Nerve pain (neuropathic pain) Archive

Stretching becomes crucial as you age. Here is a quick routine that addresses the major tight spots.

Stretching is much like flossing. You know it's good for your health, but for whatever reason, you may not always make time for it.

"Most people know they need to stretch more, but find it burdensome or are not sure what to do," says Urvashi Chogle, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Network.

Sciatica's (pronounced sigh-AT-eh-ka) hallmarks are pain and numbness that radiates down the leg, often below the knee. In nine out of 10 cases, sciatica is caused by a displaced disk in the lower spine.

The best medicine is often patience — with some stoicism mixed in — because the pain often goes away, even if the problem disk does not. Researchers have found that the pain usually improves within a month.

It's more important than ever to consider your particular health risks before popping a nonprescription pain reliever.

Have a headache, muscle strain, or maybe arthritis pain? Don't reach for just any over-the-counter (OTC) remedy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin are commonly used OTC painkillers. So is acetaminophen (Tylenol). For decades, these drugs were thought to be entirely safe — justifying the ability to purchase them without a doctor's prescription.

But the thinking on OTC painkillers has changed now that we know more about their risks. And it's especially important to navigate these medications with care. Here are guidelines to help you narrow the options.

Research we're watching

Hot cocoa may be just what the doctor ordered… for leg pain. A small study published February 14 by Circulation Research found that adults with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who drank a specially designed hot cocoa had less PAD-related leg pain when walking than those who didn't drink the cocoa.

PAD is a condition in which fatty deposits collect and reduce blood flow in arteries outside the heart — most commonly in the legs. People with PAD commonly experience pain when walking. For this study, researchers gave 44 people with PAD a specially designed cocoa-containing beverage three times a day for six months. The cocoa drinkers were able to walk on average almost 140 feet farther in a timed walking test than people who drank the same amount of the same beverage that didn't contain the cocoa. The cocoa drinkers also had some improved muscle function and blood flow into the calves. While the drinks were specially designed for the trial, the researchers speculated that cocoa may contain an ingredient that helps muscle cells using oxygen more efficiently.