Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today: Patient-Centered Education Podcast

The Hidden Culprit Behind Buttock Pain: Is It Your SI Joint ?

Welcome to the Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today Patient-Centered Education Podcast, produced and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD, from Elite Pain and Health.
In this episode we unpack sacroiliitis (SI joint pain): what the SI joint does, common causes (wear-and-tear, trauma, pregnancy-related ligament laxity, and post-lumbar fusion stress), typical symptoms and triggers, how it mimics sciatica, and how specialists diagnose it—culminating in the definitive image-guided diagnostic SI joint injection and treatment options like steroid injection and focused physical therapy.
For help or more information, visit epainhealth.com or call 405-444-7246.

The Shopping Cart Sign: What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You About Spinal Stenosis

In this episode of Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today, Dr. Keely John Booth and the Spine and Joint specialists at Elite Pain and Health explain the "shopping cart sign" and how it points to spinal (lumbar) stenosis. They cover causes (arthritis, bone spurs, bulging discs, spondylolisthesis, and congenital narrowing), typical symptoms like leg heaviness, numbness, and weakness, how standing worsens symptoms while forward flexion relieves them, and the steps to diagnosis including physical exam, X-rays, MRI, CT myelogram, and diagnostic injections.
The hosts also review conservative treatments—physical therapy, posture and core strengthening, and epidural steroid injections—when surgery may be considered, and when to seek specialist care. This episode emphasizes that stenosis is a treatable mechanical problem and encourages listeners experiencing walking-limiting symptoms to get evaluated.
This podcast is produced and directed by Dr. Keely John Booth, MD, a production of the Spine and Joint Treatment Specialists at Elite Pain and Health. For more information, visit epainhealth.com or call 405-444-7246.

From Panic to Plan: What Your MRI Really Means for a ‘Ruptured’ Disc vs a 'Herniated' Disc

This episode translates scary MRI language into plain English, explaining the difference between bulging and herniated discs with a clear jelly-donut analogy and why terms like "rupture" often don’t mean surgery is inevitable.Hear common causes and symptoms—age, sitting, smoking, radiating pain, numbness, and weakness—how specialists diagnose the source with exams, MRI and diagnostic nerve blocks, and when urgent care or surgery is necessary.Learn why most herniations resorb naturally, how targeted treatments (physical therapy, epidural steroid injections) control pain and support healing, and how to contact Elite Pain & Health at epainhealth.com or 405-444-7246.

Gray Hair for Your Spine: Understanding Lumbar Spondylosis for Oklahomans

This episode of Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today explains lumbar spondylosis (arthritis of the lower spine): what causes it, why it produces morning stiffness and pain when standing straight, how doctors diagnose it, and practical strategies to manage symptoms through strengthening, posture, and targeted treatments.Produced by Dr. Keely John Booth and the Spine and Joint Treatment Specialists at Elite Pain and Health. Visit epainhealth.com or call 405-444-7246 to learn more.

The Catch in Your Lower Back — What Is Lumbar Facet Arthropathy?

Welcome to the Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today Patient-Centered Education Podcast, produced by the Spine and Joint Treatment Specialists at Elite Pain and Health and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD. In this episode we explain lumbar facet arthropathy — arthritis of the small hinge joints in the lower back — and why it causes that sudden ‘‘catch’’ or deep ache when you stand, lean back, or twist.
We describe typical symptoms (worse with extension, better when sitting or leaning forward—the “shopping cart sign”), common causes (age-related wear, degenerative disc changes, repetitive strain, poor core strength), and how it differs from disc-related sciatica. We also cover how specialists diagnose it, including the limits of imaging and the role of diagnostic medial branch blocks.
Finally, we review management strategies: core strengthening, posture correction, weight management, targeted interventional options, and when to see a specialist. For more information visit epainhealth.com or call 405-444-7246.

Degenerative Disc Disease Explained for Oklahomans: What Your Back Pain Really Means

Welcome to the Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today Patient-Centered Education Podcast produced by the Spine and Joint Treatment Specialists at Elite Pain and Health and hosted by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD.
In this episode we explain degenerative disc disease as a natural aging-related change in the spinal discs — how discs lose water and height, why symptoms often occur with sitting, bending, or lifting, and when nerve irritation causes leg pain.
We cover diagnosis (clinical exam, X-ray, MRI, and when diagnostic injections help), the important point that imaging doesn't always match pain, and practical management focused on symptom relief, posture, activity modification, and keeping you active.
If pain is severe, persistent, or radiating into your legs, seek a specialist. Visit epainhealth.com.

When Leg Pain Isn't a Leg Problem: Unmasking Lumbar Radiculopathy and the Pinched Nerve in Your Spine

In this episode of Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today, Dr. Keley John Booth, MD dives into lumbar radiculopathy — why leg pain often originates from a pinched nerve in the lower back and not the leg itself. You’ll hear how herniated discs, degenerative changes, and bone spurs can compress nerve roots and produce classic sciatica symptoms.
Learn about the diagnostic steps that clarify the cause, from focused physical exams and MRI to nerve tests and the precision of diagnostic nerve blocks, plus the red flags that require immediate care. The episode also explains why many cases improve with image‑guided, conservative treatments rather than immediate surgery.
Produced and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD. For more information, visit epainhealth.com.

Sloucher’s Relief: The Surprising Source of Low Back 'Catch' Pain - The Facet Joints

This episode explains a common but confusing low back problem where leaning back causes a sharp, catching pain while slouching briefly relieves it — a pattern typical of irritated facet joints (the spine's "door hinges"). Using a three-legged stool analogy, the hosts describe how these joints guide and stabilize movement and how wear, inflammation or arthritis can make them painful when compressed.
They discuss why MRI often doesn’t match symptoms (the diagnosis paradox) and describe the gold-standard diagnostic medial branch nerve block. Treatment starts with movement and physical therapy rather than bed rest; for persistent cases, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can temporarily disable the tiny pain nerves for about 6–12 months, providing a pain-free window to rehabilitate and break the pain cycle.For expert guidance on low back pain and non-surgical treatment options, visit epainhealth.com or call 405-444-7246.Produced and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD.

Is That Hip Pain Actually Your SI Joint? The Chameleon of Low Back Pain

Welcome to Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today with Elite Pain & Health. This episode explains how sacroiliac (SI) joint problems—often mistaken for hip or back pain—cause a deep, one-sided buttock ache and pain with transitions like getting out of a car, pivoting, or rolling in bed.
Hear how SI joint pain is diagnosed (clinical testing and diagnostic injection under fluoroscopy) and the conservative treatment pathway: pelvic-stabilizing physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, targeted interventions such as radiofrequency ablation, and regenerative options like PRP.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms or want help pinpointing the cause of your pain, visit epainhealth.com or call 405-444-7246.Produced and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD.

Sciatica Explained: From Jelly Donuts to Shooting Pain

This episode of Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today explains what sciatica is, how herniated discs can press on the sciatic nerve, and why patients feel sharp, burning, or electric pain that can travel into the leg or foot.
Learn practical steps for recovery — why movement and physical therapy help, when epidural steroid injections are used, and why surgery is usually a last resort.
We also cover urgent warning signs like sudden bladder/bowel loss or saddle numbness that require immediate care, and how to contact Elite Pain and Health for help.
Oklahoma Low Back Pain Today is produced by the Spine and Joint Treatment Specialists at Elite Pain and Health, an independent Oklahoma-based clinic specializing in non-surgical spine and joint care.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace evaluation or treatment by a licensed medical professional.
For expert guidance on low back pain and non-surgical treatment options, visit epainhealth.com or call 405-444-7246.Produced and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD.