The reality is that most pain that is felt in the low back actually comes from stress and strain on the muscles, and other mechanical problems. People can spend too much time working in the garden, cleaning the house, lifting heavy objects or otherwise overworking their bodies. “The next day they can’t move because of muscle spasms, and it has nothing to do with the structures of the spine,” explains Dr. Rosenquist. “Muscle pain can feel really severe.”
Comfort
Certain factors can increase risk for falling. Exercise and common sense measures can keep you upright.
In addition to aging, other factors can put you at higher risk for falling. Having fallen in the past raises the chances that you might fall again, especially if the fall resulted in an injury. Feeling unsteady when you walk or needing to hang onto something, such as furniture or...
Bones
An ancient form of Chinese medicine, acupuncture can be viewed from both an Eastern and a Western perspective, as discussed in the June 2018 issue of Arthritis Advisor. According to Chinese medicine, our bodies have pathways (called meridians), through which energy (Qi,...
Pain Management
To safeguard against bone fractures, keep your bones strong and prevent yourself from falling.
Bone density is measured with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test, which provides a T-score that shows how much lower your bone density is than a typical healthy 30-year old adult. The two areas usually tested are the hip and spine. A T-score between -1 and -2.5 means...
Pain Management
Beans and other legumes are a healthy addition to your diet and a great source of protein, fiber and other nutrients.
Hummus, which is traditionally made with chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans), is another easy legume-based food. It can also be made with other types of legumes, such as black beans or red lentils. Beans and other legumes can be added to salads or soups. If you’ve caught on...
Pain Management
Being overweight or obese can put added stress on joints. Every one pound of weight puts three to four pounds of pressure on your knees. For people with knee osteoarthritis (which occurs when the cushioning cartilage that covers the ends of bones in joints wears down), losing...
Bones
Hip arthritis is usually experienced as pain in the groin. It can also cause pain on the front of the thigh or even pain around the knee. Having achy joints can be frustrating. It may seem logical that resting the joint will help. But, in fact, the opposite is true. Joints are...
Pain Management
Imaging studies have a limited role during the early stages of back pain, yet more than half of people with low back pain receive an imaging study. People with back pain often are inappropriately told to rest and stop work. Only half of people with low back pain are prescribed...
