Dr. Gerard Jarvis

09/26/2025

💡 Did You Know? Vitamin D May Help Reduce Pain from a Herniated Disc
Emerging research is revealing a fascinating link between vitamin D and lower back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation. 🧠💥

🦴 Vitamin D isn't just for bones—it acts like a neurosteroid hormone, with receptors found in:
The spinal cord
Nerve roots
Dorsal root ganglia
Glial cells
Skeletal muscles

When a disc herniates, inflammation and immune responses in these areas can trigger significant pain and nerve symptoms. Vitamin D plays a powerful role in:

✅ Regulating inflammatory cytokines
✅ Supporting sensory nerve function
✅ Reducing oxidative stress and toxic byproducts
✅ Strengthening muscles impacted by disc injury

📊 A clinical trial is underway investigating whether high-dose vitamin D3 injections can improve pain and sensory symptoms in people with acute disc herniation. Early evidence suggests that adequate vitamin D levels may reduce pain and improve nerve function in these patients.

If you’re dealing with a recent herniated disc, talk to your healthcare provider about testing your vitamin D levels. Optimizing them might be one more tool in managing your pain naturally. 🌿💊

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4190421/

Vitamin D receptors have been identified in the spinal cord, nerve roots, dorsal root ganglia and glial cells, and its genetic polymorphism association with the development of lumbar disc degeneration and herniation has been documented. Metabolic ...

09/25/2025

🏈⚾ Two Pro Athletes. One Smart Choice.

Duane Clemons (NFL Super Bowl Champion) and Barry Larkin — 12-time MLB All-Star, 1995 National League MVP, 2012 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, and a key player on the 1990 World Series Champion Cincinnati Reds — both faced serious spinal issues.

They were advised to undergo shots and surgery… but instead of following the status quo, they explored the most advanced conservative treatment options available — and chose IDD Therapy.

Their decision helped them avoid surgery, recover safely, and extend their professional careers.

If elite athletes are turning to non-invasive solutions like IDD Therapy to stay in the game, maybe it's time to ask:
What’s really possible for your recovery?

📞 Before scheduling any invasive procedures, call us to schedule an MRI review and see if you're a candidate for IDD Therapy.

09/24/2025

Are You Struggling with Disc Herniation and Chronic Pain?

The intervertebral disc is a crucial structure in your spine—acting as both a shock absorber and a stabilizer. Each disc is made up of a tough outer layer called the anulus fibrosus and a soft, gel-like center known as the nucleus pulposus, supported by cartilage endplates. Together, they help cushion movement and keep your spine functioning smoothly.
But when a disc becomes damaged—whether through injury, aging, or degeneration—it can lead to painful conditions like:
- Acute herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Cervical radiculopathy (shoulder/ arm pain)
- Lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica)

Traditional treatments often rely on pills, injections, or even surgery—approaches that can carry risks and may not address the root cause.

If you're exploring safer, non-invasive options, our Disc Restoration Program might be the solution. We utilize best-in-class technologies designed to support disc healing and potentially help you avoid invasive procedures.

👉 Call today to schedule an MRI review and find out if you're a candidate for our Disc Restoration Program.

Your spine deserves more than a quick fix—let’s help it heal the right way.

09/21/2025

Understanding Your Spine: Why Motion Matters More Than You Think

Your spine is a masterpiece of engineering—built for strength, stability, and movement. One of its most important abilities is rotation, which allows you to turn, twist, and move with ease in daily life. But did you know that fusing parts of your spine can have long-term consequences?

Here’s what you need to know:

🔹 Spinal Structure & Rotation
The spine is made up of vertebrae connected by facet joints and intervertebral discs, with rotation primarily occurring in the thoracic spine (mid-back).
Muscles like the rotatores, multifidus, and obliques work together to control and stabilize this rotation.
🔹 Why Segmental Motion Matters
Each spinal segment plays a role in distributing force and allowing movement. When segments are fused surgically, this natural balance is disrupted—leading to increased stress on the segments above and below, often resulting in adjacent segment disease and chronic issues.
🔹 The Hidden Costs of “Quick Fixes”
Many people with back pain are steered toward temporary solutions like steroid injections or nerve ablations (rhizotomies). While these may offer short-term relief, they can accelerate degeneration, often setting the stage for surgeries that may fail.
⚠️ 50% of spinal fusions fail the first time, and the success rate declines with each revision surgery. Issues like peridural adhesions (scar tissue) and misdiagnosed pain generators are common reasons.
🔹 The Role of Core Strength
Maintaining core strength, stability, and mobility is crucial for healthy aging. These are often overlooked in standard care but are foundational for preventing degeneration and pain.
✅ When Is Surgery Necessary?
Surgery can be life-changing when all conservative measures have been exhausted and there's clear correlation between MRI findings, physical exam, and functional limitations. But remember: the “worst-looking disc” on MRI is not always the one causing pain.

💡 Before You Commit to Fusion
Explore all your options. Today’s advanced, non-surgical technologies offer real solutions that may help restore function without permanently altering your spine.

