Elissa Patterson, PhD, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology, is a health psychologist who treats hospitalized medical and surgical patients. Her role is to optimize the behavioral factors that help patients heal as swiftly as possible. She is particularly passionate about holistic pain management methods that can aid in the battle against the opioid crisis that continues to affect hundreds of thousands of people.

Despite undergoing a spinal laminectomy surgery, a 73-year-old individual successfully completed a trip to Patagonia just three months later. Read about their inspiring journey and the exceptional care they received at University of Michigan Health.

New research from Michigan Medicine shows that excessive physical activity during summer sports can lead to weakened tendons and bones in children. It is crucial to balance activity with rest to prevent injury.

After a car accident that left one teenager with multiple injuries, surgeons helped her get back to her passion of dancing.

Learn how a Michigan man, who survived a car crash and faced the risk of paralysis, was able to avoid it through spine endoscopy surgery performed by U-M Health. The innovative surgery is less invasive than traditional spine surgery and has a shorter recovery time.

For one teen, a rare neuromuscular disorder diagnosis brings long awaited answers.

A 12-year-old basketball player is surprised with a custom adaptive sports wheelchair at Michigan Medicine.

Reducing joint pain starts with strengthening joint in warmer months, says a Michigan Medicine doctor.

Exercise during the colder months can prevent pain from appearing in the warmer weather

Today, Joseph Kolars rides as far as 40 miles now

And the development of a new slow-release drug seeks to target them

Large doses of opioids are commonly prescribed after total knee and hip arthroplasty to avoid call-ins for refills, but smaller doses can be just as effective.