Stem cells are unspecialized cells that develop into specialized cells when they receive certain chemical signals. For example, you may be aware of neurons, which are the cells that make up your brain, and osteoblasts, which are the cells that make up your bones. Stem cells are the raw materials...
Does the cold make your joints painful and stiff? Winter can lose its charm if you suffer from conditions that are worsened by cold temperatures and reduced sun exposure. To help you out, Bonaventure Ngu, MD, of Premier Spine Institute in The Woodlands, Humble, and Baytown, Texas, explains five ways...
Herniated discs are common, especially among people ages 35-55. Being overweight, smoking cigarettes, suffering from a degenerative disease, or carrying heavy items regularly can also increase your chances of suffering a herniated disc. In between each of your vertebrae are rubbery discs. These discs absorb shock and allow your spine...
In the United States, shoulder pain is the third most commonly treated musculoskeletal condition. Sleeping in a bad position or carrying heavy weights can strain your shoulder. However, if the issue becomes chronic, it’s worth looking into what’s causing it. Bonaventure Ngu, MD, at Premier Spine Institute in The Woodlands,...
Do you often suffer from pain, numbness, or stiffness in your back? If so, you’ve probably wondered what causes the symptoms. To help you get a better understanding of what may be causing your discomfort, Bonaventure Ngu, MD, of Premier Spine Institute explains the structural components of the spine, how...
When tissues that surround a nerve apply too much pressure, the result is a pinched nerve, which can result in pain, tingling, numbness, and other symptoms. There are many reasons why nerves can become compressed. For example, if you feel pain in your lower back, it could be due to...
The expanding waistlines of Americans has become a major health issue in this country. In Texas alone, nearly 70% of adults are overweight or obese. You may know that having excess body fat can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease. But, excess body weight can...
Chronic neck or back pain may not only affect your physical health, but it may affect your emotional, mental, and social well-being, too. If conservative medical treatments fail to get you relief from your pain, surgery may be your only option. Surgery of any kind can cause anxiety and fear,...
Pain is an unpleasant sensation your body uses to indicate something is wrong. Instinctually, you may limit movement to prevent the painful sensations. Though immobility may be recommended initially, you don’t want to remain inactive for too long. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or suffering from chronic neck or...
Are you between the ages of 30 and 50? Do you have a job that requires heavy lifting or driving for long periods of time? If you answered yes to these questions, you may be at risk of developing sciatica, which is a radiating pain condition that involves your sciatic...
Neck pain, tingling sensations in your arms, and poor balance when walking are some of the common symptoms of cervical stenosis. Unfortunately, for many people, these symptoms don’t improve over time. In fact, they usually worsen. At Premier Spine Institute, our board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Bonaventure Ngu, MD, specializes in conditions...
If medications or physical therapy don’t provide relief from your back pain, you may need surgery. Fortunately, modern methods ― such as laser spine surgery ― have greatly improved how back surgery is performed. Laser spine surgery allows for smaller incisions, less blood loss, and shorter recovery times. Our orthopaedic...
The throbbing and aching pain you feel in your joints may make you think twice about engaging in your daily activities, including your nightly walks or golf game. However, not exercising is rarely the best treatment for joint pain. At Premier Spine Institute, with offices in The Woodlands, Humble, and...
As one of the hardest-working (and most overworked) joints in the human body, your shoulders handle a lot of weight and strain through the course of a normal day, especially if you’re physically active and participate in certain sports like tennis or basketball. But you don’t have to be an...
Have you been experiencing pain in your legs or back? You may have a pinched nerve. If not treated properly, a pinched nerve can leave you incapacitated. Bonaventure Ngu, MD, is an experienced orthopedic surgeon at Premier Spine Institute. He and his staff can evaluate your symptoms and create a...
An estimated 40 million Americans are living with arthritis, an inflammatory condition affecting joints. While there are over 100 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common. Both types cause joint inflammation and pain and can cause disability if left untreated. An arthritis diagnosis means you have...
Just like your car, the older your body gets, the more likely you are to lose functionality. But also just like your car, the better care you take of it when it’s young, the better chance you have of avoiding the aches and pains of aging. Dr. Bonaventure Ngu at...
