My Blog About Back Pain

Benefits of an Adjustable Height Desk

2013-10-11T07:41:00.001-07:00

Benefits of an Adjustable Height Desk Benefits of an Adjustable Height Desk
By Avisha Jain
If you are wondering whether it's beneficial to invest in an adjustable height desk, you are in for a surprise. There are many health benefits as well as ergonomics as well as simple comfort. People who use adjustable height desks have been known to live longer and healthier because apart from burning more calories they also succeed in improving their circulation and lose weight more easily. You will be impressed discovering some of the very prominent benefits you will accrue from using one.
You will live longer: It is a known scientific fact those people who stand up for longer times can actually live longer than those who work while seated. You will increase your life expectancy beyond your colleagues who live a purely sedentary lifestyle. This is in addition to the fact that you will avoid the physical consequences of sitting for long periods of time that creates lots of physical harm. You will not be allowing excess fats to stay in your liver, heart, brain and many other organs. You also get to improve your muscle tone and you will not get exhausted easily. You will avoid being obese by this simple act of using a standing desk.
You burn more calories: We all know that the more calories we burn, the more health challenges we avoid in our lives. This will be another benefit we get by switching from a sitting desk to an adjustable height desk. By burning more calories you will not be accumulating any extra fat deposits. This is especially important for anyone who has been trying to cut excess weight. Studies indicate that while a person using a sitting desk will burn about 970 calories in a week, the same person will burn 1260 calories when using an adjustable height desk.
Overall health improvement: We are a generation that lives a sedentary lifestyle and with it we have inherited lots of lifestyle diseases; some of the most prevalent disease includes diabetes, which is mainly as a result of obesity and being overweight. We all know that the best way to deal with these challenges is to improve our diet and get involved in some form of physical activity. You can also improve your chances of getting physically active by using a standing desk especially when you don't get sufficient time to do any exercise.
Improved ergonomics: It is almost obvious to all of us that the sitting position is not natural and, as such, sitting for long time period is known to create some challenges including back, neck and shoulder aches. This is in addition to headaches, leg pain and cramps as well as issues to do with poor vision. Since most of us are not able to stand for an entire day, using as standing desk is the best way to oscillate between the sitting and standing positions. An adjustable height desk is a perfect ergonomic desk and it will generally help to improve your skeletal health as well as helping to improve interaction with your colleagues. You can comfortably use a standing desk at work, in your home office or even as a student since it will generally improve your life.
Change the work you work in the office, switch over to adjustable workstation and standing desks to make a world of difference to that growing sore back. For more information on companies making standing desks products visit the website.
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Avoid Back Pain When Playing the Piano

2013-01-16T23:43:00.000-08:00

ByAmee LaTour

Proper posture and body mechanics are essential to avoiding back, neck and shoulder pain. For piano players, these two essentials make the difference between suffering through your music and fully enjoying the experience.

A musician studies both his instrument and himself when developing his musical style. Part of this study for pianists should involve how you hold your body and how you interact with the piano. Proper form and ease of movement will reduce pain and improve your playing.

Piano Form

Posture is one of the main determinants of muscle tension. Posture is poor when muscles are held at abnormal lengths. The following tips will help you maintain correct posture at the piano, thereby reducing muscle tension.

1. Don't hunch over so that your face is parallel to the keys. Some do this simply because it makes it easier to see the keys; other may do so unconsciously due to the stress of concentration. Sit upright and use your eyes rather than your neck to look down.
2. Keep your shoulders low and loose. Tensing and raising the shoulders is one of the most common postural mistakes people make when they concentrate, particularly when using their arms.
3. Your forearms should be about parallel to the floor. Your elbows should be a little in front of your midline. As your move your arms up and down the keyboard, strive to keep the elbow and hand in line with each other. These postural tips will help reduce strain on the arms and shoulders.
4. When you need to reach beyond the keys in front of you, move from your hips rather than your back. This is easier to do if you sit on the front part of your bench, which frees up the hip joints since less thigh area is anchored by the bench.
5. Feet should be flat on the floor. If the feet aren't supporting the legs, the hips and lower back will have to.

Ergonomics

Your piano station should be set up with following ergonomic capacities to facilitate correct posture.

1. You must be seated high enough to allow your elbows to be positioned above the keys with the forearm almost parallel to the floor. You may choose an adjustable bench or use props such as phone books to raise your seat if needed.
2. If your feet can't reach the floor to be resting flat on it, you can use a footrest and or similar prop beneath your feet for support. Dangling feet put extra strain on the hips and lower back since they fail to support the legs.

