Back Pain Conditions

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...

Back and Leg Pain | Are they Related?

Spinal related leg pain refers to discomfort, aching, tingling, or numbness that radiates from the lumbar spine down the sciatic nerve into the legs. It is often caused by pressure on or damage to the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord. Understanding what causes this...

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...

Sciatica | An Overview

Sciatica refers to pain, numbness, weakness or tingling along the path of the sciatic nerve, a large nerve running from the lower back down the back of each leg. Anything causing inflammation, irritation or compression of this nerve or its roots can trigger sciatica...

Pregnancy | Understanding Back Pain

Back pain affects over half of all pregnant women due to substantial biochemical and anatomical shifts in the body. Back pain during pregnancy can range from a mild nuisance to severe debilitation. Fully understanding the types of back pain that can arise and how the...

Pregnancy | Why Does My Back Hurt?

Back pain is an exceedingly common complaint during pregnancy, with over 50% of pregnant women experiencing some degree of back discomfort. Understanding the various causes of back pain can help women cope with this troublesome symptom. Main Causes of Back Pain in...

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....

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...

Lower Back Pain | How is it Treated?

Lower back pain affects around 80% of adults at some point. With today’s many treatment options, most people can find relief from persistent back discomfort. This article explores medical, alternative, rehabilitative, and surgical therapies to ease lower back...

Scoliosis | Causes and Risk Factors

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. Understanding the various causes of scoliosis can help with early detection and management of this complex condition. This guide will cover the...
Lower Back Pain | An Overview

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

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...

Browse Spine Topics By Category

Back Pain

Spine Health

Conditions

Treatment

Videos

Spine Condition Topics

Lower Back Pain | An Overview

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,...

read more
Degenerative Disc Disease | Causes and Risk Factors

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...

read more
Upper (Thoracic) Back Pain | What is Causing My Pain?

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...

read more
Upper (Thoracic) Back Pain | Understanding Why it Hurts

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...

read more
Sports and Spinal Injuries | Treatment and Prevention

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...

read more
Sports and Spine Injuries | What is the Common Cause?

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....

read more
Sports and Spinal Injuries | How Can Sports Cause Injuries?

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...

read more
Spondylolisthesis | Causes and Risk Factors

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...

read more
Treatment for Spondylolisthesis | Treatment and Prognosis

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...

read more
Spondylolisthesis | Types and Symptoms

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...

read more
Back and Leg Pain | Treatment Options

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...

read more
Spinal Tumors | Treatment and Management

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...

read more
Spinal Tumors | Causes and Risks

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...

read more
Spinal Tumors | An Overview

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...

read more
Treatments for Spinal Stenosis | Traditional and Emerging

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...

read more
Spinal Stenosis | Causes and Risks

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...

read more
Spinal Stenosis | An Overview

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...

read more
Spinal Deformities | Most Common Treatments

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...

read more
Spinal Deformities | Most Common Types

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...

read more
Spinal Deformities | Definitions and Symptoms

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...

read more