There are three main problems that can occur within your spine: cervical spine issues, thoracic spine issues, and lumbar spine issues. Here are the differences between these problems and how you can diagnose them. CERVICAL SPINE WHAT IS IT? The cervical spine is in your neck region and houses the spinal cord that sends messages from the brain to control all aspects of the body. It consists of seven bones which are separated by one another by inte…

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. Lower back pain, specifically, affects 31 million Americans. Many who suffer from back pain need to seek methods from a trained specialist. Some can manage this pain with exercise. Here’s how. UPPER BACK PAIN These exercises work best for upper back and pain right behind your shoulders. REAR DELTOID PULLS This exercise involves a cable tower and rope handle. Making sure the rope handle …

Many entering the world of pain management feel overwhelmed by their options. After all, no two methods are alike. Here are the factors you need to keep in mind when choosing your physical therapy plan. REFERRALS AND EXPERIENCE Even if you aren’t required to receive a referral from your primary care doctor, ask your doctor to recommend a physical therapist or facility for your specific issue. Don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for recommen…

One in two Americans have a musculoskeletal condition. These conditions vary from arthritis, back and neck pain, and osteoporosis. If you’re suffering from musculoskeletal pain, you can find pain relief beyond pain killers and operations. Here’s what you need to know. WHAT IS MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN? Musculoskeletal pain affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. CAUSES Musculoskeletal pain can be caused from: Wear and tear of daily activit…

Don't Panic Discovering your child’s been diagnosed with scoliosis can be terrifying. A million thoughts run through a parents’ head. It’s important to take a breath and find some answers. Does My Child Need Surgery? Your child may likely not need surgery if their spinal curve is less than 26 degrees or if they are almost fully grown. Instead, it’s recommended that the curve is simply monitored to ensure it does not worsen. This may involve check…

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research shows bone loss is much more common in women than men. This can be a frustrating fact to read for women because one of the causes is low calcium intake. Why are women taking in less calcium? It could be because women are twice as likely to suffer from IBS. IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. It’s an intestinal disorder that causes stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. One of the treatments is someth…

Surgical Options Young discs are made almost entirely of water. As we age, they become less pliable and more prone to damage. The vast majority of herniated disc patients are given conservative treatments because most improve within six months without the help of surgery. That said, it’s important to move onto aggressive care if other therapies don’t work. X-rays, EMGs, and CT scans will determine the source of your symptoms and thus their best c…

Diagnostics Those with degenerative disc disease enjoy a 33% reduction in pain score and a 25% decrease in disability when compared to non-surgical patients. Operative care even reduces treatment costs. Spinal fusion has been the traditional go-to approach for many years, but treating such a broad range of conditions in the same way is like trying to shoot a fly with a cannon. Thorough diagnostics will determine the best surgical option for you. …

What Causes Back Pain? Back pain can be caused by a multitude of factors from sprains and strains to degenerative diseases. When struggling with chronic pain in you back, seek a spine specialist for diagnoses and treatment. Seeking treatment allows you to return to regular activity and the kind of life you've wanted to lead. Relieving, reducing, and managing back pain is a real possibility for you, too. Diagnosis Addressing pain begins with an ac…

Treatment Options Treatments for medical concerns related to the spine vary from conservative to surgical interventions. Depending on the area of the spine, the level of injury or disability, and the degree of problems in those injuries, treatment options will vary. Whether your spinal issues are related to arthritis, hernias, sciatica, or sprains and strains, you can find effective solutions to treat all issues of the cervical, thoracic, and lum…