Pain Management and Chronic Pain + Original Articles

Biofeedback, a non-invasive form of treatment, has been shown to effectively help a variety of disorders from headaches to high blood pressure. Today, many people are looking for complementary and alternative medicine techniques to support their process of healing. Biofeedback is one such technique being used as it enables individuals to learn how to change their physiological activity to improve their health and physical performance.

Understanding how muscle works can help to understand how muscle can affect pain. When looking at pain experienced at the neck, most medical practitioners tend to assume that the cause of the pain is from a structure in the neck like a herniated disc, stenosis, or degenerative joint disease. I have found that in most cases, the cause of pain at the neck is due to a muscle imbalance between the pecs, anterior deltoids and the biceps versus the muscles between the shoulder blades, the posterior deltoids and the triceps.

In a study last year by the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture helped ease chronic lower back pain in a majority of participants. Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine and has evolved over thousands of years to treat a multitude of ailments. While the efficacy of acupuncture for many conditions has been under debate, today there is a growing acceptance of acupuncture as a treatment for back pain.

Too much text messaging may increase the risk of neck or shoulder pain, a recent study shows. Most people aged 18 to 21 today prefer texting to emails or phone calls. In fact, every day, 3.5 billion text messages are sent—and that number is on the rise. Go on any college campus across the country and you will see students busy on their cell phones, typing away.

Perhaps you’re tired all of the time and your body aches, but your doctor can’t find anything specific wrong with you. If this sounds all too familiar, you could have a chronic condition called fibromyalgia. Perhaps you're tired all of the time and your body aches, but your doctor can't find anything specificly wrong with you. If this sounds all too familiar, you could have a chronic condition called fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia and Allergies Often Co-Exist Fibromyalgia affects about two percent of Americans, and women are affected more often than men.

Does one always mean the other? Chances are that the answer is "no". I often treat people who have pain in the knee joint, the shoulder, or the wrist. Inevitably, the person sees their physician and an x-ray is taken. Arthritis is found and a cortisone shot is given and/or an anti-inflammatory drug is prescribed. When these don't work or they work for a short period of time, surgery is suggested to remove the arthritis.

Staying away from certain foods and adding others might help your fibromyalgia symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in a person's muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as multiple tender points and fatigue. The condition affects about two percent of the population in the U.S., with women more likely to develop the disorder than men, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Study observing blind migraine patients explains why light worsens migraine headaches. Migraines affect more than 30 million individuals in the U.S. They are notoriously debilitating with symptoms including headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and visual disturbances. It's long been known that light makes migraines worse, but the reason why has been unclear until recently.

One of the key issues to understanding the cause of pain is whether the pain being experienced is referred pain or point tender pain. The difference determines whether the tissue that is creating the pain signal is at the point where the pain is being experienced or whether it is located somewhere else. Referred pain can result from a nerve being affected or a strained muscle. One of the key issues to understanding the cause of pain is whether the pain being experienced is referred pain or point tender pain. The difference determines whether the tissue that is creating the pain signal is at the point where the pain is being experienced or whether it is located somewhere else.

Most people with carpal tunnel syndrome experience effective treatment with non-surgical methods, however if your symptoms are severe, long-lasting, and not responding to non-surgical treatments, surgery may be the right choice for you. It can start as that vague aching in your wrist, tingling or numbness in your fingers or hand. Then one day you feel a pain radiating from your wrist up your arm to your shoulder, and your hands feel weak  to the point that you even start dropping things.

Back pain can be caused by a number of conditions, but one that is often overlooked in osteoporosis. A number of different conditions can cause back pain, but one in particular is often overlooked. For millions of Americans the cause of their back pain is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.

A new study suggests that high-tech running shoes can cause joint strain. The number of people taking up running in the US is on the rise. With that,  the number of running injuries is rising as well. While running is no doubt beneficial for overall health, injuries are common, and in a recent study, researchers found that running shoes may actually put more of a strain on your joints than if you were to run barefoot or even to walk in high-heeled shoes.

While chronic neck pain caused by mental and emotional stress is a modern American epidemic, there are some neck pain symptoms that are slightly more worrisome and may indicate a more serious problem. Neck pain is a common condition. Most people will experience it in their lifetime. It can range from mild discomfort to a dull ache to severe, burning pain. Neck pain can be caused by an injury, a mechanical problem, a trapped nerve, an awkward sleeping position, poor posture, arthritis, and most commonly, worry and stress.

Physical therapist Mitchell Yass discusses the differences between structural and muscular causes of pain and how they should be treated. Well, let's set things straight right now. Pain is not arbitrary. It is not floating in the air waiting to befall an unfortunate individual. Pain is the body's mechanism for identifying that a tissue is in distress. The key to good diagnostics is being able to establish which tissue is causing the distress signal.

An epidural spinal injection, also known as an epidural steroid injection, is a non-surgical treatment for radiating back pain that may provide either short- or long-term relief, anywhere from a week to several months. However, as with all procedures, it comes with some associated risks. Ninety percent of American adults will experience an episode of back pain during their lifetime, says Daniel Mazanac, MD, Associate Director for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health. Back pain can come from a variety of causes including injury, structural problems, arthritis, poor posture and stress, and can interfere with an individual's work, home, sleep and relationships.

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment method used for patients with back pain and other problems associated with spinal-disc injuries, such as herniated discs. While it may provide some of the pain relief you seek, it is just one part of an overall back pain relief and recovery strategy. About one in 10 people with herniated discs eventually need surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. A herniated disc, also known as a ruptured or slipped disc, can affect your ability to perform every day tasks, as well as cause severe pain that can interfere with almost everything you do.

