The following is a short ezine article that I posted in regards to my experiences with certain remedies for lower back pain. Feel free to comment on any aspect of this article or back pain in general.
Living With Back Pain
Back pain, mainly lower back pain is something a good percentage of Americans have experienced. Matter of fact, most Americans will experience this at some point in there life. The severity of back pain should not be overlooked and at the onset of any pain experienced from this, you should consider a doctors visit. As common as back pain has became, it is not impossible for individuals to continue on with there lives through non-surgical means.
The focus here will be to discuss common treatments and rehabilitation methods that can help alleviate back pain. While I am not a doctor, these methods are what have been successful for me. The number one piece of advice to be given would be to see your doctor, especially if the pain is severe enough, such as waking you up in the middle of the night. However, here are a few at home methods that can work.
Stretching
With back pain, no remedy will be a quick fix. Time and relaxation are key factors to help alleviate your pain. The first form of treatment and probably the best that worked for me is stretching. Some people get the false sense that a massage will work the best, but from my experiences, massage never really fixed anything.
There are basically a series of three stretches that I worked into my rehabilitation. First, while lying on your back, grasp your knee (left or right) and slowly pull it into your chest for a count of ten. Be careful, do it slow and get a good stretch. Alternate with the other leg and do three sets. Next, in the same position lying on your back, grasp both knees and do the same thing as you did before. Pull your knees up towards your chest slowly and hold for a ten count. Remember, never jerk or pull up fast, take it slow and get a good stretch. Lastly, still lying on your back, bring either knee up and grasp it with the opposite hand. Pull it slowly across your opposite thigh, while keeping your shoulder blades on the ground. You will start to feel it stretching the lower back. Do three sets for a ten count and alternate sides. These few stretches, along with a moderate exercise regime will help bring the pain down.
Heat, Ice and Massage
Heat, Ice and Massage are good methods of physical therapy to reduce back pain, but these are not long term solutions. It should be noted that proper stretching, exercise and diet are the only long term fixes for back pain. Also, hot packs and ice should only be used for about ten minutes a few times per day. I would recommend a few days of rest with the use of heat and ice and then implement your stretching and exercise program.
Hot packs will help increase blood flow to the affected area and relax your muscles. This will definitely help reduce the pain. Hot tubs, hot baths and showers can help as well. Cold packs should help with any inflammation that may be present at the onset of your injury. In the past, massage therapy has not been very successful for me, but if done correctly great results can be achieved. So, my advice here would be that if you do select massage as one of your physical therapy methods, do some research because a good one can work wonders.
In conclusion, what has been stated above is a personal experience and some remedies I have implemented to help alleviate back pain. Please remember that heat and ice fail to address the underlying physical issues, such as strength and flexibility. You can achieve a healthy lifestyle through proper exercise, stretching and good nutrition.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Sciatica
This ariticle is very informative about sciatica, of which I had problems with last year. I would recommend reading this now if you are having any problems in this area.
Sciatica - The Forgotten Cause
Sciatica can be caused by numerous factors. Most of you are aware of the Piriformis muscle that has the sciatic nerve running through or next to it. If this muscle tightens, sciatica occurs. There are also the disc irritations and joints in the lower back that can all help sciatica to occur.
However...
The most common joint to cause sciatica is seldom listed. The joint that allows sciatica to become chronic because it is rarely corrected.
The joint you use in almost every activity, whether you bend, lift, twist or even turn over in bed. This joint has no disc and hence can become inflamed and cause back pain and sciatica easily.
In most sciatica cases you are told to stretch to ease muscle tension. You are told that it is a disc and you may need surgery or at least a long rehabilitation. Yet more than 87% of all sciatica cases have this joint involved. The joint is...
Your Sacro-Iliac Joint.
The joint that attaches your sacrum (the wedge shaped bone at the base of your spine) to your pelvis. This joint is one of the main gravitational joints, meaning - all the weight of your body goes through these joints.
It is a joint that is seldom checked and often forgotten about by most practitioners, and rarely treated. Most at home exercises fail to target this joint in sciatica conditions. However if this joint is not corrected effectively, sciatica will commonly become chronic.
