your back straight, as if you had a glass of water standing upright on your back. You will keep your knees slightly bent, and lower your back to about a 90 degree angle. Repeat this exercise for 10 reps and continue for 3 sets. You should feel this exercise in your hamstrings and lower back.
Upright Row With Resistance Band
In this exercise, stand tall and upright and wrap the band around a pole or another stable object that will sustain your weight. Next, grip the band with both hands. With both elbows parallel to the floor, slowly bring your arms close to your body, extend, and repeat. While performing this exercise, remember to keep your shoulders pinched and eyes forward. Avoid slouching as well as any quick jerking motions. Repeat this exercise for 10 reps and continue for 3 sets.
For more in depth explanation of these exercises with pictures and others click here
Does it Heal On Its Own?
A herniated disc usually heals on its own. You just have to make sure that you are treating it right and that you are icing and heating it and stretching it. If it is severe pain you should rest it but otherwise you have to keep it mobile and move it around. Be patient with it and if your symptoms don’t get better in a few months, then you should see Dr. Han Jo Kim, an Orthopedic Spinal surgeon Westchester NY. Click here for more information.
Contact Our Local Back Pain Specialist In NJ
While practicing good ergonomics and following the tips mentioned above should help, pain may still persist. If this is the case, we urge you to visit our back pain specialist NJ, so that you can get the care you need. We will work to assess your condition and determine a treatment plan that works for you. Let us help you on your road to recovery. To learn more or schedule an appointment, be sure to contact us today!
Your cervical spine is a delicate area. Normally, surgery is needed to repair it, such as a back pain specialist NJ like Dr. Han Jo Kim. However, the cervical spine can be strengthened to prevent this occurrence.
What Is The Cervical Spine?
The cervical spine is a large portion of the spine encompassing the neck. For those interested in anatomy, it is composed of C1 to C7 vertebrae. These vertebrae are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. These discs allow the spine to move freely and act as shock absorbers during employment, sports, or any activity.
On each vertebral body is a bone arch forming a hollow, continuous, longitudinal space. This space runs the entire length of the back. The name for this is the spinal canal, which is the area through which the spinal cord and nerve bundles pass. The spinal cord itself is suspended in cerebrospinal fluid and surrounded (protected) by three layers called the meninges: the dura, arachnoid, and pia mater.
Breaking or tearing anything along the cervical spine can be horrible. An injury here can cause paralysis below the neck. This is currently incurable with modern medicine, so strengthening the area is the best bet.
Strengthening The Cervical Spine
Much of the neck is a muscle that loosely supports the cervical spine. Further, research on tennis players indicates that bones usually strengthen (enlargen and become denser) from exercise. Therefore, exercising is virtually a no-brainer. Exercising these areas might even relieve some neck pain, as improved posture eases stress on nerves.
One exercise anyone can do is called the “chin tuck .”Often used as an effective way to combat neck pain, the exercise helps strengthen muscles that pull the head back into alignment over the shoulders. It also stretches the scalene and suboccipital muscles. Performing this exercise is simple. It is important to perform this exercise when the neck and shoulder blades begin to hurt.
It is recommended that patients stand with their spine up against a door jamb and feet about three inches from the bottom of the door jamb. Then, keeping the spine against the door jamb, pull the upper back and head backward until your head touches the door jamb. It is important to remember to make sure that the chin is down, allowing the head to be pulled straight back and not looking up. Then, hold the head against the door jamb for five seconds. It is recommended that the patient repeats this ten times.
Dr. Han Jo Kim
The muscles in the front of the neck and upper back are usually weak for most people. Therefore, they are, by default, the muscles that need to be stretched and strengthened. However, they will get stronger eventually. Soon enough, once the patient is ready, the chin tuck exercise can be done without a door jamb. This means that they now have the option to do it standing or sitting.
Chin tucks should be done five to seven times a day. They are very easy to do and hence can be completed in an idling car or at a desk during work. Repeating this exercise will encourage good posture. If a patient has excessive forward head posture, they may not be able to pull their head back to the door jamb when first beginning. If this occurs, pull the head back as far as possible before feeling pain.
Some other exercises patients may try are any weightlifting that strengthens the neck or back and other stretches. One stretch, in particular, the “side bending” stretch, is also very simple to do. Just bend your ear toward your right shoulder while looking straight ahead. Then, hold that pose for twenty seconds and alternate. Similarly, the “rotation” stretch can also be used. It involves turning to look over your right shoulder, holding the pose, then switching sides. Using the hand to apply more pressure on the chin will help stretch farther.
Visit Han Jo Kim – A Back Pain Specialist NJ
For some, surgery may be the best option if already injured. A back pain specialist NJ such as Dr. Han Jo Kim works wonders. Most patients receive cervical spine surgery when they have: neck pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or suspected nerve damage. These issues usually result from disc problems, trauma, spine instability, or cervical deformities. Sometimes, the disc is removed, fused, or graphed. If those are not possible, a metal plate is used. The surgery is very safe.
Though the cervical spine may seem vulnerable to a lot, it can be strengthened. Try some of these exercises today to live a long and healthy life! However, if you’re already suffering, a back pain specialist NJ such as Dr. Han Jo Kim can perform life-altering surgery. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!