Possible Herniated Disk Treatment Options

ByJ. Hughes

There are two primary goals of herniated disk treatment. The first goal is to relieve pain, especially if the pain is severe and debilitating. As for the second goal, the treatment is to help the patient return to a normal level of functioning. Treatment methods depend on a variety of factors. For example, most doctors form a treatment plan based on each patient's symptoms, age and activity level. As long as the problem is not severe, the treatments will begin conservatively. If necessary, the doctor may choose to take a more aggressive approach.

Most patients recover in a few short months after receiving conservative treatment. During the healing process, patients must avoid painful positions. Conservative treatment plans usually involve exercising and pain medication. A physical therapist recommends exercises based on the patient's level of ability. When done right, the exercises can lessen the pain that comes from having a herniated disk. As the pain lessens, physical therapy can help the patient begin to rebuild core strength and stability. Strengthening muscles is also a way for people to prevent future injuries.

Herniated disks tend to heal over time. While a patient is healing, the doctor may prescribe medication for pain relief. The medication also controls inflammation. Pain that doesn't improve with over-the-counter medications may require the use of narcotics or muscle relaxers. Since they have fewer side effects, doctors may choose to prescribe nerve pain medication. Another treatment option is the use of cortisone injections. Since they treat inflammation, the doctor inserts cortisone injections near the spinal nerves. Some doctors use spinal imaging to guide the needle.

If conservative treatment fails, surgery may become the best option for herniated disk treatment. There are times when a disk fragment can lodge into the spinal cord. When this occurs, the patient usually grows weaker as the days go by. Some of the problems that the patient may experience include trouble walking, standing or sitting. Fortunately, doctors can perform surgery to remove the bulging portion of the disk. In rare cases, the doctor may need to remove the entire disk during surgery. When this occurs, the doctor may implant an artificial disk for spinal stability.

Rest is another important part of the treatment process. Whether the treatment was conservative or aggressive, the patient must rest. Patients should reduce their activities for a short time. Along with that, they should also avoid heavy lifting. After the initial rest period, they can begin to increase their activities at a gradual pace. It is never wise to resume activities all at once. Patients who don't take time to rest will increase their odds of developing another injury.

All patients who develop a herniated disk must make lifestyle changes. Eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis is important. Patients will find that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an excellent way to lessen back pain. A physical therapist works with each patient to teach helpful exercises. If patients complete these exercises regularly, they will increase the flexibility in their spine and legs. In addition, the exercises are a way to strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Another important lifestyle change involves learning how to lift things properly. Lifting heavy objects the wrong way is one of the quickest ways to develop a herniated disk.

Aspen Integrative Medicine offers a non surgical alternative to herniated disc treatment. Located in the Aspen Valley region of Colorado, this center focuses on non surgical alternatives to healing. Contact us today to see how your old injuries can be finally healed.

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A Look At Herniated Disk Treatments

ByJ. Hughes

Often the result of wear on the vertebrae, a herniated disk can be painful and limiting. The disk is the fluid-filled sac that cushions the bones in the spine. When this little sac ruptures or slips out-of-place, it bumps into nearby nerves. This unaccustomed contact causes pain, discomfort or numbness. A common ailment with increasing age, herniated disks present symptoms of varied intensity. The degree of pain or inconvenience for the sufferer determines the course of herniated disk treatment.

At-Home Remedies. After the diagnosis, the doctor will likely suggest some low-impact treatments. These include over the-counter drugs as well as simple behavioral advice. Most people suffering from a herniated disk respond to this level of treatment.

Non-Prescription Pain Relievers

Naproxen, acetaminophen and ibuprofen each reduce inflammation and pain. Though these drugs are available over-the-counter, they are potent, and taking more than the recommended dose can harm health. A doctor can help with advice about the right kind of non-prescription pain reliever to take.

Cold and Heat

Applying a cold pack to the painful part of the back contracts inflamed muscle and relieves pain. This treatment helps a great deal when the disk has recently ruptured and swelling is at its greatest. A heating pad or warm pack helps with residual pain.

Continued Physical Activity

Though pain or weakness seem like good reasons to rest the back, excessive bedrest worsens the symptoms of a herniated disk. Moving around too little allows muscles to grow weaker and prevents the body from healing. Periods of rest interspersed with periods of normal activity throughout the day keep the back muscles in shape.

Prescription Remedies. If over-the-counter drugs fail to ease herniated disk pain, the doctor will turn to prescription medications.

Prescription Pain Relievers

These can include narcotics, such as hydrocodone or codeine. While they can do away with pain, narcotics are very addictive and induce a mental fogginess that can itself be dangerous.

More narrowly-focused medicines designed to target damaged nerves that create chronic pain may be a better choice, as they have fewer undesirable side effects. Gabapentin and Cymbalta are two drugs that act in different ways to minimize nerve pain. These drugs are less addictive than narcotics.

Muscle Relaxants

If the muscles around the herniated disc experience painful spasms, a muscle relaxant such as Valium may be useful. The drawback to drugs like these is that they do not limit their power to the affected nerve. Instead, they have a generally relaxing effect and will interfere with daily activities.

Steroids

If inflammation is severe, a doctor may also prescribe a steroid. Steroids, such as cortisone, reduce swelling quickly. A cortisone shot directly in the affected area will have an immediate effect on the displaced disk.

Physical Therapy. Physical therapists show herniated-disk sufferers ways to move that do not cause pain. Occupational therapists teach skills that allow patients to return to a productive life.

Surgery. Only rarely do surgeons become involved in treating a herniated disk. Patients unresponsive to more conservative treatments, or those with complex disk injuries, may receive the suggestion of surgery. The surgeon most often removes the overlapping fragment of disc. In some cases, however, replacement with an artificial disk may be necessary.

Aspen Integrative Medicine offers a non surgical alternative to herniated disc treatment. Located in the Aspen Valley region of Colorado, this center focuses on non surgical alternatives to healing. Contact us today to see how your old injuries can be finally healed.

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Prolotherapy For Chronic Pain Or Sports Injuries

ByJ. Hughes

Qualified physicians perform prolotherapy by injecting mildly irritating substances directly into injured tissue, which stimulates regeneration. Individuals having arthritis, sports or work related injuries, or chronic pain may benefit from this type of treatment. Therapists use the treatment method for encouraging healing of ailing ligaments, joints, muscles and tendons in many different regions of the body. The number of treatments each patient requires varies according to individual circumstances.

After enduring injury, patients often receive over-the-counter or prescribed anti-inflammatory medications along with hot/cold treatments and possibly physical therapy. Some require surgical interventions. Even with extensive treatment, patients may not escape experiencing pain or decreased mobility. The alternative treatment sometimes called Regenerative Injection Therapy, often remedies these situations and provides long-term relief.

The therapy entails creating an inflammatory response. Following initial pain and mobility assessments, physicians inject one of three solution types around and into the site of the injury where damaged tissue attaches to bones. The nerve tissue of injured bone covering, ligaments or tendons emit pain signals. Physicians theorize that the solution initiates local irritation, which triggers cartilage and collagen formation around ligaments and tendons. In time, the fibrous tissue tightens and eliminates weakness by strengthening the area and thus eliminates pain.

For minor problems, physicians often inject dextrose combined with lidocaine or prilocaine for cellular regeneration. Therapists often combine these injections with platelet rich plasma solutions. Using the patient's blood, physicians extract growth factors, which accelerate the healing process by stimulating tissue repair. Patients experiencing knee or other soft tissue sports injury, or osteoarthritis, benefit from platelet rich plasma prolotherapy or PRPP.

This treatment requires injecting the PRP solution directly into the injured area accompanied by dextrose solution inserted into the surrounding tissue. Neurofascial therapy involves injecting the dextrose/lidocaine solution into tender muscles or other soft tissue not directly attached to bone. Specialists might use neurofascial treatment alone or in conjunction with intra-articular injections.

Stem cell therapy is another treatment alternative. Stem cells lie in bone marrow or fatty tissues of the body and have the unique ability of maturing into a variety of tissues including bone, cartilage, ligament or muscle. During an office procedure, physicians might obtain stem cells from the patient's bone marrow located in a hip or shinbone. Practitioners may also extract stem cells from the fatty tissue around the abdominal area at waist level. After the painless, sterile procedure, therapists inject the stem cells into the injured area every six to eight weeks over a span of three to six treatments. Physicians use PRP therapy for treating dozens of diagnoses from severe cases of osteoarthritis to soft tissue sports injury tears.

Physicians gauge treatment success by the degree of increased mobility and diminished pain experienced at injury sites. Many individuals experience up to 75 percent improvement after the first treatment. Following injection therapy, patients commonly see bruising and experience stiffness, swelling and tenderness at the affected location. These symptoms may last for up to one week after treatment. If inflammation and pain persist or intensify, patients should seek the advice of the prolotherapist. These symptoms, especially if accompanied by a fever, may indicate an infection process requiring antibiotic therapy. The risk of infection increases along with possible tissue injury when untrained personnel administer this type of therapy. Physicians must take great care when administering injections around spinal areas as spinal fluid leakage may occur.

Find out more about how to get Prolo Therapy, a non surgical alternative to scar tissue removal and joint reconstruction. Aspen Integrative Medicine in Colorado specializes in Prolotherapy and Prolozone treatments for the Aspen Valley region.

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Top 4 Occupations That Negatively Affects the Musculoskeletal System

ByDerick Ng

Our musculoskeletal system consists of the bones, ligaments, tendons and many more that allows us to move around. Disorders to the musculoskeletal will affect our locomotion and will cause problems to our daily lives. Disorders are often due to cyclic stresses and strains caused by our daily activities. Some occupations have an increased risk for Musculoskeletal disorders and our shoulders, hands, neck and back are the ones that are usually affected.

Carpet layers

Carpet layers are workers who lay carpets for customers. They are required to be in a kneeling position for prolonged periods of times daily and they not only have to kneel on a hard surface, they also have to use a knee kicker to stretch the carpet to ensure proper alignment. Whenever we kneel down, our body weight is fully on our both knees and keeling for long periods of time on a hard surface will cause even more damage to the meniscus and kneecap. Over time, the meniscus will wear off and the kneecap will also get damaged.

Movers

Movers are often required to carry heavy loads on their back and this will cause serious musculoskeletal problems such as chronic back pain, sprains, strains and even slipped disks. Back strains are often caused by overloading and poor lifting techniques. If it continues, the muscle can get torn and that will cause inflammation, causing pain and possibly muscle spasms. An injured back muscle will need to work even harder to protect and support the spine, leaving the spine at an additional risk to getting injured.

Office workers

Office workers work in probably the most relaxed and ideal conditions but they are one of the ones with the highest risk to musculoskeletal disorders. Sitting in a poor posture for a day causes more damage to the body than manual work. Poor posture such as hunching can cause lower back pain and shoulder stiffness. Prolonged sitting in a fixed position can also cause an overload in the muscle structures.

Construction workers

Construction workers are often required to carry heavy static loads throughout the day. To distribute the weight better, they often carry the items over their head in an outstretched position. The muscles are thus unable to contract and this will injure the muscles and even hinder the proper blood circulation around the body. Prolonged period of poor blood flow can cause the arms to swell.

It is easy to prevent musculoskeletal disorders by making small changes to your daily lifestyle. The working environment needs to be changed and you also need to be aware of the hazards you are faced with and overcome them.

We introduce you Singapore Sports and Orthopaedics Clinic where professional help will be offered in the areas of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for all spine injuries and sports injuries.

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Arachnoiditis: Cause of Nerve and Back Pain

ByAmee LaTour

Arachnoiditis is a condition caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid mater, one of the three membranes that protects the brain and spinal cord. Prolonged inflammation of this membrane leads to the formation of scar tissue, which can bind spinal nerves together.

The symptoms of arachnoiditis range from the typical symptoms of nerve interference such as sharp pain, tingling and numbness along the nerve pathway to more unique symptoms like the sensation of bugs crawling on the skin or water dripping down the leg. As with other instances of nerve interference in the lower back, arachnoiditis can cause muscle spasms, bladder or bowel incontinence and sexual dysfunction as well.

