Pain Management and Chronic Pain - Causes

Cheryl Trent

Chronic body aches and pain can be torturous and debilitating. For some, there is only so much pain they can handle. However, for Cheryl Trent, pain was part of her life for over a decade. Here is how she was able to get her life back.

5 Hardest Foods to Digest

Plus simple advice to better digest any food you eat.

Achy Feet? Orthotics Just Might Send That Pain Walking

Learn how over-the-counter or custom orthotics (such as shoe inserts or braces) may give your feet the support they need.

What You Need to Know About Chronic Pain Syndrome

Are aches your constant companion? You re not alone. Learn more about coping with chronic pain.

Comedian Matt Iseman Doesn t Let RA Stifle His Laughter

Rheumatoid arthritis doesn't define this funny guy. Learn how Matt is continuing to follow his dreams.

Get the Facts About Frozen Shoulder

Shoulder pain shouldn't be ignored, especially if it limits your arm's mobility. Here's what you need to know.

Link Between Digestive Diseases and Migraines?

Studies shed light on the possibility that your migraines are connected to digestive disorders.

Frozen Shoulder From Diabetes? How to Treat It

Nearly 20 percent of individuals with diabetes are affected by the painful, vexing condition adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder. Here's how to handle it.

Deal With the Dreaded Airplane Headache

While the logistics of air travel can be a pain in the neck, for some, flying can literally be a pain in the head.

Back Pain: The Hereditary Factor

Good posture may not be enough to save you from back pain. As it turns out, the physical condition of your back is far more dependent on genes than lifestyle.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: 8 Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Infection

Rheumatoid arthritis can increase your chances of infection, especially if you're taking certain medications. Here's how to protect yourself.

How to Treat 5 Different Types of Migraines

Understanding what you're experiencing can help you find the appropriate treatment.

Back Stiffness: 7 Ways to Loosen Up

Do you often wake up with an aching back? Use these techniques to limber up.

How to Overcome Lupus Fog

For some, the most difficult part of coping with lupus is the way it hinders the ability to concentrate and focus.

Your Guide to Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis doesn t just affect adults. Many children have this chronic condition, too.

What Migraine Stage Are You Experiencing?

Learn the different stages of migraines and how you can better manage them.

The Weather: A Tricky Migraine Trigger

While you can t control Mother Nature, you can take charge of your weather-related migraines.

The Link Between Sugar and Osteoarthritis

Curb your sweet tooth, and you just may notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Could the Graston Technique Provide Relief?

This treatment option enables doctors to effectively target scar tissue that may be causing pain or limiting range of motion.

Knee Replacement: Your Pressing Questions, Answered

How long in the hospital? How long until recovered? How do they actually replace a knee? Get straightforward answers to these and other questions.

Feng Shui Your Way to a Better Mood

Making small, inexpensive changes to your personal environment can go a long way toward improving your quality of life.

Prepare for and Manage Post-Surgical Pain

Some pain is to be expected, but some of the best doctor advice on how to handle it will come as a surprise.

Arthritis Is Not Just for the Elderly

It's important to know arthritis can strike at any age because early treatment is key.

Living With Invisible Pain

You look well. What are the challenges when you feel anything but on the inside?

Ow! Fix Your Muscle Spasm

Why do these bursts of pain occur? How can you prevent them and address them quickly when they come on?

Why Does His Lower Back Hurt?

Back pain affects nearly everyone at some point. And for men there are some particular causes and solutions.

The 4 Best (and 7 Worst) Foods and Meds for Gout Patients

Find out what helps and what hurts when it comes to preventing gout.

Is That Migraine Pain or Your Sinuses?

It can be hard to tell the difference between these two common conditions, but migraine headaches and sinus infections do have some hallmark signs.

How Do You Know if it's Carpal Tunnel?

Is that burning, tingling, pain and numbness in your hands carpal tunnel syndrome? Your doctor can put it to the test.

Everyday Aches or Diagnosed Chronic Pain?

The rigors of daily living make the occasional ache commonplace. But when have you crossed the line to chronic pain?

8 Lupus Myths Debunked

Don't get bogged down in the fallacies about lupus. Get the facts here.

What's Causing Your Numbness?