The Sacro-Iliac joint is not a normal joint; the sacrum itself is affected by your occiput (the back of your skull). Both of these joints move in tandem when you breathe. If this mechanism tightens then your entire spine will stiffen and especially the Sacro-iliac joints. Your meninges (the sheath covering your spinal cord) attaches into the base of your skull, has a minor attachment in the spine between your shoulder blades, and then again at the base of the spine at the sacrum/coccyx.
If this Sacro-Occipital mechanism tightens, so do the meninges. This can lead to aches and pains throughout the spine. The tightness is greatest in the lower back and leads to sciatica.
The main problem is these joints become habitually tight - as you cannot rest them as they are used almost constantly. To change these joints you need to target them at home each day and train them to work better. Treatment by a practitioner will help, but the breaking of habits requires daily, at home, techniques to train these joints to function correctly.
Something that is seldom taught by structural practitioners. Why? Your sciatica would disappear and not return. Leaving your therapist without a patient to treat for the next few years or longer. The big problem is most practitioners will not even assess this joint as being a problem in sciatica.
For you to beat sciatica and remain pain free you need to address this joint. You need to relax the tight muscles around your lower back and pelvis, improve the nerve and blood supply to the weaker muscles, improve joint function in your lower back and balance the pelvis.
However in sciatica the key is to make sure your Sacro-Iliac joints are moving correctly. Fail to do this and your sciatica may very well become chronic. Something you can avoid easily by learning simple ways to get this joint moving now!
Are you one of the over 80% of adults suffering from back pain? Then you need simple, valuable and expert advice - visit The Back Pain Advisor
Sign up for free professional back pain advice at The X-Pain Method and say goodbye to pain forever. - http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/help
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graeme_Teague
Sciatica - The Forgotten Cause
Sciatica can be caused by numerous factors. Most of you are aware of the Piriformis muscle that has the sciatic nerve running through or next to it. If this muscle tightens, sciatica occurs. There are also the disc irritations and joints in the lower back that can all help sciatica to occur.
However...
The most common joint to cause sciatica is seldom listed. The joint that allows sciatica to become chronic because it is rarely corrected.
The joint you use in almost every activity, whether you bend, lift, twist or even turn over in bed. This joint has no disc and hence can become inflamed and cause back pain and sciatica easily.
In most sciatica cases you are told to stretch to ease muscle tension. You are told that it is a disc and you may need surgery or at least a long rehabilitation. Yet more than 87% of all sciatica cases have this joint involved. The joint is...
Your Sacro-Iliac Joint.
The joint that attaches your sacrum (the wedge shaped bone at the base of your spine) to your pelvis. This joint is one of the main gravitational joints, meaning - all the weight of your body goes through these joints.
It is a joint that is seldom checked and often forgotten about by most practitioners, and rarely treated. Most at home exercises fail to target this joint in sciatica conditions. However if this joint is not corrected effectively, sciatica will commonly become chronic.
The Sacro-Iliac joint is not a normal joint; the sacrum itself is affected by your occiput (the back of your skull). Both of these joints move in tandem when you breathe. If this mechanism tightens then your entire spine will stiffen and especially the Sacro-iliac joints. Your meninges (the sheath covering your spinal cord) attaches into the base of your skull, has a minor attachment in the spine between your shoulder blades, and then again at the base of the spine at the sacrum/coccyx.
If this Sacro-Occipital mechanism tightens, so do the meninges. This can lead to aches and pains throughout the spine. The tightness is greatest in the lower back and leads to sciatica.
The main problem is these joints become habitually tight - as you cannot rest them as they are used almost constantly. To change these joints you need to target them at home each day and train them to work better. Treatment by a practitioner will help, but the breaking of habits requires daily, at home, techniques to train these joints to function correctly.
Something that is seldom taught by structural practitioners. Why? Your sciatica would disappear and not return. Leaving your therapist without a patient to treat for the next few years or longer. The big problem is most practitioners will not even assess this joint as being a problem in sciatica.
