Dr. Gerard Jarvis

02/20/2026

The War on Cholesterol-Are We Missing the Bigger Picture?

Cholesterol has been labeled the enemy for decades. But the story isn’t that simple.

Research has raised concerns about very aggressive cholesterol lowering and possible links to cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease.

While findings are still evolving, it reminds us that cholesterol plays critical roles in the body.
🧠 The brain is nearly 60% fat.
🧠 Nerves are wrapped in a fatty substance called myelin, essential for proper signaling.
🧠 Cholesterol is a building block for hormones, vitamin D, and cell repair.

Not all fats are bad. In fact, healthy fats are vital for brain and nerve health.

At the same time, inflammation, insulin resistance, poor diet, and lifestyle factors are major drivers of heart disease. About half of people who have heart attacks have “normal” cholesterol levels.

Maybe the real conversation should focus more on inflammation, metabolic health, and lifestyle — not just cholesterol alone.

The Brain Requires Healthy Fat!!!
https://scitechdaily.com/statins-used-to-lower-cholesterol-linked-to-doubled-risk-of-developing-dementia/

02/19/2026

Experts are examining long-term use and safety profiles of tramadol when used for chronic pain relief.

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2026/02/18/is-tramadol-safe-chronic-pain.aspx?cid_source=facebook&cid_medium=social&cid_content=mercola&cid=lead_20260218&fbclid=IwZnRzaAQDWBpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe_KEnZ308Tup8lIO6vWG5P08YEKQ0m0qIPm6RgcFixR2q1ztoNsZVwVeffVM_aem_D9dE1Jkcy2Y7dQ9nBoqNwQ

Tramadol reduces pain by less than one point on a 10-point scale while doubling serious health risks, making safer alternatives worth considering first.

02/18/2026

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02/16/2026

📊 Bone Density vs. Bone Quality: What Matters Most?

🩻 In the mid-1990s, medications designed to increase bone density entered the market. Widespread screening campaigns followed, and terms like “osteopenia” and “pre-osteoporosis” became common.

But here’s the critical distinction:
Increasing bone density does not automatically mean improving bone quality.

Bisphosphonate drugs (such as Fosamax) work by slowing bone breakdown. While this can improve DEXA scan numbers, long-term suppression of natural bone remodeling may, in some individuals, contribute to bone that is denser-yet potentially more brittle.

Reported risks associated with prolonged use have included:
• Atypical femur fractures
• Osteonecrosis of the jaw
• Esophageal irritation and ulceration
• Severe musculoskeletal pain
• Atrial fibrillation (in some studies)
• Concerns about possible links to esophageal cancer were substantial enough to warrant safety investigations.

No medication is without risk.

Health is not about a pill or a shot. Bone resilience depends on multiple variables:
• Adequate protein intake
• Key minerals (calcium, magnesium) and vitamins (D, K2)
• Weight-bearing and resistance training
• Mechanical loading of bone
• Muscle mass and balance
• Hormonal status
• Fall prevention strategies

Bone health is more than a scan result. It’s structure, turnover, adaptability, and strength under stress.

Before committing to long-term pharmaceutical therapy, it's important to consider the risks, including drug interactions and side effects. Discuss treatment duration, potential drug holidays, and explore alternative strategies that promote true skeletal resilience, not just improved scan numbers.

💪🧠🏋️‍♂️ The goal isn’t simply density.
It’s durable, functional bone.

02/16/2026

Hip fractures in the elderly are more than “just a broken bone.”

They often become a life-changing event -leading to loss of independence, long recovery times, and in many cases, a permanent decline in mobility and overall health. The truth is, most hip fractures don’t just happen because of one bad step… they happen because strength, balance, and mobility have quietly declined over time.

🧠💪The best way to prevent a crisis is to plan accordingly.

As we age, muscle mass naturally decreases (sarcopenia), reaction time slows, and balance becomes less reliable. That combination dramatically increases fall risk. But here’s the good news: decline is not inevitable. It’s modifiable.

Maintaining mobility, building muscle strength, and improving balance can drastically reduce fall risk and protect long-term independence.

At Tonic Spine & Disc, we focus on longevity and performance-not just pain relief. Our solutions include:
• Targeted mobility work to keep joints moving properly
• Muscle strengthening with Emsculpt Neo to build functional strength
• Balance and functional therapy to improve coordination and stability

Strong hips. Strong legs. Strong core.
That’s fall prevention.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure-especially when it comes to protecting independence.

Plan ahead. Stay strong. Age on your terms.

