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Back & Neck Pain: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Meningitis Awareness Quiz
Stiff necks - while most often due to musculoskeletal factors are sometimes the sign of a serious infection such as bacterial meningitis. Even if you do not have bacterial meningitis, you may have a form of meningitis such as viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is not as life-threatening or damaging as bacterial meningitis, but it still needs immediate medical attention. So if you have flu-like symptoms, go see your doctor.
Rule out Meningitis
Basic guidelines on ruling out meningitis as a cause of a stiff neck may save your life -- One symptom of meningitis is a stiff neck, but this type of stiff neck does not begin in the neck. The guidelines presented here will help you rule out meningitis as a cause of a stiff neck. If you have any doubt whatsoever as to whether you have meningitis or exposure to meningitis, seek medical attention immediately. Meningitis, especially bacterial meningitis is a very serious illness.
Neck Injuries
Neck injury is an injury to the cervical spine. A neck injury can be as simple as a muscle pain or as catastrophic as a spinal cord injury. With so many neck injury types, it's helpful to know about each type of neck injury. Here are the most common neck injuries.
Many Different Specialties
The decision as to which type of doctor to see for your back or neck pain depends on what type of back pain you have and if you have been referred to a spine specialist.
What Is a "Crick in the Neck"?
If you wake up with a stiff neck, or a crick or kink in your neck, chances are you need the answer to the question - what is that crick in my neck, why is my neck stiff, or what is that kink in my neck? A kink in the neck or a crick in the neck often causes stiff neck and may be due to muscle spasms.
The Abdominal Muscle Group
The abdominal muscles - aka the ab muscles - are a group of 6 muscles - the rectus abdominus, the lateral oblique abdominals and the transverse abdominal that protect you from back and help your body posture. What are the abdominal muscles, what do they do and where are they located? This abdominal anatomy lesson will explain the 6 abdominal muscles from the transverse abdominus, to the obliques to the rectus abdominus.
OTC Pain Medication
There are two types of over-the-counter pain medication for back pain and neck pain -- NSAIDs and acetaminophen, or Tylenol. If your back or neck hurts enough for you to take something for it, over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications are probably what you reach for first.
Aleve
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.
Cervicalgia
What is cervicalgia? Here is a definition of cervicalgia.
The Trapezius Muscle
The trapezius muscle is a large, superficial muscle that spans the neck, shoulders and back. A tight upper trapezius muscle can make for sore shoulders and neck. A nickname for the trapezius muscle is the trap - or traps for plural.
Sharp Lower Back Pain
Sharp lower back pain may be one of a number of things. Learn more about sharp low back pain.
Massage Your Own Neck-Traps
Tense shoulder and neck muscles deserve a massage. One of the muscles that can become most painful is the trapezius muscles. Learn a technique for massaging this muscle, and melt away neck and shoulder muscle tension.
Neck Arthritis
Cervical spondylosis is basically arthritis of the neck. A common condition, cervical spondylosis affects a lot of people, especially older adults.
Amitriptyline for Back Pain
Amitriptyline, brand name Elavil for chronic back pain or neuropathic pain has a different dosage than amitriptyline and Elavil for depression. For chronic back pain and other neuropathic pain Elavil and other amitriptyline drugs are tricyclic antidepressants that be given effectively at a low dose.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of meningitis include, among other things, a stiff neck.
Wall Squat
Wall squats can easily be done as a work break -- all you need is a wall. Wall squats strengthen the muscles of the hips, legs, abs, and the core support muscles of posture. Wall squats should help your sitting posture.
Mild Back Pain - Home Remedies
Have you ever woken up with neck pain that hurt, but not enough to go see a doctor? Here are some ways you can give yourself back self therapy, for example massage, ice heat, OTC pain meds and more.
Neck Kyphosis
Cervical kyphosis is a common diagnosis for a loss of the cervical curve. Sometimes cervical kyphosis causes neck pain.
Sacroiliitis
Sacroiliitis is a painful condition of the sacroiliac joints. Learn what sacroiliitis is and more about sacroiliitis symptoms and sacroiliitis treatment.
When to See the Doctor
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.
Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy is most often caused by a herniated disc. Radiculopathy can cause neck pain and back pain. There can be cervical radiculopathy or lumbar radiculopathy. Learn more about radiculopathy - causes, symptoms, treatment, diagnosis and more.
