Toothache
Most of us have been there: What starts as a dull ache or uncomfortable jolt when you sip your ice tea signals the onset of
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What is a Tooth Abscess?
Kaye Wellborn* will never forget her first — and last — abscessed tooth. The San Francisco Forty 49ers had just won the Superbowl, and a
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
When Hurricane Katrina unleashed its fury over southern Louisiana, it wiped out more than just buildings and homes. Survivors escaped harm only to find themselves
Back Pain and Massage
Marina Alyea, a certified massage therapist in San Francisco, is familiar with the ravages of back pain. She has worked on people’s backs, she said,
Back Strains and Sprains
We all ask a lot from our backs. We bend, we lift, we slouch — it’s enough to make a back complain. According to the
Scoliosis
What is scoliosis? Nobody has a completely straight spine. Even if you sit as stiff as a board, the vertebrae in the middle of your
Lower back pain
Whether you spend your day moving furniture or sitting in an office chair, you’re probably no stranger to back pain. According to the Mayo Clinic,
Back Surgery
Back surgery is a booming business. About 500,000 Americans undergo surgery each year for low back problems alone. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research
Herniated Disk
Disks are your spine’s shock absorbers, flexible cushions that fit in between vertebrae. When you move your back, the disks absorb the pressure on your
Neck Pain
The neck and the lower back lie at opposite ends of the spinal column, but they have much in common. They both support heavy loads,
Back Pain in Children and Teens
Anyone who has spent time with children knows that some of them can bend themselves into positions that defy logic. A teenager may think nothing
Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Food Safety?
Humans aren’t the only creatures who love juicy hamburgers, fresh fruit, chicken, potato salad, and other foods of summer. In fact, we have plenty of
Arthritis Basics
We ask a lot of our joints. We bend and twist all day and think nothing of it — until arthritis sets in. More than
Stretching and Arthritis
Many arthritis sufferers complain of a little stiffness in the morning. Then there’s Jane Kowalski,* an 83-year-old living in Baltimore. She often woke up feeling
Sex, Intimacy, and Arthritis
Most people with chronic arthritis will readily admit they have trouble with certain tasks such as climbing long flights of stairs or opening tight jar
Preventing Arthritis
If you don’t suffer from osteoarthritis, take a moment to consider your good fortune. An estimated 54 million Americans suffer from arthritis or chronic joint
Tai Chi and Arthritis
Nine people walk in a circle, obeying the commands of instructor Nancy Kieffer. “Imagine a cup of water on the crown of your head,” she
Surgery and Arthritis
Whether you’re having total joint replacement or just a minor repair of damaged cartilage, you should learn as much as possible about the procedure before
Weightlifting and Arthritis
Experts have discovered a cheap, powerful tool that can relieve pain, improve motion, and generally make life a little easier for people with arthritis. It’s
Weight and Arthritis
Few of us need to be given more reasons to drop those extra pounds. We could do it for our hearts or our chins, for