<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Alter Health - Blog</title><description>Guidance on spine health, treatment options, and recovery - written for patients, reviewed by surgeons.</description><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/</link><item><title>ACDF recovery: what to expect after neck fusion</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/acdf-recovery-what-to-expect/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/acdf-recovery-what-to-expect/</guid><description>A realistic week-by-week guide to recovering from anterior cervical discectomy and fusion — what&apos;s normal, what to be careful of, and how long the fusion actually takes to solidify.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Burning or tingling feet: when the cause is your spine</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/burning-tingling-feet-spine-cause/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/burning-tingling-feet-spine-cause/</guid><description>Burning, tingling or numb feet are often blamed on circulation or diabetes, but a compressed nerve in the lower spine is a common and frequently overlooked cause.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Buttock pain: the causes most people get wrong</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/buttock-pain-causes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/buttock-pain-causes/</guid><description>Buttock pain is often assumed to be muscular, but it frequently traces back to the spine, the sacroiliac joint, or a specific nerve rather than the buttock muscle itself.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Cervical disc replacement vs neck fusion (ACDF): how to choose</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervical-disc-replacement-vs-acdf/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervical-disc-replacement-vs-acdf/</guid><description>Both treat a damaged neck disc from the front of the neck, but they work in opposite ways — one preserves motion, one eliminates it. What actually determines which is right for you.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Cervical myelopathy: the neck problem you should not ignore</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervical-myelopathy-warning-signs/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervical-myelopathy-warning-signs/</guid><description>Cervical myelopathy is spinal cord compression in the neck, and unlike most neck pain, it doesn&apos;t wait for you to feel better on its own. What it looks like, and why it needs prompt attention.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Cervicogenic headache: when the headache starts in your neck</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervicogenic-headache-explained/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervicogenic-headache-explained/</guid><description>Some headaches don&apos;t originate in the head at all — they&apos;re referred pain from the neck. How to recognise this pattern, and why it needs a different approach from ordinary headache treatment.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Dizziness with neck pain: is there a connection?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/dizziness-with-neck-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/dizziness-with-neck-pain/</guid><description>Neck problems can genuinely cause dizziness, but dizziness has many other causes too, several of them more serious. How to think about this combination, and why it needs a careful assessment.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Foot drop: what causes it and can it recover?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/foot-drop-causes-recovery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/foot-drop-causes-recovery/</guid><description>Foot drop — difficulty lifting the front of the foot when walking — usually points to a nerve problem, sometimes in the spine. What causes it, why it needs prompt assessment, and what recovery typically looks like.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Heat or ice for back pain: which, when, and why</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/heat-or-ice-for-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/heat-or-ice-for-back-pain/</guid><description>Heat and ice both help back pain, but at different stages and for different reasons. A simple, practical guide to choosing between them.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Hip pain or back pain? How to tell them apart</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/hip-pain-or-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/hip-pain-or-back-pain/</guid><description>Pain around the hip and lower back can come from either joint, and the two are frequently confused. A practical guide to telling which one is actually the source.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Lumbar strain: how long it really takes to heal</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/lumbar-strain-recovery-time/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/lumbar-strain-recovery-time/</guid><description>A realistic recovery timeline for a lumbar strain, week by week, and the signs your back is on track versus the signs it&apos;s worth getting checked.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Muscle relaxants for back pain: when they help and when they don&apos;t</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/muscle-relaxants-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/muscle-relaxants-back-pain/</guid><description>What muscle relaxants are actually for, when a doctor might consider prescribing one for back pain, and why they suit some situations and not others.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Neck cracking and popping: is it doing any harm?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/neck-cracking-popping-explained/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/neck-cracking-popping-explained/</guid><description>That crack when you turn your neck is almost always harmless gas bubbles releasing in the joints, not damage. Here&apos;s when it&apos;s genuinely nothing to worry about, and the pattern that isn&apos;t.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Neck exercises that help, and the ones to skip</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/neck-exercises-help-and-avoid/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/neck-exercises-help-and-avoid/</guid><description>The right neck exercises can genuinely reduce stiffness and pain. The wrong ones, done with the wrong technique or at the wrong time, can aggravate an already irritated neck.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Numbness in your hands: neck problem or carpal tunnel?