Postural Alignment
Posture and spinal alignment conjures up a rich set of images, from correct posture, to perfect postures, to bad postural alignment. There are a variety of approaches to achieving a healthy spinal alignment, including back exercises, Pilates alignment work, yoga, tai chi and going to the chiropractor, to name a few.
How to Sit with Good Posture
Sitting with good posture may help you avoid back pain, neck pain or other muscle pain. Learn how to sit with good posture.
Elavil Side Effects
Elavil and Amitriptyline medications have side effects. If you take Elavil or other amitriptyline medication for chronic back pain or depression, you should be aware of potential side effects and what to do about them.
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline, aka Elavil is sometimes given as an adjuvant pain medication to chronic back pain sufferers. Learn about amitriptyline - Elavil as a pain medication for back pain.
Neurogenic Claudication
Neurogenic claudication is associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. Learn about neurogenic claudication and spinal stenosis.
Exercising with Back Pain
Is it safe to go to the gym and exercise when your back is sore? It depends in part on what gave you a back ache, stiff neck or the like in the first place.
Swayback Posture
Swayback -- aka swayback posture -- is one of several types of posture problems. Learn more about swayback here.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatic nerve pain is one of the symptoms of sciatica. Sciatic nerve pain is often felt as pain down the leg. Learn about the symptoms of sciatica.
The Quadriceps and Your Back Health
The quadriceps and hamstrings work together to balance your pelvic position. The quadriceps need to stretch in order to work well with the hamstrings. Here is my take on quadriceps stretching for a healthy back.
Neck Sprain Symptoms
Neck sprains have several defining symptoms, none the least of which is neck pain, of course. Find out what the symptoms of neck sprain are. Neck sprain is a different injury then neck or back strain.
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.
Dural Tears
When cerebrospinal fluid leaks because of a dural tear, you may need another surgery. Just what is a dural tear and why don't hospitals like to admit them when they occur?
Is Meningitis Contagious?
Meningitis is an infection that is contagious and spread through respiratory secretions.
Taking Motrin
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.
What is a Straight Leg Raise Test?
The straight leg raise test is used the see if you have a herniated back disc. Herniated disk symptoms include back pain and leg pain. The straight leg raise test may confirm that the back pain or leg pain is caused by a herniated back disk.
Sex - Disk Problems
Sex positions can make or break sex when you have back pain. When you have back pain from a herniated disk, a bulging disk, or any other disk problem, there are ways to position yourself during sex to avoid aggravating your symptoms. Choose your sexual position to accomodate your back pain and condition.
Spinal Flexion
Spinal flexion is a spinal movement we are all familiar with on some level. Learn about how spinal flexion plays into your back pain, and how to address spinal flexion for the benefit of your posture.
Pinched Nerve
A short explanation of pinched nerve including symptoms and a definition. An example of a pinched nerve is given.
Ventilation
In breathing, the ventilation of lungs is the first thing to happen. Ventilation of the lungs brings oxygen into and out of the body by means of inhalation and exhalation.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition that causes pain and is often preceded by spondylolysis. Treatment of spondylolisthesis is to reduce back pain and stabilize the spine. Learn more about spondylolisthhesis and spondylolisthesis treatment.
Spondylolysis
Spondylolysis is a back injury that causes back pain. Spondylolysis is common with young competitive athletes, for example gymnasts and ballerinas. Spondylolysis can lead to spondylolisthesis. Spondylolysis can also occur in adults, especially those with lordosis.
Back Pain
Back pain is unmistakable when you have it. This article discusses back pain, including types of back pain and causes of back pain. Back pain treatments are also mentioned.
Tilted Pelvis
Tilted pelvis is a cause of low back pain that frequently causes low back pain sufferers to seek chiropractic care.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana for chronic pain and other medical conditions is promising, according to an IOM report. Learn about medical marijuana, how its used for chronic pain, and about efforts to decriminalize marijuana for medical patients. Medical marijuana is a hot issue.
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.
Annular Tears
What is an annular tear? How do you get a herniated disc? Annular tears, also known as annular fissures, may contribute to disc problems. Learn about annular tears and see a picture.