Arachnoiditis is a concerning condition for a number of reasons. First, it can be caused by a number of procedures commonly performed. These include spinal surgeries and spinal injections, such as epidurals. The condition can also be caused by infections like meningitis or tuberculosis. The contrast dye used in myelogram tests has been linked to arachnoiditis. Other conditions that cause spinal nerve compression, such as degenerative disc disease, can also lead to the inflammation of the arachnoid. The second alarming fact about this condition is that there is no data available on its prevalence. Anecdotal evidence from internet forums suggests that many doctors and specialists aren't aware of the condition and that it is often misdiagnosed as something else, like failed back surgery syndrome. The third concern associated with the condition is that there is no known cure for it.

It is important to recognize this condition as a risk of back surgeries and spinal injections, especially if you have a compromised immune system. An abnormally-functioning immune system is more likely to spur inflammation in the arachnoid mater.

If you find a health professional who is willing to work with you to manage the pain of arachnoiditis, you'll likely be given pain medications and physical therapy. You may also be prescribed psychotherapy to help mentally cope with pain. Surgery is not recognized as a reliable treatment for this condition.

Since inflammation is the underlying cause, it is possible that natural anti-inflammatory foods and herbs may help relieve pain. Ginger is one of the most effective natural anti-inflammatory foods and can be eaten from the root or taken in capsules. St. John's Wort is a popular herb that is used to treat nerve pain and inflammation along with depression. This herb should not be used in combination with anti-depressants or sedatives. Vervain is an herb that is believed to have analgesic effects and the capacity to reduce muscle spasms. Studies on herbal remedies are lacking, but the low cost and risk associated with this form of pain management makes it worth a try for people with conditions like arachnoiditis that have poor treatment records with conventional medicine.

If you've had an invasive spinal procedure or an infection and are experiencing symptoms of arachnoiditis, an MRI can confirm the diagnosis. Learning the cause of your pain will help you avoid unnecessary treatments and allow you to focus on the real problem.

Safe choices for pain management solutions exist. Educate yourself in alternative solutions for back pain management. Please ask questions, give comments or stories related to this article submission regarding back pain management.

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Using a Heating Pad for Sore Muscles

Oh, heating pad. How I love thee. Let me count the ways.

After turning 30 years old, I can remember feeling parts of my body going downhill in many different ways. 30 isn't even middle-aged! I won't dive into that too much, but if I were lifting heavy things, running, or just on my feet for too long, I would feel it a lot more than I used to. As time went on, things didn't get much better.

Fortunately for me, there are so many pain relief agents out there that one would think pain wouldn't exist anymore. However, we don't live in a perfect world now do we? One must sift through pain medications, massage techniques, stretching techniques, special pillows and special mattresses, and of course, heating pads!

The first time I used a heat pad was after I must have slept in a strange position. I had this piercing pain rushing through my neck, and I could only turn my head one way. I looked pretty silly turning my entire body to see what was off to my side. I took Tylenol. I even took Ibuprofen, but those just helped mildly. It's a lot like taking cough medicine when you have a cold. It doesn't treat the problem. Rather, it just treats the symptoms.

My friends were recommending hot baths or showers followed by some icing. I admit that that did help in one way or another. It wasn't until my mother gave me an electric heat pad that I felt a marked difference. First off, it just feels nice, especially in the winter. Secondly, it really works! The heat relaxes your muscles, and a heating pad can localize the heat in such a way that a bath or an electric blanket cannot. Combine this with an ice pack every 15 minutes for a few sessions, and you'll really notice the difference!

I mentioned that my mother provided me with an electric heating pad, but there are many different kinds out there to choose from. The most popular versions are electric, chemical, and microwavable heating pads. I've tried them all. I don't recommend the microwavable ones simply because it's too hard to control the amount of heat that comes out, and they tend to lose their heat too quickly. Getting up to microwave them again and again can get annoying.

The chemical ones are much better in the sense that the amount of heat that they give off is controlled. I just feel weird putting a chemical reaction like that on any part of my body! The electric ones seem to be the way to go since the heat is controlled, you don't have to reheat them over and over if they are plugged in, and they do the job quite well! There's a lot more to this subject, but I hope you've enjoyed this initial overview.

For more on this subject, feel free to check out my muscle pain blog at: http://heatingpad.net/

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Basics for Your Back

ByMichael Venneri

Managing Spine and Disc Problems with Self-Care

MOTION KEEPS YOUR BACK ALIVE

To stay alive and healthy, your back needs to move every day. The right kinds of motion nourish your back and help keep it flexible and free of pain. Moving improperly or too little, though, can lead to many back problems - problems that often begin in your discs, the " shock absorbers" of your spine. Fortunately, almost everyone with back problems can benefit from self-care - even those who need surgery.

When Back Pain Strikes

Whether it comes as the sharp pain of a sudden injury, an occasional twinge, or a constant daily ache, back pain can interfere with your life. Striking four out of five people sometime in their lives, back pain may develop because you move incorrectly or have a sedentary lifestyle - and move too little. Or you may have fallen into the "weekend athlete" trap, where you exercise only once in awhile. But whatever the cause, you can help reduce and prevent back pain with self-care.

Self-Care Can Help

Once you've had a medical evaluation to diagnose your spine or disc problem, you can learn how to use daily self-cadre. It may be all that's needed to treat your back and keep it healthy. Understanding anatomy may help you see how the way you move every day can help or hurt your back. Learning good body mechanics helps you do simple everyday movements safely and efficiently. And with daily back exercises, you can strengthen your back and improve flexibility for easier movement.

YOUR MEDICAL EVALUATION

A medical evaluation is needed for your doctor to diagnose your spine or disc problem and rule out other problems. This evaluation may include a medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests. After diagnosis, a team approach to treatment often works best. Each member of your team - your doctor, physical therapist, and you - plays a role in improving your spine or disc problem.

Medical History

A medical history helps your doctor evaluate your back pain and other medical problems. Your doctor may ask a variety of questions. What are your symptoms? Did your pain begin gradually or with an injury? What makes it better or worse?

