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February 12, 2026 | Nerve Pain

The MRI Was Negative…..Now What?!?

Person getting an MRI

Like many things in medicine—and in life—a result can be viewed from more than one perspective. A “negative” or “normal” MRI does not mean that nothing is wrong. It simply means that certain serious conditions were not found. And that’s an important place to start. On the positive side, your scan might show: No brain […]

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February 12, 2026 | Occipital Neuralgia

What Causes Compressed Nerves To Malfunction?

nerve system

What Happens to a Nerve Under Long-Term Compression? As I’ve written previously, the occipital nerves can be compressed by a variety of surrounding structures—muscle, fascia, scar tissue, or even nearby blood vessels such as the occipital artery. Patients often understand that compression can cause pain. A more interesting question is: What actually happens to the […]

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February 12, 2026 | Nerve Pain, Occipital Neuralgia

Which Came First The Muscle Or The Nerve?

Woman with neck pain

Over the past week alone, several patients have asked essentially the same question, “Are my tight neck muscles irritating the nerves, or are irritated nerves causing my muscles to tighten?” It’s a fair question, and frustratingly, the answer is often: both. In many cases, it’s less a straight line of cause and effect and more […]

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February 12, 2026 | Nerve Pain

Decompression Vs Excision

Woman getting decompression treatment

One of the most important intraoperative decisions a peripheral nerve surgeon must make is whether an injured nerve should be decompressed or transected. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably with “excision,” but that is not technically correct. Excision implies complete removal of a structure—such as a tumor or cyst. Peripheral nerves, however, are not removed […]

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February 11, 2026 | Nerve Pain

Trigger Point Injections Vs Nerve Blocks – What’s The Difference?

man with multiple nerve pain areas

Simple question, somewhat nuanced answer. Basically, nerve blocks are injections of local anesthetic aimed at temporarily and chemically inactivating a nerve – pure and simple.  Where things get a bit more complicated is the amount and type of local anesthetic used and if it is mixed with anything else. Each type of local anesthetic has […]

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February 11, 2026 | Sensation Preserving Top Surgery

Don’t Just Look Like Yourself, Feel Like Yourself – The Case For Sensation-Preserving Top Surgery

smiling person

Top surgery has become a cornerstone procedure for many individuals seeking gender-affirming care. At its foundation, the operation involves removal of breast tissue (i.e., a mastectomy), combined with thoughtful contouring and reshaping of the skin and chest wall to create a form that aligns more closely with one’s gender identity and aesthetic goals. When performed […]

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February 09, 2026 | Occipital Neuralgia

Migraine Or Neuralgia – That Is The Question?

Man touching his head

People often confuse migraine symptoms with something called neuralgia. The former refers to an often disabling neurological condition characterized by severe and sometimes frequent headaches. The latter literally means “nerve pain” with the implication that the condition in question is secondary to some type of nerve injury or dysfunction. While migraines can be sub-classified in […]

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February 09, 2026 | Nerve Pain

Phantom Pain – How Come It Hurts If It’s Numb?

This question is one I am asked on an almost daily basis. Specifically, patients want to know why their (insert body part here) hurts when they’ve had a nerve injury despite the fact that the area feels numb to the touch. This phenomenon can be seen in patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy (most commonly noted […]

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February 09, 2026 | Sensation Preserving Mastectomy

Sensation-preserving Mastectomy: From Surviving To Thriving

Woman wearing white bra

Over the past several decades, the treatment of breast cancer has advanced dramatically. For patients who require mastectomy, oncologic outcomes continue to improve, with many individuals achieving long-term remission and survival. Reconstructive options have progressed in parallel. Today, patients benefit from safer implant technologies, expanded autologous reconstruction techniques using their own tissue, and less invasive […]

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