Natural Cures For Sciatica, Sciatic Pain

I developed severe back pain during a summer job that involved heavy lifting in my early 20 s. Though x-rays revealed no trauma, the situation was sufficiently severe that I would wake up in pain up to five times per night.

Due to the chronic pain, poor sleep and consequent weariness, I had to leave college prior to my senior year, and was only capableof holding part-time jobs. Physical therapy and extensive treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs seemed to have no effect.Trying to avoid any action which could aggravate my pain, I became progressively sedentary, and within five years I was experiencing trouble walking.Although I was never athletic, before the onslaught of the back pain, hiking in the mountains was among my favorite activities.

Eight years after the onset of my condition, I had to go on disability, and my lifestyle was primarily consumed with doctors appointments and doing disability paperwork.

One evening, when doing laundry, I discovered I was in such excessive pain I couldn’t get my clothes out of the dryer.I found that I had hit bottom going after medical expertise, and prepared a scheme for recovery. The plan proved fruitful, though it has taken many more years than I could ve anticipated.

The first step of my plan was to begin aquatic exercise. I found a nearby health club with a heated deep pool, which let me exercise while in a vertical position with a flotation belt. I arose almost every morning at 5 a.m. and drove a short distance to the health spa, preferring that time of day for the privacy it would give me in the pool, and for the long-familiar reality that persons with chronic musculoskeletal pain feel that if they do something to exercise and relax their muscles early in the day, the pain can be scaled down throughout the day.

Driving even a short distance was difficult, so I bought a corset-like lower back support which fastened with Velcro. This cloth and elastic brace protects against the torsion caused by speedy turns. I still don this orthopedic back brace when I m in the passenger seat, because it s easier to foresee turns and changes of speed when I m at the wheel. There are a broad assortment of back braces and mid back posture supports available to buy online.

The third step of my program was to begin to practice tai chi, which I later successfully augmented with the Feldenkrais exercise system.

A posture brace for slouching shoulders provided a gentle reminder to keep my shoulders back. This back brace had the advantage of allowing the wearer to exercise proper posture, so unlike some upper back posture supports, did not run the risk of inducing further deconditioning.

Proper furniture provided my back shoulders posture support. In a suitable desk chair, your pelvis should be slightly higher than your knees, and your feet should rest level with the floor.

It is important to choose ergonomic furniture which not only reduces your pain, but provides proper support to your spinal cord. A dealer specializing in ergonomic furniture can be a valued consultant in this regard. Since most posture support chairs have got a number of adjustable features, you might need advice from an occupational therapist in adjusting the chair properly.

Technorati Tags: back brace, back pain, chronic, disability, health, musculoskeletal, orthopedic, pain, Physical Therapy, relax, severe, treatment

No Comments yet »

There are several sciatic nerve exercises meant to alleviate sciatic nerve pain. We will now try to help you learn which exercises will suit you best and give you the most relief in the shortest possible time.

Exercise your abdominal muscles

There are a number of exercises that will, forever, protect your sciatic nerve from pain. You will be amazed to hear this and doubt its veracity. Whereas walking around is a great method to sooth your frozen leg or foot, crunches too, are a fantastic method to alleviate the pain of your sciatic nerve. Crunches are famous as an abdominal exercise, and, while doing this exercise, ensure that you do it unhurriedly and do not exaggerate. A little bit of stinging and a slight pain the following day is fine. However, if you consider that this makes the situation worse, this is not you cup of tea. Positive thinking is a must for supporting your sciatic nerve.

Relieving your hips

The following exercise will help lower back pain, which may be caused by Sciatica. It helps stretch your hp flexor. It is not a cardio exercise, so the goal is to lightly stretch instead of working up a sweat. Sit on the floor with feet slightly apart and stretch your arms towards your feet. You do not have to touch your feet if you cannot. Another variation is to stand straight with feet shoulder length apart. Then try to touch the ground with your hands. These stretches should help with the pain from Sciatica.

Stretching your Piriformis muscles

This is also another excellent exercise that you may try when you are hurting with Sciatic nerve pain. One of the muscles involved in this is Piriformis. To perform this exercise you will need to sit in a chair, assuming a straight posture without slouching. You must try and bear the pain if sitting this way makes your backache. It is necessary to do this exercise correctly for it to be effective in giving you relief from pain. When you are seated in the chair as instructed, you must stretch out your legs in front of you as far as possible, with your feet lifted above the ground. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Now you are ready for the next part. Pick up one of your legs and bring it over the other one, crossing it over the other. When you have done this, keep this position and lean forward. If you hear your back pop, you may ignore it as long as it is not too painful. In fact, it might actually help you. Hold this position for a few minutes. Now, holding on to the legs of the chair, allow your body to come back to the upright position and sit up as straight as possible. Hold this position for as long as you are able to. This completes the exercise. Your Piriformis muscles would have been stretched and you would feel all the better for it.

There is a way to quickly alleviate sciatic nerve pain with these specific exercises being conducted for a few minutes on a daily basis.

Technorati Tags: exercises for sciatic nerve, exercises to help the sciatic nerve, real exercises for sciatic nerve pain, sciatic nerve exercises, simple

No Comments yet »

Will Yoga Help Your Lower Back Pain?

