Back Pain Info For All

Sciatica - Understanding The Basics

2006-03-18T13:38:00.000-05:00

by Anne Wolski, Copyright 2006

Sciatica is a relatively common condition which is characterized by sharp pains in the leg and trouble moving. The most important thing to do when you are suffering from sciatica is to rest in bed but there are other treatments available as well.

The main cause of sciatica is slipped disks. This will generally affect the nerves in the limbs but it is the pressure on some of the nerves toward the back of the leg that causes most of the discomfort. This pressure causes sharp, stabbing pain which may come on suddenly or may develop gradually. This pain will become recurrent if the disks do not heal correctly

The vertebral or spinal disks separate the vertebrae and are made of tissue with a soft centre. This acts as a shock absorber and allows the vertebrae to be flexible so that people can bend and stretch. Sometimes, excessive back strain or even age, can weaken the outer layer of the disk, causing the soft centre to bulge and put pressure on the nerve to the leg, causing the pain associated with sciatica.

The first indicator of a slipped disk is the presence of lower back pain which may happen suddenly when bending or it may happen gradually during a period of hard work. As the disk places pressure on the spinal nerves, it creates a sharp pain that is felt in the buttock and the back of the thigh. As the condition worsens, the slightest movement such as coughing may bring on or intensify the pain. Sitting for long periods can become painful as the nerves become stretched and thereby intensify the irritation.

A person with severe sciatica may find it difficult to walk as any movement causes the pain to reappear or to become worse. Often, the only comfort for the sufferer is to lie on his or her back with the knees bent to relieve the pressure on the nerves. Sciatica caused by a slipped disk will usually improve if bed rest is undertaken.

It is now routine for health care specialists to advise two weeks of continuous bed rest with the knees and hips flexed and with weight traction to the pelvic region. If this treatment does not reduce the herniation of the disk, surgery may be needed.

As well as bed rest, painkillers may be prescribed though ordinary analgesics such as aspirin may be adequate. It is crucial to stay in bed until the disk is fully healed. To give in to the temptation to get up before this happens can be appealing but to do so will return the process to square one.

Usually, surgery is only used as a last resort. This can sometimes happen when the person has had a number of episodes where bed rest has not improved the condition. It may also be used for those who cannot take lengthy periods of time off work. However, not all disk problems are operable. Only the doctor can decide, through the use of X-rays, whether the particular condition is suitable for surgery and also the extent of surgery.

About the Author

Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of http://www.magnetic-health-online.com an information portal with many interesting medical articles and also of http://www.pharmacybyweb.com which has online physicians who can help you with any questions you may have.

The Cause of Back Pain

2006-03-15T17:56:00.000-05:00

by Michael Colucci

While there are many factors that can contribute to back pain, one of the most common problems is poor posture. Some people get into the habit of sitting or standing improperly, and over time this contributes to pain in their backs. Understanding the causes of back pain will allow you to avoid it, and will lead to a healthier and more active lifestyle.

When someone first begins feeling pain in their back, they can easily correct it by improving their posture. However, if you don't correct your posture your joints will eventually begin to wear out over time. Studies have shown that in the long term, the ageing of joints in your back can be just as extreme as the effects of suffering a back injury.

People who continue to have poor posture will eventually feel the effects of ageing. Their poor joints will force them to stoop over, and their mobility will be greatly decreased. With the rising costs of healthcare, it will be expensive to correct such problems, if it is even possible to correct them at all. Is it not better to correct your posture while you still have the chance?

The vast majority of the deformities seen in the elderly are a result of poor posture. Often, other parts of the body are affected such as the lungs, which will not be able to get a proper amount of oxygen due to the upper body being bent over. This may also eventually cause problems with your stomach and other organs.

While many people consider weak back joints to be just a normal part of ageing, by taking a few simple steps everyday people can avoid back problems in the long term. By standing up at least once a day and bending backward, people can avoid back pain.

Doing this simple routine on a daily basis can keep your from being impaired when you get older. Walking or running can help people to relieve pain in their lower backs. Because most people drive or work in an office, they have less time for running or walking. Exercising is an important part of keeping both your back and the rest of your body healthy.

Back pain is something that millions of people suffer from, and there is not reason for them to continue. By exercising and sitting correctly, many of these problems can be avoided. Getting treatment for the problem once it has become out of control will be costly. It is much less expensive to just practice good posture and exercise on a regular basis.

Sitting improperly is one of the leading causes for back pain. Once you begin having problems in your lower back, sitting improperly will exacerbate the problem. It is also important to stand up and lay down properly also. You may find that you suffer pain in your lower back only at certain times, such as when you sleep or stand for extended periods of time. If this is the case, it can be easily corrected by practicing good posture.

About the Author

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for Back Pain Treatment - A free site that offers the latest treatments on back pain.

Lower Back Pain Exercises And Their Benefits

2006-03-10T14:46:00.000-05:00

by Saurabh Jain

Lower back pain exercises are very important for the treatment of back pain and the strengthening of the back muscles. These exercises should be recommended by one's orthopedic surgeon or the physiotherapist and need to be carried out regularly in the correct manner, in order to derive maximum benefit.

Doctors recommend different exercises in accordance to the condition of a patient. The exercises recommended in the initial and final stages of the treatment also vary. Walking, swimming, biking and aerobic exercises are commonly recommended lower back pain exercises.

In the initial stages of the treatment, doctors recommend exercises involving upward and downward movements of ankles. Exercises, such as the abdominal contraction, wall squats, heel raises and straight leg raises, involve tightening of the abdominal muscles while moving the knees or heels.

In the intermediate treatment program, one can perform back pain exercises, such as the single knee to chest stretch, the hamstring stretch and the lumbar stabilization exercise with the Swiss ball. It is important to ensure that the abdominal muscles remain contracted during each exercise. For this, one needs to lie on his/her back with knees bent and hands resting below ribs.

The advanced lower back pain exercises program involves exercises such as the Hip Flexor Stretch, the Piriformis stretch and the lumbar stabilization exercises with the Swiss ball. Some exercises strain the lower back and should be avoided. These include the hip twists, the hurdlers stretch, sit-ups with straight legs and any kind of stretching exercise that requires quick and bouncy movements. Physical activities, such as swimming and walking, are very good for the strengthening of the back. One must seek proper guidance before taking up any exercise for the treatment of back-related problems.

About the Author

Saurabh Jain is the Executive Editor of Online Back Pain Resource. He has developed this site to provide valuable information to people suffering from back pain. This site enumerates different causes and factors related to back pain. For more information please visit http://www.backpain-resources-online.com

80% Of Us May Suffer From It - How To Avoid Lower Back Pain

2006-03-04T13:39:00.000-05:00

by Julian Hall

The most common cause of lower back pain is an injury or sprain initiated by lifting or moving of a heavy object, heavy beyond average human limits or a sprain caused due to vigorous physical activity.

Another significant reason is poor posture, while working, sitting or sleeping. This kind of lower back pain can be prevented. The lower back pain in these instances is caused by too less or no physical activity, due to which the muscles that support your spinal cord become weaker due to non-usage. Exercise on a daily basis can be great aphrodisiac to prevent this kind of lower back pain. Exercise conditions the "de-conditioned" muscles, so that they do their job properly.

Again, research has time and again shown that cardiovascular exercise like cycling, brisk walking, swimming etc can greatly reduce and prevent lower back pain. The cardiovascular exercises have been proven to be excellent for general health, and most beneficial to muscle conditioning. Making a habit of doing these exercises for about 20 to 30 minutes on a daily basis would prove to be a life long boon.

Once you begin with a cardiovascular exercise, quitting it the easiest part. Assigning many reasons to it is just to avoid doing the exercise. How to keep it going? How to adapt to a healthier lifestyle and quit procrastinating? Motivation is the key.

The first step to take would be to implement some self discipline and find ways to get some exercise. Trying going up the stairs, the last two floors by quitting the lift two floors down, park your car a few hundred meters away from your destination. This certainly helps you to get a fair amount of exercise without any conscious effort on your part.

Find a friend at the gym that is committed to the schedule and a real fitness freak. He will drag you to the gym until it becomes a habit for you. Similarly find someone who believes in health food and let him show you his culinary skills. During this process make an effort to keep a small note of your short term goals. Tick them off when you achieve them and you will be surprised at own progress.

The last resort when the above fails is to motivate yourself and promise yourself when that lower back pain of yours is at its worst. Or better still, keep a personal trainer, he will guide you the right way and motivate you to keep the regimen going. Pay to motivate, you will be amazed at your progress over a very short period of time.

Almost the whole world would advise you that exercise in any form is good for you. Better still, the same people when they suffer from a lower back pain refrain from doing any exercise. This tendency can have disastrous after effects. The lower back pain has been caused due to weak back muscles.

The exercises you have been doing previous to the pain have been strengthening your back to a certain extent. When you avoid them, your back muscles will go from bad to worse creating a situation where the lower back pain only goes upwards. This is a cycle and it will persist, unless you really make a hard decision and come out of the loop and get back to your good habits of exercising again.

Treat that nagging lower back pain of yours before it gets worse and treat it the most natural way... Exercise.

About the Author

Julian Hall is the Director of Claims Master Group. Personal injury Claim, Lower Back Pain

The Successful Resolution of Mechanical Low Back Pain (and other disorders of the body).

2006-02-25T16:17:00.000-05:00

by Robert Ryles

Copyright 2006 Robert Ryles

This article will explain to you the principles that lie behind the successful resolution of mechanical low back pain (and other disorders). They are a series of logical simple to understand steps that underpin successful treatment practice and effective exercise prescription

DIAGNOSIS

The first step is diagnosing what the problem is. This is done by doctors and therapists basically using two methods. The first one being what the patient says or complains of and the second being what is actually found by the practitioner from their physical examination.

Both of these are vital suppliers of information for a correct diagnosis. The sum total of all the information gleaned from both methods should build a picture of the exact problem that leads on to the diagnosis.

Sometimes it is possible to ascertain an EXACT diagnosis and other times it is not. Having an exact diagnosis is desirable but not absolutely essential to successful treatment. What is important is that the existence or absence of certain conditions is ascertained so that the correct treatment and advice can be followed.

In the case of back pain it is important to be able to put the cause of the pain down to a mechanical problem affecting the back. With reference to back pain there are certain conditions from other body systems that give pain in the back and these must be ruled out before treatment of the back can begin

PAIN RESOLUTION

Before normal movement and function can be looked at the aspect of pain must be considered. This is because in the initial stages of an episode of back pain the pain is there to prevent further damage occurring. It is important that this pain is allowed to settle and further damage is not caused. A few days of the CORRECT rest is normally sufficient to achieve this. Longer than this and there are likely to be more negative effects than positive from resting unless a specific reason is given by a qualified medical person. There are modalities that are helpful in resolving pain such as medication and electrotherapy that can be beneficial.

