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Pain Archive

Exercise & Fitness

Stretching studios: Do you need what they offer?

Published January 24, 2022

One trend in the world of fitness is the stretching studio, providing assisted stretching sessions marketed as a way to improve flexibility and ease chronic pain. But those looking to boost their overall health are more likely to benefit from regular, moderate physical activity, and do their stretching at home.

Pain

If you have knee pain, telehealth may help

Published January 11, 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the number one cause of chronic knee pain, affecting nearly a quarter of people 40 or older. A recent study of people with overweight or obesity and OA showed that telehealth visits can be an effective way to provide care and may even help with weight loss, which can improve symptoms and prevent OA from worsening.

Pain

5 causes of sciatica

Published December 16, 2021

Damage to or pinching of the sciatic nerve, or the nerves that feed into it, can have several causes.

Pain

Got back pain? Can virtual reality provide real pain relief?

Published December 10, 2021

Chronic low back pain is a leading cause of long-lasting pain and disability worldwide. Treatment options help some people but not all, leaving millions seeking safe, effective treatment. An 8-week program using a virtual reality device aims to offers lasting relief, but valid questions about evidence of effectiveness have not yet been answered.

Pain

A single-session class offers chronic low back pain relief

Published December 1, 2021

A single two-hour pain management class may offer months-long relief from chronic low back pain compared with other approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and back health education.

Pain

Help for your aching back

Published December 1, 2021

Short-term (acute) and chronic back pain can be managed through a variety of strategies. For short-term pain, over-the-counter pain relievers, heat, and moving as much as possible can help. Chronic back pain may require assistance from a doctor, which could include medication, physical therapy, and rarely surgery. People considering surgery for back pain should consider getting a second opinion. Surgery sometimes is not successful at relieving pain.

Pain

Drug therapy needs time to treat heart-related chest pain

Published November 1, 2021

Chest pain with exertion affects about one-quarter of people with stable coronary artery disease. A 2021 study found that these individuals can often eliminate their symptoms by following conservative drug therapy, without needing a stent or bypass surgery.

Pain

"Pandemic posture" hurting your back? You can fix it!

Published October 1, 2021

"Pandemic posture" refers to poor posture from slouching at a desk or on a couch during time at home during the pandemic, and it can result in back or neck pain. To reduce pain, doctors recommend exercising every day; working with a physical therapist to learn the right way to sit up straight and how to strengthen the muscles that support the posture; using a chair with cushioning for the buttocks and support for the lower back; using a footrest; keeping a computer monitor at eye level; and using an ergonomically designed mouse and wrist pad.

Pain

Take control of your knee pain

Published September 1, 2021

Regular exercise and stretching can reduce knee pain related to some common conditions. Exercises that strengthen muscle groups in the upper and lower legs, hips, and core can help them better support the knee and improve movement. Strength-building exercises should be done at least two days a week, and stretches should be performed daily.

Pain

Vitamin D deficiency might affect recovery from knee surgery