Pain Archive

On call

Q. I suffer from recurrent episodes of low back pain. Is spinal manipulation really effective for back pain relief?

A. Episodes of low back pain are quite common among older men, and many seek relief through chiropractic care, which usually includes spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation (or adjustment), as described by the American Chiropractic Association, focuses on using manual pressure to mobilize joints.

Arthritis is a painful problem that can interfere with your ability to do the things you enjoy. But you can take steps to manage arthritis by protecting your joints, reducing discomfort, and improving mobility.

Physical or occupational therapists can be very helpful in teaching you how to modify activities and accomplish daily tasks more easily in order to manage arthritis. But there are simple things you can do for yourself, starting today. Here are five of them:

In most cases, a primary care doctor or chiropractor can help you resolve the problem.

Low back pain is one of the most common complaints on the planet. And you may wonder where to turn when you start experiencing some of those aches or twinges in the lower part of your back. Take heart. "In most cases, you won't need a specialist," says Dr. Robert Shmerling, a rheumatologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

When pain strikes

There are many causes of low back pain. Some of the most common include an injury to a muscle or tendon (a strain), an injury to a back ligament (a sprain), and a herniated or "slipped" disc (when the soft material inside of a disc between spinal bones leaks and irritates nerves). Many of these issues will eventually resolve on their own.

In the journals

 Image: © Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Thinkstock

Low back pain? Try yoga. A study published online July 20, 2017, by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that low back pain sufferers who completed a 12-week yoga program reported less pain and better quality of life compared with those who received standard care, such as medication, physical therapy, and exercise.

The study specifically looked at military veterans, average age 53, 74% of whom were men, who had experienced chronic lower back pain for at least six months. The 12-week program consisted of two hour-long instructor-led yoga sessions per week, with home practice encouraged. The sessions emphasized poses to stretch and strengthen the core and improve joint mobility. Relaxation and breathing techniques helped to reduce tension and pain perception.

Stay ahead of foot problems by inspecting your feet regularly, keeping them flexible, and wearing the right shoes.

Feet are the unsung heroes of mobility, and it's crucial to keep them healthy. Even minor problems with your feet — such as an ingrown toenail or a small cut — can leave you sidelined. "Breaches of the skin can quickly become problems, whether it's a scrape, ulcer, or blister that gets contaminated or becomes infected," says Dr. Christopher DiGiovanni, chief of foot and ankle surgery at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Be proactive, and care for your feet the way you'd maintain any valuable equipment you rely on for mobility. Here are seven ideas to help.

Pain from migraines, cluster headaches, and other types of headaches require very different treatments.

 Image: © Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Thinkstock

Pain around the eye and throbbing on one side of the head — they're common headache symptoms, but what do they mean? "Many times people assume a headache is due to sinusitis, and they put up with it for years," says Dr. John ­Pettinato, a neurologist with ­Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Understanding your pain can help you find the best approach to treatment.

Do your gym shoes hurt your feet? Before you call the podiatrist, try the simple trick of adjusting your laces.

The average pair of human feet travels some 75,000 miles by the time they turn 50, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. So, it's no wonder many women experience some foot pain from time to time.

If you're one of them, you might want to try a simple solution that may bring relief — adjusting your shoelaces, especially on your athletic shoes. Today's mass-produced shoes often don't accommodate the quirks of individual feet, which may be wide or narrow or have arches that are high or low. Retying your shoes can make adjustments for those differences, and in some cases, ease your pain.

When you live with physical pain, changing your reaction to it can help you better manage discomfort and obstacles.

 Image: © filipefrazao/Thinkstock

Dealing with chronic physical pain, no matter the source or severity, is a constant challenge, but sometimes the emotional pain that comes with it can be just as trying. In fact, more than half of people with pain feel they have lost control of their lives, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

"In general, men tend to be less verbal about seeking help with their physical pain," says Dr. Ellen Slawsby, director of pain management at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital.