Understanding Upper Back Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Sharp pain in the back? Doctor, I sometimes experience sharp pain in the upper left area of my back near the shoulder. When I touch the skin in that area, it feels sharp and painful, and at times, I experience a severe stabbing pain even without touching it. There are no visible ...
Dr. Zheng Shunping Reply:
Dear Student Zhang: Based on your symptom description, it is possible that you are experiencing myofascial pain syndrome or cervical spine issues, which are often caused by poor posture over time or certain structural abnormalities in the cervical spine. I recommend that you seek...[Read More] Understanding Upper Back Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Understanding Lower Back Pain: When to Seek Rehabilitation Help
Lower back pain? Hello doctor, I would like to ask: I have been experiencing pain in my lower back and near my kidneys every day. It hurts more when I sit and even more when I sleep, and it also hurts when I walk. Sometimes the pain is unbearable. I have seen a doctor before, but...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Based on your pain symptoms, there are several common possibilities: 1. Issues originating from the renal and urinary tract, 2. Nerve root compression, 3. Musculoskeletal pain, 4. Spinal stenosis. First, we need to understand the source of the pain. Is there any tenderness upon...[Read More] Understanding Lower Back Pain: When to Seek Rehabilitation Help
Understanding Spinal Cartilage: Causes, Rehabilitation, and Protection Tips
Intervertebral disc cartilage Hello Doctor: My mother is 60 years old, and sometimes when she gets up or sits for a long time, her lower back feels sore. An X-ray showed that the doctor said the cartilage is worn down (it looks like it is missing). May I ask, Doctor: 1. Can carti...
Dr. Li Weiqiang Reply:
Xiao Ru: Hello! It seems that your mother's issue is related to aging. The wear and tear of bones is a natural process that occurs with increasing age, similar to the development of gray hair. However, during this process, bothersome aches and pains can arise. Pain can be al...[Read More] Understanding Spinal Cartilage: Causes, Rehabilitation, and Protection Tips
Can Repetitive Strain Injuries Be Treated and Healed?
Is there a way to treat and heal repetitive strain injuries? Hello, I have been experiencing pain from my hand to my lower back for three years. I have sought treatment from various hospitals, but no one has been able to determine the cause. Recently, I came across information re...
Dr. Zheng Shunping Reply:
In response to your question: Based on the description of your symptoms and your age, certain autoimmune or other specific types of arthritis should be considered. As for the possibility of "repetitive strain injury," the description is not clear enough to provide a def...[Read More] Can Repetitive Strain Injuries Be Treated and Healed?
Rehabilitation Strategies for Elderly Patients with Osteoporosis
Elderly rehabilitation Hello, doctor. My grandmother is currently 93 years old and has osteoporosis. Last year, she underwent a vertebroplasty, but due to unsatisfactory results, she can only lie in bed now and is unable to get up, although she can still turn herself. However, th...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello, Li Li's online friend: Based on your description, your grandmother has osteoporosis and has been bedridden for a long time. Regarding osteoporosis, it is generally understood that bone density begins to gradually decline after the age of 35, with a significant loss oc...[Read More] Rehabilitation Strategies for Elderly Patients with Osteoporosis
Can My Friend Continue Rehab and Testing After Moving to Penghu?
Could you please provide the content you would like me to translate? My friend asked me to help him inquire about his situation. He was originally undergoing rehabilitation in Neihu, specifically "electrical stimulation" and "lumbar stretching." In a few days,...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello Angel: Based on your description, your friend likely has a lumbar disc herniation causing nerve root compression symptoms, which can lead to numbness and pain in the lower back, buttocks, thighs, and the posterior aspect of the calves, sometimes extending to the toes. This ...[Read More] Can My Friend Continue Rehab and Testing After Moving to Penghu?
