03/01/2023

Why does your neck hurt?

As with most things, we often don’t appreciate them until they stop working properly. The same is true of the neck. Most of the time our necks ‘work’ without any…

02/01/2023

Headaches Caused by a Neck Problem

Headaches are a widespread health issue, affecting millions of people around the world. From mild to severe, headaches can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life. While…

01/01/2023

Things to Start Doing If You Have Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

If you suspect you suffer from Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and would like to learn what steps you can take to reduce the symptoms, then you have come to the right…

11/30/2022

All You Need to Know About Forward Head Posture

With proper head posture, the head vertically aligns with the spine. Forward head posture occurs when a person leans their head forward, out of the neutral alignment with the spinal…

09/01/2022

Sports that Cause the Most Spine Injuries

Over half of all serious injuries in contact sports are C-Spine injuries. Spine injuries can have serious, long-lasting effects, so awareness is essential so you can take preventive measures to…

07/31/2022

How to Take Care of Yourself After a Spinal Fusion

Healing from a spinal fusion varies from person to person. As with any serious surgery, it will take time for you to heal completely. In fact, full recovery can take…

07/01/2022

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

If you have a headache that seems to start in your neck, then you likely are experiencing a cervicogenic headache (CGH). Usually, the pain occurs on one side of the…

06/07/2022

3 Signs You May Have a Slipped Disc

A slipped disk is a common spinal injury. A slipped disc may also be referred to as a herniated disc, bulging disc, protruding disc, or a ruptured disc. Spinal discs…

05/01/2022

How to Tell if You Have a Spinal Infection

Spinal infection is a serious condition that occurs when bacteria, fungi, or viruses invade the spinal tissue. Fortunately, spinal infections are a rare condition. That said, it is important to…

03/23/2022

What You Need to Know About Metastatic Spinal Tumors 

Metastatic spinal tumors are growths that spread to the spine when there is cancer in another part of the body. Common cancers originate in the lungs, breasts, kidneys, and prostate….

01/29/2022

Do You Know Your Spine? Learn About Spinal Conditions and Treatments.

The spine is a complex part of the body, so it is susceptible to various conditions. What treatment options are available for these conditions? Our spine surgeon in Delray Beach,…

01/01/2022

How Poor Posture Can Cause Neck Pain

Did you know that frequent headaches and discomfort around the neck may be due to poor posture? If you’re slouching and keeping your head forward or down most of the…

10/31/2021

Osteochondroma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Osteochondroma accounts for more than 20 to 50% of ALL benign bone tumor cases. It is commonly seen in children as early as ten years old. In fact, 75-80% of…

10/29/2021

What are the Signs of Scoliosis in Children?

Scoliosis is a common spine condition often diagnosed among adolescents and teenagers, or kids 10 to 15 years old. According to the latest available data, scoliosis affects about 2% of…

08/31/2021

What to Expect From a Laminoplasty

Spinal stenosis is a condition which can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves along the vertebrae of the neck. This can lead to symptoms such as numbness,…

07/31/2021

How to Keep Your Back in Good Health

Many back-related issues could be avoided if only we were a bit more cautious about our lifestyle and aware of how it affects our spine. In this article, you will…

07/29/2021

Do You Need Surgery for Osteoid Osteoma of the Spine?

Osteoid osteoma refers to bone-like tumors that grow on the spine and long bones, such as the thigh and shin bones. These tumors are benign and not cancerous. Although they…

05/31/2021

Acute Low Back Pain: When is it Time to See a Specialist?

Back problems, including backaches, are among the most common reasons why patients see a specialist. In the US alone, about 65 million Americans report experiencing a recent episode of back…

05/16/2021

What Are the Different Types of Spinal Surgery?

Does back pain stop you from enjoying an active south Florida lifestyle or make it hard to get around or work? Well you’re not alone. According to statistics, around 16…

04/25/2021

Pros and Cons of Surgical Treatment of Spinal Stenosis.

