Spine Surgeon in West Islip
Dr. Missios is a board-certified neurosurgeon at
Long Island Brain & Spine, specializing in both cranial and spinal procedures and with subspecialty training in the surgical and radiosurgical management of brain tumors and in minimally invasive endovascular neurosurgery. Contact our Spine Surgeon in West Islip NY today!
Dr. Missios received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biological and Biochemical Sciences from Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, PA where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He obtained his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School, in NH, where he was elected as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He graduated medical school with honors and was the recipient of the prestigious Dean’s Medal Award for the highest academic achievement in his class. He completed his internship and residency in neurological surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock University Hospital in NH and received his subspecialty training in the field of brain tumors at Cleveland Clinic, in OH, where he completed a fellowship in Neurosurgical Oncology and Stereotactic Radiosurgery. He continued his subspecialty training by completing a second fellowship in the field of Endovascular Neurosurgery and Neurovascular Critical Care at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Dr. Missios’ clinical expertise involves the treatment of benign and malignant tumors that originate in the brain or that have metastasized there. He has extensive experience in the use of advanced intraoperative neuronavigation techniques such as intraoperative tractography, brain mapping and electrocorticography that allow the safe resection of complex brain tumors that occupy critical areas in the brain. He is also an expert in stereotactic radiosurgery, a very precise way of delivering radiation to the tumor while sparing any radiation exposure to the rest of the brain, and is highly effective for the treatment of a variety of intracranial tumors.
Dr. Missios is also a part of the Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Excellence at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, the only Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in the South Shore of Long Island. He received extensive training in endovascular neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, one of the largest stroke centers in the country, and his expertise involves the surgical and minimally invasive endovascular treatment of stroke, brain aneurysms and other vascular neurosurgical pathologies.
In addition to his clinical expertise in the management of brain tumors, stroke and brain aneurysms, Dr. Missios’ clinical skills span a wide range including spine surgery for degenerative, traumatic or tumor pathologies as well as surgery for peripheral nerve disorders, brain and spine trauma and neuromodulation for intractable back and leg pain.
Dr. Missios has a very strong academic background and has been involved in more than 80 peer-reviewed publications. He serves as a reviewer for multiple neurosurgical journals. He is a member of the Population Health Research Institute of New York at CHS. His academic projects have won several awards including the Kenneth Shulman Award, awarded to the best research project presented at the annual meeting of the Joint Section of Pediatric Neurological Surgery, and 1st place award in the Socioeconomic Category at the 83rd annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
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Understanding Spine Health
Your spine is vital to your overall health, and maintaining its well-being is crucial. A healthy spine ensures proper posture, stability, and mobility, while spine problems can result in debilitating pain and loss of function. To alleviate these problems, finding a skilled Spine Surgeon in West Islip NY is essential. Dr. Symeon Missios is a renowned expert in this field, known for his dedication to improving the lives of his patients.
What Does A Healthy Spine Encompass?
To maintain a robust and pain-free spine, it’s essential to comprehend what constitutes a healthy spine.
- Pain-Free: Allowing you to go about your daily activities without hindrance.
- Optimal Mobility: It exhibits excellent flexibility and ease of movement, enabling you to bend, twist, and perform various activities with agility.
- Suppleness: The spine maintains a suppleness that supports its natural curvature, granting you a sense of ease in your movements.
- Strength: A strong spine serves as a sturdy foundation for your body, helping to bear life’s daily stresses and strains.
- Unrestricted Functionality: A healthy spine empowers you to engage in your desired activities without limitations or impediments.
Understanding what a healthy spine entails is the initial step in ensuring your spinal well-being. By appreciating these attributes and addressing any issues that compromise them, you can embark on a path toward preserving the vitality and functionality of your spine. However, when a back or spine is afflicted by damage, injury, arthritis, or the natural wear and tear of time, it forfeits these desirable qualities. This is where the expertise of a Spine Surgeon in West Islip NY, like Dr. Symeon Missios, becomes a crucial beacon of hope and restoration.
Ways to Maintain a Healthy Spine
- Stay Active: Regular physical activity supports spine health by improving blood circulation, keeping muscles engaged, and preventing stiffness.
- Mind Your Posture: When bending or reaching, prioritize the correct form. Use your legs to lift, avoid twisting while lifting, and keep heavy objects at waist height.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking accelerates aging and hinders spine health, making it essential to avoid this harmful habit for a robust and pain-free spine.
Contact Us For A Spine Surgeon in West Islip NY
If you’re looking to prioritize the health of your spine and seek the expertise of a trusted professional, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation with a top-tier Spine Surgeon in West Islip NY. Dr. Symeon Missios, a specialist in spine care, is committed to helping you achieve a pain-free, active, and vibrant life by ensuring the vitality and well-being of your spine. Contact us today to learn more!
