Dr. Gerard Jarvis

08/09/2025

🚧 One Spine Surgery Often Leads to Another... 💔
🩻 It’s called “chasing the instability” — and it’s far too common.

When it comes to back or neck pain, many are led down a painful path that looks like this:
Steroid injections ➡️ muscle relaxers ➡️ pain meds ➡️ physical therapy ➡️ surgery ➡️ repeat.

Fusion surgeries in particular are known to create long-term instability. And unfortunately, that means more surgeries , not less. In the meantime, medications like Gabapentin, NSAIDs, antidepressants, and muscle relaxers are often prescribed — not to heal, but to numb.

Over time, you can become a shadow of your former self…
➡️ Too tired to enjoy time with your kids
➡️ Missing out on social life
➡️ Struggling to just make it through the workday

This story was recently shared in a failed back surgery group — it’s not rare, it’s reality for so many:

“I’ve had 3 discectomies in 5 years. Now I have very little disc left and I’m in constant pain just sitting or standing. The surgeon says there’s nothing else they can do surgically. I’m supposed to go back to teaching in September, but I don’t know how I’ll manage. I have a young child. I’m trying swimming, but physio usually worsens it. I’m just expected to live like this.”

Before committing to any spinal surgery, always exhaust all conservative options — and make sure they’re up to date. Outdated approaches can do more harm than good.

📞 Call to learn about advanced, non-surgical technologies with success rates over 90%.

You don’t have to live like this. There is a better way.

08/08/2025

🔥 Thinking About a Rhizotomy (Nerve Ablation) for Back Pain? Here’s What You Should Know 🔥

Rhizotomy—also known as nerve ablation or “nerve burning”—is a common procedure used to reduce back pain by targeting the medial branch nerves, which carry signals from the facet joints to the brain.

While it can bring relief for some, especially if the pain originates from the facet joints, there’s a trade-off that often goes unspoken.

➡️ The same nerves that are targeted for pain reduction also activate the deep spinal muscles—the ones responsible for stability and protection of your spine. When these nerves are burned, you’re not just quieting pain signals… you’re disabling key muscles that support your back.

Over time, this can lead to:
🔸 Muscle atrophy (shrinkage)
🔸 Fatty infiltration of stabilizing muscles (seen clearly on MRI)
🔸 Reduced spinal support and control
🔸 Increased risk of worsening conditions like stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or disc injuries
🔸 A higher likelihood of needing ongoing pain management—or even spinal fusion surgery down the line

💡 Many patients don’t realize the long-term structural cost of this temporary pain relief—until it’s too late.

If you're currently dealing with chronic back pain and looking for alternatives that focus on restoring function, not just numbing pain, we offer cutting-edge, non-surgical solutions that have helped countless individuals reclaim their lives.

📞 Call us today to schedule an MRI review and see what’s really going on with your spine. You deserve answers—and a plan that protects your future.

08/07/2025

Be mindful of what you consume—your health starts with what you put in your body.

Seed oils were never designed for human consumption. Originally developed for industrial purposes like machine lubrication and paint solvents, these oils only entered the food market when manufacturers discovered how to hydrogenate them. Procter & Gamble later marketed the result as Crisco—a product derived from industrial byproducts.

Understanding the origins of what we eat is essential to making informed choices.



https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2025/07/06/fed-lie-truth-about-seed-oils.aspx?cid_source=takecontrol&cid_medium=social&cid_content=mercola&cid=blog_20250806&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email%3Fcid_source%3Dfacebook&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMBiTNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrpWc9TGw4zlWIvgVruVp34yK2YWdXJmMS_Od38x0xBhZ6xLSQ_rdiVqUfnH_aem_HixlD1IFKEa5jmxO-SfYDg

Vegetable oils have become one of the most dominant ingredients in our food supply, and this documentary explains how that happened.

08/04/2025

🚫 Considering Spinal Fusion? Know Your Risks and Your Alternatives!

If you're facing multilevel spinal fusion due to spine degeneration or instability, it's essential to understand the potential complications—especially when advanced non-surgical treatments are available.

⚠️ Fusion Surgery: What the Evidence Shows
Revision Surgery: Up to 16–24% of patients require additional surgery within 2–5 years due to degenerative changes, mechanical failure, infection, or pain persistence
- PubMed

Neurologic Complications: Between 9%–11% may experience new nerve injury symptoms post-op, including motor weakness or sensory changes; perioperative neurologic deficits occur in up to 0.8–1% of cases nationwide
- PubMed

ICU Admission & Systemic Complications: ICU stays and serious adverse events (like respiratory or cardiac issues) occur in ~10–20% of patients, particularly with longer or posterior/multi‑approach surgeries
- PubMed

Infection & DVT/PE: Revision procedures carry significantly higher risk: surgical site infections (~24× more likely), urinary tract infections, venous thromboembolism, and wound complications are all elevated compared to primary surgery
- PubMed

Adjacent Segment Disease (ASD): About 25–41% of patients show degeneration at levels adjacent to the fused spine within a few years, sometimes requiring further intervention
- PubMed

Veteran patients shared real-world experiences of ongoing pain, hardware issues, and repeat procedures—underscoring how outcomes can vary widely.
- Reddit
- Failed Back Surgery Support Group - Facebook

✅ Powerful Non-Surgical Alternatives
In contrast, advanced conservative treatments can deliver excellent outcomes without the surgical risks:

🔹 IDD Therapy – precise decompression to relieve disc pressure and support healing
🔹 SoftWave Tissue Regeneration – promotes cellular repair and reduces inflammation
🔹 Summus Class IV Laser – deep-laser treatment for tissue regeneration and nerve pain relief
🔹 Emsculpt Neo – builds muscle around the spine in selected patients to enhance core stability.