Here's your rundown of common causes, including which ones are serious and which are just nuisances.

Fix Your Muscle Cramps, and Figure Out What's Causing Them

Ouch! Ease those sharp muscle spasms, and try these preventative tips including keeping hydrated.

Pain Medication Addiction: Have You Crossed the Line?

This medication can be a blessing and a curse. Here's how to tell if you, or a loved one, have crossed the line into addiction.

Traumatic Brain Injury: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

It can result from a car accident or even a bad fall. Here's what you should know.

Back Pain Could Be a Sign of Depression

One startling example of the mind-body connection is the link between back pain and depression.

Painkillers and Kidney Cancer: What's the Connection?

Two studies reveal enough of a connection between kidney cancer and some popular painkillers that more questions are warranted.

Better Living With Fibromyalgia: 15 Tips

By taking care of your health on a daily basis, you ll be better equipped to live well with fibromyalgia.

10 Ways to Avoid a Gout Flare-Up

Follow these tips to prevent a painful bout with gout.

A Depression Treatment Now Used for Pain

Typically a treatment for patients suffering from depression, transcranial direct current stimulation shows benefits for those coping with chronic pain.

How Myofascial Release Could Relieve Your Pain

This form of massage combines the relaxation of yoga and the muscular benefits of physical therapy.

Lupus Fog: How to Cope

Officially called "cognitive dysfunction" or "cognitive impairment," many people living with lupus find this symptom the most difficult part.

Is Muscle Weakness Causing Your Pain?

Even when pain feels like it's in your bones or joints, the root cause might be located in your muscles.

Massage Therapy for Pain

How could this therapy help you manage your worst pain symptoms?

Exercises to Cure Your Neck Pain

While some exercises can cause your neck pain, performing these may remedy it.

The Truth About Spinal Decompression

From traction tables to decompression belts, this form of back pain relief has critics and supporters.

Why Do Headaches and Depression Go Together?

People who live with depression often also suffer from headaches. What's the link?

Minimalist Running Shoes: Best or Worst Choice?

"Barefoot" running shoes are gaining popularity. But do they benefit your body or cause more strain?

How Yoga Can Damage Your Body

While it's praised for its meditative approach to exercise, some experts are critical of the high incidence of injury.

Can Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Fix Your Back Pain?

If you have ongoing back pain, OMT offers a holistic approach to pain relief that addresses a variety of physical conditions.

Arthritis 101

Learn about the most common forms of arthritis, from causes and symptoms to treatment.

Headaches 101

Headaches are among the most common pain symptoms in the world. Learn about the different types of headaches and what causes them.

Don't Let Lupus Affect Your Love Life

For millions of people living with lupus, having a satisfying love life can be complicated. It doesn't have to mean life without one, however. Here's how to keep your the bedroom sizzling even if lupus is part of your life.

Painkiller Addiction: 6 Myths and the Real Facts

Painkillers are powerful medicines, but with them come the real risk of abuse. Understand the myths and determine how to use painkillers safely.

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Treat Pain

Mind over matter: You've heard it so many times, it may seem meaningless. But new research shows how emotional therapy helps to make pain symptoms easier to bear.

Are Tender Point Exams a Thing of the Past?

Tender point exams have been the gold standard for diagnosing fibromyalgia. But could the process be flawed?

Can Talk Therapy Provide Pain Relief?

Typically thought of as a remedy for depression, some experts are studying the effects of talk therapy on chronic pain.

How Pets Can Help Your Chronic Pain Symptoms

Bringing a pet into your home is a big commitment, but it can come with serious rewards including a potential reduction of your pain.

What You're Wearing Could Cause You Pain

Pain often comes from the inside. But could items on your exterior contribute to your discomfort?

The Link Between Your Headaches and the Weather

Many headache sufferers swear there's a link between their pain and the weather. Now, studies are beginning to corroborate this belief.

The Risks of Long Term Over-the-Counter Painkiller Usage

If you live with chronic pain, you may need painkilling medications to help you make it through the day-to-day grind. However, if you rely too heavily on over-the-counter (OTC) medications, you may run the risk of developing long term and potentially deadly health risks.

How to Handle Tension Headaches

If you suffer from stress or tension headaches, find out what causes them and how you can prevent or effectively treat them.

