Spine Health

Cervical arthritis means arthritis of the neck bones. Your neck has 7 vertebrae, and cushiony disks sit between the vertebrae. Over time or with injury, the disks can have problems and may bulge outward or get thinner.

The vertebrae in your spine are cushioned by soft disks. When one of the disks in your neck—the cervical area of your spine—ruptures, the result can be neck pain. Watch this video to find out the possible causes and recommended treatment.

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and pinches the nerves, resulting in back and leg pain. Spinal stenosis often occurs in older adults, although younger people who are born with a small spinal canal may also develop symptoms. This video explains the condition and what treatments are recommended.

Lower back pain is a common problem that severely impacts the quality of your life. It can limit your ability to be active. It can cause you to miss work. Many different causes may lead to pain in your lower back.

Most vertebrae are separated by flexible disks of cartilage that act like shock absorbers and allow your spine to move. With age, your disks can lose their height and ability to cushion. This process is called disk degeneration. This video explains more about this condition and the treatments available.

Learn the anatomy of the sacroiliac joint.

Good posture protects your back when you sit, stand, and walk. It's also important while getting into and out of bed.

Here are tips on how to move safely and protect your back when you need to bend.

Here's how to keep your back safe while you bend, lift, and carry.

Pushing can be hard on your back, but pulling can be even harder. So, push rather than pull when you can.

When you sleep, keep your ears, shoulders, and hips in line.

Sitting can strain your back if you don't do it right. Learn the right moves to protect your back.

Good posture decreases back pain by reducing strain on your muscle.

Protect your back while you stand or turn. Turning can twist your spine if you don't do it correctly.

Your doctor will suggest the best treatment for you based on your age, how much more you are likely to grow, and the size and type of your spinal curve.

Scoliosis is a problem that makes the spine curve and twist from side to side. It's most often found in girls in their early teens. But boys can have it, too.

If a school screening or your healthcare provider finds signs of scoliosis, you'll visit a special bone healthcare provider (orthopaedist) for an evaluation. This visit helps determine what treatment may be best for you now.

A brace helps stop the curve in your spine from getting worse as you grow. It may also help keep you from needing surgery. To do the job, the brace needs to be worn almost all the time until you are fully grown.

Your body works best when it's correctly aligned. Aim for good posture throughout the day.

Being relaxed helps keep your mind healthy and your back ready to move. Read on for some helpful tips.

An unhealthy spine often starts with bad habits. Poor movement patterns and posture problems are common causes of back pain. Disk, bone, nerve, and soft tissue problems can all be affected by poor posture.

A healthy spine supports the body while letting it move freely. It does this with the help of 3natural curves. Strong, flexible muscles help, too. They support the spine by keeping its curves correctly aligned. Read on to learn more.

To take care of your back, try to warm up before you move and shift positions often.

Torticollis happens when muscles on 1 side of the neck contract (tighten). This causes the neck to twist or tilt to the side.

When your neck's bones, disks, and muscles are in good condition, they allow you to move your head freely and without pain.

Illustration and explanation of neck muscles.

Instructions for care after scoliosis surgery.

This information can help you care for your child who has had surgery for scoliosis.

These images show you how to lift safely.

Cervical strain is a medical term for neck pain. The neck has several layers of muscles. These are connected with tendons to the cervical spine and other bones. Neck pain is often the result of injury to these muscles and tendons.

"Coccygodynia is pain at the lowest tip of the spine (the coccyx, or tailbone). This is sometimes called a ""bruised tailbone."" Tailbone pain can be very uncomfortable. It can also interfere with daily activities, such as driving."

Lumbosacral strain is a medical term for an injury that causes low back pain. The lumbosacral area (low back) is between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the buttocks. A strain is tearing of muscles and tendons.

The sacroiliac joint can be pushed out of place. The tissues around an SIJ also can be stretched or torn. This can lead to pain in the low back.

Back pain is one of the most common problems The good news is that most people feel better in 1 to 2 weeks, and most of the rest in 1 to 2 months. Most people can remain active.

Learn about back muscle spasms and how to care for yourself when they occur.

Learn how to care for your back sprain or strain at home.

A contusion of the coccyx or sacrum causes swelling and some bleeding under the skin. This injury generally takes a few weeks to heal. Read on for details about how to care for yourself.

Here's what you need to know about treatment and home care for a back bruise.

Degenerative disk disease can affect the neck or back. It is one of the most common causes of low back pain.

Strong lower back and abdominal muscles work together to support your spine. These exercises will help strengthen the lower back.

The tailbone, or coccyx, is at the bottom of your spine. It is possible to break (fracture) this bone when you fall and land in a seated position. This injury takes about 4 weeks to heal. Read on for details on caring for this injury at home.

Learn how to care for yourself after being diagnosed with a vertebral compression fracture.

Learn how to care for a thoracic spine strain.