Understanding Lumbar Disc Herniation and Its Impact on Nerve Pain
Herniated disc compressing the right leg nerve? Hello, doctor. I had a CT scan, and it showed a herniated disc at the fifth lumbar vertebra and the disc below it. I feel sharp pain in my hips and thighs when bending forward, and the same occurs when leaning backward. What treatme...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello Ah Hong, based on your description, you are experiencing symptoms of nerve root compression due to a herniated disc between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the first sacral vertebra. This can lead to numbness and pain in the lower back, buttocks, thighs, and the posterior asp...[Read More] Understanding Lumbar Disc Herniation and Its Impact on Nerve Pain
Understanding Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain: Seeking Solutions
Neck issues Hello doctor, I have been experiencing tightness and soreness in my neck and shoulders for a long time, about four to five years. My condition is such that I find it easier to turn my neck to the left, while turning to the right feels tighter. I often need to tilt my ...
Dr. Pan Yingda Reply:
Hello: Your question is quite common, and many people experience this issue. If there is no history of injury, based on my clinical practice, I would first inform the patient of some precautions and arrange for rehabilitation therapy. If there is no improvement after a month, I w...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain: Seeking Solutions
Essential Guidelines for Safe Lumbar Traction in Rehabilitation
Lumbar traction I have a herniated disc and am currently undergoing rehabilitation. I would like to ask some related questions: 1. What precautions should be taken during lumbar traction? If not performed correctly, could it cause nerve damage or other side effects? Under what ...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello Mr. A-Tong, Normal use of lumbar traction does not cause nerve damage. Generally, the traction machines used in rehabilitation medicine have two units of measurement: pounds and kilograms. The traction weight typically starts at one-quarter of the body weight and graduall...[Read More] Essential Guidelines for Safe Lumbar Traction in Rehabilitation
Understanding Knee Pain and Swelling: Insights for Expecting Mothers
Knee swelling and pain? Hello Dr. Zheng, my knee has been swollen and painful for over a year. I later consulted an orthopedic doctor who drained about 30cc of hematoma. After that, my knee could not move normally. After three months of rehabilitation and traditional Chinese medi...
Dr. Zheng Shunping Reply:
In response to your question: Based on your description, it is somewhat unusual that you are taking Keflex (500mg), which is an antibiotic typically used for bacterial infections and is rarely prescribed for knee pain. Given your situation, I recommend that upon returning to Taiw...[Read More] Understanding Knee Pain and Swelling: Insights for Expecting Mothers
Understanding Herniated Discs: Rehabilitation Insights and Pain Management
I have a herniated disc! Since April 2005, I initially experienced lower back pain and discomfort. After three months, I sought medical attention, but no specific examinations were performed; I only underwent rehabilitation (shortwave therapy and electrical stimulation, without l...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello: When a herniated disc occurs, it can compress the spinal nerves, leading to symptoms of nerve compression. If this occurs in the lumbar spine, it can result in lower back pain, as well as pain in the buttocks and lower limbs. Mild lumbar disc herniation can improve with re...[Read More] Understanding Herniated Discs: Rehabilitation Insights and Pain Management
Rehabilitation for Herniated Discs: Strength Training and Pain Prevention
Rehabilitation for herniated discs? Regarding rehabilitation issues related to herniated discs, thank you for your detailed response! Today, I would like to ask again: 1. During the acute phase, is it advisable to perform strength training for the back muscles and lower abdominal...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello, A-Dong: During the course of a herniated disc, it is still possible to perform strength training to enhance the abdominal and back muscles, but this should be done progressively. If the initial pain is severe, isometric exercises that do not involve movement of the lumbar ...[Read More] Rehabilitation for Herniated Discs: Strength Training and Pain Prevention
Effective Rehabilitation Strategies for Lumbar Disc Herniation
Rehabilitation for Herniated Disc I have a herniated disc at the L4-L5 level, and my doctor said surgery is not necessary, only rehabilitation. I would like to ask: 1. How should rehabilitation be conducted? 2. How long does the rehabilitation period last? Do I need to go to the ...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello Mr. A-Tong, regarding your condition, you will need to undergo physical therapy that includes heat therapy, traction, and electrical stimulation. The duration of treatment will vary depending on individual circumstances, so I cannot provide you with a specific timeframe. I ...[Read More] Effective Rehabilitation Strategies for Lumbar Disc Herniation
Effective Rehabilitation Exercises for Hip Joint Degeneration
Hip joint My hip joint has been confirmed to be degenerative after an examination by a rehabilitation specialist. How should I exercise for rehabilitation? For example, how long should I walk each day, and which swimming strokes are better to help slow down the degeneration of my...