Is yoga for lower back pain the help you need for your back pain? Unfortuately back pain is something that most people will experience at least once in their lives. It may be the sort of back pain that is alleviated quickly and easily. It may also be something that comes and goes even sticks around for months sometimes for years. There are things you can do to help the lower back pain including surgery, but it is not always an option. For some types of back pain, even that is not helpful or even possible. There are a variety of exercises that help with some different back pain , including yoga. In fact yoga for lower back pain is often considered the best solution to relieve as well as often prevent pain in the back.

More often the pain that is experienced in a person’s back occurs on account of problems with maintaining proper posture. So it is necessary to consider suitable means to realign the body. This is a good time to consider using yoga exercise for back lower pain as this is one of the best and most natural means of bringing mind, body and soul back into perfect synchronization. What you can do for your back pain is up to your doctor and health care practitioner, and you should listen to what they have to say. Doing the wrong thing may make your problem worse. If your doctor or health care practitioner says that yoga for lower back pain is something that would help you, you may want to listen. The great thing about yoga is that it can be very easy on the body, and there are many different movements in yoga that you can do. You don’t have to do all of the moves that most classes have. It is only necessary to do the ones that work well for your back. If your doctor is recommending yoga for lower back pain, they probably have guidelines and recommendations that you should follow.

Yoga is about strength and flexibility and for the most part, this is going to be recommended for those that have muscle problems rather than some type of spinal injury. It might not be the best for bulging and crushed discs, but yoga for lower back pain can help when your muscles are messed up, tight, weak, or are refusing to relax. Thanks to weak muscles,some back simply go out of place, so doing yoga to help with back problems can be a preventative measure. You may even wish to purchase a book that has information about yoga for lower back pain.

At Home or In A Class-Which Suits You Best?

When doing yoga for lower back pain, you have two main choices.

1. You can do it from home with the right instruction

2. You can take a class with a experienced yoga teacher.

If you are going to do it from home, you want to go out and find the right DVD or book. It is beneficial to make sure you get the right accessories, including the mat to use on the floor to help you through your workout. If you are taking a class, call ahead to see what you would need, and stress that you need beginners classe. When you begin you will need a yoga mat, you may even find it helpful to purchase a book or DVD that gives you information about yoga for lower back pain.

Get the Right Clothing

Get the right clothing for your yoga for lower back pain sessions, and make sure you remember that your limits may be pushed. As you work your way through the exercise you may feel a little pain, but stop if it becomes to painful. You don’t want to cause more damage than you already have in your back. You are going to find that you are going to build up the muscles that hold your spine in place, and that will do wonders for you back health. If you find that yoga for back pain does not work for you, talk with your doctor about other exercise alternatives.

Which Yoga Pose For Lower Back Pain?

It is possible that yoga exercise for back pain will help fix problems related to pain in the back that emanate from the hips that could have been overworked or stretched beyond their limits. The right kind of yoga for lower back pain will ensure that the muscles of the hips are stretched, worked as well as brought back to their proper balance all of which has the effect of decreasing pain in a person s back. You can also perform the standing yoga postures to help achieve better flexibility, strengthen the hips and help in providing better balance.

The Mountain pose in particular is a yoga exercise for back pain that trains each and every muscle and brings the body back to its proper alignment. A person’s hips help to keep the body posture correctly balanced and they also play a major role in how well or poorly a person can move. The hips are located to a person’s lower spine and are located centrally. It has been found that as many as eighty percent of people that suffer from pain in their backs do so because of hip problems.

One of the yoga exercises that helps to realign the hips and help mobility is the triangle pose. Stretching the flanks with a yoga exercise for lower back pain known as extended side angle pose is another way of achieving the right body balance and in addition this yoga exercise for back pain helps to elongate the spine while also countering problems such as poor postures. It is a very useful exercise and can really help you achieve a pain-free existence once more. Back pain also occurs on account of slipped discs. In fact, the ache in your back is one of the most common of all health problems experienced by people in all parts of the world. Proper and timely treatment should be given, as the aches can become extremely painful and can lead to disabilities in the patient.

Conclusion

It is really worth considering yoga for lower a back pain, it may be beneficial to not just your back, but your overall well being. Visit Your Back Health to find out more information on back care and management.

Technorati Tags: yoga for back pain, yoga for chronic back pain, yoga for low back pain, yoga for the relief of lower back pain

No Comments yet »

Part and parcel of the chiropractic visit is the adjustment of any misaligned vertebrae which may in turn be causing you a lot of pain and overall discomfort. Many people don’t really know what’s happening when their spine is being manipulated. People need to realize that these adjustments are founded in sound treatment strategies. While you might be somewhat uncomfortable about the experience the first time you visit a chiropractor, it is significant to remember that she or he went through years of training in order to refine her or his experience and skill. You’re not dealing with some quack whose messing around with your spine but a medical professional who’s trained by experts and knows what he’s doing.

Sometimes patients report that while their spine was being adjusted they felt or head a distinct pop. What sounds like something bursting is actually helping you. Yet in truth, these popping sounds and sensations are little more than bubbles of gas that are being released when your joint is moved. The sound might freak you out, but it’s actually helping you.

Of course the number one important fact about chiropractors and their healing art rests in the duration of the treatment results. Many new back pain patients think chiropractors can cure their back pain forever in just one visit. While this might be an acceptable expectation to have of a surgeon who operates on the body to remove something or to surgically knit something together, it is imperative to understand that since your spine undergoes so much work and pressure on a daily basis, there are no guarantees about how long the adjustment will last. Chiropractic spinal adjustments can come undone easily.

