Cervical Nerves

In addition to the seven cervical vertebrae, cervical anatomy features eight cervical nerve roots (C1-C8). These roots branch from the spinal cord and control motor and sensory abilities for different parts of the body. From there each cervical nerve is named based on the lower cervical vertebra that it runs between. As an example, the C6 nerve root runs between the C5 vertebra and the C6 vertebra. Cervical Nerve Functions Each level of the cervical spine actually has two nerve roots—one on each side—that branch off from the spinal cord. Keeping with the aforementioned example at the C5-C6 level, each…
Read More

11 Pain Control Techniques

To prepare for any chronic pain control technique, it is important to learn how to use focus and deep breathing to relax the body. Learning to relax takes practice, especially when you are in pain, but it is definitely worth it to be able to release muscle tension throughout the body and start to remove attention from the pain. Coping techniques for chronic pain begin with controlled deep breathing, as follows: Try putting yourself in a relaxed, reclining position in a dark room. Either shut your eyes or focus on a point. Then begin to slow down your breathing. Breathe…
Read More

Rheumatoid Arthritis vs Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis both cause joint pain and stiffness. They are both forms of arthritis but have different causes and treatments.There are over 100 types of arthritis and related diseases. Two of the most common types are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). OA is more common than RA. Both OA and RA involve inflammation in the joints, but the inflammation in RA is much greater. Until recently, healthcare professionals believed that inflammation was not present in OA. OA and RA share some symptoms. RA can affect multiple joints in a subtype called polyarticular arthritis, and it tends to affect the body symmetrically. OA usually affects a few joints…
Read More

5 Signs of Chronic Hamstring Tendinopathy

Just as your favorite pair of jeans can become worn and threadbare in the knees, your tendons can also develop chronic injury through wear-and-tear. Tendinopathy refers to a disease of a tendon. The clinical presentation includes tenderness on palpation and pain, often when exercising or with movement. Several terms have evolved in the medical terminology to refer to injuries that cause tendon pain: Tendinitis - acute tendon injury accompanied by inflammation. Why does chronic tendinopathy occur? There are 3 tendons in the back of the thigh that connect the hamstring muscles to the ischial tuberosity (the sit bone) in the pelvis. When…
Read More

Sleeping with Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain makes it hard to fall asleep, and it can startle you awake at any hour of the night. To help you reclaim your sleep schedule, here is a simple guide to sleeping with lower back pain: 1. Sleep on your side to relieve pain from a pulled back muscle One of the most common causes of lower back pain is a pulled back muscle, which occurs when a muscle in your lower back is strained or torn as a result of being over-stretched. Symptoms from a pulled back muscle typically resolve within a few days, but the…
Read More

Hip Labrum What’s That?

Made of tough cartilage, the labrum rings the hip’s socket, or acetabulum. The labrum is important to overall hip health and function. Specifically, the labrum: Facilitates the hip's range of motion, allowing the thigh to rotate in every direction, including forward, backward, inward, and externally Helps preserve proper alignment between the hip’s ball and socket Keeps synovial fluid, or joint fluid, within the hip joint capsule (synovial fluid reduces stress and friction and allows for smooth movement between the ball and socket) In essence, the hip labrum is a ring of cartilage that provides both support and flexibility to the…
Read More

Lower Back Pain

While older adults can experience pain related to any of the conditions that also affect younger adults, individuals over age 60 are more likely to suffer from pain related to degeneration of the joints in the spine. Two of the most common causes of lower back pain in older adults include osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. Symptoms: Lower back pain and stiffness that is the most pronounced in the morning and in the evening Includes any combination of the below symptoms: Pain that interrupts sleep Pain that is most pronounced first thing in the morning and again toward the end of the day Localized…
Read More

Types of Arthritis That Cause SI Joint Pain

Pain in your lower back can be caused by many things including muscle pain, soft tissue pain, or joint pain. The sacroiliac (SI) joints can also be a cause of lower back and arthritis pain. Similar to the knee, the SI joint contains cartilage which degenerates over time. Saroiliac pain can cause different forms of arthritis including: osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout. When you feel pain in your lower back or hips, the pain can originate from muscles, soft tissues like tendons and ligaments, or joints. But it’s not just the joints of the spine or the large…
Read More

Gate Control Theory of Chronic Pain

In gate control theory, experiencing pain can be caused by a complex interaction of the central and peripheral nervous system and how they process pain signals. Pain is more complex than was previously understood, gate control theory of pain was created in the 1960s by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall. Gate control theory of pain states that non-painful signals closes the "gates" to painful signals, preventing pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system. And it gives reason to believe there can be psychological factors that influence the experience of pain. Depending on the situation pain can be experienced differently…
Read More

Fracture Risk and Spinal Osteoarthritis

Many health factors can effect whether or not fractures are a risk in spinal osteoarthritis. Spinal osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis in general is more prevalent in women, is more common in women over 50; but can occur in men. OA related fractures in the spine may be an under-diagnosed result of spinal osteoarthritis. Fractures that do occur as a result of spinal OA can cause pain, changes in posture, and even limit independent function. Talking with your doctor about symptoms you experience related to osteoarthritis could help diagnose whether or not fractures are a risk. Spinal Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk Factors Due…
Read More