📞 Call us to learn more about how we can help you protect your spine—and your future.

09/19/2025

🧠 Concussion Awareness: Healing Takes Time, Not Pills💊💊

Concussions aren't just "bumps on the head" — they’re brain injuries. And healing the brain takes time, patience, and a thoughtful, multifaceted approach.
Too often, the go-to response is to throw heavy medications at symptoms and impose rigid timelines for recovery. But true healing doesn’t come from masking symptoms — it comes from supporting your body and brain from the inside out.

Here’s what matters most in concussion recovery:
✅ Rest is crucial — especially early on. Limit screen time, avoid overstimulation, and give your nervous system time to calm down.
✅ Nourish your brain — Focus on nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods. Eliminate processed sugars, refined grains, and seed oils that can spike inflammation.
✅ Omega-3 fatty acids — These can improve cell membrane fluidity and help support brain repair. Think wild-caught fish, walnuts, flax, and quality supplements.
✅ Minimize stress — Chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight"), which can delay healing.
✅ Quality sleep, hydration, and movement — Gentle walks, hydration, and prioritizing sleep can all help your brain reset and repair.

Bottom line: Healing from a concussion is not about a prescription pad — it's about supporting your whole body and giving it the space it needs to recover.

🧠 Honor your brain. Be patient with the process. Healing isn’t linear, but it is possible.

09/19/2025

📣 FYI for Our Patients: The Hidden Risks of Psychiatric Medications

In our practice, we often see patients come in already taking a mix of medications—prescribed for sleep, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.
Many of these prescriptions follow neck
or back surgery or injury, starting with medications like gabapentin, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and sometimes opioids (though these are less commonly prescribed today due to the opioid epidemic).

Over time, psychiatric drugs are added to manage lingering symptoms—but while intended to help, these medications alter brain chemistry and can cause serious, long-lasting side
effects.

🎥 In the attached video, Dr. Peter Breggin, MD shares urgent concerns about the overuse of psychiatric medications. He outlines the risks associated with:
- Stimulants
- Benzodiazepines (benzos)
- Antipsychotics

These drugs have been linked to brain shrinkage, cognitive impairment (brain fog), and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Dr. Breggin also explains how starting children on stimulants can set them up for lifelong dependence on psychiatric drugs.

His book, Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal, is an important guide for those considering starting, adjusting, or stopping psychiatric medications. He strongly advises that any changes be made under professional clinical supervision due to the risks involved.

🌐 Visit www.breggin.com to learn more about Dr. Breggin’s research, books, nonprofit work (Center for the Study of Empathic Therapy), and his radio show.
If these drugs were as safe and effective as claimed, why do so many people seek support online to taper off them?

As journalist Robert Whitaker said in 1998:

“Kids who get diagnosed with a mental illness have got a career as a mental patient laid out in front of them.”

This is not fear-mongering—it’s a pattern we’ve seen in many of our patients over the years.



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09/18/2025

⚠️ The Truth About Back Surgery: What You Need to Know

🚧 According to top neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, up to 50% of back surgeries are unnecessary.
Even Dr. Norman Shealy, a renowned neurosurgeon, admitted he knew after his first back surgery that it wasn't the answer.

🔺 Spinal fusion surgeries have increased 660% in 20 years, yet success rates remain at just 40–50%.
Many patients end up needing additional surgeries, leading to what's now being called an epidemic: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.

Yes — sometimes surgery is the only option. But in many cases, it’s being recommended before the most advanced conservative treatments are ever tried.

📱 Here’s the analogy:
Would you settle for using an iPhone 5 when the latest iPhone model is available? The iPhone 5 may turn on, but it’s outdated, slow, and no longer equipped for today’s needs.

🧠 Now think about this: If you’re dealing with a herniated disc and severe pain, and all you’ve tried is stretching, dry needling, or TENS units — you’re using the healthcare equivalent of an iPhone 5.

These older methods may offer temporary relief, but they don’t fix the root cause — so pain comes back… and surgery becomes the next step.

💡 Before going down that path, give yourself the best chance to heal with modern, non-invasive treatments designed to address the source of your pain:
✅ IDD Therapy – Targets disc pressure with spinal decompression
✅ Class 4 Laser – Speeds tissue repair and reduces inflammation
✅ Matrix Therapy – Restores neuromuscular function at the cellular level
✅ Emsculpt Neo – Strengthens deep core muscles when weakness or atrophy is present

📞 Surgery should never be the first step. Let us help you explore safer, smarter options. Call today for a consultation.

09/16/2025

The healthcare system should be about healing and support — but when you peel back the layers, it becomes clear just how much influence, marketing, and profit are driving the conversation. And too often, what’s profitable isn’t what’s actually best for our health.

It’s worth asking: Why are some treatments heavily pushed, while others — especially holistic or integrative options — are overlooked or dismissed? Why aren’t we getting the full picture?

Let’s be honest — a system that profits more from sickness than wellness needs a serious rethink.

