Category: Neck & Back
My tailbone hurts. What can I do to relieve the pain?
Sometimes, people think it is funny to pull a chair out from under someone as they sit down. If this prank has ever happened to you, you know too well what tailbone pain feels like.
These compression injuries cause pressure on the coccyx or tailbone. At best, the injury is a bruise. Other times it’s a more serious fracture. Since you cannot put your tailbone in a sling, it often hurts to walk, sit, or lift for four to eight weeks after an injury.
What is the tailbone?
The coccyx, […]
Should I be concerned about my child’s back pain?
According to Orthoinfo, Yes. Back pain in children may signal a more serious condition. This is especially true if the child is younger than four years of age.
Back pain is quite common during childhood. Up to 70% of children experience back pain by the age of 15. Some instances result from serious medical conditions. Activity or overuse injuries may contribute to others.
See a medical provider at once if your child’s back pain lasts for more than several days or gets worse. If fever, nausea, tingling, numbness, trouble sleeping or walking, accompany back pain, it may signal a more serious condition.
What causes […]
When should I see a provider for back pain?
Your back may be hurting for many reasons. Sitting too long, missing a step, or lifting a heavy object can twist your muscles and take a toll on your back. Eight out of ten people experience spinal pain at some point in their lives.
The good news is that 95 percent of the time, back pain will improve without medical treatment. But if your pain is severe, persistent and limiting, it’s in your best interest to see a physician and check it out.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, your back is telling you to […]
Stay pain-free while traveling
Traveling. Some people love it . For other people, traveling is something to endure until they reach their destination. No matter how you feel about traveling, there are a few tips to keep in mind to stay healthy while on your way.
As you think about masks and keeping your hands clean, you might want to consider your joints and […]
Meet Lester Owens, DO
Lester A. Owens, DO, PT, FAAPMR, is a board-certified non-operative orthopedic, neuromuscular, and pain management specialist at Bone & Joint.
Dr. Owens treats headaches, neck and back pain, myofascial pain syndrome, herniated disks, neuralgias, spinal pain disorders, and arthritis. He performs BOTOX injections, electro diagnostics, radiofrequency neurotomy, and spinal interventional techniques to diagnose and treat his patients’ conditions.
Dr. Owens, who was a physical therapist before becoming a doctor, uses a variety of non-surgical treatments to help people of all ages reduce pain, increase movement, and improve the quality of their lives. He wants his patients to […]
What is a bulging disc?
A bulging disc is a condition that occurs when a spinal disc bulges between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine, causing pain and limiting movement.
Most adults have 24 vertebral bones in their spine. Between each of these vertebrae is a spinal disc that acts as a shock absorber. Each disc has a tough, outer elastic surface (annulus fibrosus) that covers a softer middle (nucleus pulposus). These rubbery discs help you bend and arch your back without pain.
When this cushiony cartilage is injured or starts to break down because of age, it can “bulge” outside the […]
Avoid these six common snow shoveling injuries
Shoveling snow isn’t particularly difficult, but it is fraught with injuries.
In 2018, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that medical professionals treated 137,000 people for snowblower or snow shoveling injuries.
Some people will hurt their hands and wrists; others will injure their back and shoulders. A few will experience life-changing injuries through a serious fall or heart attack.
If you’re older than 50 years old and are prone to shortness of breath or chest pain, talk to your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to shovel snow.
To avoid some of the more common […]
Why is hand and arm rehabilitation a separate specialty?
People who have had surgery or who have suffered an injury that limits the movements of their shoulders, elbows, wrists, or hands benefit from specialized therapy.
The complex system of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that allow your hands and fingers to grasp objects and your shoulders and wrists to rotate need a unique level of care.
A hand and upper extremity therapist knows how each joint and muscle connects to the next create the intricate movements of your arms and hands. He or she can help you gain and maintain a healthy range-of-motion.
Advanced care requires expert knowledge
Because the movements […]
Would an ergonomic assessment help you enjoy less stress while working from home?
Have you noticed a pain in your neck, back, shoulders, knees, or hands since the pandemic started?
It may be your workspace:
- A low chair strains your knees.
- A poorly positioned monitor leads to neck pain.
- The wrong seat height or chair pitch can create painful back conditions.
- Incorrect keyboard placement causes pressure and pain in the wrist.
Sitting for hours with your body in the wrong position plus the stresses and strains of working from home, and you have a recipe for tight muscles and pain.
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment to work with the […]
Is extra weight hurting your back?
How can I relieve back pain?
If you’re one of the eight out of ten Americans who suffer from mild to moderate back pain, your answer to pain management may be as close as your scale.
Carrying an extra 15, 20, 25 pounds or more stresses your spine and lower back.
Extra weight, especially around your midsection, puts additional pressure on the 30 vertebrae. These bones separated by discs of spongy cartilage create a column of flexible joints that are supported by a complex system of muscles and ligaments. Working together, they allow you to bend, twist, lift and stand up straight.
Just a few extra pounds can misalign the […]