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Back Neck and Spine

The pains of the day - work, stress, physical labor, or other irritants - often manifest in the back and neck area. Here you might ask and answer questions about treating back and neck pain, or perhaps identify a particular ailment.

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Disc bulge at the level of l4-5 with impingement on thecal sac?

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Asked by Wiki User

A disc bulge at the L4-L5 level means that the disc between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae is protruding out of place. This can cause compression on the thecal sac, which contains nerve roots and spinal fluid. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back and legs. Treatment options may include physical therapy, medications, or in severe cases, surgery.

What is hypertrophy of the uncinate process with a diffuse bulging annuluse centrally and to the left with a slight indentation of the cord?

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Asked by Wiki User

This description suggests a condition where the bony projection (uncinate process) in the spine has grown in size, contributing to pressure or compression on the surrounding structures like the spinal cord. The bulging disc material may be pushing towards the left side, potentially causing some compression or indentation on the spinal cord in that region.

What is complete effacement of the thecal sac?

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Asked by Wiki User

Complete effacement of the thecal sac refers to a condition where the space surrounding the spinal cord (thecal sac) is compressed or narrowed to the point where it is no longer visible on imaging studies such as MRI. This can be due to disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or other spinal abnormalities, and may result in symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the back or extremities. Treatment may involve conservative measures like physical therapy, medications, or in severe cases, surgical intervention.

What is a thecal sac?

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Asked by Wiki User

The correct word is thecal sac which is located witin the spinal vertebra. It is made up of a mixture of pia-mater-wrapped lumbar, sacral and coccygeal nerve roots and it protects these roots. The nerve roots of the thecal sac float freely in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) which provides both protection and nutrition for the roots.

How is scoliosis different from kyphosi's?

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Asked by Wiki User

Scoliosis is when the spine is twisted or curved (to some degree) which would often make one hip more prominent than the other or your shoulders at different heights.

Kyphosis is when the spine actually 'hunches' forward. As blunt and terrible as it sounds, if you have a very high degree of scoliosis, your back may look like a less severe version of a hunchback.

I'm no doctor, but I have experienced both Scoliosis and Kyphosis, so this is what I understand them to be.

What is sciatica?

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Asked by Wiki User

Sciatica is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica is considered a nerve disorder, in which unbearable pain runs down the outside of either leg from the hip to the ankle.

Is heat or cold better for nerve damage?

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Asked by Wiki User

Are you trying to heal or inflict nerve damage?

What is the spinal condition where spinal cord grows and tightens the spinal cord?

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Asked by Wiki User

Tethered Spinal Cord is a condition where the spinal cord is attached to the spinal column and that causes the cord to become stretched.

How long do you have to go to school for a massage therapist?

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Asked by Wiki User

It really depends on your definition of "therapist." Assuming you mean "psychotherapist", here is a general idea:

All therapists (counselors, social workers, marriage & family therapists, and psychologists) pursue a traditional undergrad degree which is usually 4 yrs.

Here's where it gets tricky! After undergrad one has some choices. Of the choices, you could pursue a masters degree in (counseling, social work, marriage & family therapy, or psychology.) All of these are usually 2-3yrs. BUT!It doesn't stop there. Once you get a masters, then you typically have to work about 3,000 hours(or about 2 years) of supervised work under a licensed practitioner. From here, then you should be eligible to take a state (and in some cases a national exam) to be licensed as a "whatever your degree is in therapist." (If you pass).

Now the other route one can take is to get a doctorate. Most are in Psychology(Phd or PsyD), but there are some in social work and education. In getting the doctorate, one should expect to commit 4-6 yrs of study to complete it(depending on if you have a masters degree). Also, most psychology doctorate grads must complete a 1 yr internship after graduating, which enables one to take the licensing exam to be a psychologist.

So in all, if you go to undergrad that's 4yrs+ A masters degree 2-3yrs+ Depending on if you have a masters degree 4-6 yrs of doctoral work

=about 10-12 yrs in school(+ 1yr for internship if you get a doctorate in psychology) , if you go all the way for a doctorate. If you just want to get a masters and be a therapist then figure about 6-7 yrs+ 2yrs for licensing.

Could a lump on the back be connected with a severe neck problem?

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Asked by Wiki User

Yes, it could be scar tissue or a muscle knot.