While this may not sound like much, keep in mind that injuring your spine by every day lifestyle choices is easily done and just as easily fixed. When you first visit your chiropractor it might take several visits before you see any results.But once you’re inital treatments have taken effect, subsequent visits will be less frequent and more productive. Discuss this concern with your chiropractor so that you will understand how the adjustments will affect your overall health and how often they might need to be repeated in order to take hold more completely. Additionally, speak to your chiropractor about concerns you might have about your everyday activities and how they might be impacting your musculoskeletal health. Remember that your chiropractor is a holistic healer who not only cares about your spine but also about your whole body and how it is affected by everyday living!

Technorati Tags: ajusting your spine, duration of treatment results, impacting, Info about chiropractors, injuring your spine, medical professional, misaligned vertebrae, musculoskeletal health, spine, spine adjusted, treatment relationship

No Comments yet »

Often, even the best of us can make poor decisions in our desire to stay competitve in the athletic world. For many of us, we choose to practise longer, and harder to try to overcome our shortfalls. All too often, you and I and everyone like us are driven to believe that steroids are the only way to go about improving your body and its performance. Not only are steroids illegal, but they’re also dangerous to your body. We want to provide you and your athletes with an acceptable, safe, and legal alternative to steroids. Our strength systems patch is designed to provide you with the safest boost to your athletic abilities possible.

Many people have it in their heads that to increase your performance you need to add things to your body. The exact opposite is true in most cases. Our bodies are highly complicated electrical conduents that often get misaligned and don’t fire effeciently causing our bodies performance to run less effectively. Adding things like steroids, herbal supplements, and other such things usually act to damage the way your body transfers energy, leaving your body in a much worse condition than it was originally in. While you might look good superficially, your body is actually deteriorating quite fast on the interior as a result of the steroids many people turn to.

BioSync patches help your body work more efficiently transfering energy much more freely throughout your body. As a result, this patch allows you to work harder and stronger for longer, while not injuring your body, or changing anything about its chemistry. Our patches were specifically engineered to allow your body to function better, by re-aligning your body’s natural energy, upon contact with your skin. The success of our product is derived exactly from the increased function that is delivered by it. Because of the way our patches work, we’re able to design to main patches. One of our chips, named the Releve Pain Management Chip, works, interestingly enough, by reducing or sometimes even eliminating all kinds of pains treating back pain . We also offer our Revive Energy Patch. This particular patch is designed to deliver more energy to you during the duration of your workouts, and thereby help with all aspects of your athletic endeavours improve strength

See for yourself how we can help make a difference in your performance and athletic ability.

Technorati Tags: advanced pain management, back pain management, pain management trends

No Comments yet »

Spinal decompression is an advanced form of spinal traction used in the treatment of disc-related back pain and related conditions such as sciatica. The primary difference between true spinal decompression and traction (and inversion) machines is that spinal decompression machines are set up to "trick" the spinal muscles into staying relaxed during treatment, allowing for greater changes in disc pressure than with regular traction, which has to fight the resistance of the muscles. Spinal decompression treatment provides excellent results for many people, but some fail to get any improvement at all, and others may even feel worse. I will attempt to explain the most common reasons for these treatment failures, and give suggestions for how to know when spinal decompression is and is not likely to help you.

Spinal decompression in my San Antonio office has been quite successful for most patients, but it is not appropriate or effective for every patient. It has been my observation that some providers of spinal decompression services will recommend it as a "cure-all" for all patients in an attempt to keep their machines full and maximize their return on investment on the equipment. Even the best doctors don’t have a 100% success rate, because no treatment works for everyone. The problem is when doctors accept patients who are not really good candidates for treatment, the results are lacking, and some poorly-selected patients may even temporarily get worse when they receive this form of treatment.

From my experiences in my San Antonio practice, the patients who get the best results with spinal decompression are those with one or more bulging/herniated discs and patients with mild to moderate disc degeneration. Patients who have previously undergone disc surgery are somewhat more complicated, but most still get good results when they meet the selection criteria (no metal implantation in the spine, no spinal instability, and no impaired healing at the site of surgery). The vast majority of people who meet these criteria get very good results and are usually able to return to their normal activities without any significant pain.

While there are case reports that indicate complete disc ruptures can be treated with spinal decompression, in my experience, people with actual ruptures tend to not do very well with this form of treatment. It should be noted that even doctors sometimes incorrectly call a disc bulge or herniation a rupture. True disc ruptures (also called extrusions and sequestered discs), in which the inner gel of the disc is actually leaking out, are relatively rare, so it is good to find out for sure what your actual condition is.

In addition to the importance of applying spinal decompression only in the appropriate cases, it is extremely important for the doctor or technician operating the machine to set the patient up properly for the treatment. Several factors are involved, and every spinal decompression system has its own unique set-up procedure. Ongoing training of any personnel who operate this type of equipment is essential. It is very easy to get sloppy with setting up patients on the equipment, and this leads to ineffective treatment. Overall, because of the design of the better spinal decompression systems, even very poor patient set-ups rarely lead to patient injury, but mistakes in the use of the machine can definitely prevent the patient from getting the desired results and might cause a temporary flare-up in symptoms. To help avoid this problem, I recommend asking any potential spinal decompression provider you may be considering seeking treatment with about his or her training for the operators of the equipment. A one-time training done when the equipment was first received is simply not sufficient. I strongly recommend working with providers who perform re-training on the equipment on at least a quarterly basis.

