Blog Archive

When we think of the fall and winter holidays, we think of family, food, get-togethers, and sports. Most of us don’t have to think about navigating a sports injury recovery around all the festivities. But for some people, it’s necessary to rethink their holiday goals because they’re trying to recover...

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to a brain injury caused by an outside force, such as a forceful blow or jolt to the head or body or from an object that penetrates the brain, like a bullet. Some types of TBI cause temporary or short-term difficulties with brain function,...

Physiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatry is a branch of medicine dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, and treating disabilities related to the brain, nerves, bones, and muscles. It adopts a holistic, multi-faceted approach to treatment that determines how a patient’s medical condition affects every aspect...

Back pain, much of it chronic low back pain, is so common that about 80% of people develop it at some stage during their lives. The pain may consist of anything from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, stabbing pain that shoots from the back into an extremity. Acute...

Facet syndrome (or facet arthropathy) and spinal stenosis are two spinal conditions that cause back pain and several other uncomfortable symptoms. So how do you tell which one you have? At Santa Cruz Osteopathic, osteopathic physician and physiatrist Dr. Richard Bernstein sees many patients with back pain caused by many...

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) isn’t a disease at all. Rather, it’s a wear-and-tear condition in which damage to a spinal disc causes pain in the upper or lower back. Degeneration is a natural result of getting older, and it usually starts in your 40s, though for some, it can start...

If you’re like most people, you think of a herniated disc as something that could occur as you get older and reach retirement. But that’s not the case.  Though age increases your risk, herniated discs often appear between the ages of 35 and 55. Your chances of developing a herniated...

Back pain is so common that about 80% of people develop it at some point during their lifetime. The pain may present as anything from a dull, constant achiness to a sudden, stabbing pain that shoots from the back into an extremity. Acute back pain starts suddenly, usually due to...

Both medical professionals, physiatrists, and physical therapists often treat the same patient population, leading many people to assume that specialists are one and the same. However, each serves a different function in patient care, making their disciplines related but not identical. At Santa Cruz Osteopathic, physiatrist and physical medicine specialist...

Sciatica and herniated discs share some of the same signs and symptoms but are two different conditions. Knowing the difference between the two can help you and your doctor decide which treatment is appropriate and will provide the most benefit. At Santa Cruz Osteopathic, physiatrist and physical medicine specialist Dr....

You probably know the term “pinched nerve,” but maybe not the medical term for it: “radiculopathy.” When a root of a spinal nerve becomes impinged upon by surrounding structures or material, the nerve generates pain signals that travel down the length of the nerve into an extremity. This traveling pain,...

There’s nothing more exciting than being an active part of a sports team, whether it’s competitive or not. On the other hand, there’s nothing worse than getting injured and not being able to play at all. If you’re active, you’re at risk for an injury, including even less strenuous sports...

Joints are parts of the body where bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues come together, allowing you to move and absorb shock. And just like the rest of your body, the joints degrade over time from continual use. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common of the 100+ forms...

Peripheral neuropathy refers to any number of conditions that damage the peripheral nervous system. This vast communications network transmits signals between the central nervous system (CNS, the brain, and spinal cord) and the rest of your body. Peripheral nerves send several different types of sensory information to the CNS, such...

A sports injury can affect almost any part of your body, but most often, the musculoskeletal system bears the brunt of the harm. You’re at risk for sports injuries if you: Haven’t been regularly active Don’t warm up properly before exercise Try to do too much too fast Play contact...

As its name suggests, osteopathic manual manipulation (OMM) is a form of hands-on therapy. It’s often used to treat musculoskeletal problems but can also handle problems related to other bodily systems. OMM restores balance to your entire body, allowing it to work better as a whole. At Santa Cruz Osteopathic,...

Spinal discs are the shock absorbers of your spine. Nestled between each pair of bony vertebrae, they absorb the impact of moving and allow your spine to bend and twist. Unfortunately, though, they’re not indestructible, and as you age, they can sustain damage from constant wear-and-tear. Though most people’s discs show...

