Lower Back Pain | An Overview
Lower back pain is an exceedingly common affliction that affects up to 80% of adults at some point in their lives. Understanding the underlying causes of lower back pain is key to finding the appropriate treatment and relief. Anatomy of the Lower Back The lower back,...
Herniated Discs | Causes and Risks
A herniated disc, also referred to as a slipped or ruptured disc, is a painful condition where the jelly-like center of an intervertebral disc pushes out through a weakened area in the outer layer. Anatomy and Function of Spinal Discs The spine is composed of 24...
Scoliosis | Definition and Types
Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. Instead of being straight when viewed from behind, a spine with scoliosis is shaped like an “S” or a “C”, with the upper back typically bending to one side. Scoliosis is actually a relatively common...
Sciatica | Treatment and Relief
Sciatica refers to nerve pain caused by injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve running through the buttocks and down the legs. Treatment for sciatica depends on the severity of symptoms. Fortunately, various effective options are available. Overview of Sciatica The...
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Lower Back Pain | An Overview
Lower back pain is an exceedingly common affliction that affects up to 80% of adults at some point in their lives. Understanding the underlying causes of lower back pain is key to finding the appropriate treatment and relief. Anatomy of the Lower Back The lower back,...
Degenerative Disc Disease | Causes and Risk Factors
Degenerative disc disease describes age-related wear and tear to the rubbery spinal discs cushioning the vertebrae that can lead to chronic back or neck pain. While partly genetic, there are also lifestyle factors and injuries that accelerate disc degeneration over...
Upper (Thoracic) Back Pain | What is Causing My Pain?
Upper back pain is a surprisingly common affliction, affecting up to one-quarter of the adult population at some point. While not as prevalent as lower back pain, discomfort in the thoracic region still accounts for a substantial slice of musculoskeletal complaints...
Upper (Thoracic) Back Pain | Understanding Why it Hurts
Upper back pain refers to any type of discomfort or pain in the thoracic spine region. This article will provide an in-depth overview of upper back pain, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. We aim to help readers understand the anatomy of...
Sports and Spinal Injuries | Treatment and Prevention
Participating in sports activities comes with the risk of sustaining injuries, including those affecting the spine. Nearly 9% of spinal cord injuries occur during sporting events which can be extremely debilitating if not properly addressed. This article will overview...
Sports and Spine Injuries | What is the Common Cause?
Spine injuries in sports are unfortunately very prevalent among athletes of all ages and skill levels. Understanding the anatomy of the spine, the mechanics behind sports injuries, and strategies to prevent injury are all crucial for keeping athletes safe and healthy....
Sports and Spinal Injuries | How Can Sports Cause Injuries?
Spine injuries in athletes, though rare, can have tragic and lasting consequences. Understanding spine injuries in athletes is critical for prevention and prompt treatment when they do occur. This guide will overview the most common athletic spinal cord and vertebral...
Spondylolisthesis | Causes and Risk Factors
Spondylolisthesis, simply put, is when one vertebra in the spine slips forward onto the vertebra below it. What causes this slippage is often complex, involving multiple factors that place extra stress and strain on the spine. Anatomy and Function of the Spine The...
Treatment for Spondylolisthesis | Treatment and Prognosis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) slips forward onto the bone below it. This can cause lower back pain that radiates to the legs, as well as numbness or tingling. Treatment options for spondylolisthesis aim to relieve these...
Spondylolisthesis | Types and Symptoms
Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition where one of the vertebrae slips out of its normal position onto the bone below it. The slippage puts pressure on the nerves and can cause symptoms like back pain and numbness/tingling in the legs. Anatomy and Function of the...
Back and Leg Pain | Treatment Options
Dealing with back pain that originates from the spine can be an extremely frustrating situation. Unfortunately, spine-related back pain is a widespread issue impacting individuals across all age groups. Recent surveys have found that up to 80% of adults experience...
Spinal Tumors | Treatment and Management
Spinal tumors can be scary, but having an understanding of the various treatment options available can help patients feel more in control. "What is the Treatment and Management for Spinal Tumors?", is an important question for those diagnosed with these abnormal...
Spinal Tumors | Causes and Risks
"What causes spinal tumors?" is a common question for those diagnosed with these abnormal growths in or around the spinal column. Spinal tumors can be scary and confusing, but understanding the various causes can help patients better grasp their condition. Spinal...
Spinal Tumors | An Overview
A spinal tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue growth within or surrounding the spinal cord and/or spinal column. These masses can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Spinal tumors affect individuals of all ages and can cause significant pain and...
Treatments for Spinal Stenosis | Traditional and Emerging
Spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal putting pressure on the nerves, often gradually caused by age-related bone and disc changes. Symptoms like leg pain, numb feet, poor coordination or falling come as nerves get squeezed. Mild cases may create...
Spinal Stenosis | Causes and Risks
Spinal stenosis refers to abnormal narrowing of the hollow neural passageways running through the articulating vertebral bones of the spine. This constriction of space leads to compression, inflammation, and damage to the intricate nerves controlling sensation, muscle...
Spinal Stenosis | An Overview
Spinal stenosis refers to abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal that causes compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves traveling through the vertebral column to the rest of the body. The spinal cord extends down from the brain, carrying nerve signals and motor...
Spinal Deformities | Most Common Treatments
Spine deformities are abnormal curvatures of the spine that can cause pain, neurological symptoms, and other issues that reduce quality of life. Fortunately, a variety of non-surgical and surgical treatment options are available. Introduction Spine deformities...
Spinal Deformities | Most Common Types
The spine is a complex structure made up of vertebrae, discs, ligaments, and muscles that protects the spinal cord and allows movement. Spine deformities disrupt the spine’s normal alignment and can cause pain, neurological issues, and other symptoms. Understanding...
Spinal Deformities | Definitions and Symptoms
Spinal deformities refer to abnormal curvature of the vertebral column, caused by twisting, bending, or angulation of the spinal bones. When viewed from behind, the healthy spine runs straight down the middle of the back. But when viewed from the side, the spine has...