What Your Muscle Pain Is Telling You

Typically when you have muscle pain it's equated to soreness from working out or maybe an injury. But what most don't consider is how muscle pain is often associated with chronic health conditions.

5 Ways to Avoid Cold Weather-Related Pain

Patients who experience joint, bone, and muscle pain really know what it means to be "under the weather." Many patients experience increased pain and stiffness during cold weather. But is there anything you can do about it? Read on to find out.

Are Your Glasses Causing Your Headaches?

Prescription glasses, over-the-counter reading glasses, and sunglasses may be contributing to your headaches. The good news is that there are clear solutions to solve this problem.

Can Migraines Be Prevented?

Once you recognize a migraine is on its way, is it possible to prevent it from taking hold? Read on it find out.

Lose Weight and Reduce Pain: An Action Plan

Losing that excess weight and becoming active can reduce and even eliminate your pain. But how can you safely get started? Our plan will get you exercising at almost any weight and with nearly any condition.

The Link Between IBS and Fibromyalgia

Research shows that as many as 60 percent of IBS patients also have fibromyalgia and as many as 70 percent of fibromyalgia patients have IBS. So what s the connection? Get the answer here.

Menstrual Back Pain: How to Treat It Effectively

Unlike other types of muscular back pain, which go away and typically don't come back, menstrual back pain can be a frequent, unwelcome visitor.

Could High Heels Cause Migraines?

There's been much talk about the possibility that wearing high heels could be connected with getting migraines, but is there scientific weight to this claim?

Foods That Trigger and Relieve Migraines

If you live with frequent headaches or migraines, it's important to know what's causing them and what stops them. Sometimes it's all about what you eat.

Has Fibromyalgia Ruined Your Love Life?

The effects of fibromyalgia are far reaching and may even extend to your love life. But it doesn't have to ruin everything. We've got five tips for coping with fibro, so that you can enjoy your relationship.

Can Allergies Lead to Other Diseases?

There seems to be an overlap between allergies and a variety of chronic illnesses and researchers are trying to explore why. See what connections have been identified so far.

Can Botox Treat Back Pain?

Can one of America's most popular cosmetic treatments provide powerful relief for chronic back pain? Many doctors and patients say, "yes." Here's what you need to know about back pain, Botox, and the beauty of pain relief.

Potential Risks of Common Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

While over-the-counter pain relievers are convenient and readily available, they still come with certain risks.

5 Everyday Mistakes That Cause Back Pain

Could little things you do every day be causing your back pain? They could if you're making these five common mistakes.

5 Tips to Manage Lupus-Related Fatigue

Fatigue is one of lupus hallmark symptoms, but because the damage caused by Lupus is largely unseen, patients may be confused about why they re so tired. Read on for five tips that tackle fatigue caused by Lupus.

Positive Thinking and Medication Efficacy

New studies find that the power of positive thinking applies to how well pain medication works.

Could Your Back Pain Be the Result of Muscle Weakness?

Your back pain can be the result of a variety of causes; however, there is one that is often overlooked. Read on to find out if muscle weakness is what's causing your symptoms.

Return to Activity After Knee Surgery

How do you get back to your active lifestyle once you've had knee surgery? Step by step. Here's how to make the most of your "new knee" and regain your active lifestyle after surgery.

What's Causing Your Unexplained Joint Inflammation?

What does it mean when your joints get puffy and sore? If you've had an injury or accident, you know what caused it. But what if it comes out of nowhere? Here, our list for what causes unexplained joint inflammation.

7 Tips for Coping With Fibromyalgia-Related Fatigue

Don't let fibromyalgia rob you of the pep of a productive morning. These seven tips will help you give you the start you deserve.

The Facts about the FDA's Painkiller Abuse Strategy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a new risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) to combat widespread prescription painkiller abuse. How will it impact patients who take prescription medications for chronic pain? Get the facts here.

Commonly Misdiagnosed Digestive Problems

Digestive problems tend to disguise themselves as other conditions, and as a result, it can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. But your health depends on it.

TMJ: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a jaw disorder that at its most basic may cause minor pain and at its most involved may include myriad overlapping conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Could You Have Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column resulting from the simultaneous shrinking and drying out of the spinal discs and the swelling or growth of the spinal bones and ligaments. But it also may also have other causes.