Exercise to Relieve Back Pain
Doing back exercises can give you a healthy back. Find the right back exercise program for your condition. If you have a bad back, you may just need an exercise program to help strengthen and stretch your back muscles. There are many types of back strengthening exercises from aquatic therapy, Pilates, yoga, core support and core stabilization work to the Egoscue Method, McKenzie and more.
Latissimus dorsi
Here is what the Latissimus dorsi can do for you and how to locate them on your back.
Yoga for Back Pain Awareness Quiz
awareness quiz, quiz test, back pain, yoga
Forward Head Posture
Forward head posture is a postural alignment problem in the cervical spine that is often related to kyphosis. Here is information about exactly what forward head posture is, how it relates to kyphosis and more.
How to Do a Pelvic Tilt
Pelvic Tilts are often recommended for those who need to develop support in the low back, low abdominals, sacroiliac joint and adjacent structures. Pelvic tilts are starter exercises for spinal stabilization exercise programs. They are also great for prevention of low back problems due to poor posture and muscle atrophy.
Back and Neck Pain Treatments
Back and neck pain treatments include surgery, chronic pain medication, alternative and integrative medicine for back and neck pain, therapeutic back exercises and more.
Lumbar and Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis can range from sciatica to weakness and numbness in the legs and feet.
Sciatic Nerve Pain
Sciatic nerve pain, aka sciatica may cause radiating leg pain. Learn about sciatic nerve pain.
Prevent Back Pain
Conditions that cause back pain can interrupt your enjoyment of sex. If you suffer from back pain, before you have sex,take time to understand how best to position yourself and your partner for maximum enjoyment of sexual activity and for the least amount of back pain.
Prostaglandins
Prostaglandins are substances that help the body with many different functions. Prostaglandins mediate the inflammation process and relay pain signals.
Flat Low Back Posture
Flat low back posture is a deviation from ideal spinal alignment. It is also known as a faulty posture, along with kyphosis, scoliosis, and swayback posture.
Yoga for Back Pain
Yoga is a mind/body exercise system that relieves back pain and neck pain and improves back and neck conditions. Chronic low back and neck injuries and pain can be helped with the right kind of yoga.
What is a Broken Neck?
Broken neck means different things to different people. A broken neck is the same thing as a spinal fracture in the cervical spine. If you fracture a bone in your neck, you have a broken neck. Broken necks can be mild, severe, catastrophic or fatal.
Types
Injections that can relieve back and neck pain come in several varieties including epidurals, nerve blocks, trigger point injections and soft tissue injections.
Sciatica - What is Sciatica?
Sciatic nerve pain, also known as sciatica is pain down the leg. Sciatic nerve pain is caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve. While sciatica is very common, it is caused by problems of the spine such as spinal stenosis or herniated disk. Learn more about sciatic nerve pain and sciatica.
Posture Exercises
Posture exercise is about the best way to get posture control and awareness. A good posture exercise will likely help reduce posture pain. Try some posture training. Here are 5 posture exercises.
SCM Muscle
The SCM is a superficial neck muscle that divides the anterior triangle of the neck and the posterior triangle of the neck. Learn more about the sternocleiodmastoid muscle.
Back Pain and Sleep - Take Strain Off Lower Back Area
You may be able to reduce or avoid back pain due to sleeping positions. Using pillows you can take strain off the lower back area, which in turn could help your back pain.
Back Strain
Back strain is the most common type of back injury. It is very easy to strain your back while lifting or other movements of the spine. Back strain is an injury to back and other muscles.
Parts of the Spine
Back pain diagnosis often includes the name of the part of the spine that is involved in causing the pain. Learn about the parts of the spine.
Core Strength
Core strength training, including yoga core strength, Pilates core strength and core strength on the ball are big these days. Building core strength is a matter of finding the core strength workout or exercises that fit your lifestyle and personality. This article introduces core stability and core strengthening, and helps you get going on choosing a program that is right for you. So find those core muscles now.... your abdominal muscles are waiting!
Whiplash
Symptoms of whiplash injury range from headaches to low back pain and stiff necks. Whiplash is commonly caused by car accidents.
What is Pain Management?
Pain medicine, also called pain management, is a branch of medicine that deals with treating pain and helping people learn to cope with pain.
Diagnosing Back and Neck Pain
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.
Inflammation Stages
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. Learn more about injury healing for back injuries.
