About this library

What it is

This is a library of short answers. Each one starts with a two-sentence direct answer, adds the detail, and ends with the public sources it rests on. The questions cover back pain, neck pain, discs and nerves, spine surgery in outline, and recovery. It speaks as the editors and publishes no author profiles.

What it is not

It is not a clinic, a practice, a business or a professional body, and it is not affiliated with any practice, company, agency or university. It offers no services, sells nothing, recommends no provider, and cannot give personal medical advice. It cannot tell you what is wrong with your back or neck, whether you need a scan or an operation, or what to take.

Who it is for

Adults with back or neck symptoms, their relatives, and students who want plain wording. Health services differ between countries, so where an answer names a national service or an emergency number, it says which.

How to use it

Use it to get ready for a conversation with a doctor or physiotherapist, not to replace one. Each page has a section on when to get help. If you have severe or fast-changing symptoms, contact a clinician or emergency service without reading further. The method behind the pages is in how we check facts, and corrections are welcome through the contact page.