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August 18, 2008

Olympic Observations

I'm Blaming the Olympics for My Back Pain

Blaming my back problems on the Olympics isn’t really part of the Olympic spirit. In reality, my back pain is my own fault for watching four hours of Olympic glory slumped over on my couch.

Watching the Olympics on TV and back pain You’d think I’d know better than to watch TV with bad posture…but I just got entranced by the inane commentary and Bob Costas’ hair. Four hours and about 27 American medals later, my back muscles were full of tension.

To atone for my postural sin, let me help you avoid the same mistakes during marathon TV sessions (when you are, perhaps, watching the Olympic marathon)…Read More

Featured Athletes

Olympians with Spine Problems

Olympians are just like us: susceptible to back pain. (They’re also not like us in that they can swim 5 miles in a day and flip through the air and throw a shotput farther than a foot.). Take this Canadian kayaker, for example...

Spine Problems:	Slight disc herniation at L4 / L5
Treatments:	Ice, Medications
Quote:	"I’ve had a lot of (back) pain lately. I must train through a lot of pain. If it’s too bad, I take medication to keep the inflammation down."
Expert’s Opinion:	"As we age—athletes and the rest of us—disc bulges are common. Because athletes such as Andrew Willows put more stress on their spine, it can be said that they are more susceptible to disc herniations. However, slight disc herniations, much like a general back ache or a muscle strain, do generally respond well to conservative management, such as anti-inflammatory medication." —Dr. Jason Highsmith
Read how other Olympians deal with their spine problems...

Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Modern Olympic Games

At the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese are showcasing more than their tiny gymnasts, artistic Opening Ceremony, and the Bird’s Nest: they’re using their time in the world’s spotlight to show off traditional Chinese medicines (TCM).

You know, acupuncture and boiled sea slugs and ginseng.

For the first time, TCM treatments are being offered in the Olympic village. It’s East vs. West (on and off the playing field) as Olympians can choose Western treatments like anti-inflammatory medications—or try a TCM treatment.

The Canadian gymnastics team coach, Tony Smith, tried acupuncture for back pain that’s bugged him for years. It disappeared after just one treatment.
Learn more about TCM

Common Conditions:

Back Pain
Neck Pain
Degenerative Disc Disease
Herniated Discs
Kyphosis
Low Back Pain
Osteoporosis/Spinal Fracture
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Spinal Stenosis
Spondylosis
Spondylolisthesis
Whiplash
Other Back Problems A-Z

Back Pain Videos

Visual Learners Wanted

Learn about your spinal anatomy, see what happens to your intervertebral discs as you age, watch how an MRI is done, and more.

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