Symptoms-Conditions
By Anne Asher, About.com Guide
- What To Do If You Have...
- Common Concerns And Questions
- Back and Neck Injuries
- Tests and Exams
- Posture Related Back Pain
What To Do If You Have...
In this first section, the symptoms or type of pain you have may be listed. Click on the linked articles for researched based information on that particular symptom. I've interviewed spine doctors and looked at medical studies to help you determine the best course of action for your particular type of back pain.
- Sharp Lower Back Pain
- Sharp Low Back Pain with Other Symptoms or Health Conditions
- Pain, Weakness, Numbness or Tingling Down Your Leg or Arm
- Stiff Neck and Flu Like Symptoms
Common Concerns And Questions
Granted, back pain and related symptoms are a disruption to your usual routine. But they may also yield valuable information your doctor can use to give you an accurate diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is the key to effective treatment.
- Symptoms of Back Pain
- Should You Stretch An Acute Neck or Back Injury?
- Does Back Pain Run In Families?
- Neurogenic Claudication
- Symptoms of Sciatica
- Herniated Disc Symptoms
- Whiplash Symptoms and Causes
- Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
- Neck Arthritis Symptoms
- What is a Symptom?
- What's the Difference Between a Sign and a Symptom?
- Different Types of Back Pain Mean Different Things
- Pins and Needles
- Inflammation
- Pinched Nerve
- Trigger Points
- Persistent Pain
- Allodynia
Back and Neck Injuries
Life is great, you're doing fine, and then - wham! You get an injury. Whether it's from playing sports, car accident, or you strain your back at work, you can find the basic information here.
- Acute Low Back Pain
- Common Neck Injuries
- Herniated Disc
- Back Strain
- Neck or Back Sprain
- Compression Fracture
- Broken Neck
- Spondylolysis
- Whiplash
- Nocioceptive Pain - The Kind You Can Understand
- Stages of Injury Healing - When Can You Go Back in Action?
- Spinal Cord Injury - For Family & Friends
Tests and Exams
Diagnostic tests for locating the cause of your back pain can be scary, and even painful. Understanding the tests, what they can and cannot do for you, and the reasons for which your doctor might suggest them may help you to overcome your resistance.
- Diagnosing Back and Neck Pain
- Medical Histories, Exams, Imaging and Lab Tests
- Diagnostic Imaging Tests
- Dermatome
- Myotome
- Palpation
- MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- CT Scans - Computed Tomography
- Discograms
- Myelogram
- X-Ray
- Thermography
- The Positional - or Upright - MRI - A New Tool for an Old Question
- MR Neurography
- School Scoliosis Screenings
- Cobb Angle
Posture Related Back Pain
Hands down, research shows that 80% of back pain goes away by itself. This usually means the pain is related to your posture, your muscles and how you use your body. Here you can read about the most common postural abnormalities and what to do for them.
- Crick in the Neck
- Sit with Good Posture
- The 3 Worst Moves for Your Back
- Flat Low Back Posture
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Trigger Points
- Fibromyalgia vs Myofascial Pain
- School Scoliosis Screenings
- Scoliosis
- Adult Scolosis
- Kyphosis
- Loss of Neck Curve
- Lordosis
- Causes of Poor Posture
- Ideal Alignment
- Leg Length Difference
Understanding Your Diagnosis
One of the great frustrations experienced by people with a lot of back pain is the cryptic nature of the diagnosis they get from their doctors. Given the lack of treatment standarization throughout the medical and holistic industries, the ability to decipher your diagnosis so that you understand it may go a long way toward empowering you to make the best decisions possible. This section provides short definitions as well as simple illustrations on common spinal areas often cited in back and neck pain diagnoses.
- Graphical Images of Key Areas of the Spinal Bones
- Anatomy Explained
- The Lumbar Spine
- L5-S1
- Cervical Spine
Doctors and Back Pain
Most of the time back pain goes away by itself. However, there are a few signs that may indicate the need for a doctor's appointment or, in some cases, a trip to the emergency room. When in doubt, it is important to call your doctor. This section gives information for the times when it is appropriate to seek medical attention for your back or neck pain.
- Preparing For the Doctor's Appointment - Share Your Story
- Types of Spine Doctors
- Talking to Your Doctor
- Signs Your Spine Needs Medical Attention
- Physical Medicine
- Pain Management
- Chiropractic
- Osteopathic Medicine
- Keep Track of Your Back or Neck Pain Symptoms
- Doctors Appointments by E-Mail
Conditions of the Spine
When your spine has to adapt to forces that act on it - from weak muscles to long term effects of past injury, you may develop a chronic spine condition. Here you will find basic definitions and medical information on common spine conditions.
- What is Back Pain?
- Overview of Acute Low Back Pain
- Are You At Risk for Sciatica?
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Bulging Disk
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Neck Arthritis - Cervical Spondylosis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Scheuermann's Disease - Teenager's Kyphosis
Chronic Neck and Back Pain
Chronic pain likes to play by its own rules. It stays longer than acute pain. It tends to show up without a reason - and certainly not an invitation! This section gives information you can use about chronic back and neck pain including definitions, treatment options, good reads and videos and more.
