Information on fibromyalgia, a syndrome that causes people to feel pain even when there is no injury. Covers symptoms and how it is diagnosed. Includes info on treatments such as medicines, exercise therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration during which a person becomes less aware of their surroundings. Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis to treat physical or psychological conditions. During a hypnotic state (trance), a person may be more likely to accept suggestions that can help change their behavior. A...

Discusses patellar tracking disorder, a problem that causes kneecap instability. Covers causes and symptoms. Covers treatment with physical therapy and surgery for severe cases. Links to exercises that can be done at home.

Explains how aerobic, strength, and range-of-motion exercises help with arthritis, and offers tips for how to get started with these types of exercise. Provides tips for using heat and ice after exercise. Recommends checking with a doctor or physical therapist before starting new exercise.

Discusses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a therapy that uses low-voltage electrical current for pain relief. Covers TENS treatment for different illnesses and conditions such as muscle, joint, or bone problems.

Understand what sex therapy is and how it's done.

Painful knee arthritis can keep you from being as active as you need to be. You may not walk as much. You may avoid going up and down stairs. But when you don't move that knee as much, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around it can shorten and get weaker. Movement also pumps fluid in and out of the joint space, which...

Provides overview and step-by-step instructions for starting stretches and strength-building exercises for rotator cuff problems. Includes checking with doctor or physical therapist before doing any exercises.

Talk to your physical therapist or doctor before you start an exercise program or activity. Ask what kind of exercise is best for you and how to exercise if a joint is sore or swollen. Also ask if you should take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to make it easier for you to exercise and if you should use...

A positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device helps to loosen and remove mucus buildup in your lungs. It's a type of therapy that helps you clear your airways. There are different kinds of PEP devices. When you exhale into the device, it creates...

Explores how healthy thinking habits can help with negative thoughts and behaviors. Explains the three parts of healthy thinking: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), gratitude, and optimism. Outlines how CBT uses thought reframing and techniques for calming the body and mind. Provides links for learning thought...

Provides questions to help you learn why you use tobacco. Discusses the benefits of quitting and offers strategies for quitting. Explains nicotine dependence and offers link to info on nicotine replacement therapy.

Guides you through treatment choices for lumbar spinal stenosis. Covers tests used to diagnose and guide treatment. Discusses treatment with medicines, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, or surgery. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Mental health counselors—often social workers or marriage and family therapists—provide counseling services for individuals, couples, families, teens, and children. Mental health counselors must earn a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health field and complete a certain amount of clinical work...

Debbie was raising four children, working 12-hour days, and doing all the cooking and housekeeping. "I was unhappy, crying, and my house was dirty. I'd try to cope by doing just a little bit more," Debbie says. "Needless to say, it unraveled." She healed through months of therapy. "I felt guilty for feeling bad," she...

Many people are affected by mental health problems such as depression or panic disorders. These problems can make it harder to think clearly, manage how you feel, and work with other people. Sometimes you may feel helpless and hopeless. But you're not alone. Talking with others who suffer from these problems may help...

Discusses chronic pain caused by problems other than cancer. Covers symptoms and how chronic pain is diagnosed. Covers conditions that can be treated, like neck pain, low back pain, and arthritis. Info on treatment with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Discusses causes and symptoms like sadness and feelings of helplessness. Covers related illnesses like bipolar disorder and SAD. Looks at treatment with medicines, counseling, and lifestyle choices. Discusses suicidal thoughts and when to call a doctor.

What is a spinal cord injury? A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a soft bundle of nerves that goes from the base of the brain to the lower back. It runs through the spinal canal, a tunnel formed by holes in the bones of the spine. The bony spine helps protect the spinal cord. The...