Right-Sided Disc Herniation and Left-Sided Sciatica? The Secret of "Contralateral Radiculopathy" Hello, this is Dr. Chul-ho Son, Director of Son Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic Clinic . When consulting with herniated disc patients in my clinic, I occasionally encounter those who look confused while reviewing their MRI or CT results. "Dr. Son, my scan shows that the disc herniated on my right side. Then why do I feel pain and numbness down my left leg? Is it possible the scan is wrong?" It is a completely reasonable and natural question. Since the pain is on the left, it feels counterintuitive that the root cause is on the right. In general, disc symptoms align with the direction of the herniation. However, in clinical practice, we sometimes see a fascinating phenomenon where the cause and the symptomatic expression occur on opposite sides. In the medical community, this condition is known as "Contralateral Radiculopathy" or counter-balance pain...
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Calf Muscle Atrophy After a Medial Gastrocnemius Partial Tear: Is Surgery Necessary? (Step-by-Step Rehabilitation Protocol) Hello, this is Son Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic Clinic . A sudden, sharp "popping" sensation in the back of the lower leg accompanied by excruciating pain during sports activities or daily life is a classic indicator of a gastrocnemius (calf muscle) tear , commonly known as "Tennis Leg." Today, we would like to share the case of a patient who recently visited our clinic. Approximately one month ago (on May 8th), the patient suffered a partial tear of the medial gastrocnemius. Since the injury, they had received a variety of conservative treatments at another clinic, including three triamcinolone (steroid) injections, nerve blocks, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). However, the patient recently noticed visible muscle atrophy —the affected calf had become noticeably thinner than the healthy side. Filled with anxiety, the...
Struggling with Brain Fog and Tinnitus? The Culprit Might Be Your Neck Muscles, Not Your Brain. Have you been feeling a persistent, heavy cloud over your mind—a state often called "Brain Fog" ? Is it accompanied by a strange, muffled fullness inside your head, or perhaps an unexplained ringing in your ears ( Tinnitus )? When these cognitive and sensory symptoms refuse to fade, most people naturally suspect a neurological issue, rushing to get a brain MRI, or visiting an ENT clinic. Yet, an overwhelming majority of patients return with frustratingly clean results: "There is absolutely nothing wrong with your brain or ears." From a rehabilitation medicine perspective, the structural trigger for these debilitating symptoms is frequently found somewhere else entirely: the chronic, severe tension of your neck muscles. Specifically, a major muscle called the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) can over-tighten, structurally compressing the vascular highway of your brain and causi...
The Secret to Spinal Health: Flexion Pattern vs. Extension Exercise Hello from Son Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic Clinic . How are you managing your spinal health daily? In our clinic, we often hear patients say, "I haven't lifted anything heavy, so why does my back hurt so much?" The answer lies in our hidden daily routine: the "Flexion Pattern." Today, we will explore why our daily habits can compromise our spine and why "Extension Exercises" are absolutely essential for protecting it, explained through structural biomechanics. 1. The Reality of Modern Life: The Constant Forward Slouch From looking down at smartphones in the morning to driving, working at a computer, and sitting down for meals, over 90% of our daily life is spent in a forward-bending "flexion pattern." When this posture becomes chronic, dangerous mechanical shifts occur inside the spine: Posterior Disk Protrusion: Your spinal disks consist of a jelly-like ce...
Dizzy and Spinning? The Cause Might Be Your 'Neck,' Not Your Ears or Brain Hello, this is Dr. Son Chul-ho , Director of Dr Son Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic clinic . When the world suddenly spins around you or you feel like you are walking on floating clouds every time you take a step, it is completely natural to feel frightened. Most people's first instinct is to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) or neurology clinic to undergo brain scans or tests for conditions like BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) or vestibular neuritis. However, if you have been told that there is absolutely nothing wrong with your ears or brain, yet your dizziness persists, you must look closely at your 'neck' (cervical spine). Today, I would like to clearly explain 'Cervicogenic Dizziness' —a frequently overlooked cause of vertigo—including its triggers, symptoms, and the scientific rehabilitation treatments we provide here at our clinic. 1. What is Cervico...
Struggling with Chronic Headaches? The Real Cause Might Be in Your Neck! Hello, this is Dr. Son Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic clinic ! Many modern individuals suffer from various types of headaches. However, if your headache doesn't improve even after taking painkillers and is accompanied by neck or shoulder stiffness, there is a specific condition you should suspect: Cervicogenic Headache (CGH) . Today, we will dive deep into the causes, symptoms, and specialized non-surgical rehabilitation treatments for Cervicogenic Headaches, where the root cause lies not in the head, but in the neck. 1. What is a Cervicogenic Headache (CGH)? While migraines or tension headaches are primarily caused by brain blood flow, stress, or general muscle tension, a Cervicogenic Headache is a secondary headache stemming from issues in the cervical spine (neck bones), ligaments, or surrounding neck muscles . The upper neck area is densely packed with major nerves. When the alignment o...
Why is PDRN So Effective for a Swollen Knee? Hello, this is Dr. Son’s Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation & Chiropractic Clinic . When patients visit our clinic with a severely swollen knee—often described as having "water on the knee"—they frequently ask: "How can a PDRN (salmon DNA) injection help bring this swelling down?" Most people associate joint injections with steroids (commonly known as "cortisone shots") that forcefully suppress inflammation. However, PDRN works in a completely different way. Instead of just masking the symptoms, it awakens your body's inherent 'regeneration system' to address knee swelling and pain at their roots. Today, let’s dive into the scientific mechanisms behind why PDRN is so effective for a swollen knee. 1. The Root Cause of Knee Swelling: Inflammation and Stagnation A swollen knee means that the synovium (the membrane lining the joint) is inflamed. In response to this irritation, your body overpro...