Intervertebral disks are tiny cushions made of tissue that sit between the spinal vertebrae. These disks are designed to absorb impact and to allow for mobility of the vertebrae, which is how a spine can bend and twist. Occasionally, however, one...
Some spinal conditions can be improved through lifestyle changes such as proper nutrition and increased exercise. Conditions of the spine such as disk degeneration and spinal stenosis cause pain, reduce mobility and decrease your quality of life....
A herniated disk is also known as a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), a slipped disk or a ruptured disk. It is a serious condition that results when a spinal disk is damaged. A spinal or intervertebral disk is located between the bones or...
The vast majority of cases of herniated disks are managed conservatively and do not require surgical intervention, according to the Mayo Clinic. Conservative treatment may entail limited bed rest, physical therapy, patient education, cortisone...
Pinched nerves can be quite a painful condition. Resulting from too much pressure applied to the nerves by surrounding tissue, a person with this condition typically experiences tingling, numbness, decreased sensation, sharp or burning pain,...
The structure and strength of the muscles and bones of the back provide humans with the capability to stand upright and ambulate on two legs. While an upright posture proves distinctly advantageous, it is not without problems. The weight of the...
Any type of degenerative condition of the spinal column may inhibit your movement and range of motion. Strength, stability and balance may also be affected. Various terms define conditions of spinal degeneration depending on the anatomy of the...
Sciatica is a condition characterized by compression or injury of your sciatic nerve, which runs from your spine through your buttocks and down the back of each of your legs. It typically appears as a symptom of other medical disorders. You can...
Padahastasana is a standing forward bending posture where your hands are placed under your feet. When translated from Sanskrit to English, "pada" means foot and "hasta" means the hand. To perform padahastasana, start in a standing position, bend...
Inversion machines are designed to tilt your body into a head-down position to help reverse the usual stresses that gravity places on us. Inversion therapy is commonly used for the treatment of back and neck problems because the inverted position...
Roughly 70 to 85 percent of people have experienced back pain at some point in their lives, according to Spine-Health. Back pain can result from a mild muscle strain that can heal over several days or weeks, or could be a more serious condition...
To the uninitiated, an inversion table may seem more like a torture device than a piece of health equipment. Users fasten their ankles into a clamp, lean back and find themselves suspended upside down. Although the head-over-heels position may not...
Your lumbar spine is the lower portion of your vertebral column, located in your lower back, just above your sacrum and tailbone. Spinal disks are located between your vertebrae and help your spine absorb force. According to the Spine Universe...
Causes of pain and weakness in the left leg can range from relatively benign---conditions such as lumbar spine joint dysfunction, sacroiliac joint dysfunction or chronic muscle tightness---to more serious, such as disk herniation or spinal...
The lower back is the site of most back pain, says the Mayo Clinic. The low back consists of a stack of bones that surrounds and protects the spinal cord, according to the book, "Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing." The following conditions...
According to the National Institute of Health, a herniated disk is characterized by leg pain, back pain or weakness of the lower back. Spinal disks absorb shock for the spine and allow flexibility during movement. A herniated disk occurs the...
Inversion tables are devices that position your body upside down for a certain period of time. Although inversion table manufacturers claim a number of benefits from their products, ranging from increased blood flow to pain management, no...
The sciatic nerve originates in your spine, extends through each buttock and down the back of both of your legs. The nerve provides feeling to your lower legs, hamstrings and the soles of your feet. Sciatica occurs when pressure is placed on the...
The abdominal roller was a popular infomercial exercise item purported to be able to hone your abdominals without endless crunches, sit-ups, and twisting exercises. Though many fitness infomercial items fall out of favor, the abdominal roller is...
Spinal compression may be a sudden event or may take weeks or months to occur. It can be caused by any number of conditions: a bony protuberance, spine fracture, hematoma, abscess, tumor or ruptured spinal disk. Any one can exert pressure on the...
Certain spinal maladies like scoliosis (curvature of the spine), kyphosis (a humpback deformity) and degenerative disk disease, which is the result of normal wear and tear on a spinal disk, may require surgery. However, both the Cleveland Clinic...
When a spinal disk puts pressure on the nearby nerves, the patient has a herniated disk. Herniated disks occur as people age and the disks become weaker. MedlinePlus points out that herniated disks commonly occur in the lower back, with 8 percent...
Sciatica refers to the symptom of nerve pain originating along the path of the sciatic nerve and its branches. As the largest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve is susceptible to injury from spinal disk herniation, often seen in patients...
Spinal disks are rubbery, soft cushions located between the bones in the vertebrae. They act as shock absorbers and allow flexibility in the back. A herniated disk refers to a spinal disk that bulges out or slips out of place. Most common in the...
If you’re underweight or naturally thin, you may be trying to gain weight. Gaining weight can be as hard as losing weight. Weightlifting exercises can help you bulk up and gain muscle mass without gaining fat. The best type of weightlifting...
Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India morre than 5,000 years ago. Today millions of people in the West practice yoga as a form of alternative medicine and as a form of exercise. Yoga involves a variety of physical poses and...
Physical therapy programs help people recover from injuries or cope with chronic conditions. Although rest is important after an injury to allow for proper healing, exercise-based physical therapy helps rehabilitate injured muscles and tissues....
Inversion tables are the modern form of inversion therapy, which has been around for several hundred years. The main purpose of inversion therapy is to offer relief from back pain by using your body weight and gravity to relieve tension placed on...
Ice and heat are popular treatments for sports injuries recommended by personal trainers and aging athletes. However, these two remedies are used for very different purposes. If your back hurts after a workout, chances are you should apply one or...
Pinched nerves usually occur in the neck, but can lead to pain and muscle spasms throughout the upper back and arm. Learn how to treat a pinched nerve in the neck and stay fit in this sports medicine video.
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal cavity. Learn more about what it is and how to treat it in this medical video clip.
