Arthritis is a general term that describes many different diseases causing tenderness, pain, swelling, and stiffness of joints as well as abnormalities of various soft tissues of the body. Various forms of arthritis affect nearly 50 million Americans and contribute to the majority of all physical disabilities. The term arthritis comes from "arthros", which means a joint and its attachments, and "‐itis" meaning inflammation.

Arthritis affects approximately 90% of people over the age of 55 in the United States. It is estimated that by the year 2020, over 60 million people will suffer from this often‐disabling problem.

Arthritis can affect any part of the body, including the spine. There are many forms of arthritis but the most common, the most frequently disabling, and often the most painful is osteoarthritis. Osteo‐ (meaning bone) arthritis mostly affects the weight bearing joints (hips and knees) plus the hands, feet and spine. Normal joints are hinges at the ends of bones usually covered by cartilage and lubricated inside a closed sack by synovial fluid. Normally, joints have remarkably little friction and move easily. With degeneration of the joint, the cartilage becomes rough and worn out, causing the joint halves to rub against each other, creating inflammation with pain and the formation of bone spurs. The fluid lubricant may become thin and the joint lining swollen and inflamed.

Osteoarthritis is also sometimes confused, or may be associated, with degenerative disc disease; a gradual deterioration of the disc(s) between the vertebrae of the spine. This is because osteoarthritis and degenerated discs are commonly found together. However, they are separate conditions.

Spinal arthritis breaks down the cartilage between the aligning facet joints in the back portion of the spine and quite often leads to pain. The facet joints (also called vertebral joints) become inflamed and progressive joint degeneration creates more frictional pain. Back motion and flexibility decrease in proportion to the progression of back pain induced while standing, sitting and even walking.

Over time, bone spurs (small irregular growths on the bone also called osteophytes) typically form on the facet joints and even around the spinal vertebrae. These bone spurs are a response to joint instability and are nature's attempt to help return stability to the joint. The enlargement of the normal bony structure indicates degeneration of the spine. Bone spurs are also seen as a normal part of aging and do not directly cause pain, but may become so large they cause irritation or entrapment of nerves passing through spinal structures. The result may be diminished room for the nerves to pass; developing into a condition known as spinal stenosis. Most often severe muscle spasms occur because it is a protective mechanism in your body to prevent further injury from any number of causes.

Sciatica is a layman's term for a pinched nerve that can cause mild, dull or sharp pain that runs from the buttocks down the back of the leg.

Osteoarthritis is also sometimes confused, or may be associated, with degenerative disc disease; a gradual deterioration of the disc(s) between the vertebrae of the spine. This is because osteoarthritis and degenerated discs are commonly found together. However, they are separate conditions.

As we age, the water and protein content of the body's cartilage changes. This change results in weaker, more fragile and thin cartilage. Because both the discs and the joints that stack the vertebrae (facet joints) are partially composed of cartilage, these areas are subject to wear and tear over time (degenerative changes). The gradual deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae is referred to as Degenerative Disc Disease.

One of the most common terms used in health care related to spine conditions is spinal stenosis. Stenosis is a Greek word that means “narrowing or constricting space”. Spinal stenosis occurs in the spinal column where the spinal cord, nerve roots and vertebrae are located. Simply stated, spinal stenosis is the constricting or narrowing of the spinal canal There are two types of spinal stenosis which affect the human spine; they are lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical spine stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is either acquired or inherited. Those who inherit spinal stenosis, by nature, have a small spinal canal. On the other hand, when spinal stenosis is acquired, in most cases it begins slowly and develops over years. As time passes the space between the nerve roots, spinal cord and vertebrae is reduced. Typically, the narrowing of the spinal canal is a result of abnormal bone or tissue growth (sometimes both).When spinal stenosis occurs nerves that branch out from out from the spine and sometime

Examples of "Narrowing" include: Intervertebral disks—pads of cartilage filled with a gel‐like substance which lie between vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. Facet joints—joints located on the back of the main part of the vertebra. They are formed by a portion of one vertebra and the vertebra above it. They connect the vertebrae to each other and permit backward motion. Intervertebral foramen (also called neural foramen)—an opening between vertebrae through which nerves leave the spine and extend to other parts of the body. Lamina—part of the vertebra at the back portion of the vertebral arch that forms the roof of the canal through which the spinal cord and nerve roots pass. Ligaments—elastic bands of tissue that support where the spinal cord ends, and continues down to provide neurologic function to the lower part of the body.