A lump on the back could be connected to a severe problem for the entire body. You need to be more descriptive about a lump. This could be a muscle knot or it could be a cancerous growth. Severe or insignificant must be assessed after a proper diagnosis. This requires more info.

What whales have on them back?

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Asked by Wiki User

i think you're talking about barnacles

What would cause a lump on the left side flank of a dog behind the ribcage?

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Asked by Wiki User

It could be a benign fatty tumor, or it could be a life-threatening cancerous tumor. If the lump seems soft and moves easily under pressure, it is probably harmless. However, if the lump is hard and stationary, set up a vet appointment as soon as possible to have the tumor examined.

It is also possible that the mass is caused by an infected animal bite or other wound; in this case, a vet's care is necessary. It could also be a build-up of scar tissue following an injury or surgery, or a slight deformity, neither of which are dangerous. Nevertheless, identifying the lump, whatever it may turn out to be, is a job for a professional.

My dog has a stiff neck what could this be?

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Asked by Wiki User

You should not give him anything - dogs should not develop stiff necks on a routine basis. If your dog has a stiff neck, you should take him/her to the veterinarian for examination to determine the underlying cause. This may range from arthritis to injury to cancer to infection.

How many bones does the neck have?

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Asked by Wiki User

Now, most people would say that there are seven bones in the neck because there are seven cervical vertebrae (neck bones), but they would be incorrect.

There are eight bones in the neck. There are the seven cervical vertebrae, plus the hyoid bone which is located in the front part of the neck, just above the thyroid gland. The hyoid bone is a very thin and delicate bone that is somewhat "U" shaped, and serves as a point of attachment for the muscles of the larynx and the tongue.

What could a lump be about an inch down from your skull on the back of your neck?

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Asked by Wiki User

It could be a neck bone spur.

Look for any sores or scratches in your scalp as this could be a swollen lymph node trying to rid your scalp of infection. See a doctor if there are no other symptoms.

If the lump is in the hairline it could be an ingrown hair or a Furuncle, a Furuncle is basically a large infected hair follicle which is red, swollen, tender, and has a central core of pus like a pimple. These require incision and drainage along with antibiotic therapy, failure to keep the neck clean can contribute to these.

A Carbuncle is a collection of Furuncles and are most commonly seen in the elderly, diabetics, and debilitated persons with compromised immune systems. They commonly occur at the base of the neck.

It could also be a Wen or Sebaceous Cyst, these are slow growing benign cyst that can occur on the scalp and contain a white cheesy-like substance. They can be drained but usually will recur unless the cyst wall is removed, sometimes there is just one or their can be several. They are also seen in body builders using anabolic steroids.

There are glands in the back of the neck. These are the occipital lymph nodes, the posterior cervical lymph nodes and the jugular chain of lymph nodes. If we assume that this is a lymph node then most of the time the cause is an infection. The only clinical concern is to rule out any possibility of malignancy. I am leaning towards an infection but given the constraints of the internet I feel that I have not been able to satisfyingly rule out possible malignancy. Ofcourse it could be a myriad of other things which are less alarming. Aneurysms tend to be throbbing on touch (you can feel a very strong pulse there). Being in the back of the neck that wouldn't be a classical presentation.

I would recommend you have someone look at it. There is no substitute for clinical examination in your case.

  • A hard lump that is on the back of your neck where your hairline starts is a swollen lymph node. Lymph nodes in that area tend to swell up and become firm in the presence of an ear infection or tooth abscess/impaction - but the infection may not even be prominent. If the swelling persists for months or more, see your doctor and inquire about lymphoma, which is potentially fatal.

  • Although this lump could be a lymph node it sounds highly unlikely and it could be an in-grown hair, hard cyst (not cancerous in most cases) or a bony spur. It's best to see your doctor and have it removed if possible.
  • Everyone has that lump. It's part of neck and head, it's a joint section.

Is it better to eat hot food or cold food when your have a sore throat?

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Asked by Wiki User

Eat only hot foods.All doctors tell me the same thing.Sometimes eating cold food can lead to sore throat.I know this because i have this condition .

Why do hedgehogs have spines?

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Asked by Wiki User

They're vertebrates, they're born that way. An animal looking like that and living like that has to have some sort of supporting structure, and for the hedgehog it's a spine.

Or maybe you're thinking of the things that make them prickly, not the backbone. There are plenty of animals out there who would make themselves a meal of a fairly slow and harmless animal as a hedgehog, so the spines developed as a defence. If threatened the hedgehog curls up into a prickly ball, and anyone trying to bite or claw it end up getting hurt.

