Two of the most common causes of back and leg pain — spinal stenosis and herniated discs — are frequently confused with each other. They can produce similar symptoms, often coexist in the same patient, and are both commonly found on MRI in older adults. But they are distinct conditions with different underlying mechanisms, different […]
Neurogenic Claudication: Why Walking Makes Your Legs Hurt
You can walk into a grocery store just fine — but by the time you reach the third aisle, your legs feel heavy, burning, and weak. You stop, lean on the cart, and within a minute or two the sensation passes. Then you walk again, and it happens once more. This cycle — pain or […]
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Symptoms, Causes and Non-Surgical Treatment
Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common form of spinal stenosis — and the one most likely to bring patients into Dr. Veselak’s office. It develops in the lower back, where the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the bundle of nerve roots that control function in the legs, hips, and bladder. When those […]
Can Spinal Stenosis Be Reversed Without Surgery?
“Can anything actually be done about spinal stenosis without surgery?” It’s one of the most common questions Dr. Veselak hears from patients who have been told their only option is a laminectomy or spinal fusion — and the answer is more encouraging than most people expect. The short answer: while the structural narrowing of the […]
Integrative Psychiatry: A Root-Cause Approach to Mental Health
Integrative Psychiatry: A Root-Cause Approach to Mental Health Why Many Mental Health Symptoms Persist Traditional psychiatry often focuses on managing symptoms, frequently through medication. While medications can be very helpful for many people, they do not always address the underlying biological factors that may be contributing to symptoms. Integrative Psychiatry takes a broader view of […]
The Missing Piece in Chronic Pain and Stubborn Weakness
Why Strength Is a Nervous System Privilege — Not a Muscle Property Many people with chronic pain or long-standing weakness are told some version of: “Your muscles are weak” “Your nerves aren’t firing properly” “Your imaging doesn’t explain your symptoms” “You just need to strengthen more” Yet despite effort, therapy, and sometimes even surgery, nothing […]