Questions and Answers

As a child, you probably heard a parent or a teacher tell you to “stand up straight!” Simple as it sounds, maintaining proper posture is an important way to keep the intricate structures in the back and spine healthy and help reduce the incidence and levels of back and neck pain. Maintaining bad posture can […] Read More

Many people don’t realize that sleeping on your back puts 55 lbs. of pressure on your spine—but simply placing a couple of pillows under your knees cuts the pressure in half. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees also reduces the pressure on your low back. Mattresses and box springs work together […] Read More

Exercise is one of the most important treatments that your doctor can recommend reducing back pain. Regular strengthening (core strengthening, resistance, or weight training), flexibility (stretching), and aerobic exercise (three to five times per week) will improve your overall health and reduce the further likelihood of back injury. Many doctors and specialists provide their patients […] Read More

Keeping on additional weight, especially in the mid-section or stomach, shifts your entire center of gravity forward and puts additional unneeded strain on your back muscles and surrounding tissues. We recommend keeping within 10 lbs. of your ideal weight to avoid experiencing unnecessary back pain or related issues. However, extreme thinness can be accompanied by […] Read More

This is probably one of the most commonly asked questions about the treatment of back pain. Both ice and heat can help in alleviating pain, but it’s important to know when to use them. Ice reduces inflammation or swelling by decreasing blood flow from constricted blood vessels. Placing an ice pack on the area shortly […] Read More

Actually, some of the best advice for the treatment of acute back pain is to get out of bed and remain as active as tolerated. Continuing to perform everyday activities may seem counterproductive, and the natural inclination may be to stay on the sofa and avoid activity. Yet, activity may be exactly what you need […] Read More

A third of Americans rely on over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesic pain relievers to reduce swelling and aches associated with back pain. These types of medications proved to be very effective in reducing symptoms and providing comfort. The NASS “Back Pain in America” survey found that one in five people […] Read More

Unfortunately, the duration and severity of a single episode cannot be predicted based on the onset, location of pain, or even the initial severity. There are three general categories of pain—acute, chronic, and recurrent acute. The good news is that even if the exact source of pain is not determined, usually acute pain subsides over […] Read More