For you to beat sciatica and remain pain free you need to address this joint. You need to relax the tight muscles around your lower back and pelvis, improve the nerve and blood supply to the weaker muscles, improve joint function in your lower back and balance the pelvis.
However in sciatica the key is to make sure your Sacro-Iliac joints are moving correctly. Fail to do this and your sciatica may very well become chronic. Something you can avoid easily by learning simple ways to get this joint moving now!
Are you one of the over 80% of adults suffering from back pain? Then you need simple, valuable and expert advice - visit The Back Pain Advisor
Sign up for free professional back pain advice at The X-Pain Method and say goodbye to pain forever. - http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/help
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graeme_Teague
Be Free From Back Pain
Another nice article on alleviating back.
How to Be Free From Back Pain
There is nothing quit so debilitating as low back pain. I don't mean the kind of pain that aches and leaves you a bit sore. I'm talking about the kind of pain that takes you out of action. The kind that makes even walking hard to do.
Some people learn to live with the pain. In the morning they get up and move slowly until the stiffness is worked out. They learn to be careful picking up even the smallest things. Everyday activities become a test to see if there is some way to do even the simplest activities or not.
One reason muscles in the low back tighten up and sometimes spasm is a misalignment in the joints. Misalignments press on sensitive tissues causing pain. Muscles tense, nerves get compressed and the surrounding area becomes inflamed. With inflammation comes pain.
The most common low back issue comes from a combination of three issues. First, the fifth lumbar which is in the very lower back, goes out of alignment. Then, the illio-sacral joint which is the junction between the upper hip in the back, and the sacrum goes out of alignment. The weakness allows the spine in the low back to get compressed, even locking the vertebrae together.
The illio-sacral joint is the load-bearing connection between the upper and lower body. Most of the weight of the entire upper body rests on this joint. When there is a problem here, especially when coupled with the other two misalignments, there is no strength in the back. Usually it is quite painful.
What is the root cause of most lower back problems? That is the real question. Back problems often return, so knowing the root cause is essential in treatment and prevention.
In most cases the root issue is stress. Time off is one of the best known treatments for low back pain. However, it often returns when people return to their usual lives.
Stress injures the body by putting excess strain on the adrenal glands which produce stress hormones. As the adrenals work harder and harder, they start drawing nutrients from other areas of the body to keep up with demand. Some of the nutrients they really need are the same ones that ligaments and tendons need to keep their tone. And, the low back often is the first place go.
Dealing with the stressors is first. One of the worst ones that really harms the adrenals is sugar including honey, fruit juice, dried fruit and more. Processed carbohydrates release their sugar stores quickly, so they cause the same problems. Things like noodles, bread, chips both corn and potato and other 'health chips,' white rice, bread of any kind and just about anything that comes in a package.
Another stress factor is emotional stress. This could be caused by any intense emotional experience from work related expectations to a great loss. These issues need to be dealt with on different levels. Obviously, a release of some type is needed for the immediate issue. And, the root, often from childhood, must be dealt with.
On a physical level, emotional components can become lodged in the body. They usually cause some sort of problem like a tight muscle pulling a rib out of alignment resulting in chronic back pain. These issues can be cleared using a very gentle Applied Kinesiology technique.
Realignment is next. After the underlying issues have been cleared, it is time for realignment. Realignment is facilitated by physical manipulations that put bones in proper alignment so that the joint is fully functional.
There are different ways to realign a back and other areas of the body. One is to go to a chiropractor or an Osteopath, a medical doctor who specializes in joint manipulation. They often use forceful techniques that can cause other problems and sometimes even more pain. Not to mention the scary noises as joints are forced back into alignment. There are some though who learn and develop more gentle techniques.
Alternatively, you can learn how to adjust yourself with Self Adjusting Technique. This is a simple method of doing gentle adjustments on yourself without the forcing that is common to so many chiropractic adjustments.
