Outwitting Back Pain : Why Your Lower Back Hurts and How to Make It Stop

by Ellis F. Friedman, MD, with Abbi Perets

• ISBN13: 9781592284320
• ISBN10: 1592284329
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2004-09-01
• Publisher: The Lyons Press

Summary

The best layperson 2s guide for diagnosing and treating back pain. Eighty percent of adults will experience lower back pain during their lifetime. And there is a great need for an authoritative, friendly voice to help them understand what 2s happening with their bodies. Dr. Ellis Friedman is that voice. In Outwitting Back Pain, Dr. Friedman acts as mentor and friend, in addition to offering sound medical advice. He writes in nontechnical language about highly technical medical conditions and uses clear x-ray illustrations to help readers understand the structure and function of the back, how it can be injured, how the problem can be diagnosed, and the methods of treatment available. He also tells readers what not to do, and what common treatments simply don 2t work. He covers back pain during pregnancy, and our backs as we age. With thorough advice on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat back pain, Outwitting Back Pain is a must for anyone who has ever experiencedlower back,pain.

Author Biography

ELLIS F. FRIEDMAN, M.D., practiced for twenty-seven years as an orthopedic surgeon. He has lectured frequently to nurses, physicians, attorneys, and insurance companies on the topic of back injuries. He has testified in over 2,000 court cases involving neck and back pain for both plaintiffs and defendants, and has a great facility for describing technical material in language laypeople can understand.

ABBI PERETS is a professional writer on the subjects of health, parenting, technology, and business. She is a senior contributing editor with ePregnancy Magazine, and served as contributing author for two books.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	ix
Preface	xv
Introduction	xix
Chapter One The Back: What It Is and How It Works	1	(24)
The Spinal Column	1	(4)
The Parts of a Vertebra	5	(5)
The Intervertebral Disc	10	(3)
The Spinal Ligaments	13	(4)
The Paraspinal Muscles	17	(2)
The Spinal Canal	19	(6)
Chapter Two History Lessons: The Key to a Successful Diagnosis	25	(20)
At the Doctor's Office	26	(1)
The Physical Examination	26	(6)
Testing, Testing	32	(13)
Chapter Three Getting to the Heart of Your Back Pain: How the Back Gets Hurt	45	(30)
Low Back Sprains and Strains	47	(2)
Ligament Injuries	49	(4)
Facet Joint Irritation	53	(5)
Herniated Disc	58	(11)
Compression Fracture	69	(5)
Painful Coccyx	74	(1)
Chapter Four Chronic Conditions: What They Are and How We Find Them	75	(42)
Degenerative Disc Disease	75	(7)
Degenerative Arthritis	82	(6)
Spinal Stenosis	88	(6)
Stress Fracture	94	(1)
Developmental Bone Problems	95	(22)
Chapter Five How We Treat the Injured Back: The Techniques That We Use	117	(30)
Physical Therapy	117	(8)
On Your Own	125	(8)
Braces and Belts	133	(1)
Medication	134	(3)
Injections	137	(1)
Surgery	138	(9)
Chapter Six Putting It All Together	147	(32)
Sprains and Strains	147	(4)
Ligament Injuries	151	(2)
Facet Joint Irritation	153	(2)
Herniated Disc	155	(3)
Compression Fracture	158	(2)
Painful Coccyx	160	(2)
Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Arthritis	162	(4)
Spinal Stenosis	166	(4)
Stress Fracture	170	(1)
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis	171	(4)
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis	175	(2)
Transitional Vertebrae	177	(2)
Chapter Seven Flow We Don't Treat the Back: What Doesn't Work-and Why	179	(18)
Bed Rest	180	(2)
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation	182	(2)
Trigger Point Injections	184	(3)
Magnets	187	(2)
Acupuncture	189	(1)
Whirlpool	189	(1)
Over-the-Counter Aids for the Relief of Back Pain	190	(2)
Surface Electromyograms/Pain Scans	192	(2)
Traction	194	(3)
Chapter Eight Back Pain During Pregnancy and After Delivery	197	(24)
Handy Hints for Trying to Avoid Back Pain During Pregnancy	202	(3)
Home Exercises	205	(13)
Physical Therapy	218	(3)
Chapter Nine Our Backs as We Age	221	(18)
How Vertebrae Develop and Grow	221	(2)
What Happens When Vertebrae Develop Abnormally	223	(1)
The Balancing Act Between Bone Formation and Bone Destruction	224	(1)
Osteoporosis	225	(4)
The Causes-and Results-of Spinal Wear and Tear	229	(1)
Changes in the Vertebrae and Ligaments	230	(4)
Changes in the Facet Joints	234	(1)
Changes in the Intervertebral Discs	235	(4)
Chapter Ten Staying Out of Trouble: Preventive Maintenance	239	(14)
The Downside of Disc Surgery	240	(2)
The Downside of Fusion Surgery	242	(2)
What to Do to Keep Your Back Healthy and Avoid Problems	244	(9)
Glossary	253	(14)
Quick Review Guide	267	(10)
Index	277