Regular exercise, swimming, yoga and pilates help develop core strength help to maintain strength and flexibility in the components that make up your spine. That matched with a healthy diet, ideal weight, and proper nourishment are key to maintaining a healthy spine. In addition appropriate sleeping conditions, good posture and lifting mechanics help avoid and reduce spine related injuries.

A tension headache — or tension-type headache, as it's medically known — is the most common type of headache, and yet its causes aren't well understood. A tension headache is generally a diffuse, mild to moderate pain that many people describe as feeling as if there's a tight band around their head.

It may feel as though muscle contractions are responsible for your head pain, but experts don't think that's the cause, which is why this type of headache is generally referred to as a tension-type headache. Signs and symptoms of a tension headache include: Dull, aching head pain, the sensation of tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head, tenderness on your scalp, neck and shoulder muscles and occasionally, loss of appetite.

The headache is usually described as mild to moderately intense. The severity of the pain varies from one person to another and from one headache to another in the same person. Tension headaches can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from migraines, but unlike some forms of migraine, tension headache usually isn't associated with visual disturbances (blind spots or flashing lights), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, or slurred speech. And, while physical activity typically aggravates migraine pain, it doesn't make tension headache pain worse.

Migraines are chronic headaches that can cause significant pain for hours or even days. Symptoms can be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down.

Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning symptoms or signs (auras), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. A migraine is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, Migraines usually begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. A typical migraine attack produces some or all of these signs and symptoms: Moderate to severe pain, which may be confined to one side of the head or may affect both sides, head pain with a pulsating or throbbing quality, pain that worsens with physical activity, pain that interferes with your regular activities, nausea with or without vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound.

When untreated, a migraine typically lasts from four to 72 hours, but the frequency with which headaches occur varies from person to person. You may have migraines several times a month or much less frequently.

Not all migraines are the same. Most people experience migraines without auras, which were previously called common migraines. Some people have migraines with auras, which were previously called classic migraines. Auras can include changes to your vision, such as seeing flashes of light and feeling pins and needles in an arm or leg.

Scoliosis is a disorder that causes an abnormal curve of the spine, or backbone. The spine has normal curves when looking from the side, but it should appear straight when looking from the front. Kyphosis is a curve seen from the side in which the spine is bent forward. Lordosis is a curve seen from the side in which the spine is bent backward. People with scoliosis develop additional curves to either side, and the bones of the spine twist on each other like a corkscrew.

Scoliosis is about two times more common in girls than boys. It can be seen at any age, but it is most common in those over 10 years old. Scoliosis is hereditary in that people with scoliosis are more likely to have children with scoliosis; however, there is no correlation between the severity of the curve from one generation to the next.

In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown (idiopathic). This type of scoliosis is described based on the age when scoliosis develops. If the person is less than 3 years old, it is called infantile idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis that develops between 3 and 10 years of age is called juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, and people that are over 10 years old have adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

There are three other main types of scoliosis: Functional: In this type of scoliosis, the spine is normal, but an abnormal curve develops because of a problem somewhere else in the body. This could be caused by one leg being shorter than the other or by muscle spasms in the back. Degenerative: Unlike the other forms of scoliosis that are found in children and teens, degenerative scoliosis occurs in older adults. It is caused by changes in the spine due to arthritis. Weakening of the normal ligaments and other soft tissues of the spine combined with abnormal bone spurs can lead to an abnormal curvature of the spine. Neuromuscular: In this type of scoliosis, there is a problem when the bones of the spine are formed. Either the bones of the spine fail to form completely, or they fail to separate from each other. This type of scoliosis develops in people with other disorders including birth defects, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or Marfan's disease. If the curve is present at birth, it is called congenital. This type of scoliosis is often much more severe and needs more aggressive treatment than other forms of scoliosis.

FBSS, is not actually a syndrome but a generalized term used to describe the condition of patients who have not had successful results with spine surgery (neck or back), specifically the resulting surgery does not alleviate the problem or creates even greater problems and patients experience continuous pain after surgery. Up to 40% of patients who undergo traditional open back or neck surgery are victims of FBSS. Typical causes can be Scar Tissue Formation, nerve damage, new spine conditions at another level after spine fusion, pain from hardware. There are many variables and it is not often an easy diagnosis. However, at Complete Spine and Wellness we work with your surgeon and/or pain management doctor to find a long term treatment solution for you.