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/numb-hands-neck-or-carpal-tunnel/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/numb-hands-neck-or-carpal-tunnel/</guid><description>Numb or tingling hands are usually blamed on carpal tunnel syndrome, but a compressed nerve in the neck can produce a very similar feeling. How to tell which one is actually happening.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pain relief for back pain: what works, and what to be careful with</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/pain-relief-for-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/pain-relief-for-back-pain/</guid><description>A practical overview of the categories of pain relief people use for back pain, what each is generally suited for, and when to check with a pharmacist or doctor rather than self-manage.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Do posture correctors and back belts actually work?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/posture-correctors-back-belts/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/posture-correctors-back-belts/</guid><description>Posture correctors and back support belts are popular and widely marketed, but the evidence behind them is more limited than the marketing suggests. What they can genuinely help with, and where they fall short.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pulled back muscle or something worse? How to tell</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/pulled-back-muscle-or-worse/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/pulled-back-muscle-or-worse/</guid><description>Most sudden back pain after lifting or twisting is a muscle strain. Here is how to tell the ordinary strain from the small number of cases that need same-day attention.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Waking up with a stiff neck: causes and quick relief</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/stiff-neck-morning-relief/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/stiff-neck-morning-relief/</guid><description>A stiff neck that wasn&apos;t there when you went to bed is usually sleep position or an awkward pillow, not something serious. What actually helps, and when it&apos;s more than that.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Gels, patches and creams for back pain: do they actually work?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/topical-pain-relief-back/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/topical-pain-relief-back/</guid><description>Topical pain relief for the back is popular and generally low-risk, but it has real limits. What it can help with, what it can&apos;t, and how to use it well.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Back pain in pregnancy: safe relief and stretches</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/back-pain-in-pregnancy/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/back-pain-in-pregnancy/</guid><description>Why pregnancy strains your back, how to tell lumbar pain from pelvic girdle pain, and the gentle relief that helps at each stage.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Best sleeping positions for back and neck pain</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/best-sleeping-positions-back-neck-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/best-sleeping-positions-back-neck-pain/</guid><description>How to lie, what to put under your knees, and which pillow height stops a night in bed from making your back or neck worse.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to choose a spine specialist in Dubai</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/choosing-a-spine-specialist-dubai/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/choosing-a-spine-specialist-dubai/</guid><description>What actually matters when choosing a spine surgeon in Dubai: credentials, procedure volume, honest consultations, and the red flags to watch for.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Core exercises that protect your lower back</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/core-exercises-protect-lower-back/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/core-exercises-protect-lower-back/</guid><description>The core that supports your spine is a 360 degree cylinder, not a six-pack. The handful of moves that build real support, done right and done safely.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Questions to ask before agreeing to spine surgery</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/questions-before-spine-surgery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/questions-before-spine-surgery/</guid><description>The questions that protect you from unnecessary surgery, and get you the right one. What to ask, and what a good answer actually sounds like.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to lift heavy objects without hurting your back</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/safe-lifting-technique/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/safe-lifting-technique/</guid><description>Why backs go during ordinary lifts, the principles that genuinely reduce risk at home and at work, and why being stronger beats perfect form.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Is spine surgery covered by insurance in the UAE?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spine-surgery-insurance-uae/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spine-surgery-insurance-uae/</guid><description>How cover actually works here: pre-approval, the gaps people miss, and the exact questions to ask your insurer and the clinic before you book.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Weight and back pain: how much your spine feels it</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/weight-and-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/weight-and-back-pain/</guid><description>Weight is one factor in back pain among many, never the whole story. How load, inflammation and deconditioning affect the spine, and what actually helps.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>When to see a spine doctor, or wait it out</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/when-to-see-a-spine-doctor/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/when-to-see-a-spine-doctor/</guid><description>Most back pain settles on its own. The timeline and signs that mean it is time to book.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Rebuilding core strength safely after back surgery</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/core-strength-after-back-surgery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/core-strength-after-back-surgery/</guid><description>Core recovery after spine surgery is built in stages. What the deep core really is, and how to rebuild it without setting yourself back.