The human spinal column comprises over 30 vertebrae, most of which are separated by hard-shelled gelatinous discs. These discs act as both a flexible ligament between our vertebrae (to allow us to bend, twist, and turn) and as shock absorbers. They are tough and rubbery on the outside but softer on the inside. Spinal disc…

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Medically, we understand pain as a sensory experience beyond the mechanical purpose of nociception (brain signals warning us of sources of danger). Where nociception is the process by which our body interprets danger, pain is the experience surrounding it – including duration and intensity. While natural, there are times and conditions wherein pain is a…

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June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month (NSAM) for 2021 and the years beyond. This month, we hope to help readers learn more about scoliosis – and understand why this condition requires more research, more funding, and more attention. Scoliosis is surprisingly prevalent. While it doesn’t affect most people, it is diagnosed in upwards of three…

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Opioids continue to be the most powerful class of painkilling drugs globally. Still, there are clear downsides to their use, particularly in the long term, and many pain specialists have reservations about recommending them for chronic pain. Opioids owe their usefulness to how effectively they shut down pain signals in the brain – but patients…

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In any given year, about 35 million Americans will suffer from a migraine – and it is estimated that as many as 43 percent of women and 18 percent of men will experience a migraine attack at some point in their lives. Despite how common migraines are, few people know how it occurs or why,…

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The lumbar region, or the lower back, is the point in the back most prone to injuries and pain. Many of the pain conditions associated with the lower back begin with the spinal discs between your vertebrae. These spinal discs are tough on the outside, and soft on the inside, acting as cushions between each…

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Pain is best described as a sense – much like smell, touch, or sight, our sense of pain helps us interpret and navigate the world around us and respond to both potential and real threats via our brain’s processing of information. Pain is a preservation tool our nervous system employs to warn us of certain…

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Sciatica is characterized by pain in one leg, usually radiating through the buttock and sometimes felt down into the foot. Sciatica is caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. The duration of sciatica is determined by the cause, precisely the nature, and severity of the condition causing the…

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Arthritis Awareness Month helps us deal with this commonly misunderstood health issue. Here are a few rather surprising facts: Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. More than a fifth of American adults struggle with arthritis or another diagnosed rheumatic condition. The condition is most common in Americans aged 45 and up and…

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A herniated disk, or a slipped disk, is by far the most common cause of neck pain, lower back pain, and nerve-related leg pain. Herniated disks have a high prevalence among adults aged 35 and older, with various causes ranging from repetitive injuries to sudden strain, other illnesses, and weight gain. Sudden pain near the…

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