Pain Relief
Archive for December, 2009
Back Pain Los Angeles
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Sciatic Discomfort – Quick Tips to Help Keep Your Sanity
Dec 31st
Accurate Diagnosis of your condition – The first thing is to get an accurate diagnosis of why you are in pain. Often times sciatica is caused by muscle tension or imbalances which can directly affect the discs and vertebrae in your back which results in a irritated sciatic nerve. Other ‘structural’ problems with your spine can also cause this irritation and that is why an accurate diagnosis is essential for finding the best treatment.
Heat and Cold Packs – many people report gaining relief through the use of heat and cold packs particularly where the problem lies with increased muscle tension. Alternating between both hot and cold packs on the affected area has also been reported as a good pain reliever. The hot pack promotes blood flow and can release tensed up muscles and the cold pack helps in reducing the amount of inflammation so you are getting the best of both worlds when alternating between the two.
Physiotherapy – this is something that I have not had any success with in dealing with my sciatica, however combined with the right exercises and assuming that your condition is suitable to be treated this way there is no reason not to give it a go. Many doctors see physiotherapy as the first step to easing the problem and once again the blood flow in and around the muscles and loosening of joints may be beneficial to you.
Anti Inflammatory/Pain Relieving Medication – No doubt one of the most important steps to easing your sciatic pain is to reduce any inflammation of the offending area and of course to limit your pain so you can get on with life. Unfortunately this is where the use of NSAID’s or non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs is the road most doctors take. Sure, they may ease your pain and reduce inflammation but if you had any idea of the unwanted effects these drugs can have on you I’m sure you would think twice.
Many back pain and sciatica sufferers are forced to use these drugs long term, previously myself included, as most back complaints are not easily or quickly resolved. This long term us of NSAID’s can have lasting effects on your health. Problems with kidneys, the liver, the intestines and the stomach lining itself are not uncommon and of course add to this the noticeable side effects like cramping, headaches and drowsiness just to mention a few.
So how do we protect ourselves against these problems while still getting the pain relief and reduced inflammation that we need? The answer is natural medicines that do the same job without jeopardizing our future health. There are many great all natural products on the market these days and for peace of mind there really is no other choice.
Craig Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/sciatic-discomfort-quick-tips-to-help-keep-your-sanity-635100.html
Why You Need Chiropractic Care and How to Work With Your Chiropractor to Get Optimal Results
Dec 31st
Are you seeking treatment for back and neck pain? Are you weighed down by headaches or migraines? Are you still bothered by a pinched nerve, or a sports injury that just won’t heal? This article’s intention is to offer you an introduction to chiropractic care and provide you with guidelines for choosing a Sydney North Shore Chiropractor.
Chiropractic treatment is a form of physical therapy concerned with the functioning of your spine and central nervous system. Chiropractors provide their clients with the foundation to stay healthy by utilizing the power of their own bodies to promote natural healing in an efficient manner.
This physical therapy explores the connections between the anatomy of your spine and its effects on your health. The health problems that arise as a result of misalignments of the vertebrae in your spine can be effectively treated by a chiropractor.
Numerous North Shore Chiropractic clinics exist in the North Sydney, Neutral Bay and Cremorne areas. If you are contemplating chiropractic treatment, these are some questions you need to ask them:
1. Will your Australian Health Fund reimburse some of your money, and if so, how much of it?
2. Have they dealt with issues similar to yours before?
3. What is the price of each session?
4. Do they have discounts if you purchase multiple sessions?
5. Do they aim to treat the root of your problem and put you on the path to greater energy and wellness?
The last point is very important. In addition to adjusting your spine and alleviating your neck or back pain, their job is to guide you toward total wellness.
The following guidelines should assist you on your journey to better health:
1. Make regular visits to your chiro so as to aid your spine and nervous system to function at their best and assist in building good health;
2. Consume those foods which will help your body to work in the best way it can by providing it ample the nutrients;
3. You must drink plenty of water; it flushes your system of toxins and keeps you hydrated;
4. Regular exercise will improve both your health and your energy;
5. Make sure you get plenty of rest so your body can recuperate and build up more energy;
6. Keep a positive mental attitude;
7. Learn about other ways to enhance your health.
A professional chiro should educate you along in the process so that you understand the basis of what they are doing. Chiropractic treatment is no immediate cure. A few sessions may be required to resolve your sports injury and additional care may be needed to maintain and build on your progress. Your emotional, physical and chemical aspects should be examined, in order to truly improve your overall wellbeing.
