Vertrae® 360

Kamal Woods
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We take you behind the scenes of a neurosurgery private practice and talk all things spine-related.

  1. Is Neuromodulation Right for Your Pain? | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 31)

    3h ago

    Is Neuromodulation Right for Your Pain? | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 31)

    Neuromodulation is often described as a “last resort” for chronic pain — but it is not one single treatment, and it is not right for every patient. In this episode of Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk, we break down Dr. Kamal Woods’ three-family framework for understanding advanced neuromodulation therapies: spinal cord stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, and ReActiv8® restorative neurostimulation. This conversation explains why the right treatment depends on the specific pattern, location, and mechanism of pain. Broad, burning nerve pain may point toward traditional spinal cord stimulation, while highly localized pain — such as certain cases of complex regional pain syndrome, post-surgical nerve pain, or focal groin and foot pain — may fit DRG stimulation. For deep mechanical low back pain connected to multifidus dysfunction, ReActiv8® works differently by helping restore muscle function rather than simply masking pain signals. The episode also explores what patients can expect from a temporary neuromodulation trial, why patient selection matters, and how clinical research like the ACCURATE trial, EVOKE trial, and RESTORE trial helps guide treatment decisions. If you have lived with chronic pain despite pills, injections, therapy, or prior surgery, this episode offers a clearer way to think about whether neuromodulation may fit your pain — and why getting an honest “yes,” “no,” or “not this treatment” can be the most important outcome of a consultation. Topics covered include: Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain Dorsal root ganglion stimulation, or DRG-S ReActiv8® restorative neurostimulation Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS Focal nerve pain vs widespread nerve pain Mechanical low back pain and multifidus dysfunction Temporary stimulator trials Neuromodulation patient selection Chronic pain after surgery Dr. Kamal Woods and Vertrae® Surgery Center in Dayton, Ohio Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

    21 min
  2. Chronic Back Pain, MRI Limits & Neuromodulation | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 30)

    2d ago

    Chronic Back Pain, MRI Limits & Neuromodulation | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 30)

    What happens when your MRI looks “fine,” your surgery is considered technically successful, but your back pain is still there — or even moving somewhere new? In this episode of Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk, we explore why chronic back pain often requires a deeper diagnostic approach than standard imaging alone. Through the lens of Dr. Kamal Woods’ MotionFirst™ philosophy, this conversation breaks down why an MRI can miss important clues about pain, especially when the spine is only viewed as a static structure rather than a dynamic system in motion. The episode also examines the role of the multifidus muscle, functional instability, the prone instability test, and why some patients continue to experience pain even after a successful spinal procedure. From there, the discussion moves into central sensitization, the connection between chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and the nervous system, and how emerging treatments like neuromodulation may help interrupt amplified pain signals. If you have ever felt dismissed because your pain does not match your imaging, this episode offers a new way to think about chronic back pain — one that looks at movement, muscle function, nerve sensitivity, and the full pain experience. Topics covered include: MRI limitations in chronic back pain Dr. Kamal Woods’ MotionFirst™ philosophy Why pain can persist after spine surgery Multifidus dysfunction and spinal instability Central sensitization and nervous system hypersensitivity Depression, anxiety, and pain amplification Neuromodulation for chronic pain Why chronic pain is not “all in your head” Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options.

    6 min
  3. Chronic Pain, Depression & Hope Fatigue | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 29)

    5d ago

    Chronic Pain, Depression & Hope Fatigue | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 29)