There is a widely held belief that strengthening the core muscles is key to resolving lower back pain. The number of patients who have told me they were treated based on this premise at other therapy facilities before obtaining treatment with me is staggering. There is a widely held belief that strengthening the core muscles is key to resolving lower back pain. The number of patients who have told me they were treated based on this premise prior to coming me is staggering. The general idea is that the back muscles need assistance to support the back and if not assisted they will strain-- creating pain.

The use of a back brace can be helpful for some people for a short period of time. But using a brace long-term or for preventative reasons may land you in the situation that you were trying to avoid. Learn about the pros and cons of using a back brace. As many as 4 out of 5 people in the United States will experience back pain at least once in their lives, according to the Mayo Clinic. Furthermore, back pain is one of the most common reasons why people go to the doctor or miss work. For some, turning to the use of a back brace is their treatment of choice.

Research shows that if you are suffering from neck and back pain, improper sleep positioning may be the culprit. Find out how it can be prevented, decreased or even eliminated through proper sleep positioning and recommended exercises. Americans spend billions of dollars every year looking for relief from neck and back pain. Money is spent on doctor's visits, medications, X-rays, MRI scans and surgery. While a good percentage of these dollars are used to relieve neck and back pain resulting from accidents, injury and stress-induced pain, a significant amount is spent on neck and back pain resulting from poor sleep positioning.

While stress typically starts out as mental and emotional stress, it quickly takes on a physical component, resulting in muscle tension in the body. For many Americans, this muscle tension is often felt as a stiff, uncomfortable and sometimes painful neck. Millions of Americans suffer from high levels of stress due to heavy demands at work, at school, in relationships and at home. While stress typically starts out as mental and emotional stress, it quickly takes on a physical component, resulting in muscle tension in the body.

Back pain is one of the more common symptoms of PMS, and can range from a small ache to debilitating pain. An estimated three of every four menstruating women experience some form of premenstrual syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has a wide variety of symptoms and can affect a woman mentally, emotionally and physically. These symptoms can range from irritability, anxiety, depression and aggression to nausea, breast swelling, abdominal cramping and back pain.

Many people living with fibromyalgia think that exercise will exacerbate their pain. The opposite is true. Exercise is actually one of the most beneficial treatments for fibromyalgia symptoms. If you are living with fibromyalgia, then you well know the discomfort and pain that comes along with it. Many fibromyalgia patients fear that exercising will increase their pain, when actually the opposite is true. Research has shown that exercising twice a week for 25 minutes each time can result in immediate improvement of fibromyalgia symptoms.

Five million Americans suffer from hernias every year. If you have a hernia, it may be difficult for you to do your typical activities, like grocery shopping or having sex. Five million Americans suffer from hernias every year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. While a good number of these hernia cases require surgery to relieve a patient's discomfort and prevent serious complications, other cases can be managed by gently pushing the hernia back in and following a watch-and-wait approach under the guidance of a doctor.

Good health ups the odds that you and your partner will have a better time in bed. It's hard to get revved up for sex if you're not feeling well. Before you start blaming your less than vigorous libido on getting older or becoming disinterested in your partner, take a long, hard look at your health profile. Medications used to treat...

Innocent behaviors such as social drinking, dieting, and relieving back pain through a doctor-prescribed medication can unsuspectingly be a gateway to harmful behavior for some people and ultimately death. When you are out at a party enjoying a glass of wine, strategizing your next diet, or swallowing the seemingly innocent painkiller that your doctor prescribed, death may be the last thing on your mind. However, for some people, these innocent behaviors can unsuspectingly turn a corner toward harmful behavior, later leading to their death.

The cause of chronic pain is not always obvious. In the case of a type of chronic pain, known as referred pain, the patient perceives pain in one part of the body, but the source of pain is elsewhere in the body. With phantom pain, the patient perceives pain in a body part that’s no longer even there. Chronic pain affects nearly 100 million Americans, says recent estimates by pain experts. Sometimes the cause of chronic pain is clear and sometimes it is not. For instance, if pain is felt as a result of a chronic condition, such as arthritis, which produces painful inflammation in the joints, then the cause is clear.

Health professionals advise being cautious about the overuse of headache medication as this can result in making the headaches worse. Nearly 90 percent of men and 95 percent of women have had at least one headache in their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the American Council for Headache Education. With these figures and the fact that you are reading this article, chances are that you have experienced the discomfort and pain of a headache.

A study last year suggests that facial surgery that targets and removes small portions of migraine-triggering muscle or nerve tissue may offer permanent relief for some people suffering from migraines. More than 30 million Americans experience migraine headaches, according to The Migraine Research Foundation. Migraine ranks in the top 20 of the world's most disabling medical illnesse--with many sufferers living in fear knowing that at any time an attack could disrupt their ability to work or go to school, care for their families, or enjoy social activities.

Trigger point therapy may be a good option in treating chronic pain in some patients. Many chronic pain patients have run out of options for relief. Some physicians are now prescribing trigger point therapy, otherwise known as myofascial therapy, for chronic pain patients. There is growing evidence that chronic pain--as well as most of our common aches and pains--are actually caused by trigger points, or small contraction knots, in the muscles of the body.

Experts agree that prescription painkiller medication addiction is real, and the risk for some can be great. According to the Office of National Drug Policy, emergency room visits resulting from the abuse of painkillers has gone up 163 percent since 1995. "Painkiller addiction is a very real addiction," says Dr. Dennis Lin, psychiatrist and attending physician on faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan.

Studies show that most people with fibromyalgia syndrome also suffer from fatigue. People who suffer from fibromyalgia have a lot to deal with. Not only do they often have intense pain, but research indicates that up to 90 percent of sufferers also suffer from fatigue—which can make the pain of the illness even harder to bear.