MOVEMENT RE EDUCATION

The next stage is the regaining of the normal amount of movement in the back. This is the stage at which most problems occur. This is normally for a number of common reasons. These generally revolve around the fact that there is a degree of overlap between the pain stage and this stage and people are unsure of when to begin moving, which specific movements to do, how many to do and for how long.

It is here that is so often the KEY CRITICAL POINT in the recovery process because with the CORRECT ADVICE INSTRUCTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT regarding movement and exercise therapy most back pain can be improved. If this point is missed problems begin and little by little get bigger and more difficult to resolve until ultimately if left long enough, which often can be just a matter of weeks, you can become a chronic back pain patient, with all its associated problems.

STRENGTH RE EDUCATION

The next stage once the movement is well on the way to recovery is the re education of the muscles that control the area. Here again the skill is knowing when to begin the exercises, which ones to do, how many and for how long. With the back you may be lucky and be able to resume your normal everyday activities without needing any specific strengthening exercises. There are however great many people with low back pain who would be so much better and be much more able with again the CORRECT EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION. For some it would undoubtedly totally solve their problem.

NORMAL FUNCTION ACTIVITY RESUMATION

Following the successful resolution of pain, movement and strength all these three come together to allow the patient to resume their normal everyday activities. Here again the key is the skilful and correct advice as to how much how soon. If the previous three stages have been addressed properly this stage will follow naturally but the correct advice is paramount in preventing re injury.

SUMMARY

So there we have it. The basic stages behind the successful resolution of mechanical low back pain. This can essentially be transferred to many other musculo skeletal problems. Although in black and white it appears relatively simple do not confuse something being simple and think it means it is unskilled. It requires specific knowledge at each of the particular stages.

In fact I would go as far as to say categorically how important it is to get as far as possible a definitive diagnosis of your problem before engaging in any form of therapy whether by a third party or self help.

About the Author

Robert Ryles is a Chartered Physical Therapist. He has worked extensively in orthopedic and sports medicine fields and in both International and Premiership football. He is also a lecturer, researcher and author in his expert field. His current work a self help guide to the successful resolution of back pain is available at: http://www.solveyourbackpain.com

Low Back Pain-Affecting Your Life and Work

2006-02-21T11:54:00.000-05:00

by Saurabh Jain

The low back pain is the second most common ailment affecting 80% of the general United States population at some point in life. The pain may either be acute or chronic and is usually caused by a variety of diseases and disorders of the lumbar spine. Low Back pain is usually accompanied by sciatica. Sciatica is a pain that involves the sciatic nerve and affects the lower back, the back of the thighs and buttocks.

Causes and Symptoms of Low Back Pain

The patient of low back pain may experience two types of pain, primarily - acute and chronic. The pain is symptomatic and can be caused by the following reasons:

Acute Pain:

A sprain or a muscle tear, which can be aggravated by heavy lifting or extended use of back muscles within 24 hours of the injury, leading to muscle spasms or soreness. Usually improves when you provide rest to the affected area.

Chronic Pain:

This pain may have several causes like -

1.Mechanical Obesity, pregnancy, bad postures while bending, or stooping causes strain on the lower back muscles.

2.Malignancy Low back pain that is not relieved even after a night's rest, maybe caused by a tumor in the cauda equine (the roots of the spinal nerves controlling sensation in and movement of the legs), or cancer of the prostate, breasts or lungs, maybe caused because of a history of smoking, sudden weight loss or old age.

3.Herniated Spinal Disk When the spinal disk begins to bulge outward between the vertebrae. This is a common cause of chronic back pain in adults.

4.Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain caused while lying down or sitting; improves when the patient starts moving, is commonly seen in males between the age group of 16-35 years.

5.Psychogenic Back pain which may be induced due to an exaggerated minor injury or that may be usually prolonged leading to somatoform disorder or other psychiatric disturbances.

6.Lower Back Pain with Leg Involvement When the back pain radiates down the leg, the sciatic nerve is usually irritated by herniated disks, tumors of the cauda equina, abscesses in the space between the spinal cord and its covering, spinal stenosis, and compression fractures. Some patients may also experience weakness or lack of feeling, along with pain in the leg.

About the Author

Saurabh Jain has created a website on comprehensive information on Back Pain. http://www.backpain-resources-online.com

Minimize Back Pain at Home

2006-02-16T17:00:00.000-05:00

by Charles Kassotis

Do you experience frequent back pain? If so, is it mild, moderate, or severe? If you don't get back pain on a regular basis, have you ever suffered from acute discomfort in your neck, upper back, or lower back? Perhaps you lifted something that was too heavy or yanked open a door the wrong way. In any case, you understand how painful a sore back can be, and its effect on daily activities involved with your job or your family. Simple actions like getting into a car or climbing steps can become excruciatingly difficult when your back has been injured in a significant way.

After experiencing an injury, fall, or other event that may precipitate back pain, make an appointment to see your doctor for a physical exam and any diagnostic tests that need to be done. Your physician will evaluate your symptoms and establish an impression of your condition, along with a plan of care for treating it. Often a back injury will require plenty of rest. But the doctor also may prescribe medication like painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicine that can help to reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor may advise bed rest or restricted activities to give any strains or tears a chance to heal. In some cases, you may need to take physical or occupational therapy to learn how to reuse some muscles or bones in your back if they have been injured or have had to recuperate.

At home on your own, you can take several important steps to help your condition improve. The most important thing you can do is to follow the doctor's orders. Don't try to second-guess a medical expert. Just do as you're told unless you have a serious concern that the doctor's advice is way off base. Then you can seek a second opinion from a qualified medical expert to see whether it confirms or contradicts the first expert's opinion. Another thing you can do is report any negative change in your symptoms to the doctor. He or she may need to reevaluate your condition and perhaps change the treatment plan. If you experience an allergic reaction or side effect to the medication, the doctor will want to know about it and provide alternative medicine.

Don't overexert yourself at home. Let family members help with household tasks, and allow them to assist you with daily care, as needed. Avoid undertaking any strenuous activities that could lead to a setback in your recovery. Take medications as prescribed, since taking more than recommended could lead to an overdose or drug dependency, and taking less than what you need may extend the recovery period or increase pain and inflammation.

No one enjoys a back injury. It can cause you to lose work, be unable to enjoy leisure activities, and make life more difficult in many ways. That's why you should take advantage of any at-home rest therapy that is ordered and don't try to rush things on your own.

About the Author

To learn more about ways of managing back pain, visit The Back Pain Directory at http://www.backpaindirectory.com

Back Pain Management and Relief

2006-02-13T13:47:00.000-05:00

by Jamie Snodgrass

Well now, I've done a lot of research on back pain management and I'm as confused as you are. As if it's not enough that one has to endure back pain, one must also, all the experts agree, manage it. Odd. They never talk about managing toothache.

So, why back pain management? Although it's never said in so many words, I suspect that back pain is one of those rather nasty disorders that, while not socially unacceptably nasty, doesn't ever really go away. We're not talking here about your wife's pregnancy back pains or back pain caused by a tumour; we're talking your average Joe's back pain that just ... won't go away.

The bad news is that this sort of general back pain is usually caused by bad posture and incorrect back health. The good news is that essentially general back pain is a consequence of bad back pain management and can be managed by good back pain management. Make sense?

When back pain treatment doesn't work, it's time to start managing the pain. Back pain management, like back pain, varies for different individuals. For some, back pain management means learning to put up with it and maybe taking a pain killer when it becomes really unbearable. But that's not good back pain management.

Good back pain management starts with changing your lifestyle and your attitude towards your body, particularly your back and spine.

--Your spine supports you; without it, you'd be a a floppy toy. Your spine is supported by the muscles of your back. When they're weak and / or inflexible, your spine strains to perform even the most simple movements, including bending and carrying. So, the first step in managing back pain is to develope a gentle exercise program to keep your muscles fit, supple and healthy.

--There are many types of exercise that are good for your back muscles, including yoga, walking and swimming. Water aerobics, for instance, is fun, inexpensive and recommended by most doctors and experts in the field of back pain management.

--Adopt a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating correctly, exercising and substituting cigarettes and punishing exercise routines with homeopathic herbal and vitamin supplements.

--Learn about good posture, particularly if you have a job that has you always sitting at a desk or if you are on your feet all day. Always bend the knees when bending or lifting; always hollow the back when kneeling; when carrying, distribute weight evenly; when standing for long periods stand with your feet slightly apart; when pushing or pulling try to keep your back straight and take the strain on your arms.

Back pain management should be seen as a long-term investment in good health.

A long soak in a hot tub, the steam delicately scented with the fragrance of oil of lavendar. Candles throw thin shadows on the damp walls. Music plays softly in the background. You're content, relaxed, following a delicious meal including oysters and just a few wicked drops of champagne. Your partner has promised you a sensuous back massage when you get out of the tub ... and then, who knows?

An erotic fantasy? No, just sure-fire back pain relief.

Back pain relief doesn't have to be only about traction or exercise routines thought out by a particularly sadistic ex-marine (probably on the run) or vile-tasting herbal back pain relief remedies created by Hyde's evil twin - the chemist from hell.

Back pain relief should be pleasant, relaxing, relieving, simple, enjoyable and effective.

Visualization techniques, massage, hot or cold therapy treatments, good posture training programs, light exercise routines, a sensible diet, yoga for back pain relief, hynotherapy, acupuncture and the purchase of a good bed will all contribute to relieving your back pain.

Unless, of course, your back pain is caused by a seemingly unrelated disease; but most Americans suffer some form of backache at some stage in their life and the reality of back pain is that it is most often caused by poor posture, too little exercise, work-related back strains and stresses, sports injuries or a touch of arthritis.

For these conditions, back pain relief involves a variety of sensible treatments that include stopping smoking, learning new posture habits, taking the dog for a walk every night and pampering your back with regular massage.

I suffer with severe upper back pain, caused by sitting over a typewriter most of the day, even when I'm not working. I relief it by massaging my shoulders when I take a break; I swim every day and then lie on the firm grass and do some gentle yoga; I make a conscious effort to sit with my legs comfortably and firmly on the ground when I'm at my desk; I treat myself to a hot bath once a week that includes an infusion of garden herbs; I take vitamins daily and I make sure I walk around every half hour to relieve muscle tension.

My oldest friend (in both senses of the word) suffers with what she calls her 'bad knees'. She can hardly climb a flight of stairs. And so she avoids exercise. Fatal mistake. Back pain relief is a matter of practicing good back health; just as you shower or bath every day to keep your skin healthy. Exercise is vital to keep the muscles of your spine supple and strong to enable them to perform their job - keeping you upright.

