The spinal cord is made up of nerves that relay messages back and forth between your brain and muscles and other tissues. It is protected by the backbone which is made up of stacked bones known as vertebrae. Spinal cord compression occurs anywhere from the neck to the lower end of the spine.

Weight loss, according to the American Council on Exercise, can significantly improve your health by lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Additionally, the loss of a few pounds can improve your appearance, boosting your self esteem.

Whether it's "runner's knee", arthritis or iliotibial band syndrome, pain in and around your knee cap can slow you down. The patella, or knee cap, sits over the femur and tibia and all three bones are connected by cartilage, ligaments and tendons, any one of which can be compromised by natural causes or overuse.

Wrist sprains, which cause damage to the ligaments in your wrist, often are the result of a fall onto an outstretched hand. Wrist sprains can occur during sports, recreation or daily activities. If you have sprained your wrist, you may experience swelling, pain, tenderness and bruising.

Phosphatidylcholine is a ubiquitous, naturally occurring phospholipid molecule. It is the major lipid, or fat, of cell membranes and blood proteins. Also known as PC, phosphatidylcholine serves as the body’s main source of choline, an essential nutrient and precursor to the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.

Metamucil is an over-the-counter laxative with the active ingredient of psyllium, a soluble fiber derived from a plant called Plantago ovata. Psyllium can help relieve constipation, diarrhea and a variety of other disorders and may also help lower cholesterol, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

A bunion, a growth of bone and soft tissue on the joint of your big toe, develops from a condition called hallux valgus, in which the bone turns outwards, forcing the big toe into the second toe.

Everyone sweats under certain conditions such as when exercising, spending long periods in the sun and dealing with high amounts of stress or anxiety. But some sweat beyond what is considered normal, and face embarrassment about the condition.

Ear wax protects your inner ear from dirt and other foreign matter. However, too much ear wax can affect your hearing and cause dizziness, pain or itching. For mild to moderate amounts of ear wax buildup, you can clean your ears with a hydrogen peroxide solution at home.

With the passage of so many new smoking bans and other smoking ordinances, there has been a new wave of publicity about the dangers of smoking. You may be aware that smoking is the second leading cause of death in the United States.

The fibula is a bone in the leg located between the knee and ankle joints that runs in parallel to the larger tibia, or shin bone. The fibula can be fractured near the knee, mid shaft, or at the ankle.

Therapeutic ultrasound is a modality commonly used by physical therapists. Ultrasound therapy works by driving sound waves into the tissue to help alleviate pain, inflammation and muscles spasms while increasing range of motion.