Dr. Gerard Jarvis

11/27/2025

There Is Hope for Disc Pain… Here’s a Better Option.

So many people suffer with herniated discs and try steroid shots, heavy medications, or nerve-burning procedures like rhizotomies, but those treatments only cover up the symptoms rather than promote true healing.

They may mask the pain for a while, but they don’t actually fix the root cause.
A herniated disc happens when the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer. This can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness-often in the lower back radiating down the leg, or in the neck causing pain into the shoulder and arm.

The good news? Many people can avoid surgery with the right approach. IDD Therapy combined with Class IV Laser Therapy has helped countless patients address the underlying issue, not just the symptoms. It’s a powerful, non-surgical option that supports real healing instead of temporary relief.

If you or someone you know is struggling with disc pain, there are effective alternatives worth exploring!

👉 Call today to schedule an MRI review and find out if IDD Therapy is the right option for you.

11/26/2025

Understanding Dermatomal Pain: When Neck or Back Issues Feel Like Shoulder, Arm, Hip, or Leg Problems.

Not all pain originates where you feel it. Dermatomal pain happens when a spinal nerve becomes irritated or compressed- often from a bulging or herniated disc. Because each spinal nerve supplies sensation to a specific region of the body, a problem in the spine can “refer” pain to distant areas.

A disc bulge or herniation can irritate or inflame the nearby nerve root. Sometimes the pain starts gradually, but as the disc worsens or the nerve becomes more irritated, symptoms can intensify. This can make what seems like a shoulder, arm, hip, or leg issue actually a spine-related problem.

Where you feel the pain depends on the vertebral level involved:

- Cervical spine (neck): Pain may radiate into the shoulders and arms
- Thoracic spine (mid-back): Pain can radiate into the chest
- Lumbar spine (lower back): Pain may extend into the buttocks, thighs, and legs.

Understanding dermatomal patterns helps guide proper diagnosis and treatment ensuring the real source of pain is addressed.

11/22/2025

🧠 knowing your health inside and out isn’t optional - it’s essential.

Do you really understand your current health status, and what your treatment is meant to achieve? Are you stuck in a “just manage the symptoms” mindset, or are you ready - and able - to make real lifestyle changes that could reduce your dependency on some prescriptions?

Here’s the hard truth: even when taken exactly as prescribed, medications aren’t harmless. In fact, some estimates suggest prescription drugs (or more precisely, adverse drug events) have become the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Practical Neurology
- BMJ Blogs

This isn’t about fear-mongering - it’s about being honest and informed. Every drug has benefits and risks, and sometimes the “right” treatment comes at a serious cost.

🚧 💉💊 So before you take another pill or get another shot, dig deep. Weigh those potential benefits against the possible harm. Ask hard questions. Talk to your doctor. Don’t just accept medicine as the only answer - because for many of us, there is another path.

Stay empowered. Be informed. 🌱💪

11/22/2025

We are proud to continue our commitment to excellence and innovation with the addition of Thermography to our advanced wellness technologies.

Thermography is a powerful science. Over 90% of our universe has been mapped using infrared technology, and here on Earth it remains one of the most valuable tools we have for understanding how temperature affects both planetary and human survival.

As our understanding of inflammation and its role in overall health grows, the value of infrared technology becomes undeniable. Thermography can reveal early signs of dysfunction- often before symptoms appear- giving us the opportunity to take preventative action, reverse negative patterns, and support long-term wellness.

Thermography is also an excellent adjunct tool alongside traditional imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and diagnostic ultrasound. While those modalities show structure, thermography shows physiological changes, helping create a more complete picture when diagnosing or monitoring certain conditions. Together, they enhance accuracy and support more informed clinical decision-making.

✨ No radiation. No contrast dyes. No compression. No contact.�Just safe, non-invasive insight into what’s happening beneath the surface.
We’re excited to offer this innovative technology as part of your healing journey.

📞 Call us to learn more about how our advanced technologies can support your path to wellness.

11/19/2025

You don’t treat an image - and you definitely shouldn’t rush into surgery just because an X-ray shows arthritis or an MRI shows a “tear.” Many people with “bone-on-bone” findings have no pain, while others with normal spacing can have significant discomfort.

Pain is complex. Inflammation, body weight, muscle imbalances, and overuse all play a major role and should be evaluated before agreeing to invasive procedures.

And remember - steroid injections are just a temporary bandaid. They may offer short-term relief, but they can also accelerate degenerative changes in the knee, potentially worsening the condition and increasing the likelihood of surgical recommendations.

Don’t settle for bandaid fixes. Call to schedule a consult and discover the non-invasive path back to comfort, strength, and the activities you love

11/19/2025

11/18/2025

💡 Looking for a smarter way to recover from pain?