Physical Exam

Your doctor begins to pinpoint the source of pain by observing your spine and posture in different positions. Your doctor also may check to see how flexible or strong your muscles are, and whether you have weak reflexes or painful or numb areas in your legs.

Diagnostic Tests

You may have one or more tests to confirm your diagnosis and locate the source of your pain. These tests also may help your doctor determine the best approach to your treatment.

• X-rays show the bones (vertebrae) of your spine.
• CT scans are "3-D x-rays" of bones and soft tissues, such as discs.
• MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) show more detailed views of soft tissues.
• EMGs (electromyograms) indicate nerve or muscle damage.

A Team Approach to Treatment

Once your doctor has diagnosed your spine or disc problem and prescribed the best treatment plan for you, a physical therapist may join your health care team. An expert in body mechanics, spine care, and back exercises, your physical therapist can teach you specific self-care techniques. By regularly using them, you can help improve your spine or disc problem. Even in the rare cases when surgery is needed, self-care is a crucial part of recovery. If you have acute pain, however, treatment may also include rest or medication.

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Tips To Help Stop Back Pain Suffering

It is hard to go through life with back pain. The following advice is going to help sufferers by providing some relief. Read through this article and find the tactics that will work for you.

If you are working at a desk or another job that requires you to sit down, bringing in a foot stool can minimize the amount of pain you feel over the course of a day. When you feel the onset of pain, elevate your feet with the stool. The elevation helps fight pain before it becomes a big problem.

Losing weight can make a huge difference in reducing the amount of suffering you experience. Being overweight by even just a few pounds can put a lot of stress on your back. Lower back pain can be caused by excess strain on your muscles and ligaments, and overweight people tend to have poor muscle tone, increasing the chances of pain. Try to maintain a reasonable weight for your height.

To reduce your suffering quickly, use compression on the affected area. Wrapping your back will compress it and reduce how much movement you are making, allowing time for your back to heal. Don't wrap your back up too tight.

There are numerous medicinal treatments for back pain, and these include both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Again, it also important to first speak with a doctor before initiating any medical decisions. Sometimes all you need is a small dose of an over-the-counter pain killer in order to stop your back hurting. In more severe cases, however, stronger prescription painkillers may be required.

People from all walks of life suffer from the effects, and lifting heavy objects can make it a lot worse than it has to be. Take caution when doing heavy lifting.

Proper breathing and relaxation are great remedies. Work on certain breathing techniques if you have back pain. This may help you reduce your suffering.

Poor posture when sitting at a computer can eventually result in back pain. If you work in front of a computer for most of the day, it is important that your monitor and keyboards are positioned directly at your front with the monitor at eye level.

Those who smoke don't have any excuse to complain about their back pain until they quit. Smoking can reduce your circulation, and contribute to the degeneration of spinal discs.

Be aware of the position that you sleep in. Laying on your back should be the best way to prevent any pain from appearing during the night. Place a heating pad on your bed if you need to. At all costs do not sleep on your stomach.

Back pain sufferers should invest in a comfortable chair to sit in when you are at work. When you sit, the discs you have in your back are compressed and strained. You can help yourself by getting a comfortable chair. Make sure your chair offers adequate support, and does not put added pressure on the lumbar area. You can encourage proper sitting by making sure the chair has arm rests.

When you need to treat your pain you should start with basic care. Resting a few days can help. While you await your back to relax, try some anti-inflammatory medication, like naproxen, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Alternating cold and hot compresses on the back also works very well to relieve pain and inflammation.

Find a good masseuse who can stop the pain in your back from becoming more serious. A lot of our back issues comes from stress and the trials of daily living. A good massage helps your back recover from the daily stresses and is an investment in the long term, helping control your pain.

If you are looking for Health products then come see us at We Are Health Products and see how we can help. Every one is always looking for the quick fix and while there may be one sometimes it is not often. Read our guides and tips and check out our Back Pain Tips and see if it helps you.

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Stretching For Lower Back Pain When Exercising To Lose Weight

ByGianluca Tedsa

The best way to treat lower back pain is to avoid it in the first place; however, that's nearly impossible with the demands modern life puts on our bodies. The good news is that there are stretching exercises for lower back pain that can bring much-needed relief. Note: You must always talk to your doctor about any health concerns, and follow their recommendations carefully.

Just about everybody experiences back pain at one point or another. The causes of lower back pain include improper lifting, repetitive stress, trauma, obesity and other underlying health problems. The cause of the pain may determine the best treatment, and that's why it's so important to talk to your doctor.

Sadly, far too many people turn to medication first. That's not to say that medication doesn't work, but rather that it comes with the potential of serious side effects. Pain is actually a useful feedback mechanism in that it tells your body to stop doing something that's harmful. When you take medication, your body doesn't receive or process pain signals the same way, so you need to be extra careful that you're not doing something harmful. Then there is also the high risk of developing an addiction to the pain relievers; after all, people like to feel good and taking the medication away often means the pain comes right back.

Stretching exercises for lower back pain are a natural way to feel better, but you still need to be careful. Again, be sure to discuss all of your treatment options with your doctor. The risks associated with medication or surgery are gone, yet there are potential risks to exercising. You can virtually eliminate these risks by doing the proper exercises and not overdoing it when exercising.

Never stretch further than is comfortable unless you are under the direct supervision of a physical therapist at the time. You may be able to get away with pushing yourself when doing regular stretching exercises and don't have back problems, but if you have back pain, then overstretching will only make things worse.

You have a few options for finding the best exercises. You can go to a physical therapist, take yoga classes, search for free videos online (though this is risky as you have no way of verifying credentials), or you can buy books or DVDs with stretching exercises for lower back pain. The main thing is to get instruction from someone who understands the problem, and will not cause you to injure yourself. There is no shortage of resources for finding the best exercises for you, but you need to actually follow through on them if you want to get the benefits. In other words, ignoring the problem won't make it go away.

While you may be most interested in stretching exercises for lower back pain, it's good to know that these exercises can improve your entire state of health. So, find some exercises you would like to try and see how much better they make you feel.

