Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT | Women's Voices For Change

A Healthier, More Satisfying Second Half of Life: ‘Exercise Is Medicine’

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

This is the fourth in our two-months-long series (40 Things for Every Woman in Her 40s) of Medical Monday articles intended to be useful to all our readers, but pointed especially toward those in their 40s—that in-between decade in which hormonal change has begun but fertility is still possible. This week the topic is 'exercise as medicine.'

Fitness · Health

Reversing the Effects of Sarcopenia, the Muscle-Mass Decline That Starts in the 30s

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

Most of us realize that muscle mass or size increases with exercise and decreases with inactivity. Muscle mass and size also decrease with aging. Sarcopenia is the medical term utilized to describe this process.

Fitness · Health

Medical Monday: Preparing for Battle Is Vital for Weekend Warriors

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

There is no better medicine than exercise, in my opinion, but choose to do it wisely. Train your body to be able to handle the exercise based activities you want to participate in, take time to warm up and cool down, use your diet to help you prepare for and recover from activity and allow your body time to rest.

General Medical · Health

Medical Management of Scoliosis: Part 2 of Our Series on “Curvature of the Spine”

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

One example of acute management of scoliosis would be the development of a pinched nerve at the spine, due to scoliosis, that requires consultation and management with and by a physiatrist and/or spine surgeon to restore function and relieve pain.

Fitness · Health

Detecting and Treating Scoliosis, Part I

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

This is the first post in Women’s Voices’ upcoming three-part series on scoliosis—“curvature of the spine,” a condition that can cause postural abnormalities and back pain.

Ask Dr. Pat

Dr. Pat Consults: Joint Injections for Lower-Back Pain

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

"My orthopedist offered to do facet injections into my spine to see if it would help the pain and help me work with a physical therapist again. This sounds really frightening to me. What is the injection, actually?"

Ask Dr. Pat

Dr. Pat Consults: Lower-Back Pain—Searching for the Specific Cause

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

Most patients describe their MRI findings of the lumbar spine—“I have a disc bulge, stenosis, and arthritis of the spine”—but they usually don’t know if any of these findings is responsible for their pain.

Ask Dr. Pat

Dr. Pat Consults: A Primer on Shoulder-Replacement Therapy

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

"It seems to me that lots of women I know in their 40s and 50s are having serious shoulder problems. Does hormonal change have an impact on this, or is it just age and bad luck?"

Ask Dr. Pat

Dr. Pat Consults: Knee Pain—Causes and Treatment Options

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

“An orthopedist told me I needed bilateral knee replacements because I have ‘bone on bone’ in my knees. Why didn't someone tell me that my lifelong interest in athletics and then in running would cause this kind of serious problem?”

General Medical · Health

Dr. Pat Consults: The Hazards of a Misaligned Spine

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

By Patricia Yarberry Allen, MD and James F. Wyss, MD, PT

Kyphosis, or roundback posture, refers to an increased curvature of the spine from front to back. It has known causes, and can become progressively worse with time. Kyphosis is more common in women. It is often feared, since it causes a loss of height and poor posture. Severe khyposis is associated with health impairments that include pain, neurological problems, digestive problems, or even difficulty breathing.

Ask Dr. Pat

Dr. Pat Consults: When to Call In a Physiatrist

By Dr. James F. Wyss, MD, PT

"In my opinion, the key difference between physiatrists and other medical specialties is the emphasis on evaluation and treatment of the whole person to improve his or her function and quality of life."