Dr. Stephen Massimi

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Not really!: While there have been studies to suggest that more comfortable clothing helps people to be more active and healthy, there is no data that suggests wea... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Brian Chimenti agrees1 doctor agrees

A 33-year-old member asked:

Why does sitting on soft sofas cause back pain?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Soft = less support : If a soft sofa increases your pain, then it may be related to the fact that it provides you less support. Specifically, in a sitting position, it may ... Read More

5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Luis Villaplana agrees1 doctor agrees

A 49-year-old member asked:

Who should i see for hip pain: orthopedist or rheumatologist?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

You have options: Many specialties overlap, and for the hip this includes orthopedists, physiatrists (or physical medicine doctors), and rheumatologists. Orthopedists ... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jimmy Bowen and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 30-year-old member asked:

Will flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl) stop lower back pains caused from preterm contractions?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Not the best choice: Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl) is not likely to have a strong therapeutic effect on painful muscle contractions of pregnancy and the very small advers... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jimmy Bowen agrees1 doctor agrees

A 49-year-old member asked:

Tight muscles in back heart related?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Possibly: Pain from the heart can be refer to the back, so if you have any doubt about the cause of your pain then you should immediately seek a medical evaluat... Read More

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 32-year-old male asked:

What's myopothy and if is serious to have for three weeks?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

It depends: Myopathy simply means "muscle disease", and that can include a wide range of problems, but usually refers to a problem within the muscle itself. I wo... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Maritza Baez and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 23-year-old female asked:

What do you think about infertility treatment i'm paraplegic got into a car accident as infant spinal cord injury been trying to get pregnant.

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Pregnant: People with spinal cord injuries can absolutely get pregnant. Depending on your injury there may be some special considerations to keep in mind, and f... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Peter Ihle agrees1 doctor agrees

A 38-year-old member asked:

Can physical therapy make bulging disc worse?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Rarely : Typically a person with a bulging disc isn't going to cause "more damage" or make their problem worse by being active or participating in pt. That be... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jimmy Bowen agrees1 doctor agrees

3 thanks

A 27-year-old male asked:

Posture has really screwed up my rib cage and i can't breathe properly. i'm having reflux issues and muscle problems. physical therapy isn't working.

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Multi-modal approach: It sounds like you have more than one issue and thus your treatment ought to include more than just pt. You may want to see a physiatrist who can ass... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Robert Kent agrees1 doctor agrees

A 47-year-old member asked:

What happens if a sundowning patient keeps pulling their nasogastric tube out?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

This is not uncommon: Sun downing patients often do some things that don't assist the care their team has planned for them. If the ng tube is needed, it simply may have to ... Read More

5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Luis Villaplana agrees1 doctor agrees

4 thanks

A 28-year-old male asked:

Post.neck pain for 2months. one day it hurts on lt side(no pain on rt) next day on rt side(no pain on lt) what could this be?how to treat?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Disk or nerve : The symptoms you describe can be from one of a few causes, but most likely from an intervertebral disc tear or protrusion. These can be very painful a... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Thomas Namey agrees1 doctor agrees

A 25-year-old member asked:

I am a c4-c6 incomplete quadraplegic i am able to walk but lately have been loossing my abilaty to walk without sever low back pain. what might it be?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Examination needed: You should see a physical medicine & rehabilitation doctor (physiatrist) for evaluation of this. There could be one of several reasons for your sympto... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jimmy Bowen agrees1 doctor agrees

A 33-year-old member asked:

Is it good to take one of those bucky pillows on a flight, or does that mess up your neck even more?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

It depends : In general, i would be hesitant to accept any advice that recommends a particular brand of pillow. What you should aim for is a pillow that provides e... Read More

5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 25-year-old member asked:

My neck hurts everytime i turned my head?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Causes of neck pain: It's difficult to give you a diagnosis with such a brief history but depending on the context of the pain, it could be related to various causes such ... Read More

5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Thomas Namey and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

6 thanks

A 48-year-old female asked:

Can you cut cyclobenzaprine in half?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Yes, if tablet form.: Yes you can, if it is a tablet (not caplet). The tablet may not be scored to facilitate even splitting. The normal dose is either 5mg or 10mg. Not... Read More

4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

30 thanks

A 36-year-old member asked:

Which doctor to consult for muscle weakness ?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

You have options: More than one specialty of doctor can handle this issue, but you may want to start with a physiatrist or neurologist. Both specialties care for patien... Read More

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 31-year-old male asked:

Mild pain on left side neck, shoulder, & arm and back. occasionally comes and goes. what can be the cause?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Cervical radiculitis: Your symptoms can be due to a wide variety of conditions, and for this reason only a thorough history and physical exam can provide you with an accura... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Maritza Baez agrees1 doctor agrees

6 thanks

A 20-year-old female asked:

Having lower back pain and pain in hips and legs. primarily left hip/leg. what could be the cause of this?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

It's your disc: Your symptoms are most likely related to an intervertebral disc, in which there may be a tear or even herniation. When the symptoms radiate from the ... Read More

4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 39-year-old member asked:

Does sural nerve damage cause numbness?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Yes, it can: The sural nerve is a purely sensory nerve and damage to it can cause numbness on the outside of your ankle and foot.

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Marsha Davis and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

8 thanks

A 42-year-old member asked:

Slept in coach on overnight flight. major pain in neck next day. would bucky or pillow be better next time?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

It depends : In general, i would be hesitant to accept any advice that recommends a particular brand of pillow. What you should aim for is a pillow that provides e... Read More

5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A member asked:

What is the cost of sciatica treatment

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Usually nothing: In most cases nothing, as it will often resolve on its own. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, and activity modification all help to speed up the ... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Soren Singel and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 40-year-old member asked:

How long does a pinched nerve in leg take to heal?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

It occurs slowly: A pinched nerve causing leg symptoms usually occurs from nerve root irritation as the nerve exits the low back, commonly called "sciatica". This ofte... Read More

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

5 thanks

A female asked:

How can i stretch out tight neck muscles?

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 14 years experience

Heat and Posture: Muscles in the neck most commonly tighten from either poor posture (making them work harder to support your head), or from an injury to the neck (in w... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago