(Lower Back Pain health hub article index)
Information on lower back pain symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and a full range of treatment options
Should I see a doctor for back pain?
August 14, 2007
Back pain symptoms can vary greatly and the severity of the pain is not necessarily a useful guide for when to see a a physician. This article outlines symptoms that sometimes accompany back pain and indicate a need for urgent or near term medical attention. Read more...
By: Charles D. Ray, MD
Isthmic spondylolisthesis
June 19, 2007 (original publication September 8,
1999)
The spine condition called isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs when
one vertebral body slips forward on another because of a small fracture
in a piece of bone that connects the two joints. Low back pain and/or leg
pain are typical symptoms. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
When back pain may
be a medical emergency
June 12, 2007
While rare, certain back pain symptoms are a sign of a medical
emergency that may become life threatening or result in disability
without prompt attention from an appropriately skilled physician. Patients
who experience any of the following symptoms should seek medical attention
as quickly as possible. Read
more...
By: Ari Ben-Yishay, MD
Interdisciplinary
chronic pain management vs. back surgery: Which is
right for you?
May 7, 2007
While surgery has proven successful in addressing many types of chronic back
pain, several recent studies demonstrate that interdisciplinary chronic pain
management is an equivalent or better alternative for certain types of back pain
patients. Read
more...
By: Andrew R. Block,
PhD
Heat
wrap therapy can reduce post-exercise low back pain
March 14, 2007
According to this recent study, it is now possible to avoid some of the low back
pain that typically follows exercise involving the lower back muscles by using
heat wrap therapy prior to and after exercise. Read
more...
By: John Mayer, DC, PhD
McKenzie
therapy for mechanical low back pain
March 8, 2007
McKenzie Therapy is a multi-dimensional approach to classifying and treating
mechanical low back pain. The McKenzie Method is designed to centralize pain
so that it becomes more tolerable for the patient. This goal is achieved through
completing prescribed exercises. Read
more...
By: Thomas E. (Ted) Dreisinger, PhD
Living
with degenerative disc disease
February 16, 2007
This article outlines the four key components of a self-care
program for patients to manage the low back pain and
other symptoms of degenerative disc disease and avoid
surgery. Read
more...
By: J. Talbot Sellers,
DO
Prolotherapy
for low back pain
January 30, 2007
Several studies of patients with low back pain show benefits
from prolotherapy, yet more research is necessary to
demonstrate conclusively if and how prolotherapy works
to provide relief from low back pain. For now, patients
should consider prolotherapy as one of many treatment
options available to them. Read
more...
By: Simon Dagenais, PhD
What's
a herniated disc, pinched nerve, bulging disc...?
January 10, 2007
There are many terms used to describe spinal disc pathology,
but it is best to focus on an understanding of the medical
diagnosis. This article explains conditions such as a
herniated disc, pinched nerve, and degenerative disc
disease. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich,
Jr., MD
Rehabilitation
and exercise for a healthy back
November 21, 2006
Whether suffering from the first bout of low back pain
or following extensive treatments or even surgery, the
best way for patients to avoid or minimize the severity
of recurrences is to rehabilitate the back through appropriate
exercise. Read
more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD
Deciding
on surgery for degenerative disc disease
November 9, 2006
If patients are making concessions in their everyday
activities due to low back pain from a degenerated disc,
then it is reasonable to consider back surgery. However,
prior to making the decision whether or not to have surgery
a patient should consider the following criteria. Read
more...
By: Jack Zigler, MD
Lumbar
degenerative disc disease
November 6, 2006
Most patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease will
experience only low-grade continuous but tolerable low
back pain that will occasionally intensify. For others,
however, lumbar degenerative disc disease can cause severe
pain and possibly disability. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich,
Jr., MD
Low
back pain and degenerative disc disease treatments
May 3, 2006
The treatment options for degenerative disc disease
are either passive or active. Usually a combination
of treatments is used to help control the symptoms.
Passive treatments are rarely effective on their own
- some active component is almost always required. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Ahh... ice massage for pain relief
Updated April
24, 2006
Most episodes of back pain are caused by muscle strain. When injured, the large
muscles in the low back can become inflamed and spasm, causing low back pain
and significant stiffness. Ice massage therapy can provide pain relief by slowing
the inflammation and swelling that occurs after back injury and muscle strain,
helping to slow the nerve impulses in the affected area. Read
more...
By: Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD
Low back
pain relief using a pneumatic vest (Research article)
February 14, 2006
Some patients find significant low back pain relief after
taking weight off the spine by resting. This article
reports on recently published research about the effectiveness
of using a pneumatic vest to provide low back pain relief
by unweighting the spine while allowing the patient to
stay more active. Read
more...
