Abdominal Pain

Just about everybody at one point or another will experience abdominal pain. Most causes of abdominal pain are not serious and can be readily diagnosed and treated. However, abdominal pain can also be a sign of a serious illness, and it is important that you learn to recognize which symptoms are severe and when to call a doctor.

Achilles Tendonitis

Overuse of the Achilles tendon may cause the tendon to swell, become irritated, inflamed and cause pain. This is Achilles tendinitis. It is a common sports injury related to running but can happen to anyone who puts a lot of stress on their feet (e.g.: basketball players and dancers). If you do not get treatment for Achilles tendinitis, the problem can become chronic and make it difficult for you to walk.

Acute vs. Chronic Pain

Pain is an uncomfortable feeling and/or an unpleasant sensation in the body. The presence of pain often is an indication that something is wrong. Pain can appear suddenly or can come about slowly.

Acute Low/Mechanical Back Pain

Acute mechanical back pain is a common medical problem. Acute pain is pain that has been present for less than 4 to 6 weeks. Mechanical means the source of the pain may be in the spinal joints, discs, vertebrae, or soft tissues. Acute mechanical back pain may also be called acute low back pain, lumbago, idiopathic low back pain, lumbosacral strain or sprain, or lumbar syndrome.

Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis is a condition in which there is pain and stiffness or motion loss in the shoulder.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Spondyloarthritides are a group of arthritic diseases that share several common features. They can cause inflammation of the spine; however, other joints may be affected. The tendon and ligament tissue near the spine or joint is also involved.

Arthritis Pain

Arthritis literally means "joint inflammation" - redness and warmth within the joint. Because inflammation is painful, arthritis limits movement.

Back Health

The spine (or backbone) runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis. It serves as a pillar to support the body's weight and to protect the spinal cord.

Back Pain

At some point during our adult lives, most people experience bouts of back pain. Chronic back pain is pain that persists after an injury or surgery where the source is hard to determine. Acute pain can develop into Chronic Pain for a number of reasons.

Back Pain in Athletes

Back pain and related symptoms rank among the second most frequent medical complaints. Disability from low back pain is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost work time and is the most common cause of disability in people under 45 years of age.

Back Sprain

Back sprain is a stretched ligament or muscle in the back. A back sprain may occur without any obvious injury but sometimes it may be caused by a sudden impact with an object.

Back Strain

Back strain is by far the leading cause (80 percent to 85 percent of cases) of low back pain in the United States. This pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor. It is also a direct cause of enormous health care expenses.

Bursitis

Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the bursa. The bursa is a small sac filled with lubricating fluid, located between tissues such as bone, muscle, tendons, and skin. Bursae help to decrease friction, rubbing and irritation and help your joints move with ease.

Cancer Pain

Pain, which can be caused by the disease itself or by treatment (chemotherapy, radiation and surgery), is common in people with cancer. Breakthrough pain can also occur in patients who receive treatment in chronic pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pain

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the hands and wrist. It occurs when there is increased pressure on a nerve called the median nerve.

Central Pain Syndrome

Central pain syndrome is a neurological condition caused by damage to or dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. This syndrome can be caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, epilepsy, brain or spinal cord trauma, or Parkinson's disease.

Cervical Spondylosis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) slips out of place onto the vertebra below it. If it slips too much, the bone might press on a nerve, causing pain. Usually, the bones of the lower back are affected.

Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain is pain that persists after an injury or surgery where the source is hard to determine. Acute pain can develop into Chronic Pain for a number of reasons. Once these reasons have been determined through a medical evaluation, treatment can focus on reducing back pain and improving mood and function.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that continues beyond the expected period of healing for an illness or injury. In chronic pain, signals of pain remain active in the nervous system for weeks, months, or years.

Chronic Pain vs. Acute Pain

Pain is an uncomfortable feeling and/or an unpleasant sensation in the body. The presence of pain often is an indication that something is wrong. Pain can appear suddenly or can come about slowly.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are the most severe headaches. A cluster headache can be many times more intense than a migraine attack. It has been called the "suicide headache" because some people have taken their lives either during an attack or in anticipation of an attack.

Coccydynia

Most often, the cause of coccydynia is unknown ("idiopathic"). Other causes include trauma (for example, from falls and childbirth); abnormal, excessive mobility of the tailbone; and – very rarely – infection, tumor, or fracture.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD)

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). This is a disease that is characterized by varying degrees of pain and autonomic disturbances that are reflected in changes of the skin, temperature, color and swelling.

Degenerative Back Conditions Pain

Degenerative changes in the spine are those that cause the loss of normal structure and/or function. They are not typically due to a specific injury but rather to age. Repeated strains, sprains, and overuse of the back cause a gradual degeneration of the discs of the spine. Nearly everyone experiences some disc degeneration after age 40.

Degenerative Neck Conditions Pain

Degenerative neck conditions affect the cervical vertebrae - the seven vertebrae that form the upper part of your spine, between your skull and chest. When one or more of these bones is broken, the injury is called a cervical fracture. A cervical fracture can result in bone that is broken into pieces or cracks and fissures in the bone. This condition can often lead to severe neck pain.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes can harm your nerves. That damage, called neuropathy, may be painful. It can happen in several ways, and they all seem to be related to blood sugar levels being too high for too long. To prevent it, work with your doctor to manage your blood sugar.

Dupuytren's Disease Pain

Dupuytren's Disease is a condition that produces bumps or nodules on the palm. The most commonplace for the nodule is near the last crease in the palm, close to the base of the finger. The most common fingers involved are the ring and small fingers. The beginning of the condition is often unnoticed, but occasionally the nodules may be mildly tender.

