The Spine & Back Blog

SPINE HEALTH AND BACK PAIN PREVENTION LUNCH AND LEARN (Gastonia, NC)Dr. William Hunter was the featured presenter for a Lunch and Learn at the Warlick YMCA (Gaston County Family YMCA) last week.  There was a great turnout, as 35 people attended the educational event. Dr. Hunter spoke on behalf of both NSSC Spine Clinic (Neuroscience & Spine Center of the Carolinas) and the Medical Aesthetics Regenerative Center (MARC), discussing important topics related to spine health and back pain prevention, as well as stem cell therapy.

Spine Health and Prevention of Back Pain

Back problems and related pain can be extremely debilitating, especially as individuals grow older. Dr. Hunter provided education and discussed common back problems, the anatomy of the spine, treatments for back pain including physical therapy as well as the importance for exercise, stretching, and working on core strength for spine health. He also stressed the importance of good nutrition and stress management, for overall health - "A body in motion stays in motion."

Additionally, Dr Hunter discussed common back surgeries and how many back and spine surgeries can now be done on a minimally invasive, outpatient basis.

Stem Cell Therapy (and treatments)

STEM CELL THERAPY (Gastonia, NC)Doctor Hunter then discussed how he has been using stem cell therapy as part of his spinal fusion surgeries since 2008 to assist in the fusion of bone and recovery. Furthermore, Dr. Hunter has been doing stem cell treatments, which can regenerate damaged tissue and reduce pain, for joints such as knee, hip, and shoulders. Dr. Hunter discussed the benefits of stem cell therapy, as well as the difference between platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and Stem cell therapy.

Finally, the presentation ended after a long Q & A session with Doctor Hunter and the staff from the NSSC Spine Clinic and MARC.

Dr. William Hunter, Back And Spine Specialist

If you are concerned about back or neck pain you've been experiencing, make an appointment with Dr. Hunter, spine specialist and neurosurgeon at NSSC Spine Clinic. He has the experience and expertise needed to treat all types of back pain. The NSSC Spine Clinic has been serving Gastonia and the broader Charlotte, NC area including Belmont, Mount Holly, Gaston County, Meckleburg County, and portions of South Carolina for over 22 years.

Medical Aesthetics Regenerative Center

Medical Aesthetics Regenerative Center, Gastonia, North CarolinaMedical Aesthetics Regenerative Center (MARC) specializes in personalized treatments utilizing innovative technologies and the latest advances in science, medicine and holistic healthcare, including stem cell therapy, weight management, aesthetic rejuvenation, botox neurotoxin injections, PRP, microdermabrasion and more. MARC has been serving Gastonia and the broader Charlotte, North Carolina area for over 15 years. To learn more, contact MARC today.

2022 WARLICK FAMILY YMCA TRICK OR TRAIL RUNJoin Dr. William Hunter and staff as we participate in the Warlick Family YMCA Trick or Trail Run at the Warlick Family YMCA on Saturday, October 22nd

Warlick Family YMCA
2221 Robinwood Road
Gastonia, NC US 28054

As the title sponsor, all of us at the Neuroscience & Spine Center of the Carolinas would love to see you come out, have a great time, and support a wonderful organization.

Warlick Family YMCA

The Trick or Trail Run supports the Warlick Family YMCA, a non-profit organization committed to helping members of our community live a balanced, healthy life in spirit, mind, and body. The YMCA makes a positive impact in the Gaston County community by encouraging wellness and family on their beautiful 118-acre campus.

EVENT DETAILS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2022
5K and 1-mile Fun Run on the Sytz Trail
at the Warlick Family YMCA

  • 8:00am 5K begins
  • 9:00am Fun Run begins
  • 9:30-11:30am After Party

What does the 5K Trail Look Like? 
Both the 5K race and 1 Mile Fun Run courses are on the Sytz Trail System at the Warlick Family YMCA.
View a map of the Sytz Trail System.

Can I dress up in costume?
Please do! It makes the race even more fun! Plus, the after race party will include prizes for best costume and performance. Dogs included!

Register Now

Visit the Warlick Family YMCA Trick or Trail Run website to register now.

Warlick Family YMCA Trick or Trail 5k Trail Run and 1 Mile Fun Run

Medical Aesthetics Regenerative Center (MARC) - Gastonia, North CarolinaOur sister practice, Medical Aesthetics Regenerative Center (MARC), is pleased to announce the opening of their second location on July 11th! MARC will be expanding their services and will partner with Optimum Result Fitness of Gastonia, NC to provide the best health and wellness solutions in the broader Gastonia, North Carolina area.

Optimum Result Fitness is more than just a health club. They are a facility that provides physical therapy with Ivy Rehab, massage therapy, yoga, boxing classes, as well as strength training, and more.

MARC Office at Optimum Result Fitness (Gastonia)The new MARC practice at Optimum Result Fitness will provide many health, anti-aging, and wellness services. MARC will be adding weight loss therapy, hormone replacement therapy, IV Hydration, aesthetic rejuvenation, neurotoxin treatments, as well as stem cell treatments and PRP injections for joint pain therapy.

The new MARC practice will be open to both the public and Optimum Results members at this new location. Schedule an appointment TODAY for an evaluation by one of their therapists or contact their office at 704-868-6100.


MARC Office at Optimum Results Fitness (Gastonia NC)MARC at Optimum Results Fitness
3372 Robinwood Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-868-6100
Directions / Map

Opening on July 11th, 2022!

Minimally Invasive Spine Video

Minimally Invasive Spine Video

 

NEXT VIDEO

TRANSCRIPT:

When surgery is required for treating spine problems, we now have an array of surgery options. The Spine Clinic at Neuroscience & Spine Center of the Carolinas is a neurosurgical practice with emphasis on minimally invasive spine surgeries. Doctor William Hunter is a board certified neurosurgeon and is here to tell us more. So, Doctor Hunter, what are the advantages of minimally invasive surgery over the conventional methods? 

Minimally invasive spine techniques are very helpful to patients. As surgeons we are able to disrupt less tissue. In other words, we make the incisions smaller. We spread the muscle and not strip the muscle like we were taught in the past; therefore, the region heals better. Overall, these techniques allow for less pain post-operatively. There’s less blood loss during the surgery. The operations typically are faster, and therefore there’s less anestesia for the patient. If the surgery requires them to be in the hospital, the hospital stay is less, and the recuperation time is easier. Patients can get back to their normal activities faster. 

And tell us what kinds of problems can be treated with minimally invasive techniques? 

Well, that is the beauty of this: all parts of the spine are available. We can treat the cervical (the neck area), the thoracic, the chest area, and the lumber (the lower back area). Therefore, we can treat herniated or ruptured disks, which is a cause of sciatica. Another condition called stenosis, which is the narrowing of the canal. The signals can’t get through, and the patient has to stop, sit down, and rest before they can move again - sort of like the nerves are in a traffic jam area. We can also treat defects of the spine, like when one bone has slipped forward on top of another bone. Prior surgeries can also be treated this way. We can even treat complicated spinal reconstruction. I think it is important for patients to be aware of the planned procedure they have discussed with their surgeon. Make sure their surgeon is comfortable with these techniques (not all surgeons are), but the strongest advice is to make sure you have confidence with your spine surgeon. 

Dr. Hunter, thank you. To learn more, you can visit neurosciencecarolinas.com.