Back Pain : What You Need to Know

by Johns Hopkins

• ISBN13: 9780737016017
• ISBN10: 0737016019
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-06-01
• Publisher: Grand Central Pub

Summary

Back Pain: What You Need to Know is your guide to understanding everything you can do to keep your back strong. Written by the medical professionals at Johns Hopkins Hospital, it guides you through the thicket of treatment options -- from surgery and medical tests to alternative treatments like massage and acupuncture.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(4)
Why Does Your Back Hurt?	5	(20)
Acute and Chronic Back Pain	6	(2)
Sciatica: The Pain of Injured Nerves	8	(1)
Who Gets Back Pain?	9	(4)
How Your Back Works	13	(10)
The Impact of Back Pain	23	(2)
Symptoms and Causes of Back Pain	25	(38)
Making a Diagnosis	26	(1)
The Causes of Back Pain	27	(1)
Sprains, Strains, and Spasms	28	(4)
Degenerative Changes	32	(6)
Herniated Disks	38	(4)
Vertebral Compression Fractures	42	(2)
Osteoporosis	44	(8)
Arthritic Diseases of the Spine	52	(2)
Spondylolisthesis	54	(1)
Spinal Deformities	55	(2)
Fibromyalgia	57	(1)
Osteomalacia	58	(1)
Vertebral Osteomyelitis	59	(1)
Cauda Equina Syndrome	60	(1)
Cancer	60	(1)
Other Systemic Diseases	61	(1)
Healing with Time	61	(2)
Finding Medical Care	63	(24)
When to See Your Doctor	64	(1)
The First Stop: Your Family Doctor	64	(2)
Your Medical History	66	(2)
The Physical Examination	68	(3)
Laboratory Tests	71	(9)
Specialists for Back Pain	80	(7)
Standard Treatments for Back Pain	87	(18)
The Government Guidelines	89	(1)
Bed Rest	89	(2)
Ice Therapy	91	(1)
Heat Therapy	92	(1)
Pain Medications	92	(5)
Physical Therapy and Exercise	97	(2)
Spinal Manipulation	99	(1)
Back Schools	99	(3)
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)	102	(1)
Braces and Belts	102	(1)
Traction and Corsets	103	(2)
When Surgery May Be Necessary	105	(12)
Surgery for a Herniated Disk: Diskectomy	106	(5)
Surgery for Vertebral Compression Fractures: Spinal Fusion	111	(2)
Surgery for Spinal Stenosis: Decompression Surgery	113	(4)
Staying Healthy: How to Prevent Future Episodes of Back Pain	117	(28)
Your Weight and Back Pain	119	(2)
A Mineral for Your Back	121	(2)
Take the Edge off Stress	123	(2)
Stopping Stress from the Inside Out	125	(3)
Smoking and Your Back	128	(1)
Standing up to Back Pain	128	(4)
Back Care Products: Are They Worth the Price?	132	(2)
Using Your Back Wisely	134	(11)
An Exercise Program for You	145	(18)
Getting Started	147	(4)
The Best Exercises for Back Pain	151	(3)
Stretching	154	(1)
Cross-Training	155	(2)
Exercises You Can Do at Home	157	(6)
Complementary Care for Back Pain	163	(6)
Acupuncture and Acupressure	164	(3)
Massage Therapy	167	(2)
New Strategies for Back Pain	169	(10)
New Help for Osteoporosis	170	(3)
New Hope for Paget's Disease	173	(1)
Advances in Surgery	174	(2)
Coming to Terms with Stress	176	(1)
Early Action	176	(1)
Future Trends	177	(2)
Appendix 1: Suggested Reading	179	(1)
Appendix 2: Health Information Organizations and Support Groups	180