About the Author

Author is marketer for sites such as :

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Back Be Nimble

2006-01-27T15:06:00.000-05:00

by Paul

Back be nimble is a store that is committed to ridding back pain of people. They have a lot of products aimed to rid back pain and these include back pain relieving mattresses, adjustable beds, recliners and a variety of other products.

Back pain can be very disturbing and can even debilitate a person's mobility. The back needs to be strong and at the same time needs to be provided proper rest everyday. With back be nimble products the back is taken care of properly.

The products are not just aimed at relieving back pain but also take care of neck pain, which is also a major problem. The mattresses and chairs are ergonomically designed and provide proper support to the spine. Most back problems are a result of improper posturing, i.e., not sitting properly or lying properly. Improper posture leads to back pain and neck pain in the long run. The products that are available at back be nimble help in natural posturing of the back.

Sleep is very important as it relaxes the body completely. And the mattress that you sleep on needs to support the back so that you relax totally. The mattresses at back be nimble assist you in getting a good night's sleep.

About the Author

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1511.html

Back Pain and Alternative Solutions Like Acupuncture and Chirprocatic

2006-01-04T12:47:00.000-05:00

by: Deron Van

I started having back pains a few years ago. The kind that shoot down your leg and make it difficult to walk. The doctors first tried physical therapy and I tried some Chiropractors on my own and nothing seemed to help. I would have occasional relief, but it always seemed to come back. The next thing the doctors did was send me for an MRI. This showed that I had a herniated disc between the L4 and L5 vertebrae. Their first solution was to inject cortisone into my spine and that's when I started looking for alternatives. I had heard that many people would get these injections that would cover up the pain for a while but then later on they would end up injuring themselves further.

One day, my back tensed up worse than before and I could not stand straight up. Any of you who have had back pain will be able to relate to this: I had to walk stooped over a little bit and every time I extended my left leg it pinched the nerve and made every step painful. I got pretty good at swinging my hips and stepping out instead of stepping forward to minimize that pain, but it was time to do something.

A friend of mine had had some acupuncture done before and I decided to give it a try. I walked in, in pain, and walked out standing straight up and walking normal. I was sold. If acupuncture is done right, it is very relaxing and at times I have almost fallen asleep during a session. Please note that acupuncture is actually good for treating many types of aches and pains, not just back pain.

Here is what you can expect from an acupuncture session: You can typically get undressed to a level you are comfortable with. The acupuncturist will then place needles in specific points on your body depending upon your problem areas. These points may or may not be anywhere near your pain. For example, during my sessions for back pain, the acupuncturist has placed needles in my hands, feet, legs and back. The needles they use are very small and each one is individually sealed. Many people may tell you that the needles don't hurt at all, and most of the time that is true. Occasionally, a needle will find a hot spot and it can feel like a fire. Just let the acupuncturist know if it is beyond uncomfortable pain. Sometimes these hot spots will lead to greater pain relief later on. During my first few sessions for my back pain, my worst hot spot was my right hand; it hurt about as bad as my back did earlier. However, I can walk upright and deal with pain in my hand; not with it my back. I was able to massage my hand and work out the pain so it was definitely worth it. After the needles are in, the acupuncturist will leave and let you relax for 20 to 30 minutes. Depending upon your acupuncturist, they may apply herbs or heat the needles slightly or give a slight twist to the needle. Then the needles come out. You will have to fight the urge to tighten up when they are pulling the needles out. It is better to relax as much as possible and not think about it. Some acupuncturists may also give a slight massage with the acupuncture.

So how am I doing now? Well, it has been over 5 years now, I think, and I never had to have a cortisone shot and never even thought about any kind of surgery. I still have occasional pain and have actually found a Chiropractor that is also a licensed acupuncture provider. He has a table that applies negative pressure to the discs in the spine and helps alleviate any associated pain. I still receive an occasional acupuncture treatment from him as well. Please note that I do not like "cracking" and my chiropractor has not "adjusted" my spine, only stretched it. I think the key to a healthy back with a herniated disc is to provide yourself with the ability to stretch out and strengthen your back without pain. Acupuncture and specific chiropractic treatments can be the way you accomplish this.

Want to see more health topics? Check out the Gotta Get My Info Health http://www.gottagetmyinfo.com/health Page.

Identifying The Common Causes Of Back Pain

2005-12-31T13:58:00.000-05:00

Identifying The Common Causes Of Back Pain

by Paolo Basauri

Understanding the Causes of Back Pain

An aching back is a problem suffered by more than 50% of American adults. According to the American Chiropractic Association, it is estimated that over 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain at some time in their life. Becoming familiar with the causes of back pain and their subsequent treatment protocols can be of great help should you ever find yourself suffering from back pain. While both men and women can develop back problems, there are some causes that primarily affect women. Other groups susceptible to chronic back pain include the elderly, athletes, the overweight and people with a genetic disposition to back problems.

Typical Causes of Back Pain

The primary causes of back pain are related to muscular sprains and strains, spinal disc injuries and diseases which affect the joints, such as arthritis. Acute back pain stems from a short term injury or strain and can be treated with rest and readjustment. Chronic causes of back pain are generally more difficult to identify and treat. While many of the symptoms are similar, identifying the underlying causes is the key to finding effective treatment.

Coccydynia - Considered fairly rare among the causes of back pain, Coccydynia is a localized pain that stems from the coccyx or tailbone. This condition can manifest as the result of a fall, or from giving birth. Lower back pain caused by Coccydynia is almost always aggravated by sitting. Treatment for severe cases of this condition can include a surgical removal of the coccyx.

Pregnancy-Related Back Pain - It is commonly known that pregnancy is one of the main causes of back pain in women. The additional weight combined with birth related hormones can result in moderate to severe back pain in pregnant women. The best treatment for pregnancy-related back pain is exercise.

Osteoarthritis - One of the most well documented, but least understood causes of back pain is degenerative arthritis of the spine. While most frequently seen in elderly patients, Osteoarthritis can affect younger patients as well. Arthritis causes the disintegration of cartilage, the cushioning material that supports spinal vertebrae. While there is no cure for Osteoarthritis, patients can receive treatments for pain management.

Muscle Strain - Arguably one of the most common causes, muscle strain can be the result of stress, bad posture, repetitive activities or applying too much force to the back muscles. Muscle strain injuries are typically treated with a combination of exercise and rest.

Herniated Disc - One of the most painful causes of back pain is a herniated disc. When spinal cartilage is pushed up against the sensitive nerves in your back, the result is a herniated or bulging disc. If the affected never is the Sciatic nerve that runs down your spinal column, pain can extend down into your legs and feet. Treatment for back pain stemming from spinal vertebrae issues can include medication, physical therapy, and occasionally, surgery.

About the Author

P. Basauri is an expert author who writes for Causes of Back Pain

Oh, Your Aching Back!

2005-12-16T14:38:00.000-05:00

by Kamau Austin

Back pain may begin to affect us as we get older. The statistics surrounding lower back pain are surprising. A staggering 60% of adults will complain of back pain in any given year. Simple back pain is usually caused by one of three conditions: strains, sprains and osteoarthritis.

What is back strain? Back muscles are among the longest, strongest muscles in the body. But despite their size these muscles can actually tear. When a muscle in the back tears or rips that is called a muscle strain.

The most likely cause of muscle strain comes from calling on the muscle to lift a heavy load before it is sufficiently warmed up and ready for the activity of lifting.

There may be subsequent bleeding into the injured area. Pain will not necessarily be immediate. Unfortunately, what sometimes happens is that a person who has injured his back may continue to engage in the activity that caused the injury since there is no pain present, thereby further injuring his back.

Within a couple of hours bleeding into the injured area may be of such volume as to cause pain. The ripped muscle may then cause pain, muscle spasms, and swelling.

What is a back sprain? Sprains are caused by an over stretching of the ligaments in the back. They can sometimes tear when stretched beyond their natural limits. Sprains can occur from a single activity or action or from more gradual overuse over time.

A sprain in the lower back may also be caused by a tear in an disc of the vertebra in the lumbar area of the spine. A torn disc may secrete a substances that causes inflammation. Back pain from a strain can limit activity from three to four weeks. In some cases the pain can become chronic or the sprain may recur due to inadequate conditioning.

What is osteoarthritis of the spine? Spinal arthritis can also cause back pain. Osteoarthritis of the spine is caused by the breakdown of the cartilage between the joints in the back of the spine. Friction results as bone rubs on bone. Flexibility and range of motion decrease. Eventually bone spurs typically form on the spinal vertebrae.

Osteoarthritis in the spine is of two types. osteoarthritis of the lower back (lumbar spine),which produces stiffness and pain in the lower spine and sacroiliac joint (between the spine and pelvis).

Osteoarthritis of the neck (cervical spine, sometimes called cervical spondylosis which can cause stiffness and pain in the upper spine, neck, shoulders, arms and head.

How do I protect my back? Even though back injury can occur at any time. There are things that we can do to protect our back from injury.

- Proper conditioning. Working out to develop strength in your back will lessen the likelihood that you will cause injury to your back.

- Weight training and abdominal exercises go a long way to strengthening both your actual back muscles as well as the supporting muscles that help keep your back from injury. Proper technique. The way in which you perform physical activity will help you keep your back healthy. Engaging the knees and leg muscles when lifting will spread the weight out among a great area of the body. Sharing the load with other muscles will help keep a person from putting undue stress on the back.

- Proper rest. When you feel tired, your muscles are more than likely tired as well. Tired muscles are less likely to provide adequate support. When you're tired, you're also more likely to succumb to forces that could stress or overextend a muscle. - Proper warm-up. Stretching properly before and after physical activity loosens up the muscles and increases range of motion. The muscles will be less tight and less prone to injury. Proper supplementation. Lubrication of the joints and cartilage can go a long way to lessening the chance that your back pain will affect you. Phosoplex™ is a supplement that is recommended for osteoarthritis. It is a powerful, all natural and safe solution for joint lubrication, pain relief and the rebuilding of healthy cartilage.

For more information on Phosoplex™ see http://www.bodestore.com/phosoplex.html

How To Lower Your Back Pain

2005-12-08T13:50:00.000-05:00

by Dave Lloyd

Chronic back pain afflicts millions of people worldwide. And for those who suffer consistently from sore, stiff, even traumatized back muscles and spinal joints, it can be debilitating. There are many causes to back pain including poor posture, week abdominal muscles, misaligned spinal column, lack of chair support when seated, unsupportive bed or pillow, and certainly stress and anxiety which gets localized in the body in the back. Regardless of what is causing your back to be consistently sore, you're looking for relief, at least somthing that will permit you to get through another day.

Resources do exist, help is available. Exercise consistently ranks as the top preventive remedy for lowering back pain. For some people it may be weight bearing exercises such as walking, running, or tennis - others may benefit from swimming, rowing (with proper technique), or stair climbing on a gym machine. Stretching exercises and abdominal strengthening drills, though, can focus your body's attention on local support for removing back pain.

Another common resource includes professional help - physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists each have special methods for approaching back pain. While all have merits, it's best to consider them all in various forms as a specific technique or a combination may be just what you need.

A consideration for many in extreme pain is medication. This could be general pain relieving drugs that can be bought over the counter or a prescription-required med. Some sleep medications can also provide a side benefit of loosening the muscles just enough to provide consistent back relief. Consult your psychiatrist or medical professional for more help.

Chronic back pain does not need to be a permanent problem in your life. While spinal misalignment or years of poor posture may limit the improvements you can make, some relief is definitely possible. Through the pursuit of consistent exercise, professional help, or even medication, some relief is possible for your back pain.

About the Author

Dave Lloyd has created the online guide to lowering back pain at http://www.lowermybackpain.com

Easing Back Pain Naturally

2005-11-23T13:10:00.000-05:00

by Stewart Hare

Back pain is extremely common, over 80% of adults will experience lower back pain in their lifetime, the lower back supports the majority of the body weight and it is very susceptible to pain caused by factors such as herniated or slipped disc, muscle or ligament damage, joint problems and poor muscle tone. Typical symptoms of back pain are a steady ache or a sharp pain that worsens with movement. A sharp pain will shoot down the leg if the sciatic nerve is irritated. People who are more likely to suffer from back pain are those who work involves lifting heavy objects, bending awkwardly and those spending long period of time sitting or standing, these factors are increased by being out of shape. Pregnant women are also susceptible to lower back pain.

Back pain can be helped by many factors, first look after your back, lift objects properly and participate in exercises that strengthen you back, quit smoking (smoking reduces nutrition to the spinal discs), do not stay in bed too long, try to get mobile (unless you have a slipped disc), try hot and cold compresses and with chronic back pain (back pain that last more than 3 months) see a chiropractor. If your back pain persists, then see a doctor, their may be other factors involved such as fractures, nerve damage, arthritis, spinal tumour and infections. Some people have found that acupuncture and massage also helps with back pain.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from back pain.

Boron

Bromelain

Calcium

Devil’s claw

Evening Primrose Oil

Extracts of New Zealand green-lipped mussels

Fish Oil

Glucosamine Sulphate

Magnesium

Manganese

Multivitamins and minerals

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B6

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Advice for a healthier natural life

website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com

Managing and Relieving Back Pain

2005-10-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

by Joe Serpico

Back injuries reportedy afflict eighty percent of the population of the United States at some point in their life. Not all of these problems will require extended treatment, but back problems are invariably painful.

Managing and relieving back pain can be a complicated process. The experience of pain is subjective. Health providers who treat back pain find it challenging to obtain the objective or measurable signs that verify and diagnose a patient's painful back symptoms.

Additionally, everyone experiences pain differently. Pain descriptors encompass numerous adjectives - dull, sharp, throbbing, pulsating, stabbing and shock-like, just to name a few. Individuals describe and experience pain with such wide variation partly due to its differing and complex origins. Pain actually originates from numerous places in the body, such as muscles, bones, nerves, organs or blood vessels.

Pain is classified as acute or chronic. The word "acute" derives from the Latin word for needles and is usually described as a severe, sharp sensation. The initial stage of an injury is called the acute phase.

The word "chronic", on the other hand, originated from the Greek word for time. Chronic pain is pain that persists for a length of time, often months to years. Many back injuries tend to become chronic, especially when not treated properly during the acute phase. Chronic pain is often experienced as a dull ache or constant nagging irritant.

Acute and chronic pain sensations travel different nervous system pathways inside the body. When you injure muscles or ligaments in your back, nerve endings called pain receptors pick up the pain impulses and transmit them to the spinal cord. From here, the pain message ascends to the brain. This process takes place at varying rates of speed depending on the size of the nerve fiber involved.

Acute pain tends to travel on faster, larger diameter fibers, while chronic pain prefers smaller, slower pain fibers. Experts suggest that chronic pain affects the brain's limbic system, which is associated with emotional states. Anyone who has ever had a long-term painful injury knows that negative or distressing emotions may accompany or perpetuate the initial injury.

The best way to treat chronic back pain syndromes is to prevent them. Although proficient early treatment does not always prevent an acute injury from turning into a chronic problem, it is a good insurance policy. Early treatment is especially important when dealing with injuries to the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) to prevent them from becoming weaker, less elastic and more pain-sensitive.

An excellent way to treat both acute and chronic soft tissue injuries is a hands-on approach that works to repair the injured tissues. Some examples are joint and soft tissue manipulation and mobilization, typically performed by a doctor of chiropractic or osteopath. Other good options are massage and physical therapy. A formal rehabilitation program at a health club or therapy clinic may also help to strengthen weakened and damaged muscles, especially the core stabilizers of the back.

About the Author

Joe Serpico is webmaster at aa-fitness-guide.com. For much more information regarding exercise, health, nutrition, and fitness, visit http://www.aa-fitness-guide.com

The Difference Between Arthritis and Rheumatism

2005-10-22T12:12:00.000-04:00

by Leong Y.H..M.D

'Rheumatism' is a traditional and non-specific term used in the East and West to refer to a variety of conditions affecting the bones, joints, skin, heart, kidneys, lungs. This term is rapidly falling out of favour in the West today because modern medical science has discovered that most of these conditions have different aetiologies (causes) requiring very different treatments.

You can say that it's a word mainly used in Chinese (& traditional) societies; it's also used by a minority of Westerners into homeopathic and alternative medicine. The only common characteristics among these conditions are: 1) they cause long-term chronic pain, and 2) they are very difficult to treat.

'Arthritis' is a broad term refers to inflammation of the joints, but doesn't say anything about the cause. Includes conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, infective arthritis, gouty arthritis, etc.

Generally, I'd divide arthritis into 2 big groups:

1) Osteoarthritis (OA) This is primarily a 'wear and tear' condition affecting older people. Arises from overuse (e.g. marathon runners), previous injuries (football players), overweight, heredity. A lot of older Asian women get OA of the knees while the Americans and Europeans get it in the hips. The pain is more mechanical than inflammatory. So you get pain in the later part of the day after a lot of walking and climbing stairs.

Because it's mainly a mechanical problem, treatment with painkillers is only a temporary solution. Long-term lifestyle changes are more important - reduce weight, mobility and muscle-strengthening exercises, reduce all kinds of weight-bearing activities (walking, jumping, running, carrying heavy objects). In severe cases, surgery may be warranted.

2) Inflammatory ('Rheumatic') Arthritis This group comprises the various types of arthritis which are mainly inflammatory , not mechanical, in nature. They usually result from an auto-immune condition, which causes the body's immune system to go haywire and attack the joints and other parts of the body. E.g. rheumatoid arthritis (RA), SLE (skin, kidneys, joints, brain), psoriasis (skin, joints), ankylosing spondylitis (back, heart), gout (joints, skin, kidneys), rheumatic heart disease/fever (joints, heart, skin). All these conditions require different forms of treatment.

I'll talk a bit about RA, the commonest condition in this group. Unlike OA, RA can occur at any age and is usually hereditary (we now have a test for the RA factor in the blood). Pain is usually in the early morning, worse when it's cold, and gets better with activity and use. That means an RA sufferer suffers from morning stiffness and pain, but gets better in the afternoon when it's warmer and when he has moved around a bit.

Treatment, unlike OA, is mainly through drugs - painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids, cytotoxic drugs like sulfasalazine and MTX. In Asia, treatment is mainly through accupuncture, medicated plasters and ointments. With the vast arsenals of drugs and non-drugs alternative treatments available today, RA can be controlled very well and the sufferer can actually lead a very active life. Many OA sufferers on the other hand may eventually require surgery since we don't have very effective drugs for OA.

About the Author

Dr Leong Y.H is a western trained medical doctor with a keen interest in Oriental medical treatment. He contribute articles to http://www.quick-pain-relief.com and http://www.chinese-culture.net. You may distribute this article as long as mention is made of the author and the website.

Discover the Power of Inversion to Ease Your Achy Back

2005-10-20T18:39:00.000-04:00

by David Snape

What can inversion do for your back?

Did you know that you are physically shorter in the evening than in the morning (or after sleeping)?

Why? - You might be surprised to learn that it is due to the discs in your spine!

Imagine those little discs getting squashed all day long. All that weight bearing and holding yourself up against gravity causes moisture to be squeezed out of the discs.

This results in a net loss of height during the day.

During the night, while you sleep and because your spine is no longer bearing vertical weight, the discs reabsorb moisture and are thicker in the morning.

Inversion tables - can help to counteract that problem.

A table can allow you to - go vertical -and give your spine a major break.

Not only will your spine be happier but you will be too. It actually feels pretty good to be upside down for a period of time.

Blood and oxygen can move to the head and that increased flow can give you a more awake, more alive feeling.

You'll feel refreshed.

My friend Clint has an inversion table and I tried it out.

It really does feel good to get on it for a couple of minutes.

If you are daring you might even do a few sit-ups while inverted - its a neat twist to being upside down and doing sit-ups!

You can experience relief from back pain by using inversion tables, others have - and you can or someone you love can too.

Inversion tables might not be for everyone. Ask your physician before using an inversion table or taking up any form of exercise.

About the Author

Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com

Don't Suffer Needlessly From Chronic Pain

2005-10-18T13:40:00.000-04:00

by Bob Dean

As a chronic pain sufferer myself, being diagnosed with a herniated disc in my lower back, along with bone disc degenerative disease, I have learned a lot about how chronic pain is treated, or I should say undertreated. It's a sad fact for a variety of reasons, that chronic pain goes grossly undertreated. Too many americans are needlessly suffering in pain. After years and years of of my pain going undertreated, I have learned a few things that I would like to share.

First of all, theres a stigma associated with patients seeking treatment for chronic pain. Physicians are hesitant about what kind of treatment is best. From physical therapy, bio-feedback, muscle relaxers, steroids, anti-inflammatory, over the counter medications, to narcotic pain medication. Particular when using narcotic pain medication, it seems physicians do whats best in the interests for themselves, not whats in the best interest of the patient. This has occured due to government regulations, narcotic abuse, diversion, patient addiction & physicians who just dont understand pain.

Obviousluy if someone dont have a diagnosis of chronic pain, and other treatment is better suited, that should be the course of action. But on the other hand, if every other treatment has been tried, chronic pain sufferers should have every right to narcotic pain medicine. Before I found a physician who finally understood my pain, I felt like a drug addict, I felt like I was disbelieved by the medical community when I told them I was in pain. Pain sufferers are discriminated against tremendously. I am dedicated to informing as many as possible that people are truly suffering in pain needlessly, and dedicated to helping those who suffer.