How to Manage Your Chronic Illness-Related Depression

Depression is one of the most common complications in people with chronic illness, occurring in up to one-third of chronically ill patients. Learn how to manage your symptoms with these tips.

Lead an Active Lifestyle? Give Your Ankles Proper Support

If you're a regular weekend warrior, it's essential that you give your ankles proper support. Let us sift through the myths and give you all the facts.

Headaches During Exercise: Causes and Fixes

A lot of people think exercising is a headache, but for some people, it actually causes headaches. What causes exercise headaches and how can you stop them?

Could You Have Ankylosing Spondylitis?

For a disease that affects 2.4 million Americans, we don't hear enough about Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a painful and potentially debilitating disease. Could you be one of the millions? Find out here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What's the Difference?

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are generally acknowledged to be two separate conditions, but some experts now believe they're actually part of the same underlying disorder.

Does Spinal Manipulation Really Work?

Spinal manipulation has become a common treatment for many patients with chronic pain. In fact, as many as 60 percent of patients who see a traditional doctor for back pain will also see a chiropractor for spinal manipulation. But does it really work?

Osteoarthritis and Headaches: What's the Connection?

Did you know that joint wear and tear, also known as osteoarthritis, may be the cause of some head pain?

The Path to Perfect Posture

Good posture is the foundation for how the body moves, works and prospers. What exactly is good posture and how can you achieve it? Read on to become a posture perfectionist.

What is Hemochromatosis?

Also known as hereditary hemochromatosis, the body absorbs too much iron from foods you eat. The excess iron then gets stored in your organs, especially the liver, heart, and pancreas, which over time can damage them and lead to life-threatening illnesses.

5 Bad Habits that Cause Back Pain

More often than not, back pain is caused by repeated irritation spurred by poor practices. You can prevent and reverse damage to your back by cleaning up these five bad habits.

The Link between Chronic Pain and Obesity

Chronic pain and obesity are epidemics in the United States and new research is shedding some light on why. A new study that obesity and pain are also linked to each other as well as other conditions.

4 Ways to Use Yoga for Back Pain

Among the best and safest ways to properly strengthen your back and keep your spine, ligaments, and muscles limber is by doing yoga. Now, studies show that using yoga to relieve back pain is safe and effective.

Is That Feeling Angina or Indigestion?

Learn the essential rule of thumb for knowing the difference between heartburn and heart trouble.

The Link between Smoking and Chronic Back Pain

Patients suffering with low back pain, sciatica, and herniated discs may want to ditch the smokes if they really want to get out of pain. The reason: cigarette smoking increases risks for developing herniated discs and low back pain.

Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Differences between Men and Women

Chronic pelvic pain isn t just a problem for women. Plenty of men suffer from it too. What are the common sources of pelvic pain for men and women? Find out here.

Running Through Pain: When is it OK?

Forget about that famous "runner's high." Serious runners will tell you: running hurts, at least at first. If you can't run away from the pain, should you run through it?

The Link between Women, Migraines, and Multiple Sclerosis

According to a study presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 2010 Annual Meeting migraines are seen in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) more often than in women without. What's the link? Read on to find out.

Could Pelvic Pain and Migraines Be Connected?

A recent study from the National Institutes of Health says many women who suffer from migraines also suffer with chronic pelvic pain. Is there a connection between what s going on upstairs and what s going on below the belt? Find out here.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pain-Related Sleep Problems

Poor sleep and chronic pain often go hand-in-hand. While there are a variety of treatments to help you through the night, could Cognitive Behavioral Therapy be the best bet? Find out here.

Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease

How do you know if you have degenerative disc disease? If you have low back pain, are in your thirties or forties, and are otherwise healthy, you're a typical sufferer.

How to Get Quick Relief for a Bulging Disk

Bulging disks can be painful and debilitating. If quick relief is what you're after, follow these tips.

4 Bad Exercises for Bad Knees

The best way to avoid and recover from knee injury is to keep the muscles and ligaments surrounding your body's largest joint strong and flexible. If you have "bad knees," be careful about the exercises you choose.

