- With Mayo Clinic neurologist
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Dr. Jerry Swanson is a board-certified neurologist at Mayo Clinic and is a professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He has a special interest in headache disorders and medical education.
Dr. Swanson, a Lacon, Ill., native, was appointed to the Mayo Clinic staff in 1982 and works in the Department of Neurology with about 90 other physicians. He formerly chaired the Headache Division in the Neurology Department at Mayo Clinic and works with headache subspecialists around the world. He has published and lectured widely on headache disorders. He also serves as Assistant Dean for Assessment in Mayo Medical School.
"In a manner similar to the printing press, Internet technology enables the unprecedented ability to communicate with the global community about health information," Dr. Swanson says. "There is no doubt that the knowledgeable individual contributes greatly to his or her own health care, and now we can share information much more widely."
"There is much information already available about health care on the Internet. Unfortunately, much of it is not founded on sound principles. It is exciting to be a part of the MayoClinic.com team and contribute to the creation of a reliable and timely health resource."
Dr. Swanson is the neurology editor for "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and has reviewed articles for "Mayo Clinic Health Letter" and "Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource." He is also editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic on Headache" book, published in 2004. In 2008 the magazine "Women's Health" named him one of America's Top Doctors for Women.
Causes (1)
- Tarlov cysts: A cause of low back pain?
Treatments and drugs (4)
- Disk replacement: An effective treatment for low back pain?
- Epidural steroid injections for back pain: Why limited dosing?
- Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Back pain relief: Ergonomic chair or fitness ball?
Alternative medicine (3)
- Inversion therapy: Can it relieve back pain?
- Bowen therapy: Effective for back pain?
- Prolotherapy: An effective treatment for low back pain?
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Question
Back pain relief: Ergonomic chair or fitness ball?
For back pain relief, is it better to sit on an ergonomic chair or a fitness ball?
Answer
from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
If you work at a desk, your choice of desk chair is important. For back pain relief, a properly fitted ergonomic chair is generally the best choice. An ergonomic chair will help you maintain correct posture and provide maximum support for your back. For some people, however, there may still be a role for a fitness ball at work. Sitting on a fitness ball encourages good posture and promotes core strength. You'll also have more freedom to move while you're seated, which can be helpful if your back pain is aggravated by prolonged sitting. On the downside, holding yourself on a fitness ball requires good balance. It can be tiring, and some people find it uncomfortable. You might want to experiment with various types of desk chairs to find out what feels best for you. Sometimes alternating between chairs throughout the day is an option, too.
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