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Tag: lumbar spine

Massages Aren’t Just For Pampering

The holidays are just around the corner! If you’re thinking of purchasing massage gift certificates to pamper your loved ones – a particularly nice stress reliever, especially during the manic month of December – you should also know that the medical community recognizes certain massages as a credible treatment for many types of back pain. Massages are specifically known for helping muscle strain in the lower back, upper back, and neck; osteoarthritis of the spine; and fibromyalgia. There are several theories about how massage works to relieve pain and tension. One theory is that it triggers the release of the …

Top Products for Easing Back Pain

It’s that time again:  the season of giving! It can be tough to give gifts that are both thoughtful and useful – no one wants to give something that’s going to get tossed the next day – but if you know the recipient well enough, a product that can help ease their back pain might just hit the spot. While the cause of back pain is different for everyone, we’ve spotlighted some of the top products that patients have said help them to prevent or calm existing back pain in their daily lives. And while you’re browsing, think about how …

Herniated Disc of the Lumbar Spine (Part II)

Last week, I posted about herniated discs in the cervical spine (or neck), but herniated discs can also occur in the lumbar spine (low back). Often times, patients suffering from a herniated disc in the lumbar spine are in the 30 – 40 year old age range. Many of the patients that I treat have injured their back from sporting or lifting incidents, but sometimes the injury occurs just from routine activities like bending over to pick up an object on the floor. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, low back pain affects four out of five people; therefore …

Herniated Disc of the Cervical Spine (Part I)

Have you ever heard someone complaining of pain from a “slipped disc?”  If so, they are referring to a herniated disc.  Discs can bulge when they lose water content, making the disc flatter with less cushioning.  When a disc becomes too weak and begins to bulge, it puts pressure on the surrounding nerves. This pressure can cause nerve pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Herniated discs can occur in the cervical spine (neck) or in the lumbar spine (lower back).  Today, I will share my experience with patients who have a herniated disc in the cervical spine. This condition can occur …