Stretching can relieve back pain as well as help prevent problems. Taking a yoga class is a good way to learn stretches that will help your back. It is best to tell the instructor before the class if you have any limitations. Often they can give you an alternative pose or a variation. With time you can develop a daily practice which many people use to eliminate back problems.
Exercise is essential to good back health. Walking is one of the best exercises in the world. As well as working most every muscle in the body, walking strengthens the core muscles that support the low back.
These are just a few things that can be done for any kind of back pain. There are many other treatments available. Now more than ever, we can be proactive with our health and with our treatment possibilities. Find what works for you, and above all else, listen to your body.
Kalidasa is the developer of Self Adjusting Technique which is designed so that just about anyone can adjust their own back hips and ribs simply and without pain or cracking. Now you can be from back pain in minutes using Kalidasa's Self Adjusting Technique -- guaranteed. Go to http://SelfAdjustingTechnique.com for more information on natural back pain relief. You can find information about the downloadable book "Kalidasa's Self Adjusting Technique" at http://selfadjustingtechnique.com?page_id=7
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalidasa_Brown
How to Be Free From Back Pain
There is nothing quit so debilitating as low back pain. I don't mean the kind of pain that aches and leaves you a bit sore. I'm talking about the kind of pain that takes you out of action. The kind that makes even walking hard to do.
Some people learn to live with the pain. In the morning they get up and move slowly until the stiffness is worked out. They learn to be careful picking up even the smallest things. Everyday activities become a test to see if there is some way to do even the simplest activities or not.
One reason muscles in the low back tighten up and sometimes spasm is a misalignment in the joints. Misalignments press on sensitive tissues causing pain. Muscles tense, nerves get compressed and the surrounding area becomes inflamed. With inflammation comes pain.
The most common low back issue comes from a combination of three issues. First, the fifth lumbar which is in the very lower back, goes out of alignment. Then, the illio-sacral joint which is the junction between the upper hip in the back, and the sacrum goes out of alignment. The weakness allows the spine in the low back to get compressed, even locking the vertebrae together.
The illio-sacral joint is the load-bearing connection between the upper and lower body. Most of the weight of the entire upper body rests on this joint. When there is a problem here, especially when coupled with the other two misalignments, there is no strength in the back. Usually it is quite painful.
What is the root cause of most lower back problems? That is the real question. Back problems often return, so knowing the root cause is essential in treatment and prevention.
In most cases the root issue is stress. Time off is one of the best known treatments for low back pain. However, it often returns when people return to their usual lives.
Stress injures the body by putting excess strain on the adrenal glands which produce stress hormones. As the adrenals work harder and harder, they start drawing nutrients from other areas of the body to keep up with demand. Some of the nutrients they really need are the same ones that ligaments and tendons need to keep their tone. And, the low back often is the first place go.
Dealing with the stressors is first. One of the worst ones that really harms the adrenals is sugar including honey, fruit juice, dried fruit and more. Processed carbohydrates release their sugar stores quickly, so they cause the same problems. Things like noodles, bread, chips both corn and potato and other 'health chips,' white rice, bread of any kind and just about anything that comes in a package.
Another stress factor is emotional stress. This could be caused by any intense emotional experience from work related expectations to a great loss. These issues need to be dealt with on different levels. Obviously, a release of some type is needed for the immediate issue. And, the root, often from childhood, must be dealt with.
On a physical level, emotional components can become lodged in the body. They usually cause some sort of problem like a tight muscle pulling a rib out of alignment resulting in chronic back pain. These issues can be cleared using a very gentle Applied Kinesiology technique.
Realignment is next. After the underlying issues have been cleared, it is time for realignment. Realignment is facilitated by physical manipulations that put bones in proper alignment so that the joint is fully functional.
There are different ways to realign a back and other areas of the body. One is to go to a chiropractor or an Osteopath, a medical doctor who specializes in joint manipulation. They often use forceful techniques that can cause other problems and sometimes even more pain. Not to mention the scary noises as joints are forced back into alignment. There are some though who learn and develop more gentle techniques.
Alternatively, you can learn how to adjust yourself with Self Adjusting Technique. This is a simple method of doing gentle adjustments on yourself without the forcing that is common to so many chiropractic adjustments.
