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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

    Karen Pantazis

    Karen Pantazis, M.D.

    Sutter Amador Hospital

    My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?

    It is not unusual for patients who take pain medication and are depressed due to chronic pain to have diminished interest in sex. It could be due to the medications, the depression, the chronic pain, diminished... continue reading  about  My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?

    Noah Weiss

    Noah Weiss, M.D.

    Surgery Center Division

    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?

    Toni J. Brayer

    Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    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?

    Alexander M. Reyzelman

    Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM

    SEBMF HMO Network

    What does it mean when I keep getting cramps in my toes and occasionally my calves? I have a heart condition and was wondering if the cramps could have something to do with poor circulation?

    Typically muscle cramps that are associated with poor circulation occur only during walking. Classical symptoms of poor circulation are the calves feeling heavy and fatigued, and the person needing to stop and ... continue reading  about  What does it mean when I keep getting cramps in my toes and occasionally my calves? I have a heart condition and was wondering if the cramps could have something to do with poor circulation?

    Karen Pantazis

    Karen Pantazis, M.D.

    Sutter Amador Hospital

    I've been taking vicodin for a number of years because of chronic back pain. My concern is that I've become dependent on them. Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?

    This is a common concern for many patients taking pain medications. Yes, there is a difference between addiction and physical dependence.There are several terms that are important to understand related to takin... continue reading  about  I've been taking vicodin for a number of years because of chronic back pain. My concern is that I've become dependent on them. Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?

    Karen Pantazis

    Karen Pantazis, M.D.

    Sutter Amador Hospital

    I have been dealing with chronic pain from a back injury for a number of years. I read recently that vitamin D can help reduce pain. Is this true, and if so should I start taking a supplement?

    Vitamin D can help with certain types of chronic pain, especially muscle and joint pains. However, before you start taking vitamin D supplements, it is important that you have your vitamin D level checked to se... continue reading  about  I have been dealing with chronic pain from a back injury for a number of years. I read recently that vitamin D can help reduce pain. Is this true, and if so should I start taking a supplement?

    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

    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?

    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?

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