Back Pain

Eleven of the best sites for information on back pain and its treatment. Know of another site that should be listed here? Leave your suggestion at the bottom of this page.

1. Lower Back Pain - Numerous things could be causing your back pain. Use this flow chart to help self-diagnose the cause of our back pain, which might help you to relieve it. (familydoctor.org)

2. Spine Universe - Great source of information on back pain and related issues, with articles overseen by an editorial board made up of physicians from major hospitals and medical institutions throughout the United States. In addition to general back and neck pain articles, you’ll also find articles on degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, sciatica, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis and more. (www.spineuniverse.com)

3. MedLine Plus: Back Pain - U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this page that links to extensive articles on different types of back pain and treatments, including basic information on causes and treatments, preventive screenings, alternative therapies, rehabilitation issues, back pain in children and teens, more. (www.nlm.nih.gov)

4. Low Back Pain Fact Sheet - Fairly comprehensive information on back pain causes, treatments, research, and tips on how to maintain a healthy back. Includes links to related resources. (www.ninds.nih.gov)

5. New Procedure Easing Severe Back Pain - February, 2007 article on a device called the X-stop that is bringing relief to many patients with spinal stenosis. (www.wgrz.com)

6. Spine-Health.com - “In-depth, peer reviewed back pain information written by physicians specifically for patients with back pain and neck pain.” Includes information on dealing with chronic back pain, common causes of pain, back problems like degenerative disc disease and sciatica, spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, back surgery information, an online store for products designed to help back pain, discussion boards about back pain and back surgery, information on clinical trials, links to back doctors in your area, more. (www.spine-health.com)

7. Is Your Favorite Gadget to Blame for Your Pain? - February, 2007 article on the possibility that many people are getting back pain from staring down at their BlackBerrys and other gadgets all the time. (cbs13.com)

8. Back.com - Offers information on symptoms and treatment of back pain, exercises to ease back pain and more. Note that the site is built by the Medtronic corporation and that some of Medtronic’s products for the back are mentioned when discussing pain issues and treatment. (www.back.com)

9. Back Pain Discussion Forum - A forum where users can discuss their back pain issues, ask questions and get answers. Back pain professionals are available to answer questions as well. (www.losethebackpain.com)

10. Exercises to Minimize or Prevent Back Pain - By strengthening the back with proper exercises, back pain can be prevented. Five exercises are described here in an easy-to-follow format. (physicaltherapy.about.com)

11. Top 10 Tips for Preventing Back Pain - Advice for avoiding the causes of back pain. These tips are a quick and general overview without going into much detail. (chiro.co.uk)