At Tonic Spine and Disc, we know that finding alternatives that are safer than drugs or shots- that actually promote tissue healing- is the key to long-term recovery.

👉 One solution gaining attention is Class IV Laser Therapy.

Here’s why it’s changing the game:
✨ Accelerated Healing - High-powered lasers stimulate cellular activity to speed recovery
✨ Pain Relief Without Medications - Non-invasive, no needles, no drugs - just light doing its work.
✨ Reduced Inflammation & Swelling - Laser therapy helps your body kick its natural healing into high gear.
✨ Improved Mobility - Break down scar tissue and regain your range of motion.
✨ Enhanced Circulation & Oxygenation /Deliver nutrients efficiently and flush toxins faster.
✨ Safe & Non-Invasive - Minimal side effects compared to drugs or surgery.
✨ Versatile & Effective - Used in physical therapy, sports medicine, and more.
✨ Cost-Effective Long-Term Solution - Great for chronic pain management.
✨ Boosts Well-Being - Less pain, more energy, and improved quality of life.

💪 Stop masking pain - start healing.

Curious if Laser Therapy could help you?

Choosing safe, effective options like Class IV Laser Therapy is one of the smartest ways to relieve pain and reclaim your full, active life

11/15/2025

Many people don’t realize that issues like disc herniations, synovial cysts, and degenerative changes in the lower spine can create significant pain - often because they irritate or compress the nerves of the sacral plexus. This network of nerves is formed from the spinal nerve roots L4–L5 and S1–S4. It sits deep in the pelvis, resting against the piriformis muscle and just in front of the sacrum, which is why problems in this area can send pain into the hips, legs, or even the feet.

MRI imaging is incredibly important for pinpointing the exact source of the problem so treatment can be targeted, not guessed.

The good news? Many people can find relief without surgery. Non-invasive options like IDD Therapy and Class IV laser therapy can help reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and support healing when the problem area is clearly identified.

If you’ve been struggling with lower-back, hip, or leg pain, getting the right diagnosis is the first step toward the right solution. 💪✨

11/14/2025

While a small percentage of patients will ultimately require surgery, the majority achieve excellent results with conservative, non-invasive care.

At our clinic, we utilize best-in-class technologies, including IDD Therapy with the Accu-SPINA, to help patients reduce pain, restore function, and get back to living their lives- without the knife.

💰 Back surgery can cost $50,000+
/- and often requires months of recovery.
IDD Therapy offers a fraction of the cost and a faster return to daily activities.
We also incorporate other best in class therapeutic solutions to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based spine care.

🧠Innovative treatment. Meaningful results. Health regained

11/13/2025

🦷🦷 Would you numb a cavity instead of fixing it?

Of course not - yet that’s what happens all too often with spinal disc pain. Steroid injections and nerve-burning procedures may offer short-term relief, but they can accelerate degeneration, contribute to muscle atrophy, and in rare cases, lead to serious complications such as arachnoiditis or discitis - inflammatory or infectious conditions of the spinal tissues that can cause severe, long-lasting pain and disability.

Just like a cavity, a herniated or bulging disc needs real repair - not repeated numbing.

At our clinic, we focus on healing the root cause with safe, effective, non-invasive options like IDD Therapy, Class IV Laser, SoftWave Therapy, and EmsculptNeo Functional Rehabilitation, supported by nutrition and lifestyle strategies to help your body truly heal from within.

📅 Schedule your MRI review today and start restoring your body - not just silencing its warning signals.

11/12/2025

Although surgical intervention may be indicated in certain cases based on clinical signs and symptoms, it is important to recognize that imaging findings alone should not dictate treatment decisions. For cervical and lumbar conditions, all conservative management options should be thoroughly exhausted before considering surgery. Even when surgical procedures are successful and free of complications, they inherently alter spinal biomechanics. This can result in scar tissue formation and increased mechanical stress on adjacent segments, accelerating degeneration at levels above and below the fusion site. Such changes may lead to recurrent disc herniation, nerve root compression, or spinal cord involvement, potentially causing further pain, neurological deficits, and functional decline.

In some cases, additional surgical intervention becomes necessary, perpetuating a cycle of biomechanical compromise, pain, and increased dependency on pain management strategies.

Following disc fusion, there is abnormal stress the adjacent intervertebral discs predisposing to degenerative disc disease and new disc herniations.

11/10/2025

💉💊 Remember: When athletes or actors appear on TV or social media promoting vaccines or medications, it’s usually paid advertising.

Don’t let Big Pharma influencers decide what’s best for your health! 🧠✨

It’s not always easy to tell when health info online is being influenced, but looking at intentions can help. Are they encouraging fewer ultra-processed foods and chemical drugs - or pushing for more?

Always check the funding. 💰 If it’s coming from Big Food or Big Pharma, that’s a big clue about who’s really behind the message.