Hunchback
Definition of the term kyphosis, including what kyphosis is and what causes kyphotic curves of the spine.
Massage the Levator
The levator scapula muscle can get pretty sore, because the levator scap often works continuously. Here is a neck massage technique for the levator scap.
Exercise Ball Chair
An exercise ball chair, also known as a fit ball chair, may help you work your core abdominal muscles. Here's how an exercise ball chair help your back.
Sex Tips
Back pain can get in the way of a fulfulling sex life. Here are some tips for enhancing your sex life and your relationship if one or more partner experiences back pain.
Transverse Abdominal Muscle
The transverse abdominal muscle, aka transversus abdominis, or transversus, is a very deep posture muscle that influences core strength and your back health.
Skeletal Muscle Relaxers
Skeletal muscle relaxants, aka muscle relaxers such as skelaxin, cariosprodol, and cyclobenzaprine are prescription meds used to relax muscle spasms. Learn about muscle relaxers and types of skeletal muscle relaxers.
First Aid for Neck Injury
When you suspect that someone has a serious neck injury, it is very important to know the correct first aid.
Steroid Injection
Steroid injections for chronic back or neck pain are called spinal epidural steroid injections. Learn about steroid injections and spinal epidurals for back pain management.
Office Chair Height and Hip Flexion
If sitting at your computer gives you low back pain, maybe your chair height is not right. The height of an office chair needs to establish the best possible hip joint angle if you want to sit without pain.
Aspirin for Back 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.
Recovery from Whiplash
Whiplash injuries affect the soft tissue of the body and sometimes more. Find out what kind of diagnosis, treatment and recovery is expected in most whiplash cases.
What is Spinal Traction?
Spinal traction is a treatment for back and neck problems, such as spinal stenosis. Here is a short description of spinal traction and its use in the treatment of lower back and neck pain.
Family and Friends
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.
Neck Pain and Sleep Position - Neck Strain
Neck pain can be caused by too much pillowing or not enough. Without the right amount of pillowing it is easy to strain your neck during sleep times.
Muscle Insertion
What is the insertion of a muscle? Here is a definition of muscle insertion.
Rhomboid
Rhomboid muscles are key for a healthy upper back, neck and head posture. Learn how to exercise these diagonal muscles.
Bulging Disk
Is a bulging disc the same thing as a herniated disc? What is a prolapsed disc? Learn about disc terms and back pain terms relating to disc problems.
Spinal Rotation
Spinal rotation is one of the basic movements your back can make. Learn about spinal rotation, how it features in scoliosis, and how to preserve it as you age.
Sprain
Neck sprain can occur after a whiplash injury. Back sprain, while not as common as other types of sprain, might occur after a sudden trauma. Both back and neck sprain might be due to repeated overuse and joint stress.
Tylenol for Neck and Back Pain Quiz
Tylenol, or acetaminophen is an over the counter pain medication that helps to relieve back pain but not to reduce inflammation from injuries such as back strain. Tylenol can also be used for neck pain, spinal arthritis and muscle aches leading to back aches.
Low Back Range of Motion Exercise for Spinal Arthritis
If you have spinal arthritis one of the best things you can do for yourself is work on your range of motion. Here are the rules of the road for dealing with low back pain and spinal arthritis using flexibility exercise.
Anatomical Term - Superficial
Anatomical Term - Superficial - Definition
Neuropathic Pain
Nerve pain is called neuropathic pain and is a nervous system problem in which a nerves are damaged or disrupted. If you have neck weakness, it's possible you may have neuropathic pain. Sciatic nerve pain is also common. Neuropathic pain is entirely different than acute, nocioceptive pain.
Myelopathy
Definition of myelopathy - a that affects the spinal cord is known as myelopathy.
Water Exercise for Your Back
Water exercise can be great for your back. It strengthens muscles and increases joint range of motion. Here is a short, simple water exercise routine to get you started.
Discogenic Pain
Disocgenic pain is back pain or neck pain that originates from interverbal disks. Learn about discogenic back pain including causes of this type of back pain as well as symptoms, risks and treatments.
Facet Joint
The facet joints are often the cause of spine pain. Learn about the anatomy of the facets and what kinds of problems typically cause facet joint pain.
Water Exercise Benefits
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.
Corticosteroids
Cortiocsteroids, also known as steroids are used to reduce chronic back pain. Learn more about corticosteroids for chronic back pain.