The Link between Restless Leg Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Restless leg syndrome is 10 times more likely to affect people who have fibromyalgia than those who don't and may be one reason why they have trouble sleeping.

Can You Find Migraine Relief at the Dentist's Office?

Could eliminating your migraines be as easy as visiting your dentist? One dentist/physical therapist team in Scotland says, "yes," according to recent research and their unique drug-free approach.

10 Tell-Tale Signs of a Pinched Nerve

How do you know if you have a pinched nerve? Watch out for these signs.

10 Signs You're Having a Stress Headache

While there's no singular cause for stress headaches, they often occur when the body is literally under duress like when you're tired, worried, hungry, over-stimulated, working too hard or just fed up.

Bladder Problems and Fibromyalgia

Many patients with fibromyalgia, especially women, suffer with pelvic complaints and bladder problems.

The Link between Your Immune System and Your Back Pain

Scientists and doctors are making new discoveries every day about how the immune and autoimmune systems are intricately involved in all areas of our health, including our skeletal system and back health.

The Link Between TMJ and Headaches

Read on for a TMJ primer and tips for how to alleviate TMJ-related headaches.

Are Allergies Causing Your Joint Pain?

If you experience deep, painful aches, you may wonder if it could stem from allergies in some way, although it's possible for them to co-occur, experts say that joint pain and allergies are usually not related.

Does Anxiety Cause Joint Pain?

Joint pain may seem to naturally result from purely physical ailments such as arthritis, but there's significant evidence that joint pain can be caused or exacerbated by mental distress.

How to Choose the Proper Pain Medication

Choosing pain medication is challenging considering the dizzying array of options available. How do you know which one choose? That depends on what type of pain you re treating and your individual health profile.

How to Combat Thumb Arthritis

Why do some people get arthritis of the thumb and how can you manage this condition?

The Difference between Acute, Chronic, and Recurring Pain

Do you know the difference between chronic and recurring pain? If not, learning more about these very different pain conditions may make a big difference in how you eliminate pain from your life.

How Anxiety Affects Your Pain Symptoms

Many patients report pain several months or more after having surgery and scientists are developing clues as to why. Several studies have focused on understanding the interlinking roles of genetics, anxiety and pain.

Can Anger Increase Your Pain?

As if anger and sadness weren't tough enough, new studies indicate they may be even tougher on women with chronic pain, particularly fibromyalgia.

Are You Suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Normally, when someone gets injured, time heals the wounds and pain goes away. But patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD), don't heal that way. Instead, their pain gets worse instead of better and may even spread beyond the injured area.

Gender Roles in Pain Medication Abuse

New research has now determined that men and women misuse pain medication differently.

What's Causing Your Foot Pain?

When your heels hurt, your arches ache or your toes are tender, it s hard to put your best foot forward. Fixing foot pain starts with determining what s causing it.

How to Soothe Your Child s Aches and Pains

It can be hard to determine if your child is attempting to delay lights out during bed time or if she is in serious pain. Read on to see when you should worry about your child's aches and pain.

What Your Back Pain is Telling You

Backache isn t a one-size-fits-all complaint. Its location, severity, how fast it comes on and how long it hangs around says a lot about its cause, its cure and your health. Read on for four types of backaches and what you should do about them.

Unlocking a Mystery: Understanding Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia affects about one out of 50 people, with women much more susceptible than men. The main symptom of fibromyalgia is a widespread dull ache affecting multiple spots on the body, typically muscular in nature. Here, learn more about this condition.

Understanding Breakthrough Pain

Millions of Americans live with constant pain. But what if pain suddenly gets worse, your pain medication wears off too soon or you do something that aggravates your pain condition? That s called breakthrough pain.

4 Common Age-Related Pains

While most people of a certain age are healthy and living full, productive lives, growing older often comes with a few aches and pains. Not surprisingly, many older adults go through the same changes.

4 Causes of Headaches and Natural Remedies

What can you do to relieve your headache besides hit the medicine bottle? We ve got four natural headache remedies that will knock out your headaches right now and help prevent them in the future.

Remedy the Pain in Your Butt

It is not uncommon for people to end up with pain in their gluteal region, or buttocks.

Foods that Trigger Migraines

Certain foods pull the trigger that leads to crippling headaches.