THe hedgehog ended up taking that route instad of developing an ability to run, hide or bite back.

What is lumbar sclerosis?

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Asked by Wiki User

Scoliosis is thickening or hardening of the bone. The lower lumbar spine is the lower back (Disks L1 - L5). Scoliosis in the lower lumbar spine means you have thickening or hardening of the bone in the lower back (lumbar disks L1-L5).

Can scoliosis be cured by chiropractic?

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Asked by Wiki User

Answer by Puhlaa:

The answer to this would depend on how old you are, the severity of the scoliosis and whether the scoliosis is functional or structural.

- A structural scoliosis (caused by congenital deformity such as hemivertebrae) can only be corrected with surgery. How severe the curve is will determine if you are a candidate for surgery.

- If you have a functional scoliosis (caused by unequal leg lengths, unilateral muscle trauma, unilateral hip problem, etc.), then if you are not too old (younger than 55) and the curve is not too severe (less than 30 degrees), a chiropractor will likely be able to help reduce or eliminate the scoliosis. Treatments would include one or more of: orthotics, spinal manipulation, stretching, muscle strengthening, etc.

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It was previously thought that you cannot reverse Scoliosis. Chiropractic Biophysics practitioners have well documented improvements with scoliosis of all degrees. I suggest looking into one in your area by searching for Chiropractic Biophysics online.

There are really no scientifically documented risks when considering chiropractic care besides residual soreness in some patients. However, there are many documented risks associated with surgeries. Chiropractors are just like any other specialist or professional. Just as you can find a bad Dentist, Medical Doctor or mechanic that will take advantage of you, Chiropractors are no different. Ask questions. Feel it out. Go with your gut.

What is Dextroconvex curvature of spine?

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Asked by Wiki User

in the medical world, dextro is a synonym for right. dorsal refers to the parts of the spine that are facing out (the little knobby bumps that run down everyone's back) as opposed to the part of the spine that is facing inwards towards your organs. its just like a dolphin or shark- their dorsal fin is on their back.

You have uneven curves but even shoulders so do you have scoliosis?

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Asked by Wiki User

probably yes scoliosis does not always result in uneven shoulders an easy way to tell is to band over and get someone to look at your back if your back is not flat, and one side if higher than the other, you have a curved spine its best to get a doctor to check it out

What does severe bilateral arthropathy in the lumbar 4 and 5 mean?

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Asked by Wiki User

Picture a tripod, with the body of the vertebra as one leg, and the facet joints as the other two legs. Looking down on the spine from above with the stomach in the front... The body of the vertebra is at 12 o'clock (noon) and the facet joints are at 5 & 7 o'clock [posterior (behind) & lateral (off to the side)] of the main vertebral body.

Facet joints help stabilize the spine, and wear & tear over a long period of time will lead to the body strengthening these joints by depositing more bone to make them stronger. This is called arthritis.

Nerves exit the spinal cord and travel between these facet joints; when there is a lot of bone build-up, the causes crowding in the area where the nerves exit the spine to travel down the body. This narrowing is called 'stenosis'.

If there is enough 'stenosis' of this area the nerve exiting the spine in this area can have some pressure placed on it.

Nerves are like the wiring in the house, except individual nerves fibers are bundled up together, like a lot of individual small wires within the main bundle. Each individual wire (nerve fiber) travels to one specific spot in the brain, traveling all the way from its origin in the body, through the spinal column (cord) to the brain.

If this nerve fiber in affected ANYWHERE along its path, it will make the brain think pain is originating where the nerve fiber originated. So if a nerve bundle in "pinched" in the spine, the brain will get the signal that (let's say, assuming the nerve came from the foot) an area in the foot is hurting.

Is scoliosis a disease or a condition?

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Asked by Wiki User

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. Many people have a slight curvature less than 5 degrees that is not worth worrying about but as you age this curve can increase causing pain at various points of the body depending on what part of the spinal chord is affected as well as localized pain in the back. In extreme cases spinal fusion may be required to rectify the curve.

What is the percent of people getting Scoliosis?

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Asked by Run921

Scoliosis affects a small percentage of the population, approximately 2 percent. However, scoliosis runs in families. If someone in a family has scoliosis, the likelihood of an incidence is much higher - approximately 20 percent. If anyone in your family has curvature of the spine, you should be examined for scoliosis.