For more information go to: http://www.rxscripts4u.com

About the Author

A chronic pain sufferer dedicated to helping others who suffer from chronic pain.

Oh, My Aching Back!

2005-10-08T15:34:00.000-04:00

Oh, My Aching Back!

by Sean Cochran

Are you an individual who is suffering from a lower back injury?

Is your lower back stiff and sore when you get out of bed in the morning? Or, heaven forbid, are you one of many individuals that has undergone back surgery?

Probably everyone reading this article has experienced a lower back problem at some time or another in their lives. They are no fun, can be very debilitating, and when it comes to golf, they certainly won't help lower your handicap or drive the ball 300 yards.

I would like to share with you an e-mail question that I received from my website www.bioforcegolf.com. Our BioForce Golf family member stated: "I am a 'mature' individual and suffering from lower back disc problems. They are not to the point that requires surgery, but they do limit my ability to play golf." His e-mail continued to describe his lower back issues and ended with a question: "Would someone like me benefit from your lower back exercises, or would they exacerbate the problem?"

Before answering this gentleman's question, let me give you a little background information. BioForce Golf has a golf fitness manual available titled Your Body & Your Swing. In this manual, there are many exercises to assist in improving your golf game.

Two stated goals exist for the exercises in this program; number one is injury prevention, and number two is performance improvement. Fairly self-explanatory in terms of their stated goals. Realize even the slightest injury will hurt your golf performance significantly.

I replied to this e-mail with a resounding "yes."

The exercises in our program will help you with this type of low back disc problem.

Let me explain how exercises for the lower back can assist you.

The lower back is comprised of countless muscles, skeletal structures, and fibrous structures. The fibrous structures are in the form of discs and other types of cartilage. Injuries to the body have what I call a "three tier effect." If the body is overstressed by any activity like swinging a golf club, lifting heavy boxes, or even typing on a computer, the overload on the body (amount of work performed by the body) will affect the muscular system first. This can be in the form of muscle soreness, tightness, or a slight pull. If I lift too many heavy boxes or swing a club too many times, my muscles are the "first line of defense" to injury.

If I continue to perform this high workload level and ignore what my muscles are telling me, my second line of defense kicks in.

The "second line of defense" is my cartilage and ligament structures (i.e. discs in the lower back).

How do you know if you are suffering from a second tier problem?

Indicators are inflammation, tears, or bulging of a lower back disc. Usually this is when folks go to a doctor. If you are reading this and this paragraph hits a chord, I strongly suggest seeking counsel of a physician.

Finally, if the workloads still continue at a high level, without any intervention, the skeletal structure will be affected. This can be in the formation of bone spurs or stress fractures.

An example of such a situation is the formation of bone spurs commonly found in a pitcher's elbow or the degeneration of lower back structures in a golfer.

To stop this injury cycle, or help in the rehabilitation of a current problem, I strongly suggested you first seek professional medical attention. This will assist in the diagnosis and proper treatment of the injury.

Exercises can help rehab a golfer in such situations if implemented correctly and under supervision of a qualified individual.

The best way to prevent an injury is to Prehab. Prehab exercises, as they are often called, develop high levels of muscular strength and endurance to "handle" the workloads placed upon the body. This can assist in preventing an injury that begins the cycle described above.

Now, if you are a golfer that is already "walking down the path" of a debilitating injury, our goal is to help you reverse the cycle.

Again, seek professional medical attention and be under supervision throughout the process if you have suffered a problem. If you are starting a new golf fitness program to help with your prehab, seek professional guidance to help minimize the risk of injury.

The cycle can be reversed by unloading the skeletal and ligament structures and placing the loads upon the muscular structure. Let me explain using the example from above.

For example, if a person is in a situation where his muscular structures are "overloaded" and his discs are taking the brunt of the work, every time he swings a club, bends over to line up his putt, or picks up his ball, the discs are screaming "ouch!" My goal, if I were his trainer, would be to start a series of exercises that would strengthen the muscles of the lower back, resulting in the stresses being taken away from the discs. Once the muscles are strong and have high levels of endurance, they can handle the "workloads" placed upon the body during golf or any activity!

Over time, the exercises would alleviate the stress on the discs, get this individual out of "pain," and restore them to a higher level of activity.

In a nutshell, to prevent injury you must develop the muscular strength and endurance to handle the workloads placed upon your body everyday. If you are an avid golfer then I would strongly suggest starting a golf-specific fitness program. This will help you to prevent an injury resulting from the stresses placed upon your body during repetitive golf swings.

Secondarily, a golf-specific fitness program will help you dramatically improve your performance on the course.

Sean Cochran

About the Author Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

Your Back Aches...

2005-10-03T12:09:00.000-04:00

Back Pain

If your back aches, you're not alone. Four out of five adults experience at least one bout of back pain at some time during their lifetime. In fact, low back pain is the fifth-leading cause of trips to the doctor in the United States.

In addition, back injuries are the leading cause of work-related disability. Even though back pain is rarely life-threatening, the annual cost in terms of lost productivity, medical expenses and workers' compensation benefits runs into the tens of billions of dollars in the United States.

Although back pain is common, it's also quite possible for you to prevent most back problems with simple steps such as exercise and adopting new ways to sit and stand. Even if you've injured your back before, you can learn techniques to help avoid recurrent injuries.

Back Pain by Mayo Clinic Staff

2005-09-02T13:01:00.000-04:00

by Mayo Clinic Staff

If your back aches, you're not alone. Four out of five adults experience at least one bout of back pain at some time during their lifetime. In fact, low back pain is the fifth-leading cause of trips to the doctor in the United States.

In addition, back injuries are the leading cause of work-related disability. Even though back pain is rarely life-threatening, the annual cost in terms of lost productivity, medical expenses and workers' compensation benefits runs into the tens of billions of dollars in the United States.

Although back pain is common, it's also quite possible for you to prevent most back problems with simple steps such as exercise and adopting new ways to sit and stand. Even if you've injured your back before, you can learn techniques to help avoid recurrent injuries.

Traditional Treatments for Back Pain... Which Ones Work and Which Ones Don’t?

2005-08-31T17:27:00.000-04:00

by Jesse Cannone

When Dorothy followed the yellow brick road, she was told to do so by those who wanted her to get where she wanted go. Well as humans when we blindly follow recommendations even by individuals who have good intentions, it may not always be your best option. So I’m preparing this article to compare and contrast what are known as traditional treatments vs. complementary or alternative treatments for back pain. Remember there is rarely only one reason for your back pain and almost never one silver bullet fix… you may need to try several approaches till you find what works for you.

So when reading this article and thinking back on your visits to medical professionals, did you have the big picture or were you just following that yellow brick road? If you have been down that road, or if you are just starting to suffer from back pain it’s never too late to seek out new and more encompassing information about your condition when trying to find a solution that works for you. Don’t say you’ve tried everything because you haven’t... your solution is out there and you just have to find it!

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 Drugs

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. That’s you and two others at the same time. 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 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 and Eliminating 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 service can only be performed by certified post-rehab fitness trainers and there are limitations 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 and here are just a few:

1. Manual therapy consists of hands on muscle work primarily whereas traditional physical therapy consists of heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, etc

2. Manual therapist will typically perform a much more thorough physical evaluation

3. Manual therapists will usually be able to spend more time with each patient

4. 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 best for itself. 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 doesn’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” video now… it will show you how to identify the cause of your back pain and the show you the exact combination of steps to take to eliminate it.

If you have tried other treatments with little or no relief/improvement, 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!

Warning: This article is not intended to be medical advice however its intent is to make you a better, smatter and more informed client. The more you know and understand about your medical condition the better off you will be when it comes time to make the hard choices. As well as communicating with medical professionals.... believe me it will make a world of difference.

About The Author

Article by Jesse Cannone of http://www.losethebackpain.com. Jesse is a certified personal fitness trainer and post-rehab specialist and he has helped hundreds of individuals to eliminate their back pain. Visit his site now and be sure to sign up for his free email course on eliminating back pain.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Low Back Pain - Ayurvedic Management

2005-08-30T16:00:00.000-04:00

by Shashikant Patwardhan

Low back pain is one of the most common pain disorders today .It is a chronic condition characterized by a persistent dull or sharp pain per the lower back. It may be also associated with burning, stiffness, numbness or tingling with the pain shooting down the buttocks and the legs.

When we stand, the lower back functions to hold most of the weight of the body. When we bend, extend or rotate at the waist, the lower back is involved in the movement. Low back ache is often precipitated by moving, lifting objects or twisting of the waist. Severe pain in the low back can be quite debilitating to patients. Pain in the lower back restricts activity and reduces work capacity and quality of enjoyment of everyday living and turns daily life into a misery.

Survey indicates that 70 per cent of the people suffer from low back pain at some time in their lives. The highest rate of back pain occurs among the 45 to 64 year age group. The incidence of low back pain is greater among women. In 90 per cent of the patients, low back pain resolves within six weeks, i.e. self limited. In another 5 per cent the pain resolves by 12 weeks. Less than 5 per cent of back paid account for true nerve root pain.

Causes

One of the common causes for the backache is poor posture habit. Balanced posture decreases stress on your back by keeping the muscles, bones and other supporting parts in their natural position. Any change from normal spinal curve can stress or pull muscles. This leads to increased muscle contraction, which causes pain. Low back pain can result due to health problems like osteoporosis, scoliosis, spinal stenosis. Sprain or strain of muscles or ligaments in the area can also manifest in low back pain. Other possible causes include fibromyalgia and benign or malignant tumours. A fall or blow to the back can strain or tear tissues around the spine, or even break a bone leading to back pain. Lack of exercise or incorrect exercise can also lead to low back pain. Too much weight or overweight also is a cause of low back pain.

Treatment

Conservative treatment is the most likely course of action for most patients. Treatment options include rest, Traction, Short wave diathermy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, weight control, steroid injections in step by step order.

If a patients does not get relief after 8 to 12 weeks of conservative therapy surgical intervention is considered. The most common surgical procedure is a discectomy, which involves removing the soft gel-like material in the disc. This procedure returns the disc to a more normal shape, relieving the pressure on the nerve. the neurosurgeon can also perform a foraminotomy, which is a procedure designed to expand the opening the nerve travels through.

