Spasticity is a condition in which muscles are tight or stiff. For example, your hand may stay clenched in a fist or your knee may be hard to bend. At times the muscles may jerk or spasm uncontrollably. It can interfere with your ability to move,

Defines fitness and why you need to exercise. Covers topics such as flexibility, aerobic fitness, and muscle fitness. Offers tips on becoming more active, establishing fitness routines, and maintaining a fit lifestyle. Also covers injury prevention.

What is complex regional pain syndrome? Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a term used to describe a group of painful conditions. Examples of earlier names for these conditions include reflex sympathetic dystrophy, causalgia, and Sudeck's atrophy. Pain is the main symptom of CRPS. Most people have severe pain in...

Provides overview and step-by-step instructions for doing warm-up, stretching, and strengthening exercises for tennis elbow.

What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine. The spine curves from side to side in an "S" or "C" shape rather than being straight. The spine also may be twisted. What causes it? In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known. Scoliosis usually starts in the preteen years. In some cases, scoliosis...

What is a meniscus tear? A meniscus tear is a common knee injury. The meniscus is a rubbery, C-shaped disc that cushions your knee. Each knee has two menisci (plural of meniscus)—one at the outer edge of the knee and one at the inner edge. They keep your knee steady by balancing your weight across the knee. A torn...

Covers the causes and symptoms of upper and middle back pain. Looks at treatment with rest, pain medicine, and surgery. Includes steps to prevent back pain from returning, such as practicing good posture and getting regular exercise.

Covers the four courses of MS: relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive, and progressive relapse. Discusses early and advanced symptoms. Also covers complications. Discusses diagnosis and treatment. Includes info on pregnancy and MS.

Provides step-by-step instructions and photos for doing easy and then more intense exercises for patellar tracking disorder.

Briefly discusses common toe, foot, and ankle injuries caused during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, and work or projects around home. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Briefly discusses sudden injuries like meniscus tears and torn ligaments that cause knee pain. Covers injuries like bursitis and tendinitis caused by overuse. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Guides through decision to have surgery for Dupuytren's disease. Includes other treatments for Dupuytren's disease. Describes the two types of surgery usually done. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Briefly discusses common causes of shoulder injuries and problems from sports, hobbies, or work-related issues, including sudden injuries and those caused by overuse. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Provides an overview and step-by-step instructions and photos for doing exercises after breast cancer surgery.

Briefly discusses the hip joint and various causes of hip problems, including pain with movement or weight bearing, conditions causing inflammation, and infections. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

What is optimism? Optimism is a hopeful, positive outlook on the future, yourself, and the world around you. It's a key part of resilience, the inner strength that helps you get through tough times. Optimism helps you see, feel, and think positively. But it has extra benefits you might not know about—optimism helps keep...

What is child care? Child care is short-term care by someone other than a parent. There are two basic types of child care: individual and group. Individual providers. These providers care for only your child or children. The provider may be a family member or friend, a nanny, an au pair, or a babysitter. Group...

Palliative care is a type of care for people who have a serious illness. It can help you manage symptoms, pain, or side effects from treatment. It can also help you cope with your feelings about living with a serious illness. Palliative care for managing pain The goal is for you to have the least pain with the fewest...

Discusses exercises to stretch and strengthen the plantar fascia ligament and Achilles tendon. Includes step-by-step instructions and photos for each exercise.

What is an Achilles tendon tear? An Achilles tendon tear—sometimes called a rupture—can be partial or complete. Partial tears may cause no symptoms. But complete tears cause pain and sudden loss of strength and movement. Middle-aged adults doing sports activities are more likely to get this kind of injury. Tears also...

Discharge planning helps to make sure that you leave the hospital safely and smoothly and get the right care after that. You, the person who is caring for you, and your discharge planner work together to address your concerns in a discharge plan.

Learn three exercises to relieve heel pain or tightness.

Guides through the decision to have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for low back pain. Discusses the problems an MRI can find and why it may not show the source of pain. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

When you have an ACL injury, you lose leg strength and motion. You also lose stability in your knee. It's important to get back your leg strength and motion as soon as you can, whether you choose to have surgery or not. Exercises to get back your muscle strength and knee motion should begin before you start treatment...

Covers surgical removal of herniated disc material that presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord. Discusses why it may be done such as for a bulging disc, to relieve pain, or help prevent serious nerve damage. Looks at how well it works and risks.