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.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

Read More