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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

    James D. Kelly

    James D. Kelly, M.D.

    SPMF San Francisco HMO Network

    I'm having extreme pain in my shoulder near my shoulder blade down to my fingers, with tingling in my hand and fingers. What is causing this and what should I do?

    Those symptoms are most commonly associated with a pinched nerve in the neck, a condition called a "cervical radiculopathy." The specific treatment you might need depends upon several factors such as how long y... continue reading  about  I'm having extreme pain in my shoulder near my shoulder blade down to my fingers, with tingling in my hand and fingers. What is causing this and what should I do?

    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?

    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?

    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?

    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?

    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?

    Joshua C. Richards

    Joshua C. Richards, M.D.

    Eden Medical Center

    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?

    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?

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