Fibromyalgia Pain

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by aching and pain in muscles, tendons and joints all over the body, especially along the spine.

Foot and Leg (Ischemic) Ulcer Pain

Ulcers are wounds or open sores that will not heal or keep returning.

Headaches

Headaches are the most common cause of absenteeism from work and school. Migraine sufferers lose more than 157 million work and school days every year because of headache pain.

Herniated Disc

The spine, or backbone, is made up of a series of individual bones called vertebrae that are stacked to form the spinal column. Between the vertebrae are flat, round cushioning pads called intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers. Each disc has a soft, gel-like center - called the nucleus pulposus - surrounded by a tough, fibrous outer layer called the annulus.

Interstitial Cystitis | Pelvic Pain Disc

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a challenging disorder, one that requires the patient, his or her physician and consulting specialists to work as a team to identify the therapies that are the most effective.

Lumbar Canal Stenosis

The spinal column, or the vertebrae, consists of 24 separate bones along with the fused bones of the sacrum and coccyx. The vertebral column is a strong, flexible rod that protects the spinal cord, supports the head, and provides an attachment for the ribs. There are four major components of the spine: the vertebrae, joints, discs, and nerves.

Osteoarthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis is a condition caused by the breakdown of the cartilage that surrounds and protects the ends of the bones in the hip joints. Not only does the cartilage around the joints act as a shock absorber, but it also prevents the bones from crushing other bones and causing pain.

Pain Control after Surgery

Pain control following surgery is a major priority for both you and your doctors. While you should expect to have some pain after your surgery, your doctor will make every effort to safely minimize your pain.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain might be a symptom of infection or might arise from pain in the pelvis bone or in non-reproductive internal organs. In women, however, pelvic pain can very well be an indication that there might be a problem with one of the reproductive organs.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to your peripheral nerves, often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in your hands and feet. It can also affect other areas of your body.

Pinched Nerves

The spinal column, or the vertebrae, consists of 24 separate bones along with the fused bones of the sacrum and coccyx. The vertebral column is a strong, flexible rod that protects the spinal cord, supports the head, and provides an attachment for the ribs. There are four major components of the spine: the vertebrae, joints, discs and nerves.

Psychogenic Pain

Psychogenic pain is not an official diagnostic term. It is used to describe a pain disorder attributed to psychological factors. Such things as beliefs, fears, and strong emotions can cause, increase, or prolong pain.

Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy refers to a set of conditions in which one or more nerves are affected and do not work properly (a neuropathy).

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)

Pain is something that everyone experiences at one time or another. Although people seek relief using whatever is available, frequently people find that nothing really works effectively.

Ruptured Disc

A herniated disc - also called a slipped disc or ruptured disc - occurs when pressure from the vertebrae above and below force some or all of the nucleus pulposus through a weakened or torn part of the annulus. The herniated nucleus pulposus can press on the nerves near the disc, resulting in pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic (ongoing) arthritis that occurs in joints on both sides of the body (such as both hands, wrists, and/or knees). This symmetric multiple joint involvement helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis.

Shoulder and Neck Pain

Causes of neck pain include abnormalities in the bone or joints, trauma, poor posture, degenerative diseases, and tumors. Pain in the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) is the most common cause of neck pain and usually occurs as a result of an acute or a chronic muscle strain. The neck is very mobile, which means it is less stable than other areas of the body and more easily injured.

Slipped Disc

A cartilaginous disc between vertebrae in the spine that is displaced or partly protruding, pressing on nearby nerves and causing back pain or sciatica.

Spasticity

Spasticity is a symptom of many neurological diseases. The term spasticity means a 'tightness in the muscles' with increased tone.

Spinal Stenosis

The spinal column, or the vertebrae, consists of 24 separate bones along with the fused bones of the sacrum and coccyx. The vertebral column is a strong, flexible rod that protects the spinal cord, supports the head, and provides an attachment for the ribs. There are four major components of the spine: the vertebrae, joints, discs, and nerves.

Spondylitis

Spondyloarthritides are a group of arthritic diseases that share several common features. They can cause inflammation of the spine; however, other joints may be affected. The tendon and ligament tissue near the spine or joint is also involved. A high percentage of people with these diseases share a similar gene called HLA B27.

Sprains

One of the most common injuries in sports is a sprain. A sprain is the overload and/or tearing of a ligament of ligaments. Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissues that connect bone to bone and support and strengthen the joints. A sprain occurs when the joint is stretched beyond its normal limits. Sprains are graded from I to III, I being the least serious and III being the most severe.

Surgery Pain Control

Pain control following surgery is a major priority for both you and your doctors. While you should expect to have some pain after your surgery, your doctor will make every effort to safely minimize your pain.

Tailbone Pain

Coccydynia is pain in or around the area of the coccyx, also called the tailbone.

Tendonitis

Tendinitis most often is caused by repetitive, minor impact on the affected area, or from a sudden, more serious injury.

Trigger Finger Pain

Trigger finger or trigger thumb is when your fingers or thumb get stuck in a bent position - as if squeezing a "trigger." Trigger finger can occur in one or more fingers. The ring finger is often one of the fingers affected. The condition is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis.

Vascular Pain

Vascular pain is pain that develops when there is interruption in blood flow to a tissue, organ, or nerves.

Vertebral Fractures

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. Literally meaning "porous bone," it results in an increased loss of bone mass and strength. The disease often progresses without any symptoms or pain.