One other consideration is the fact that some patients are not good candidates for spinal decompression treatment because of their inability or unwillingness to follow the recommended treatment protocol. In my experience, the primary reasons why a patient can’t or won’t follow the treatment recommendations are usually related to money and/or time.

A complete spinal decompression program of care that inclues decompression as well as additional treatments may seem expensive to some people. Since spinal decompression is an alternative to disc surgery though, a cost comparison with surgery will show spinal decompression to be much less expensive with statistically much better resuts, making it a good value in most cases. Even so, some people try to lower the cost by attempting to reduce the amount of treatment they get. In my experiences from my San Antonio office, this approach is often a very big mistake. The people who discontinue care prematurely will often feel better and return to activities before their disc condition is stable. This can lead to re-injury and even worse problems. In my opinion, it is far better to invest in the recommended treatment in order to get maximum benefits.

Of course, some people fail to follow treatment recommendations primarily because they have busy lives and are unwilling to spend the time on getting better. This type of patient tends to miss a lot of appointments and may go long periods of time between treatment sessions. Unfortunately, the success of spinal decompression usually depends on getting the recommended amount of treatment at the recommended frequency of treatments. The effectiveness and results are not as good when people don’t make time for their appointments. What some busy people fail to realize is that if they don’t set aside time to properly deal with their health problem, sooner or later that health problem will deteriorate to the point where it forces them to make time to get treatment, and this often occurs when they are at their busiest and treatment is least convenient. It is my recommendation to invest the necessary time in getting better, rather than do the treatment intermittently and not get the best results.

To summarize, spinal decompression can be an extremely effective treatment for people suffering with pain from bulging and degenerated discs, but it is important that doctors select patients for this treatment carefully and make sure that the technicians operating the equipment get refresher training regularly to be sure patients are being set up on the machine properly. Patients need to take the responsibility to follow the treatment recommendations to allow for maximum correction and healing.

Dr. George Best has been providing spinal decompression in San Antonio, Texas since 2006 with the DRX9000 system. For additional infomation, visit his website at www.spinesanantonio.com.

Technorati Tags: bulging, disc, discs, herniated, spinal decompresion, spinal decompression therapy, spinal traction, treatment

No Comments yet »

Many musculoskeletal pains are often easily diagnosed and successfully treated, unfortunately lower back muscle pain is not one of them. The cause can sometimes be elusive, therefore the diagnosis can be incorrect and then the wrong treatments ensues.

PAIN AND WHAT IT TELLS YOU

"Pain is a signal something is wrong."

It the lower back pain is short lasting and mild it may be nothing to worry about, on the flip side if it severe and lasts for a few days up to a week or more, you body is most likely trying to tell you something is wrong. Not listening to your body’s signals can compound problems, extending the duration of lower back muscle pain, often for unnecessary periods.

General guides as to when to refer to a doctor are:

If the pain is severe

If there is swelling

If you hear a cracking or snapping at the time of the injury

If you cannot perform your normal day to day duties

If there is nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, paralysis, weakness or disturbed function following an accident or injury.

If the pain continues beyond 7-10 days.1

WHAT IS LOWER BACK PAIN?

Lower back muscle pain affects the muscles in the lower part of the back. It can be described as:

Acute if it is less than 6 weeks

Sub-acute if it 6-12 weeks

Chronic if it is more than 12 weeks

Many people have suffered from lower back pain, costing millions in lost work as well as medical and insurance resources. Lower back muscle pain is a very common back complaint and effects four out of five people at some point in their lives. Although most lower back pain will heal out within a few days to a few weeks.

LOWER BACK MUSCLE PAIN AMERICAN STATISTICS

80% of society will suffer back pain of some type

Lower back pain

88% will be asymptomatic in 6 weeks

98% in 24 weeks

99% in 52 weeks

97% of causes are unknown

2% attributed to disc problems

29% will require conservative treatment only

1% will require surgery

The rest will recover spontaneously2

RISK FACTORS LOW BACK PAIN

Postural deformities and leg length, in general, don t seem to predispose to low back pain. Studies of static work postures indicate an increased risk of low back pain sitting with a bent over working posture seems to carry significant risk, for example sitting in a car for more than half a work day can lead to three times the risk of disc herniation.3

Physically heavy, static work postures

Frequent bending and twisting, lifting and forceful movements

Repetitive work and vibrations

Tallness leads to increased risk

Sciatica is more frequent in obese people

Weak trunk muscles and decreased endurance

Coughing leading to decreased blood supply to essential areas

Social factors i.e alcoholism, history of divorce, level of education, history of depression.4

SYMPTOMS OF LOWER BACK MUSCLE PAIN

Lower back muscle pain means a pain or ache somewhere between the bottom of the ribs at the back and the top of the legs. That may begin suddenly or follow obvious strain or injury or it can come out of the blue .

It is possible that pain may also travel for example down the buttocks to the foot. It can be worse bending and sitting. Agonizing pain can be experienced when rolling over in bed or possibly sitting up. Sneezing or coughing can aggravate the pain. Back muscles can also go into painful spasms.