Carpal tunnel syndrome typically starts gradually with a vague aching in your wrist that can extend to your hand or forearm. Other common carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include: Tingling or numbness in your fingers or hand, especially your thumb and index, middle or ring fingers, but not your little finger. This sensation often occurs while holding a steering wheel, phone or newspaper or upon awakening. Many people "shake out" their hands to try to relieve their symptoms. As the disorder progresses, the numb feeling may become constant, pain radiating or extending from your wrist up your arm to your shoulder or down into your palm or fingers, especially after forceful or repetitive use. This usually occurs on the palm side of your forearm and a sense of weakness in your hands and a tendency to drop objects

Your rotator cuff is made up of the muscles and tendons in your shoulder. These muscles and tendons connect your upper arm bone with your shoulder blade. They also help hold the ball of your upper arm bone firmly in your shoulder socket. The combination results in the greatest range of motion of any joint in your body.

A rotator cuff injury includes any type of irritation or damage to your rotator cuff muscles or tendons. Causes of a rotator cuff injury may include falling, lifting and repetitive arm activities — especially those done overhead, such as throwing a baseball or placing items on overhead shelves.

Rotator cuff injury symptoms may include: Pain and tenderness in your shoulder, especially when reaching overhead, reaching behind your back, lifting, pulling or sleeping on the affected side, shoulder weakness, loss of shoulder range of motion and an inclination to keep your shoulder inactive.

The most common symptom is pain. You may experience it when you reach up to comb your hair, bend your arm back to put on a jacket or carry something heavy. Lying on the affected shoulder also can be painful. If you have a severe injury, such as a large tear, you may experience continuous pain and muscle weakness and/or frozen shoulder.

Your risk of developing frozen shoulder increases if you've recently had to have your arm in a sling for several weeks, or if you have had surgery in which your arm was immobilized in a specific position for a prolonged period.

The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulders, elbows or hips. But you can also have bursitis by your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs in joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.

Treatment typically involves resting the affected joint and protecting it from further trauma. In most cases, bursitis pain goes away within a few weeks with proper treatment, but recurrent flare‐ups of bursitis are common.

Whiplash is a neck injury that can occur during rear-end automobile collisions, when your head suddenly moves backward and then forward — similar to the motion of someone cracking a whip. These extreme motions push your neck muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range of motion.

Whiplash injuries can be mild or severe. Most people recover from whiplash in just a few weeks, but some people with whiplash injuries develop chronic conditions that can be extremely painful and disabling. Most whiplash symptoms develop within 24-48 hours of the injury and may include: Neck pain and stiffness, headaches, most commonly at the base of the skull, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, ringing in the ears, sleep disturbances and irritability.

The condition called "fibromyalgia" is a myofascial pain syndrome (a muscular pain syndrome) that can result in generalized back pain and muscle pain, a feeling of general fatigue, and specific tender areas. The patient will have a normal neurological exam, but may have multiple spots that are tender to palpation, called "tender points". These tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These points hurt when pressure is put on them.

Fibromyalgia most commonly affects middle‐age women, however, the condition can affect women of all ages, as well as men and children. Fibromyalgia can't be easily confirmed or ruled out through a simple laboratory test. Your doctor can't detect it in your blood or see it on an X-ray. Instead, fibromyalgia appears to be linked to changes in the way the brain processes pain signals.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines for diagnosing fibromyalgia require widespread pain throughout your body for at least three months. "Widespread" is defined as pain on both sides of your body, as well as above and below your waist.

In addition, the ACR guidelines direct doctors to test 18 points on your body for tenderness. ACR criteria state that pain at 11 of the points may indicate fibromyalgia. Some specialists question whether these guidelines are useful because fibromyalgia symptoms may come and go, which could affect the number of tender points that would be painful during the test.

To further complicate the diagnosis, you may experience signs and symptoms that are seemingly unrelated to fibromyalgia. Chronic stomachaches or headaches combined with the pain you're experiencing may lead your doctor to suspect other similar conditions first.