Drugs and knives don’t always work because from 60% to 90% of disease is not the result of structural injury, but rather of the mind-body response to stress

Ayurvedic Perspective

Ayurveda holds that low back pain is a result of vitiation of one of the three principal 'doshas'. 'Kateegraham'/'Prishtasoola' or low back pain is an indication of Vata aggravation and bone and muscle weakness.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Treatment in Ayurveda is to bring the vitiated 'dosha' back to the state of equilibrium and thereby to the state of health. For treating low back pain, internal as well as external treatments are done. Herbal preparations like 'Asthavargam' are administered internally. Daily purgation is recommended to restore the vitiated 'dosha' to the state of normalcy.

Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments like Abhyanga (oil massage), Basti (meditated enema) are very much helpful in relieving backache and correcting abnormalities. Drugs like Yogarajaguggulu, Lakshadiguggulu, Triphala Guggulu, Maanarayana tailam are useful in this condition.

Yoga and Yogasana

The source of the pain is due most often to pushing oneself beyond physical or emotional capacity. The spine needs stability and, therefore, the mind must first be steady. So, the first step is to learn to relax the mind and focus on the specific areas of back pain. With practice, you can redirect the body's energy and affect the pain.

Among the Yogasanas ,when there is pain, start with simple back-bends, such as Locust, Cat, and Sunbird. To keep the spine aligned practice Hero Pose.

Caution- Before trying any of these postures, consult with a yoga teacher or therapist to determine the best postures for your condition.

About The Author

Dr. Shashikant Patwardhan is practicing as 'Ayurvedic Consultant' for last 25 years at the city -Sangli, Maharashtra -India. He has done his graduation in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery [B.A.M&S] and post graduate Fellowship of Faculty of Ayurvedic Medicine [F.F.A.M.] From Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune University, India, during the years 1970-1976.

He is a chief editor and Ayurvedic Consultant of a 'Comprehensive website on Ayurveda - http://www.ayurveda-foryou.com. He is an author of many books on Ayurveda and is first to publish them in ebook format. He has written ebooks like - Ayurvedic Cure of Diabetes, Home Remedies in Ayurveda, Treat Common Diseases with Ayurveda & Yoga, Ayurvedic Principles Revealed. He regularly writes articles on various topics in Ayurveda in Ayurvedic health magazines and alternative medicine sites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Lower Back Pain Facts

2005-08-29T14:35:00.000-04:00

If you have lower back pain, you are not alone. Nearly everyone at some point has back pain that interferes with work, routine daily activities, or recreation. Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States — only headache is more common. Fortunately, most occurrences of low back pain go away within a few days. Others take much longer to resolve or lead to more serious conditions.

Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is mechanical in nature — the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and/or range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Occasionally, pain felt in one part of the body may “radiate” from a disorder or injury elsewhere in the body. Some acute pain syndromes can become more serious if left untreated.

Chronic back pain is measured by duration — pain that persists for more than 3 months is considered chronic. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.

What structures make up the back?

The back is an intricate structure of bones, muscles, and other tissues that form the posterior part of the body’s trunk, from the neck to the pelvis. The centerpiece is the spinal column, which not only supports the upper body’s weight but houses and protects the spinal cord — the delicate nervous system structure that carries signals that control the body’s movements and convey its sensations. Stacked on top of one another are more than 30 bones — the vertebrae — that form the spinal column, also known as the spine. Each of these bones contains a roundish hole that, when stacked in register with all the others, creates a channel that surrounds the spinal cord. The spinal cord descends from the base of the brain and extends in the adult to just below the rib cage. Small nerves (“roots”) enter and emerge from the spinal cord through spaces between the vertebrae. Because the bones of the spinal column continue growing long after the spinal cord reaches its full length in early childhood, the nerve roots to the lower back and legs extend many inches down the spinal column before exiting. This large bundle of nerve roots was dubbed by early anatomists as the cauda equina, or horse’s tail. The spaces between the vertebrae are maintained by round, spongy pads of cartilage called intervertebral discs that allow for flexibility in the lower back and act much like shock absorbers throughout the spinal column to cushion the bones as the body moves. Bands of tissue known as ligaments and tendons hold the vertebrae in place and attach the muscles to the spinal column.

Starting at the top, the spine has four regions:

* the seven cervical or neck vertebrae (labeled C1–C7),
* the 12 thoracic or upper back vertebrae (labeled T1–T12),
* the five lumbar vertebrae (labeled L1–L5), which we know as the lower back, and
* the sacrum and coccyx, a group of bones fused together at the base of the spine.

The lumbar region of the back, where most back pain is felt, supports the weight of the upper body.

Causes Of Back Pain

2005-08-26T16:41:00.000-04:00

by Fred Riddell

Most references to back pain focus on lower back pain in the lumbar spinal region. However, back pain causes in no particular order are:

A. Accidents or injuries leaving muscle pain

B. Osteoarthritis with deteriorating cartilage

C. Osteoporosis with bone loss / fracture

D. Fibromyalgia

E. Major conditions like cancer

Muscle, ligament and tendon problems are generally at the root of the pain problems along with some weakness in the lower back. Other body parts in the region can also be associated like bones and small joints. When no specific cause is apparent, the term NSLBP (nonspecific low back pain) is used. Any number of reasons for this pain can include degenerative disk disease, psychological issues, systemic disease, facet syndrome (similar to pinched nerves symptoms), herniated disk, spondylolisthesis or the forward displacement of one of the lower lumbar vertebrae over the vertebra below it or on the sacrum. Other factors could be spinal stenosis or constriction or spondyloarthropathy (disease affecting spinal joints). Let’s take a look at each of these and what pain relief solutions are available.

DEGENERATIVE DISK DISEASE – The degeneration of vertebral disks is a natural part of the aging process. What often happens though, is that when the narrowing of the disk space combines with the nociceptors, sensory receptors that respond to pain, in the outer annulus (in the disk space outside the nucleus) or dorsal root ganglion (spinal nerves) that become heightened, the result can be pain, although not always. Sometimes pain can be felt by some people, and other times not.

For example a minor accident like missing a step and landing a little harder than usual on your feet might cause back pain. And certain activities can aggravate degenerative disks, like yard work or house cleaning movements. But overall, pain associated with degenerative disk disease generally heals within a few days at most. Preventative measures like strengthening muscle groups to lessen future traumas are usually recommended along with an analgesic or medication that helps relieve pain. Only in some cases are epidurals or injections, blocks or surgery needed.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES - If acute back pain turns into chronic stages, factors of depression, fear and anxiety could increase discomfort and pain. And the longer the chronic pain persists, the more these factors tend to play a role, an increased role over time. So treatment strategies may need to include learning coping skills and alternative lifestyle enhancements to deal with the psychological factors present.

SYSTEMIC DISEASE – This disease is the cause for up to 10% of back pain and largely among the elderly. Causes could be cancer-related or related to reduced bone mass or simply the aging process. Increasing or decreasing activities as well as switching positions all may have no affect on pain relief. Alternative therapies may be in need.

FACET SYNDROME - Similar to pinched nerves symptoms, this is believed to be associated with pain in the back’s side joints and the main cause of up to 20 percent of back pain cases, with buttocks and upper leg pain increasing with long-term standing, and when switching sitting / standing / lying positions. An injection of local anesthetic into the facet joint helps determine the diagnosis. However, since the anesthetic relieves the pain at the same time and is used as a short-term solution, an x-ray doesn’t help with imaging the pain results. Recommended treatment includes rigorous lumbar activities and body mechanics exercises to learn proper or more beneficial posture and movement techniques.

HERNIATED DISK – Also known as a ruptured or protruding disk, a herniated disk extends beyond its own area into a surrounding region. Compression of the nerve root can cause pain. And pressure on the fibers in surrounding ligaments can cause pain. Although an accident involving lifting could be the cause of a herniated disk, it’s not necessarily so. For many, the cause is unknown; pain can occur suddenly or gradually over time. Relief for the pain can come from walking instead of sitting or standing, and surgery is rarely required right away, if at all in the event relief from pain happens within a limited amount of time. During this time (up to several weeks) any of the following might be effective to use, depending upon your healthcare provider: medication, physical therapy or non-frequently, steroid spinal injections.

SPONDYLOLISTHESIS or the forward displacement or slippage of one of the lower lumbar vertebrae (generally the fourth or fifth) over the vertebra below it or on the sacrum. This state of health is diagnosed by x-ray. Pain is believed to occur where the displacement is, at or below the displacement, or from spinal stenosis, discussed next. Depending upon the patient, strengthening exercises or a back support may be all that’s required. In others, surgery may be an option.

SPINAL STENOSIS – is the constriction or narrowing of the vertebral canal. Mainly due to aging, as the gradual lessening of disk space and changes in ligaments advance upon the nerve roots below the lumbar vertebra or L2, pain can result. It’s often accompanied by numbness in the legs and is not aided any by walking. Different vertebra and varied physical activities can affect the pain’s location, intensity, recurring and duration. To help diagnose this condition, healthcare providers can use myelography, or an x-ray of the spinal cord after injection of air or a radiopaque substance into the subarachnoid space, with a post-CAT scan. And depending upon the patient, treatments can vary and be minor with medication if the pain gradually disappears, to epidural corticosteroid injections in the epidural, to blocks or surgery.

SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY - This term refers to a variety of diseases affecting spinal joints; arthritis variations- psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, the more common of the two and in males more often than women; and sacroiliitis, accompanies inflammatory bowels. Diagnosis consists of a physical exam, history and testing including x-rays, CAT or MRI, as the disease progresses slowly long-term fusing sacroiliac joints together and joints between vertebrae together. To relieve pain, there is treatment with exercises and physical therapy to promote better enhanced posture and mobility and some arthritic medications.

More free information about back health including treatments, exercises and prevention can be found at http://www.backachess.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Back Pain: Prognosis?

2005-08-25T16:13:00.000-04:00

What is the prognosis?

Most patients with back pain recover without residual functional loss, but individuals should contact a doctor if there is not a noticeable reduction in pain and inflammation after 72 hours of self-care. Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics or other nontraumatic causes is often preventable. Engaging in exercises that don't jolt or strain the back, maintaining correct posture, and lifting objects properly can help prevent injuries. Many work-related injuries are caused or aggravated by stressors such as heavy lifting, vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward posture. Applying ergonomic principles — designing furniture and tools to protect the body from injury — at home and in the workplace can greatly reduce the risk of back injury and help maintain a healthy back.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct pain research in laboratories at the NIH and also support pain research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Currently, researchers are examining the use of different drugs to effectively treat back pain, in particular, chronic pain that has lasted at least 6 months. Other studies are comparing different health care approaches to the management of acute low back pain (standard care versus chiropractic, acupuncture, or massage therapy). These studies are measuring symptom relief, restoration of function, and patient satisfaction. Other research is comparing standard surgical treatments to the most commonly used standard nonsurgical treatments to measure changes in health-related quality of life among patients suffering from spinal stenosis.

