Disclaimer: This post is part of a compensated campaign through MedPress.  The opinions shared are my own.

In the running community, injuries are a common occurrence.  Some experience plantar fasciitis like me.  Others have dealt with IT-band syndrome issues.  Rotator cuff sprains and foot fractures are also pretty common injuries.  Some even suffer from spinal pain resulted from the high impact of running.

Although running has many benefits, it can have long term damaging effects particularly to the spine. To combat any degenerative effects to my spine running may cause, I incorporate foods rich in calcium in my diet, such as yogurt, chocolate milk and lots of leafy dark greens like spinach, kale and arugula.

Though my running spine is in working order, my sedentary husband experienced excruciating lower back pain about six months ago and sought out a spine specialist for pain relief.   After his visit, Allan learned that he has an additional vertebrae. The doctor referred him to a physical therapist, who shared some simple, basic stretching exercises for pain relief.

After a long painful trial-and-error period, Allan finally felt relief.  Had Allan registered at MedPress at the first twinge of pain, he would have learned some of those pain relieving techniques a lot sooner and we could have saved money on co-pays and time on numerous visits.

As stated on the homepage, “MedPress is a community united to help those with chronic back and neck pain. The idea is to create a safe, encouraging environment for people who simply want to know as much as possible about leading a rewarding life in the face of chronic back and neck pain.”

By registering in this safe online community, MedPress users will find a timely articles written by subject-matter experts covering a variety of back-pain related topics. Throughout the site, MedPress users will find several answers to their questions concerning back or neck pain as well as some possible causes and learn ways to maintain a healthy spine for life.

Also with the assistance of MedPress, users can share their experiences in a supportive online community with others who understand and have experienced similar pain or trying to cope with and overcome their own back or neck pain.  Essentially, MedPress is an educational hub where people learn from each other and from subject-matter experts, although it is not a place to seek medical diagnoses or medical advice.

MedPress wants you to join their online neck and back pain online community and to encourage you to join, MedPress is offering multiple prizes and three ways to win them!

All new users that register at the MedPress by January 31, 2014 are automatically entered in a random drawing to win an iPad Mini 16G WiFi!

For your chance to win another iPad Mini 16G WiFi! from MedPress, complete these simple steps:

1. Follow MedPress on Twitter – @MedPressForum.
2. Like MedPress on Facebook.
3. Then register at MedPress.com through the Rafflecopter giveaway below which ends on 1/31/14.

And finally, most importantly, leave a comment below.  One lucky Run DMT comment will be randomly selected to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

What questions related to spine health will you ask the MedPress experts and other online users?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 But wait there’s more!

For yet another chance to win an iPad Mini 16G WiFi as well as TWO $50 Amazon gift cards, join the MedPress Spine Health Twitter Party on January 21st at 8pm EST by following @MedPressForum #healthyspine and all the co-hosts @denisermt, @JennyMetamorfit @CK_Lunchbox  @dadcentric and @itsajourney1.

During the hour-long Twitter party, we will discuss spine related health topics such as exercise, fitness, diet, some common back and neck pain causes and a few back and neck pain treatments.  We’ll also giveaway TWO additional $50 Amazon gift cards during the Twitter chat.