Acute Low Back Pain
Acute low back pain is a backache that results from a back injury such as back strain, or a back condition. Learn about symptoms, causes, and treatments for acute low back pain.
Spinal Stretch
Are home traction units such as the Spinal Stretch helpful when you have a back problem? Read my review of the home traction system called Spinal Stretch.
Revision Back Surgery
Spine surgery is not a perfect art. Here are the most common reasons why you may need a re-operation on your back.
The Lumbosacral Joint or L5-S1
The Lumbosacral Joint or L5-S1 is where the lumbar spine meets the sacrum, and is the site of an injury called spondylolisthesis.
Lumbar Spine
The low back is technically called the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine or low back is easily injured. Injuries and pain to the low back are among the most common of all medical problems. This short article defines and describes the lumbar spine.
The Levator Scap Muscle
The levator scapula muscle is a neck and shoulder muscle. The action of the levator scapula, or levator scap as it is also called is to raise the shoulder blade up. The levator scapula muscle can become quite a sore spot at the insertion point on the shoulderblade.
Neck Exercise for Forward Head Posture
Cervical retraction is a neck exercise often used for correcting forward head posture. For forward head posture correction, it may be one of the best neck exercises. Learn a forward neck posture exercise.
Epidural Space
The epidural space is an area of the spinal column. It is the area where epidurals are given for chronic back pain.
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.
What is Piriformis Syndrome?
Piriformis syndrome is a rare type of sciatica. Piriformis syndrome causes pain in the buttock area, as well as down the leg.
Pain Free
Pete Egoscue, having suffered a debilitating hip injury while in the Marine Corps, was told by doctors
Botox for Chronic Pain
Botox is made from botulinum toxin type A, a type of food poisoning. Pain medicine doctors have begun using it for chronic back pain. Botox is also used to take away wrinkles. Because Botox is a poisoning, extreme care should be taken in deciding upon a Botox treatment for chronic back or neck pain.
Ideal Alignment
Ideal alignment, also known as standard posture is a mechanically efficient placement of the joints of the body.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is a very common condition that is often caused by poor posture. Myofascial pain syndrome is sometimes confused with fibromyalgia because they both have tender points.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
Spinal cord stiimulators, also known as neurostimulators are used for chronic back pain conditions. Because spinal cord stimulation and neurostimulators are an invasive pain management strategy, weighing the risks and benefits can help in the decision to try this therapy.
Cobra
The basic movement of the Cobra pose is to arch the spine backward as you lie on the floor on your stomach. While a great stretch, it poses special concerns for people with back pain.
Stretches and Exercises You Can Do at Your Desk
If you spend long hours at your desk or computer, desk stretches and computer done right at your workstation may help you avoid back pain. Stretches at the computer may help relieve stiff neck. Taking a work break from your desk or computer, even a mini break, or a little desk yoga, may also help you with your posture. So what are you waiting for? Your muscles need exercise! Take a break from your desk now, and do some stretches and exercises.
3 Bad Back Moves
Back strain or other back injury can be avoided if you know which moves not to do. Here are 3 bad moves for your back.
Back Pain and Sleep - Pillows Under the Legs May Help You Avoid Back Pain
Determining how to pillow under your legs can make a difference as to how much lower back strain and back pain you experience.
Quadriceps Stretch
Do a quadriceps stretch to help relieve lower back pain.
Referred Pain
If you have referred back pain you may want to know what causes it. Here is an explanation of the cause of some types of referred pain.
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis, which is caused by the enterovirus and is also known as aseptic meningitis, is the easier of the two types of spinal meningitis.
Using Tylenol Safely
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.
Sleep Tips for Arthritis
If you have arthritis in the neck and you also have problems getting a comfortable sleep, what should you do? Here are some sleep tips for arthritis from two New York City physical therapists.
Weight Loss and Back Pain
Weight loss may help you reduce your back pain. Being obese puts pressure on the spine and on back muscles. Physical activity such as aerobics and strength training can help you fight that back ache!
Elavil Drug Interactions
Interactions between amitriptyline and other drugs may cause side effects. Here is a partial list of amitriptyline - elavil drug interactions
Lordosis
Lordosis can refer to the normal curvature of some parts of the spine, or it can refer to abnormal curvature conditions.
