The Spinal Truth

In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down fibromyalgia and why the diagnosis can be so frustrating for patients. Fibromyalgia is often described as widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, brain fog, headaches, dizziness, sensitivity, IBS, TMJ symptoms, pelvic pain, anxiety, and depression — but there is no definitive test that proves someone has it. Dr. Slater expla...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down why many people diagnosed with carpal tunnel may not actually have a wrist problem at all. While true carpal tunnel involves compression of the median nerve at the wrist, many common "carpal tunnel" symptoms may actually be coming from the neck, especially when symptoms are bilateral, come and go, show up at rest, involve the...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show , Dr. Caleb Slater and Chris discuss the new Chronic GI Symptoms Course and who it may be appropriate for. They break down why chronic GI issues like Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, IBS, SIBO, gastroparesis, bloating, diarrhea, food intolerance, stomach pain, and frequent bowel movements may sometimes be connected to an underlying spine or nerve issue. Dr. Sla...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down thoracic outlet syndrome and why it is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. TOS can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, coldness, color changes, chest symptoms, neck pain, upper back pain, and arm symptoms — but the real issue may not simply be "tight muscles." Dr. Slater explains why common treatments like...

In this episode of  The Spinal Truth Show , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down a rarely discussed possibility: that some chronic GI symptoms may be connected to the spine and nervous system. We talk about IBS, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, food triggers, bloating, diarrhea, and why back, hip, knee, or foot pain may be clues that the spine should be checked as part of the bigger picture. Dr. Slater also s...

Why do so many people leave physical therapy without real relief? In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down the typical PT journey, insurance limitations, rushed sessions, generic exercise sheets, symptom-based treatment, and why many patients never get true one-on-one orthopedic care. He also explains what to look for in a better physical therapist, why certifications...

Why does getting real help in the healthcare system feel so hard? In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down the biggest flaws in the U.S. healthcare journey—from insurance roadblocks and short doctor visits to overreliance on imaging, symptom-chasing, and treatments that often manage pain without fixing the real problem. If you've ever felt ignored, rushed, mislabeled,...

If you've been told your chronic pain is something you just have to live with, this episode is for you. Dr. Caleb Slater explains why so many people stay stuck in chronic pain for years, why pain management often fails to address the real problem, and how the spine is often missed as a major driver of symptoms. He also shares his own 27-year chronic pain story and what finally helped him break the...

Does stretching really fix pain… or just make it feel better for a few minutes? In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater explains why stretching is often overused in physical therapy, why it usually fails as actual treatment, and what the body often needs instead: active contraction, spinal mobility, and strength through range. If you've been stretching for weeks, months, or year...

Why do so many people still have neck pain after pills, PT, chiropractic care, injections, or even surgery? In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater explains why most chronic neck pain treatment is just symptom management—not true treatment. He breaks down the role of posture, thoracic spine mobility, strengthening, imaging myths, and why lasting relief usually requires restoring...

What happens when someone diagnosed with ulcerative colitis for 20 years goes off Humira and starts addressing the spine instead? In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater sits down with returning guest Bob Seiden to talk about his latest update: improved colonoscopy results, fewer symptoms, better food tolerance, and what happened when stress, travel, and stopping his exercises c...

Flat feet. Bone spurs. Degenerative disc disease. Bursitis. Arthritis. Scoliosis. In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down some of the most common health myths and misdiagnoses people hear every day—and explains why the real source of pain is often being missed. This episode could completely change how you think about back pain, nerve pain, joint pain, and "wear and t...

Think your mattress or pillow is causing your pain? In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down why restless sleep, numbness, tingling, shoulder pain, low back pain, and even nighttime symptoms in your arms or legs may actually be coming from your spine — not your bed. They cover the best and worst sleep positions, temporary fixes that can help, and what to do during the...

Can telehealth actually help with neck pain, back pain, headaches, GI issues, hip pain, and more — or is it just a watered-down version of treatment? In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater and Chris break down what telehealth really is, who it works for, when it doesn't, and why it can still be highly effective when the right approach is used. They explain why movement-based ca...

Is your TMJ pain really coming from your jaw… or could your neck be the real problem? In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down TMD/TMJ symptoms like jaw clicking, facial pain, ear pain, headaches, trouble chewing, and limited mouth opening. He also explains why common treatments like mouth guards, massage, and passive therapy often fail—and how upper cervical dysfunct...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth Podcast, Dr. Caleb Slater break down what  actually keeps you healthy — and what might be a waste of your time and money. From walking after meals and hydration habits to supplements, red light therapy, grounding mats, and sleep routines, they separate practical health strategies from trendy gimmicks. If you're tired of overcomplicating fitness and wellness, thi...

More and more patients are being told the same thing: "It's just anxiety." But what if your pain isn't psychological? What if your anxiety is actually being caused by chronic physical pain? In this episode, we break down: Why anxiety is increasingly used as a default diagnosis How labels like fibromyalgia or "chronic pain" follow you forever Why short 5–15 minute doctor visits miss real problems T...

Matty was two weeks away from a total hip replacement. Two surgeons told him he was the "perfect candidate." Imaging showed degeneration. Bone spurs. Impingement. The surgery was scheduled. Then he started having nerve pain down his leg. In this episode, Matty shares how he cancelled his hip replacement after discovering the real issue wasn't just his hip — it was coming from his spine. We break d...

Hip pain is one of the fastest paths to surgery — but what if the hip isn't the real problem? In this episode, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down hip impingement, labral tears, arthritis, and hip replacement , and explains why imaging findings often don't match a patient's symptoms. Many people are told they need surgery based on MRIs or X-rays — even though those same findings are common in people with...

Hand numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed problems in healthcare — and it's usually blamed on carpal tunnel . In this episode, Dr. Caleb Slater and Chris break down why hand symptoms are far more often coming from the neck and upper spine , not the wrist — and why standard treatments frequently fail. Topics covered include: Why carpal tunnel is severely ov...

In this episode, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down a topic that challenges conventional thinking around chronic GI conditions — when digestive symptoms may not actually be coming from the gut . Many people diagnosed with Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, IBS, or SIBO cycle through medications, diets, supplements, and biologics with little long-term relief. Dr. Slater explains how spinal and nerve dysfunctio...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater tackles one of the most overlooked and misunderstood procedures in orthopedics— foot surgery . From bunions to plantar fasciitis to fusions and neuromas, thousands of people are getting surgery on their feet every year… and still walking away in pain. Dr. Slater explains why most of these procedures don't address the root cause and what to con...

In this episode, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down one of the most misunderstood decisions in modern medicine: when knee surgery actually makes sense — and when it doesn't . Knee pain is one of the leading causes of unnecessary surgery, often driven by imaging findings that don't match real symptoms. Dr. Slater explains why meniscus tears, arthritis, and "wear and tear" on MRI scans frequently lead pat...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down the hard truth about shoulder surgeries. Too many people are told surgery is their only option—without ever having their spine or nervous system evaluated . We dig into what the research shows, why most conservative treatments fail, and how treating the neck and upper back can often eliminate the need for invasive procedures altoge...

You've tried it all—meds, massages, injections, braces, ultrasounds, even surgery. But the pain's still there. In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down why most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain don't actually fix anything —and what truly works to create lasting relief. We cover: The truth about medications, injections, and braces Why passive treatments like mass...