The decision to have surgery is never easy. Given a choice, we would all rather avoid it. There are many fears and doubts around surgery, many of which are based…

04/08/2021

The best and worst exercises for back pain

One of the best treatments for lower back pain is exercise. The right type of lower back exercises can give you relief, when the wrong ones can do more harm…

01/31/2021

Do You Need Back Surgery? 3 Signs to Watch Out For

Do you experience back aches that don’t seem to want to go away? You’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common chronic complaints among Americans. If you’ve…

01/13/2021

How to Choose the Best Spine Surgeon?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders reports that almost 80% of Americans will endure back pain that needs some form of treatment. When you have back pain you want it…

12/01/2020

3 Work From Home Habits to Avoid Back Pain

Many people have been given the privilege of working from the comfort (and safety) of their homes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some, the ability to work from…

11/01/2020

Thoracic Kyphosis

If you look at yourself in the mirror, you will notice that the spine is not a straight line when viewed from the side. It has a natural S-shaped curvature…

10/28/2020

Here’s Why Back Pain With Fever Should Not be Taken Lightly

Back pain, as common as it is, has many different causes. Most of them are mechanical in nature and caused by an undue amount of stress or strain on the…

10/22/2020

Life after spinal fusion

If you are contemplating undergoing spine surgery, specifically a spinal fusion, then you may be wondering what kind of quality of life you can expect afterward. The purpose of this…

10/20/2020

What is Spinal Tuberculosis (Pott’s disease)

Spinal tuberculosis, also known as Pott’s disease or tuberculous spondylitis, is a rare infectious disease that leads to the collapse of the vertebrae, causing a deformity or kyphosis (hunchback). Named…

08/31/2020

Exercises For Flat Back Syndrome – Infographic

If you are experiencing difficulty in standing upright or having balance problems caused by flatback syndrome, our orthopedic spine specialist is ready to help. Dr. Matthew Hepler is an adult and pediatric…

07/13/2020

3 things you should know about sciatica

Sciatica, if you’ve ever suffered this you will know how debilitating it is. If you are living in pain with this condition, please keep reading, there is help out there. …

06/05/2020

How to Ensure a Back Pain-Free Quarantine?

Staying home is crucial during this quarantine period to avoid the risk of getting coronavirus. As much as it’s a good idea to remain indoors in this pandemic, there are…

05/11/2020

Are You Doing These 3 Unhealthy Quarantine Practices That Damage The Spine?

Are you stuck at home because of the quarantine, or forced to work-from-home in a cramped space? According to our spine surgeon in Palm Beach County, being sedentary during this…

04/27/2020

Don’t Catch the Sitting Disease When Staying at Home

Do you have the sitting disease? Experts coined this term to refer to an overly sedentary lifestyle. If you’ve been staying at home for a long period, you’re at risk…

03/30/2020

Thoracic Kyphosis: When Is Surgery Necessary?

Thoracic kyphosis occurs when there’s an excessive curve of the thoracic spine, producing a hump in the mid back and a forward stooping posture. According to the journal Neurosurgery, this…

03/16/2020

Herniated Disc Surgery: What to Expect

A herniated disc — also called bulged, ruptured or slipped disc — happens when the disc nucleus is pushed out of the spinal canal. It can happen anywhere in the…

02/24/2020

Flatback Syndrome: Why It’s Hard to Stand Straight?

The spine has two natural curves. It’s naturally shaped like an “S” to help with weight support and balance. On the lower back, known as the lumbar region, the inward…

02/19/2020

Lower back pain – is it time to see a doctor?

Low back pain is one of the most common conditions in adults and one of the most common reasons for visiting a spine doctor. According to the National Institute of…

02/17/2020

Back Problems That May Benefit From Spinal Fusion Surgery

Spinal fusion surgery is, as the name suggests, an operation done to the spine to permanently connect two or more vertebrae. This procedure is sometimes needed to eliminate back pain,…

12/31/2019

Exercises for flatback syndrome

Flatback syndrome is a condition where the spine loses its natural curvature. The natural shape of the spine isn’t completely straight and has an S-shaped curve. The curves work like…

12/30/2019

Stay pain-free during the holidays!

