The facet joints connect each vertebra in your spine to the one above or below it. In some cases, your back or neck pain may originate in these joints. Facet joint injections can be used as a therapeutic and diagnostic treatment to target the joint causing you pain. During this treatment, you will receive a local anesthetic before a needle is guided by X-ray imaging into the target joint. Contrast dye is used to confirm placement of the needle before anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication are

Stress fractures are injuries caused by overuse of the muscles. They are particularly common among athletes who participate in activities that tax the lower body. Proper diagnosis of these injuries is the first step in developing an effective treatment and prevention plan. Causes of Stress Fractures Unlike acute fractures, stress fractures occur as a result of lower, repeated force. They frequently occur in the legs, feet, and lower body because these areas sustain significant forces during activity. Overuse of the muscles weakens them and lowers their

Low back pain is a very common problem affecting millions of people at any given time. The economic toll of chronic low back pain (three months or longer) has been estimated to be between $12 to $90 billion from loss of work productivity, cost of treatment, and disability payments, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.   Most patients who develop low back pain have a vague memory that stretching is helpful for the low back and try to fix the problem by doing stretches

Just like a warm up session is important before starting with any exercise, in a similar way a cool down session is also very much needed after you are through with them. Warm up helps your body to prepare itself for the long session of exercises piled ahead. It makes sure that do not get into muscle stretch or ligament tear during any exercise. Similarly, when you finish with your exercises you have to go through a cool down session in order to make sure

Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint. After all, no joint moves more in your body than your shoulder. As it lifts, twists, and carries, it is prone to dislocation and injury. A number of different issues can cause pain in your shoulder; here are some of the most common culprits behind this pain:   Shoulder Dislocation When you twist and turn your arms, it is possible to pop the top of your bone out of the socket in your shoulder. You will likely experience pain

Hospitals can be dangerous places. According to the Institute of Medicine, 100,000 people die every year due to medical error — more deaths than from car accidents, diabetes, and pneumonia. Far more patients are victims of medical error. In a stunning 2011 Health Affairs article, researchers found that medical errors occur in one-third of all hospitalized patients. A separate study of Medicare patients found that one in seven people in the hospital experience at least one unintended harm. Here are 10 common medical errors that can occur in the

Would you know what to do in an accident? Most people would be caught unawares when faced with a life or death situation, but you need not be one of them. Here is a post on CPR, an essential technique that can help you possibly save lives. CPR or cardio pulmonary resuscitation is a very important tool when it comes to saving someone’s life. It is a technique that involves both restarting a person’s heart as well their breathing. Here are the steps you should follow while

When the body experiences trauma, the tissues can become inflamed. This inflammation occurs because the cells that comprise those tissues are trying to repair the injured site. However, inflammation can also cause discomfort, swelling, and stiffness, which can greatly inhibit a person’s mobility and quality of life. To alleviate these conditions, a pain management specialist may administer a steroid injection at the site of the injury. Steroids are hormones that can minimize inflammation and its associated symptoms. Though steroid injections do not constitute a permanent solution

Although the knee’s only job is to bend and straighten the leg, it requires a vast collection of bones, muscles, tendons and cartilage to pull off this simple feat. And because it’s designed to stick to such a rigid path of movement, any little tweak puts all of those moving parts at risk for injury. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an especially delicate piece of hardware. The ligament, which runs through the center of the knee and ensures that the thigh tracks properly with

Because slipped discs generally occur within the first hour of your day, it’s very important that you stretch your back as soon as you wake up. Back muscles can constrict during sleep and may not be ready for exertion as soon as you get out of bed. Your mind may already be awake, but your body requires some special attention in order to catch up. Think of it like warming your car before driving out into the snow. Lower Back Stretch The erector spinae, or, lower