Stretching can relieve back pain as well as help prevent problems. Taking a yoga class is a good way to learn stretches that will help your back. It is best to tell the instructor before the class if you have any limitations. Often they can give you an alternative pose or a variation. With time you can develop a daily practice which many people use to eliminate back problems.
Exercise is essential to good back health. Walking is one of the best exercises in the world. As well as working most every muscle in the body, walking strengthens the core muscles that support the low back.
These are just a few things that can be done for any kind of back pain. There are many other treatments available. Now more than ever, we can be proactive with our health and with our treatment possibilities. Find what works for you, and above all else, listen to your body.
Kalidasa is the developer of Self Adjusting Technique which is designed so that just about anyone can adjust their own back hips and ribs simply and without pain or cracking. Now you can be from back pain in minutes using Kalidasa's Self Adjusting Technique -- guaranteed. Go to http://SelfAdjustingTechnique.com for more information on natural back pain relief. You can find information about the downloadable book "Kalidasa's Self Adjusting Technique" at http://selfadjustingtechnique.com?page_id=7
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalidasa_Brown
Back Pain
The following is a great article about back pain, something I know many of us experience. Have a look, it contains a nice bit of information.
BACK PAIN
There is nothing fun about back pain. Pain is the body's alert system telling you you need to change what you are doing or you are going to be seriously hurting. Pain is a messaging center that sends messages to your brain from certain organs that there is a problem. There are two major classifications in back pain. One is called neuropathic pain. It is caused by injury to nerve tissue. The other type of pain is the result of some outside force.
Before seeking help it is a good idea to find out what type of pain you are experiencing. Back pain is measured on a scale from 1 to 10. One being the lowest and ten the most intense. Scale 1 pain may go unnoticed. When a person is starts suffering enough to go to the doctor pain levels are normally around the 7 - 10 range. This type of excruciating pain becomes unbearable.
It is important that we understand the anatomy of this fragile part of the body. When the back is not well it causes a big stress on your life. Your spine is the support of your body. The series of vertebrae are lined on top of each other. These vertebrae are connected to each other by the discs that surround them. The spine is of the utmost importance because it contains the major nerves which are connected to brain. The upper vertebrae are joined to rib on right side of back. Back pain may be result of problems related to joints, ligaments and muscles straining.
Back pain can become a chronic ailment. Usually, it is only found to occur when you perform a certain type of activity. Chronic pain is often described as deep and achy. Often times the pain can be felt in the area right below the neck and just above the hip bone. There are many causes for this type of ailment.
Back pain has a tendency to be lower back pain, upper back pain, disc back pain, and/or rib back pain. Many women face back pain during their pregnancy. As we age we face more of a risk of developing back pains. Around the age of forty five is when the back starts to go.
With the advancements in medical science and technological the diagnosis of specific back pain is now possible. Normally, X-Ray's, MRI's, and CT scans are used to find what is causing the back pain. On some occasions, a bone scan is necessary. All of these methods allow the pain to be classified and treated at a much faster rate.
However, sometimes traditional treatment may be enough. There are no solutions that work 100% in curing the problem of back pain. Since the treatment is so individualized for back pain it is necessary to find out more about it. Many different factors influence the treatment. The medical history of a patient and his family helps to tell the story of the origin of the pain and the type of pain in need of relief.
Treatments are often a combination of pure medical science coupled with alternative therapies. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and physical therapy are three of the most common treatments. Pain killers are used the first weapon in the fight against back pain to give immediate relief to the patient. Anti inflammatory drugs are also used to keep the back from becoming inflamed and create extra pain.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure..." meaning that the preventive measures are more important rather than curative measures. Back pain is caused from poor posture, wrong lifting habits, not paying attention to safety measures, and lack of exercise. It is important to realize that a doctor can give treatment but the person who takes care of himself should be able to avoid crippling back pain in his elder years. It is a good idea to implement your own excercise routine, that you follow with discipline, so that you don't end up suffering unnecessarily as you grow old.
