Thanks to seatbelts and airbags, a lot of serious injuries resulting from car accidents can be avoided. Nevertheless, one injury that frequently occurs in a crash – particularly when getting rammed from behind – is whiplash, a rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck. How do you know if you have whiplash…
Orthopaedic Associates Blog
Pilates vs. Yoga: The Benefits of Strength Training for Back Pain
One of the best ways to reduce or prevent back pain is to exercise. But not just any exercise. You need an exercise that not only relaxes your spine and back muscles but also strengthens them. Two types of exercise that fit the bill are yoga and Pilates. Both are essential for healthy back care…
Firm or Soft Pillows: What’s Best for Your Neck?
Firm or soft? It’s the pillow talk that has puzzled most sleepers for ages. Is there a right answer? And what is best for your neck? Let’s face it: all you want is a good night’s rest without waking up with a stiff neck. The problem is that when you lay down, your neck doesn’t…
Pesudoarthrosis in the Cervical and Lumbar Spine
Pseudarthrosis describes bones that fail to properly heal. The word – which combines pseudo (“false”) and arthrosis (“joint”) – describes the loose fibrous tissue that forms between fractured bone, allowing movement in the area when sturdiness was the goal. This type of failure to heal is also sometimes referred to as a nonunion of bone….
Scoliosis: Symptoms to Watch For
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. Some spinal curving is common and causes no problems. But others have spines that curve significantly from side to side forming the letter “S” or the letter “C.” In severe cases, it can cause debilitating pain and difficulties. On the bright side, most cases of scoliosis are mild. And, although there is…
Eating Your Way To a Healthy Spine
“You are what you eat,” as the saying goes, is appropriate when it comes to your spinal health. Good nutrition, a healthy weight, exercise and a balanced diet are critical components to good health, sure – but they also play a major role in the prevention of many back issues, and during recovery from a back injury…
Five Things to Do to Protect Your Spine from Injury
More than any other part of the body in the human musculoskeletal system, your spine is extremely important. Your spine is the main support of the body, and a determining factor of your overall health and well-being. Its anatomy facilitates movement and support of your head, back, ribcage, and limbs. It serves as a conduit…
Surprising Causes of Scoliosis
Scoliosis curves can occur at multiple levels of the spine, such as the cervical (neck), thoracic (ribs), and lumbar (lower back) region, even in the same individual. Rarely are two scoliosis patients’ spines identical. Causes of Scoliosis The causes of scoliosis are not well understood, and hence prevention and curative treatments are difficult….
Avoiding Back Pain During the Holidays
All holiday activities and responsibilities can bring on stress that can increase muscle tension, pain, and aggravated existing conditions. Pain can occur while carrying on any unfamiliar activity. It’s important to be mindful of your spine health, and practice safe and effective methods to avoid painful neck and back conditions. Getting Through the…
What is Causing Your Back Pain to Move Around?
The American Chiropractic Association reports that Americans spend about 50 billion dollars a year on treating back pain. Back pain is a top medical complaint, and virtually all adults will seek attention for back pain at some point in their lives. Furthermore, the spine is highly prone to injury because it is subject to many…