Before bringing your children to your health professional for a spinal adjustment, you need to ensure that they are comfortable working with children.
Jerry Carpos
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/why-you-need-chiropractic-care-and-how-to-work-with-your-chiropractor-to-get-optimal-results-687274.html
Simple Steps to Lower Back Pain Relief
Dec 31st
If, like me you suffer from lower back pain, relief will be the first and foremost thing on your mind.
In the early stages of lower back pain, relief can often achieved by performing some simple stretching exercises or having a gentle massage. Alternatively you could try using ice and heat packs, these will help reduce inflammation, and reduce muscle spasms.
If you are frequently experiencing lower back pain, relief can be achieved in several ways, the main two being through either an anti- inflammatory or through special and targeted back pain exercises.
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen can be purchased easily over the counter at your local pharmacy, or your medical practitioner may prescribe something stronger.
Taking prescribed medication over long periods of time is not highly recommended, solution to lower back pain as some of these drugs may be addictive, or carry side effects.
There are some excellent natural products available which are geared towards lower back pain relief and some are extremely effective. Any natural product should be your preferred choice of pain killer or anti-inflammatory over prescription drugs, however you should be aware that any anti-inflammatory or pain killing products are not a cure for lower back pain; they are just giving you relief from pain.
In order to eliminate back pain and prevent future occurrences you should look at introducing a regular lower back strengthening program and some non impact aerobic exercises into your weekly schedule.
The best aerobic exercises for fast and effective lower back pain relief are achieved either by using a stationary bicycle, or by swimming. The gentle motions from both of these exercises will get the blood flowing through your muscles, increase flexibility in your lower back and will release endorphins into your blood stream – the body’s natural pain killer. Performing either of these exercises for around 20 – 30 minutes daily will have you feeling a lot better, not to mention the overall benefits to your health,
Many sufferers and experts alike agree that for long term lower back pain relief and prevention you should practice some specialist and targeted lower back pain exercises.
By strengthening and toning the muscles in your lower back, upper legs and abdomen you will give support to your spine, and the surrounding muscles. The benefit that these lower back pain exercises have will be immense. You will not only notice that you no longer suffer from lower back pain, but you will also be a lot more flexible and will find it easier to achieve many daily tasks, that were sometimes difficult or tiring.
A good lower back pain relief and exercise program will likely be available at your local health centre or gym. Your medical practitioner will also be able to offer some information on the correct exercises you should perform for optimal lower back pain relief.
You will also find further details of some online lower back pain exercise programs on our website the details of which can be found below.
In summary lower back pain relief can be achieved quickly and easily by following a these few simple steps. Firstly achieve relief with a good natural anti-inflammatory. Next start a simple aerobic exercise program, and finally introduce some targeted lower back pain strengthening exercises and stretches into your weekly schedule.
These simple steps will ensure that you will rid yourself of back pain in the shortest possible time, and will greatly reduce the chances of any re-occurrence.
Paul Osborne
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/simple-steps-to-lower-back-pain-relief-304096.html
Healing a Herniated Disk
Dec 31st
It can happen without any warning. Typically you are moving around in some way, perhaps even lifting something whenever you feel that little catch. Even before you stand up straight, you realize that you just put your back out and that you are going to be in for a world of pain. The best way to prevent having a herniated disc, of course, is by not putting your back out in the first place. Typically we are told not to lift and twist at the same time. After the problem already happens, it is really too late to prevent it and now you need to concentrate on healing your herniated disk.
The human spine is made up of 33 vertebrae, most of which will move independently of the other. These vertebrae are separated by the disks that allow them to move in several directions at one time. Whenever one of these disks becomes displaced from its original position, it becomes known as a herniated disk. It can happen in any part of our back, from the lower lumbar region up to the neck area that is known as the cervical region. Because all of these disks are similar to one another, the method of healing them when they become displaced is similar as well.
A doctor will typically prescribe some physical therapy along with bed rest and warm and cold compresses. There are some things, however, that you can do in order to speed along the healing process. Once you are able to diagnose the problem, as well as the source, then you can begin to heal your problem naturally. In this way you’ll be able to avoid any costly and potentially dangerous surgery.