Do Neurosurgeons Treat Pain?
Neurosurgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating various conditions that affect parts of the nervous system, such as the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. Thankfully, they are also successful in treating pain. Throughout this blog, we will be looking at the types of pain that neurosurgeons treat. If this sounds of interest to you, or you are searching for Spine Surgeon in West Islip, please continue reading.
It is correct to say that neurosurgeons can treat pain, especially the kinds felt in neurological disorders, conditions, and syndromes. Since they deal with neurological issues, if there is any pain felt in the nervous system, they are quite capable of providing pain relief. Neurosurgeons treat a multitude of conditions, disorders, and syndromes.
Below are some of these that neurosurgeons are effective at treating and the pain that comes with them:
- Tumors – As tumors grow, they can increase the amount of pressure on surrounding nerves, organs, and bones. This typically results in an excessive amount of pain and discomfort. Neurosurgeons will surgically remove the tumor or use radiosurgery to eliminate tumor cells, resulting in pain relief and a return to healthiness.
- Spinal Disorders – Herniated discs, spinal tumors, or spinal stenosis are treated by neurosurgeons through procedures such as spinal fusion and decompression.
- Chronic Pain – Syndromes such as complex regional pain syndrome and failed back surgery syndrome are treated by neurosurgeons through spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation. Spinal cord stimulation involves implanting a small device that sends impulses to interrupt pain signals. Deep brain stimulation is done by implanting a device that helps with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia – This is a disorder that causes severe facial pain, usually triggered by simple acts such as eating, talking, or laughing. Neurosurgeons can use both non-surgical and surgical methods to treat the pain caused by this disorder.
- Pinched Nerves – Like Trigeminal Neuralgia, pinched nerves can be treated with both non-surgical and surgical methods. Over-the-counter medications and steroid injections may work, but if not, surgery can help. Thankfully, most surgical procedures for pinched nerves are minimally invasive. This is done by neurosurgeons using microscopes and other instruments to create small incisions to decompress the affected nerves.
- Strokes – Neurosurgeons can treat complications that may arise. For example, they can perform surgeries to drain fluids and relieve pain and pressure.
Remember, neurosurgeons can treat pain depending on what the cause of it is. Pain is a complex issue that encompasses many different kinds of medical professionals due to it having physical, emotional, and social factors. Sometimes, several kinds of medical professionals in different fields may be necessary to involve in recovery.
Contact Us: Spine Surgeon in West Islip
Experiencing pain is an unfortunate reality, but thankfully, there are ways to find the relief that you deserve. Dr. Symeon Missios, MD is a board-certified neurosurgeon that specializes in cranial and spinal procedures. If you are searching for a Spine Surgeon in West Islip, Dr. Missios and his team are there for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey toward pain relief!
When Should You See A Neurologist For Pain?
If you often suffer from chronic headaches or feel muscle weakness or numbness, you may want to visit a neurologist. Neurologists are specialists who focus specifically on the brain and nervous system. Symeon Missios is an experienced neurologist with a team of Spine Surgeon in West Islip NY, that specializes in treating chronic pains and migraines. Read below to learn more about what neurologists do and what to expect during your visit.
What Is A Neurologist
As stated before, a neurologist is a doctor who specializes in dealing with conditions regarding the spine and nervous system. The nervous system includes conditions that deal with the brain, spine, and nerves. You may consider visiting a neurologist if you feel unexplained pains or often get migraines. They would also treat conditions that suffer symptoms such as memory loss, tremors, and numbness as they signify nervous system damage or a brain condition. Listed below are a collection of conditions that neurologists treat.
- Migraine – Migraines are one of the most common reasons to meet a neurologist. They cause extreme pain along with dizziness and sensitivity to light. You will likely receive medications to help with the pain and recommendations if you have triggers that cause the migraines.
- Seizures – These often start in the brain and can cause long-term consequences. You will be tested to check for any brain damage and conditions that may have caused the seizure, such as epilepsy.
- Multiple Sclerosis – This chronic condition affects your brain and spine and causes weakness and tingling sensations. Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive condition that worsens over time, but some treatments and medications will help reduce the symptoms.
- Parkinson’s Disease – A condition that people suffer from when the brain doesn’t make dopamine resulting in tremors, stiffness, and a lack of coordination.
Our Spine Surgeon in West Islip NY are professionals with years of experience treating people for the conditions listed above and have techniques tailor-made to diagnose and treat them.
Typical Neurological Procedures
While neurology is a wide-spanning field with many tests used to diagnose and treat conditions, here are a few more specialized treatments they may use.
- Lumbar Puncture – Involves inserting a needle into the spine to extract spinal fluid. This spinal fluid can detect certain problems in the nervous system.
