Myths and Facts About Back Pain
While the common cold claims the most sick days among U.S. workers under age 45, lower back pain comes in a strong second, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In addition, it says, some 80 percent of adults are expected to experience lower back pain at some point in their lives.
Even though back pain is so prevalent, it's surrounded by a host of common misunderstandings. Among them, according to Kam Raiszadeh, an orthopedic surgeon who is medical director of the Advanced Spine Institute at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, are:
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MRI Excellent in Investigating Back Pain
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming more and more useful to doctors in identifying the multiple possible causes of back pain, according to a recent evaluation of the technology from an orthopedic perspective.
The evaluation, which appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, observed that MRI is effective and even vital over a wide range of clinical disorders, and that, in years to come, technical developments will produce yet more orthopedic benefits.
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Ingesting Food Can Function As Pain Relief
It's common knowledge that people often eat food to feel better, but researchers have now found that eating chocolate or drinking water can blunt pain, reducing a rat's response to a hot stimulus. Researchers believe this natural form of pain relief may help animals in the wild avoid distraction while eating scarce food. However, in modern humans with abundant food available, the effect may contribute to overeating and obesity.
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Chronic-Pain Patients With Low Vitamin D Need More Narcotics
Among patients who need heavy-duty pain medication, those with low levels of vitamin D in their blood need nearly twice the dosage of narcotic drugs to manage their chronic pain, a recent study discovered.
On questionnaires, low vitamin D patients also reported a worse perception of their physical functioning and overall health than those with higher levels of the vitamin. Moreover, the research found that low vitamin D was associated with increased body mass index (a measure of overweight and obesity).
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Ozone Injections Relieve Pain of Herniated Discs
A non-surgical, radiologically guided injection of oxygen and ozone into bulging or herniated discs results in just as much pain relief and restoration of function as back surgery but with fewer complications and shorter recovery time, two recent studies revealed.
The groundbreaking therapy involves injecting a gaseous mixture of oxygen and ozone into a damaged spinal disc, using an imaging machine to guide the needle. The ozone causes a slight shrinkage of the disc, which relieves internal disc pressure and lessens back pain considerably. Researchers at the Society of Interventional Radiology predict this therapy will become standard in the United States in the next few years.
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Antidepressants Found Ineffective Against Back Pain
Antidepressants, commonly prescribed to relieve low back pain, don’t relieve it at all, according to a recent analysis of several studies.
The medications are routinely prescribed by almost a quarter of doctors who treat low back pain. But an overview of 10 published studies by the Cochrane Collaboration, a nonprofit group that appraises medical research, revealed that most of the studies found no more pain relief or improvement in function for patients taking antidepressants than for those taking placebos.
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As Back-Pain Spending Rises, Results Worsen
Eight years have seen a huge increase in spending on back-pain problems in America. Ironically, however, the proportion of Americans suffering from spine problems has actually increased, too, according to a recent study.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that the public’s outlays on spine issues were almost $86 billion in 2005, which represents a jump of 65 percent from 1997, after taking account of inflation. At the same time, the fraction of citizens with debilitating back difficulties rose during the same period, even after adjusting for the increasing proportion of aged people.
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Long, Skinny Muscle Found Crucial to Healthy Spine
A pencil-thin, roughly 2-foot-long muscle running from the base to the top of the spine is composed of a novel "scaffolding" of fibers that strengthen and support the back, a recent research study has shown.
"The multifidus muscle was formerly thought to be relatively unimportant based on its fairly small size," said Richard L. Lieber, professor and vice chair of the University of California at San Diego's Department of Orthopedic Surgery and director of the National Center for Skeletal Muscle Rehabilitation Research. "Our research shows that it's actually the strongest muscle in the back because of its unique design. It's like a long, skinny pencil packed with millions of tiny fibers."
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Tree Bark Found to Improve Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the knee affects millions and is one of the five leading causes of disability among the elderly. A recent study published in the journal Nutrition Research reveals Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, improved physical function by 52 percent in cases of patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The condition develops due to the gradual loss of cartilage elasticity that leads to it hardening and beginning to crack. As a result, the cartilege is more prone to damage and erosion by use or injury and often leads to pain, swelling, a decrease in joint motion, stiffness, or the formation of bone spurs. Current treatments include regular exercise and pain relievers such as NSAIDS and COX-2 inhibitor pills to relieve pain and stiffness. In severe cases, cortisone shots can decrease inflammation in the joint and extreme cases include joint replacement operations.
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Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There
A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people constantly worry about numerous things, and more than half feel they worry more now than five years ago. Half of the people surveyed this year, which is 6% more than in 2006, claimed they were more worried about their health and their family's health than about other concerning issues such as climate change or terrorist attacks. The survey finds that almost three quarters of people worry, but around 19% admit to worrying all the time or about a number of things.
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Huntington Medical and Rehabilitation
Huntington Medical and Rehabilitation
33 Walt Whitman Road Ste. 100
Huntington Station,
NY
11746
Call: 888-304-6601
If you have been suffering from back pain that just won%u2019t go away no matter what you try, it can seem like a hopeless search for relief. Don%u2019t give up on pain-free living, though. Problems like sciatica and herniated discs are particularly painful but with the right doctor you can get back to an active lifestyle without pain. Huntington Medical & Rehabilitation near Woodbury, New York uses non-invasive, natural methods of treatment to stop pain and restore balance.
