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While an episode of low back pain may begin after lifting, sleeping in an awkward position, or engaging in physical activity, these events often act as triggers rather than the underlying cause. In many cases, the factors that make the lower back vulnerable have been present for months or even years. One such factor is [..]

Neck pain is a common condition that can make everyday activities more difficult. While discomfort is felt in the neck, its cause may not always be limited to the cervical spine and associated tissues because the neck does not exist in isolation. It has been theorized that because the neck and mid-back (thoracic spine) work [..]

In her book, Molecules of Emotion, The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine, Candace Pert, PhD, notes that people’s (and animal’s) emotions are observable in their posture and facial expressions (1). ••• This is not a fictitious story, it is real; the names have been changed. Mr. Smith was 81 years old. He had retired from working [..]

Athletic performance depends on more than strength alone. Healthy movement requires muscles, joints, and the nervous system to work together smoothly. Hamstring injuries are among the most common in sports, especially those involving running, sprinting, and rapid changes of direction, such as soccer. Because recovery can take weeks or even months, injury prevention is an [..]

The median nerve provides feeling to the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the thumb side of the ring finger. It also controls several muscles at the base of the thumb. If pressure builds within the carpal tunnel where the nerve passes through the wrist, the compression can impede the normal median nerve function, resulting [..]

The neck contains many structures that work together to support the head and allow smooth movement, including muscles, ligaments, disks, nerves, and facet joints. During a whiplash injury, the neck can experience rapid forces that stretch these tissues, contributing to the myriad symptoms collectively known as whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). According to a recent systematic review, [..]

Heart rate zones reflect exercise intensity as a percentage of a person’s estimated maximum heart rate, which is commonly calculated by subtracting age from 220. For example, a 50-year-old adult’s estimated maximum heart rate is 170 (220 minus 50). As exercise becomes more demanding, the heart beats faster to deliver oxygen-rich blood to working muscles. [..]

Chronic low back pain is defined as back pain that lasts for three months or longer. It affects millions of adults and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It’s estimated that more than 600 million individuals worldwide are living with chronic low back pain at any given moment. While injuries, age-related changes, [..]

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. People often describe it as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming in one or both ears. While tinnitus is frequently associated with hearing-related conditions, not all tinnitus originates solely from the auditory system. A form known as somatic tinnitus is influenced by musculoskeletal factors [..]

Orthopaedics literally means “straight children.” The specialty of orthopedics began in 1741 when French physician, Nicolas Andry de Bois-Regard (1658–1742) published the foundational book Orthopédie (translated as The Art of Correcting and Preventing Deformities in Children) (1, 2). Dr. Andry established that children who were “bent” (not straight) had difficult lives, and that their situation [..]

Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed or irritated as it passes through a narrow space on the inside of the elbow called the cubital tunnel. This can result in numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers, hand weakness, reduced grip strength, and aching pain along the inside of the [..]

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy, is a common condition involving irritation of the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, it affects many people who have never played tennis. Repetitive gripping, lifting, typing, and tool use can all contribute to the condition. Traditionally, treatment has focused on [..]