Back Pain Medical Reference
- Spinal Stenosis: Causes and Symptoms
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which your spinal canal narrows. It may cause back pain and other nerve-related problems. With proper exercise and treatment, you can reduce its effects.
- My Back Went Out. What Do I Do?
Your back went out and it hurts, bad. Why did it happen, and what can you do to feel better? WebMD shares at-home treatments you can try and symptoms that let you know you need to see a doctor.
- When Should I Call My Doctor About Back Pain?
Should I See the Doctor About My Back Pain? Only if you have other symptoms. WebMD explains what they are—and when waiting it out isn’t an option.
- How Do I Know If I Have Scoliosis?
To screen you for scoliosis, your doctor will start with a physical exam. Follow-up tests will help measure the curve of your backbone. WebMD tells you what to expect and how doctors will know if you have this condition.
- 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.
- Causes of Back Pain
If you’re like lots of us, you either have or have had back pain. What can cause it?
- What Is Spinal Fusion?
What is spinal fusion and why would you need it?
- Get Moving to Tame SI Pain
Exercise can help ease and prevent sacroiliac (SI) joint pain.
- Treatments to Bring SI Joint Pain Relief
If rest, heat, and ice aren’t enough to ease your SI joint pain, you can work with your doctor to get treatments that will help.
- Do I Need Surgery for SI Joint Pain?
If medication and physical therapy don’t work for your sacroiliac joint pain, you might need surgery.
- What Is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?
Low back pain? Your sacroiliac joint may be to blame.
- Diagnosis for Sacroiliac Joint Pain
It’s not always easy to know if your SI joint is the cause of your low back pain. Doctors can use a few tests to find out.
- Is Your SI Joint Giving You Back Pain?
Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of SI joint pain.
- Getting a Laminectomy: Before, During, and After
WebMD explains what you need to know as you prepare for your laminectomy: what happens before, during, and after.
- Back Surgery: Pros and Cons
Learn about the risks and benefits of various types of back surgery.
- Getting Through the Day With Low Back Pain
WebMD offers practical tips for living with low back pain.
- Sciatica Pain Relief
WebMD looks at pain relief options for people with sciatica.
- TENS for Back Pain
WebMD explains the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation - or TENS - to relieve back pain.
- Acupuncture for Back Pain
WebMD explains the role of acupuncture in treating back pain.
- Types of Spine Curvature Disorders
WebMD explains various types of spine curvature disorders and their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments.
- Nighttime Back Pain
WebMD examines the causes of back pain at night and associated symptoms that should prompt you to call your doctor.
- Cauda Equina Syndrome: An Overview
WebMD explains the symptoms, causes, treatments, and prognosis of cauda equina syndrome.
- 16 Ways to Avoid Back Pain
WebMD offers 16 simple strategies for preventing lower back pain.
- Spinal Decompression Therapy
WebMD explains both surgical and nonsurgical spinal decompression. Learn what’s involved and find out if it could ease your back pain.
- Cervical Disc Surgery: Disc Replacement or Fusion?
WebMD tells you about surgical options for cervical disc disease, including disc replacement and fusion surgeries.
- Physical Therapy and Other Options for Neck Pain
Find out how physical therapy and other options might ease neck pain from cervical disc disease.
- Neck Strain and Whiplash
Neck strain, or whiplash, occurs when sudden force stretches and tears the muscles and tendons in your neck. Learn more from WebMD about symptoms and treatment of the condition.
- Low Back Strain
Learn more about low back strain, which is caused by tiny tears in the muscles and ligaments that support the spinal cord.
- Back Pain Tests
Exams and tests to determine what might be causing your lower back pain.
- An Overview of Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a slipping of vertebra that occurs, in most cases, at the base of the spine.
- Lower Back Pain Relief at Home
WebMD offers tips for relieving your lower back pain.
- Chiropractic Adjustment for Back Pain
Can a chiropractor help cure your back pain? Learn in detail about the technique and its benefits and risks as an alternative treatment method.
- Back Pain and Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is recommended for back pain when other treatments have failed. WebMD examines this procedure and its role in pain management.
- Understanding Back Pain -- Symptoms
Learn more from WebMD about the symptoms of back pain -- and when you should call a doctor.
- Sciatica
Learn more from WebMD about the symptoms and causes of sciatica, a painful nerve condition.
- Management of Back Pain
WebMD explains the medical management of different types of back pain.
- Understanding Spinal Disk Problems -- the Basics
Learn more from WebMD about the basics spinal disk problems, including herniated disks and degenerative disk disease.
- Back Pain Diagnosis and Treatment
Find out ways you and your doctor can deal with back pain -- both from injuries and chronic -- so you'll feel better and can get moving again.
- Back Pain: What You Need to Know
Whether it's from an injury or has developed over time, find out what can cause back pain, what you can do about it, and when to see a doctor.
- 15 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Back Pain
Print out this page of 10 questions to ask your doctor about back pain and take it with you to your next appointment.