Back Pain Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Skeletal spine Vertebra, lumbar (low back) Show all 5 photos Backaches and stress Alternative Names Stress and backaches Information Question: Can stress cause backaches? Answer: Stress can make you more likely to get a backache. Also, reducing stress can help you recover more quickly from a back injury. But, be careful not to blame back pain on stress, because you may be overlooking a serious cause. It is important to see a doctor right away if: Your back pain extends to the buttocks, arms, or legs You have weakness or numbness in your arms or legs You have any loss of bladder or bowel control The pain wakes you up from sleep See also: Low back pain References Aminoff MJ. Mechanical and other lesions of the spine, nerve roots, and spinal cord. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 423. Continue reading this article

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Herniated disk (6 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A herniated (slipped) disk occurs when all or part of a spinal disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. This places pressure on nearby nerves. See also: Low back painReviewer: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/10/2009
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Compression fractures of the back (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Compression fractures of the back are broken vertebrae, which are the bones of the spine.Reviewer: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery.Date: 11/30/2009
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Tailbone trauma (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Tailbone trauma is an injury to the small bone at the lower tip of the spine.Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/12/2008
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Scoliosis (11 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Scoliosis is a curving of the spine. The spine curves away from the middle or sideways.Reviewer: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. Date: 09/17/2009
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Kyphosis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Kyphosis is a curving of the spine that causes a bowing of the back, which leads to a hunchback or slouching posture.Reviewer: Andrew L Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/17/2008
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Lordosis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Lordosis is an increased curving of the spine.Reviewer: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/27/2008
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Diskitis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Diskitis is swelling (inflammation) and irritation of the space between the bones of the spine (intervertebral disk space.Reviewer: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/17/2008
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Lumbosacral spine x-ray (6 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A lumbosacral spine x-ray is a picture of the small bones (vertebrae) in the lower part of the spine (the lumbar region) and the sacrum, the area that connects the spine to the pelvis.Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/22/2009
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Lumbosacral spine CT (5 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A lumbosacral spine CT is a computed tomography scan of the lower spine and surrounding tissues.Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/11/2008
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Taking care of your back at home (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A common misconception about back pain is that you need to rest and avoid activity for a long time. In fact, bed rest is NOT recommended. If you have no sign of a serious cause for your back pain (such as loss of bowel or bladder control, weakness...Reviewer: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/10/2009
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Diskectomy (5 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Diskectomy is surgery to remove all or part of a cushion that helps protect your spinal column. These cushions, called disks, separate your spinal bones (vertebrae. When one of your disks herniates (moves out of place), the soft gel inside pushes ...Reviewer: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/04/2009
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Spinal fusion (2 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Spinal fusion is surgery to fuse spine bones (vertebrae) that cause you to have back problems. Fusing means two bones are permanently placed together so there is no longer movement between them. Spinal fusion is usually done along with other surgi...Reviewer: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/04/2009
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Back Pain in Pregnancy - and Why Men Can Get It in The Fitness Fixer - 2 years 283 days ago

I asked the professors why women could also get it before and after pregnancy, and why men got the same kind of compressive force on the joints of the spin... Email  |  Save

Back Pain From Running in The Fitness Fixer - 2 years 131 days ago

One of my areas of injury research for both Army and Navy aeromedical systems was preventing back pain from running. Disease Non-Battle Injuries (DNBI) fro... Email  |  Save

Prevent Main Factor in Back Pain After Running and Walking in The Fitness Fixer - 2 years 123 days ago

This kind of back pain is not inflammatory so does not benefit by anti-inflammatory medicine, which often causes its own problems. Hamstring and other stre... Email  |  Save