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Causes, Prevention and Treatment Options For Low Back Pain

Do you know what is the most prevalent cause of missed work? Low back pain! About 50% of all working people have this problem. About 31 million people in the USA have low back ache at any moment, according to the American Chiropractic Association.

The same institution says that as much as $50 billion every year is spent on back pain treatments in the USA alone.

Causes of Low Back Pain

Here are the most widespread causes of back pain (not counting accidents and sports injuries):

Poor postureObesityPoor physical conditioning due to inactivityOsteoporosisEmotional/psychological stress

Preventing Low Back Pain

The best way to prevent this pain is to keep your back and ab muscles strong. Do this by exercising regularly.

Other tips include:

Any strenuous physical activity must be preceded by stretching.When lifting heavy objects, do it with your legs while keeping your back straight.Support your back when bending over.Avoid slouching when sitting or standing.Get chairs and car sits with lumbar supportWhen sitting for prolonged time, try switching sitting positions frequently. Also, walk around from time to time.Sleep on a firm surface and make a habit to do it on your side to prevent curve in your spine.You must control your weight.Get enough vitamin D on a daily basis to keep your spine and other bones strong.Wear low-heeled shoes.Stop smoking because it causes the spinal discs to degenerate.

Treating Low Back Pain

Your first step when experiencing acute back pain is to visit a qualified chiropractor. Chiropractors have excellent knowledge of musculoskeletal management. They are much safer, and less costly than standard medical treatments that include drugs and surgery.

According to an article in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2007, if self-care treatments do not produce any results, people with acute low back pain should opt for spinal adjustment.

The same source also said that in case of chronic pain, the following remedies should be tried: exercise therapy, massage therapy, spinal manipulation, acupuncture, yoga, intensive rehabilitation.

Another cure people with this problem can try is NST or neuro-structural integration technique. This non-invasive technique stimulates your body to heal itself. This safe method produces visible and long lasting results after just 2-3 sessions.

You can also make use of massage to ease pain. Massage triggers your body to release endorphins that not only brings on relaxation and reduces levels of stress but it also relieves pain.

One more very effective way to relieve back pain is to use this portable TENS unit. This FDA-cleared TENS unit is available without prescription and it provides instant pain relief - the very first time you use it, your pain will go away. Find more at: http://www.squidoo.com/portable-tens-unit-for-sale.

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The Medical Approach to Back Pain Is a Killer

I don't take any joy in writing this article. It actually makes me pretty angry. I recently wrote an article about why your medical doctor should not be your first choice for dealing with back pain. It mostly dealt with the lack of training most MDs have dealing with back pain and musculoskeletal conditions in general. Unfortunately, now I have to add another reason to steer clear of your MD for these types of problems: it's dangerous.

You may have heard about the recent debacle involving Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs). This is a procedure where cortisone, a synthetic antiinflammatory drug, is injected into the space around the spinal cord to ease low back and sciatic pain. The only problem is that the procedure has recently proven to be deadly as well. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 13,000 people in 23 states may potentially be at risk for contracting a fungal strain of spinal meningitis. As of this writing there have been 214 cases in 15 states and 15 deaths from these infections.

The ironic thing about this is that ESIs are medicine's version of a "conservative" intervention for low back pain. The rhetoric coming from the medical profession is that this is an unfortunate but rare incident. But this isn't the first time devastating results have been linked to this treatment. According to a 2007 issue of the journal Spine a survey of physicians revealed that there were 78 reports of complications related to ESI in the neck. These included 30 strokes and 13 deaths.

This isn't even a necessary or very effective procedure. It provides short term benefits and in most cases does not resolve the cause of the back or neck complaint. Cortisone damages connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments, a fact well known by physicians. For this reason responsible physicians won't do more that about three cortisone injections to the same joint. Studies that show ESI as an effective technique typically combine the procedure with rehabilitation which would lead you to believe that it was actually the rehab that had long term benefits, not the injection.

So how often is this risky, invasive procedure with temporary benefits and acknowledged deadly risks performed? Only 8.9 million times per year! Why $o many time$ $ince it i$ ri$ky and not $uper effective? Nobody know$ unfortunately.

Now... Imagine if Chiropractors killed 15 people this year or on average 6 per year like these injections are. People would be outside of Chiropractic clinics around the country with pitchforks and torches. They would call for immediate reform or even the elimination of the profession. Why don't we hold medicine to the same standard? It may be because of the firm grip they have over the media. Doctors are constantly portrayed as saviors in white coats and never villans in black hats. Or maybe it's just because we are used to it. Medicine is afterall one of the leading causes of death in America. 30,000 deaths from unnecessary procedures like ESI occur every year. 16,500 people die every year from use of over-the-counter drugs like Advil, Aleve, and Ibuprofen. Over 100,000 die every year from "properly" prescribed drugs. We have been trained to overlook the fact that medicine kills more Americans every year than terrorists, drunk driving and drugs combined. We have launched wars on terrorism, a war on drugs and drunk driving but for some reason we seem very comfortable and forgiving when medicine kills people.

I'm always amused at the audacity of medical doctors who try to tell patients they shouldn't get a Chiropractic adjustment. A series of articles by Kevin B. Friedman, MD exposed that 82% of orthopedic residents (doctors who had graduated from medical school and practiced for a few years) couldn't pass a basic musculoskeletal medicine exam designed by several department chairs of hospital-based orthopedic residency programs. The test was repeated 4 years later and 78% failed. Of Chiropractic student in their final quarter of training who were given the exact same test 70% passed. So who do you trust when it comes to your back pain?

We need to start holding medicine accountable for the death toll. These are unnecessary, totally preventable deaths. We can't afford to keep writing them a pass. How can we do this? Stop making Medicine your first stop for problems like back and neck pain. When your MD tells you that you don't need Chiropractic, or Chiropractic doesn't work, or Chiropractic is dangerous, or your problem is too serious for a Chiropractor to manage recognize this simple fact: They aren't qualified to make those judgements. We aren't Medicine's kid brother. I don't have to ask their permission to do my job. I'm better trained and more qualified to make decisions on the management of musculoskeletal conditions. Looking at Medical education versus Chiropractic education no reasonable person would dispute that. Chiropractic is safe and proven as a potent treatment for neck and back conditions. The reality is that when it comes to musculoskeletal conditions Medicine should be considered the "alternative".