You know it by “pinched nerve,” sciatica, or your grandmother’s “lumbago,” but you may not know the medical term: “radiculopathy.”  Radiculopathy occurs when surrounding structures, such as bone spurs or intervertebral disc material, compress a nerve root in the spinal canal. When compressed, the nerve sends out pain signals that...

Nerve compression, commonly called a “pinched nerve,” results when a nearby structure puts pressure on a nerve or its root. It’s common in the spine, where vertebrae, discs, bone spurs, and herniated material can extrude into the spinal canal, which runs the spinal cord and associated nerves. As the space...

Osteopathic manipulation, also known as osteopathic manual manipulation (OMM), is a form of hands-on therapy most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal conditions; however, it can also handle issues with other bodily systems. By restoring balance to bones and muscles, OMM allows your entire body to work more effectively. At Santa...

Back pain is common; about 8 out of 10 people develop it at one point or another. The pain may be anything from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that shoots from the back or neck down your leg or arm, respectively. Acute back pain comes on suddenly, is...

Neck and back pain are two of the most common complaints that bring patients to an orthopedist or osteopathic physician, though they originate from various causes. If you’re struggling with pain and conventional therapies aren’t helping, we have a great alternative for you. At Santa Cruz Osteopathic, physical medicine specialist...

Tendons are supporting tissues that connect muscles to bones. They’re found throughout your body, especially in the joints, where bones, muscles, and connective tissues come together. Tendons are strong, but they’re not indestructible. Repetitive stress, or overuse injuries, can inflame the tissue, causing painful bouts of tendinitis. While ice and...

Getting older means age-related damage to many parts of your body, including your spine. But the damage isn’t an inevitable result of aging. There are things you can do to prevent age-related damage from taking place. At Santa Cruz Osteopathic, osteopathic physician Dr. Richard Bernstein and his staff treat all...

At the back of each spinal segment lies a pair of small facet joints that connect the spine’s vertebrae (the bony elements) across the intervertebral disc space. The facet joints in the lower back (lumbar spine) bear a lot of stress and weight, making them vulnerable to injury and degeneration....

Fibromyalgia is a common chronic pain syndrome. Despite the fact it affects about 10 million Americans and 3%-6% of people worldwide, it’s hard to diagnose and can be hard to treat. An overwhelming majority — 75%-90% of cases — are in women, but it can affect both men and children,...

Sciatica is a common low back problem that causes pain from a compressed or “pinched” nerve root in the spine that radiates (radiculopathy) into the buttock, leg, and foot, as well as tingling, numbness, and weakness along the nerve’s length. Because the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the...

A shin splint, medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, is an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and tissue around the bone in your lower leg, the tibia. You generally experience pain along the inner border of the tibia, where the muscles attach to the bone. At Santa Cruz Osteopathic...

Your spine is a chain of 24 bony vertebrae, each connected by facet joints and separated by an intervertebral disc, a compressible material that acts as a shock absorber when you move. The whole column forms a hollow tube called the spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and other...

Back pain is one of the most common medical conditions, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. The pain can be located anywhere along the spine, from the base of the skull down to the tailbone. While minor muscle strains and sprains are likely to heal relatively...

Not all medical doctors have an MD after their name. Some doctors have a DO, a doctor of osteopathic medicine. These doctors practice a more hands-on and holistic approach to medicine, using medication or surgical procedures when necessary, but embracing more of a natural healing approach as a rule. At...

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) isn’t really a disease. Instead, it’s a condition where damage to a spinal disc causes pain. Degeneration usually starts in your 40s, but it may start as early as in your 20s. It can take decades, though, before you feel its effects because it’s a gradual...

Back pain is a common medical problem; some 8 out of 10 people experience it at one point or another during their lives. The pain can be anything from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that radiates down your arm or leg. Acute back pain comes on...