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Epidural steroid injection: aftercare and what to expect</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/epidural-injection-aftercare/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/epidural-injection-aftercare/</guid><description>The hours and days after an epidural injection: what is normal, how to look after yourself, and the symptoms that mean you should call.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Exercises to avoid when you have sciatica</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/exercises-to-avoid-with-sciatica/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/exercises-to-avoid-with-sciatica/</guid><description>Some popular exercises aggravate an irritated nerve. What to modify while sciatica settles, what to do instead, and how to get back to it.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>What happens at your first spine consultation</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/first-spine-consultation/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/first-spine-consultation/</guid><description>Walk in prepared. What the surgeon will ask, what to bring, and what you should leave knowing after a first spine appointment.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>When does a herniated disc become an emergency?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/herniated-disc-emergency-red-flags/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/herniated-disc-emergency-red-flags/</guid><description>Rare but urgent. The red-flag symptoms of a herniated disc, including cauda equina syndrome, that mean going to hospital now rather than waiting.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Life after spinal fusion: recovery timeline and tips</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/life-after-spinal-fusion-recovery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/life-after-spinal-fusion-recovery/</guid><description>What healing after a spinal fusion really looks like, month by month, and the everyday habits that protect the result.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to prepare for spine surgery: a practical checklist</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/preparing-for-spine-surgery-checklist/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/preparing-for-spine-surgery-checklist/</guid><description>The days before surgery, made simple. What to arrange, what to ask, what to stop, and what to pack, counted down week by week.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Regenerative medicine for the spine: what the evidence says</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/regenerative-medicine-prp-spine/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/regenerative-medicine-prp-spine/</guid><description>PRP and stem cell therapies are marketed hard. Here&apos;s where the evidence is reasonable, where it&apos;s thin, and what to ask before you pay.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Returning to work and driving after spine surgery</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/returning-to-work-driving-after-spine-surgery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/returning-to-work-driving-after-spine-surgery/</guid><description>When it&apos;s safe to drive, sit at a desk, or lift again after spine surgery, and how the realistic timelines differ by procedure.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>7 sciatica stretches you can do at home</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/sciatica-stretches-at-home/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/sciatica-stretches-at-home/</guid><description>Simple, safe stretches that ease sciatic-nerve pain, the ones to avoid, and the self-test that tells you which is which.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Scoliosis in adults: does it always need treatment?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/adult-scoliosis-treatment/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/adult-scoliosis-treatment/</guid><description>Most adult scoliosis never needs surgery. What a curve really means, what causes the symptoms, and when treatment genuinely helps.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Back pain or kidney pain? How to tell the difference</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/back-pain-vs-kidney-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/back-pain-vs-kidney-pain/</guid><description>They can feel alike. The signs that separate muscle and spine pain from a kidney problem, and when it needs urgent care.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/herniated-disc-heal-without-surgery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/herniated-disc-heal-without-surgery/</guid><description>Most herniated discs improve without an operation. How the healing actually happens, and what you can do to help it along.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How long does sciatica last, and when to worry?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/how-long-does-sciatica-last/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/how-long-does-sciatica-last/</guid><description>A realistic timeline for sciatica, why progress is rarely linear, what makes it drag on, and the warning signs you should never wait out.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Herniated, slipped or bulging disc: what&apos;s the difference?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/herniated-slipped-bulging-disc-difference/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/herniated-slipped-bulging-disc-difference/</guid><description>Three terms, often confused. What a bulge, a herniation and a &apos;slipped&apos; disc really mean for your back, and for your treatment.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Nerve root block vs epidural injection: the difference</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/nerve-root-block-vs-epidural/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/nerve-root-block-vs-epidural/</guid><description>Two common spinal injections with different jobs. One calms inflammation across an area, the other pinpoints the single nerve causing your pain.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Non-surgical back-pain treatments that actually work</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/non-surgical-back-pain-treatments/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/non-surgical-back-pain-treatments/</guid><description>Before you consider surgery: the non-surgical options with real evidence behind them, the ones that help a little, and the ones that are oversold.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Numbness or weakness in your leg: the sign to act on</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/leg-numbness-weakness-warning-signs/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/leg-numbness-weakness-warning-signs/</guid><description>Tingling is common and often harmless. True leg weakness is different. What numbness and weakness reveal about a compressed spinal nerve.