Dr. Jason Young, DC specializes in making normal people feel extraordinary. He is the chiropractor and owner of Body of Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Corvallis, OR. If you are interested in more articles by Dr. Young please visit these sites:

www.YourBodyofHealth.com

Blog.YourBodyofHealth.com

(c) Copyright - Jason J. Young. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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Combination Of Different Therapies Can Treat Chronic Pain

ByAndrew Le Mathu

Unlike general back and leg pain, treating chronic pain is quite difficult. Numerous cases have been witnessed where a single treatment procedure did not help in getting rid of the pain. Rather, pain management specialists combine different medical procedures to help patients in getting relief from chronic pain completely. The medical procedures adopted for pain management are highly diverse and only a certified pain management specialist can tell which treatment option suits you best.

Drug Therapy

In most of the cases, doctors try to treat the problem with drug therapy. Under this therapy, both prescription and non-prescription drugs are given to the patient for a specific period. If this therapy works, doctors continue with the same until complete relief from pain is produced. However, if this therapy does not work, doctors proceed further with other advanced procedures.

Trigger Point Injections

This treatment might be painful but it yields positive results in patients suffering from chronic pain. Here, steroids are injected in the affected areas using injections. This type of treatment is carried out by experienced and certified doctors practicing at pain management clinics. Once the treatment is over, some medicines are given to the patient for recovery purposes.

Bio electric Therapy

This therapy puts an end only to the sensation of pain. Actual pain can be treated only by combining this treatment with other procedures. In bio electric therapy, the pain messages originating from the brain are blocked and thus the person does not feel pain in affected areas. Also, it is being said that this treatment stimulates the production of endorphins (a special type of chemical in human body that decreases pain sensation).

Exercise & Physiotherapy

Believe it or not but simple exercises can help in getting relief from chronic pain in legs, arms and back. Irrespective of your age, you should walk at least 30 minutes in a day. Walking and mild exercises not only keeps you healthy but results in the movement of muscles. If you have not been exercising for long, consult your doctor and then go for it.

Psychological Therapy

Constant pain can leave one irritated and annoyed. In fact, some people take the problem seriously that they suffer from depression. In such cases, it is really important for doctors to counsel patients and keep them motivated. All this is done by pain management specialists under psychological therapy.

We agree that chronic pain treatment takes time but with proper treatment you can surely get rid of the problem. Be hopeful and listen to what your doctor says!

The author of this article is a renowned doctor for Pain Management Specialists. He runs a chain of pain management clinics in Orange Country where patients are treated using advanced techniques. To fix an appointment at any of our Arthritis Pain Management, visit our official website.

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I Have Back Pain - Should I See a Chiropractor or an Osteopath?

When we first get back pain we try to ignore it for a while but when it gets to the stage of not being able to ignore it or get rid of it anymore we have a decision to make - should you go to see a chiropractor or should you go to see an osteopath? Firstly, what are the differences between the two and is one better than the other?

The most profound differences between chiropractors and osteopaths is in their history. The founders of chiropractic believed that all problems in the body arise from a problem in the nervous system. Osteopaths, however, thought that all problems in the body arise from a problem in the vascular system. Over time these philosophies have subtly changed and have become very similar. Problems arise when there is a lack of function one way or another. This could be from a nerve that is being pinched not allowing all the information to be transferred, a muscle that has become tight due to an altered gait, problems in your arteries causing a lack of blood flow, or foreign materials (drugs, alcohol) that cause irreparable problems in the body. In conclusion, chiropractors and osteopaths now have very similar philosophies.

The main differences now come from the education. Both are four or five year masters degrees at an accredited university. Both learn anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neurology, practical skills and much more but only chiropractors learn about radiology. Chiropractors are trained radiologists, which mean they are able to both take and report on x-rays. Osteopaths are able to train in radiology at a post-graduate level but not all osteopaths choose to do so.

Techniques used by both chiropractors and osteopaths vary very slightly. There is a lot of overlap in the treatment methods but both sets of practitioners have techniques that are unique to them. For example, some chiropractors use sacro-occipital technique whereas osteopaths use a similar but different technique called cranial osteopathy.

So now we know the differences, who should you see?

Both chiropractors and osteopaths are regulated by government so you know that you will be getting safe and effective care from either. If you feel you may need an x-ray then a chiropractor may be the way to go. It is important to find a chiropractor or osteopath that you feel that you can trust, relate to, or have had a personal recommendation for. All chiropractors and osteopaths treat in slightly different ways and it is important to find a technique that suits you best.

Exe Chiropractic Clinic is based in central Exeter. We provide quality treatment for lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, and many more conditions. We are offering an initial consultation and treatment for just

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Searching for the Right Core Workout Online

Sifting through all the information on core strength training to find the right workout online can be exhausting. And once you find what seems to be a good workout, how do you know it includes the proper stability, ball, and lower back exercises that work for your goals? Since core movements incorporate the proper use of all the muscles of the trunk, not only using your abs but also activating all the muscles that stabilize the spine, hips, and pelvis, they are generally effective for all fitness goals. But, clarifying which exercises are focused on what goals will help you when searching for the right core workout online.

Core Stability Exercises

Core stability exercises are movements that challenge you to engage your core and stabilize the spine by using the core musculature to hold the neutral position (neutral spine). These exercises are often isometric, meaning you hold yourself in one position for a given period of time, but can also include concentric and eccentric movements. If your goal is to improve balance and overall athletic performance, core stability exercises will be an important part of your fitness program because they teach you how to hold your hips, pelvis, and spine in the neutral position and engage the abs to improve balance during single leg movements.

