Back Pain Medical Reference

Have you been told you have lower crossed syndrome and wondered what that means? Read our guide to find out more!

A doctor may perform a straight leg raise test to determine if the cause of a patient's lower back or leg pain is the result of nerve root irritation or impairment in disc pathology.

Find out what you need to know about your sciatic nerve and its function. Learn the signs of injury and how to protect this nerve.

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and acts as bony protection for the spinal cord. This is important because injuries to the spinal cord can be devastating and result in disability.

Learn about psoas syndrome, an injury to the major muscle connecting your torso to your legs.

Learn what a Spurling test is, including what a positive test means, how the test is done, and more.

Foraminal stenosis is when a bony opening around a nerve root becomes clogged and presses on a nerve. Learn more about what causes this condition, what to expect, and more.

What types of spinal infections exist and why are they dangerous? Learn about osteomyelitis, discitis, and meningitis.

Learn what lumbar retrolisthesis is, including its symptoms, causes, and more.

What is sacralization and can this joint anomaly cause back pain?

Exercises can help you decrease pain and increase flexibility. Learn the best exercises for lumbar radiculopathy, how to get started strengthening your abdominal muscles and increasing flexibility, along with modifications.

Exercise can help you ease symptoms of scoliosis. Learn the best exercises for scoliosis, how to get started, and how to do them safely.

Exercising and stretching can help relieve lower back pain. Learn the best exercises for your lower back, where to start, and how to prevent future pain.

Exercising can help get you through degenerative disc disease. Find out how to get started, and how exercising can relieve pain.

Exercise can help alleviate spondylolisthesis pain. Learn which exercises to do, how to get started, and what safety considerations to keep in mind.

Exercising can help you with slipped disc pain relief. Learn the best exercises for a slipped disc, how to get started, and how to monitor your progress.

Exercising can help you relieve pain from lumbar lordosis. Learn the best exercises for lumbar lordosis and how to get started.

Exercising can help you strengthen your pelvic muscles. Learn the best Kegel exercises for women, how to get started, and how to perform Kegel exercises anywhere.

Exercising can help you strengthen your back and reduce kyphosis. Learn the best exercises for kyphosis, how to get started, and how to strengthen your back.

Learn about the features to check for if you're looking for a pillow to give you relief from back pain.

Most low back pain is caused by muscle problems like muscle strain. But joint problems can cause low back pain, too. Learn how.

Most low back pain is caused by muscle strain or a sprain. Learn how it happens and what you can do when it does.

In some cases, problems with your spine can lead to pain in your lower back. Learn how -- and what you can do about it.

Learn what causes this curved spine, and when you need to treat it.

Can you really treat back pain and other ailments with inversion therapy? Get the facts about this "upside down" method of treatment.

A spine MRI makes a very detailed picture of your spine to help your doctor diagnose back and neck pain, tingling hands and feet, and other conditions.

Find out how a spinal X-ray can help you and your doctor figure out why you're having neck and back pain.

Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of degenerative disk disease, a back condition that can cause pain.

If you have back pain, your doctor will consider whether you need a steroid shot or other injections as part of your treatment.

Epidurals can help with pain during surgery and with some types of chronic pain. Find out what happens and who shouldn’t get them.

A pain in the neck can sometimes be more than sore muscles. If the pain doesn’t get better after several days of rest, it may be a herniated cervical disk.

People with scoliosis have a spine that curves to the side. Is this back problem caused by poor posture? WebMD explains what it is and what causes it.

If you have a bad back, choosing the right mattress is extra important. Learn how to pick the right one for you.

Can you treat neck pain from a herniated disk or degenerative disk disease on your own? Get answers to this and other questions about cervical disk disease from the experts at WebMD.

Back pain comes in all varieties, but sciatica can be an easy one to identify. It’s pain that starts in your sciatic nerve, which runs all the way from your lower back into your feet.

Many people deal with the pain of sciatica. Learn about the symptoms caused by this nerve that runs from your from your lower back to your lower leg.

What was that twinge? WebMD explains sprains, strains, stenosis and other causes of lower back pain.

Find out when surgery is an option to treat a herniated disk, and which procedures might be right for you.

If other medications and treatments aren’t helping your back pain, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxer. Here’s what you need to know about these medications.

Back pain can make getting a good night’s sleep challenging. Try these tips to help you get more rest.

A herniated disk can cause, pain, numbness, and weakness in your neck, back, and legs. Find out how to relieve the pain and other symptoms.

Learn about causes of upper and middle back pain. And here’s a tip: Sitting up straight really does matter.

A herniated disk can cause extreme pain in your lower back. But how do you know when it’s a herniated disk and not just regular old back pain?

Spinal stenosis can cause pain and numbness. Find out when surgery might help you get relief.

Do you have back pain? One possible cause might be spinal stenosis, in which the spinal canal narrows. Learn about the possible treatments for this condition.

If you’re having low back pain, your doctor might recommend an over-the-counter medication. Or, he may prescribe one that’s stronger. There are a number of different drugs that treat low back pain. WebMD explains what they are.

You’ve been diagnosed with sciatica -- now what? There are many effective treatments for sciatica, and they seldom involve surgery.

More than 80% of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Find out what you can do to help ease your back problems.

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.