For my story.. I originally developed mild back pain in the summer of 2000 in Airborne School for the United States Army. At the time i just figured it was from the constant jarring motion and repetetively striking the ground feet first from a height of 3-4 feet. The pain was managable but pretty severe. […]

I am female and 47. I have weakness in my left leg and have been progressively having more pain walking. I also have occasional pain in my left knee. An MRI reveals a pinched nerve at L2. My neurologist would like me to have a myelogram. I am deathly afraid of the epidural involved. 15 […]

Dear Doctor, 
 
I am 24 years old and I am involved in a number of active and extreme sports. I have not had any problems with my back up until now but I have been adviced not to do certain sports and I wanted to know the reason for this. 
 
My friend has informed me that bungee […]

How much should I weigh?

Weight is one of the most significant factors that affect your health, and, even more importantly, this is one factor you can actively do something about.
Below you can find a simple calculator. Use it to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). Enter your height and weight, then look at the […]

This question and answer have been moved to:
Chronic Back Pain and Spinal Surgery

My 18-year-old son was diagnosed with a pinched nerve by a chiropractor. He “manipulated” his back for three months. My son received a little relief from this. Now his problem seems to have gotten back to where it was when he first went to the chiropractor. He just completed his therapy […]

I have horrible middle of the back pain. Like a intense cramp, right about where my bra strap hits. My Dr., doesn”t seem to understand! What kind of Dr. should I seek out? I have a chropractpor its not helping. Please help.
 
Dr. Joshua’s Answer:
An X-ray of the thoracic spine is recommended to rule out any […]

I have been experiencing a horrible pain on my lower back at my waist line, it causes me to feel cramps on my stomach, and I’m also feeling nausea. The pain in my lower back waistline line reminds me of the cramps I felt when giving birth. I also have no appetite when this occurs. […]

This interesting question along with the answer has been moved here:
Chronic Low Back Pain - Instability?

My father was taken to the ER on Sunday night complaining with back pain that started earlier in the day and progressively got worse. He was first diagnosed with kidney stones. They hooked him up to a morphine pump and kept him extremely lethargic for the rest of Sunday night and Monday. Monday evening the […]

1.Are small discs protrusions in c2/3,c3/4 and c4/5 considered
herniated discs in middle age man?2. What’s the difference between protrusion
discs and extrusion discs and are both considered herniated discs?
3.What does degenerative changes in cervical spine means?
4. Are osteophytes in cervical spine formed as result of degenerative changes
or as result of trauma accidents,like auto rear end accidents?
5. […]

Please help me! I don’t know what you can say or do, but the pain I am in is driving me crazy.I have had pain in my lower back for a few years now As soon as I could I saw a doctor here…,he referred me to a specialist who took an xray and also sent […]

Chronic Pain
Jean asks about her chronic pain, meds and procedures.
Thanks for writing in such great detail Jean (nickname), it makes my job a lot easier - although in your case, there’s no such thing as easy, as you have found out. Here’s your question (edited by DrJ):
1. My GP was prescribing my chronic pain meds. […]

First question already! And very much to the point.. Thanks for submitting your question (via e-mail), Discman. Well, to answer it, it depends on whether you’re the doctor or the patient! Enough joking though: from your nickname I assume that you have been diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc, and if that’s the case, you […]