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pain on one side of your lower back: what it means</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/one-sided-lower-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/one-sided-lower-back-pain/</guid><description>One-sided lower back pain has telltale causes. How to read the pattern in yours, and when it&apos;s worth getting properly checked.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Radiofrequency ablation: how it calms chronic back pain</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/radiofrequency-ablation-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/radiofrequency-ablation-back-pain/</guid><description>RFA uses heat to quiet the small nerves carrying facet joint pain. Who it helps, why the test block comes first, and how long relief lasts.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Physiotherapy for back pain: what a real program involves</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/physiotherapy-for-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/physiotherapy-for-back-pain/</guid><description>Physio is more than a sheet of stretches. What a structured spine program actually involves, phase by phase, and why some people say it did not work.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Sciatica vs piriformis syndrome: how to tell them apart</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/sciatica-vs-piriformis-syndrome/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/sciatica-vs-piriformis-syndrome/</guid><description>Both cause buttock and leg pain from very different sources. How to tell a nerve root problem from a muscle pressing on the sciatic nerve.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>SI joint pain: the back pain that isn&apos;t your spine</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/si-joint-pain-explained/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/si-joint-pain-explained/</guid><description>The sacroiliac joint mimics disc pain and sciatica. How to recognize SI joint pain, what aggravates it, and what actually helps it settle.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Spinal cord stimulation: is it right for chronic pain?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spinal-cord-stimulation-chronic-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spinal-cord-stimulation-chronic-pain/</guid><description>When pain persists after everything else, a stimulator can turn the signal down. What it does, who it suits, and who it doesn&apos;t.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Spondylolisthesis: when a slipped vertebra needs attention</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spondylolisthesis-explained/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spondylolisthesis-explained/</guid><description>One vertebra slipping forward on another sounds alarming. Here&apos;s what the grades mean, and which slips genuinely need a specialist.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Tailbone (coccyx) pain: why it happens and when to seek help</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/tailbone-coccyx-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/tailbone-coccyx-pain/</guid><description>Coccyx pain after a fall or long sitting, why the tailbone hurts, what self-care genuinely helps, and when coccydynia needs assessment.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Text neck: how screens are changing your spine</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/text-neck-screens-spine/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/text-neck-screens-spine/</guid><description>Hours on phones and laptops strain the neck. What really happens, the signs worth acting on, and how to undo it.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Upper-back &amp; shoulder-blade pain: causes and relief</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/upper-back-shoulder-blade-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/upper-back-shoulder-blade-pain/</guid><description>Why the area between your shoulder blades aches, what sets it off, and how to settle it.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>What causes lower back pain? A plain-English guide</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/what-causes-lower-back-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/what-causes-lower-back-pain/</guid><description>Muscle, disc, joint or nerve: the four common sources of lower back pain, how each one feels, and which ones need a doctor.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Whiplash: what to do in the first 72 hours</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/whiplash-first-72-hours/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/whiplash-first-72-hours/</guid><description>The right steps straight after a car accident can shorten whiplash recovery. What to do at the scene, in the first 24 hours, and by day three.</description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>What spine surgery costs in the UAE, and what drives it</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spine-surgery-cost-uae/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spine-surgery-cost-uae/</guid><description>Spine surgery costs vary widely. What actually drives the price, how insurance fits in, and the questions to ask before you commit.</description><pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>When is back pain serious? The red flags to never ignore</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/when-is-back-pain-serious-red-flags/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/when-is-back-pain-serious-red-flags/</guid><description>Most back pain is not dangerous, but a few warning signs need urgent care. The red flags that mean you should be seen without delay.</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pinched nerve in the neck: why it sends pain down your arm</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervical-radiculopathy-neck-arm-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervical-radiculopathy-neck-arm-pain/</guid><description>A pinched nerve in the neck can send pain, tingling or weakness down one arm. What causes cervical radiculopathy, and what helps it settle.</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon: who should you see?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/neurosurgeon-vs-orthopedic-spine-surgeon/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/neurosurgeon-vs-orthopedic-spine-surgeon/</guid><description>For a spine problem, does it matter whether you see a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spine surgeon? What each does, and what actually matters.