Resources

I have a herniated disc. Can I ever pick up my child again without pain?

Although disc injuries are common, their outlook is promising. With standard treatment (a combination of pain control, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy), most people with disc injuries heal without surgery.

You Deserve This 7-Day Self-Care Challenge

How you eat, sleep, think, move, and feel are all connected. Taking time to care for yourself can improve the symptoms you may be feeling and your outlook on life as a whole. If you’re ready to make yourself a priority, but aren't sure where to start, try this 7-day Self-Care challenge.

Understanding CBD: Does it Work for Muscle and Joint Pain?

Nowadays, you can’t go anywhere without seeing or hearing something about cannabidiol (CBD). There are so many options—creams, tinctures, salves, lozenges, gummies, you name it—and so many potent claims for its benefits, including muscle and joint pain relief.

Firefly Health & Vori Health Partner to Improve Musculoskeletal Specialty Care

Vori Health and Firefly Health launch strategic partnership to deliver better MSK care, costs, and outcomes.

WholeHealth Living to Partner with Vori Health to Provide Industry Leading Musculoskeletal Solution

Ground-breaking partnership set to deliver a new standard of multi-disciplinary care for back, neck, hip, knee, shoulder pain, and more.

Vori Health and Physical Rehabilitation Network Announce Strategic Relationship to Advance MSK Care Accessibility & Affordability with Whole-Person, MSK Hybrid Care Model

Vori Health announces strategic partnership with Physical Rehabilitation Network for hybrid MSK and orthopedic care.

Cohere Health adds Vori Health to its Digital Prior Authorization Ecosystem

Partnership will add Vori's integrated virtual and in-person musculoskeletal care as a care option directly in the authorization workflow.

I am so tired and exhausted. Where do I even begin to fix things?​

When you're dealing with back pain, it's hard to focus your attention anywhere else. But, other factors in your life may be worsening your symptoms, if not causing them. ​For example, research shows high stress and a poor diet, among other lifestyle factors, increase your risk for injuries to your discs (the cushions in between the bones of your back). To effectively treat your back pain, your care should include more than just a prescription for your back, explains Holly Krymis, Vori Health's Director of Behavior Change & Health Coaching.

Does everyone eventually end up with lower back pain?​

The chances are high: Studies show at least 80 percent of people in the United States will experience some form of low back pain at least once in their lives. ​Why is the lower back problematic? To start, the bones in your lower back (called the lumbar spine) bear a lot of your body’s weight. This raises the risk of injury to this area right out of of the gate. Other factors like the hours we spend sitting—and the poor posture, weak muscles, and weight gain that usually follow—dramatically worsen the problem.

Are the arches in my feet falling? ​

The arches of your feet are architectural feats! They absorb shock, helping you stand tall and strong with minimal effort. But just like iconic arches around the world, the arches of your feet can also fall or collapse over time, says Jim Fiechtl, MD, a Vori Health sports medicine physician. In addition to age, other factors like injuries, arthritis, weight gain, and pregnancy can also cause fallen arches (also known as flat feet or pes planus). “You can also blame your parents,” Dr. Fiechtl says. "Some people are born with fallen arches. There is a genetic component that rarely skips generations.”

I have four herniated discs in my back. I did physical therapy—now what?​

We’re sorry to hear about your struggle with disc herniations.​​ If you have not already done so, be sure to get a thorough medical evaluation to confirm your diagnosis. Disc changes are a natural part of the aging process—which is why many people who get an MRI find out they have disc herniations. In some people, these herniations cause pain, and in other people, they are silent. It’s important to speak with a medical provider about your symptoms to rule out any other potential causes.

I was just diagnosed with pre-diabetes. What can I do to get better? ​

If you have pre-diabetes, you are not alone: Approximately 88 million adults in the United States have this diagnosis. ​​With pre-diabetes, a person’s blood sugar levels are above normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a serious health condition that can progress to type 2 diabetes as well as increase your risk for heart disease and stroke—but it doesn’t have to.

I’ve been told I have bone spurs in my back. What does this mean?​

Although they sound scary, bone spurs are actually very common and many times don’t cause any symptoms. Bone spurs are usually found when people get x-rays for other reasons.