Verona Raymond
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/healing-a-herniated-disk-297461.html
How Chiropractic Treatment is Done
Dec 31st
Chiropractic dwells in the concept of subluxations or misalignment of the spine and Chiropractor are best known for their expertise in adjustment or manipulating the spine by just using their two hands matched by appropriate technique and applied force.
If a patient consults in a Chiropractic clinic, the Chiropractor just like a medical doctor will obtain his/her medical history. The Chiropractor will then perform a physical examination that will specifically give more attention on the patient’s spine. He may also request or conduct an x-ray or ultrasound examination depending on the health condition of the patient. Modern Chiropractors are also using Surface Electromyography Scan that are said to be capable of detecting skeletal or muscular misalignment that hinder the proper function of the nervous system.
After the necessary check-up and verification of the disorder of the patient, the Chiropractor will then design a Chiropractic treatment procedure based on the patient’s health condition. Chiropractic treatments usually involve spine adjustments which are done by applying a controlled but sudden force. These adjustments are performed by using the Chiropractor’s hands. A Chiropractor may likewise use massage and mobilization.
These adjustments are carried out to bring back the misaligned spine or joints that said to cause the patient’s disorder or persistent muscle ache, backache or neck pain. The manipulation or adjustment is also intended to open up the circulation in our body to promote healing. The treatment procedure and its execution may also depend on the approach or style of Chiropractor. Other Chiropractors may also use non-manual procedures like rehabilitative exercise, electrical stimulation, homeopathy, magnetic therapy, heat or ice to treat the patient.
The Chiropractic treatment really depends on the condition of the patient. The duration and range of adjustment is proportional on the extent of misaligned structure in the entire nervous system. Patients who just visited Chiropractic clinic because of their minor muscle pain, neck pain or back ache due to heavy lifting or sudden lifting may only need one to two Chiropractic adjustments.
However, there are instances where a regular Chiropractic care is needed which can mean daily or weekly Chiropractic treatment. Such instances that may involve more than twice of Chiropractic treatment are those patient who suffered from spinal injuries, sport related injuries, arthritis and many other serious and recurrent pain that are due from accidents or muscular and skeletal disorders.
Chiropractic nowadays is also being applied to complement other medical treatment like physical therapy. There are now several practitioners that make use of Chiropractic and other form of alternative medical system like acupressure and the use of herbs to come out with better and more effective treatment plan.
But the beauty of Chiropractic as an alternative medical system is that all its procedure is non-invasive and it does not involve the use of any drugs or medicine to alleviate the pain. It is just adhering on the concept of subluxations and the natural capability of the human body to heal if the skeletal and muscular structure of our body is realigned and placed on its appropriate location.
Merry Jazz
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-chiropractic-treatment-is-done-115551.html
Back Pain Treatments Reviewed
Dec 31st
Back pain affects millions of people each and every year. For many, they’re lives are never the same.
Unfortunately, many people suffer for weeks, months and even years unnecessarily and one of the reasons is a lack of good information.
Much of the information that is given to people regarding back pain is out-dated, inaccurate and often dangerous!
So the purpose of this article is to educate you about many of the treatments that are available for back pain.
But before we get started, it’s important you know that very rarely is one treatment the answer. Back pain is often times a complex problem and it often requires treatments that address multiple areas simultaneously.
Also, my experience working with tens of thousands of back pain sufferers has shown that, the people who get lasting relief are the ones who are constantly researching and experimenting with as many treatments as possible.
Ok, let’s review some of the many treatments that are available for back pain and sciatica:
Orthopedic Care
One of the first places many people go when they experience back pain is the orthopedic specialist (surgeon) and a visit usually last 5-10 minutes. They will typically look at the problem/symptomatic area and often fail to look at the body as a whole.
If you’ve been to an orthopedic specialist for your back pain, did they do a full body physical evaluation (takes 30 mins. or more)??? Not likely.
Here are some of the common treatments used / prescribed by orthopedic specialists:
Cortisone Shots
Cortisone is a catabolic steroid which is intended to reduce inflammation by killing off the tissue in the inflamed area… now let me ask you, does that make any sense to you at all?
Not only are these injections quite painful, but they rarely result in any pain relief and if they do it is short lived, usually 1-2 weeks if at all. Plus, it does NOTHING to identify or address the cause of the pain… it is only intended to treat the symptom. It’s for those reasons that we do not recommend them.
