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Can you tell me about Degenerative Disc Disease? |
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Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the soft central portion of the spinal disc loses some of its water content and begins to dry out. The breakdown of the spinal discs begins at about age 20 and continues to “degenerate” with age. It occurs anywhere on the spine, but it most often develops in the neck and lower back. Many people don't have pain; others have severe pain that limits activities. This condition is treatable with appropriate exercise, body mechanics, anti-inflammatory medication, and spinal injection procedures. It rarely requires surgery. |
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December 18, 2007
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What are some helpful hints for lifting? I often aggravate an old back pain injury. |
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If you lift and bend properly, you can prevent a new back injury and future flare-ups. Here are some tips. Plan your lift ahead. Maximum weight for men is 50-60 pounds and 30-35 pounds for women. Place feet and knees shoulder-width apart and keep your arms straight down. Bend at the knees, use legs for power, and lift using moderate speed. Keep weight of object as close to your body. Balance the load equally on both sides of your body. Carefully move and lower the object. |
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December 4, 2007
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My mom suffers from Coccydynia. What is it? What helps? |
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Coccydynia is pain in or around the area of the coccyx (tailbone). It's common with women since their pelvis is broader and their tailbone is more exposed. Symptoms include: intense pain/tenderness in the tailbone area, bruising, and pain during sexual intercourse. To treat: apply ice 4 times/day for first few days, take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen), and eat foods high in fiber to soften stools and avoid constipation. Use a therapeutic sitting cushion to take the pressure off of the tailbone when sitting and avoid sitting for long periods. |
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November 20, 2007
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I recently heard of golfer's elbow. Is it like tennis elbow? |
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Golfer's elbow (inside elbow) is similar to tennis elbow (outside elbow). Both are caused by overusing the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint. Both are forms of tendonitis. The differences are the location of the pain and cause of injury. To treat, rest from golf/tennis until the pain eases, apply ice 3-4 times/day, take an anti-inflammatory, and strengthen wrist and forearm muscles with physical therapy. When you return, confirm your swing with a pro. An improper technique may aggravate the problem. |
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November 6, 2007
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What is a bulging disc? What helps the pain? |
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A bulging disc occurs when tough outer fibers of the spinal disc weaken/stretch due to degeneration of the inter vertebral disc, allowing jelly-like fluid inside the disc to “bulge” outwardly without bursting. It can develop anywhere in the spine, but usually in the neck and/or lower back. It can pinch spinal nerves resulting in leg, hip, arm, and/or neck pain. If diagnosed, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, epidural injections, and rest can be utilized in treating. Sit/sleep in the neutral position, using a small pillow or rolled towel to support the lower back. |
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October 23, 2007
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I heard Botox can help back pain. How? |
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While Botox® is known for treating wrinkles, it's also used to treat a variety of painful conditions including migraines, back and neck pain, as well as spasticity. Botox is the brand name of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When small diluted amounts are injected into specific muscle tissue, it paralyzes the signals from the nerves to the muscles, relaxing the muscle and increasing range of motion. The procedure is brief and doesn't require anesthesia. The subsequent muscle relaxation provided by the Botox injections allows for pain relief healing. |
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October 9, 2007
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I am a 54-year-old woman and was just diagnosed with osteoarthritis. What advice can you provide? |
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Also known as degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis is common for women over the age of 50. One in five adults has osteoarthritis, a condition affecting cartilage in the spine, hips, knees, feet, and hands. Treatment is typically a combination of pain medication and therapy to reduce joint pain and inflammation while improving/maintaining joint function. Surgery is sometimes necessary. Additional steps that can be taken under your physician's care include: regular exercise, a healthy diet, controlling your weight, applying heat, practicing relaxation techniques, and knowing your limits. |
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September 25, 2007
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I am diabetic and suffer from foot pain. What do you suggest to help prevent pain from reoccurring? |
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Foot pain in diabetics is contributed to decreased blood flow, circulation problems, and/or neuropathy which can leave a loss of feeling in hands and feet. Unfortunately, treatment can only reduce pain, not eliminate. To minimize the pain, wash feet daily with cool water and mild soap. Use a lotion to keep the skin moist. Never walk barefoot. Buy shoes late in the day that have wide tips to allow room for your toes to wiggle. Don't wear the same shoes every day. |
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September 11, 2007
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I'm 7-months pregnant and my back constantly hurts. What can I do? |