A hernia is a result of part of an organ or tissue pushing through a weak area of muscle. If you have experienced a hernia already, there are some steps you can take to prevent a hernia from recurring. As many as 5 million Americans suffer from hernias every year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. We tend to think of hernias as being the result of lifting very heavy objects, but in fact, they can have a number of causes. If you are someone who has suffered from a hernia, knowing more about the causes can you help you prevent a hernia from recurring.

A look into how the medical standards for assessing hip pain can fall short. I thought I would provide the readers of this column a first hand account of how medical standards can fall short when it comes to pain at the hip region. My office is located in New York. I was asked to examine a woman who lived in Texas who was told that she required a total hip replacement.

Kidney stones are one of the most painful urinary problems one could have. Passing one is even compared to the pain of giving birth. Although not a guarantee, doctors recommend some measures to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Roughly one million Americans develop kidney stones each year, and approximately 15 percent of adults in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a kidney stone in their lifetime. The pain can be throbbing to severe and some even say "worse than labor" as it is continuous, unlike a contraction that comes and goes.

Have you noticed that your arthritis pain becomes worse in certain weather conditions? If so, you’re not alone and it’s not all in your head. There is an association between temperature, humidity and barometric pressure and joint pain. Numerous studies have compared weather and pain in patients with chronic diseases, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. The results are not always consistent, but one thing is clear: weather sensitivity exists along a continuum and is highly individual.

Learn how to work with your doctor to get a correct diagnosis. Since many of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus overlap, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose which disease is afflicting a patient. In fact, many patients go from one doctor to the next without getting a definitive diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are two different conditions, but both are autoimmune diseases that attack the body in a similar fashion.

Have you or a loved one survived a life threatening disease? Are you currently struggling with depression, chronic pain, heart disease, or other health related condition? Have you gone to extraordinary lengths to help someone in a health crisis? If so, we want to hear from you! Would you like to inspire thousands by sharing your story? There are no better, more inspiring stories than those that are personal. At QualityHealth, we understand that you, our readers, have your own tales that are both unique and powerful, but most importantly, can serve as an inspiration to others.

If you are suffering from pain at the bottom of your heel, you will probably see a podiatrist who will probably take an x-ray and inform you that you have a heel spur. If you are suffering from pain at the bottom of your heel, you will probably see a podiatrist who will most likely take an x-ray and inform you that you have a heel spur. You will probably be given a cortisone shot and/or have an orthotic added to your shoe.

When pain is a part of your everyday life, it may be hard to differentiate between normal soreness and pain. Read on to find out how. As any individual who exercises can attest, muscle soreness is proof that your body is responding to the new or increased physical challenge. However, when arthritis muscle soreness and pain is part of your daily life, it's no longer a sign of accomplishment.

Indicators show that many common medical practices are failing when it comes to identifying the cause of pain and resolving it. The number of people complaining of chronic pain has jumped to 83 million in the US and is expected to hit 150 million in the next few years. The number of neck and back surgeries continues to rise with the percentage of them being considered failed back surgeries now about 50 percent. The money being spent on pain medication alone per year is about 20-30 billion dollars. The number of those becoming addicted to this medication, including the children of individuals prescribed the medication, is seemingly out of control.

If you are suffering from migraine headaches, finding out what triggers them may be the best medicine. According to the National Headache Foundation, approximately 30 million people in the United States suffer from migraines. While many of those suffering from migraines may think of taking over-the-counter painkillers for some relief, finding out what triggers the migraine may be the better choice.

If you suffer from stress or tension headaches, find out what causes them and how you can prevent or effectively treat them. Got stress? Then you're probably no stranger to stress or tension headaches. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 30 to 80 percent of Americans are plagued by occasional tension headaches, which afflict women two times more than men. These headaches cause considerable pain and can be debilitating.

Forty million people are estimated to suffer from sciatica. But is there a misconception about its cause? Forty million people are estimated to suffer from sciatica. However, I believe that what causes the condition is often misconceived. In my experience,  I have found that the cause is often the result of a muscle called the piriformis impinging on the sciatic nerve in the gluteal region or buttocks.

Five factors that separate fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. One of the most difficult aspects of treating fibromyalgia (FM) is the diagnosis. This condition, which causes fatigue and widespread pain and tenderness, shares symptoms with several other diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis affect women more often than men, and the symptoms vary from person to person.

How to reduce the risk of four common lupus complications—miscarriage, kidney failure, infections, and heart disease. Lupus erythematosus, more commonly referred to as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects about 1.5 million Americans. There is currently no cure. While significant advances have taken place in the treatment of lupus over the last two decades, some serious lupus complications can still occur.

Find out why chronic pain is typically misdiagnosed acute pain. Seventy-five million Americans suffer from chronic pain. The reason for this absurdly large number is the fact that the cause of initial pain is not being diagnosed properly. If the initial diagnosis for the cause of pain is incorrect, then every aspect of treatment that follows will do nothing to resolve the pain.

Alternative treatments that help to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome. For most people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome--about four to 10 million Americans, mostly women--painkillers are the first recourse. But, there are some natural or alternative treatments that can also relieve carpal tunnel. Try relaxation techniques.

Migraines may be linked to an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. A recent study suggests that middle-aged and older women suffering from migraine headaches accompanied by auras (changes in vision, smelling certain scents, and feeling pins and needles in the arms or legs) may have a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks than women who don't get migraines.

Popular painkillers acetaminophen, ibuprofen and codeine may provide relief—but they can also cause serious side effects. When you have a headache or a pulled muscle, your first concern is relieving your pain. While common painkillers such as acetaminophen or codeine may stop your aches and pains, they can also cause severe side effects. Find out what they are and how you can avoid them.

You'd be surprised by the cause of your pain. When an individual has neck pain, they go to their primary care physician, orthopedist or neurologist. An x-ray or MRI is taken. Arthritis might be found. A herniated disc, stenosis, degenerative disc disease are the other common findings. These findings become the basis of the diagnosis which all future treatments are based on.