Car accidents can happen in a blink. But their impact on your body can last a lifetime. So why does it take so long for these injuries, such as whiplash, to develop? At Premier Spine Institute, our founder, Dr. Bonaventure Ngu, brings his expertise as an orthopedic surgeon to diagnosing...
If you suffer from lower back pain or neck pain, spinal stenosis could be the root cause of your discomfort. As many as 11% of Americans have spinal stenosis and live with back pain and symptoms such as numbness and tingling sensations in their arms and legs. While spinal stenosis...
Back pain is tricky business. It can stem from a variety of causes and result in an array of symptoms. Sometimes your back’s just achy from overuse, and a gentle massage or a warm bath can relieve your pain. But if your back has been bothering you for more than...
Sciatica is a painful medical condition that’s caused when your sciatic nerve — the largest nerve in your body — gets compressed or irritated, causing pain anywhere from your lower back to your legs. Usually, just one branch of your sciatic nerve is affected, which is why you may only...
Do you wake up with a pain in your neck? Your pillow may be partly to blame. A poor pillow fit for your preferred sleeping mode can make neck pain worse, contribute to headaches, and more. The human neck has a wide range of motion, making it prone to injury....
Industrialization, modernization, digitalization — all have been boons for American life, allowing us to sit back and reap the benefits. But this shift toward a more sedentary, and seated, lifestyle may be wreaking havoc on our bodies, especially our backs. At Premier Spine Institute, under the experienced guidance of orthopaedic...
If the thought of spinal surgery leaves you thinking you’d rather put up with back pain, you may want to reconsider. While traditional spine surgery certainly doesn’t sound appealing with its large incisions and long recovery period, laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive alternative that can alleviate many common...
Chronic pain caused by aging or injured joints may be part of your everyday experience now, but innovative stem cell therapy based on the principles of regenerative medicine can help get you moving pain-free again. Dr. Bonaventure Ngu is a board-certified orthopedic specialist who is well known for his expertise...
Pinched nerves can occur nearly anywhere in the body, from your neck throughout your spine and into your wrists. The location of a pinched nerve determines the symptoms and problems associated with it. The most common symptoms include numbness, tingling, sharp pain, muscle weakness, and a pins-and-needles feeling in the...
Neck pain is one of the most common medical complaints among both women and men, and thanks to an increasing use of computers and mobile phones for just about any activity under the sun, those complaints are becoming more common. Lots of factors can contribute to neck pain, including spending...
We use our back for lots of activities — probably more than we realize. When we lift, bend, walk, climb stairs, even sit still — the back plays a pivotal role. It’s no real surprise, then, that back pain is one of the most common medical complaints among both men and women in the...
Thanks to technological and medical advances, physicians are now able to treat a number of common back and neck conditions with laser spine surgery, which is often less painful and heals more quickly than traditional open spine surgery. Laser spine surgery, or minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), is performed without...
Studies show that exercises to strengthen your core are one of the most effective treatments for back pain, and the reverse is also true: A strong core is your best defense against developing back pain.Strong core muscles are indispensable for every movement you make, from bending over to pet your...
The amount of time Americans spend using technology is steadily rising, and with it so is the amount of neck strain and pain they are feeling. Using computers and mobile devices puts strain on your neck, and that consistent strain can lead to complicated, painful problems later in life. Why...
How To Warm Up a Frozen ShoulderFrozen shoulder is a relatively common but somewhat mysterious problem. Experts estimate that 2-5% of the general population will have frozen shoulder, but they aren’t sure why some people get it and others don’t. Some things appear to raise your risk, including: Suffering an...
If you’re one of the 31 million Americans who suffers from chronic back pain and you haven’t been able to find relief, you may wonder what your options are. Sure, there’s traditional back surgery, but what if you don’t want an invasive surgery with a long recovery and no guarantee...
Over 54 million Americans struggle with some form of arthritis, and it’s a leading cause of disability across the nation. Adults with arthritis often suffer from chronic pain and decreased mobility in affected joints, which can lead to declining productivity. Fortunately, there are treatments available that aim to decrease pain...
