The Science of Sciatica Pain
A few years ago, I suffered from a herniated disc. The pain in my lower back was horrible, misery-inducing and relentless. And then the sciatica started. A pulsing shot of pain traveled down the back of my leg. I couldn’t sit comfortably. I couldn’t stand comfortably. The sciatica only lasted one week—compared to the years it took for […]
Turn away from neck pain
Harvard Health Letters Neck pain is a nagging ailment that affects everyone at some time. In fact, approximately 80 percent of people experience neck pain during their lifetime, and 20 percent to 50 percent deal with it annually, according to Frank Pedlow, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Besides the obvious […]
How to banish aches and pains
Harvard Health Letter Is your back bothering you? Do your hamstrings hurt? Is your neck or shoulder sore? If so, you’ve got a lot of company. Garden-variety tightness, aches, and pains in the major muscles and joints — especially the lower back — are among the most common day-to-day health complaints, according the National Center […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Trapped nerves can happen in many sites
By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: What is a trapped nerve? How does it happen? A: The term “trapped nerve” refers to a condition in which a nerve is compressed or pinched. This causes pain, numbness, weakness or other symptoms. There are many sites and causes of nerve compression. Here are some of the common ones: […]