Since Back pain is so interactive with so many other parts of the body like the kidneys,hips, chest, ribs, etc. ..., it is vital that it receive immediate attention. The sooner the diagnosis the faster you will be able to start getting treatments that will lead to your overcoming of the excrutiating back pain. The treatment is normally long term, possibly gonna be something you have to deal with a few times a week for the rest of your life. Back pain is irritating making it difficult to perform even the simplest daily activities. Be sure to take care of your back now and you could save yourself a lot of pain.
Get more info on the causes and cures for different types of back pain!
http://www.Back-Pain.gilbsy.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gilbert_Hernandez
BACK PAIN
There is nothing fun about back pain. Pain is the body's alert system telling you you need to change what you are doing or you are going to be seriously hurting. Pain is a messaging center that sends messages to your brain from certain organs that there is a problem. There are two major classifications in back pain. One is called neuropathic pain. It is caused by injury to nerve tissue. The other type of pain is the result of some outside force.
Before seeking help it is a good idea to find out what type of pain you are experiencing. Back pain is measured on a scale from 1 to 10. One being the lowest and ten the most intense. Scale 1 pain may go unnoticed. When a person is starts suffering enough to go to the doctor pain levels are normally around the 7 - 10 range. This type of excruciating pain becomes unbearable.
It is important that we understand the anatomy of this fragile part of the body. When the back is not well it causes a big stress on your life. Your spine is the support of your body. The series of vertebrae are lined on top of each other. These vertebrae are connected to each other by the discs that surround them. The spine is of the utmost importance because it contains the major nerves which are connected to brain. The upper vertebrae are joined to rib on right side of back. Back pain may be result of problems related to joints, ligaments and muscles straining.
Back pain can become a chronic ailment. Usually, it is only found to occur when you perform a certain type of activity. Chronic pain is often described as deep and achy. Often times the pain can be felt in the area right below the neck and just above the hip bone. There are many causes for this type of ailment.
Back pain has a tendency to be lower back pain, upper back pain, disc back pain, and/or rib back pain. Many women face back pain during their pregnancy. As we age we face more of a risk of developing back pains. Around the age of forty five is when the back starts to go.
With the advancements in medical science and technological the diagnosis of specific back pain is now possible. Normally, X-Ray's, MRI's, and CT scans are used to find what is causing the back pain. On some occasions, a bone scan is necessary. All of these methods allow the pain to be classified and treated at a much faster rate.
However, sometimes traditional treatment may be enough. There are no solutions that work 100% in curing the problem of back pain. Since the treatment is so individualized for back pain it is necessary to find out more about it. Many different factors influence the treatment. The medical history of a patient and his family helps to tell the story of the origin of the pain and the type of pain in need of relief.
Treatments are often a combination of pure medical science coupled with alternative therapies. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and physical therapy are three of the most common treatments. Pain killers are used the first weapon in the fight against back pain to give immediate relief to the patient. Anti inflammatory drugs are also used to keep the back from becoming inflamed and create extra pain.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure..." meaning that the preventive measures are more important rather than curative measures. Back pain is caused from poor posture, wrong lifting habits, not paying attention to safety measures, and lack of exercise. It is important to realize that a doctor can give treatment but the person who takes care of himself should be able to avoid crippling back pain in his elder years. It is a good idea to implement your own excercise routine, that you follow with discipline, so that you don't end up suffering unnecessarily as you grow old.
Since Back pain is so interactive with so many other parts of the body like the kidneys,hips, chest, ribs, etc. ..., it is vital that it receive immediate attention. The sooner the diagnosis the faster you will be able to start getting treatments that will lead to your overcoming of the excrutiating back pain. The treatment is normally long term, possibly gonna be something you have to deal with a few times a week for the rest of your life. Back pain is irritating making it difficult to perform even the simplest daily activities. Be sure to take care of your back now and you could save yourself a lot of pain.
Get more info on the causes and cures for different types of back pain!
http://www.Back-Pain.gilbsy.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gilbert_Hernandez
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