    What if chronic back pain is not just about what appears on an MRI? In this episode of Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk, we explore the powerful connection between chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and hope fatigue — and why emotional exhaustion can be deeply tied to the way the nervous system processes pain. Inspired by insights from neurosurgeon Dr. Kamal Woods, this conversation takes a closer look at how chronic pain can physically change the brain. When pain persists for months or years, the brain’s threat detection system can become overactive, while the areas responsible for optimism, planning, and imagining a better future can become quieter. This helps explain why many patients feel like they have reached a permanent ceiling with pain, even when more precise answers may still be possible. We also discuss why depression and chronic back pain often form a two-way cycle, how hope fatigue develops after repeated failed treatments, and why patients should not be pressured into toxic positivity or false hope. This episode also covers advanced pain treatment options such as spinal cord stimulation, neuromodulation, and ReActiv8 therapy, including how these approaches may help target specific pain signals, nerve pathways, or mechanical pain generators like the multifidus muscle. For patients living with persistent spinal pain, failed back surgery syndrome, neuropathic pain, chronic low back pain, or long-term pain after surgery, this episode offers a new way to think about pain: not as a personal failure, but as a complex neurological and mechanical condition that deserves a deeper evaluation. In this episode, we discuss: Why MRI findings may not fully explain chronic back painThe link between chronic pain, depression, and anxietyHow chronic pain can rewire the brain and nervous systemWhat hope fatigue is and why it mattersWhy chronic pain can disrupt identity and daily functionHow precise pain evaluations can reveal overlooked pain generatorsThe role of the multifidus muscle in spinal stabilitySpinal cord stimulation for neuropathic painReActiv8 therapy for mechanical low back painWhy restoring function may matter more than chasing zero pain If you or someone you love feels stuck in chronic pain, this episode is a reminder that the right questions may not have been asked yet — and that a new evaluation may reveal a new path forward.

    6 min
  4. Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Is Not Failed Back Surgery | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 28)

    May 25

    Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Is Not Failed Back Surgery | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 28)

    Pain after spine surgery can be confusing, discouraging, and emotionally exhausting — especially when the surgery was technically successful, but the pain remains. In this episode of Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk, we explore Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome, or PSPS, the diagnosis that has formally replaced the outdated term “failed back surgery syndrome.” This shift matters because persistent pain after spine surgery is not about blame. It is about understanding the biological, structural, neurological, and emotional factors that can continue driving pain after surgery. Drawing from the clinical framework of Dr. Kamal Woods at Vertrae® Surgery Center in Dayton, Ohio, this episode explains why pain can persist after spine surgery, including causes such as epidural fibrosis, adjacent segment disease, recurrent disc herniation, unaddressed facet joint pain, Modic changes, and central sensitization. You’ll also hear why the length of time someone had pain before surgery can influence recovery, how anxiety and depression affect the nervous system’s response to pain, and why a fresh re-evaluation can help identify what is generating symptoms today. Topics covered include: Why “failed back surgery syndrome” is no longer the preferred termWhat Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome meansWhy pain can persist after technically successful spine surgeryEpidural fibrosis, adjacent segment disease, and recurrent disc herniationCentral sensitization and chronic nerve painHow preoperative pain duration affects PSPS riskThe role of anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and emotional traumaWhy fresh evaluation matters after persistent painSpinal cord stimulation for neuropathic leg painReActiv8® restorative neurostimulation for multifidus dysfunctionWhy the next step is not blame, but better diagnosis Seeking a second evaluation after spine surgery is not a betrayal of your original surgeon or an admission that the first decision was wrong. It is an appropriate clinical step when pain persists and a new diagnosis may be needed. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you experience sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, new numbness in the groin or saddle area, sudden weakness in the legs, fever with severe back pain, or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

    6 min
  5. Chronic Low Back Pain Is Not a Diagnosis | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 27)

    May 22

    Chronic Low Back Pain Is Not a Diagnosis | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 27)

    Chronic low back pain can be exhausting, frustrating, and isolating — especially when imaging looks “normal,” but the pain is still very real. In this episode of Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk, Dr. Kamal Woods explains why chronic low back pain is a label, not a true diagnosis. It describes where pain is and how long it has lasted, but it does not explain the underlying cause. Without identifying the actual pain source, patients may cycle through treatments that only provide partial or temporary relief. This episode explores why a normal MRI does not mean nothing is wrong, how emotional health and chronic pain are connected, and why conditions such as central sensitization, vertebrogenic pain, facet joint pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and multifidus dysfunction may require more targeted evaluation. Dr. Woods also discusses the difference between mechanical and inflammatory back pain, why listening carefully to a patient’s story matters, and which red flag symptoms require immediate emergency care. Topics covered include: Why chronic low back pain is not a final diagnosisWhat a normal MRI can and cannot showCentral sensitization and the nervous system’s role in painThe connection between chronic pain, anxiety, and depressionMechanical vs. inflammatory back pain patternsVertebrogenic pain and multifidus dysfunctionWhen back pain symptoms may be a medical emergencyWhy precise diagnosis should come before treatment This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you experience sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, new numbness in the groin or saddle area, sudden weakness in both legs, or severe back pain after a fall or injury, seek emergency medical care immediately.