By: John J. Triano, DC, PhD
Snow
removal techniques to prevent low back injuries
January 27, 2006
Winter low back pain from snow removal can be prevented
with correct snow shoveling technique. These tips give
pointers on finding the right shovel, proper shoveling
posture, and exercises to relieve muscle strain. Read
more…
By: Peter J. Schubbe, D.C.
Understanding Low Back Pain (Lumbago)
December 13, 2005
Comprehensive
back pain information, including
classification of types of low back
pain, diagnosis and treatment options. Read more...
By: Ari Ben-Yishay, MD
What
is degenerative disc disease?
November 29, 2005
Don't let the term "degenerative" confuse you;
degenerative disc disease does not necessarily get worse
with age. While the disc degeneration is likely to progress
over time, the associated pain usually does not get worse
and in fact usually gets better over time. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Easy exercise program for low back pain relief
June 27, 2005
Regular exercise now can often help prevent debilitating
low
back pain in the future. The key is devising
and consistently following an exercise program. Read more...
By: Robert J. Daul, MPT
Strengthening
exercise program for low back pain relief
June 27, 2005
Strengthening exercises help stabilize the spine and
decrease stress on the lower back and pelvis. Most spinal
stabilization exercise programs include strengthening
both the abdominal and gluteal muscles. The key is an
exercise program that is simple and easily done. Read
more...
By: Robert J. Daul, MPT
Exercise
ball therapy for low back pain
June 2, 2005
Exercise programs using exercise balls are designed to
help prevent further episodes of low back pain as part
of a patient's low back rehabilitation program. This
article provides in-depth information on uses, exercises,
benefits and drawbacks of therapy with an exercise ball. Read
more...
By: Thomas E. Hyde, DC, DACBSP
Depression
and chronic back pain
October 15, 2004
Even though it is not always recognized and/or treated,
clinical depression is estimated to be four times greater
in people with chronic back pain than in the general
population. This article discusses the interrelationship
between depression and chronic back pain and helps patients
recognize the signs of depression. Read
more...
By: William W. Deardorff, PhD, ABPP
Cervical,
thoracic and lumbar interlaminar epidural injections
September 10, 2004
An epidural injection delivers steroids into the epidural
space around spinal nerve roots to relieve low back pain,
leg pain, or other pain caused by irritated spinal nerves.
The steroid used in the injection reduces the inflammation
of those nerves, which is often the source of the pain. Read
more...
By: Ray Baker, MD
Spondylolysis
and isthmic spondylolisthesis
April 29, 2004
Spondylolysis is the most common cause of isthmic spondylolisthesis,
a condition that is the most common cause of low back
pain in adolescents (especially in young athletes) and
can also cause recurring or chronic lower back pain in
adults. Read
more...
By: Thomas E. Hyde, DC, DACBSP
Choosing
the best mattress for low back pain
August 19, 2004
A mattress lacking in back support reinforces poor sleeping
posture, strains low back muscles, and does not help
keep the spine in alignment, all of which can increase
low back pain. This article provides practical guidelines
for choosing a mattress that provides both sleep comfort
and back support. Read
more...
By: J. Talbot Sellers, DO
Benefits
of heat therapy for lower back pain
March 20, 2003
Many episodes of lower back pain result from a strain
or over-exertion, creating tension in the muscles and
soft tissues around the spine. The muscle spasm that
results from the back injury can create sensations that
range from mild discomfort to inability to move and excruciating
pain. Heat therapy can help relieve both pain from the
muscle spasm and related stiffness in the lower back. Read
more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD
Scheuermann's
disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine
December 2, 2002
Scheuermann's disease, or Scheuermann's Kyphosis, is
a condition in which the normal roundback in the upper
spine is increased and results in a hunchback appearance,
but rarely causes back pain. Another condition, sometimes
referred to as Lumbar Scheuermann's disease, is really
juvenile disc disorder and can cause lower back pain
at a young age. Read
more...
By: Paul C. McAfee, MD
Epidural
steroid injections for
low back pain and leg pain
August
4, 2000
An epidural injection is effective in significantly
reducing back pain and/or leg pain for approximately
50% of patients. Read about the benefits and potential
risks of an epidural steroid injection, when it's typically
recommended, and how it's performed. Read
more...
By: Rick Staehler, MD
Golf and low back pain
September 1999
Swinging a golf club applies a lot of torque (force)
and torsion (twisting) to the low back and can often
result in injury or exacerbation of existing lower
back pain. Read
more…
By: Rick Staehler, MD and Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
