The Spinal Truth

If you've been told there's nothing you can do about your tinnitus—think again. In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater explores how issues in the upper cervical spine and postural dysfunction can trigger or worsen tinnitus. From whiplash injuries and poor desk posture to overlooked nerve pathways, this conversation is packed with clinical insight for anyone experiencing ringing, fu...

Not all ankle sprains are created equal. In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down what makes a high ankle sprain so different—and so much more serious—than the common rolled ankle. From pain location and healing time to the exact ligaments involved, this episode covers everything you need to know if you or someone you know has suffered this type of injury. We cover: What...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater and co-host Chris Titus break down one of the most misdiagnosed conditions in modern medicine— bursitis . If you've ever been told you have bursitis in your shoulder, hip, knee, or elbow, there's a good chance that diagnosis is flat-out wrong. Dr. Slater explains why most doctors rush to this label, what true bursitis actually looks like , and...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth, Dr. Caleb Slater tackles a sensitive but surprisingly common issue: testicular and penile pain caused by spinal dysfunction. Dr. Slater explains how the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine (T11-L2) innervates the groin and how issues in this "transition zone" can mimic other medical conditions. In this episode, we discuss: The Symptoms: Sharp, stabbing, or sh...

In this week's episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down one of the most misunderstood diagnoses in medicine: arthritis. He and his co-host unpack what arthritis really is, why imaging results often don't match symptoms, and how to tell if your pain actually comes from your joints—or from your spine. You'll hear real patient examples, learn how to identify the true signs of arthri...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater and his wife, pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist Danielle Slater, share a deeply personal story about a painful and terrifying condition — the spinal shift . After slipping down the stairs while holding their six-month-old daughter, Danielle was left unable to stand upright, trapped in excruciating pain, and unsure what was happeni...

In this powerful episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater sits down with his wife, Danielle Slater — not as a fellow physical therapist, but as a patient. Danielle recounts the traumatic accident that left her with multiple spinal compression fractures after a 50-foot cliff jump in the Grand Canyon, and the devastating prognosis that followed: she was told she should never run again. Togethe...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth, Dr. Caleb Slater sits down with Luke, a patient who struggled with chronic back pain and recurring injuries for over a decade. Luke shares his frustrating journey through the traditional medical system, where standard physical therapy focused on "core neutral" exercises like bird dogs, planks, and monster walks failed to provide lasting relief. In this episode,...

In this powerful and emotional episode, Dr. Caleb Slater sits down with the parents of a young boy who battled severe Crohn's disease for years—facing hospital stays, failed medications, and a life turned upside down. They share their son's remarkable journey from constant pain and malnutrition to thriving health after discovering a spine-based approach that changed everything. Hear firsthand how...

In this powerful episode of The Spinal Truth , Bob shares how he overcame ulcerative colitis, chronic pain, and even cancer — not through more medication, but by treating his spine. After years on Humira that led to side effects, Bob turned to spinal-based therapy and became completely symptom-free within weeks. He and Dr. Slater discuss how spinal dysfunction can trigger GI issues, why traditiona...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down the surprising link between spinal issues and chronic GI conditions like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. He explains why many digestive problems may actually stem from nerve dysfunction in the mid to lower spine—and how addressing that root cause can bring real, lasting relief. You'll hear about patients who've reduced medications,...

It's a spine-tingling Halloween special on The Spinal Truth Show! 👻 Dr. Caleb Slater and the team dig into the symptoms and treatments that sound terrifying — like "nerve ablation," "spinal fusion," and "degenerative disc disease" — and reveal why they're not as horrifying as they seem. Learn which symptoms are true red flags and which ones just sound scary , how your body's natural systems prote...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater cut through the confusing medical terminology patients often hear after getting imaging results. From "herniated disc" and "stenosis" to "military neck," "degenerative disc disease," and even "tech neck," they explain what these labels actually mean—and why they often sound scarier than they are. Dr. Slater reveals how many of these findings a...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater and Chris break down the myths and realities of carpal tunnel syndrome. While most people are told their wrist pain comes from typing or overuse, Dr. Slater explains why true carpal tunnel is actually rare and why symptoms like tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands are often misdiagnosed nerve issues starting in the neck. They discuss ho...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater take a deep dive into plantar fasciitis, the frustrating foot pain often described as feeling like "walking on glass." They break down what plantar fasciitis really is, why traditional treatments like boots, inserts, and stretching often fall short, and how many cases are actually misdiagnosed nerve issues stemming from the spine. From underst...

In this special episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater sits down with Joe and his wife Shana from Ohio to share their powerful journey with Crohn's disease. Joe opens up about decades of battling painful symptoms, multiple surgeries, and reliance on heavy medication, only to discover a new path to healing through addressing his spine. They discuss the turning point that brought them from s...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show , Dr. Caleb Slater dives deep into one of the most common yet misunderstood issues: hamstring pain. You've probably been told to "just keep stretching," but Dr. Slater explains why that advice often fails—and how your hamstring problems might actually be linked to your spine and nerve tension, not just tight muscles. From athletes dealing with recurring tea...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth Show , Dr. Caleb Slater dives deep into the misunderstood world of sciatica. Dr. Slater reveals why the most common treatments like hot packs, core-neutral exercises, and endless stretches don't work, and how years of clinical experience led him to completely reframe how he treats back pain. From understanding why modern lifestyles trap us in extension to the su...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater dives into a reason why so many people struggle with shortness of breath, tight chests, or that frustrating feeling of "not getting a full inhale." Schedule a consultation with Dr. Slater today https://calendly.com/thespinaltruth Pick up a copy of The Spinal Truth: A New World of Medicine https://a.co/d/gLvsA9Q Dr. Caleb Slater, PT, DPT, FAAOM...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down the real reason so many people struggle with shoulder pain, and why traditional treatments often miss the mark. We dive into common issues like frozen shoulder, rotator cuff problems, and impingement, and explore how the  neck and nervous system may be the hidden culprits. If you've tried stretches, injections, or even surgery with...

In this episode, Dr. Caleb Slater and expert PT Danielle Slater dive deep into the McKenzie Method—its strengths, its limitations, and how their clinical experience has evolved beyond traditional protocols. They break down why McKenzie changed their careers, how focusing on the most proximal relevant symptom instead of the distal one led to better results, and how manual spinal assessment is often...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , Dr. Caleb Slater dive deep into the rising cases of gastrointestinal issues in children—Crohn's, IBS, and ulcerative colitis—and explores a surprising link most doctors miss: the spine. Dr. Slater explains how dysfunction in the thoracolumbar junction could be the root cause of symptoms often misdiagnosed as GI diseases, and how targeted physical therapy has h...

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Caleb Slater explores a puzzling set of symptoms that millions suffer from—headaches, dizziness, chronic pain, brain fog, chronic fatigue, and anxiety. These often-overlapping issues are commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety, fibromyalgia, POTS, or functional neurological disorders, leading many down a frustrating path of ineffective treatments and lifelong medication....

Are herniated discs really a life sentence? In this episode, Dr. Caleb Slater breaks down the myths and facts about disc herniations. From symptoms and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, we cut through the fear and give you the spinal truth. Whether you've been told you have a bulging disc or you're just curious about back pain, this episode is packed with clear, no-nonsense advice from a physic...

In this episode of The Spinal Truth , we break down the typical treatment journey—what most people go through, and why it often doesn't lead to real relief. From primary care visits and imaging to medications, injections, and eventual referrals to physical therapy, we map out the standard path many patients follow. We also discuss where this system falls short and what a more effective, evidence-b...