Four ways you could develop latissimus dorsi muscle pain at work

Have you recently been told that the discomfort you’re experiencing is called latissimus dorsi muscle pain? If you have, you’re probably wondering what that means exactly. Let’s break it down.  What is the latissimus dorsi? The latissimus dorsi is the large, flat muscle that spans the width of your middle and lower back. This muscle […]

Two exercises physical therapists may use to treat lumbar radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and weakness in the lower back. Lumbar means in or near the lumbar region of the spine; radiculopathy means inflammation or pinching of one or more nerve roots.   Sciatica is a type of lumbar radiculopathy that affects about 5% of people annually. It occurs when […]

Three conditions that can lead to back, shoulder and elbow pain

It can be tricky for you to figure out why you’re feeling back, shoulder and elbow pain. There are many issues that can cause these types of pain, and your pain could originate from any of these three locations.  Fortunately, physical therapists can help you discover why you’re feeling a combination of back, shoulder and […]

Three tips that can help you get in the best position to sit with a herniated lumbar disc

You picked up a heavy box, and now your lower back is sore. You were recently in a car accident that has left you feeling lower back pain. These are both common scenarios that people who develop herniated lumbar discs have experienced — scenarios that can leave you desperate to find the best position to […]

What exercises are involved in physical therapy after back surgery?

Many issues that affect the back can be successfully treated without surgery, but that doesn’t mean that some problems won’t require surgery to heal properly.  Medical research is also reporting that more and more people are electing to have back surgery. One study reveals that the number of lumbar spinal fusions increased by more than […]

What are some common injuries you can develop while playing golf?

Golfing can have many positive health benefits. For instance, it can help improve strength and cardiovascular fitness. These and other benefits may be why 1 in every 3 Americans over the age of 6 plays, watches or reads about golf.  However, as with any sport, there is a possibility of injuring yourself while playing golf. […]

Three reasons people are developing lower back pain right now

It seems like people just aren’t surprised to develop lower back pain anymore, and there are plenty of reasons for this attitude.  For one thing, it’s reported that up to 33% of people are experiencing lower back pain at any given time. That translates into nearly 109 million Americans based on current population data. With […]

What could be causing my sore lower back?

Have you recently noticed that your lower back is sore at the end of the day? It’s important to find out what is causing your back to ache before it gets even worse.  It may be comforting to know that you aren’t the only person with lower back pain. The American Chiropractic Association reports that […]

How long can it take for herniated discs to heal without surgery?

People with herniated discs can feel shocklike pains running through their body if it pinches a nerve. They can also experience other day-to-day problems like difficulty walking.  Learning how long a herniated disc can take to heal without surgery can help you stay positive when dealing with such symptoms. Physical therapists can help you determine […]

Can you have both lower back and hip pain?

It may seem odd, but the answer to this question is clearly found in a children’s song. Anyone who’s ever heard or sung “The Skeleton Dance” knows that “the hip bone’s connected to the backbone.” This is a simplistic interpretation of the connection between the hips and the lower back, but it illustrates that you […]

Is walking good for spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the spinal column. This puts pressure on the nerves running through your spine, which can cause back pain and pain that spreads into other parts of your body, such as your legs, arms and hands. One of the ways that spinal stenosis can affect you if it […]

Three exercises that can help your inflammatory back pain

Back pain is often caused by an injury to a back muscle or other back structures. However, even if you don’t have a mechanical back issue, you can still experience back pain.  Inflammatory, or nonmechanical, back pain isn’t caused by an injury to a back structure. It’s related to chronic inflammation in one or more […]