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Back pain is common during pregnancy brought on by weight gain and increased hormones. To minimize the pain, practice good posture and reduce activities that place stress on your lower back and pelvis. Sit/stand carefully and sleep on your side. Lift/bend appropriately and avoid lifting heavy objects. Wear low-heeled shoes with good arch support and take short breaks. To treat pain, apply heat, cold, or a massage. Acetaminophen is safe to take whereas other pain relievers (aspirin, ibuprofen) aren't. Check with your obstetrician before taking medication or exercising. |
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August 28, 2007
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I just learned I have scoliosis and I'm in my 40's. Will it worsen over time? What should I do? |
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Treatment of scoliosis in adults is different than scoliosis in the young. As a person with scoliosis ages, the spine prematurely ages with changes in back joints, such as bone spurs, degenerative discs, and thickened spinal ligaments. These degenerative changes superimposed on a curved spine can cause back pain, leg pain, spinal imbalance, or worsen the curve. Most patients with adult scoliosis respond well to conservative treatment and lead a normal life. If experiencing pain, treatment should start with a non-invasive approach, including physical therapy and/or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Few patients with adult scoliosis require surgery. |
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August 14, 2007
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I play a lot of tennis and think I have tennis elbow. What is it? How I can help the healing? |
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A symptom of lateral epicondylitis, or “tennis elbow”, is soreness or pain on the outer side of the elbow. It's most common with adults during their 40s. Frequent twisting movements of the hand, wrist or forearm are usually the causes which damage the tendon at the elbow where the forearm and hand muscles connect to the upper. Once diagnosed, treatment includes rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medicine, splinting, physical therapy and /or cortisone injections. Surgery is seldom needed. |
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July 31, 2007
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I spend a lot of time on the computer. Lately, my wrists are hurting. Is this carpal tunnel? |
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Wrist pain and numbness to the thumb and first two fingers are symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. A common perception is it is caused by extended use of the wrists and hands on a keyboard. Recent research shows the major cause is genetics rather than repetitive use. The condition develops when fluid, bone, or tight tendons press on the nerve within the carpal tunnel of a wrist. It's more common in women, the elder, and those with diabetes, thyroid conditions or rheumatoid arthritis. |
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July 17, 2007
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I have a herniated disc in my lower back. What can help my pain, get me back 100% and prevent another disc herniation? |
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Most people with a disc herniation respond to non-surgical treatment. Medications and specialized spinal injections are often used to reduce pain and inflammation. Exercise, to strengthen stomach and back muscles, is key for treating and preventing a disc herniation. Most disc herniations heal on their own. About 50% recover within one month; 95% after six months. In addition to regular exercise — good posture, proper body mechanics, and maintaining an ideal body weight are ways to prevent another disc herniation. |
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July 3, 2007
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I just started to weight lift and notice guys wearing weight belts. Should I also be wearing one? |
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Many, if not all, weight-lifters wear weight belts to maintain proper form and to prevent an injury to the low back. While support from a belt does reduce spine pressure, current research questions its actual value of minimizing stress to the surrounding structures of the spine. Nevertheless, wearing a belt might decrease the chance of back injury when power lifting or performing squats and dead lifts. Most importantly, proper technique while training and competing is the most effective way to avoid injury. |
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June 19, 2007
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Can you tell me the treatment options for Trigeminal Neuralgia? |
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Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a common painful condition that usually affects one side of the face producing brief, severe, sharp, and electric pain. Unfortunately TN tends to be a chronic condition that lasts a lifetime. Some patients can have long periods of remission lasting months to years. Treatment includes oral medications, physical therapy, injection procedures, and surgical intervention. Tegretol, a seizure medication, is the drug of choice in treating TN. The most frequent surgical treatments are gamma knife tractotomy, radiofrequency gangliolysis, retrogasserian glycerol injection, and micro-vascular decompression. |
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June 5, 2007
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I was just diagnosed with a painful bladder syndrome called Interstitial Cystitis. I am not familiar with this condition. What options do I have for treatment? |
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Interstitial Cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder wall of unknown etiology. Women are most commonly afflicted by IC with more than 700,000 cases of IC diagnosed every year in the U.S. The most common symptoms of IC are urinary frequency, urgency, and pain. Treatment options include diet, nutritional supplements, oral medications, physical therapy, bladder instillation techniques, electrical stimulation of bladder nerves, and surgery. |
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May 22, 2007
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I worry about my elderly mother. She has chronic low back pain, but no one can identify the cause. What can help her pain? |
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The incidence of pain in the elderly (ages 65 and older) has been reported between 20-50%. Elderly patients can have one or more chronic diseases causing pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, degenerative joint disease, osteoporosis, and trauma. Physiological changes of aging can impact the pharmacological approach for pain management, and therefore caution must be taken when prescribing pain medication. A thorough examination of her back should identify the more common causes of pain listed above. |
