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What causes sudden back pain when I turn to the right and bend slightly?
Seven years ago I had a left mastectomy due to breast cancer… I was in the bathroom, turned to the right and bend ever so slightly to throw something away in the waste basket, and BAM!! Excruciating sudden back pain and terrible spasm in my lower left back.
I ran...Read More »
Contracture can cause back pain, breast pain, or a stiff neck – here's how
––A contracture is a permanent or near-permanent shortening of a muscle, tendon, the skin or tissues immediately below the skin, or the tissues around a major joint causing a structural change and loss of movement. Contractures can develop most anywhere.
A contracture develops when normally elastic and stretchy tissues...Read More »
Osteoporosis definition and back pain diet
How do you define osteoporosis?
Everyone wants an osteoporosis definition when they first are given this diagnosis and are warned their bones are brittle. Many of us have heard the term, but are unsure how to exactly define osteoporosis or how to deal with it. Besides, osteoporosis sounds...Read More »
Body aches and pains: 11 tips when you hurt all over
What to do when your body aches all over
Body aches and pains are common. When you hurt all over it can seem like the discomfort is coming from multiple groups of muscles, joints and deep in the bones. Body aches arise from the soft tissue of the body:
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Fascia
- Cartilage
- Organs
Vitamin D deficiency, back pain and body aches
Reduced vitamin D levels and skeletal pain
Vitamin D deficiency should be important for readers of the Dr. Lumbago website to understand. A lack of vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin, is known to cause skeletal pain in all parts of the body especially the low back...Read More »
Osteomalacia: 11 things you must know to avoid bone fracture and back pain
What is osteomalacia?
Osteomalacia is a medical term that means “soft bones.” The significance of this bone problem is that soft bones are likely to bow or bend and far more like to fracture than hard healthy bones. People over 50, especially those who are house-confined or receive...Read More »
What can be done to relieve facet joint hypertrophy and pain in my back?
Spinal Facet Joints or Zygapophyseal Joint Hypertrophy
A lot can be done to reduce or eliminate pain and related symptoms of facet hypertrophy and facet arthropathy, depending on the degree of involvement. First, it is necessary to know more a bit more about the problem so treatment can...Read More »
Caffeine headache: 11 Ways to beat caffeine withdrawal symptoms now
A caffeine headache can occur because caffeine is a drug that is common in our diet. This drug is highly advertised and socially acceptable in our culture so many people are exposed to it – often to excess. It is no wonder that caffeine headaches are so common. People refer...Read More »
15 Ways to treat a pulled back muscle, reduce muscle spasms and relieve back pain
What can I do to help the pulled muscle in my low back?
A pulled muscle, no matter where it occurs, is just another name for a muscle strain. A muscle pull or strain occurs when all or an isolated portion of a muscle is stretched beyond...Read More »
Are my muscle spasms from fibromyalgia or something else? A doctor explains
Muscle spasm, muscle cramp or Charlie horse? What is the difference?
Before discussing muscle spasms and fibromyalgia, here is a description of a few overlapping and synonymous terms:
- Muscle spasm – a sudden, painful, involuntary and prolonged contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, lasting from a few seconds...Read More »
7 Best back exercises and stretches for relief of muscle spasms and pain
Lower back stretches and exercises for muscle soreness and lower back spasms
Low back pain can make even small daily activities like getting dressed, bathing or going to the bathroom feel like they are impossible to do. Prompt and thorough treatment of even small back with back exercises pain...Read More »
18 ways to improve posture, have less back pain and more energy now
Exercises, ideas and tricks to improve posture, feel better all over
This article presents practical strategies and ideas for the person who is serious about finding ways to improve posture and feel better. Using just a few of the wide variety of interesting and helpful suggestions to improve...Read More »
Doctor’s 21 tips to improve posture and relieve back pain now
Ideas and tricks to get good posture
This article is for the person who is serious about correcting posture problems; many practical ideas to develop good posture.