Suffering from fibromyalgia? Learn more about the risks of depression and what you can do to protect yourself from this mood disorder. About 30 to 40 percent of people who have fibromyalgia also suffer from depression, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA). The link between the two conditions is not clear, and health professionals believe that depression in fibromyalgia is often poorly treated.

Seventy percent of the population have herniated discs and have no pain. This is fact that should shock those of you who are being told that the herniated disc that was found on your MRI is the cause of your back pain. Do not get lulled into the idea that because something showed up on your MRI that this means that the abnormal finding is automatically the cause of your pain.

Find out what causes inguinal hernias—the most common type of hernia—and how to prevent them. An inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia, and it can affect adults or children. It's a protrusion of abdominal tissue or a part of the small intestine through a weakened part of the lower abdominal muscles. There are two types of inguinal hernias--indirect and direct.

Taking narcotic pain killers, epidural nerve blocks or cortisone shots do nothing to resolve the cause of pain. It is a feudal attempt to mask pain. Taking narcotic pain killers, epidural nerve blocks or cortisone shots do nothing to resolve the cause of pain. It is a feudal attempt to mask pain. I have proven that the cause of pain in most cases is muscle weakness like a strain or muscle imbalance.

Learn what causes an inguinal hernia and the best treatment options for this common health problem. Every year between 600,000 and 700,000 inguinal hernia surgeries take place in the United States. Inguinal hernias are the most common types of hernia, and they can afflict anyone--from infants to seniors. However, men are more likely to get them than women, and African-Americans get inguinal hernias three times more than caucasians.

Lupus can cause neuropathy, also known as nerve damage. Learn about the symptoms, prevention and coping strategies you can use. Everyone suffers from the occasional tingling or numbness in their hands or feet, usually when limbs "fall asleep." But, when you're living with lupus, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet may not be minor, passing symptoms. They can signal a condition called peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage.

Here, an overview of the causes of lupus, an autoimmune condition characterized by pain, fatigue, photosensitivity and skin rashes. About 1.5 million Americans suffer from lupus. The most common form is systemic lupus erythematosus, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of cases. It's an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack normal tissue and organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs and skin.

Here, lifestyle and workplace strategies that prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. If your work involves repetitive motions, such as assembling products or typing at a keyboard, you're more at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It's a condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist that results in symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers.

Chronic pain and sex are not good bedfellows. Learn ways to reduce the impact that pain can have on your sex life and relationship. When you're living with chronic pain, it can put your sex life on pause. In some cases chronic pain is caused by a health problem such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or lupus, or, it may be caused by sex itself such as vaginal pain during intercourse. Also, pain medications can zap your sexual desire and make "not tonight honey" a standard refrain in your relationship.

Other illnesses have similar symptoms to fibromyalgia, which can lead to misdiagnosis and treatment. Learn how to tell the difference. Fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to diagnose, even though it affects about 10 million Americans. The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) describes it as a complex chronic pain disorder. Unfortunately, there are currently no clinical tests to diagnose the condition and the NFA reports that it may take as long as five years for a patient to get a formal diagnosis.

For 30 million osteoarthritis sufferers worldwide, pain, joint stiffness and potential loss of mobility can negatively affect their quality of life. However, scientists have recently improved a widely used treatment for knee osteoarthritis, which may help many people. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in joints to wear down over time. Unfortunately, this cartilage cannot repair itself. When left untreated treated, the damage increases the load, or burden, on the remaining cartilage, raising patients' risk of developing degenerative arthritis.

When is pain a sign that something might be seriously wrong? Here, four pains you should never shrug off. Minor aches and pains are part of life for most of us-a tension headache here, an upset stomach there. But when is pain a signal that something might really be wrong? And how do you tell the difference between a mere annoyance and a warning sign? Below, four pains not to ignore: Ankle pain.

Research finds that redheads are less sensitive to some pain relievers, such as anesthesia used in dental procedures. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association revealed that people with naturally red hair, or a gene called the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene were much more likely to fear dental pain. They were also more likely to experience dental-care related anxiety and fear compared to people without red hair or the gene.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common, but very treatable, condition. This article reveals the causes, tests and treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. Wondering what that piercing pain, tingling in your fingers, numbness and weakness is? It's most likely caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that occurs when the median nerve in your forearm gets squeezed or compressed at the wrist. Tests can rule out other conditions.

Pain and fatigue are symptoms commonly associated with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. These strategies can reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life. Millions of Americans battle chronic diseases such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Two common symptoms of these conditions are pain and fatigue --both take a massive toll on your life. They disrupt your sleep, interfere with daily activities, and force you to take time off from work.

Scientists discover that concussions can damage brain tissue and impair brain function. Find out more about these common injuries, prevention and treatment. Every year about one million people are rushed to the emergency room with head injuries, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Head injuries are also referred to as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The most common TBIs are concussions, which are the most minor as well.

A primer on ligament injury—the causes, symptoms, treatment and recovery. It doesn't take a basketball or football collision to cause a ligament injury of the knee- although you may prefer to tell such a tale. Simply stretching, stumbling or twisting in an odd way may be all it takes to do the damage. Medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injuries are the most common ligament injuries, and they can also result from overuse.

Certain foods can improve fibromyalgia symptoms, while some can make them worse. Learn how to alter your diet to improve your symptoms. Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition that causes symptoms such as chronic muscle and joint pain, headaches, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, poor concentration and even depression. Currently, there is no cure for fibromyalgia, and because of the diversity of the symptoms caused by the condition, treatment approaches vary considerably.