Anti-inflammatory Medications
Just the name should scare you away… just like cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory medications do not identify or address the cause of your pain and for many people, they deliver little pain relief. These medications also deliver serious side effects! The main reason they are prescribed is money… and if you don’t believe me, do the research and you’ll see for yourself. The drug industry is huge and unfortunately, they have a huge influence on the whole medical community, including the doctors.
I challenge you to find a drug that will fix your back problem… you’ll be looking forever because there is no way a medication can fix a physical problem so avoid medications at all costs!
Back Surgery
Surgery for back pain is very common and more often than not, the individual still has pain afterwards (or it returns within weeks) and sometimes even new problems! Very rarely is a surgery the answer…
For example, many people have surgery for herniated discs. The logic behind the surgery is if you remove the piece/portion of the disc that is putting pressure on the nerve the problem is solved.
Unfortunately, the same forces that forced that disc to protrude or bulge will likely force more of the disc out, or another disc out.
Surgery should always be the last resort… and even then I’d question it!
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is traditionally the next step after seeing an Orthopedic Doctor. That is if surgery is not recommended. So what should you expect?
The process will start with an evaluation and here may be the start of the problem… here is why…. the doctor has to write a prescription with a diagnosis on it.
You give the prescription to the PT and he or she will perform an evaluation… chances are the PT will simply confirm the diagnosis from the doctor, however the hope should be that they take the extra step to look for the root cause of your pain. They may but chances are they have several other clients in the office at the same time and simply do not have the time.
So without a comprehensive evaluation to identify the root cause of you pain they will simply treat your symptoms. We have just identified the second problem.
The health care industry is required to show improvement with each and every session so the push is to reduce your symptoms to show progress in order for them to get paid. The long and short of it is that yes your pain can be reduced but the root cause rarely gets addressed, meaning that the pain and your suffering will return again and again.
So what should you do? When selecting a Physical Therapy office you may want to ask how many patients the office sees in a day and how many PTs they have on staff… then ask how many patients can a PT work with in an hour. Do not be surprised to hear that a PT can see up to three patients in an hour. Do you think you will get the attention and proper treatments you need? I doubt it.
There is a little joke in Physical Therapy when treating patients and it has to do with what course of modalities you will get. The joke is called Shake and Bake and it refers to the fact that everyone gets the same treatment protocol… that way it can be timed so that your PT can see other people simultaneously.
What goes into a shake and bake treatment? It may start with a spin on a stationary bike or a trot a treadmill than you will get a 3 to 5 minute Ultrasound over the effected area followed by Electrical Stimulation to the area with a little Ice strapped to your body and to finish off your session you will get a hand out with exercises you should do at home. Certainly not a recipe for success!
Chiropractic Care
One of the most common treatments for back pain is Chiropractic Care. The approach consists of physical manipulations of bones and joints in an attempt to line things back up and it’s recommended typically 2-3 times per week.
The problem with this approach is that the same forces (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) will likely pull the bones and joints right back out of place again. Also, most (not all) chiropractors will spend 15 minutes with you if your lucky.
Ask people who see a chiropractor how long they’ve been going… I hear of people who have been going for 10-15 years and still don’t have a healthy back. Look, the fact is chiropractic care is lacking…
Unless the chiropractor combines the two approaches, it doesn’t make sense…
The ONLY way chiropractic care makes sense is if you are addressing the muscle imbalances that are pulling the bones and joints out of place to begin with and that requires strengthening and stretching exercises that are chosen specifically to correct your muscle imbalances.
Alternative Treatments for Treating Back Pain
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy, if done correctly can work wonders for people with back pain. This is not to say that it is the best choice and that it will work for everyone… however, most people will get great results from it if the massage therapist has a good understanding of muscle imbalances and how to work on them.
NOTE: Not all massage therapists are the same! Just like any profession, there are varying degrees of training and qualifications. When selecting a massage therapist please check to see if they are licensed and insured in the state where you will be seeing them.
You should also ask the massage therapist if they have training in one of the following areas: Orthopedic massage, Medical massage, St. Johns technique and/or has a comprehensive knowledge of muscle imbalances relating to back pain.
With that said the benefits are as follows. The root cause will be identified, your discomfort will be addressed and you root cause will be corrected all in an attempt to make you pain free and give you the tools you need to keep you that way. What to expect when you see a massage therapist.
