Back Pain Medical Reference
Kyphoplasty
- Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain
It can be tough to find the cause of lower back pain, but one source may be a lot more common than we realize. Learn about vertebrogenic low back pain.
- What's the Treatment for Scoliosis?
The way to deal with your scoliosis depends on how severe the curve of your back is. Treatment may include observation, a brace or surgery.
- What Is Lower Crossed Syndrome?
Have you been told you have lower crossed syndrome and wondered what that means? Read our guide to find out more!
- What to Know About Lumbar Facet Joint Injections
Are you experiencing back pain and wondering what lumbar facet joint injections are? Read our guide to find out more about this procedure!
- What Is a Straight Leg Raise Test?
A doctor may perform a straight leg raise test to determine if the cause of a patient's lower back or leg pain is the result of nerve root irritation or impairment in disc pathology.
- Sciatic Nerve: What to Know
Find out what you need to know about your sciatic nerve and its function. Learn the signs of injury and how to protect this nerve.
- Cervical Spine: What to Know
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and acts as bony protection for the spinal cord. This is important because injuries to the spinal cord can be devastating and result in disability.
- Psoas Muscle: Functions and Exercises
Learn about psoas syndrome, an injury to the major muscle connecting your torso to your legs.
- What Is a Spurling Test?
Learn what a Spurling test is, including what a positive test means, how the test is done, and more.
- What Is Foraminal Stenosis?
Foraminal stenosis is when a bony opening around a nerve root becomes clogged and presses on a nerve. Learn more about what causes this condition, what to expect, and more.
- What to Know About Spinal Infections
What types of spinal infections exist and why are they dangerous? Learn about osteomyelitis, discitis, and meningitis.
- What Is Lumbar Retrolisthesis?
Learn what lumbar retrolisthesis is, including its symptoms, causes, and more.
- What Is Sacralization?
What is sacralization and can this joint anomaly cause back pain?
- Best Exercises for Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatic Neuritis)
Exercises can help you decrease pain and increase flexibility. Learn the best exercises for lumbar radiculopathy, how to get started strengthening your abdominal muscles and increasing flexibility, along with modifications.
- Best Exercises for Scoliosis
Exercise can help you ease symptoms of scoliosis. Learn the best exercises for scoliosis, how to get started, and how to do them safely.
- Best Exercises for Lower Back Pain
Exercising and stretching can help relieve lower back pain. Learn the best exercises for your lower back, where to start, and how to prevent future pain.
- Best Exercises for Degenerative Disc Disease
Exercising can help get you through degenerative disc disease. Find out how to get started, and how exercising can relieve pain.
- Best Exercises for Spondylolisthesis
Exercise can help alleviate spondylolisthesis pain. Learn which exercises to do, how to get started, and what safety considerations to keep in mind.
- Slipped Disk: Exercises for Pain Relief
Exercising can help you with slipped disk pain relief. Learn the best exercises for a slipped disk, how to get started, and how to monitor your progress.
- Best Exercises for Lumbar Lordosis
Exercising can help you relieve pain from lumbar lordosis. Learn the best exercises for lumbar lordosis and how to get started.
- Best Exercises for Hyperlordosis
Exercising can help you strengthen your pelvic muscles. Learn the best Kegel exercises for women, how to get started, and how to perform Kegel exercises anywhere.
- Exercises to Reduce Kyphosis
Exercising can help you strengthen your back and reduce kyphosis. Learn the best exercises for kyphosis, how to get started, and how to strengthen your back.
- Best Pillows for Back Pain
Learn about the features to check for if you're looking for a pillow to give you relief from back pain.
- Joint Problems and Low Back Pain
Most low back pain is caused by muscle problems like muscle strain. But joint problems can cause low back pain, too. Learn how.
- Muscle Problems and Low Back Pain
Most low back pain is caused by muscle strain or a sprain. Learn how it happens and what you can do when it does.
- Spinal Problems and Low Back Pain
In some cases, problems with your spine can lead to pain in your lower back. Learn how -- and what you can do about it.
- Kyphosis
Learn what causes this curved spine, and when you need to treat it.
- What Are Inversion Tables?
Can you really treat back pain and other ailments with inversion therapy? Get the facts about this "upside down" method of treatment.
- Spinal MRI
A spine MRI makes a very detailed picture of your spine to help your doctor diagnose back and neck pain, tingling hands and feet, and other conditions.
- What Is Degenerative Disk Disease?
Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of degenerative disk disease, a back condition that can cause pain.
- Spinal X-Ray
Find out how a spinal X-ray can help you and your doctor figure out why you're having neck and back pain.
- Injections for Back Pain Relief
If you have back pain, your doctor will consider whether you need a steroid shot or other injections as part of your treatment.
- What Is an Epidural?
Epidurals can help with pain during surgery and with some types of chronic pain. Find out what happens and who shouldn’t get them.
- What Is a Herniated Cervical Disk?
A pain in the neck can sometimes be more than sore muscles. If the pain doesn’t get better after several days of rest, it may be a herniated cervical disk.
- Scoliosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
People with scoliosis have a spine that curves to the side. Is this back problem caused by poor posture? WebMD explains what it is and what causes it.
- Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain
If you have a bad back, choosing the right mattress is extra important. Learn how to pick the right one for you.
- Treatments for Cervical Disk Disease: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you treat neck pain from a herniated disk or degenerative disk disease on your own? Get answers to this and other questions about cervical disk disease from the experts at WebMD.
- Why Does My Lower Back Hurt?
What was that twinge? WebMD explains sprains, strains, stenosis and other causes of lower back pain.
- What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Many people deal with the pain of sciatica. Learn about the symptoms caused by this nerve that runs from your from your lower back to your lower leg.
- What Is Sciatica?
Back pain comes in all varieties, but sciatica can be an easy one to identify. It’s pain that starts in your sciatic nerve, which runs all the way from your lower back into your feet.
- When Do I Need Surgery for a Herniated Disk?
Find out when surgery is an option to treat a herniated disk, and which procedures might be right for you.
- Do I Need a Muscle Relaxer?
If other medications and treatments aren’t helping your back pain, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxer. Here’s what you need to know about these medications.
- Why Does My Middle and Upper Back Hurt?
Back pain can be caused by a number of reasons. Learn more about symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention of upper and middle back pain.
- 9 Sleep Tips for Back Pain
Back pain can make getting a good night’s sleep challenging. Try these tips to help you get more rest.
- Do I Need Surgery for Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis can cause pain and numbness. Find out when surgery might help you get relief.
- What Are the Treatments for a Herniated Disk?
A herniated disk can cause, pain, numbness, and weakness in your neck, back, and legs. Find out how to relieve the pain and other symptoms.
- Herniated Disk: Symptoms and Diagnosis
A herniated disk can cause extreme pain in your lower back. But how do you know when it’s a herniated disk and not just regular old back pain?
- Lower Back Pain Relief
More than 80% of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Find out what you can do to help ease your back problems.
- Spinal Stenosis Treatment
Do you have back pain? One possible cause might be spinal stenosis, in which the spinal canal narrows. Learn about the possible treatments for this condition.