"Brain Talks!" and "Back Talks!"

Welcome to "Brain Talks!" and "Back Talks!", the free webinar series from the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation. Through this free webinar series, we hope to improve the health of our community and provide doctors, patients and their families with the best and most current information and research.

In "Brain Talks!" and "Back Talks!", we've asked the neurosurgeons and physical therapists at Mayfield Brain & Spine to share their expertise. Viewers can learn more about the inner workings of these complex clinical cases, options for pain relief, the heart-brain connection and emerging therapies and technologies.

We launched the series in 2020 with eight live online programs, and you can now view them on demand – just find the link below. Grab a snack and a notebook, and learn more about the latest advances in brain and spine care.

Back Talks! and Brain Talks! Webinars

Back Talks!

Presenter: Jenna Till, PT, DPT

The Best Exercises to Protect Your Back

Back pain results when the spine is stressed by injury, disease, wear and tear, or poor body mechanics. Acute low back pain is abrupt, intense pain that subsides after a period of days or weeks. It typically resolves with rest, physical therapy, and other self-care measures. Learn good and bad exercises for the aging spine to prevent pain.

Presenter: Michael Kachmann, MD

My Aching Back! Prevent Back Pain and Know When It's Time for Surgery

As you age, the spine begins to show signs of wear and tear as the discs dry out and shrink. These age-related changes can lead to arthritis, disc herniation, or stenosis. The good news is 80% of people with neck and back pain get better with nonsurgical therapy. Learn when surgery may be needed and how minimally invasive techniques can shorten recovery.

Presenter: Bryan Krueger, MD

Mind the Curve: New Treatments in Correcting An Abnormal Spinal Curve

Adult scoliosis and kyphosis can occur when the facet joints and discs deteriorate over time and are unable to support the spine's normal alignment. Like the game Jenga, when a block is removed from the tower, other blocks can become off balance. Spine deformity can also be caused by past spine surgery. Learn about adjacent segment disease, junctional kyphosis, and how spinal curves can be corrected.

Presenter: George Mandybur, MD

Finding Relief: Treating Chronic Back Pain with Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) masks pain signals before they reach the brain. A small device implanted in the body transmits electrical pulses to the spinal cord. It helps people with chronic pain better manage symptoms and reduce their use of pain medications. Learn about chronic pain, the problem with opioids, failed back syndrome, and how SCS may help people find relief.

Brain Talks!

Presenter: George Mandybur, MD

New Developments in Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgery to implant a device that sends electrical signals to brain areas responsible for body movement. Electrodes are placed deep in the brain and connected to a stimulator device. Similar to a heart pacemaker, a neurostimulator uses electric pulses to regulate brain activity. DBS can help reduce the symptoms of tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking problems caused by Parkinson's disease or essential tremor. Successful DBS allows people to potentially reduce their medications and improve their quality of life.

Presenter: Vince DiNapoli, MD, PhD

Brain Tumor 101: Types and the Latest Therapies

When people hear about brain tumors they most often think the worst, but not all brain tumors are deadly. Many people receive treatment for their tumor, survive, and go on about their lives. Learn about the different types of brain tumors and how biomarkers and genomics are changing treatment.

Presenter: Yair Gozal, MD, PhD

Headaches and Other Symptoms Not to Ignore

This presentation is sponsored by ProScan Imaging

Everyday ailments like headache, dizziness, and forgetfulness are symptoms we've all had from time to time. They typically go away on their own. However, sometimes they persist or are more severe than usual. These symptoms can also be a sign of more worrisome problems in the brain. This talk will review symptoms you shouldn't ignore and when to get them checked out.

Presenter: Andy Ringer, MD

Understanding Your Heart-Brain Connection

Did you know that taking care of your heart also helps your brain health? We have long known that diseases clogging the arteries of the heart can also clog the arteries of the brain. Arterial damage leads to arterial blockages, which lead to strokes, vascular insufficiency, or vascular dementia. Learn how a heart-healthy lifestyle supports our brain and improves memory and cognitive function.