These therapies frequently outperform conventional conservative therapies (like medication, injections, and standard PT)—especially in avoiding complications, downtime, and long-term risk.

Considering fusion? Let’s talk first.

Advanced non-invasive options might offer lasting, safer relief—with no scalpel, no implants, and no surgical recovery.

📞 Reach out today to explore a personalized care plan tailored to you.

08/04/2025

08/01/2025

Emsculpt Neo: More Than Aesthetic – It's a Tool for Longevity and Quality of Life.💪

When we talk about revolutionary technology in wellness, Emsculpt Neo is one of the most impactful tools we have—not just for sculpting bodies, but for transforming lives.

As we age, muscle—the true organ of longevity—begins to decline. This loss doesn't just affect strength or appearance. It impacts balance, posture, metabolism, joint support, and even independence. But what if you could actively rebuild that foundation?

With Emsculpt Neo, we’ve seen people not only reduce pain and rebuild muscle but regain confidence, stability, and freedom in their daily lives. From those struggling with mobility to others recovering from chronic pain, it’s been a game-changer.

We’ve helped people get back to doing what they love—gardening, hiking, playing with grandkids, or simply walking without fear of falling. It’s not just about a toned core or tighter arms—it’s about the ability to live life on your own terms.

There is so much more to your later years than endless doctors’ visits and prescription refills. But you have to demand more from your wellness journey. And tools like Emsculpt Neo can help make that journey not just possible—but empowering.

Because more muscle means better quality of life, greater resilience, and yes—a reduced risk of all-cause mortality.

Don’t settle for decline 🧑🏼‍🦽‍➡️. Choose to live stronger, longer.🏃🏼‍➡️🏋️‍♂️🏌🏼



https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15puDx5Lbv/?mibextid=wwXIfr #

07/29/2025

🧠💥 Did you know soft tissue injuries like whiplash can have a long-term impact on your spine?

A publication from the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) back in 1989 revealed something eye-opening:

whiplash injuries may accelerate degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine (the neck region).

📉 Here’s what the research showed:�🔹 Faster Degeneration – Whiplash trauma can trigger or speed up the breakdown of discs and joints in the neck.�🔹 Higher Risk – 39% of patients with whiplash developed cervical disc arthritis within 7 years, compared to only 6% of people without the injury.�🔹 Worsening Pre-existing Issues – If there’s already wear and tear in the neck, a whiplash injury can make symptoms much worse and longer-lasting.

This highlights how important it is to take soft tissue injuries seriously — not just for immediate pain, but for the long-term health of your spine. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can make a big difference. 💪

07/27/2025

💔 Let’s talk about heart disease, cholesterol, and what we’re not being told.

Statins are among the most prescribed drugs in the world, designed to aggressively lower cholesterol. But here’s the thing—plummeting cholesterol levels with statins can come with real costs: muscle pain, brain fog, hormone disruption, and even increased risk of diabetes. And the kicker? Studies show that for many people, statins make little difference in actual outcomes like heart attack or mortality rates.

Heart disease is driven by inflammation, insulin resistance, stress, poor diet, lack of movement, and nutrient deficiencies—not just a cholesterol number on a blood test. Other biomarkers like triglycerides, HDL ratios, ApoB, CRP (inflammation), fasting insulin, and lifestyle factors are often overlooked, yet they provide a much clearer picture of true risk.

💡 Real prevention starts with:
✔️ Whole, unprocessed foods
✔️ Daily movement
✔️ Quality sleep
✔️ Stress management
✔️ Blood sugar balance
✔️ Looking at the whole person, not just one lab number

It’s time we shift the conversation. Cholesterol isn’t the enemy—it’s a messenger. Let’s start asking better questions and demanding a more comprehensive, personalized approach to heart health.

Heart disease has long been blamed on cholesterol, but growing evidence points to chronic inflammation as a key driver. Understanding this shift could change how we prevent and treat the world's leading cause of death.

07/26/2025

Living with Chronic Back Pain?

There IS hope — and it’s stronger than pain. 🌟💪

Back pain isn’t caused by an ibuprofen or steroid deficiency. It's often rooted in things like:

✅ Muscle imbalances
✅ Disc issues
✅ Arthritis
✅ Systemic inflammation
✅ Muscle loss from inactivity or chronic pain
✅ Spinal Instability
✅ Failed Back Surgery

Traditional exercise and PT can be tough to tolerate — flare-ups happen, patients get discouraged, and progress stalls.

But now there’s a smarter, science-backed solution.

💪 EMSCULPT NEO is a revolutionary, non-invasive device that builds muscle and burns fat — with no sweat, no downtime.

Trusted by top doctors, it’s helping people with chronic back pain, knee issues, post-surgery recovery, and more.

🧠 We start losing muscle mass in our 30s — and sitting all day makes it worse.
It’s time to build back strength, support mobility, and reclaim your life.

➡️ Rebuild. Restore. Renew.
You don’t have to live in pain.