Tag: back pain

Causes of Upper Back Pain

True, the upper back does not cause as many visits to the doctor as the lower back does. Because less motion occurs in the upper than the lower back, this area of the spine does not usually see as much instability as the lower back. However, just because upper back pain tends not to be as prevalent as lower back pain, upper back pain can be just as disruptive and even debilitating. For additional help in answering any question related to upper back pain contact a top back specialist in your area today.

The upper back, or the ‘thoracic spine’ (which literally means ‘pertaining to the chest’) is less likely to develop the more common spinal disorders such as ruptured or herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. These conditions can still, however, occur in the upper back, but are more rare. Because of the limited motion that occurs in the upper back compared to the lower, there is not as much risk of degeneration in this area.

Back Pain, Lower back pain July 1, 2014 0Comments

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Back pain reportedly affects 80 to 90 percent of all Americans at some point in their lives. More than half of us in this country are suffering from lower back pain right now. And lower back pain does not discriminate … both men and women are generally equally affected. In fact, lower back pain is the fifth most common reason for doctor visits in the United States. Are you one of those people? Do you find that you can’t stand or sit for very long? Do you spend a lot more time in bed than usual, just to get a little relief from your lower back pain? Do you find yourself avoiding some of the things you used to enjoy, such as going to the gym or going for walks around your Essex County neighborhood with spouse or friends? Did you know that exercise can often help to relieve back pain, whereas bed rest can actually make it worse? The causes of lower back pain are many, but the good news is that there are things you and your doctor can do to alleviate or even eliminate your lower back pain.

Back Pain, Lower back pain July 1, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Back Pain, Back Pain and Pregnancy June 23, 2014 0Comments

Back Pain and Pregnancy

“Pregnancy is a construction zone going on in your belly!” Could anyone have put it better than TV’s Al Roker? Unfortunately, ‘constructing’ a baby not only affects a pregnant woman’s stomach, but literally every other part of her body as well. And nowhere is that felt more than in her back. If you’ve ever been pregnant, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that more than 70 percent of Essex County women have experienced back pain during pregnancy. Women can experience back pain at any time during pregnancy; however, it is most prevalent in the later months as baby’s weight increases. Back pain during pregnancy can affect your ability to perform your daily functions, your sleep, your health, and it can also affect your baby. What you may not know are the myriad causes, and maybe more important, the treatments.

Back Pain, Back Pain and Pregnancy June 23, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Back Health, Back Pain, back pain and weather February 27, 2014 0Comments

Causes of Back Pain in Men

Back pain is a very common problem for many individuals, especially among adults. However, it is much less likely that a man will seek the help of a spine surgeon than a woman will. Even though men are much more prone to developing back pain since their work commonly requires some form of manual labor, they seek medical attention less often. There are many different causes of back pain in men; some are as natural as aging while other causes can need surgery to correct. It is very important for men to seek medical attention of a spine surgeon to rule out anything serious. Here are some of the most common causes of back pain in men.

Back Health, Back Pain, back pain and weather February 27, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Spine, Spine Surgeon, Treatment February 23, 2014 0Comments

What is Corpectomy?

A spinal specialist may recommend that a patient undergo a corpectomy in some instances. A corpectomy is a surgical procedure on the spine. Corpectomy in its simplest sense means “remove the body.” In this case there is a removal of vertebrae. A spinal surgeon will remove bones or discs to relieve the pressure on a patient’s nerves and spinal cord. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove portions of the bony sections which comprise the spinal column as well as discs that may be adjacent to the section being removed. Once the NJ spinal surgeon removes the discs and bones, there will be an empty space which will need to be reconstructed. The bones will be replaced through a bone graft or bone substitutes. In some cases there is missing tissue that is causing bone to rub against bone. The tissue must be reconstructed in order to prevent further damage. There are two basic reasons that a spine specialist might suggest a corpectomy for a patient: to remove pressure that is being put on the spinal cord or to stop any abnormal movement or motion between the vertebrae.

Spine, Spine Surgeon, Treatment February 23, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Back Pain, Disc Arthroplasty, Spine Surgeon February 20, 2014 0Comments

What is Disc Arthroplasty?

One of the most common complaints of patients is back pain. In most cases it is temporary and healing is quick. However, there are times when it interferes with an individual’s daily life to the point that it disrupts routine activities including those which are work related or recreational. In some cases, spine surgery is the only option for relieving the pain. In many cases severe and consistent pain in the back is caused by degenerated discs. Traditionally, lumbar fusion or cervical fusion were the only options. These surgical methods helped to a degree but also had some negative end results. Disc Arthroplasty can now be used to relieve a patient’s pain while also restoring their movement to a near-normal state.

Back Pain, Disc Arthroplasty, Spine Surgeon February 20, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Back Health, Back Pain, Sacroliitis February 17, 2014 0Comments

What is Sacroiliitis?

When one or both of the sacroiliac joints become inflamed it is called Sacroiliitis. The sacroiliac joints are where the lower spine connects with the pelvis. Since Sacroiliitis can cause pain in the lower back, it is often very difficult to diagnose as it can be mistaken as one of many other conditions. The pain that one experiences with Sacroiliitis can be aggravated by standing for long periods of time or by climbing stairs. There can be several components which work together to develop a treatment plan. For those who suspect they may have developed Sacroiliitis, it is important to discuss their condition with a NJ spine specialist.

Back Health, Back Pain, Sacroliitis February 17, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Back Pain, Joint Health, Orthopedic surgeon February 14, 2014 0Comments

About Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain can be more than just physically taxing; it can also wear on a person’s emotions. When one can gain a clear understanding of how chronic pain is affecting them, it is more likely that they can talk to a doctor or a spinal surgeon who can help alleviate some of the pain, or at least make it more manageable. Patients who grasp some level of understanding their chronic back pain are more likely to benefit in terms of finding emotional support, are more effective at finding a sustainable pain management plan and of being able to cope with the pain. Aside from the most obvious problems associated with chronic back pain, there are some areas that are worth knowing about. For those who recognize that they are dealing with chronic back pain, it is important to talk to a NJ spinal surgeon to see what types of treatment options or pain management techniques are likely to be most effective in their particular situation.

Back Pain, Joint Health, Orthopedic surgeon February 14, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Back Health, back surgery, recovering from back surgery February 10, 2014 0Comments

Recovering from Back Surgery

Recovering from back surgery is certainly not a pleasant experience. Like other surgeries, it will simply take time to reap the full benefits of the surgical procedure. In many cases, patients think that the recovery period is the most challenging part of having the surgical procedure done. There are several things that patients can obtain prior to having the procedure done by a spine surgeon in NJ. Accumulating these items can help speed the recovery rate and help almost immediately upon returning home from the procedure.

Back Health, back surgery, recovering from back surgery February 10, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

Back Pain, back pain and weather February 6, 2014 0Comments

How to Treat Seasonal Back Pain

Many times individuals complain about experiencing back pain that is associated with drastic changes in the weather. In some cases individuals claim that they can predict cold weather is coming long before the announcement by their local weather man. There is no doubt that many people experience back pain that seems to worsen when winter sets in and especially when the temperature falls to below freezing. The question is not so much what causes seasonal back pain, as what options do we have when it strikes?

Back Pain, back pain and weather February 6, 2014 0Comments 0Likes

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