Lower back muscle pain may be combined with pain in the leg traveling down the knee. This is otherwise known as sciatica, because the main nerve in the leg (the sciatica nerve) is being irritated by pressure on it..

If in doubt consult your doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist an osteopath or myotherapist.

GUIDELINES

The first thing to rule out is other obvious conditions which may cause back pain. Watch out for red flags or warning signs, which are factors that may need more rapid treatment. They may point to something more serious than a mechanical problem. If any of these apply to you it is recommended that you see your doctor.

You are younger than 20 when you first get back pain

You are older than 55 when you first get back pain

The pain follows a violent injury

The pain is constant and getting worse

You have had or have cancer

You are on steroids

You are drug abuser

You have HIV

You are generally unwell

You have significant and unexplained weight loss

You have significant trouble bending forward over a period of time

You have developed nervous system problems numbness, loss of power etc

You have developed an obvious structural deformities

If the pain continues over 4 weeks

CONCLUSION

If you are concerned about lower back muscle pain please consult your health care practitioner or doctor. To find out more information please visit YourBackHealth.com

1 Listen to Your Pain. B, Benjamin. Penguin Books. P6

2 Ibid

3 Ibid P543

4 Ibid P544

For a list of natural back pain treatments see natural pain relief

Technorati Tags: acute, back, chronic, low, lower, muscle, muscles, pain, sciatica

No Comments yet »

Ever since the beginning of time, mankind has always looked for ways to treat pain either physically or psychologically. With the advance of medical science, we have seen the increase of factory manufactured products on the selves of our local pharmacies. Pain relief or management nowadays are a multi billion dollar business and would continue to increase many folds more especially with increased of complexity and stress of modern life.

I must say that in recent years there’ve been a surge in demand for natural form of pain relief as people become more educated and informed. Natural pain relief such as herbal, massages etc are known to have less side effects as compared to pain killer pills or similar medicine. Sufferers of chronic pains eg. Back or leg pain could testify that methods such as aromatherapy and other forms of massages if done over a period of time in a consistent manner is able to relief these patients from suffering further pain in the same area. Let’s face it…I would anytime go for a relaxing body massages by trained therapist as compared popping pain killers or other chemicals into my body. Our bodies were made naturally and we should try our best to keep it that way and minimize the usage of artificial chemicals and drugs which may provide pain relief but the effects of long term prescription will only be manifested a few years down the road. So keep it natural my friend!!

Another good reason to use natural pain relief products is that the modern chemically formulated medicines have adverse effects on the body if taken long term. Well you may argue that some of the effects are known to be mild but how certain are you that the pharmaceutical companies are telling you the whole truth as their primary purpose is to make lots of money from their customers. Furthermore most of these modern medicines only provide temporary pain relief or masking the pain. Unlike the modern medicine, herbal medicines or remedies have been used for centuries and have been proved to work properly. They do not just mask the pain but able to provide lasting pain relief if administered properly. The Chinese are known for their herbal products and they have documented proof of the effectiveness of these products over the centuries and it’s now even certified as an alternative to western medicine

Natural pain relief products can be used for mild, severe as well as chronic pain conditions. Most of these natural remedies are kind to the body and do not have adverse side effects. One of the more popular herbs is menthol (widely use by the Chinese and Indians) is known to be an effective pain reliver. When applied to the problem area, menthol works on the skin nerves which results in immediate relief from pain.

The other popular natural pain relief herb is Aloe Vera which is a simple and robust plant that you can plant in your backyard. It needs little maintenance for it to grow well. Aloe Vera is know to help reduce pain and inflammation. It also speeds up the healing process and works perfectly with menthol. Apart from these two medicinal components, natural oils such as eucalyptus oil and sage oil are also used. This is especially popular for aromatherapy massages as the oil by itself has healing components. Extracts of certain fruits and herbs prove to be beneficial as well. The studies based on natural medicine determines the right combinations and proportions of these ingredients to create a highly effective natural pain relief remedy, which is also very beneficial in keeping a person in pink of health at all times. Headache is one of the most common ailment that affects millions of people globally. Chronic headache can be treated from an infusion made from elderflower, lime flowers, dried rosemary and chamomile. A more complicated cure involves taking some centaur, fever few and chamomile and boiling them in water until the liquid is reduced by half. Some rhubarb will then be added to the hot liquid. Other herbs that are used in curing headaches are angelica, basil, betony, penny royal, St John’s wort, valerian, viper’s bugloss and wintergreen.

Herbs are indeed a wonderful creation of God for mankind and it’s up to us to extract the many hidden healing powers that lie within those plants. It’s generally believed that over the centuries, we have only discovered less than 5 percent of the herbs and plants for medicine purpose. Therefore it’s crucial that mankind protects the natural resources that we have especially the ancient rain forest for benefits of our future generations especially people suffering from chronic physical pain.

Technorati Tags: alternative pain relief, back pain, natural pain relief, pain, Pain Management, pain relief, pain relief remedies

No Comments yet »

Introduction

One of the most commonly misunderstood conditions among patients is arthritis..When some people hear this word they anticipate a future with crippled and twisted joints. However, many conditions from benign to severe are listed under the term, arthritis. For our purposes we will restrict this discussion to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the terms for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans, but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the breakdown of the cartilage that lines the joint surfaces. When joint cartilage is damaged, the sensitive bone tissue that is normally protected by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are more commonly called bone spurs. These spurs can create painful irritation to other tissues adjacent to the joint, thus complicating the already hurtful condition.