The holidays should be a time of joy, excitement, and happiness. However, back pain, regardless of time or place, can make anyone’s life miserable. There are, of course, many conditions…

12/23/2019

Happy Holidays from Dr. Matthew D. Hepler

11/28/2019

Happy Thanksgiving!

November is the time to be thankful, a time to remember and to embrace those who enrich our lives. Wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!

11/25/2019

How is a desk job affecting your health? [6 shocking facts]

Did you notice that for most of your waking hours you spend sitting? Driving, watching TV, browsing the internet on your phone, or tablet, eating, and of course, working at…

10/31/2019

What is a back brace and why might you need one?

Back problems are a common cause of chronic pain and what’s worse, they are a common reason for absence from work and seeking medical attention. If you have a desk…

09/28/2019

Top 10 tips for a healthy spine and pain-free back [guide]

Most people are not conscious about the importance of their spine until they experience neck or back pain. Then they realize how important a healthy spine is. Today Dr. Hepler,…

08/26/2019

Back Pain Facts and Statistics

Did you know that about 31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any moment and what’s more, around  80% of the population suffers from spinal pain at a time?…

08/26/2019

5 tricks to teach your children good posture

Since we have benefited from all the technology verities, probably you have noticed that you spend more time on your laptop, tablet, phone or watching TV. So do the kids….

07/30/2019

Did you know that knee pain can be caused by your spine? Part 2

In our previous article, our spine surgeon in Boynton Beach – Dr. Matthew Hepler explained how knees are linked to your spine and presented the first two of four signs…

07/28/2019

Did you know that knee pain can be caused by your spine? Part 1

When you think about knee pain, probably the first thought is that there must be something wrong with your knee joint. Or maybe some kind of inflammation that makes your…

06/30/2019

Do’s and Dont’s After Spine Surgery [10 useful tips]

Time after the spine surgery   The time after surgery is critical to your recovery. Although the surgical part is over and you can look forward to improved mobility and…

05/29/2019

Flatback Syndrome

Flatback syndrome is a condition where the spine becomes flat because it loses its natural curvature. The natural shape of the spine isn’t completely straight and has an S-shaped curve….

05/26/2019

Do I have osteoporosis? How to diagnose this silent disease?

Many people show no signs, or symptoms of osteoporosis until they have a bone fracture. This common condition makes your bones weak and brittle without noticeable symptoms. So, if there…

05/01/2019

Fast facts and statistics about osteoporosis that you should know!

As you probably know, osteoporosis, also known as porous bone, is a very common condition and affects more than 75 million people worldwide each year. This bone disease with its…

04/25/2019

What type of posture do you have? Flat back or maybe swayback?

As you probably know, the human spine isn’t completely straight and has a natural S-shaped curve. The curves work like a coiled spring to maintain balance, absorb shock, and allow…

03/22/2019

3 easy ways to improve your posture

Did you know, that posture has an impact not only on your spine, but also on your function and overall health? The main symptoms of poor posture, besides rounded shoulders,…

02/26/2019

Warning signs and symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a common condition that affects adults over 50 years old. Your spinal canal starts to narrow as a result of arthritis, and that puts pressure on the…

02/15/2019

13 surprising facts you didn’t know about your spine

There is no doubt that your spine plays a crucial role and it’s very important for your body. For instance, your spine is flexible, protects your spinal cord, supports your…

01/31/2019

Do people shrink with age?

Losing or gaining weight with age is a known fact. You also know that your height is mainly determined by genetics, and in general it won’t increase after the age…

12/20/2018

Back pain? Modify these activities for a pain-free holiday season

The Holiday Season can be rough on your back. The preparations, such as lifting heavy stuff, moving furniture, decorating the tree or sitting on a plane for hours, can cause…

12/12/2018

Why does your back hurt in the morning?

