Austin Spine Health

DID YOU KNOW THAT…the Department of Labor was the first agency to be led by a WOMAN.

Not only that, women employees of the department were among the first to wear pants to work!

Yes, we have come a long way since then. While we still find ourselves having to legitimize our place, we know our worth.

Women owned businesses continue to thrive, and I am proud to be among women physicians who continue to push boundaries.

To my fellow colleagues past, present and future….Happy Labor Day!!

And thank you for making scrubs for women by women. 🙏🏻💕

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition, often described as a hypersensitivity to pain, that can be disabling and life-altering.

The diagnosis is usually made by taking a detailed history and physical exam, which often reveals point tenderness in 11 of 18 pressure points.

Patients with FM can also experience fatigue, lethargy and foggy brain, just to name a few.

The treatment can be elusive and frustrating, requiring a combination of medical management, physical therapy, counseling support and patience.

Many patients seek “alternative” care and modalities, and some may be open to neuro-emotional techniques, as it is suggested that FM is a trauma response manifested in the body.

While there is no known cause, and while diagnostic testing is often inconclusive, it is REAL.

There is a stigma around chronic pain, and especially fibromyalgia. This is also true among the medical community. And while that is a whole other post, it is with this in mind that I raise awareness today.

Do you have any questions about FM? Ask below👇🏻

Just the other day, a patient was going on about her doctor who she was no longer with because they went “concierge”.

She couldn’t understand how a doctor could do that when they had taken the Hippocratic Oath to take care of her.

My response to her with a firm but sympathetic tone was this....

👉🏻It is BECAUSE of the oath we take that we sometimes have to make difficult decisions about how and where we practice.

👉🏻It is BECAUSE the “care” in healthcare has become a second thought in a system that doesn’t always support the doctor in practicing their craft.

👉🏻 It is BECAUSE we care that we want to provide quality medicine that centers around the patient, giving us time to listen and to connect.

👉🏻 It is BECAUSE we love what we do that burning out is no longer an option.

To all my colleagues, near and far, old and new, hospital based and private practice, concierge or insurance based....keep on rocking that oath.👊🏻

💕💕Happy Doctor’s Day!!!💕💕

The day before I submitted my program rankings for , I switched my top two choices.

I matched with my first choice in Family Medicine👉🏻 so instead of ending up in NYC, I made my way to Atlanta.

Half way through my intern year, I discovered Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation👉🏻so I applied and transferred out of Family Medicine.

I was not accepted into a Sports Medicine fellowships👉🏻so I opted for one in Interventional Spine.

I intended to practice in a group or hospital setting but wanted more👉🏻so I opened up my own practice.

Today is Match Day.

Some medical students will be elated, some will be devastated.

There will be tears of joy, as well as tears of despair.

But as my story demonstrates, it’s a journey and thus, you must trust it.

Today, whatever it may bring, is not the end, it’s only the beginning. 🙏🏻

Congratulations to all the medical students!! 🙌🏻

Hang in there, you are well on your way.💕

💙ANNIVERSARY POST 💙

Austin Spine Health turns 3!!!

What I hoped would be a growth year for the practice was shattered by the pandemic.

But...I’ve grown so much in this past year.

👉🏻 I became a certified health coach.

👉🏻I learned how to navigate telemedicine.

👉🏻 I was able to define my vision and the direction of my practice.

Lastly, I have made so many connections here on Instagram and on Facebook. We’ve carried each other through one of the most challenging times in healthcare and in small business. 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

I don’t know where this fourth year will take me. But the adversity I have faced has certainly made me stronger.

What has this past year taught you?

It’s moving day! Not that we planned on moving anytime soon but Mother Nature had other plans for us. 🤨

So let’s talk about moving and back pain...I get a lot of questions from patients regarding how to protect their backs on moving day. ☝🏻

Here are some tips:

👉🏻 PACE YOURSELF — Don’t try to get it done all in one day. Have a strategic plan that involves steps to prepare for the day.

👉🏻 MIND YOUR LIFTING TECHNIQUE— Don’t be lazy. Bend your knees, engage your core and square your feet to face what you are lifting.

👉🏻 PACK WISELY — Don’t overfill boxes and spread out the heavy stuff. An extra box is less expensive than a back injury.

👉🏻 ASK FOR HELP — Don’t do it all by yourself. Recruit friends and family (entice them with food and drinks 😉) or if feasible, hire packing services.

👉🏻 HIRE MOVERS — Don’t skimp on a good moving company. They are trained professionals who know how to get it done safely.

👉🏻 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF — Don’t forget to eat a healthy meal and drink lots of water. Wear comfortable supportive shoes.

Moving is hard enough when you WANT to move...no reason to make it more painful😳.

Shout out to for rocking it!🙌🏻