The neck bears one-seventh of the body’s weight, and it’s our most freely moving body part, both of which explain why when you experience neck pain, you’re limited in terms of movement, making daily life a chore.
Nonallopathic lesion is a term chiropractors and some physical therapists use to describe vertebral subluxation, or dysfunction of a moving segment of the spine. In plain English, subluxation is the misalignment or incomplete dislocation of the spine; it also can be the abnormal spacing of vertebrae.
Contrary to what its name implies, Osgood-Schlatter disease is not a disease, but rather an overuse injury characterized by inflammation in the knee—specifically within the cartilage, tendon, and/or bone where the kneecap attaches to the shin. It affects children during puberty.
Occurring most often in young men as the result of an injury, osteochondritis dissecans (OD) is a joint condition in which cracks form in the cartilage and bone, eventually breaking off. The fragmented piece then can move freely in the joint space, causing pain and possible additional damage.
Osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by joint inflammation resulting from cartilage degeneration and loss. The main symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joints. It is the most common type of arthritis and can be caused by genetics, aging, or previous injury or disease.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by fragile, thinning bones. As bones become less dense—meaning they contain lower levels of calcium and minerals—they become much more vulnerable to fracture. While genetics are the most important factor in developing osteoporosis, lack of calcium intake also is commonly to blame.
As the term suggests, overtraining refers to a pattern of exercise that is too frequent and too intense for one’s level of strength and fitness. This leads to overtraining injuries such as shin splints, stress fractures, tendonitis, and muscle sprains and strains.
Overuse injuries result from repetitive microtrauma to tendons, bones, and joints. They are more subtle than acute injuries, and usually develop gradually over time. The most common cause of overuse injuries is training error, particularly increasing the duration or intensity of training too quickly.
Patellar tendonitis occurs when the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin bone becomes inflamed and irritated. Because this condition is most commonly seen in athletes whose sports require repetitive jumping—such as basketball and volleyball—it often is called jumper’s knee.
Also known as runner’s knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome is a condition in which pain is present underneath, below, or slightly above the kneecap. This issue is especially common among runners and often is caused by mobility problems in the low back or hips.