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May 8, 2007
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My husband was in a head-on car collision and suffers from neck pain. He's been diagnosed with whiplash. What can help relieve his pain other then medication? |
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Whiplash injuries are the most frequent cause of cervical sprains and strains with over 1 million cases in the U.S. every year, most commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents. A strong emphasis on rehabilitation – divided into three phases: acute, restorative, and maintenance – is the best approach for relief of symptoms and functional restoration. Specialized spinal injections should be considered if significant neck pain continues six to eight weeks after the accident. |
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April 24, 2007
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I have increasing pain with chewing, limited mouth opening, and jaw clicking. Will this go away on its own or should I see my doctor? |
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What you describe are primary symptoms of Temporal Mandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ). TMJ affects 10 million Americans, afflicts women four times more often than men between 20 and 40 years of age, and is divided into three categories involving the mastication muscles and the joint. Additional symptoms include earache, headache, and neck pain. Treatment outcome is improved with early diagnosis. See your physician for treatment and a diagnostic evaluation through x-rays, CT and/or MRI. |
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April 10, 2007
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A friend has the shingles and is in isolation. How long does this virus linger and what are the risk factors? |
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Herpes Zoster (shingles) is a highly-contagious DNA virus that enters the sensory dorsal root ganglion during primary infection and remains dormant for decades before surfacing. The virus appears when there is a decrease in the virus specific cell mediated immunity, leading to a bumpy rash and significant pain. Recovery periods vary per patient, anywhere from weeks to months and sometimes longer. Additional risk factors include: post herpetic neuralgia, ophthalmic zoster, prodromal pain, and an immunocompromised state. |
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March 27, 2007
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I have low back pain from my extensive garden work. Do you have any suggestions how to prevent the pain? |
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Low back pain is the second most common reason that we seek medical care. Approximately 90% of us will suffer from it during our lifetime. The good news is nine out of ten patients will recover from back pain within four weeks with or without treatment. Prevention tips include: lift with the legs not the back; don’t lift heavy objects; wear low-heeled shoes; get consistent sleep; shift heavy purses/briefcases; stop activity that hurts; don’t stoop; and exercise regularly. |
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March 13, 2007
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I suffer from chronic neck pain. My physician is recommending radiofrequency surgery. What is this and will it stop my pain? |
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Radiofrequency surgery treats a variety of painful conditions, including chronic neck and back pain, headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, RSD, sciatica, facet syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, TMJ, and cancer pain. It’s performed under fluoroscopic guidance and lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Following the procedure, some patients experience a temporary burning sensation that is controlled with medication. After a one to two-year period, nerves can regenerate and require another RF surgery depending on the degree of pain. |
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February 27, 2007
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My father has had pain for years and was just diagnosed with osteoporosis. Tell me more about osteoporosis and what can help his suffering? |
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Take calcium and vitamin D, which is important for calcium absorption, daily. Avoid smoking and excessive alchohol. Exercise regularly. Bisphosphonates (Fosamax) and Calcitonin, a natural hormone, slow the rate of bone resorption. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (Evista) are used in women to slow bone resorption and increase bone density. Parathyroid hormone injections are given to those with severe osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture. Estrogen with or without progesterone reduces bone loss but both have been recommended for short term use because of their increased risk for breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and dementia. |
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February 13 , 2007
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I live an active lifestyle with work, family, and exercise. Recently, my lower back has become painful. What can I do about my pain? |
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Treatment for a person suffering from low back pain, who participates in exercise or strenuous back activities, such as lifting, shoveling or vacuuming, should be tailored to the specific type of injury experienced and the goals for functional restoration. A serious injury, such as ligamentous disruption, disc herniation, or fracture, first needs to be ruled out. Individuals without serious injury are encouraged to continue their general activity, within tolerance, after seen by their physician. |
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January 30 , 2007
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How much calcium is recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis? |
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It is important to take calcium regularly from the time of birth to maximize calcium stores. We lose calcium as we age, so the more calcium that we have the better our chances to prevent the development of osteoporosis. The National Academy of Sciences recommends the following daily calcium intake in milligrams (mg) by age.
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