Three of the most common lupus symptoms are skin rashes, joint pain and stiffness and muscle pain. Learn about effective ways to cope with them. Nearly 90 percent of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience joint pain, joint stiffness and muscle pain; skin rashes affect up to 75 percent. Try these tips to cope with these common lupus symptoms. JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS Joint pain and stiffness are among the earliest lupus symptoms, and can target any joint in the body, but usually the hands, wrist and feet at the onset of disease.

Sky-high stilettos may be fashionable, but podiatrists advocate more down-to-earth footwear. For many women, high heels are the ultimate fashion statement. After all, Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw wore her Jimmy Choo stilettos with everything (even shorts!) while running down New York City's busy streets. What's more, high heels make our legs look longer and sleeker, so is it any surprise that most women own at least a pair or two? But as stylish as high heels may be, according to experts, they also come with a host of potential drawbacks.

Lupus affects more women than men, but it also worsens two of the most common health problems women have — heart disease and osteoporosis. Lupus affects about 1.5 million Americans and nine times more women than men. There are several forms of lupus, but the most common is systemic lupus erythematosus. This autoimmune condition has serious side effects ranging from joint pain and stiffness, muscle aches, anemia and chronic fatigue.

Find out if an ice pack or heat therapy is better to treat sports injuries. While it's good news that more people are answering the call to increase physical activity, it's bad news that many are getting injured. Sports injuries--such as muscle cramps, a joint injury, or lower back injury--can quickly derail your fitness routine or training program.

How to relieve and treat a pinched nerve. At some point in most of our lives, we've experienced a pinched nerve. An everyday example is when your foot "falls asleep." Although this health condition is quite common, few of us know the right way to relieve or treat it. Here's a quick primer. What is a Pinched Nerve? According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a pinched nerve is damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves from compression, constriction or stretching.

Here, get common sense advice on how to avoid common gym injuries and prevent chronic pain in the future. Every year thousands of gym-goers fall victim to common injuries that could be avoided with knowledge and preparation. These gym injuries throw your fitness routine off track, so you end up losing a lot of the benefits you've gained. But more importantly, some of them can lead to chronic pain down the road, and possibly, surgery.

Sports hernia, an increasingly common type of sports injury, can cause chronic pain and loss of function. Learn about the causes, symptoms and treatment of a sports hernia. Since Tom Brady and other high-profile athletes have been sidelined with a sports hernia, there's been greater awareness of this sports injury. Every year there are about 35 to 40 million injury-related emergency room visits--approximately 10 percent are sports related, reports American Sports Data.

Orthopedic and spinal surgeon Dr. Sean McCance answers a reader's question about herniated discs. Q: I've recently developed a herniated disc. What are the best treatment options for this condition? A: The treatment of a herniated disc depends on the initial symptoms and the location. Herniated discs that appear primarily in the lower back are referred to as lumbar herniations; those that appear in the neck are called cervical herniations.

A look at pregnancy and neonatal lupus. Get information and tips on how to have a healthier pregnancy. If you have lupus, you may be worried about how it will affect your baby and whether your baby will develop neonatal lupus erythematosus, commonly referred to as neonatal lupus. This rare condition affects about one to three percent of infants born to women who have systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome and Raynaud's phenomenon.

Research suggests that vitamin D may play a role in fibromyalgia pain and other chronic pain conditions. It's been common knowledge for quite some time that vitamin D helps to build strong bones. But, research in recent years has shown that low levels of vitamin D is associated with fibromyalgia pain, musculoskeletal and bone pain, and other chronic pain conditions.

Is night pain ruining your after-work activities and sleep? Here, ten ways to relieve it. Night pain affects about one in three adults. It's the number one cause of disturbed sleep and puts a real damper on your after-work activities. Fortunately, there are several ways to suppress night pain, which will help you get those 40 winks you desperately need.

Neck pain can be fleeting, but accompanying symptoms and duration may be signs that it’s time to call a doctor. Neck pain is the third most common type of pain for Americans, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Health Statistics (NIHS). About two-thirds of the population will experience neck pain in their lifetime. Its side effects can be mild or devastating, and interfere with normal daily functioning such as sitting, turning and sleeping.

Natural and alternative treatments for fibromyalgia can be effective. If you’re suffering from memory problems, poor concentration, and have widespread pain—in your back, shoulders or neck—you could be suffering from fibromyalgia, which may be relieved by natural and alternative treatment. However, the first step to treating this condition is knowing that you have it, which may be a challenge.

Find out if you could be a candidate for hip replacement surgery, and learn more about the procedure. Also known as hip arthroplasty, hip replacement surgery can be beneficial to those with severe hip pain, helping to relieve symptoms and provide greater range of movement. However, the procedure isn't without its risks. Prospective patients should talk to their doctors and do their own research before deciding to proceed.

When it comes to migraines, it can be difficult separating fact from fiction. Get the real story on the disease's biggest misconceptions. Millions of Americans are affected by migraines, but according to experts, the disease is often underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or simply misunderstood. Read on as we debunk the disorder's biggest myths. Myth: A migraine is just a severe headache. In reality, headaches are just one symptom of migraine disease.

Migraine pain can be excruciating, but with the right treatment, the condition can be controlled. Although it affects approximately 36 million Americans a year, migraine is often mischaracterized. More than simply a bad headache, migraine is a disease, and the painful headaches associated with it are one of the condition's telltale symptoms. These headaches may be preceded or accompanied by flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in the arms or legs, as well as nausea, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to light.

Although no specific test can definitively confirm the condition's presence, certain criteria can help physicians make a proper diagnosis. Since there's no specific test that can confirm whether a person has fibromyalgia, physicians often must perform a variety of tests in order to rule out hypothyroidism and multiple sclerosis, among other conditions. The following are the top criteria that health-care professionals consider when making a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Although back pain is common, it doesn't have to be inevitable. Follow these easy tips to reduce your risk. If you've ever had a backache, you know how bad the pain can get. It may be severe enough to keep you from going about your daily activities. Perhaps it makes you feel much older than you really are or causes you to groan when you sit or stand. Understanding Back Pain Back pain is a very common injury when dealing with athletes, says Erin K.