- Electromyography – EMGs are used to measure the electrical activity from your brain or spine to a peripheral nerve. Small electrodes are placed onto muscles and measure the electrical activity during periods of movement and rest.
- Electroencephalogram – EEGs measure electrical activity in the brain through small electrodes placed on the scalp.
Visit Our Spine Surgeon in West Islip NY
If you’re suffering from the symptoms listed in this post or are worried that you’re suffering from nerve damage, consider visiting us. Our Spine Surgeon in West Islip, NY, on Long Island, has years of experience and utilizes advanced techniques to quickly diagnose and treat any conditions you may be suffering from. They also maintain high levels of customer care and want to make sure you’re feeling comfortable during your entire stay. So don’t wait until it’s too late; contact us today to schedule an appointment. Call us at 631 422-5371 for our orthopedic spine specialists today!
What Exercises to Avoid With Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal Stenosis occurs when there isn’t enough space inside the backbone. It restricts your pain-free movement. So, what should you avoid with spinal Stenosis? Our Spine Surgeon in West Islip, Dr. Symeon Missios, wants you to know so you don’t hurt yourself any further or worsen your condition. If you’re interested in the activities to avoid when you have spinal Stenosis, please continue reading below.
What to Avoid with Spinal Stenosis?
The changes from wear and tear in the spine related to arthritis are the most common cause of spinal Stenosis. While surgery from our Spine Surgeon in West Islip can ease the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, the arthritis pain unfortunately can’t be fixed by surgery. What exercises should you avoid doing to minimize or avoid the pain caused by spinal Stenosis? The following are some, but not all, of the exercises to avoid:
- High-impact exercises like running, jumping, and climbing
- Any contact sports like football, basketball, and lacrosse
- Long walks, especially on uneven surfaces like the beach
- Long periods of standing up
- Back extension exercises and stretches
- Heavy lifting
- Twisting and bending
If you have pain while performing a movement not on this list, you should avoid it, too. Even if you don’t have pain, you should avoid everything on this list, as it might worsen your condition.
Simple Pain Relievers
If you need a quick way to relieve your pain, the list below might help. It’s not a way to treat spinal Stenosis, but it might help with the pain temporarily. Try the following:
- Bed Rest
- Massages
- Wear a lumbar support belt
Treatments for Spinal Stenosis
There are many treatment options for spinal Stenosis. The proper treatment depends on the severity of the spinal stenosis, and it is done on a case-by-case basis. Our Spine Surgeon in West Islip offers the following treatment options:
- Medications
- Therapeutic exercise
- Epidural steroid injections
- Decompression procedures
- Spinal fusion
- Artificial disk replacement
Contact Symeon Missios Our Spine Surgeon in West Islip
Contact us today if you want to know which treatment method is right. Our Spine Surgeon in West Islip will assess your case and recommend a treatment option. At Dr. Symeon Missios, we strive to personalize your experience and help you decide on your next step.
Tips For Managing Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can significantly impact your daily life, affecting your physical and emotional well-being. However, with the guidance of Dr. Symeon Missios, a skilled Spine Surgeon in West Islip, you can implement strategies to better manage and cope with chronic pain. Here, we’ll explore valuable tips and techniques to help you navigate and alleviate chronic pain effectively. Contact us today to learn more!
Understanding Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is characterized by persistent discomfort that lasts for an extended period, often beyond the normal healing time of an injury or illness. It can result from various conditions, including arthritis, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, and more. Managing chronic pain requires a comprehensive approach that addresses physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors.
Tips for Managing Chronic Pain
Here are some practical tips recommended by Spine Surgeon in West Islip, to help you better manage chronic pain:
- Work with a Pain Management Specialist: Consult an experienced pain management doctor who can evaluate your condition, develop a personalized treatment plan, and provide ongoing support.
- Medication Management: Follow your doctor’s prescription guidelines for pain medications and promptly communicate any concerns or side effects.
- Physical Therapy: Participate in tailored exercises and physical therapy sessions to improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion, reduce pain, and enhance function.
- Mind-Body Techniques: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or tai chi to reduce stress, tension, and pain perception.
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, prioritize sufficient sleep, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as these factors can influence pain levels.
- Supportive Devices: Use assistive devices such as braces, splints, or ergonomic tools to support proper posture and reduce strain on affected areas.
Empowering Chronic Pain Management with Our Spine Surgeon in West Islip
By implementing these tips and working closely with Spine Surgeon in West Islip, NY, you can take proactive steps to manage chronic pain effectively and improve your overall quality of life. Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance and support from Dr. Symeon Missios and the dedicated Spine Surgeon in West Islip, NY, to find relief and enhance your well-being. Contact us today to learn more!