What is Back Pain?

2005-08-23T16:07:00.000-04:00

Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Chronic back pain is pain that persists for more than 3 months. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.

Is there any treatment?

Most low back pain can be treated without surgery. Treatment involves using over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce discomfort and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation. The goal of treatment is to restore proper function and strength to the back, and prevent recurrence of the injury. Medications are often used to treat acute and chronic low back pain. Effective pain relief may involve a combination of prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies. Although the use of cold and hot compresses has never been scientifically proven to quickly resolve low back injury, compresses may help reduce pain and inflammation and allow greater mobility for some individuals. Bed rest is recommended for only 1–2 days at most. Individuals should resume activities as soon as possible. Exercise may be the most effective way to speed recovery from low back pain and help strengthen back and abdominal muscles. In the most serious cases, when the condition does not respond to other therapies, surgery may relieve pain caused by back problems or serious musculoskeletal injuries.

Causes Of Back Pain

2005-08-22T15:01:00.000-04:00

Alternative Approaches to Pain Relief

2005-08-21T15:55:00.000-04:00

Alternative Approaches to Pain Relief

by Peter Donald

Pain. The great leveler. The rich feel it. So do the poor, the happy, the sad, tall, and short. And, of course, article writers, too. It’s therefore not surprising to note that since the dawn of time, humans have attempted to discover ways to reduce pain. In some respect, our ability to experience pain, and seek ways to solve it, connects us more than anything else. But what exactly is pain and how do we deal with it?

Pain is a message sent by the body to the brain, signaling the presence of disease, injury or strain. Without pain, you would be unaware of many problems - from torn ligaments to appendicitis. Pain is simply, Mother Nature's way of telling you something is wrong.

Many of us kill the messenger with narcotics, anti-depressants and tranquilizers that take care of the symptoms, but not the cause of the pain. This kind of treatment cannot only mask symptoms of serious disease, but can also create a cycle of chronic pain.

Not all pain though, serves a useful function. While acute pain, as described above can alert us to a serious problem, chronic pain can linger long after an ailment or injury has healed in the body. Examples of chronic pain include backache, migraines and arthritis. In these cases, pain management, as opposed to a cure, may become the goal of treatment.

The psychological effects that accompany recovery from a disease or injury heighten chronic pain. A loss of confidence is often triggered by prolonged periods of rest and inactivity that cause a loss of physical strength, endurance and flexibility. If the injury has prevented you from performing your usual duties, you may succumb to frustration and depression. Impatience is chronic pain's best friend as many individuals overexert themselves before they have completely healed, thus triggering more pain.

Various treatments can help alleviate chronic pain. Some treatments do so on a purely physical level by interfering with signals from the nerves to the brain or desensitizing the nerves. The following sections are meant to introduce you to some of the ways of dealing with pain without relying on non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, narcotics, tranquilizers or anti-depressants.

For many people, particularly those in the western world, pain relief solutions such as acupuncture, and herbal medicine are novel concepts. However, the rest of the world is probably wondering what the fuss is about, because these traditional approaches to pain relief have been around for thousands of years; Traditional Chinese Medicine, which relies on various techniques and herbs in order to balance the body’s internal energy, is over 5,000 years old.

Acupuncture: the ancient Chinese Practice of acupuncture is based on the belief that health is determined by the level of chi (vital life energy) that is in t he body. This energy is thought to move through the body through pathways called meridians, which connect to specific organs in the body. Acupuncturists insert needles into points on the body that connect to these channels to release blocked "chi" that might be the cause of pain. During acupuncture treatment, the acupuncturist inserts thin needles for anywhere from a few minutes to a half an hour into specific points on the body. This practice is thought to stimulate endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and is useful for the treatment of a variety of disorders including backache, sinus pain, jaw pain, spinal disorders, withdrawal and mental disorders.

Herbs: another important part of traditional Chinese medicine is herbal medicine. Herbs have been used for centuries for their pain relieving qualities. Here are some herbs that are recommended for common disorders:

Cramps & Spasms: angelica, cramp bar, kava, rosemary, valerian root.

Nerve Pain: capsaicin, chamomile, gotu kola, licorice, white willow.

Back Pain: hops, wood betony, passionflower.

Migraine: feverfew, linden, skullcap.

Headaches: peppermint, spearmint.

Joint pain: ginger, sea cucumber.

Meditation: meditation, which has also been practiced for thousands of years, is a conscious attempt to calm the mind so that it is not cluttered with thoughts and anxieties that might be contributing to an unnecessary belief in the existence of pain. There are hundreds of different meditation techniques, but mostly they all into three categories: concentrative, mindful and transcendental meditation. During concentrative meditation, focusing on a single sound, object or one's breath, produces tranquil mind that facilitates the production of pain-relieving endorphins. During mindful meditations, the mind is encouraged to become aware of, but not reactive to thoughts, feelings and sensations in order to achieve a tranquil state of mind.

Nutrition: eating a well balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables is thought to be the best way raise your pain threshold or resistance to pain. A deficiency in any of the main vitamins (A, B, C, D or E) can cause chronic pain. Vitamin E is used to treat joint pain. A deficiency in calcium, iron, magnesium and other minerals may also lower your pain threshold. A calcium magnesium supplement taken in a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium is thought to relieve joint pain and headaches. Manganese is a vitamin that is sometimes used for chronic headaches and neuralgia. A deficiency of the B vitamins is also thought to cause nervousness, headaches and chronic pain.

Aromatherapy: sniffing or applying essential oils is thought to change an individual's brain chemistry so that pleasurable neuro-transmitters called endorphins are released to relieve pain. Geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, peppermint, rose, rosemary and thyme are oils commonly used for this purpose.

Guided Imagery: research has indicated that bodily functions that were previously thought to be beyond conscious control, such as chronic pain, can be controlled thorough the use of visualization. Guided imagery encourages the sufferer to think in pictures that eliminate negative thoughts thus raising levels of pleasurable brain chemicals, such as serotonin, decreasing anxiety and increasing the effectiveness of the immune system. Through guided imagery, the mind conjures up mental scenes in order to better direct the body's energy. For instance, if an individual is suffering from a stabbing pain, he or she might want to imagine a knife being removed from the spot and a subsequent glowing feeling of relief. Guided imagery has been used successfully to manage the pain of headaches, sinus problems, arthritis and cancer.

Biofeedback combines a variety of relaxation methods, such as guided imagery and meditation with the use of instruments that monitor the individual's responses to the therapy. After many treatments, biofeedback is thought to train the individual to consciously regulate autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and other processes that are commonly believed to be out of our control. During a session, electrodes connected to a monitoring unit are taped to the skin. The monitor measures skin temperature, pulse, blood pressure, muscle tension and brain activity to determine the success of the relaxation technique. Eventually, over time, biofeedback can train an individual to control the pain of such disorders as TMJ, headaches and migraines.

It is difficult to imagine a world without pain; where would our poetry come from? What would divas sing about? Given that pain is probably always going to be a part of our world, it is of critical importance that we understand the various methods that exist to manage that pain. For some of us, that remedy may lie in the traditional realm, while for others it will be through prescription drugs or some other alternative. Regardless of what remedy you choose, make sure you inform yourself of the various pain treatment options open to you, and by doing so, you may just reduce the amount of suffering in your life. And isn’t that, in some respect, the goal that we all strive towards?

It is important to note that the above suggestions do not represent cures for conditions, but more represent strategies and opportunities to manage your chronic pain. It is also recommended that you consult with your health practitioner before embarking on any new pain management program.

About The Author

This article may be free published provided the link below is included with the article: www.rx-site.com/tramadol-fioricet-alternatives.html.

Chronic Back Pain

2005-08-20T15:15:00.000-04:00

by Bruce Spiegler

I had been to three different physicians. The car accident in 1990 had left me with terrible back pain. The only option offered to me was prescription medication. For three years I lived with chronic pain – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The prescription drugs helped relieve some of the discomfort, but I had to stop taking them when I began getting sick to my stomach – which was often worse than the pain itself. Time and again I thought, “This can’t be the only choice. There must be another alternative.”

It wasn’t until 3 years later that I heard about magnetic therapy from a friend, and decided to try it. With nothing to lose, I used a magnetic pad on my back during the day and slept on a magnetic mattress pad every night. Much to my surprise, after two weeks my back felt much better. After a few months, the pain was completely gone!

My wife, who had a back problem caused by herniated disks, woke up every morning with pain and stiffness. Not long after sleeping on the magnetic pad, the stiffness began to subside, and she was soon waking up pain-free as well.

Although skeptical at first, I was amazed at the effectiveness of magnetic therapy, and began to intensely investigate the field of biomagnetics. Since my initial experience, I have had the pleasure of helping many people achieve similar results, enhancing the quality of life of those suffering from chronic conditions and injuries.

Now I’d like to take the opportunity to help those of you who may be suffering from chronic back pain, and to tell you how to better prevent it.

Back pain is the number one form of pain experienced by people in the U.S. It accounts for 20% of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace, and is responsible for as much as $50 billion in diagnosis and treatment each year [1]. The National Institutes of Health estimate that 4 out of 5 Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Not a pretty picture from any standpoint.

The majority of back pain occurs in the lumbar region of the spine [2]. Here, most of your body’s weight is placed on the lowest 5 of the 24 vertebrae (bones) that make up the spine. Considering all the other muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, disks, and major nerves that are also a part of or connected to the spine, it’s no surprise that there are so many ways to injure your back as you twist and bend them [3].

Pain is considered chronic if it’s recurring, lasts more than three months, and can seemingly be stimulated by any small movement (for whatever reason) [4]. In the 21st century, we’re finally realizing that drugs and surgery are not always the answer for treating chronic pain or other musculoskeletal conditions & injuries.

The future lies in an integrative approach to promoting the body’s own healing ability by using non-invasive, safer treatments. Acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic and osteopathic care, and certain physical therapy exercises are just a few options to help with back pain.

Following an individualistic approach to treatment is key. A particular therapy that may work for one person may not work as well for another. Often it’s necessary to try a combination of treatment methods to begin feeling significant improvements.

Back Pain, Joint Pain, Knee Pain, Arthritis and a Host of Other Pain Ailments You Never Have To Suffer

2005-08-19T11:33:00.000-04:00

By Jaynne Nichols

"The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more concern than the destruction of millions of our fellow beings."
William Hazlitt [1778-1830. British Essayist]

If "The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more concern..." then what happens when we have back, knee or joint pain?

Did you know that
- 80% of Americans will battle with back pain at some point in their lives?
- 7 million people are treated for back pain every year?
- 2 million new cases of back pain are opened every year?
- $100 billion is being spent annually in medical bills, disability and lost productivity at work?

