Understanding Morning Lower Back Stiffness: Causes and Solutions
Lumbar stiffness Dear Dr. Chen: Every morning when I wake up, my lower back feels stiff, and I can't bend down. It takes about thirty minutes of movement for it to ease up. What could be the problem, and how can I resolve it?
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
Hello, sir: 1. Thank you for your question. The insufficient support of the bed is causing excessive contraction of the back muscles, which leads to stiffness upon waking. 2. If you switch to an ergonomic bed with good support and still experience this issue, you should consid...[Read More] Understanding Morning Lower Back Stiffness: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Discomfort After Lumbar Stretching: Causes and Solutions
Lower back pain Hello Director Chen! I have been undergoing rehabilitation for over four months now, and I have noticed significant benefits from interferential current therapy and shortwave therapy. However, I am struggling with lumbar stretching; for the past two weeks, I have ...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here is a response to your question along with some suggestions: 1. It may be due to muscle stiffness in the lower back and excessive traction force. If it lasts only for three to four days, it is generally not a concern; however, if it persis...[Read More] Understanding Discomfort After Lumbar Stretching: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Lower Back Pain: Causes and Solutions for Aging Issues
Lower back pain? Hello, Doctor! Recently, after squatting for 2 to 3 minutes, I find it difficult to stand up immediately due to a sudden ache in my lower back. Is this a sign of aging? How can I improve this condition? Thank you!
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
Hello: Thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses and suggestions: 1. It may be due to lumbar degeneration or tightness in the back muscles. 2. At home, you can apply heat therapy and perform some flexibility stretching exercises, such as lying on your back and hugging you...[Read More] Understanding Lower Back Pain: Causes and Solutions for Aging Issues
Effective Rehabilitation Strategies for Lower Back Pain Relief
Low back pain Hello Director Chen: I am a laborer who lifts heavy objects every day. While rushing to meet deadlines, I strained my lower back and now I am in so much pain that I can't stand up straight, and my upper back is also hurting. A friend of mine with a similar cond...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
Hello, sir: Thank you for your question. Here are my responses and recommendations: 1. During the acute phase, you should avoid bending at the waist. Only consider bending after the acute phase has passed. 2. When lifting heavy objects, it is advisable to wear a supportive back b...[Read More] Effective Rehabilitation Strategies for Lower Back Pain Relief
Relieving Sciatica Pain: Effective Solutions for Office Workers
Sciatica? Hello Director Chen! I sit for 8 hours a day at work, and for many years I have often experienced lower back pain. A friend mentioned that I might have issues with my sciatic nerve. What would be the best way to address this troublesome issue? Thank you!
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
Hello: Thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses and recommendations: 1. Sciatic nerve pain can cause numbness in the lower limbs; during the acute phase, it is advisable to apply ice and take pain relief medication. 2. You may visit a rehabilitation specialist for evalua...[Read More] Relieving Sciatica Pain: Effective Solutions for Office Workers
Can Rehabilitation Help Relieve Persistent Lower Back Pain?
Lumbar traction Hello Director Chen! I previously experienced lower back pain due to a cold, and even though I have recovered from the cold, I still have lower back pain. Can this condition be addressed by the rehabilitation department? Thank you!
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses and recommendations: 1. A common cold can exacerbate back pain. 2. You may consider visiting a rehabilitation specialist to check for lumbar disc herniation. Generally, treatment may include heat therapy and electrical stim...[Read More] Can Rehabilitation Help Relieve Persistent Lower Back Pain?
Understanding Spinal Disc Herniation: Treatment Options and Recovery Tips
Spinal disc herniation? Hello, doctor! I have been experiencing persistent pain in my left lower back for a long time. It worsens after even slight physical activity or poor posture, lasting for several days. Today, I visited Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital for an X-ray, and ...