Examples of Core Stability Exercises:

PlankCrunches using a stability ballIsometric squat using dynadiscs or a bosu ball

Back Strengthening Exercises

Core strength training is also a recommendation for those focused on strengthening the back, specifically the lower back. In fact, lower back strength is often a natural by-product of the right core strength training routine. If exercises are performed safely and properly, they will cause your abs to stabilize the spine and alleviate undue stress on the lower back. This in turn will allow you to strengthen glutes and hamstrings which will also alleviate pressure from the lower back.

Examples of Back Strengthening Exercises:

Hip Lift (also known as supine bridge)AirplanesBird-Dog

If you've been doing online searches for a core strength training workout, you probably already know it's an effective component for almost any type of fitness goal, offering variety, and progressively challenging movements and fun. The examples and explanations I've used here are just a basic introduction to what you might find when searching for a core strength training workout online. Incorporate these exercises and more into your specific goals and you'll notice a huge improvement! Good Luck!

Jes Reynolds is a NSCA - cpt who trains individuals both one on one and online. She is passionate about helping people reach thier highest abilities in the realm of health, fitness, and nutrition. Since the web has so much fitness information, this includes helping people find the workout online and figuring out how it can be used to reach their personal fitness goals.

Jes is developing a site that does just that! If you want to learn more, you can visit:
http://www.myworkoutonline.org

Check out her first blog post at: http://myworkoutonline.org/find-the-perfect-workout-online/

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I Think I've Slipped a Disc - What Does This Mean?

I'm sure that you have met someone who has 'slipped a disc' in their time and most probably they were in a terrible amount of pain. So what is a disc? Is it possible to slip it? Why does this slipping of the disc cause so much pain and discomfort?

The spine aids weight transfer from our head, arms, and torso to our legs and eventually to the ground. Most of this weight that gets transferred through the spine ends up going through the discs. The discs are an integral part of the spine and act as shock absorbers. They can do this because of their structure. The discs are in a simple term fluid filled sacs surrounded by a tough outer layer. The fluid filled centre is important for the weight transfer or the shock absorbing properties. The tough outer layer is to protect the inner fluid and also to keep the disc in a regular shape. As well as acting as shock absorbers in the spine, the discs act as spacers. These spacers allow enough space for the nerves to come from the spinal cord and supply every region of the body.

So what is slipping a disc? The disc itself does not slip from its position. The disc is attached to the vertebra each side so in order to be displaced it would need to be ripped from the spine (not easy to do and certainly not very comfortable). What is commonly known as slipping a disc is when the fluid in the centre of the disc manages to escape through the tough outer layer (usually due to a tear in the outer layer) and irritate the nerves.

The pressure on this nerve can cause intense pain, numbness, pins and needles, weakness, and even changes to the organ function. This all depends on how severe the pressure on the nerve is and which nerve is involved. Each of the nerves of the spine supplies a specific area in the body so it is possible to find which specific disc is the cause of the problem. For example, if a patient was experiencing pain down the leg and causing pain into the outside of the foot with numbness present then it is likely to be L5/S1 that is the issue.

Not all problems that cause pain down the leg or any numbness or tingling have to be a disc problem. There are many things to consider when thinking whether or not your problem is a 'slipped disc'. The main criteria to fit into a disc problem are listed below:

Aged between 20-50Antalgic posture (leaning over towards one side)More painful bending forwards than bending backwardsLots of pain when bearing down, sneezing, and coughingPain down the arm or leg with or without numbness, tingling, and pins and needles present

So, in conclusion technically you cannot slip a disc. The correct name is a disc protrusion or bulge and it is caused by the fluid in the disc pressing on a nerve. If you think you have this problem then it is important to have a consultation with a chiropractor to try and determine the best treatment options for you.

Exe Chiropractic Clinic is based in central Exeter. We provide quality treatment for lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, and many more conditions. We are currently offering a full consultation with treatment for

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Inversion Therapy May Help You Avoid Back Surgery

ByAmee LaTour

Inversion therapy uses the simple reversal of gravity's pull on the body to affect changes in the back's discs, joints and muscles. Inversion tables can be purchased for you home, making it a flexible component of back pain treatment.

Benefits

Inversion therapy is primarily used to treat herniated spinal discs. When the exterior ring of a spinal disc weakens and cracks, the gel in the center of the disc oozes out and irritates nerve roots as they exit the spine. Sciatica is a common result of herniated discs. When inverted, the force of gravity on the spine is reversed. The spine is elongated and the space in between vertebrae increases, allowing discs to expand. After a number of treatments, the disc is expected to fully expand and reabsorb lost fluids.

Discs aren't the only area of the spine affected by inversion. Spinal joints can be decompressed by elongating the spine. The muscles and ligaments that run along the spine experience a good stretch during an inversion session. Muscle tension is common in both the lower and upper back, and relieving this tension can go a long way in treating some people's back pain. Also, tight muscles can actually cause compression of discs and joints, so stretching them out may help reduce the risk of these related problems.

The body begins to experience beneficial effects of stretching at 20-30 degrees of inversion. 40-60 degrees is generally recommended to experience the full range of inversion benefits, although beginners should start in the lower range for the first week or two until the body has become more flexible.

A number of studies confirming the benefits of inversion therapy have been conducted since the 1960's. A more recent study by Parad KS et. al. looks at the outcomes of 22 participants who were awaiting surgery for a herniated disc; one group was prescribed physical therapy and the other, physical therapy combined with inversion treatment. While most members of both groups still had MRI evidence of herniation at the end of the 6-week treatment period, only 23% of the inversion group went on to have surgery, while 78% of the control group still needed surgery. Even though herniation was still present in the inversion group, pain was decreased enough to eliminate the need for an invasive procedure. A summary of the study can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22263648.

One Component of Treatment

Inversion therapy is generally not a treatment plan in itself, but a possible helpful component. Exercise therapy is almost always necessary to thoroughly treat back pain; strengthening the core muscle group will help to more permanently relieve strain on spinal discs and joints. Maintaining flexibility in the region is also important to prevent tight ligaments and muscles from compressing spinal structures. Those with muscle imbalances may need physical therapy and myofascial release to help restore balance to the body. You may experience positive results from combining inversion therapy with a simple home core workout routine.