Pain and Pain Relief is of utmost concern for most of us that are in constant pain.

Why are we in Pain?

Before we can answer this question, we need to understand how the body interprets and handles pain. The pain impulse begins at the point of an injury for example a cut, burn, pinched nerve, bruised muscle etc.

Once the impulse starts, it triggers a number of bio-chemicals to be released at the site of the injury. Some of these bio-chemicals are histamine, bradykinin, prostaglandin, and Substance P. Each of these has one or more effects on the body. And many of these bio-chemicals are inflammatory -- that is they cause the injury site to swell up.

Inflammation is actually a defense mechanism for the body. Inflammation serves to bathe the injury in healing fluids and acts as a cushion to protect against further injury. However. if the inflammation is prolonged or out of control, it can cause destruction. This is what occurs in arthritis where the inflammation actually destroys the joints. Also, inflammation can serve to compound problems by actually causing pain itself.

This explains how an injury causes the body to release a number of biochemicals that can cause inflammation. Another action of these biochemicals, though, is to stimulate the nerve fibers of pain, the C fibers. (The body actually has three types of nerve fibers: A fibers. B fibers and C fibers. The main fibers which transmit the pain impulse are the C fibers.) Histamine, bradykinin, prostaglandins and the other bio-chemicals are actually the stimuli that cause the pain impulse to begin.

Types of Pain Relief

At the site of an injury, whether the problem is pain or inflammation, the pain impulse can be interrupted by:

-Decreasing the levels of the "pain" bio-chemicals or

-by blocking the nerves of pain - the C fibers.

With that in mind, it would make sense to use a painkiller that can do both of these. Aspirin and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and Motrin decrease the prostaglandins. This can result in decreased pain and inflammation, especially if the prostaglandins are the main causes.

However, aspirin and NSAIDS do not directly affect the other pain chemicals and do not affect the pain nerve, the C fiber.

Narcotics, such as Darvon or codeine, have no known effect on either the "pain" bio-chemicals or the pain nerves. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) also has no significant effect on these at usual doses. And in fact, the way acetaminophen works is not actually known.

But we also know we can interrupt the pain impulse away from the injury site, at the spinal cord. If our pain killer could also decrease the release of (or deplete the C fiber of) Substance P, the pain impulse would be blocked at the spinal cord level. Aspirin and NSAIDS have no known effect at this site. Narcotics and tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptylene or Elavil, on the other hand, actually can block the release of Substance P and stop transmission at the spinal cord level, but once again have no value in decreasing the levels of the bio-chemicals of pain.

Back Pain - How Pain Works

2005-08-18T17:36:00.000-04:00

Back Pain - How Pain Works

by Ben Plumb, Platinum Quality Author

In building a strategy for pain relief it may be helpful to understand how pain works. Here's a quick primer to help you grasp the mechanics, and show you the points where your subconscious may be able to intervene to relieve your pain.

Science doesn't fully understand how pain signals are generated in the periphery of the body and transmitted to the brain. But it knows the major mechanisms well enough to be able to identify a number of weak points where the signals could be reduced or interrupted. These can be referred to as pain leverage points.

Here's a recap of our understanding of the process based on publicly available information. It's a great oversimplification, and may not occur in all cases. But it gives you a general idea of what's happening.

This mechanism seems to be operating in back pain or pain in other extremities, arthritis pain, fibromyalgia pain, or neuropathic pain (nerve pain).

Please note that we are not medical professionals and do not provide medical or health care advice. For medical advice, please see your physician.

Note also that the material in this article is provided to help you understand the details of the pain process and how you can attempt to relieve pain by using your subconscious. But this information is optional – you don't need to read or understand any of it before attempting to use your subconscious to ease pain.

Putting and My Aching Back!

2005-08-17T13:11:00.000-04:00

by Sean Cochran

Before we describe ways to fix the lower back let us first give some suggestions to those who already have severe lower back problems. I would first suggest you see your personal physician. Always better safe than sorry. If you are someone who constantly has a sore lower back or you get up every morning with a stiff back, go see your doctor. You never know what might be going on in that lower back area. Quite possibly you may have a problem with a disk, a bone spur, or any number of serious lower back problems. I have seen a lot of these issues in my day, and I will say, number one, it always important to be under the supervision of a physician in such cases, and, number two, if you catch such lower back problems early they are much easier to treat than the ones that linger. So do yourself a favor and go see your physician before things get worse.

Now, on to how to help eliminate the lower back that tires on the back nine of your weekly round. We know from above that we are using the back “24-7” so to speak. Golfing requires the lower back to work even harder than normal. This is a result of the rotating, stabilizing, and power production required of the swing. The lower back is getting tired because it is neither strong enough nor does it have enough endurance within its muscles to support the activities you perform on a daily basis!

I am betting by now you have a pretty good idea of what to do to rid yourself of that lower back soreness. The lower back must become stronger and increase its endurance capacities. This will increase the durability of the lower back to withstand the stresses placed upon it during your daily activities. Strength can be defined as having enough force production with your muscles to perform a certain activity, and endurance is having enough energy in those muscles to do an activity over and over again. These are simplified definitions, but they work well for what we are talking about. Strength in relation to the lower back has to do with the ability to maintain postures. You must get the lower back strong enough to maintain the postures of the activities you participate in (i.e. golf). Endurance in the lower back is creating enough stored energy in the lower back muscles to do to whatever activity it is that you do over and over again without getting tired (i.e. golf swing).

The combination of strengthening the lower back and creating more endurance within these muscles creates the highest probability of the lower back staying healthy for all activities. The next question you probably have is: what are the proper exercises I should perform to get my back in better shape for golf? Take a look at our products at www.bioforcegolf.com for more information on this topic.

About the Author

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website www.bioforcegolf.com

Low Back Pain

2005-08-11T17:32:00.000-04:00

Low Back Pain

If you are experiencing low back pain, you are not alone. More than 65 million Americans suffer from low back pain every year. Back aches are the most common reason for doctor visits, after cold and flu symptoms. Fifty percent of all patients who suffer from an episode of low back pain will have another occurrence within one year.

In the vast majority of cases back pain is caused by the irritation of a nerve root near the spine, not by problems with the muscles, ligament or bone. A nerve that travels from the spinal cord through the openings between the bones of the spine gets pinched or irritated, the surrounding muscles tense up and the patient experiences low back pain.

Low back pain is widespread in our society, but the good news is that in most instances the pain ends within a few days. More serious cases of back pain are treated with anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and muscle relaxants. Surgery, a common treatment a generation ago, is now considered necessary for only a very small percentage of back pain patients.

What Is A Diskogram?

2005-08-10T18:28:00.000-04:00

What is a diskogram?

A diskogram is a special X-ray examination of the intervertebral disks of the spine. Doctors use it to determine if a damaged disk is the source of ongoing pain. Intervertebral disks are soft, cushion-like pads between the bones of your spine (vertebrae). A damaged disk may cause pain in the neck, arms, back, abdomen or legs.

During this procedure, the radiologist injects a dye into the suspected disk using X-ray guidance. The dye, which appears white on X-ray, makes the disk visible.

A diskogram works in two ways:

* It allows the doctor to check the disk for damage.
* It helps identify the source of pain. If during the injection you feel pain that's similar to your ongoing pain, the disk is likely the source of this pain.

What Research Is Being Done?

2005-08-09T18:29:00.000-04:00

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct pain research in laboratories at the NIH and also support pain research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Currently, researchers are examining the use of different drugs to effectively treat back pain, in particular, chronic pain that has lasted at least 6 months. Other studies are comparing different health care approaches to the management of acute low back pain (standard care versus chiropractic, acupuncture, or massage therapy). These studies are measuring symptom relief, restoration of function, and patient satisfaction. Other research is comparing standard surgical treatments to the most commonly used standard nonsurgical treatments to measure changes in health-related quality of life among patients suffering from spinal stenosis.

What Is The Prognosis?

2005-08-08T16:29:00.000-04:00

What is the prognosis?

Most patients with back pain recover without residual functional loss, but individuals should contact a doctor if there is not a noticeable reduction in pain and inflammation after 72 hours of self-care. Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics or other nontraumatic causes is often preventable. Engaging in exercises that don't jolt or strain the back, maintaining correct posture, and lifting objects properly can help prevent injuries. Many work-related injuries are caused or aggravated by stressors such as heavy lifting, vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward posture. Applying ergonomic principles — designing furniture and tools to protect the body from injury — at home and in the workplace can greatly reduce the risk of back injury and help maintain a healthy back.

Is There Any Treatment?

2005-08-07T15:50:00.000-04:00

Is there any treatment?

Most low back pain can be treated without surgery. Treatment involves using over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce discomfort and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation. The goal of treatment is to restore proper function and strength to the back, and prevent recurrence of the injury. Medications are often used to treat acute and chronic low back pain. Effective pain relief may involve a combination of prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies. Although the use of cold and hot compresses has never been scientifically proven to quickly resolve low back injury, compresses may help reduce pain and inflammation and allow greater mobility for some individuals. Bed rest is recommended for only 1–2 days at most. Individuals should resume activities as soon as possible. Exercise may be the most effective way to speed recovery from low back pain and help strengthen back and abdominal muscles. In the most serious cases, when the condition does not respond to other therapies, surgery may relieve pain caused by back problems or serious musculoskeletal injuries.

Taking Care of Your Back

2005-08-06T13:09:00.000-04:00

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Taking Care of Your Back

By standing on their 'hind' legs, human beings freed their hands for work and gained the dexterity to create civilizations. Since ancient days, though, people have paid the price of walking erect...with their backs.

In our modern, industrial society, back pain is the most common cause of loss of activity among adults under 45. It's estimated that over 80% of all American workers suffer back pain at some time during their careers.

And the cost, to all of us, is staggering. American industry loses billions in productivity, and consumers and insurers pay billions more for treatment.

But there's good news too. Most bad backs respond well to rest and conservative treatment. And most injuries can be prevented. This article tells how and why backs go bad, and how a licensed, professional physical therapist can help you put it right again.

Your Back

Your body depends on the spinal column for structural stability. The shoulders, rib cage and pelvis are anchored to the spine for strength and support. You also depend on the spine for mobility- the ability to twist, bend and flex your body for different activities.

The spine is constructed of 24 jointed bones, or vertebrae, stacked from the pelvis to the skull in a gentle "S"-curve. Between the vertebrae are spongy discs that cushion the bones and bond the stack together. Pairs of bony projections, called facets, connect the rear of each vertebra to form a series of interlocking joints. The column is wrapped tightly in ligaments and supported by muscle.

Openings in each vertebra align to form a protective tube, the vertebral canal, for the spinal cord. Major nerves, connecting the spinal cord with other parts of the body,