All massage sessions are one on one allowing you the opportunity to converse with the therapist as well as get the attention you need to get results. You can ask questions about how you compare to other people.
Feel free to ask the therapist what approach they will be taking so that you know what to expect. The massage therapist has many different techniques they can use when to dealing with you back pain and some are better than others.
On the down side sometimes a therapist can get distracted with other problem areas, it is in your best interest to keep them focused on you back and associated problem areas. Like anything else you may need to try several different therapists before finding the one that works best for you and with you.
Post-rehabilitation Fitness Training
Another overlooked form of treatment that is very effective is post-rehabilitation fitness training. This includes targeted strength and flexibility work to correct / improve the individuals muscle imbalances. This is specialized knowledge that very few fitness trainers possess and there are certification programs designed specifically for this.
There are of course, limitations as to what they can do for you. For example, they can not diagnose a condition, prescribe any medications take x-rays, etc… however, if they are well trained they can pinpoint your muscle imbalances quickly and get you started on a fitness program that will restore balance to your body and likely eliminate your back pain.
Often times this can be combined with massage therapy and/or manual physical therapy for a total solution. If you decide to go this route, which I recommend you do, be sure to thoroughly check out the fitness trainer and ask to see their certification, insurance, references, etc.
Manual Physical (muscle) Therapy
Manual Physical Therapy is NOT the same as regular physical therapy… there are some major differences. Here are just a few:
• Manual therapy consists of hands on muscle work primarily whereas traditional physical therapy consists of heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, etc
• Manual therapist will typically perform a much more thorough physical evaluation
• Manual therapists will usually be able to spend more time with each patient
• Manual therapy is more holistic in it’s approach and focuses the body as a whole unit… something lacking from nearly all traditional treatments for back pain.
So before you say, “I’ve already tried physical therapy”… did you try manual physical therapy? They are two very different treatment approaches and I highly recommend you consider manual physical therapy.
Conclusion
As you can see traditional treatments are the main stay of modern medicine… not necessarily for the patients benefit, but it’s just how the system works.
The system will not change until the system is confronted with a very powerful competitive force. That force may well be complementary or alternative care from the likes of Personal Trainers, Acupuncturists, Massage Therapists, Manual Physical Therapists, and the like.
So that’s what we’ve tried to do… force change. The traditional treatments that people have been receiving for decades just don’t work, and we have found a combination approach that not only works the best, but it’s safe, natural, and inexpensive.
Check out our “Lose the Back Pain” system now… it will show you how to identify the cause of your back pain and then show you the exact combination of steps to take to eliminate it.
If you have tried other treatments with little or no relief, you owe it to yourself to try this approach… so take charge of your health and get started now working towards not only a pain free back, but a healthy and balanced body! Only you can fix your back… all you need is the right approach!
Steve Hefferon
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/back-pain-treatments-reviewed-94285.html
What are the best excercises to lose weight with when having sciatica?
Dec 29th
I currently have sciatica (an old inury from a lifting accident) and I was wondering what would be the best fat burning excercises? I have been trying swimming however would like faster results as I normally spend 30 minutes doing cardio(15 mins on treadmill and 15 minutes on the cross trainer), I do do weights as well (machines) however this is not irritating my back for some reason Thanks all :0)
Do swimming but what ever you do don’t do breast stroke as this will aggravate the sciatica. Treadmill is okay but within your limits. cross trainer is good but again can cause problems. Use a bike as these can really help and from personal experience caused me less aggravation.
Personally I would keep up what you are doing but include the exercises that will help improve your back. With an improved back then your cardio side can increase and therefore give you greater weight loss improvements.
I am sure you have this one already under control but make sure your diet is healthy as well as you can do as much exercise as you like but if the diet isn’t right the changes will be slow to non existent.
I have included a link to my blog below where if you click on the bad back section it will take you through some useful advice that can help with sciatica. There are only 2 articles per page so you will have to click on the previous entries link at the bottom of the page to see the rest.
Finally sciatica isn’t a nice condition but the symptoms can be improved, I would highly recommend you see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist to help you with your progress (if you haven’t already) as all this advice is based on not having met you.
I hope it has been of some help and good luck with it. I too had sciatica for 2 years and now I am completely pain free and it all came down to hard work and lots of stretching.
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