Articles Index

Obesity and Back Pain

Obesity contributes directly to several types of back problems, increasing any accompanying back pain. Even if you are not morbidly obese, the health of your back and spine may be suffering because of your obesity. Here are the back conditions that are affected by the obesity epidemic, according to research. Learn how well losing weight might help reduce back pain.

Symptoms of Back Pain

Symptoms of back pain and neck pain may have you running to the doctor for treatment. Before the doctor can give you a treatment for your back pain or neck pain, she or he must understand what your symptoms are. It is very important to clearly and accurately communicate your back pain symptoms to your doctor.

After an Injury - Inflammation

After a back injury or a neck injury, the body responds with inflammation. Symptoms of acute back injury include but are not limited to pain, caused by the inflammation, and later, scar tissue. Scar tissue affects back injuries in the sub-acute and chronic phases of healing.

New Type of MRI Can Take Pictures of Nerves

Magnetic resonance neurography is an emerging type of MRI that can help diagnose nerve problems and pain such as sciatica and piriformis syndrome.

Implantable Drug Delivery Systems and Infusion Pumps

Implantable drug delivery systems to control chronic back pain are a controversial pain management treatment used after conservative back pain treatments have been tried and failed. This even includes back surgery. Infusion pumps aka drug delivery pumps can be used in cases of failed back surgery syndrome and other types of chronic back pain.

When Do You Need to See a Doctor for Your Back Pain or Neck Pain?

Most of the time back pain, back aches and neck pain resolve on their own. But there some signs you should get them checked by a sign specialist or doctor. Your back pain, neck pain or back ache may be the sign of a red flag, or a serious problem. Examples are leg pain, back injury or radiating pain down legs or arms.

Forums and Chats

Forums and chats for people who suffer from back pain, neck pain and chronic conditions can help you break away from islolation.

Back Pain Overview - Get the Facts about Back Pain - Bibliography

A Bibliography for Back Pain Overview - Get the Facts about Back Pain

Laughter As Medicine for Back Injury and Chronic Pain

Read about how laughter improves overall functioning, which helps manage chronic pain and speed injury healing.

Back Pain Overview

Types and categories of back pain, including specific and non-specific back pain, neck pain, hip pain, neuropathy.

Aleve and Naproxen

Aleve is a very common pain killer used for back pain and spinal arthritis. The generic name for Aleve is naproxen. Naproxen is available over the counter in generic form and brand and by prescription. Learn more about taking Aleve and naproxen for back pain, neck pain or spinal arthritis.

Motrin and Ibuprofen - Taking Motrin or Ibuprofen for Your Back Pain

If you need an over-the-counter medication for back pain or neck pain, you may think of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen comes in brand and generic form over the counter, and as a prescription, too. Common brands of ibuprofen include Motrin, Advil or Nuprin.

Tylenol and Acetaminophen for Back Pain

Tylenol can be an effective substitute for aspirin for some back pain sufferers. Using Tylenol or acetaminophen as a medication for back pain can be effective for muscle pain and spinal arthritis.

Aspirin for Back and Neck Pain

Aspirin is often the first thing you reach for when you have a back ache or neck pain. Aspirin is an over the counter medication that helps with back muscle pain, spinal arthritis and minor injuries to the back or neck.

Weeding Strategies for Avoiding Back Strain

Weeding the garden can be stressful to your back. So why weed your garden any more than you need? Here are tips and strategies to help keep your back healthy and free of back strain.

Benefits of Water Exercise

The special properties of water can provide you with excellent benefits if you are healing a back injury. Water exercise - aquatic therapy - can help strengthen back muscles, increase flexibility, improve joint range-of-motion and decrease back pain.

Yoga for Back Pain - Standing Forward Bend

Forward bends in yoga challenge your sense of alignment. Forward bends such as uttanasana can also help you with back problems such as flat low back posture. If you have disk problems be careful with uttanasana and other forward yoga bends because your back pain may return.

Diagnosing Back Pain Symptoms

Getting a medical diagnosis for back pain or neck pain requires you accurate report your back or neck pain symptoms to your medical doctor. Doctors use the medical history, a physical exam and sometimes imaging or lab tests to come up with a diagnosis for your back or neck.

Yoga for Back Pain: Side-Angle Pose

The side-angle yoga pose is a good one to help alleviate back pain. Side-angle helps with postural conditions that can cause back pain such as scoliosis and kyphosis. It also stretches the core muscles of the body, including your oblique abdominals.

Managing Injury and Pain Holistically

Back pain is the number 1 reason why people in the US seek alternative medicine. Neck pain is the third most common reason for turning to holistic medicine. Therapies such as acupuncture for low back pain are growing in popularity, as are Feldenkrais, yoga, pilates and other alternative medicine disciplines.

First Aid for Possible Neck Injuries

When you suspect that someone has a serious neck injury, it is very important to know the correct first aid.

Living with Chronic Pain

If chronic back pain or chronic neck pain has you living with pain, understanding chronic pain management may be your best friend in finding relief from pain and making best use of treatment options.

Triangle Pose

Triangle or trikonasana is a yoga pose that may benefit a back pain sufferer in a unique but powerful way. Triangle pose works the hips, and the hips have a strong influence on the spine and on back pain. Learn about trikonasana and back pain.

Summer Sports and Back Injuries

Summer is the time of the weekend warrior. Trying to do too much too soon can easily lead to a back injury. Find out about how to prevent back injuries due to summer sports participation.

Spondylolysis Treatment

Treatment for spondylolysis might be different depending upon where you go. But spondylolysis treatment should aim to reduce lordosis in the low back and to reduce spondylolysis related pain. During spondylolysis treatment the spine is kept from hyperextension.