</description><pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Lower-back pain from sitting all day: a desk-worker&apos;s guide</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/back-pain-from-sitting-desk/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/back-pain-from-sitting-desk/</guid><description>Long hours at a desk are a common source of lower-back pain. Why sitting loads the spine, and practical fixes that actually stick.</description><pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Do epidural steroid injections actually work?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/do-epidural-steroid-injections-work/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/do-epidural-steroid-injections-work/</guid><description>Epidural steroid injections are common for sciatica and nerve pain. What they can and cannot do, how long relief lasts, and where they fit.</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Herniated disc: when surgery is the answer, and when it isn&apos;t</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/herniated-disc-surgery-decision/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/herniated-disc-surgery-decision/</guid><description>Most herniated discs heal without an operation. How to tell when surgery genuinely helps, and when it&apos;s better to wait.</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Lower-back spasms: what triggers them and how to calm them</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/lower-back-spasm-causes-relief/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/lower-back-spasm-causes-relief/</guid><description>A back spasm can lock you up in seconds. Why muscles seize like this, how to settle a spasm safely, and when it points to something more.</description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Cervical spondylosis: what neck arthritis really means</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervical-spondylosis-neck-arthritis/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/cervical-spondylosis-neck-arthritis/</guid><description>Cervical spondylosis is age-related wear in the neck. Why it sounds worse than it usually is, and what helps stiffness and pain.</description><pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>A stiff lower back every morning: causes and fixes</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/stiff-lower-back-morning/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/stiff-lower-back-morning/</guid><description>Waking with a stiff, achy lower back that eases as you move? Why mornings are worse, simple fixes, and when stiffness is worth checking.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Microdiscectomy recovery: what to expect, week by week</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/microdiscectomy-recovery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/microdiscectomy-recovery/</guid><description>A microdiscectomy is one of the smallest spine operations. A realistic week-by-week picture of recovery, and what helps you heal well.</description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Why get a second opinion before spine surgery</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/second-opinion-before-spine-surgery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/second-opinion-before-spine-surgery/</guid><description>A second opinion isn&apos;t doubting your doctor. It&apos;s due diligence on a major decision, and this is how to get one well.</description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Degenerative disc disease: is it as bad as it sounds?</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/degenerative-disc-disease-explained/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/degenerative-disc-disease-explained/</guid><description>Despite the alarming name, degenerative disc disease is not really a disease. What disc wear means, why it need not define your future.</description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Spinal fusion vs disc replacement: how to choose</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spinal-fusion-vs-disc-replacement/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spinal-fusion-vs-disc-replacement/</guid><description>Two ways to treat a worn-out disc: fuse the segment, or replace the disc. How they differ, who suits each, and the questions to ask.</description><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Sciatica: why your leg hurts when the problem is your back</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/sciatica-explained/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/sciatica-explained/</guid><description>Sciatica is leg pain with a spinal cause. Here is what&apos;s really happening, and what actually helps it settle.</description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Leg pain when walking? Understanding spinal stenosis</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spinal-stenosis-walking-pain/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/spinal-stenosis-walking-pain/</guid><description>If your legs ache after a few minutes of walking but ease when you sit, spinal stenosis may be why. Here&apos;s what&apos;s happening.</description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Endoscopic vs. open spine surgery: what actually differs</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/endoscopic-vs-open-spine-surgery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/endoscopic-vs-open-spine-surgery/</guid><description>Endoscopic and open surgery can treat the same problem very differently. Here is what changes for the patient, and what doesn&apos;t.</description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to read your spine MRI report (without panicking)</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/mri-report-guide/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/mri-report-guide/</guid><description>Spine MRI reports are full of scary-sounding words that are often completely normal. Here&apos;s how to read yours calmly.</description><pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Recovery after endoscopic spine surgery: week by week</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/recovery-after-endoscopic-surgery/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/recovery-after-endoscopic-surgery/</guid><description>A realistic, week-by-week picture of what recovery from endoscopic spine surgery tends to look like, and what helps.</description><pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pain after spine surgery: your options now</title><link>https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/failed-back-surgery-options/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://alterhealthclinic.com/blog/failed-back-surgery-options/</guid><description>Persistent pain after spine surgery is more common than people are told, and it&apos;s rarely the end of the road. Here is what can help.</description><pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>