Medical Care & Diagnosis

Back Pain Tops List of Workplace Injuries

Even in today’s world where so many of us spend our days at a desk, back injuries are still the most common workplace injuries, according to a survey from U.S. Healthworks. Of course, outdoor workers and those who must regularly lift heavy objects are the first to be hurt, but those who don’t lift anything heavier than a file folder in our 9-to-5 are at risk as well. If you work does happen to be physically demanding, it doesn’t mean you have to live with chronic back pain; there are things you can do to prevent injuries: Make sure you’re lifting carefully. Take extra care when lifting items that are either below knee level or above shoulder height, as that reach can put added strain on your back. Do your best to avoid lifting things placed on the floor to reduce strain ot the lumbar spine. Remember to bend your knees as you lift and take a break to stretch at least once an hour. Avoid twisting as you lift heavy objects. However, if you must turn, move your feet so you don’t wrench the muscles of the back. If you have to climb stairs, ladder or other structure with

September 16, 2014

Bad Posture and Back Pain in Children

I can’t stress enough the importance of good posture, and that’s especially true for kids. It’s not just that it makes them look and feel more alert and prepared; bad posture in childhood and adolescence can mean back pain in adulthood. Some doctors report seeing children as young as seven years old with back problems. A major part of the problem is the ways in which our kids learn and relax. Backpacks are heavier than ever, and the chairs most schools provide make good posture very difficult to achieve. Backward sloping chairs mean students have to curve their spines forward to write on desks. Plus, all that recreational time spent hunched over a laptop, PlayStation, or iPad means young backs likely aren’t getting the support they need outside of the classroom, either. There are things parents can do (beyond yelling) so slouchy kids don’t grow into suffering adults. Gentle reminders. Being conscious of good posture is the first step to maintaining it. Your kids don’t want to hear it and you may get sick of saying it, but this is where it begins. Make breaks a priority. We’ve all become accustomed to sitting for long periods of time, but

September 9, 2014

Back Pain from Your Backhand? Preventing and Treating Tennis Injuries

You’ve been working hard on your serve, only to have to sit out your next tennis match because of back pain. While you may be in pain, you’re certainly not alone; tennis injuries, especially back pain, are common (even in the pros) and can range widely in their level of severity. The rotation needed to switch between backhand and forehand can wrench muscles in the low back, leading to acute pain. Serving is also a major culprit when it comes to back pain in tennis players because the hyperextension puts stress on the foot joints and disc. More serious problems include herniated disc or degenerative disc disease and stress fractures can occur a condition more common in younger players. As always, an ounce of prevention is worth of a pound of cure. Stretching before play is key, as is finding the right racket and proper shoes for shock absorption. Players new to the game as well as those who have been playing for years should make sure their form is correct — with knees bent and abdominal muscles contracted. Also, make sure to use the first ten minutes on the court as warm-up time before playing hard. Those modifications are

September 2, 2014

5 Ways to Avoid Back Pain at Work

When our grandparents worked on farms or in factories, every day posed the risk of serious injury. We think we’ve come a long way, but have you considered the harm you could be doing to your body by sitting at a desk for eight or more hours a day? Humans weren’t designed to be sedentary, but today many of us work in situations that require hours of sitting before a computer, being stationary for at least 50% of the day. With all of this sitting, chances are that many of us aren’t maintaining good posture throughout the day, a bad habit that could lead to lower back pain, as well as other issues such as circulatory problems, gastrointestinal problems, and even depression. Here are some ways to combat poor posture and back pain at work: Get up and walk around – Short walks will not only increase circulation and realign your spine but will be a nice way to break up a long work day. Studies show that taking short breaks can help improve focus, so don’t just do it for your health but for productivity, too! You can even set an alarm on your phone to remind you to

August 20, 2014

The Schroth Method for Scoliosis

Last month, The New York Times ran a very interesting article in the Science section, written by a woman living with scoliosis. In “Hope for an S-Shaped Back,” Rachel Rabkin Peachman shares her journey of living with scoliosis. Peachman was diagnosed as a child and her condition’s progression was slowed through bracing, which helped allow her to avoid surgery with a 45-degree curve as a young adult. Over time, however, her curve continued to progress, and at 38 years old she is now living with the pain of a 55-degree upper curve and 33-degree lower curve. In hopes of avoiding corrective surgery, she sought out a lesser-known method of physical therapy called the Schroth method. What is the Schroth method? This physical therapy and exercise regimen is tailored to each individual spinal curve with the goal of halting and reversing progression, reducing pain, and improving strength, lung capacity and posture. A Schroth therapist works with patients to develop individualized stretches and exercises to work towards all of those goals. Once patients learn their exercises and stretches, they are asked to practice them at home. Part of the Schroth method involves postural awareness, which encourages patients to stay conscious of their