    6 min
  6. Kyphoplasty Is Not Bone Failure | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 26)

    May 20

    Kyphoplasty Is Not Bone Failure | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 26)

    When patients hear the word kyphoplasty, the reaction is often immediate fear: Are my bones failing? Is this the beginning of a downward spiral? In this episode of Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk, we break down the reality behind that fear—and separate emotion from clinical fact. Drawing on the framework of Dr. Kamal Woods, a double fellowship-trained neurosurgeon at Vertrae® in Dayton, Ohio, we explore why a vertebral compression fracture is not a sign of total skeletal failure, but rather a localized structural issue that can be precisely repaired. You’ll learn how kyphoplasty works, why it’s a minimally invasive and highly effective procedure, and what the data actually shows about outcomes, recovery, and future fracture risk. We also tackle one of the biggest gaps in care today: untreated osteoporosis—and why addressing bone health after the procedure is just as important as fixing the fracture itself. This episode reframes the entire conversation: Kyphoplasty isn’t giving in—it’s taking control. What You’ll Learn: Why kyphoplasty does not mean your bones are failingThe real cause behind most spinal compression fracturesHow kyphoplasty restores stability and relieves painThe truth about adjacent fracture riskWhy osteoporosis treatment is often overlooked—and why it mattersHow to prevent the “fracture cascade” with proper follow-up care

    20 min
  7. Stop the Spinal Fracture Cascade | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 25)

    May 18

    Stop the Spinal Fracture Cascade | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 25)

    A spinal compression fracture isn’t just an injury—it’s often a sign of underlying osteoporosis and low bone density. In this episode, we break down what proper bone health management looks like after a fracture—and why it’s critical for preventing future vertebral fractures. Learn how a DEXA scan helps diagnose osteoporosis, why calcium and vitamin D levels matter, and how osteoporosis treatment can significantly reduce the risk of another compression fracture. We also explain the “fracture cascade,” where one spinal fracture increases the likelihood of additional fractures if bone health isn’t addressed. This episode covers the essential steps in post-fracture care, including bone density testing, medication management, and lifestyle changes like weight-bearing exercise and fall prevention. If you’ve experienced a compression fracture or are concerned about osteoporosis, this episode will help you understand how to protect your spine and prevent future fractures.

    2 min
  8. Is Your Back Pain a Broken Bone? | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 24)

    May 15

    Is Your Back Pain a Broken Bone? | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 24)

    Could your persistent back pain be more than just a muscle strain? In this episode, we break down how spinal compression fractures are often misdiagnosed—and why that mistake can delay proper treatment and recovery. Learn the key warning signs that distinguish a vertebral fracture from a typical muscle injury, including sudden onset pain, band-like discomfort around the torso, and the critical role of positional pain (worse when standing, relieved when lying down). We also explain why MRI is the gold standard for diagnosing acute spinal fractures, outperforming X-rays by detecting bone marrow edema and determining fracture timing. Finally, we cover when intervention becomes necessary, including the criteria for procedures like kyphoplasty and why conservative treatments such as rest and bracing are the first line of care. If you’re dealing with chronic back pain that isn’t improving, this episode offers essential insights into structural causes, accurate diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment options.

    2 min
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About

We take you behind the scenes of a neurosurgery private practice and talk all things spine-related.

Information

  • Creator
    Kamal Woods
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Kamal Woods
  • Show Website
    Vertrae® 360