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

Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Back Surgery
Learn the risks and benefits of back surgery, and if you’re a good candidate.

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

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.
Ask an Expert
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
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?
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?
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?
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, 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?
Karen Pantazis, M.D.
Sutter Amador Hospital
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Acute pain is a pain that has a limited time frame. It usually, though not always, starts suddenly, has an identifiable cause, can be treated, and once treated, the pain subsides. In that sense, since the cause... continue reading about What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
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?
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?
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?
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