Millions of Americans are affected by migraines. Here, a look at this common neurological disease, from symptoms to treatment. At some point in their lives, 12 to 28 percent of people will be experience migraines, according to the European Journal of Neurology. What's more, in any given year, this common neurological disease will affect 6 to 15 percent of adult men, 14 to 35 percent of adult women, and approximately 4 to 5 percent of children under 12.

Make life easier despite your arthritis. Thanks to many products on the market, living with arthritis isn't as limiting as it used to be. These devices make daily tasks easier-from standing to cooking, bathing, dressing, walking and driving. We've rounded up some of the best: KITCHEN HELPERS Open-It Universal Opener: This is must-have tool for opening bags, cans, boxes, or containers.

Follow these steps to help find relief. We often think of heartburn as a food-induced pain resulting from eating too much too quickly, or as something we experience when we’re stressed. Typically this is the case. But the truth is that heartburn can be caused by an unlikely source: medication.

Read on determine when your condition requires medical attention. Studies show that 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month, and that 25 million experience it on a daily basis. Heartburn, a burning pain behind the breastbone that radiates upward, is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Find out why acupuncture is growing in popularity with arthritis sufferers. Over 39 percent of Americans use some form of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM), according to a survey conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Center for Health Statistics. Most people turn to these treatments for musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain — and joint pain, which is a common symptom of arthritis.

If you’re one of the 1.3 million Americans living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that flares are a part of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes joint pain, inflammation, stiffness, and fatigue. Women are three times as likely as men to suffer from the disease. Even though RA is a long-term condition, short-term bouts, or flares, of acute pain with inflammation and swelling can occur.

You love your pet. So why would you feet it food that may be unfit for human consumption? Your pet as been loyally by your side for years. You take the time to walk, feed, and bathe your dog. You pamper your cat with gourmet food and fun toys. You put real time and energy into caring for and loving your pet. So, how would you feel if you were feeding your cat or dog hair and bone from decomposing animal carcasses? Would you be glad to hear your cat is ingesting human pain killers? Food safety is as important to the health of your pet as it is for you and your family.

You love your pet. So why would you feet it food that may be unfit for human consumption? Your pet has been loyally by your side for years. You take the time to walk, feed, and bathe your dog. You pamper your cat with gourmet food and fun toys. You put real time and energy into caring for and loving your pet. So, how would you feel if you were feeding your cat or dog hair and bone from decomposing animal carcasses? Would you be glad to hear your cat is ingesting human pain killers?   Food safety is as important to the health of your pet as it is for you and your family.

When most people have a fever or headache, they turn to aspirin or some other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) to relieve their pain. When most people have a fever or headache, they turn to aspirin or some other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) to relieve their pain. But if you are in the one percent of the population that has an aspirin allergy, you know that such medication may make you worse, instead of better.

Some simple dietary changes can help ward off heartburn symptoms. Cooking in the comfort of your own kitchen should be a painless process: you make and eat what you want. Those who suffer from heartburn need not be sidelined by symptoms—so long as they know which foods are safe. Abiding by a few standard rules limits the chance you will experience heartburn when reaching for a recipe.

Can changing how you eat help ease arthritis symptoms? The jury is out. If you suffer from arthritis, you are in good company. The National Institutes of Health estimates that about one out of every five Americans today have some form of this condition, which causes inflammation of the joints and can make it painful to complete your activities, depending on the severity and type of your symptoms.

If your child is one of the many who suffers from juvenile arthritis today, did you know that helping him or to stay active can be an important part of managing this condition? Arthritis among children can take many forms but the most common type is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Young patients diagnosed with this, or with the host of other types of arthritis that exist, often experience swelling, tenderness and pain in one or more joints, making it difficult to move, especially in the mornings.

It may sound more like a fantasy than a reality, but some believe that this water can help ease arthritic pain. Imagine reaching into your fridge for a bottle of water that can reduce inflammation, stiffness and pain caused by your arthritis. It may sound more like a fantasy than a reality, but these are the claims being made about Deeside mineral water. This health-boosting water flows from Pannanich Wells in the hills of Scotland near Balmoral castle, the Scottish home to the British monarchy.

These conditions often have the same symptoms of heart attacks. Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen limbs and ankles, dizziness—when presented in certain combinations, the symptoms of heart disease can be mistaken for other illnesses. Worse still, because women’s symptoms are slightly different than men’s (sometimes the disease can manifest itself in the fairer sex through discomfort in the neck or shoulder and nausea or vomiting), they stand a greater chance of having their heart disease initially misdiagnosed.

When rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis targets your knees even routine activities such as walking, bending, or sitting can be challenging. These conditions make joints stiff and painful, and limit your mobility. They also weaken and tighten your muscles. Stretching can bring relief. According to the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MAARTC), exercise keeps joints flexible, strengthens muscles, and improves overall fitness and your ability to do daily activities. Stretches also help alleviate joint inflammation during flare-ups.

The healing power of water is no secret. From the hot springs in ancient Greece to the cleansing power of the Ganges in India, water is widely recognized for its therapeutic properties. Many people with arthritis are discovering it’s true. Health professionals are increasingly recommending hydrotherapy to treat pain, inflammation and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Just six weeks of water therapy improves mobility and function in people with osteoarthritis.