If the problem is in my back, why do I have pain in my leg?​

If you are experiencing sharp, burning pains that travel from your back down your legs, you may be feeling symptoms of a pinched nerve (also called sciatica or a radiculopathy). In your back, the cushions between your bones (called intervertebral discs) sit very close to your spinal cord and nerves.

I work with a computer every day. ​ How should I deal with my neck and shoulder pain?

We feel you, more and more with each word we type! Most humans share your plight and know the discomfort of tech neck (or text neck)—the aches and pains that arise from staring at a screen.

I've spent so much money and time on imaging. Is it necessary?

Surprisingly, no: Most people with low back pain do not need imaging studies (x-ray, MRI, etc). Unless there are signs of a serious issue, studies show there is no benefit to looking inside the human body for a cause of low back pain.

Bulging, slipped, ruptured—what’s the difference between all these terms?​

If you're confused by all the ways to describe a disc injury, you’re not alone! Several years ago, a task force of spine specialists sat down to simplify the terminology. As a result, there are just two main types of disc issues: herniations and bulges. Like a herniation, a bulge is an injury that changes the shape of a disc and can inflame nearby structures; but, unlike a herniation (where one part of the disc pushes through a tear), a bulge refers to a general enlargement of the disc’s edges (the whole disc appears swollen). ​

Keto, South Beach, Paleo—​ which diet will help me lose the most weight?

With so many diets on the table, it’s easy to get caught up in their different weight-loss claims. ​Instead of analyzing food fads pound for pound, we first recommend understanding how they work. “While many fad diets may help you lose weight, they can also be restrictive,” says Christi Bowling, a Vori Health Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

I’m training for my first triathalon—​ what should I eat on race day? ​

Just like you map your training routes, it’s a good idea to plan your game day diet. ​“Timing and pairing of nutrients and fluids make all the difference when training for an endurance-type race,” says Christi Bowling, a registered dietitian nutritionist and director of nutrition at Vori Health.

What does the word herniation mean?

Moving the Women’s Health Needle in MSK

Women face unique musculoskeletal (MSK) challenges that are often overlooked or misunderstood in traditional healthcare models, leading to major gaps in care. Without the right type of care, women are less likely to achieve true relief from their MSK pain—proving to be the biggest challenge of it all.

The Comprehensive Employer’s Guide to MSK Solutions

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions remain the top one or two high-cost claims for employers. With healthcare costs on the rise again, companies are looking for better ways to contain these sky-high costs while still improving outcomes for their employees. We canvased the MSK care landscape to breakdown the key components needed to drive engagement, outcomes, and savings.

When Pain Divides Us: Solving Inequitable Access & Outcomes

For many demographics, musculoskeletal (MSK) problems are a major cause of disability and lower quality of life. However, not everyone with MSK issues feels the same amount of pain.

Managing Musculoskeletal Pain in Older Adults

With nearly one in four Americans soon to be in the senior age bracket, clinicians and payers alike are narrowing their focus on optimizing care for the health conditions that disproportionately impact older adults. And for the majority of stakeholders, the spotlight shines directly on musculoskeletal (MSK) pain.

Pain & Opioids: How Inappropriate Care is Fueling a National Crisis

Hear Vori Health CEO Ryan A. Grant, MD, MBA, FAANS and David Essary, President of Allstate Benefits, discuss the rising costs of MSK care, why the delivery of care model matters, and how to compare the different offerings in the market for employers/plans.

Integrating GLP-1s into the Future of MSK Care

Obesity and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions impact a major portion of the American population. With glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1s) rapidly transforming obesity care as well as bottom lines, it's more important than ever for employers and payers to consider strategies for sustainable impact.

Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Mental Health to Treat MSK Pain

Hear Vori Health CEO Ryan A. Grant, MD, MBA, FAANS and David Essary, President of Allstate Benefits, discuss the rising costs of MSK care, why the delivery of care model matters, and how to compare the different offerings in the market for employers/plans.

Finding and Redirecting MSK Members to Doctor-Led Care with Predictive Analytics

As the healthcare industry transforms into a more data-driven landscape, predictive analytics emerges as the tool of choice for employers and health plans looking to improve care and lower costs. But finding members further upstream in the MSK patient journey is only part of the solution. Redirecting members to appropriate, physician-led medical care plays an equally important role in driving high value.