In-depth information ona wide range of causes of low back pain, neck pain, upper back pain, and leg pain (e.g. sciatica)
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 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
Understanding
scoliosis
Updated March 30, 2004
Treatment decisions for idiopathic scoliosis are primarily
based on the skeletal maturity of the patient (or rather,
how much more growth can be expected) as well as the
degree of curvature. The cause of idiopathic scoliosis
is unknown (idiopathic literally means "cause
unknown"), but the way curves behave is fairly
well understood. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Pillow support
and comfort
September 30, 2003
Rest and sleep is when the spine can heal itself from
the postural, physical and nervous insults of the previous
day. And the right pillow or pillows are key to supporting
the neck and back and getting a comfortable night's
rest. Read more...
By: John Schubbe, D.C.
Mattress
guidelines for sleep comfort
August 29, 2003
While the right mattress is largely a matter of personal
preference, it's useful to know guidelines about what
constitutes a good mattress, as well as recommendations
for sleep comfort for specific back conditions. Read
more...
By: Richard A. Staehler, M.D.
Sciatica
and the sciatic nerve
June 17, 2003
Sciatica pain can result when the nerve roots in the
lower spine are irritated or compressed. The sciatica
symptoms one feels (back pain, leg
pain, numbness, etc) tend to be different depending
on where the pressure on the nerve occurs. Read
more...
By: Steven G. Yeomans, DC, FACO
Avoid
back injury with the right lifting techniques
May 14, 2003
Avoiding a back injury when lifting requires more than
just bending at the knees. It's also important to bend
at the hips (not the lower back), keep the chest forward,
lead with the hips (not the shoulders), and keep the
weight close to one's body. Read
more...
By: Ron S. Miller, PT
Modern
theories on chronic pain
March 11, 2003
One of the more interesting recent advances in modern
medicine is a new theory about chronic pain. This article
discusses how this new theory - the Gate Control Theory
of chronic pain - is changing the way chronic back
pain may be understood, diagnosed and treated. Read
more...
By: William W. Deardorff, PhD., ABPP
Chronic
pain as a disease: why does it still hurt?
January 22, 2003
The medical community is starting to understand that
if pain is no longer a function of a healthy nervous
system (signaling that there is a disease or underlying
injury), then the chronic pain itself becomes the problem
and needs to be treated as the primary disease. Read
more...
By: William W. Deardorff, PhD, ABPP
Facet joint
disorders
December 10, 2002
Facet joints are in almost constant motion with the
spine and over time can simply wear out or become degenerated,
leading to a process that produces bone spurs and an
enlargement of the joints. Facet joint disorders can
produce considerable back pain or neck pain on motion. Read
more...
By: Charles Dean Ray, 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
Pain from a synovial
cyst in the lumbar spine
September 9, 2002
A synovial cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops
as a result of degeneration in the spine. The cyst
can create pressure inside the spinal canal and this
in turn can give a patient all the symptoms of spinal
stenosis, including lower back pain that can radiate
to the legs. Read more...
By Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD
Back pain in kids and
teens
July 11, 2002
Because children rarely suffer from back pain, any
complaint by a child or teenager about acute or chronic
back pain is taken very seriously by pediatricians,
and usually will result in a detailed consultation.
Suspicious episodes of back pain, or any concerning
features of the pain, may lead to a referral to a spine
specialist for further examination and diagnostic tests. Read
more...
By: Julian Huang, MD