02/13/2026

Don’t just mask the pain-treat the root cause! 💪

Simple stretches and movement are great, but when tension and weakness persist, it’s time for IDDTherapy, Emsculpt Neo, and M7 Laser- best-in-class technologies that target the source of discomfort.

💊💉💊Skip the heavy medications and steroid shots that only mask the problem and can cause more issues down the road. Invest in your spine, reduce the risk of future breakdown, and move freely again!

02/10/2026

The multifidus and deep core muscles are typically not addressed in most chronic back pain cases.

Instead, treatment often starts with steroids, injections, or procedures aimed at quieting pain signals. While these approaches may reduce symptoms, they don’t rebuild the stability the spine actually depends on.

Emerging research shows that muscle health plays a major role in long-term outcomes.

A 2025 Global Spine Journal study found that spine surgery results are strongly influenced by the condition of the multifidus-a deep stabilizing muscle that runs along the spine. On MRI, many patients already show fatty degeneration of this muscle long before surgery ever takes place.

🔍 Key finding:
Patients with ≥58% multifidus fatty infiltration had a 2.7× higher risk of needing revision spine surgery.

That’s not something to ignore.

At our clinic, we focus on strengthening the foundation, not just masking pain. We use Emsculpt Neo to directly activate the multifidus and abdominal muscles, and Emsella to strengthen the pelvic floor- a critical but often overlooked component of true core stability.

⚠️ It’s also important to know that some commonly used procedures, such as rhizotomies, can actually increase atrophy of the multifidus, leading to more instability, dysfunction, and ultimately more pain.

Pain relief is temporary. Stability is what lasts.

02/09/2026

Perfection is a trap. Consistency is power. 💥

In running, in sport, in life-we talk ourselves out of starting because we’re waiting to feel ready or for conditions to be perfect. Truth is, perfect rarely shows up.

What does show up? Small efforts. Reps. Showing up again tomorrow.

Tiny, incremental improvements done consistently create real, meaningful change over time.

💪🏃🏼‍➡️Get out there. Do something.

That effort you almost skipped? It’s about as close to perfect as it gets.
Start being okay with that and keep going.

02/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Asu4USnqg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

According to psychology, dopamine is not simply a pleasure chemical. It is a motivation signal that teaches the brain what effort is worth repeating. Psychologists say dopamine works best when it is earned through challenge, learning, or meaningful progress. When rewards come without effort, the brain learns the wrong lesson.

According to psychology, unearned dopamine floods the reward system without strengthening focus or resilience. This often comes from endless scrolling, constant notifications, gambling like mechanics, or instant gratification habits. Psychologists say the brain adapts quickly to these spikes, demanding more stimulation for the same feeling. Over time, motivation for effortful tasks declines.

Psychology research shows that when dopamine is earned through work, exercise, creativity, or problem solving, the brain builds durable neural pathways. These pathways support patience, discipline, and long term satisfaction. Psychologists say earned dopamine reinforces the belief that effort leads to reward, which is essential for mental health.

According to psychology, unearned dopamine can quietly erode drive. Tasks that once felt meaningful start to feel dull. Focus weakens. Frustration increases. This is not laziness. It is neuroadaptation.

Psychologists say the solution is not removing pleasure, but restoring balance. Delaying reward, embracing challenge, and limiting instant stimulation retrain the brain to value effort again. According to psychology, dopamine that is earned builds you. Dopamine that is not earned slowly breaks motivation from the inside.

02/05/2026

See the link below to learn more about a technology we use to help patients of all ages return to pain-free living and confident movement.

💪Our Emsculpt Neo success stories span a wide range:
• Patients whose knee surgeries didn’t go as planned, with limited rehab and difficulty walking.
• Athletes, including soccer players, rebuilding strength after ACL surgery.

Emsculpt Neo allows us to safely challenge and build muscle earlier in the rehabilitation process especially when joint mobility is limited by surgery, injury, or age-related arthritis. By strengthening the muscles that support and stabilize joints without excessive strain, patients can recover more efficiently, reduce reinjury risk, and regain quality of life. For many, the results have been truly life-changing.

In sports like soccer and football, the second injury often starts with how the body moves after the first.

Speed hides imbalance.
Adrenaline masks compensation.

Strengthen both sides — not just the injured one.
Restore balance.
Protect long-term performance.

👉 See the link and watch closely to understand how advanced muscle activation can change the recovery process-for athletes and everyday patients alike.




https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUWF4vmjZLm/?igsh=MTJjczBobnQ0aXF5bg==