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Back and Spine Health

Back pain is a common problem at all stages of life, but with guidance it can be treated or prevented.

Back Pain Stretches and Exercises

Exercises you can do at home to help or prevent a sore back.

How to Prevent Back Pain

A family and sports medicine doctor shares his top tips for avoiding back pain.

Treating Back Pain at Home

A doctor answers questions on how and when to treat back pain at home.

    Featured Articles

    Doctor pointing at spine

    Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Back Surgery

    Learn the risks and benefits of back surgery, and if you’re a good candidate.

    Woman holding back

    Decoding Back Pain

    Knowing the symptoms and causes of different back pain can help you decide when it’s time to see a doctor.

    Man on bed with back pain

    Back Pain Causes at Every Age

    Your age is a key factor to determining the cause of your back pain – and what to do about it.

    View All Back and Spine Health Articles

    Ask an Expert

    Joshua C. Richards

    Joshua C. Richards, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    What is the difference between a bulging disk and a herniated disk?

    There is no real difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc. The discs are the cushions which allow motion between the vertebrae in your spine. As time goes on, or from an injury, the discs can weak... continue reading  about  What is the difference between a bulging disk and a herniated disk?

    Rakesh Donthineni

    Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    I'm in my 50s and was recently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in my back. Will the pain get worse as I get older? And is there anything I can do for the pain besides pain medication? Also does this condition ever require surgery?

    Degenerative disc disease is part of the 'wear and tear' of the spine that occurs with age and use. Back pain is very common and best managed with the appropriate medications, exercises to keep your trunk/core ... continue reading  about  I'm in my 50s and was recently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in my back. Will the pain get worse as I get older? And is there anything I can do for the pain besides pain medication? Also does this condition ever require surgery?

    Toni J. Brayer

    Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

    Sutter West Bay Medical Group

    Why do some people lose height as they age? How much loss is too much?

    After age 40, the average person loses about 1/2" of their height per decade. It happens because of gravity and wear and tear on bones, muscles and joints. Think of your skeleton as being made up of your ankles... continue reading  about  Why do some people lose height as they age? How much loss is too much?

    Noah Weiss

    Noah Weiss, M.D.

    Novato Community Hospital

    My left arm at the shoulder hurts all the time (including lifting things and even when I'm sleeping and turn on that side). I don't recall hurting it in any way. It started hurting several months ago. What could it be and how can I make it stop?

    Often injuries to the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder will refer pain to the upper arm, or even down the arm. If your shoulder and upper arm pain is aggravated by lifting, reaching overhead, and sleeping, ... continue reading  about  My left arm at the shoulder hurts all the time (including lifting things and even when I'm sleeping and turn on that side). I don't recall hurting it in any way. It started hurting several months ago. What could it be and how can I make it stop?

    Rakesh Donthineni

    Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    What are the risks and benefits of lower back fusion surgery? What would you recommend a person try before surgery?

    Lower back fusion surgery is an option for severe back pain, typically due to advanced arthritis and/or spine instability, that has not responded to non-operative methods. These non-operative methods include th... continue reading  about  What are the risks and benefits of lower back fusion surgery? What would you recommend a person try before surgery?

    Rakesh Donthineni

    Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    Could you explain a surgery named spinal decompression, and describe the risks?

    Spinal decompression is essentially a surgery to remove pressure on the spinal cord or nerves within the spinal canal. Depending on the location and severity of the problem, the surgery involves removing parts ... continue reading  about  Could you explain a surgery named spinal decompression, and describe the risks?

    Arfan Din

    Arfan Din, D.O.

    Sutter Medical Group

    I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?

    Back pain can generally be divided into two categories: Acute (less than four weeks duration)Chronic (greater than four weeks duration)Acute back pain is very common and is one of the top reasons that patients ... continue reading  about  I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?

    Sciatica is pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. This is typically felt on the back of the thigh and down the back of the leg. There are many potential causes of sciatica. These can include spinal ste... continue reading  about  What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?

    Rakesh Donthineni

    Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    Where exactly is the sciatic nerve? I've had a pain under my right buttocks that runs down the back of my leg to about the knee and hasn't gotten any better in over three weeks. Am I on the right track in suspecting sciatica?

    Like all nerves, the sciatic nerve originates from the spinal cord and is made up of a bundle of those nerves. It travels within the pelvis, and exits the pelvis to the back of the thigh deep into the buttock. ... continue reading  about  Where exactly is the sciatic nerve? I've had a pain under my right buttocks that runs down the back of my leg to about the knee and hasn't gotten any better in over three weeks. Am I on the right track in suspecting sciatica?

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