The Link between Your Posture and Your Headaches

I have treated many patients with migraine headaches who suffered for years because a proper diagnosis was never made. Migraine headaches are difficult to establish a cause for because there are many possible causes.

Lifestyle Changes for Sciatica

Changing your lifestyle habits could make a difference in whether or not you experience sciatica.

The Link Between Smoking and Migraines

Avoiding exposure to smoke can prevent the onset of a migraine.

7 Common Pain Symptoms in Depressives

People who suffer from chronic pain are three times more likely to develop mood or anxiety disorders, and depressed people are three times more likely to develop chronic pain.

Sleep Problems Associated with Fibromyalgia

Since fatigue is one of the main painful characteristics of fibromyalgia, getting sufficient quality sleep is essential.

What is Tinnitus and How to Treat It

If you are struggling with tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, there are a range of treatments to consider.

How to Establish the Cause of Functional Pain

Experiencing functional pain? If so, look to the muscle for establishing the cause.

How to Cope with Allergy-Related Migraines

Dietary modification, environmental modifications, and allergy medications can all help in preventing the onset of allergy-related migraines.

How Strengthening Your Hips Will Prevent Back Pain

When some one has pain on one side of the lower back, it's not uncommon to find either gluteus medius is weak causing the lower back muscle to strain.

5 Rare Pain Disorders

Suffering from a rare pain disorder not only affects your physical health, but also your mental health.

Is a Meniscal Tear Causing Your Knee Pain?

Physical therapist Mitchell Yass examines the true causes of knee pain.

How to Remedy Trigger Finger

It seems that trigger finger is not the most common of injuries that people experience, but when it occurs, it is a real nuisance. It affects your ability to grab objects and can be very painful.

How to Decide if Surgery Can Solve Your Low Back Pain

While there are many back surgery success stories, surgeons advise that the decision for surgery should not be rushed.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Think Muscle Not Nerve

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most misdiagnosed syndromes.

5 Surprising Headache Triggers

Perfumes, weather, and even your up-do can cause that dreaded headache.

9 Diet Commandments for Pain Patients

Many of the foods that you eat may be making your pain worse. Knowing what foods to avoid and what other dietary changes you can make to eliminate your pain could be the key to changing the quality of your life.

Understanding How a Muscle in Pain Works

Understanding how muscle works can help to understand how muscle can affect pain.

Texting Can Be a Pain in the Neck and Shoulders

Too much text messaging may increase the risk of neck or shoulder pain, a recent study shows.

Fibromyalgia and Allergies: Are They Related?

Perhaps you've tried 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.

Understanding the Fibromyalgia-Diet Connection

Staying away from certain foods and adding others might help your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Joint Pain and Structural Abnormalities

Does one always mean the other? Chances are that the answer is "no".

Why Light Worsens Migraine Headaches

Study observing blind migraine patients explains why light worsens migraine headaches.

Referred Pain vs. Point Tender Pain

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 lies in 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.

Should You Have Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

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.

Back Pain and Osteoporosis

Back pain can be caused by a number of conditions, but one that is often overlooked in osteoporosis.

Running Shoes Linked to Joint Strain

A new study suggests that high-tech running shoes can cause joint strain.

Is Your Pain Caused By Structural or Muscular Abnormalities?

Physical therapist Mitchell Yass discusses the differences between structural and muscular causes of pain and how they should be treated.

Strengthen the "Core" for Back Pain? Think Again

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.

Pros and Cons of Using a Back Brace

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.

How can back and joint pain be prevented in the first place?

Physical therapist Mitchell Yass answers readers' questions about back pain in our exclusive weekly series.

What causes back spasms and how can they be treated?

Physical Therapist Mitchell T. Yass answers a reader's question about treating his back spasms.

Is Sleep Causing Your Neck and Back Pain?

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.

The Truth Behind Stress-Related Neck Pain

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.

Back Pain and PMS

Back pain is one of the more common symptoms of PMS, and can range from a small ache to debilitating pain.

Understanding Referred Pain and Phantom Pain

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.

Trigger Point Therapy for Chronic Pain

Trigger point therapy may be a good option in treating chronic pain in some patients.

How to Prevent a Hernia from Recurring

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.