Reviews

While some caution that there is not sufficient research to support the use of inversion in treating back pain, others may point to the reviews of people who have used this type of treatment. At http://www.dailystrength.org/treatments/Inversion_Therapy, we see that inversion therapy has a 100% effectiveness rating among 24 reviewers with back pain, fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions. Since a quality inversion table can be purchased for around $100, it may be a wise investment.

Contraindications

Inversion therapy should not be used in cases of:

Glaucoma

High Blood Pressure

Weak or Fractured Bones

Circulatory Problems/Use of Blood Thinners

Hernia

Extreme Obesity

Stroke

Spinal Injury

Stroke

Pregnancy

If inversion therapy is not contraindicated for you, then it is a safe way for you to address back pain in the comfort of your home. Combined with exercise, inversion can help you naturally treat the cause of your pain and avoid unnecessary surgeries.

Education in back pain is the cheapest form of self-preservation. Learn about what causes back pain and 4 things that cause sciatic nerve pain.

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What Is the Best Way to Lift an Object to Prevent Back Pain?

A correct lifting technique is essential to reduce the chances of getting back pain. The most commonly taught way of lifting is bending the legs to take the pressure off the back. Is this the correct way to lift an object? If so, why is it considered to be the gold standard of lifting?

Each joint in the spine is designed to take a specific load. When all of the joints in the spine work together the loads add up to make the maximum that the spine can take. The best lifting technique is one that shares the load throughout the individual joints and no particular joint in the spine is overloaded. To find out the best lifting technique we have look at each technique individually:

Legs straight

When lifting with the legs straight the spine has to flex to full range of motion. This puts huge loads through the lower part of the spine (lumbar spine). The discs and joints in the back are likely to be overloaded and this may cause pain immediately or cause pain after repeated lifting.

Legs bent

The nature of lifting with the legs bent means that the spine does not have to flex to its full range of motion. This allows some of the load that is lifted to be transferred through the muscles in the legs. This is a huge improvement on lifting with your legs straight. There is still a problem with lifting with the legs bent though. It is quite common with this technique to look towards the ground during the lift. This action means that the spine is being flexed so when lifting the spine then has to be extended putting large loads through the spine still.

Legs bent and spine neutral

This has all the advantages of lifting with the legs bent but without the final extension motion. When lifting with the knees bent it is important to be looking straight ahead and lift in one fluid motion. With this in mind the legs will be taking most of the brunt and the spine will be taking a small percentage of the overall load. This is likely to mean that the joints in the spine are not overloaded and this greatly decreases the chances of getting back pain.

In conclusion, having your legs bent when lifting is the best way to lift but it is important to ensure that the spine is in a neutral position. The best way to do this is to avoid looking down at the object you are picking up. This way fewer loads will be taken through the spine and it will greatly reduce the chances of experiencing back pain during the lifting motion or in the future after repeated lifting episodes.

Exe Chiropractic Clinic is based in central Exeter. We provide quality treatment for lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, and many more conditions. We are currently offering a full consultation with treatment for

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Back Pain With Rash A Sign Of Shingles

ByAmee LaTour

The varicella-zoster virus, also known as the chickenpox virus, lies dormant in the body's nerve roots after you have chickenpox. According to the National Institutes of Health, 25% of the population experienced a resurgence of the virus later in life, causing a condition known as shingles.

The time frame and severity of shingles symptoms varies from person to person. The first signs of shingles are pain, tingling and/or numbness in an area on one side of the body, usually on the back or chest but occasionally on the head, face, one arm or one leg. Flu-like symptoms are also typical, including nausea, diarrhea and chills, but not fever. The rash shingles causes usually presents a few days after the start of these symptoms, but may occur weeks after.

The shingles rash usually wraps around the back to the side, stomach or chest. This is because the virus travels along the affected sensory nerve roots, which exit the spine and wrap around each side of the body. The pain associated with the rash may be mild or severe. Shingles rashes generally clear up within 4 weeks. They develop fluid-filled blisters which may burst and scab over, leaving scars.

The main complication associated with shingles is a condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). This condition is characterized by continued pain after the rash has cleared that can last anywhere from a month to several years. People with PHN may experience severe burning or stabbing pain where the rash was as well as extreme pain when the area is touched. The exact cause is unknown, but it is theorized that the inflammation that initially causes pain causes some people's nerves to become hypersensitive so that pain is sensed even after the inflammation subsides.

The severe, chronic pain associated with PHN can disrupt a person's life. Daily activities from eating and sleeping to simply wearing clothing can become difficult. Depression is a common correlate of such chronic pain. A number of studies suggest that early treatment of shingles can shorten the amount of time the patient is in pain. It is recommended that people are treated with antiviral medications within three days of the rash's appearance. See one study attesting to the value of early treatment at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9852981.

Another concern associated with shingles is eye problems. If shingles affects the face, the virus may be affecting the cornea. Damage to the eye can occur in the form of scarring, having permanent consequences for vision. As with PHN, early treatment is likely the key to preventing eye damage.

Shingles pain can be managed in different ways, depending on the severity of your pain and your preferences. Narcotic medications are prescribed for the most severe cases. Some rely on over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Anesthetic patches and creams are also available to numb shingles pain. Those looking for a natural approach may consider using a capsaicin cream. Capsaicin is a chemical in chili peppers and has demonstrated therapeutic benefits as a topical pain reliever.

Your chances of developing shingles increases if you are over 50 and have a weakened immune system caused by stress, physical illness or diseases like diabetes, AIDS and cancer. A vaccine is available to help prevent shingles and is recommended for people over 60.

It is important to be aware of common misdiagnoses associated with shingles, such as poison oak or ivy, scabies and herpes simplex virus. Be sure to tell your doctor about any flu-like symptoms that preceded the rash; this will help confirm a shingles diagnosis and speed up the course of your treatment to prevent prolonged complications.

Back pain and a rash are symptoms of the shingles virus. Knowing when to see a doctor depends on understanding the situation you're in.

Safe choices for pain management solutions exist. Educate yourself in alternative solutions for back pain management. Please ask questions, give comments or stories related to this article submission regarding back pain management.

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