Dr. Su Hongci Reply:
Hello: I believe your issue is "lumbar disc herniation." Between the vertebrae, there are intervertebral discs that serve as cushioning support. When these discs are subjected to excessive force or undergo degeneration due to aging, they can herniate, potentially compre...[Read More] Understanding Spinal Disc Herniation: Treatment Options and Recovery Tips
Understanding Chronic Back Pain: Why Sleep Over 4 Hours Hurts
Sleeping for more than four hours causes discomfort in the lower back? Hello, Vice Dean Zheng: My husband has been experiencing severe back pain since early November last year. Whenever he sleeps for more than four hours, he wakes up with intense pain, as if a nerve is being comp...
Dr. Zheng Shunping Reply:
In response to your question: Since your symptom description is quite rare, generally speaking, if the pain occurs only when lying flat or at night, it is important to pay special attention to the possibility of an autoimmune disease or other less common conditions. I recommend t...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Back Pain: Why Sleep Over 4 Hours Hurts
Magnetic Field Therapy: Who Can Benefit from This Rehabilitation Treatment?
Magnetic field therapy Dear Expert: What types of rehabilitation patients can benefit from magnetic field therapy? Can my mother, who experiences soreness in her limbs, lower back pain, and difficulty sleeping, use this treatment? Thank you for your response!
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
Ms. Midi: Here are my responses to your questions and suggestions: 1. If general electrical therapy and heat therapy do not improve soreness, consider magnetic field therapy. 2. The magnetic field can adjust the treatment frequency; low frequency is suitable for treating insomnia...[Read More] Magnetic Field Therapy: Who Can Benefit from This Rehabilitation Treatment?
Understanding Buttock Pain: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Pain in the buttocks? My mom has recently mentioned that she experiences pain below her buttocks, which sometimes extends to her thigh muscles and causes soreness. What could this be a symptom of, and which department should she visit? Thank you.
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello, A-Ling. Regarding your inquiry about your mother's pain originating from the lower back and radiating to the thigh muscles, if the pain is in the posterior thigh muscles, it may be early-stage lumbar spondylosis compressing the sciatic nerve, leading to sciatica. Addi...[Read More] Understanding Buttock Pain: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Understanding Lower Back Pain: Is It a Lumbar Injury?
Lower back pain? Recently, I have been experiencing frequent pain in the area below my back and above my buttocks. Sometimes, when I lie on my back while sleeping, I feel even more discomfort due to pressure. Additionally, when I sit up straight, it feels like there is pressure o...
Dr. Pan Yingda Reply:
I apologize for missing your question. The most common cause of your issue is likely due to poor posture, and I believe it is not significantly related to your injury from two years ago (if it were, you would likely be experiencing ongoing pain rather than recent onset; even with...[Read More] Understanding Lower Back Pain: Is It a Lumbar Injury?
Managing Chronic Lower Back Pain: Tips for Relief and Recovery
Lower back pain? Hello, Director Chen! Recently, I've been experiencing lower back pain. I had an X-ray done, which showed no bone spurs or other issues. However, when I wake up, I have to slowly turn over and gradually pull myself up to sit on the edge of the bed, then slow...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. Regularly perform flexibility exercises for the back muscles, such as the Williams exercise, by hugging one knee to the chest and holding for 10 seconds; then hug the other knee and hold for another 10 seconds. Alternate between each knee for a total of 10 repetitions, and the...[Read More] Managing Chronic Lower Back Pain: Tips for Relief and Recovery
Effective Rehabilitation Treatments for Back Pain Beyond Waist Support
About waist circumference? Hello, Doctor! I have been experiencing lower back pain, and my physician advised me to wear a lumbar support belt. It felt comfortable at first, but after less than two hours, I developed a skin allergy on my lower back, which is quite frustrating. Are...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. Wearing a cotton garment underneath the waist support can help prevent irritation. 2. Consider purchasing softer and more comfortable waist supports from abroad, which offer better angles and quality materials. 3. For skin allergies, wash with clean water (warm water) without ...[Read More] Effective Rehabilitation Treatments for Back Pain Beyond Waist Support
Effective Solutions for Sudden Left Lower Back Pain
Left flank pain? Hello, Dr. Chen! I suddenly experienced pain in my left lower back while standing, and it still hurts when I sit down or lie down. I tried applying heat and using a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, but the relief lasts only about 30 minutes before th...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. It may be due to lumbar disc herniation and overuse of the lumbar muscles. 2. You can visit the rehabilitation department for heat therapy and lumbar traction, and obtain educational pamphlets to learn how to perform exercises and stretches for the lumbar and back muscles. 3. ...[Read More] Effective Solutions for Sudden Left Lower Back Pain
Can Sit-Ups Help with Back Pain After an Accident?