How Painful is Passing a Kidney Stone?

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.

Can Pain Be Triggered by Weather?

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.

Share Your Story. Become a Health Hero.

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!

Heel Spur or Plantar Fasciitis

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.

Muscle Soreness vs. Pain

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.

Pain Management: Common Migraine Triggers

If you are suffering from migraine headaches, finding out what triggers them may be the best medicine.

Is Sciatica Caused by Herniated Discs?

Forty million people are estimated to suffer from sciatica. But is there a misconception about its cause?

Battling Chronic Lupus Complications

Here's how to reduce the risk of four common lupus complications miscarriage, kidney failure, infections, and heart disease.

Chronic Pain vs. Acute Pain

Find out why chronic pain is typically misdiagnosed as acute pain.

Neck Pain and Posture

You'd be surprised by the cause of your pain.

Fibromyalgia and Depression

Suffering from fibromyalgia? Learn more about the risks of depression and what you can do to protect yourself from this mood disorder.

Causes of Inguinal Hernias: An Overview

Find out what causes inguinal hernias the most common type of hernia and how to prevent them.

Do Herniated Discs Always Cause Pain?

Seventy percent of the population have herniated discs and have no pain.

Lupus and Nerve Damage

Lupus can cause neuropathy, also known as nerve damage. Learn about the symptoms, prevention and coping strategies you can use.

Treatment Options for Inguinal Hernia

Learn what causes an inguinal hernia and the best treatment options for this common health problem.

What Causes Lupus?

Here, an overview of the causes of lupus, an autoimmune condition characterized by pain, fatigue, photosensitivity and skin rashes.

7 Ways to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Here, lifestyle and workplace strategies that prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Don t Let Chronic Pain Ruin Your Sex Life

Chronic pain and sex are not good bedfellows. Learn ways to reduce the impact that pain can have on your sex life and relationship.

Common Fibromyalgia Misdiagnoses

Other illnesses have similar symptoms to fibromyalgia, which can lead to misdiagnosis and treatment. Learn how to tell the difference.

4 Pains You Should Never Ignore

When is pain a sign that something might be seriously wrong? Here, four pains you should never shrug off.

The Dangers of Concussions

Scientists discover that concussions can damage brain tissue and impair brain function. Find out more about these common injuries, prevention and treatment.

5 Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common, but very treatable, condition. This article reveals the causes, tests and treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Perils of High Heels

Sky-high stilettos may be fashionable, but podiatrists advocate more down-to-earth footwear.

A Triple Threat: Lupus, Heart Disease, and Osteoporosis

Lupus affects more women than men, but it also worsens two of the most common health problems women have heart disease and osteoporosis.

Pinched Nerve Treatment and Relief

How to relieve and treat a pinched nerve.

How to Avoid Common Gym Injuries

Here, get common sense advice on how to avoid common gym injuries and prevent chronic pain in the future.

Pregnancy and Neonatal Lupus

A look at pregnancy and neonatal lupus. Get information and tips on how to have a healthier pregnancy.

Sports Injury or Sports Hernia?

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.

Fibromyalgia: Natural and Alternative Treatment

Natural and alternative treatments for fibromyalgia can be effective.

Neck Pain: When to Call a Doctor

Neck pain can be fleeting, but accompanying symptoms and duration may be signs that it s time to call a doctor.

Migraine Myths

When it comes to migraines, it can be difficult separating fact from fiction. Get the real story on the disease's biggest misconceptions.

15 Ways to Prevent Back Pain

Although back pain is common, it doesn't have to be inevitable. Follow these easy tips to reduce your risk.

How Your Diet Affects Arthritis

Can changing how you eat help ease arthritis symptoms? The jury is out.

Panic Disorder and Heart Health

See how this disorder that affects 6 million Americans can be a burden to your heart.

Hip Fractures 101

Learn more about what causes hip fractures and how you can prevent them from affecting you or a loved one.

Understanding Hip Pain

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.

Understanding IBS

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.

What's Causing Your Headaches?

Plagued by painful headaches? Find out how to pinpoint their source so you can prevent and treat them.

Understanding Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. Here, a guide for patients and their loved ones.

Health Hero: Karen Calvert

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.
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