Degenerative joints most often occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Previous trauma, certain occupations and activities, weight, diet, and heredity all appear to influence both the onset and severity of DJD.

The symptoms of DJD always involve some degree of pain and/or stiffness in the body part involved. If the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips or knees are involved, ones mobility can be affected particularly in the more advanced stages of the condition. As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is measurably worn and movement is unattainable without severe pain.

Prevention is invariably the best option, beginning at an early age.

• One should always be certain that, especially when young, all injuries to joints are suitably managed to insure proper healing to avoid future disability.
• People involved in occupations that necessitate standing or walking should wear suitable shoes that give good support and shock absorption.
• Weight loss through proper diet will help to lessen stress on weight-bearing body joints.

• Care should be taken to guard knees from pain aad strain when kneeling on hard surfaces.

• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they include natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital for the health of the joints, as well as the rest of the body.

Recently there have been some studies that show that the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can help with DJD and might help rebuild joint cartilage. However, it must be used over time and does not work in all conditions.

Chiropractic adjustments assist in restoring proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only safe, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Chicago chiropractor is highly experienced when it comes to arthritic pain relief. In addition, chiropractic modalities such as joint mobilization, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, massage and electro-therapy may be used to aid in the treatment of painful and stiff joints. Occasionally, a brace is required to support the joint and relieve pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

An increased level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints create gouty arthritis. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists, and is often characterized by excruciating pain and swelling. Many people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are usually brought on by binge eating of inflammatory foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that must be avoided have a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. People with this condition cannot effectively metabolize uric acid, thus the buildup in the bloodstream and the resultant joint problems. The foods most associated with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including avoiding alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be caused by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, while other areas of the body can be affected as well. The condition is most often associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Further symptoms can involve general malaise and fatigue, and in its more advanced stages other systems of the body may be affected. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified through definitive blood tests. Management includes medication and vitamin and diet therapy, as well as chiropractic manipulations. In addition, joint mobilization and modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy and massage can help with the pain and stiffness associated the condition. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to assisting individuals in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, Care, Chiropractic, degenerative, djd, gout, joint disease, Osteoarthritis, prevention, rheumatoid, spondylosis, stiffness

No Comments yet »

Acute low back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor and it is second only to the ordinary cold as a cause for missing work. It is the leading workmen s comp injury and cause of disability in people under the age of 45. Back pain is the fifth most used diagnosis for hospital admission and ranks second in diagnoses leading to surgery. An alarming increase in obesity and the aging of our population is one of the causes to the increase of back pain.

Causes Of Acute Back Pain

• An injury or trauman such as a car accident
• A sports injury
• Lifting or straining at work or around the house
• Sudden twisting movement while lifting or moving a heavy object
• A fall
• A blow to the body that is strong enough to force a joint out of its normal position
• Chronic overuse of muscles and tendons from repetitive, prolonged movement

Symptoms

• Sudden sharp pain in lower back that causes extreme discomfort
• Muscle spasms or cramping in lower back
• A dull, persistent nagging pain in lumbar region that appears after hours of work, such as shoveling snow, digging, or bending.
• Sharp pain in low back may radiate down front, side or back of one leg
• Activity may aggravate the pain
• Sitting may also make it worse
• Decreased range of motion
• Difficulty walking
• Problems bending forward or sideways
• Standing erect may become painful

Acute back pain may gradually ease and clear up after a month or so. This is usually the case when the pain is due to trauma resulting in back strain or a sprain. Muscle strains and sprains are often grouped together and referred to by physicians as musculoligamentous injuries of the lumbar spine.

Back Strain Lumbar Strain
The tendons are fibrous bands that are connected muscles to the bone. The muscle fibers in the low back are stretched or town with a back strain. Tendons that help the support the spine in the low back may also be twisted, torn or pulled. The result is a lumbar strain, also diagnosed as a low back strain.

Lumbar Sprain – Back Sprain
A sprain is the stretching or tearing of a ligament which is a tough band of tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint and prevents excessive movement of that joint.Low back muscles and the ligaments are stretched or torn with a lumbar sprain.

If the pain persists three months or more it is considered chronic. This may become progressively worse and the cause can sometimes be difficult to determine. A complete physical exam must be completted done as well as lab tests and x-rays. To determine the cause of back pain a CT scan and MRI might be ordered from your Doctor.

For more information about back pain and treatments for back pain visit our resource on back pain relief.

Technorati Tags: acute, acute back pain, acute lower back pain, back, causes of, low, lumbar, pain, relief, sprain, strain, symptoms

No Comments yet »

Sciatic Pain Treatment can usually be accomplished with self treatment methods and without the need for professional care. Simple, easy to do exercises and other self-treatment procedures can be remarkably effective in easing sciatic nerve pain.

The vast majority of sciatica cases are due to bulging of the soft-tissue shock absorbers, called intervertebral discs, in the lower back. When one or more discs is damaged sufficiently to bulge into the openings and produce swelling where the nerve branches that form the sciatic nerve exit the spine, the nerves can become irritated. This nerve irritation produces the pain and other symptoms that travel into the buttock and or leg that is known as sciatica.