The following is wide variety of interesting and helpful suggestions to improve your standing and sitting posture, and keep it that way. You...Read More »
Is it bad to crack your back? A chiropractor answers
Dr. Lumbago,
My mother who is 68 years of age goes to her chiropractor a few times a year when her headaches and low back pain start to bother her. She has always been a very active woman having grown up and living on a farm all her life. She...Read More »
Degenerative disc disease: 11 things everyone should know
Disc degeneration: Part of aging process
Degenerative disc disease is a somewhat deceptive term because it is not really a disease and it is frequently used interchangeably with “bulging disc”. This common problem of the spinal discs is absolutely not a disease and it is not contagious or transferable....Read More »
A doctor explains how a pinched nerve in the back causes sciatica pain in the leg
Hi Dr. Lumbago,
I hope you have some answers for me. Sometimes I have pain in my lower back, and sometimes it goes down my butt and into the back part of my upper leg or thigh and ends about at the back of the knee. When I get pain in...Read More »
7 Tips from a doctor about using a heating pad (and cold packs) for a bad low back
Hello Doctor,
My chronic bad back seems to respond best to an old fashioned heating pad. Do you have any suggestions about how to use an electric heating pad for best results?
I have a tired old back that has bothered me for many years and acts up on me fairly often. ...Read More »
Back pain doctor answers, "What causes low back pain?"
Everyone wants to know what causes low back pain, as though there was a single and simple answer. Here is a direct and honest to an email that asks this common question.
Hi Doctor,
Even though I am only 31 years old my back bothers me a lot most of the time. ...Read More »
Back doctor discusses 29 important ways to relieve lower back pain
Low back pain can be relieved, improved or eliminated by making a few personal changes and using simple procedures that are outlined in this list of 29 tactics.
Lower back pain is such a common complaint that chances are you or someone in your family has frequent back pain. Of...Read More »
What is the best way to find the best chiropractor?
Here is an interesting email from someone wanting to know how to find the best chiropractor in an area.
Greetings Dr. L.,
I want you to know I enjoy your back and neck pain website because it gives information I have not found on other medical websites. I especially like the fact...Read More »
A doctor explains away the mystery of fibromyalgia, and how to get help now
Dr. Lumbago,
I hope you can help me. I have had pains all over my body for a long time, actually since around the time right after my 2nd child was born when I was 28 years old. People think I am making it up when I tell them how much...Read More »
5 Ways a chiropractor can significantly help lumbar instability and low back pain
Hello Doctor,
I went to my family physician last week for a problem I am having with almost constant low back pain that has been slowly worsening for several months. I have not injured myself recently and I believe I am in otherwise excellent health. She said that I have lumbar...Read More »
What’s the best way to relieve neck pain if you have cervical arthritis?
Hello Doctor,
When I was in my early teens I had a farming accident driving a tractor up the side of deep culvert and it rolled over on me and almost killed me. I had multiple fractures with my left arm, shoulder blade and collar bone, and I had head injuries...Read More »
How can hamstring stretches help my low back pain and sciatica?
Hamstring stretches are almost always indicated for people who suffer from low back pain.
Here is an interesting question from someone who wanted to know how doing hamstring stretches (located in the back part of the upper thigh) 0could help reduce back pain.
Dr. Lumbago,
I figure with a name like Lumbago you...Read More »
Hamstring stretches: Explained by Spinal Specialist with 40 years experience
Hamstring stretches for low back pain relief
Lower back stretches and hamstring exercises for tight hamstring muscles
Hamstring stretches, also known as hip stretches, are primarily used to reverse the negative effect of tight hamstring muscles on the lower back, pelvis and legs. Any group of lower back...Read More »
What do spinal stenosis and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" have in common?
Hello Doctor,
I have been bothered a lot by pain in the center of my low back near the waistline with leg pain sometimes in both legs for the last few years. This problem acts up at strange times regardless of what I am doing at the time. It feels like...Read More »
Can acupuncture treatment help my chronic low back pain?
Greetings KRJ,
Well, that is a remarkable story of perseverance and strength of character that you displayed as a young man. Congratulations to you for growing beyond the artificial limitations that an unfortunate accident put in front of you. It is easy to understand your interest in acupuncture treatment.
Yes, I...Read More »
Is a pinched nerve causing my pain and stiff neck?