June 3, 2014

What is Scoliosis? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Scoliosis is a somewhat common condition that affects approximately 6 million Americans or 2-3% of the general population. Many people are familiar with back braces that sometimes accompany the treatment of scoliosis. However, from varying degrees of spinal curvature to different treatment options, there’s more to it than just back braces – and I’m sharing a brief guide to understanding what scoliosis is, who it affects, and how it is treated. What is scoliosis? Scoliosis, simply put, is an abnormal curvature of the spine. While a normal spine forms a straight line from the neck to the buttocks, spines with scoliosis curve to form a C or S shape. Who has scoliosis? Scoliosis can begin at any age. Most commonly, it develops in adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15. Juvenile scoliosis occurs when spinal curvature develops in children under the age of 10. Adult onset scoliosis, or degenerative scoliosis, most often develops in adults over the age of 60. Degenerative scoliosis can be caused by a gradual deterioration of discs from a lifetime of wear and tear. While adolescent scoliosis occurs equally among both genders, females are eight times more likely to progress to a degree serious enough

May 6, 2014

Spinal Cord Injuries on the Rise in Older Americans

For years, car accidents were the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injuries in the United States. However, using data from 2007 to 2009, the study found that falls made up 41.5% of traumatic injuries, surpassing car accidents at 35.5%. The study also found that the rate for spinal cord injuries decreased for the 18-64 age group, but increased for those over 65 years old. The research also yielded the conclusion that the average age of adults with a spinal cord injury is 51, a 10-year increase in age from a study of data from 2000 to 2005, and that spinal cord injuries are four to six times more likely to be fatal for the senior population, compared with the younger age group. While the doctors were unable to determine an exact cause for the increase in age or in injuries caused by falls, they did pinpoint a few possible factors. The increase in falls over motor vehicle accidents is likely due to an increase in the use of airbags and more stringent seatbelt laws across the United States. Similarly, they believe that the increase in age is due to the rising average age overall in the United States and

April 29, 2014

Surprising Causes of Back and Neck Pain

Nearly all adults will experience minor neck or back pain in their lifetime. In fact, it is estimated that 31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any given time. Fortunately for the majority of adults, only 10% of these cases are severe and debilitating. Many causes of back neck pain are common knowledge, such as old mattresses, strains from heavy lifting, or whiplash. However, there are some surprising habits that may be the source of your back and neck pain throughout the day. “Text neck” – Your addiction to your smartphone or tablet may be affecting your posture more than you realize. The leaning forward, hunched-over position can strain in your neck and upper back and cause minor pain or “text neck.” Holding your phone at eye level and taking breaks from your phone goes a long way to prevent or reduce this pain. Old shoes or flip flops – Reducing back pain starts from the bottom up! Shoes that lack proper support, such as flip flops and shoes with worn-down soles, can throw off your alignment and cause significant lower back pain. Wearing comfortable, supportive shoes and getting rid of older shoes can help you avoid this common

April 8, 2014

A New Study on Treatments for Spinal Cord Compression

Last week, the Wall Street Journal shared a new study underway at Tufts University’s Lahey Hospital on the treatment options for cervical myelopathy, often referred to spinal compression. As one of the most common spinal cord problems for Americans over age 55, this is a condition that specialists have been studying since the early part of last century. This new research is another step to help us better define the optimal surgical approach to this patient group. Cervical myelopathy, or spinal cord compression, is caused by degeneration or damage to the spine that causes a narrowing of the spinal canal. As the spinal canal narrows, pressure is put onto the spinal cord, which can lead to neurologic symptoms affecting the arms or legs. If signals are blocked between the brain and the body, it can cause common symptoms such as weakness, imbalance, loss of hand coordination, numbness, and others. Nonsurgical options such as physical therapy and exercise are not effective for the neurological symptoms of cervical myelopathy , but in mild cases can possibly reduce pain. when the condition progresses or becomes severe, surgery becomes necessary. There are three common surgery options for the condition that are used in different situations.

April 1, 2014

What is Sciatica? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

When patients experience shooting pains in the buttocks or legs, many mistake it for a pulled muscle or location-specific injury. However, this pain may be the symptom of a much larger issue occurring in the spine. Whether it’s pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs, these symptoms are often diagnosed as sciatica. When I speak to patients, there is often confusion about what sciatica means and how it can be treated. Today, I’m explaining the condition, what causes the pain, who is at risk, and a few simple treatment options. What is sciatica? To be clear, sciatica is actually a catch-all term that describes symptoms such as leg pain, tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down into the leg. Therefore, sciatica is not a medical condition that can be treated on its own. Rather, it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Who is at risk? While sciatic pain can occur at any stage in life, men and women between the ages of 30 and 50 are most likely to experience it. Those with arthritis, diabetes, and high BMIs are also more likely to suffer from sciatica. Pregnant women

March 17, 2014

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