Dr. Zheng Shunping Reply:
In response to your question: For hip joint degeneration, swimming (freestyle and backstroke are more suitable) and stationary cycling are the best forms of exercise. If walking is chosen as an exercise, it should be done for 15 minutes followed by a 5-minute rest, and climbing m...[Read More] Effective Rehabilitation Exercises for Hip Joint Degeneration
Understanding Sciatica: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Time
Sciatica I would like to consult a doctor: For the past few days, I have been experiencing soreness on both sides of my lower back, which then progressed to pain in my right buttock that has continued to extend down to the back of my thigh. The soreness is particularly intense wh...
Dr. Gao Zhenling Reply:
Hello, Xiao Fen: The symptoms you described may be caused by nerve compression in the lower back, commonly known as sciatica. However, it could also be due to muscle overexertion. It is recommended that you visit a rehabilitation clinic for a thorough physical examination to obta...[Read More] Understanding Sciatica: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Time
Correcting Hunchback: Effective Solutions for Posture Improvement
About Kyphosis Dear Doctor, I have a question regarding my boyfriend's hunchback. He is 25 years old, and I believe he has had this habit since childhood. Whenever he walks, he tends to have a hunched posture, and even when he tries to stand up straight, his neck still appe...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Dear Miss Hsiao-Yu, Generally speaking, the causes of kyphosis can be divided into functional kyphosis and structural kyphosis. Functional kyphosis, also known as postural kyphosis, is mostly caused by long-term poor posture. This type of kyphosis is relatively easier to correct...[Read More] Correcting Hunchback: Effective Solutions for Posture Improvement
Understanding Leg Numbness: Causes and Remedies for Long Sitting
Numbness and tingling in the left foot? Hello Doctor: For the past few weeks, I have been experiencing numbness in my right calf extending to my toes, as well as soreness behind my knee radiating up to my thigh. These symptoms occur almost daily. I have been sitting for 12 hours ...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello, Xiao Ke: Based on the symptoms you described, it is suspected that you have a lumbar disc herniation, which is compressing the nerves in the lower back, leading to pain, numbness, or radiating pain in the lower limbs. The most common affected areas are between the fourth a...[Read More] Understanding Leg Numbness: Causes and Remedies for Long Sitting
Managing Chronic Pain After Spine Surgery: Seeking Solutions and Support
Pain near the vertebrae? I underwent surgery for a herniated disc in 1988 at Taipei Medical University Hospital. Since then, I have continued to experience pain and have been undergoing rehabilitation. My doctor has been monitoring my condition, but over the past two weeks, the p...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello Mr. Zhang, There are many potential causes for lumbar pain, including the recurrence of intervertebral disc herniation. We cannot determine the exact cause of your pain based on your description. The general approach in physical therapy includes heat therapy, traction, an...[Read More] Managing Chronic Pain After Spine Surgery: Seeking Solutions and Support
Understanding Knee Pain After Sitting: Causes and Solutions for Relief
Knee I often experience soreness in my knees after sitting for a long time. I live in Taichung, but when I was studying in Pingtung, every time I took a bus, my knees would feel very uncomfortable, and I couldn't even take a short nap on the bus. When I arrived at my destina...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello Ms. Qi: There are many causes of knee joint pain. Based on your symptoms, the potential causes of your knee pain may include plica syndrome, knee osteoarthritis, cartilage injury, overuse of muscle groups, or infection. However, further examination and diagnosis are necessa...[Read More] Understanding Knee Pain After Sitting: Causes and Solutions for Relief
Understanding Shoulder Pain: Causes and Rehabilitation Insights
Shoulder issues Hello Doctor: I have been experiencing pain in my left shoulder for the past few years. Whenever I carry a backpack for more than 20 minutes, my shoulder starts to hurt, and it feels like it might dislocate. In high school, I often carried heavy items to school, a...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello, Ms. Shui: The shoulder joint consists of four joints, with the glenohumeral joint having the greatest range of motion. Its dynamic stability is provided by muscles, ligaments, and the glenoid cavity. Due to your long-term habit of carrying a heavy bag on your left shoulde...[Read More] Understanding Shoulder Pain: Causes and Rehabilitation Insights