Through using sciatic nerve exercises, most sciatica sufferers are able to push the bulging disc material away from the irritated nerve branches. This often provides fast relief of pain. With frequent use of the exercises over a period of several days, even resistant cases will usually get pain relief and stable correction of the disc will occur to give lasting elimination of sciatica.

In addition to exercises, other methods can be used to ease sciatica. Among the more effective, yet very simple self-treatment measures help to reduce inflammation. Applying ice packs for 10 to 15 minutes at a time (be sure to separate the pack from the skin with a thin layer of cloth in order to prevent skin damage) will often reduce inflammation far better than even the strongest medication. Self-massage and acupressure can also reduce swelling around the nerves and reduce pain.

By consistently using self-treatment measures for sciatica, lengthy professional treatment, medication side effects and invasive surgical procedures can be avoided in most cases. Once you learn what to do and what not to do, you can heal yourself and prevent the return of problems in the future.

Visit Dr. George Best’s website at for more information and a free ebook on Sciatic Nerve Relief.

Technorati Tags: bulging discs, how to relieve sciatic nerve pain, sciatic back pain, sciatic nerve pain relief, sciatic pain relief, treatment

1 Comment »

Lower back pain relief can be achieved in a variety of ways, but firstly it is important to find get an accurate diagnosis for your particular ailment, so that pain relief can be correctly administered. A doctor will usually arrange for an MRI scan to detect the actual cause of your back pain.

In many cases lower back pain will be caused by a muscle spasm, this can be caused by many reasons such as sitting at a desk for several hours every day or sleeping on an old or non supporting mattress. Even stress and tension can lead to problems. In cases such as these relief can usually be obtained by over the counter medication that will reduce pain or swelling such as aspirin, Tylenol, naproxen, ketoprofen, and ibuprofen.

However natural alternative treatments are also available

In more serious instances back pain can be due to an injury to the spine, usually caused by an accident, or perhaps by lifting and twisting at the same time. In many cases an injury to the spine will result in a herniated disc which in turn can lead to more serious lower back pain symptoms such as sciatica or spinal stenosis, however, although these conditions may cause considerable discomfort,  back pain relief can again be obtained fairly easily.

If a lower back injury is recent, you may need a day or two of rest, however rest for lower back problems is now known not to be a cure, as rest can cause the muscles to become stiff, and will add to your recovery time. It is strongly advised to get up and walk, even if it’s for just a few minutes, at least once every hour. Although over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory treatments help ease the pain, they should not be taken over a long period of time, as they can cause other health problems, such as stomach ulcers, and in certain medications, addiction.

A preferred option is exercise. Exercises are one of the most important self treatments for lower back pain relief. Exercises that are specific for your particular lower back pain symptom will usually give you fast relief as they strengthen the core muscles that support the spine, improve the flexibility in the spine and improve posture. Non impact aerobic exercise also have many benefits, but the focus should be on exercises that are safe, if you are unsure always consult a professional back pain adviser.

Stretching exercises will also help in your quest for pain relief. Stretching should be carried out slowly, concentrating on the lower back, hips, quadriceps and hamstrings. Stretching exercises will naturally cause pain, but this should be pain from the muscle being stretched, if you feel pain in any other areas you should immediately stop, but if done correctly stretching should increase your flexibility in the region of 20% within the first month and reduce the pain considerably.

If you would like further detailed information on lower back pain, including causes, symptoms and effective treatments, please feel free to visit our website at http://lowerbackpainrelief.org

Mind Your Body Health: Health Tips

Low Back Pain is pain in the lower back. Almost everyone experiences low back pain at least once in their lives. With the exception of cold and flu symptoms, backaches are one of the commonest reason people go to see their doctors. 

Low back pain: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Back pain is a common problem seen in people of all ages. This article tells the cause, symptoms, treatment, prevention and ways of dealing with this condition. It also talks about some of the signs and symptoms of this problem. 

Back Pain Treatment: How Insulin Causes Lower Back Pain

Back pain treatment can be very simple once you understand the cause because then the cure is obvious. … Medicine is limited to pain killers, muscle relaxants, painful cortisone shots and radical surgery that has a poor success rate . All to treat symptoms, mostly without concern for the root cause. In recent times, many doctors have started telling their patients to try to find natural method of back pain relief. 

Technorati Tags: back, causes, exercise, exercises, lower, natural, of, pain, pains, relief, symptoms, treatment, treatments

No Comments yet »

What exactly is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc results from the degeneration of the spinal disc due to aging or an injury to the spine. When a disc herniation takes place, the cushion that lies between the spinal vertebra is pushed outside of its usual position. It can cause pain, weakness and numbness in the lower back and leg. Read on to know more about the symptoms and treatment of herniated disc.

The human spine or backbone is made from 33 bones, known as vertebrae. There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae and 5 lumber vertebrae. There is the sacrum (5 vertebrae fused together) beneath the fifth lumber vertebra, followed by the coccyx or tail bone (3 vertebrae fused together).

These vertebrae are cushioned by small, soft pads of cartilage. Spinal discs comprise a jelly-like inner layer, called nucleus and a tough outer layer, called annulus fibrosus. These discs act as a shock-absorber and protect the spine from any kind of injury or stress. Spinal discs also allow bending movements of the spine.