Hi,
I found your lumbago website on the internet when I was looking to see if there is a connection between a pinched nerve, neck pain, and almost constant stiff neck and whiplash automobile injuries.
About three years ago I had a whiplash neck injury during a bad car accident when I...Read More »
What can I do when my back hurts?
hi. what can I do when my back hurts? thanx. penny
Greetings Penny,
Well you didn’t give me much to work with, did you, Penny? Usually I try to provide several specific ideas and information about your back pain that might be helpful to your unique situation. Because your question is...Read More »
Pain is a big difference between bulging disc and herniated disc, here's why
There are many points of difference between bulging disc and herniated disc tissue. Here is an email that was sent to me wanting to know if two doctors who gave two different diagnoses are saying basically the same thing or greatly different things.
Hello Doctor,
I hope you can clear up...Read More »
Should I go to a chiropractor for a back cracking?
hi,
i am 26 and i play a lot of sports and stuff and always have since i was a kid, so i am getting hit or falling down or doing something to hurt my neck and upper back all the time, espcially between the shoulder blades. i guess i learned...Read More »
If I have a spinal fusion will I be able to bend my low back?
Hi doctor,
Last week I went to my family doctor for my annual examination. Once again I complained about how much my low back bothers me most of the time. He casually reminded me that I have arthritis in my spine. He said that if I really wanted to end my...Read More »
What are some good back exercises if you have osteoporosis?
Hi Dr. Lumbago,
What are some good back exercises? I am a woman 68 years old, with slight osteoporosis and some lumbar spinal curvature. Occasionally I get some low back pain, but nothing serious that does not last long, probably like most people. I am very active for my age...Read More »
Should I have an operation on my herniated discs?
Dr. Lumbago,
Here’s my story. I hope you can tell me what I should do.
Last year, almost 14 months ago, I had an accident at work on a fork lift truck when another employee hit me with his fork lift truck that was going at a high rate of speed,...Read More »
"What is a migraine headache?" Headache specialist explains diagnosis
Exactly what is a migraine headache? I get terrible headaches in the front and top part of my head that just kill me sometimes, and no one has been able to help me. I was thinking that maybe these are migraines and I am causing them somehow by what I...Read More »
How to find a chiropractor: By Chiropractor with 40 years experience
Dr. Lumbago,
Do you have any suggestions how to find a chiropractor in my area? I am looking for a chiropractor in the southern part of Denver.
Some people have told me that not all doctors of chiropractic do the same thing, and some are better than others.
Any help would be appreciated....Read More »
Spine doctor describes spondylosis treatment and 7 ways to reduce spinal pain
Treatment for spondylosis: Degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine
How can I get relief from spondylosis pain?
To assist the natural tendency of the body to heal and repair to the best of its ability, always follow any instructions provided by your doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist:
- Take all prescribed and OTC medication...Read More »
Spinal stenosis surgery: 5 critical questions to ask before undergoing the knife
What about surgery for spinal stenosis?
Spinal injection of cortisone instead of spinal stenosis surgery?
Before considering spinal stenosis surgery you might want to explore how much help you can find from a simple spinal cortisone injectionzoginrelief
An injection of cortisone into the space just outside the...Read More »
Sciatic neuritis: 9 step at-home sciatica treatment plan gets rid of leg pain
Basic therapy for sciatic neuritis pain you can do for yourself
If your condition has been diagnosed as sciatic neuritis, or sciatica, due to a bulged lumbar disc, and you are suffering from low back and leg pain, here are simple home sciatica treatments suggestions that will help...Read More »
Best back exercises: Truth or illusion or a bit of both?
Exercises for lower back pain – lower back exercises
There is controversy about finding and doing the best back exercises.
Back exercises of various types have been confirmed in clinical studies showing they are effective in preventing lower back pain and reducing lost work days. However, this benefit...Read More »
Acupuncture for pain control works great – an acupuncturist tells you how
––How can I use acupuncture for pain control?
Acupuncture and acupressure for back and neck pain
Acupuncture for pain control is ideal for the person who has acute pain, or chronic pain from spinal arthritis causing lower back pain, sciatica, neck and headaches. Using either traditional acupuncture...Read More »