Spinal Nerves and Back Pain
The spine is made of 26 interconnected bones. Nerves exit out holes on the side of the spine and play an important role in the presence or absence of back pain.
Back Injury Exercises
Back injury exercises such as stretch exercises for acute injury should be approached with caution. If you have an acute back injury, stretching it or doing back injury exercises may cause more inflammation. Here are guidelines for using back injury exercises such as stretch exercises for an acute injury.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic arthritis affecting the spine and causing chronic back pain. Ankylosing spondylitis, or AS, is an inflammatory joint disease in which the spine fuses.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Herniated disc symptoms are more than back pain or neck pain. Symptoms of herniated disk are called radiculopathy when the herniated disc presses on a spinal nerve root. Learn more about symptoms of herniated disc.
Posture Exercise for Low Back Low Back Curve and The Pelvis
Posture, especially back posture, and low back posture is related to the pelvis. Looking for some posture awareness? Here is a chair posture exercise to help you understand your low back curve and how it relates to the pelvis. You can also do this as a body posture exercise against a wall. This is a posture awareness exercises, but it may also strengthen your posture muscles.
Spinous and Transverse Processes
The spinous and transverse processes are projections of bone to which back muscles attach.
Back Pain and Sleep - Low Back Stress
In general, unsupported sleeping positions can place stress on your back and neck. To minimize back pain during then night and when you wake up, identify for yourself the sleeping positions that are stressful to your back and neck. Where do you need support?
Wound Healing
Scar tissue and adhesions can cause and pain. Scar tissue formation may become so severe that scar tissue removal surgery is needed. But most of the time, working with a doctor and physical therapy to address scar tissue pain and pain due to inflammation will do the trick. Scar tissue massage using a cross fiber friction technique can be helpful, too.
Pelvic Tilts
Pelvic tilts are basic moves that develop postural muscles in the pelvis. Pelvic tilts develop posture by developing core stabilization.
Myofascial and Fibromyalgia
Myofascial pain and fibromyalgia share similarities such as tender points and muscle pain. But do you know what the differences are between fibro and myofascial pain? This article presents them.
Herniated Disk
Herniated disk, including herniated disk protrusions and neck herniated disk, is a medical condition with a number of treatment options. Learn about herniated disk treatments, surgery for herniated disk, herniated disk symptoms, and more.
Counteract Hunching
Experts recommend that those of us working at our desk for long periods of time be sure to take mini-breaks to save our hands and back. This is a description of a simple back extension exercise taken from the yoga sun salutation and recommended by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Types of Back and Neck Pain
There are many different causes of back and neck pain, and the pain can be labeled in different ways, such as acute or chronic. Learn more.
Isometric Neck Strengthening
Neck exercise can be tricky if your neck is sore or weak. Isometric exercise may be the best neck strengthening work you can do at first.
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis must be taken very seriously and if not treated immediately and appropriately can result in death.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
The cerebrospinal fluid is a protective nourishing fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system. The cerebrospinal fluid is the focus of an osteopathic technique called Cranial Sacral Therapy.
Fusion and Discectomy?
Spinal fusion addresses disc problems by fusing the vertebrae together. But is spinal fusion necessary in all discectomies and back surgeries addressing disc problems?
Ways to Enjoy Sex
Back pain can throw a wrench in your sex life. Here are 5 fun ways to adapt your sex life to accommodate your back pain. Adapting your sexual activities to be more sensual rather than sexual makes managing back pain relatively easy.
Who is at Risk for Sciatica?
Certain types of people are at a higher risk for sciatica than others. Find out if you are at a higher risk of sciatica.
Sharp Low Back Pain
Most of the time, a sharp low back pain is nothing to worry about -- but sometimes it can be serious. Learn more about diagnosing sharp low back pain.
When NOT to Take Amitriptyline
Elavil and other amitriptyline medications are sometimes prescribed off-label to chronic back pain patients for pain management. Taking drugs containing amitriptyline - Elavil, Endep, Vanatrip, and others - should be avoided if you are also taking certain other drugs. Endep and Vanatrip are two tricyclic antidepressants containing amitriptyline that are not sold in the US.
What Is Low Back Pain?
Low back pain is easy to recognize. Yet it never hurts to know the basics about lower back pain. Here is low back pain defined and described. Learn about lower back pain.

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