Dr. Jonathan Donath
Westchester Spinal Decompression Center
1241 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains,
NY
10605
Call: 914-908-5562
Custom orthotics is designed to keep your feet moving in the proper position, relieving pressure from your knees, hips, and back. Dr. Jonathan Donath in White Plains, New York is able to mold orthotic inserts to your feet to provide the very best possible support. Get your orthotics from the Westchester Spinal Decompression Center, not off the shelf at a generic shoe store.
Dr. Ronald Spiaggia
Performance Rehabilitation & Sports Injury Center
459 Watchung Avenue
Watchung,
NJ
07069
Call: 888-897-4870
If you are experiencing a tingling, swelling pain that really hurts in your legs, arms, and other areas, you may be suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy. For the advanced care administered by a team of certified experts in Watchung, New Jersey, turn to Performance Rehabilitation.
Dr. Randy Stephan, DC
Fulton Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
122 Fulton St., 6th Floor
New York City,
NY
10038
Call:
Find a Chiropractor Brooklyn, NYC
Dr. Lenny Roberts DC
Roberts Family & Sports Chiropractic
8151 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
19128
Call: 888-653-1365
Degenerative disc disease is the degeneration of intervertebral discs. Degenerated discs can cause a high amount of chronic pain, which can greatly affect your ability to live a healthy, active life. If you are suffering with a degenerated disc, there is hope. Dr. Lenny Roberts DC, of Roberts Family Chiropractic understands the importance of being able to move freely, without feeling pain. If you are looking for high quality treatment and care in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, Roberts Family Chiropractic can deliver effective results.
Dr. Rex W. Roffler, DC
Roffler Spinal Aid of Winter Park, FL
5502 Lake Howell Rd.
Winter Park,
FL
32792
Call: 888-268-4760
Suffering from chronic back pain? Tire of counting on over-the-counter remedies just to make it through the day? Have you or someone you loved even considered surgery because no other treatments are effective? Dr. Rex Roffler and the team at Roffler spinal aid are here to tell you that there's a better and safer way to treat chronic pain. A little known technology called spinal decompression has revolutionized the world of non-surgical relief. Dr. Roffler offers this safe, effective and affordable technology at his practice in the Winter Park, Seminole County community.
Dr. Peter Ferraro, DC
224 Midland Ave.
Saddle Brook,
New Jersey
07663
Call: 862-203-3296
Physical therapy can help you get your life back on track. Dr. Peter Ferraro, DC and his doctors and therapists in Passaic County, New Jersey can treat you after a serious accident or injury.
Dr. Lenny Roberts DC
Roberts Family & Sports Chiropractic
8151 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
19128
Call: 888-653-1365
A painful back can be extremely discouraging in your daily life. In some sever cases, even getting out of bed can prove to be challenging and excruciating. Chronic back pain can escalate to serious conditions if proper treatment is not received. At Roberts Family and Sports Chiropractic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you can receive effective treatment for your back pain by trusted and friendly doctors.
Dr. Peter Ferraro, D.C.
Advanced Center for Injury & Wellness
224 Midland Ave.
Saddle Brook,
New Jersey
07663
Call: 862-203-3296
A bulging disc can make many day-to-day tasks uncomfortably painful. Even walking up a flight of stairs or picking up the grandkids can become unbearable. While many use over-the-counter drugs to mask the pain, some even consider potentially risky surgery due to ineffectiveness of other treatments. If you're struggling to find relief from a bulging disc, a safe, non-surgical treatment is available for those in the Passaic County, New Jersey area. Dr. Peter Ferraro, DC offers excellence in spinal care to help relieve the pain and discomfort serious back conditions.
Dr. Steven S. Moalemi, M.D.
Empire Physical Medicine & Pain Management
551 5th Avenue Ste. 525
New York,
NY
10176
Call: (888) 898-7795
Chronic, nagging pain in the back breaks you down and takes its toll on the active life you enjoy. So many of the things we do day to day that hold so little significance become important when we lose our capacity to perform them without pain. For many each year, a pinched nerve from herniated or bulging discs in the spine will be the cause of pain and the reason that life grinds to a halt. If you are one of the people who suffer with back and neck pain from a pinched nerve in Manhattan, let Dr. Steven Moalemi, M.D. of Empire Physical Medicine & Pain Management end your pain with spinal decompression therapy.
Dr. Michael L. Eggleston, DC
Eggleston Chiropractic & Rehab
3000 N. Market Ave.
Suite C. Fayetteville,
AR
72703
Call: 479-575-0105
Have you recently been a victim of a car accident? Do you wake up every morning feeling pain? So many Americans get into accidents and never get properly checked for any internal injuries. This often leads to people living in pain and never getting the proper treatment necessary. At Eggleston Chiropractic in Fayetteville, Ar, Dr. Michael L. Eggleston, D.C. is an experienced chiropractor who will get to the root of your car accident injury. If you are in pain, call today.