Have you ever woken up in the morning and experienced back pain? You would be surprised how many people suffer from morning back pain. First you may consider you were…

11/26/2018

10 things you didn’t know about scoliosis

Did you know that scoliosis is the most common deformity of the spine affecting children and adults? Don’t be alarmed! A scoliosis diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to get…

10/26/2018

Is Text Neck the new hazard of modern life?

The negative tendency around the world of being attached to electronic devices and phones has finally started to yield painful results. The distinct posture while texting is now causing an…

10/17/2018

Your child needs to learn good posture

As a parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure your child develops healthy habits. That can be a challenge: Explaining to your kids why eating vegetables or doing exercises is…

10/02/2018

4 Steps to a Back Free From Pain

Back pain has many different causes, including the normal wear and tear that comes with aging, injuries, low-activity lifestyle. While you cannot stop natural process of aging, you can prolong…

09/24/2018

5 Benefits of a Standing Desk

Studies show that more than half of the average person’s waking hours are spent sitting: watching television, working at a computer, commuting, or doing other physically inactive pursuits. While sitting…

08/27/2018

3 ways stress and anxiety cause your back pain

It’s generally known that emotional stress or psychological factors can make any back pain problem worse. The diagnosis of stress-related back pain assumes that psychological and emotional factors don’t just…

08/23/2018

5 guaranteed benefits of yoga practice for your body and mind

People who suffer from ongoing or recurrent bouts of back pain often have to try a number of different forms of exercise to find the most appropriate therapy to manage…

07/05/2018

All you need to know about disc issues

What is a “Slipped Disc”? Healthy discs separate the bones in our spines from the neck down to our lower back. The term ‘slipped disc’ is commonly used to describe…

06/28/2018

Don’t do these 5 exercises if you have back issues

Not every person experiences back pain the same way, but there are some things everyone can do to prevent further pain or injury to the back. Here, our spine surgeon…

05/31/2018

Is your spine crying out for help?

We are all guilty of neglect when it comes to taking care of our health, especially our musculoskeletal system, i.e., our system of muscles and bones. The modern lifestyle can…

05/04/2018

Patient Testimonial

We are proud to present one of many testimonials from our dear patient John B. who has undergone procedures here in Palm Beach County. Nothing speaks more directly than the…

04/25/2018

3 things you need to know before your back surgery

The decision to have surgery is never an easy one. However, if your doctor recommends you undergo back surgery, it most likely means that other non-surgical treatment options either failed…

03/30/2018

Did you know these facts about low back pain? Number 6 will surprise you!

Here are just a couple quick facts about Low Back Pain not many people know about, even though Low Back Pain is one of the most common medical conditions. Low…

03/27/2018

Radiculopathy – Definition, Causes, Treatment Options

Do you feel a tingling sensation in your arms or legs? Do they feel numb or weak? Perhaps they ache for no apparent reason? If so, you may be suffering…

02/01/2018

Spine Surgeon in Broward County – Neuromuscular Scoliosis (NMS) – What it is, causes, treatment options

Neuromuscular Scoliosis is a type of scoliosis that can can affect children and adolescents. According to Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) it is “an irregular spinal curvature caused by disorders of…

01/09/2018

Pain-free after holidays. Orthopedic spine surgeon in South Florida

Back pain can make anyone’s life miserable. There are of course many conditions that can cause back pain. After all, the spine is a very complex part of the body….

11/14/2017

4 things you need to know about low back pain.

The percentage of patients that come into our office seeking help to relieve low back pain is higher than for all other areas of the back combined. But this is…

09/27/2017

Looking for a spine surgeon? – 3 things to consider before choosing one

Back pain has become so unbearable that we’re finally considering spine surgery to help relieve our pain. Many consider the surgery as a last resort. Spine surgery requires a certain…

09/20/2017

Meet Dr. Hepler – 3 things to know about our orthopedic spine surgeon in South Florida

Matthew Hepler M.D. is an orthopedic spine surgeon in Palm Beach County. He specializes in Pediatric and Adult Spine Surgery with a subspecialty interest in complex spine reconstruction. If you’re…