Can I do sit-ups if I have back pain? My mother is 58 years old and had a car accident in February of this year. She was hospitalized for two weeks and has been experiencing lower back pain since then. Although she has been returning for regular follow-ups, the results have not b...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello, Hero: In outpatient clinics, we often encounter patients who have previously received treatment at other hospitals. Some patients bring referral documents, while others only provide verbal descriptions of the examinations or treatments they have undergone. The evaluation...[Read More] Can Sit-Ups Help with Back Pain After an Accident?
To Surgery or Not: Managing Lumbar Spondylolisthesis in Rehab
Is surgery necessary? Hello Director Chen: My father often lifts heavy objects and currently experiences frequent lower back pain that radiates to his right thigh. The doctor diagnosed him with lumbar spondylolisthesis. Some doctors suggest surgery, while others recommend physica...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. In cases of lumbar spondylolisthesis classified as Grade I (with slippage less than one-quarter), if there are no accompanying symptoms, rehabilitation is recommended. However, if the slippage is Grade II or higher and there are the following symptoms, surgical fixation is nec...[Read More] To Surgery or Not: Managing Lumbar Spondylolisthesis in Rehab
Should You Consider Rehabilitation for Herniated Discs?
Should I go for rehabilitation for a herniated disc? Hello, Doctor: I apologize for the lengthy message and multiple questions, but I hope you can provide me with some advice. In mid-October, I experienced severe lower back pain while exercising (the pain was so intense that I co...
Dr. Pan Yingda Reply:
Hello, I apologize for the late response as I've been quite busy recently. Regarding your questions: 1. You should go to a hospital for rehabilitation. As for recommended exercises, forward bending movements are generally not suitable. It's important to avoid maintain...[Read More] Should You Consider Rehabilitation for Herniated Discs?
Understanding Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Rehabilitation Options Explained
Sacroiliitis Hello, Dr. Chen! I have lower back pain that comes and goes. The most difficult part is that after sitting for a long time, I can hardly get up due to the pain. I also experience pain when turning over in bed and after walking for a while. A doctor mentioned it could...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. It may also be due to lumbar intervertebral disc herniation accompanied by muscle stiffness. 2. A thorough examination should be conducted (X-rays and electromyography or further magnetic resonance imaging) to identify the underlying cause. 3. If the disc herniation is severe,...[Read More] Understanding Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Rehabilitation Options Explained
Can Rehabilitation Help Relieve Chronic Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain Hello, Dr. Chen! I often play basketball, and one time I experienced severe pain in my lower back that made it impossible to stand. A friend took me for several sessions of massage therapy, and after applying some medicated patches for a few days, it seemed to imp...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
(1) Causes of lower back pain include muscle strains and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. (2) Massage therapy can relax muscles and reduce pain, but it only has localized effects. (3) A thorough examination (such as X-rays, CT scans, or electromyography) should be conducted...[Read More] Can Rehabilitation Help Relieve Chronic Lower Back Pain?
Understanding William's Exercises for Taekwondo Injury Prevention
Taekwondo Sports Injuries Hello Director Chen! Thank you for your response! 【It is advisable to perform Williams exercises and strength training before exercising.】 May I ask: what are Williams exercises? Thank you! Rosey
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. Williams exercises are strengthening exercises for the lumbar muscles and stretching exercises for the back muscles. 2. (1) For example, lying down and hugging the knees to the chest (hold for ten seconds), alternating knee hugs, and simultaneously hugging both knees. (2) Pe...[Read More] Understanding William's Exercises for Taekwondo Injury Prevention