Looking to ditch the prescription meds and go natural? Learn more about some methods, endorsed by the National Pain Foundation. If analgesic tablets or prescription painkillers aren't helping you manage your discomfort, it may be time to explore a more natural type of pain relief. There exists a range of therapies known as either complementary medicine (used in addition to traditional Western therapies) or alternative medicine (used in place of traditional Western therapies), and devotees have used them for conditions as minor as a headache and as major as cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis it is the most common cause of disability, affecting nearly 50 percent of all Americans at some point in their lives. Each year, millions of workers skip work or leisure activities to cope with the debilitating symptoms such as chronic pain, swelling and stiffness. With concerns about the arthritis epidemic in the future, health professionals want more people to be aware of ways to reduce the risk - read on to learn about a few. Quit smoking. There's little you can do about most risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) such as your sex (women are more likely to get it), age, or family history.

Follow these tips to stay heartburn-free while on the move. For those who suffer from heartburn, an important part of managing the pain is maintaining a healthy weight. A great way to achieve this is through regular exercise Every day, researchers uncover new ways that fitness can benefit people of all ages. In...

These good eats get the thumbs-up for heartburn sufferers. When heartburn sufferers talk about food, they usually talk about what they can't eat, not about what they can eat. That's because the worst trigger foods-fats, spices, citrus-can lead to painful symptoms. When determining foods that won't aggravate your symptoms, the first thing to do is to assess their ingredients.

See how this disorder that affects 6 million Americans can be a burden to your heart. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some 6 million Americans have been diagnosed with panic disorder, a condition in which one is frequently besieged by an inexplicable, intense bout of fear that manifests itself through a range of physical ailments and lasts anywhere from 15 seconds to an hour.

If you have arthritis, knowing about the common surgeries is crucial. For some arthritis patients-not all-surgery may become necessary. It can be critical in the early stages of the disease to prevent or delay joint damage and improve movement. In the later stages it can mean the difference between living a full, active life with reduced pain, swelling stiffness and further joint deterioration.

Here are three medical advances you should know about. By 2030 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that over 67 million Americans will suffer from arthritis. With so many people currently suffering from arthritis and millions more who will be affected in the future, treatment innovation and progress is critical.

Don't let arthritis stop your active lifestyle. For some people, a diagnosis of arthritis can seem like a life sentence of pain, inactivity, and frustration, but this doesn't have to be the case. And because there's currently no cure for arthritis, it's very important that you find ways to not just survive, but thrive.

Asking these questions can give you the vital information you need. When exercise, physical therapy and drugs aren't enough in treating your rheumatoid arthritis, surgery may be necessary. It can help to restore or improve function, reduce pain and improve your quality of life. Arthritis surgery can take place at various stages in the disease.

Find out how the treatment for your arthritis can be all natural. When medications don't relieve arthritis symptoms, or drug side effects become overwhelming, many people turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Center for Health Statistics over 38 per cent of Americans use some form of CAM, which includes herbal supplements.

Everyone makes mistakes. Avoid these common blunders for better overall health. Over the course of a lifetime, bad habits and misapprehensions about health matters are unfortunately easy to accumulate. Given the fact that knowledge is power, educate yourself on the following five mistakes you can make concerning your health: Neglecting to floss.

Be in the know when it comes to arthritis medication. Whether you suffer with acute or chronic pain, you need relief. However, as the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) states in their booklet Questions & Answers about Arthritis Pain, the type of pain differs from person to person, and so do the causes.

Ear infections are very common in children. Here, a guide to their symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Ear infections are common, especially in children. In fact, about 75 percent of all children will probably have an infection before they turn three, according to National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Older children will probably complain of ear pain and small children who cannot speak well are likely to pull or rub their ear.

Find out the real reasons why guys don't visit their physicians—and why they should. Aches and pains? "Just suck it up." Preventative care? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." When it comes to visiting the doctor, men seem to have an arsenal of excuses. According to experts, this is one of the reasons men generally live sicker and die younger than their female counterparts.

Plagued by painful headaches? Find out how to pinpoint their source so you can prevent and treat them. Headaches often strike when you least expect them--and they can range in severity from dull throbs and intense aches to debilitating pain. In fact, they land someone in the emergency room every 10 seconds, according to the American Headache Society. As if that weren't frustrating enough, oftentimes the direct cause of a headache is unknown.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects up to 20 percent of the U.S. adult population, and the disorder has no known cause. Here, a look at IBS, from symptoms to treatment. Imagine not being able to make dinner plans with your friends or not eating your favorite foods for fear that it will send you running for the bathroom. For people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), these scenarios may sound all too familiar.

Hip pain is an increasingly common phenomenon that tends to occur with age. Find out what causes hip pain and what you can do about it. It's often said that aging tends to go hand-in-hand with a long list of ailments, and unfortunately, many people can add hip pain to that list. Hip pain can be extremely debilitating and uncomfortable, and it can occur for numerous reasons. The term "hip pain" generally refers to any pain in or around the hip joint.

This painful arthritic condition affects approximately eight out of every 1,000 Americans. Learn about symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options. For the 2.1 million Americans who experience gout attacks each year, the symptoms are all too familiar: a sudden occurrence of hot, swollen, and tender joints (often in the big toe or ankle) accompanied by excruciating pain. Without treatment, symptoms often subside in about a week, but over time, attacks can become more frequent and severe, potentially causing permanent joint damage.

Millions of Americans are living with exercise-induced asthma. Here, a guide to the condition, from symptoms to treatment. Imagine jogging around the block and, a few minutes afterward, being struck with a host of scary symptoms--wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath. The next thing you know, you're feeling chest tightness, pain, and extreme fatigue. These are just some of the signs of exercise-induced asthma (EIA), a chronic condition that affects millions of Americans.

When it comes to osteoporosis, there are many misconceptions that may stand in the way of both prevention and treatment. Here, we uncover the biggest myths about the disease. Do you think that osteoporosis affects only women and older people? Do you believe you won't experience bone loss if you consume calcium every day? When it comes to osteoporosis, there are many misconceptions that may stand in the way of both prevention and treatment.