There’s a better way. One rooted in truth, transparency, and care — not just commerce. We deserve a system that puts people first.

The more you learn, the harder it is to unsee.

Promise we never started out as cynics or skeptics. 🫣🤯 But boy, these facts sure make ya think otherwise.

We need a healthcare system overhaul. Pronto! 🔥🔥🔥

Healthcare system | not being truthful | deceptive marketing | look behind the scenes | integrative medicine

09/13/2025

What You NEED to Know About Epidural Injections 🚨

Dr. Mark Hyman, MD recently shared his terrifying near-death experience following a routine epidural injection for back pain. While these injections are commonly used, they are NOT FDA-approved for neck or back pain and are often performed off-label.

After his procedure, Dr. Hyman developed a spinal abscess. One hospital opened and closed him, saying there was nothing they could do. He was told to “cross his fingers,” given antibiotics and painkillers—and sent home.

“I got septic. I couldn't walk. I lost 25 pounds. I couldn’t even brush my teeth or sit up in bed. Doctors said I was days away from dying.”

A second opinion at UCSF changed everything. A high-risk, last-chance surgery saved his life—but that was just the beginning of a long, painful recovery.

🚧 We’ve seen many local patients suffer similar complications—and these cases are not as rare as many believe.

Before agreeing to any procedure, especially one involving your spine, take time to carefully weigh the risks vs. benefits. Always explore conservative options first—there are both conventional and advanced therapies that may help you avoid potentially dangerous invasive procedures.

💡 Want to learn more about our Disc Programs designed to help patients avoid risky injections and unnecessary surgery?

📞 Call today for a consultation.
Remember: Just because a surgery is considered a structural “success” doesn’t mean you’ll be pain-free—and many end up needing more surgeries or long-term pain management.



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09/12/2025

Your MRI Isn't the Whole Story — Here's What You're Missing

🧠 Your MRI Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
Too often, patients are told they need surgery based only on what their MRI shows. But here at Disc Centers of America – New Orleans, we take a more comprehensive approach.

✅ We don’t base treatment plans on imaging alone.
We evaluate:
🔹 Your history & symptoms
🔹 How your daily life is being affected
🔹 Examination of all non-surgical treatments attempted, including both advanced and traditional methods
🔹 And how you’re presenting clinically

An MRI helps identify where an issue exists — like a disc herniation in the central canal, subarticular, foraminal, or extraforaminal zones — but that doesn’t mean surgery is your only option.

While some cases do require surgery, those are the exception, not the rule. In reality, many procedures could be avoided if modern, conservative treatments were considered first.

💡 The truth is, many patients find real relief without ever going under the knife.

At DCOA New Orleans, we offer cutting-edge, non-invasive care like:
👉 IDD Therapy with AccuSPINA®
👉 Class IV Laser Therapy
👉 SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology
👉 NeuroMed Matrix Pain Therapy

These advanced treatments are designed to help reduce pain, restore function, and improve quality of life — often avoiding surgery altogether.

📞 Call us today to schedule an MRI review. We’ll help you understand your imaging and discuss conservative options that have a strong track record of success.

09/11/2025

Still dealing with back pain after surgery? You're not alone.

Surgical procedures, even when successful, often lead to lingering or unexpected sources of pain — from scar tissue and nerve irritation to muscle atrophy and improper healing.

💥 Common culprits include:
- Scar tissue pressing on nerves
- Muscle weakness from post-op inactivity
- Residual or new disc issues
- Nerve damage or inflammation
- Stiffness, spasms, or radiating pain
- Compensatory movement strain
- Infections or delayed healing

🧠 The key to relief? Identifying the true source of your pain and treating it effectively — without relying heavily on medications or suffering through side effects.

✅ We specialize in advanced, non-invasive technologies designed to support healing, reduce inflammation, and restore function. Whether it’s nerve irritation, muscular imbalances, or post-op stiffness, we have targeted solutions to help:
🔹 IDD Therapy
🔹 Matrix Therapy
🔹 Class 4 Laser
🔹 SoftWave Therapy
🔹 Emsculpt Neo..and more.

💡 If you're experiencing persistent pain after surgery, there are better options than just masking the symptoms. Let’s get to the root and help your body heal the right way.

📞 Contact us today to schedule your personalized assessment and explore drug-free, effective treatment options!

09/10/2025

💪 🧠 Recover Smarter, Not Harder with Emsculpt Neo.

If you're struggling with a herniated disc, sciatica, knee pain , tennis elbow, or recovering from surgery, adding Emsculpt Neo to your rehab plan can significantly speed up your recovery and help you feel stronger, faster.

✨ What Emsculpt Neo can do for you:
✅ Faster recovery times
✅ Improved mobility and flexibility
✅ Reduced pain and muscle spasms
✅ Enhanced muscle strength and stability

This time-efficient, non-invasive treatment supports your body’s natural healing — helping you return to normal activities quicker and with a lower risk of re-injury compared to traditional rehab alone.

📞 Call today to see if Emsculpt Neo is right for your recovery plan!

Heal smarter- Move better.