If the spinal disc degenerates due to aging or any injury, the soft inner layer may rupture and get herniated through the annulus fibrosus. This can cause irritation of the spinal nerve, leading to pain, weakness and numbness in the lower back, arm and leg.

This condition is known as a herniated disc. It is also referred to as compressed disc, bulging disc, prolapsed disc, slipped disc, ruptured disc or herniated intervertebral disc. Herniated disc most commonly occurs in between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae in the lower back (lumbar spine); however, it can also occur in the cervical spine.

Causes

When this disc problem is associated with wear and tear due to aging is known as degenerative disc disease. As the water content and elasticity of the nucleus of the disc are reduced with aging, people between the age of 30 and 50 are at higher risk of herniated disc. Lifting heavy objects can also lead to spinal disc herniation.

Sometimes, traumatic events such as a fall or any injury to the spine can cause it. Smoking reduces the oxygen levels in the body, causing deficiency of vital nutrients in the body tissues, thus increases the risk of a disc herniating. Some other risk factors include excess body weight, being tall (men taller than 5 feet 11 inches and women taller than 5 feet 7 inches) and occupations that cause excess stress to the spine.

Symptoms

The severity of the symptoms may vary depending upon the position and the size of the herniation. If it is pressing on the nerve roots, then it can cause pain and numbness in the back and legs. If the hernia is in the lower back, then it causes back pain known as sciatica that spreads to the buttocks and legs. Lower back pain and leg pain may worsen after sitting, sneezing or coughing. If it occurs in the upper back, then it can lead to neck pain that may spread to the shoulders and upper arms.

Some other symptoms are numbness, tingling, weakness and muscle spasms. In some rare cases, this condition can lead to cauda equina syndrome, which is caused due to compression of the spinal nerve roots. Emergency surgery is required to relieve the pressure and cure cauda equina syndrome; otherwise it can cause permanent weakness or paralysis. If left untreated, a herniated disc can lead to some complications such as increasing pain and numbness in one or both legs, bowel or bladder dysfunction and progressive loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

If you experience back pain or leg pain that interferes with normal activities for more than a week, then you should consult an orthopedist. Certain tests are suggested by the doctor for diagnosis such as straight-leg-raising test, cross straight-leg-raising test and screening neurological examination. Certain imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan and myelogram are performed to confirm the location of the herniated disc and to detect which nerve is affected.

Treatment

Treatment is decided depending upon the severity of the symptoms. There are surgical as well as nonsurgical options. Nonsurgical methods include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation, cold therapy, heat therapy, bracing, traction and stretching. You can also benefit from certain exercises like dynamic lumbar stabilizing exercises and aerobic exercises with pain-free activities.

There are also many natural alternative methods and treatments available to relieve or cure this condition. See some suggestions here, natural cures

In some severe cases, surgical options such as minimally invasive and decompression procedures are recommended.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Many a time,  improvement can occur with nonsurgical treatment options which aims at reducing irritation of the nerve, relieving pain and improving physical activities. Primary treatment is administered for  back pain relief . You need to limit or modify the activities like prolonged sitting, lifting heavy objects or bending, which can aggravate the symptoms. Physical therapy and exercises can help increase the strength and flexibility. Pain relievers like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin can help to reduce pain and relieve inflammation of the nerve roots.

Neuropathic pain medications like pregabalin, gabapentin and duloxetine can be effective for painful nerve conditions. Lower doses of tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline can also help to relieve pain.

A natural pain reliever might be the preference, such as using Eazol

If you have persistent back spasms, then your doctor prescribes muscle relaxants like methocarbamol, cyclobenzaprine or carisoprodol. If pain is not improved with these medications, then corticosteroids are administered orally or through epidural injection. Some other treatment options including cold or heat therapy, bracing, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), hydrotherapy and traction are also helpful in relieving pain.

Deep relaxation can be achieved through learning to  meditate , or by regularly listening to relaxing music and a method gaining in popularity nowadays is the use of laughter as a pain reliever

Once pain is relieved, the treatment is given to strengthen and stabilize the spine and restore spinal function. Rehabilitation involves physiotherapy and various exercises such as stretching, aerobics, and dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise. These back strengthening exercises help control pain, correct the posture, strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility.

Surgical Treatment Options: If you don’t experience any improvement with nonsurgical treatment options after a period of time, then surgical options are recommended. Surgical treatment is aimed at relieving pain and preventing irritation of the spinal nerve due to herniated disc. Minimally invasive procedures include chemonucleolysis and endoscopic discectomy. Open decompression involves discectomy, microdiscectomy and spinal fusion.

Some alternative treatment options are also found to be effective such as acupuncture, massage, spinal manipulation and yoga. You can prevent potential problems by doing regular exercise, maintaining good posture and healthy weight, and quitting smoking.

By Reshma Jirage

Herniated disc success story!

New York Chirpractor specializes in Spinal Decompre fef ssion. Non Surgical spinal decompression for treatment of herniated discs. Whole Body vibration using the PowerPlate and Cold Laser therapy.

Back Pain Treatment

Probably the worst back issue that can happen to someone is a herniated disc. There may be other worse conditions, but a herniated disc is all too common today. The mainstream method of treatment is surgery. This is rarely sucessful.

Technorati Tags: alternative, bulging, disc, exercise, herniated discs, leg pain, protruding, relief, sciatica recovery, symptoms, treatment

No Comments yet »