Osteoporosis may weaken your bones, but it doesn't have to weaken your resolve to live a healthy and productive life. In the United States alone, approximately 8 million women and 2 million men have osteoporosis—a disease that causes deterioration of bone tissue and can lead to bone fragility as well as an increased risk of fractures. It's considered a "silent disease," because sufferers can remain symptom-free for many years, often until the event of a fracture or major break.

Millions of people have difficulty digesting milk and other dairy products. Find out how to identify and diagnose lactose intolerance. If you've ever eaten too much cheese or polished off a pint of ice cream in one sitting, you probably felt sick to your stomach. Most likely, the cramping, bloating, and abdominal pain you felt were caused by your body's inability to break down lactose, which is found in most dairy products.

Learn more about what causes hip fractures and how you can prevent them from affecting you or a loved one. Anyone, at any age, can break a hip, although the injury is far more prevalent among those who are 65 and older. In fact, 95 percent of hip injuries occur in people who are over 65. Hip fractures are hard to ignore, as they usually cause severe pain in the hip and/or groin area.

Working with arthritis can be challenging, but these tips can help make it easier. Approximately 20 percent of Americans are living with some form of arthritis or chronic joint symptoms, according to the Arthritis Foundation. And more than half of those affected are under the age of 65. This means that there are millions of arthritis sufferers working either full- or part-time in the United States.

Men, women, and children can all develop a bladder infection. Here, a look at the condition, from symptoms to treatments. Uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone. A frequent urge to urinate. A burning feeling in the bladder or urethra. If you've had a urinary tract infection (UTI) before, you're all too familiar with these painful symptoms. The good news is that most UTIs can be easily treated with antibiotics-and drinking cranberry juice may even help prevent them in the first place.

As common as the condition is, many women insist on keeping quiet about it. Here, we explore the reasons why. Thousands of women in the United States experience bladder leakage--whether it means tiny drops when they sneeze, a small dribble when they hear running water, or a noticeable wet spot after certain forms of exercise. Yet as common as this condition is, many women keep quiet about their symptoms, ashamed to discuss it with their doctor, their friends, and even their spouse.

Feelings of depression are significantly more common in people with chronic back pain. Find out more about how to manage your pain and your emotions. Chronic pain and depression are two of the most common health problems Americans face. What's more, studies have found that these two conditions are often linked, afflicting the same sufferers. Close to 6 million American adults report suffering from back pain, and studies have shown that depression is four times greater in people with chronic back pain than in those without.

Your bellyaching over your bellyache may be caused by some of your favorite foods. Find out which foods are common offenders. Stomachaches, indigestion, gas, bellyache, agita, heartburn, upset stomach: Whatever you call it, digestive problems can be inconvenient and sometimes downright painful. Indigestion can be caused by a variety of reasons, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a physical condition in which stomach acid flows backward up into the esophagus.

From chronic back pain to poor self-esteem, large breasts can present a host of health problems. Find out whether surgery could ease your discomfort. Contrary to popular belief, large breasts aren't always what they're cracked up to be. For many women, overly large, pendulous breasts can result in chronic neck and back pain, poor posture, breathing problems, rashes, and deep skin grooves resulting from bra strap pressure.

Many people don't know they have osteoporosis until they break a bone. Find out if you're at risk, and learn how to prevent it. It's slips and falls, not sticks and stones, that may break the bones of people with osteoporosis. According to the American College of Rheumatology, approximately 8 million women and 2 million men have the disease, which weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.

Parkinson's disease affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. Here, a guide for patients and their loved ones. If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, you probably have many questions. While the disease affects each person differently, this overview will help you better understand the symptoms and treatments. Symptoms and Risk Factors Parkinson's is a disease that stops nerves from working properly in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement.

Although arthritis can be debilitating, there are a variety of treatment options to help keep symptoms in check. Here, a look at the disease by the numbers. Arthritis is a chronic disease that can cause pain, swelling, and loss of movement in the joints. The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation and actually refers to more than 100 different diseases. In its most severe form, it can have a major impact on one's ability to perform daily activities such as walk, drive, type, or unload groceries.

After getting no answers from doctors about her severe pain, numbness, and tingling, Karen Calvert finally discovered the cause of her problems: multiple sclerosis. Learn about her courageous journey. Karen Calvert, a retired educator, wife, and mother of two in Columbia, South Carolina, discusses her frustrating and agonizing journey with multiple sclerosisand explains how family, friends, and faith have kept her going. My life was very full and active.

What's under that bow? Find out if the gifts you're giving this year are naughty or nice. When shopping for children's toys this holiday season, you may have to pay attention to more than just wish lists and price tags. Dangerous levels of lead in paint and toys that contain toxic chemicals have forced Mattel, Fisher-Price, Disney, and other companies to recall some of their most popular children's products.

Headaches are among the most common pain symptoms in the world. Learn about the different types of headaches and what causes them. At one time or another, nearly everyone has had a headache. In fact, 70 percent of people have had at least one in the past year. What's more, roughly 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches, a condition that costs U.S. companies billions of dollars in lost productivity annually.

Learn about the most common forms of arthritis, from causes and symptoms to treatment. More than 46 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis—a disease that affects 50 percent of adults over 65 and is the leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are several ways to stay active without risking your joint health. It's an ongoing debate: Does running lead to arthritis? Some health professionals say the continual pounding on knee and ankle joints leads to wear and tear, and eventually arthritis. Others claim that the same wear actually helps keep joints and tissues healthy.

Even the biggest couch potatoes can learn to love exercise. For many of us, the word "workout" conjures images of profuse sweat, intense pain, and utter confusion. The good news: You don't have to be a natural exercise enthusiast to get in shape. Even the biggest couch potatoes can learn to love exercise.