In-depth information on general treatments for low back pain, sciatica, and neck pain, including the first steps in caring for low back pain and sciatica, and exercise for recovery
Lower back pain symptoms and treatment options
May 25, 2007
With low back pain the severity of the pain is often unrelated to the extent of physical damage. For example, muscle spasm from a simple back strain can cause excruciating lower back pain that can make it difficult to walk or even stand, whereas a large herniated disc or completely degenerated disc can actually be completely painless. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Rehabilitation
and exercise for a healthy back
November 21, 2006
People who suffer from lower back pain are often encouraged to participate
in their own recovery, but they are seldom given the knowledge and tools needed
to accomplish this. This article provides a basic understanding of the reasons
for lower back pain and gives you tips on exercises and successful recovery. Read
more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD
4
proven steps to prevent osteoporosis fractures
August 29, 2006
Spine fractures can be severely disabling, often resulting in chronic pain, spinal
deformity, and loss of independence. Once a spine fracture has occurred, it usually
means the patient has advanced osteoporosis and is susceptible to more disabling
vertebral fractures. The key is to prevent osteoporosis and fractures from ever
occurring. Read more...
By: Scott Boden, 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.
Manual
physical therapy for pain relief
January 13, 2006
Sometimes called “hands-on physical therapy”, manual physical therapy
uses no devices or machines. With this technique, therapists use only their hands
to reduce back muscle tension and restore mobility to stiff joints in an effort
to allow the patient more natural movement and pain relief. Read
more...
By: Robert J. Daul, MPT
Physical
therapy for low back pain relief
December 20, 2005
Most patients with low back pain will benefit from physical therapy that strengthens
the "belt"
of muscle around their spine—including the
abdominal and low back muscles. Even patients who
eventually elect back surgery benefit. A physical
therapist can show proper exercise technique and
ensure follow through. Read
more...
By: Rob D. Dickerman, DO, PhD
Chronic pain management with rechargeable spinal cord
stimulators
September 23, 2005
Rechargeable spinal cord stimulators were designed
to improve quality of life for patients with chronic
pain by reducing the need for multiple surgeries to
replace non-rechargeable batteries. The FDA recently
approved two new rechargeable spinal cord stimulation
devices with 7-9 year life spans. Read more...
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 that
is simple and easily done—ideally at home and encompassing core stretching
and strengthening exercises. Read
more...
By: Robert J. Daul, MPT
Insights and
advice about herniated discs
January 19, 2005
Getting an accurate diagnosis and
finding the best treatments for pain from
a herniated disc can be challenging. Some
patients find that a combination of conservative
treatment options work s best, (such as
medications, injections, and physical therapy),
while other patients may find that early
surgical intervention is necessary to find
adequate relief from the pain and symptoms
caused by a herniated disc. Read
more...
By: John P. Revord, MD
Sciatica
first aid
May 24, 2004
When sciatica flares up, it is helpful to know a range of options that can
be tried to help alleviate the discomfort and pain along the sciatic nerve
and stay active. Read more...
By: Randall Schultz, MD
Specialists who treat
back pain
November 14,
2000
There are many types of health practitioners that care for patients with spinal
conditions, and each has a slightly different role. The practitioner a patient
chooses largely depends on the low back pain condition, diagnosis, or symptoms. Read
more...
By: Philip R. Shalen, MD
The myths and
reality of back pain
July 7, 2000
Misconceptions about back pain exist for both patients and doctors. This article
addresses a number of the more common misconceptions about back pain and neck
pain. Read more...
By: Andrew J. Cole, MD
First steps
in caring for low back pain
October 1999 (Updated
July 19, 2004)
This article provides a useful overview for self-care at the onset of back
pain. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Cervical
herniated disc - The doctor is in!
Peter
F. Ullrich, Jr., M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon and
Medical Director for Spine-health.com, answers patients’ e-mail
questions about cervical disc herniation, including diagnosing
the source of pain and proceeding with treatment of a
cervical herniated disc. Read
more…
Lumbar
herniated disc - The doctor is in!
Patients
often have questions about the symptoms of a lumbar herniated
disc. In this section, Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., M.D., an
orthopedic spine surgeon and Medical Director for Spine-health.com,
provides answers to patients’ e-mail questions
about lumbar herniated disc diagnosis. Read
more…
Sciatica
- The doctor is in!
This
section features explanations, insights and advice about
sciatica and the sciatic nerve – including diagnosing
the source of the sciatic pain - provided by Peter F.
Ullrich, Jr., M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon and Medical
Director for Spine-health.com. Read
more…
Getting
better care for your back pain - Spine-health.com
Newsletter
Because pain is a uniquely personal experience
and because many back pain treatments don't work the
same for all patients even when they have the same diagnosis,
there are not that many absolute rules for how to treat
back pain. Get better care for your back pain by learning
more about the challenges of back pain management and
understanding a range of treatment options. Read
more...
Getting
an accurate back pain diagnosis - Spine-health.com
Newsletter
Getting an accurate diagnosis for your back pain is critical because different
diagnoses will require very different treatment approaches for pain relief.
This newsletter helps patients understand confusing terminology, different
diagnostic tests and the option of working with an integrated spine clinic
for a diagnosis and treatment program. Read
more...
Please note that these additional patient resources (such as The Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters) on Spine-health.com are not peer-reviewed by the Spine-health.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from the experiences of others and to gain information from our popular newsletters.
