DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What happens during a spinal adjustment? Can professionals other than chiropractors safely do spinal adjustments?
ANSWER: Chiropractors commonly perform spinal adjustments, also known as spinal manipulation. However, osteopathic doctors, physical therapists and medical doctors who are specially trained in manipulation may provide the service as well. The purposes of spinal manipulation are to alleviate pain and to optimize spinal motion in regions that are notably stiff or tight.
Specific techniques may differ among...
The Mayo Clinic Minute – Cluster headaches aren't that common, but they are extremely painful. And they often occur during the fall season.
A cluster headache is a rare headache disorder that differs from a typical migraine or headache. Less than 1% of the population have cluster headaches, but for those people, it's an intense experience because the headaches come on fast and hit hard.
Imagine being woken up abruptly by excruciating head pain that reaches...
MAYO CLINIC NEWS NETWORK — Don't worry about your hips or knees as you age.
Arthritis in those joints isn't inevitable. Keep doing the activities you enjoy. Those hopeful words come from Rafael Sierra, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic specializing in hip and knee reconstruction. Dr. Sierra says there is no need to curtail your activities out of fear that you'll wear out those joints as you age and need joint replacement.
However, certain...
Australian Broadcasting Corporation – For a huge number of people, chronic back pain – which is typically defined as back pain that lasts longer than three months– is a distressing part of daily life.
It also has a big impact on the economy.
In 2018, consulting firm Deloitte reported that chronic musculoskeletal pain cost Australia's health system over $1 billion.
But while back pain rates are estimated to grow, there's disagreement over the cause and best treatment for the...
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am in my late 50s and have started having stiffness in my back. I have become much less flexible and sometimes even have a hard time looking over my shoulder. I remember my grandparents complaining about arthritis in their knees and hands — and the pain they had later in life. Could I be developing arthritis in my spine? Is there anything I can do?
ANSWER: Arthritis is a condition that...
Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes (plantar fascia).
Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of...
MAYO CLINIC NEWS NETWORK — Many types of arthritis can affect your musculoskeletal system. Joints are physical points of connection between two bones, and cartilage is the tissue that covers the surface of the bone at the joint.
A membrane, called the synovial membrane, lines the joint and is filled with fluid known as synovial fluid. All these components work together to make movement easy.
"Over time, the cartilage in joints can break down and cause...
MAYO CLINIC: A friend told me that her arthritis pain improved after she started taking turmeric. I'm committed to making this new year a healthier one, and I want to improve my overall health and diet. Can you tell me more about this supplement? Is it something I can add into my diet to feel better?
ANSWER: Turmeric is becoming a common spice in many home pantries, especially since people are hearing of its many...
Headache pain can slow you down or even stop you in your tracks. It can be intense or a dull ache that lasts for a few days. Regardless of the exact symptoms, you want relief. Here are six things you can do to help lessen headache intensity or frequency.
YAHOO! LIFE – Some foods are known for worsening an individual's arthritis and should be avoided whenever possible to prevent flare-ups.
While no single food will cause arthritis or trigger a flare-up, your diet as a whole can substantially impact the severity of your condition.
Certain foods have been found to have inflammatory properties, so it's wise to avoid these foods as much as possible.
1. Dairy
Dairy contains a protein called casein which can stimulate inflammation around...
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Recently, I started having more aches and pains, especially in my knees and hips. I wonder if I have arthritis. What are my treatment options?
ANSWER: Osteoarthritis, also known as mechanical arthritis or "wear-and-tear" arthritis, is the most common joint disorder in the U.S. This condition occurs when the protective cartilage lining the joints is lost, resulting in pain and impaired function. An estimated 20%-30% of adults older than 45 have evidence...
University of New South Wales – People challenged with chronic back pain have been given hope with a new treatment that focuses on retraining how the back and the brain communicate, a randomized controlled trial run by researchers at UNSW Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and several other Australian and European universities has shown.
The study, funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), was described today in a paper published...
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am in my late 50s and have an active lifestyle. I have had two prior surgeries for a herniated lumbar disk. Recently, I began to have leg pain, which occurred previously, so I believe I must have another herniated disk. I have tried pain medicines and injections in the past, and I’ve taken up swimming to remain active. Is there anything else I can do to treat this except undergoing surgery...