Spinal discs are designed to consistently support the bones of the spine and keep the backbone at its normal height. However, if the tougher outer wall of a disc breaks down, the disc can lose height. When this happens, you have what’s known as a collapsed spinal disc. If not treated, disc problems like this […]
View Full ArticleIf your spouse is planning to have spine surgery, even if it will be an outpatient procedure, you’ll need to accept some added responsibility during your significant other’s healing and recovery process. Taking on this extra burden sometimes strains relationships, but it doesn’t have to if you have a better understanding of what you can […]
View Full ArticleTo maintain stability, the spine needs support from some tissues that are tough and firm. In a nutshell, this is what spinal ligaments called ligamentum flavum do. These tough fibers connect spinal bones (vertebrae) together. Over time, these ligaments become thicker as they calcify or enlarge, which can have a noticeable effect on movement and […]
View Full ArticleRoughly 1 in 7 Americans has diabetes, a disease that can affect every part of the body, even the spine. In fact, there’s new research from an Australian study suggesting people with diabetes are more likely to develop both back and neck pain than individuals who don’t have insulin and/or blood sugar regulation issues. While […]
View Full ArticleBack pain isn’t just for adults. Children can also experience spine-related problems that affect their quality of life. In fact, roughly 1 in 3 kids have back pain, which is just one of the big takeaways from a new study that involved a survey of nearly 4,000 children between the ages of 10 and 18. […]
View Full ArticleIt’s tempting to opt for the simple “treatment” of rest when you have back pain. To be fair, you may feel better if you give overstrained spine-supporting muscles a short break. Lying down or resting may also help your body heal to some extent or shift stress off certain spinal structures. But overdoing it with […]
View Full ArticleJust like eating more veggies, maintaining good posture is one of those things most people know is good for them, yet they don’t always do it. Poor posture alone doesn’t usually contribute to sudden or acute back pain. However, it does contribute to increased wear on important spinal parts and puts more stress on spine-supporting […]
View Full ArticleBecause back pain is so common, most people have a tendency to opt for a little rest, over-the-counter medications, or tried-and-true home remedies when they experience it. Muscle strain is a common source of spine-related aches and pains that often goes away within a fairly short time. Still, the spine is a complex structure, which […]
View Full ArticleYour spine is more complex than you may realize, and there are many structures and sensitive nerves that play a role in how back pain is felt. With some instances of spine-related discomfort, it’s fairly obvious what the source is—like what happens if you overdo it at the gym and feel temporary soreness in your […]
View Full ArticleMost people don’t make the decision to have back surgery lightly. It’s usually an option that’s explored when different forms of physical therapy, various medications, and other conservative treatments fail to provide sufficient relief. However, if you’re seriously considering having a spine-related procedure, here are five things you’ll want to think about before you make […]
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