Sciatica can start with something as minor as occasional dull or mild pain in one leg or on one side of the body. However, some of the three million or so Americans affected by this nerve-related condition may experience numbness, […]
Nearly a million spine surgeries are performed each year in the United States. Statistically, many of these procedures, especially common ones like spinal fusion, produce positive results. Even with the odds being on your side, it’s understandable to be anxious […]
One of the most common reasons for nerve pain that’s felt elsewhere is irritation of the sciatic nerve. The longest single nerve in the body, it runs from the lower back into the legs and branches off. However, not all […]
Spinal (intervertebral) discs make it possible for the backbone to support daily movements. These natural “shock absorbers” consist of a solid outer shell called an annulus and a softer inner portion referred to as a nucleus. If a disc’s outer […]
Each year, more than 3 million Americans experience whiplash, a common neck injury most people associate with car accidents. However, sudden back-and-forth movements that strain or sprain soft tissues in the neck can also occur because of a hard impact […]
Each year, nearly 50 million Americans complain of headaches, but only about 8 million end up seeing a doctor because, most of the time, sudden pain in the head that radiates to the neck or other nearby areas is a […]
The human spine is designed to be remarkably resilient. Still, years of poor posture combined with a general lack of regular exercise, sudden traumatic injuries, or surgery to correct issues such as damaged discs or compressed nerves can take a […]
As is the case with back pain, neck-related discomfort is often temporary. For those times when it’s not, it may be due to symptomatic cervical disc disease (SCDD), a general term used to describe local or radiating neck pain felt […]
Americans spend about $50 billion a year on back pain relief efforts, usually in the form of medication or physical therapy. Even with nearly 500,000 spine surgeries performed annually in the United States when conservative treatments aren’t effective, surgery is […]