Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) - Overview This chronic disorder causes sudden bursts of intense, shooting pain in the face. These attacks are linked to a problem with the trigeminal nerve. This nerve begins as a thick root at the base of the brain.Then, it splits into three branches that extend [...]

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Overview Rheumatoid arthritis (we say "RA") is a chronic autoimmune disease. It makes your joints feel swollen and stiff. This interferes with daily activities. Causes What causes RA? Well, we don't fully understand this disease. We know it happens when your immune system attacks your [...]

Piriformis Syndrome - Overview This is a pain and numbness you feel in your buttock and down the back of your leg. It involves the sciatic nerve. That's a large nerve that travels from your lower spine down to your foot. Causes This syndrome is caused by a problem [...]

Pinched Nerve - Overview If you have unexplained pain, numbness, weakness or tingling, you may have a pinched nerve. That's when something presses against a nerve in your body. It stops the nerve from acting the way it's supposed to. Causes Nerves become pinched in many ways. Some pinched [...]

Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Overview This is a chronic pain disorder. It affects the muscles and the connective tissue (called the"fascia") that surrounds them. With this syndrome,you may develop sensitive areas on your body called "trigger points." When these places are pressed or stressed, you feel pain. This condition [...]

Metastatic Cancer of the Spine - Overview This is when cancer spreads to your spine from somewhere else in your body. It can form one or more tumors. It may invade healthy bone and tissues. And it may spread throughout your spine. Causes What causes metastatic cancer? All cancer [...]

Fibromyalgia - Overview This chronic condition is believed to be a type of interference with the way your brain processes pain signals. It leaves you highly sensitive to pain. If you have this condition, you may feel long-lasting pain throughout your body. Causes Doctors aren't sure why fibromyalgia develops. [...]

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - Overview This is a type of chronic, long-lasting, pain. In most cases, it develops in an arm or a leg that you have previously injured. With CRPS, you may have unexplained pain that won't go away. It may be severe, and it may [...]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) - Overview This debilitating disorder causes severe exhaustion that doesn't go away after you rest. It makes even the most ordinary daily activities difficult to do. Causes We don't know how or why ME/CFS develops. Scientists are studying possible links to certain viral infections. They [...]

Peripheral Neuropathy - Overview This condition is a problem with the peripheral nervous system. These are the nerves that branch out from your brain and spinal cord and travel to all of the other parts of your body. Causes This condition results from damage to your peripheral nerves. These [...]