You’ve likely heard the term “pinched nerve,” but maybe not the medical term “radiculopathy.” When a spinal nerve root becomes impinged upon by surrounding structures or material, it sends out pain signals that travel down the length of the nerve into an arm or leg. This traveling pain is known...

Working from home during the pandemic has been a blessing for some, and a pain in the neck for many. We’re not just talking about having family around 24/7. We’re talking about literal pain in your neck, the kind that comes from a home office that isn’t set up ergonomically,...

Osteopathic manipulation, also known as osteopathic manual treatment (OMT) or osteopathic manual manipulation (OMM), is a form of hands-on therapy often used to treat musculoskeletal conditions but can also handle problems related to other bodily systems. OMM restores balance to bones and muscles and allows your entire body to work...

Pain is a signal your body sends you that something isn’t right and needs to be fixed. Whether that fix is removing your hand from a hot surface or getting a cast for a broken bone, once the problem is solved, your pain should diminish. Sometimes, though, pain lingers long...

If you’re active and develop a pain behind your kneecap, you could have what’s called patellofemoral pain syndrome, or more commonly, “runner’s knee.” It’s most often the result of movements that load the knee joint when it’s in a flexed position. Dr. Richard Bernstein at Santa Cruz Osteopathic in Capitola,...

Issues with neck and back pain are pervasive problems. Of adults, 60%-80% experience back pain during their lives, and 20%-70% experience neck pain, both of which can interfere with your daily activities and lead to disability if not treated. At Santa Cruz Osteopathic in Capitola, California, osteopathic physician Dr. Richard...

The name “degenerative disc disease (DDD)” is a misnomer — DDD isn’t actually a disease, but rather a condition where damage to a disc in your spine causes pain. Degeneration may start as early as in your 20s, and it can take decades before you feel the consequences, though not...

As long as there’s a diploma on the wall, most people don’t grill their doctor about their education and professional philosophy — but you should. The letters that appear after your doctor’s name say a lot about the type of care you can expect. Richard Bernstein, DO — our expert...

Medical researchers estimate that four out of five adults in the United States experience back or neck pain at some point in their lifetimes. For many, the pain becomes an ongoing or chronic issue that can impair your ability to work, enjoy social activities, and reach the life goals you’ve...

Staying physically active is essential when it comes to maintaining a healthy body. However, an active lifestyle is also a leading cause of injury. Fortunately, by looking at the most common types of sports-related injuries, it’s easy to see patterns emerge. It also makes it fairly clear that you can...

If you’re struggling with back pain, you’re not alone. An estimated 65 million Americans share this common complaint — and for 16 million of them, it’s a chronic problem.  Numerous causes of back pain can each trigger different symptoms, like sciatica. Unlike muscle strains or sprains, sciatica symptoms involve your...

It’s hard to find effective treatment when you only focus on a specific symptom. That’s because your body is an integrated system, so you have to look at the entire structure in order to have optimal health. This concept is what sets osteopathic medicine apart from traditional practices. When you...

Your spine is your body’s primary support structure, keeping you upright and holding each region of your skeleton together. It’s an incredibly complex structure built for strength and movement. There are 33 bones — or vertebrae — making up your spine. Wherever bones meet, they form joints. In your spine,...

As two of the top physical complaints among men and women alike, chronic back and neck pain are remarkably common. In fact, as many as four in five adults experience spine-related back or neck pain at some point in their lives. Besides leaving you in a perpetual state of discomfort...

At Santa Cruz Osteopathic in Capitola, California, osteopathic physician Richard Bernstein, DO, specializes in providing the kind of integrative, whole-person care for joint and muscle pain that delivers real and lasting relief.  As an osteopathic manual medicine practitioner, Dr. Bernstein considers osteopathic manipulation to be an invaluable component of his...

Taking part in competitive sports or recreational athletics can help you stay strong, fit, and healthy, whether you train like a serious athlete or you’re more of a laid-back weekend warrior.    But every year in the United States, more than 8 million people sustain a sports or exercise-related injury, with...