Dr. Stephen Lembo, DC
North East Spine & Rehab
363 Route 111, St 107
Smithtown,
NY
11787
Call: 888-266-9201
Sharp intense pain from sciatica can really take the enjoyment and purpose out of your life. It can transform you from a healthy, active individual to a person who is limited in the amount of activities they are able to do. While your predicament might seem hopeless, just know that quality treatment can restore your hope and give you the opportunity to turn your life around for the better in Long Island. At North East Spine and Rehab near Islip, New York, Dr. Stephen Lembo DC is devoted to delivering first-rate non-invasive care that can offer you a significant amount of relief as well as the chance to regain a productive lifestyle
Dr. Louis Miller
Advanced Pain Relief Center of South Florida
6133 Lake Worth Road
Lake Worth,
FL
33463
Call:
Manipulation under Anesthesia, also known as MUA, is a procedure that has helped many individuals suffering from spinal disorders that were unresponsive to other forms of treatment. Dr. Louis Miller, DC of the Advanced Pain Relief Center of South Florida offers this unique and revolutionary treatment to his patients. He has helped many people who thought they would live the rest of their lives in pain. The Advanced Pain Relief Center is located in Lake Worth, Florida.
Dr. Melinda Keller, D.C.
Brooklyn Spine Center
1117 57th Street
Boro Park,
NY
11219
Call: 888-772-6132
Have you tried everything for back pain relief? There's no need to resort to drastic procedures to treat your condition thanks to the latest in decompression technologies. Dr. Melinda Keller, DC of Keller Chiropractic utilizes Spinal Decompression; a completely non-surgical approach to spinal treatment. Her office serves Brooklyn, New York has been serving the area through traditional chiropractic techniques and this FDA-cleared technology.
Dr. Steven Shoshany
New York Medical Integrative & Rehab
632 Broadway, Ste 303 (btw. Bleecker & Houston)
New York,
NY
10012
Call: (888) 435-7155
Are you living with neck pain? Can you not do the activities you used to complete so easily in the past? Neck pain can result from too much physical strain or some other cause. There is always the pain however. People that suffer from neck pain should consider Dr. Steven Shoshany at New York Integrative Medical and Rehab in Manhattan. He is a very innovative pain management specialist who can help you get through your neck pain.
Hauptman Family Health Center
Hauptman Family Health Center
Rodin Place, 2000 Hamilton Street Ste. 303
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
19130
Call: 888-551-0868
Sharp or aching pain that increases whenever you move your shoulder can be frustrating to manage. When shoulder pain interferes with your day to day activities, and does not respond to traditional at home care, its time to get professional help. At Hauptman Family Health Center all patients are given the highest level of care from a team of doctors and providers. Their facility is fully equipped with the latest medical technology and is easily accessible to residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. David Podell, DC
Waterfront Institute for Spine and Joint Rehabilitation
115 River Rd, Bld 10
Edgewater,
NJ
07020
Call: (888) 319-4510
When you have severe arm pain, you realize just how important your arms are. You can't write or type properly, driving is a nightmare and even eating is difficult. Though the source of your arm pain difficult to pinpoint, the solution may be easier than you think if you know who to turn to. Dr. David Podell, DC may have the treatment you're looking for at The Waterfront Institute in Bergen County.
Dr. Lenny Roberts DC
Roberts Family & Sports Chiropractic
8151 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
19128
Call: 888-653-1365
Are you suffering from a painful back? You are not alone. Around nine out of ten adults suffer from back pain at one point in their life. When one suffers from chronic back pain almost every task becomes difficult. Lifting or turning your neck, walking, grocery shopping, and working can prove to be extremely painful. However, there is hope. You don't have to live in constant pain, and you don't have to mask it with pain killers. With the help of Dr. Lenny Roberts DC of Roberts Family and Sports Chiropractic in North Wales, PA (North Philadelphia), you can receive back pain treatment that can help you effectively recover.
Dr. Robert Lambrou, D.C.
North East Spine and Sports Medicine
2080 West County Line Rd.
Jackson,
New Jersey
08527
Call: 888-575-1316
Severe or chronic pain? You may have a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve is a general term that describes an injury to a nerve or group of nerves. The damage may include compression, constriction or stretching. Nerves that pass near or through bones or other rigid tissues are most susceptible to pinching. Pinched nerves result in numbness, pain, burning and tingling sensations radiating out from the affected area. At North East Spine and Sports Medicine in the Lakewood, New Jersey area, you will find a staff of experienced, professionals that is ready to help you.
Dr. Stephen Lembo, DC
North East Spine & Rehab
363 Route 111, St 107
Smithtown,
New York
11784
Call: 888-266-9201
Are you suffering from pain and discomfort because of scoliosis? Scoliosis is a degenerative condition that can cause quality-of-life degrading effects if left untreated. Many people choose to forgo treatment because the prevalent option is potentially risky surgery. If you're struggling to find safe and effective Scoliosis treatment in the Dix Hills, New York area, North East Spine & Rehab can help. There they offer non-surgical spinal decompression treatment designed heal and strengthen your spine and get you back to the things you love.