Stretches

The above tips will help set you up for reduced muscle tension while playing the piano. It is always a good idea to stretch the body, particularly muscles subjected to the most stress. Stretching will also help you be aware of your body and give you a break form sitting. Do the following stretches before and after practices, and at 30-45 minute intervals during sessions.

1. Raise the arms above the head and slowly lower them to your sides. This helps elongate the spine.
2. Roll the shoulders backwards.
3. Clasp your hands behind your back and pull backward, opening up the chest.
4. Clasp your hands in front of your chest with palms facing outward and push out. This stretches the upper back.
5. Get down on one knee with the both knees at 90 degree angles. Lean forward. This partial lunge stretches the hip flexors, which are commonly tight in people who sit for prolonged periods of time.

Additional Resources

If you need extra instruction, consider the Alexander Technique. This program was designed to help musicians and performers obtain ideal posture and movement patterns. You may choose to train with an instructor or pursue self-study. Information on the Alexander Technique can be found at http://www.alexandertechnique.com/.

Movement therapies like yoga and Pilates help to increase body awareness and strengthen the core, a muscle group that plays a major role in maintaining proper posture. You may choose to participate in a class or study at home using online videos or DVDs for instruction.

You can by using your body correctly. The above tips will help keep the music in your life without the pain.

Education in back pain is the cheapest form of self-preservation. Learn about what causes back pain and 4 things that cause sciatic nerve pain.

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Back Pain and Your Feet: What's the Correlation Between Your Arches and Your Spine?

2013-01-15T07:01:00.000-08:00

Does your back hurt? If so, you may need to check your feet. Yes, that's correct-your feet. Your feet are your body's base-its foundation. If your body's base isn't properly supporting its foundation, there will be problems. Imperfect feet can cause knee pain, unlevel hips, and back pain. So, it's important to know which kind of feet you have and how to care for them.

There are three kinds of feet in this world: flat-footed (pronators), high-arched (supinators), and medium-arched (normal). How do you know which feet you have? You can perform a fairly reliable, simple test called the "Wet Feet" test:

Step 1: Wet the entire bottom of your feet.

Step 2: Step on a piece of paper, paper towel, or brown bag that is placed on a flat surface.

Step 3: Observe your wet footprint.

If your footprint reveals your entire foot, you are likely flat-footed. If your footprint reveals about 50% of your arch (middle of your foot), you likely have a normal arch. Lastly, if less than 50% of your foot is revealed, you probably have high-arches. Now that you know how to determine your type of arch, let's talk about what's next.

When functioning properly, the arch of your foot acts as a shock absorber. However, flat feet and high-arches do not properly function and can result in either too much or too little shock absorption. This change in arch function can result in back pain.

If you are flat-footed, you will need an arch support in your shoes. Some shoes have built-in arches that may suffice. However, an orthotic insert may be necessary in addition to a shoe's built-in arch if your arch is severely collapsed. Be aware that flat-footed people are at higher risk for chronic low back pain.

High-arched feet, or supinators, do not have enough shock absorption and are at risk for knee and low back pain. A supinator needs a soft shoe with extra cushioning to compensate for the lack of shock absorption in their arches.

Please note that if you have normal arches you, too, must be wary of your shoes. Because your arch is adequate, it is important that you do not wear shoes with built-in arches as it may have an adverse effect.

If you are unsure of your foot type or which type of shoe is best for you, seek the advice of a qualified health professional. There are numerous running shoe stores that are available to assist you in properly selecting a shoe, as well. Back pain may result from myriad issues. If your back pain doesn't resolve three weeks after you've changed shoes, seek professional help. You want to ensure your back pain isn't a result of some other factor.

Dr. Zumstein is the author of "Secrets to Preventing Back and Neck Pain: 60 Ways to Protect Your Spine," and founder of The Back Safety & Wellness Consultants. You can find his book, information about his company, or sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.backsafetyandwellness.com.

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Consult With a Spine Surgeon Before Considering Surgery

2013-01-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

If you suffer from back pain or some other condition that causes you to experience discomfort and pain on a regular basis, you may want to consider having back surgery. Keep in mind that in order for you to make the best decision as to what would work best for your situation you need to be properly informed about the pros and cons of the surgery. One way you can find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure and whether or not it can give you the amount of relief you seek is to talk to a spine surgeon.

There are several different ways you can have your surgery performed. One important factor that determines what your options are is your condition. Some options work better than others for certain conditions. It doesn't make much sense for you to have a surgical procedure that poses the most benefit for those who are dealing with upper back pain, when you have chronic pain that is centralized in the lower portion of your back. You can't afford to have any additional complications interfere with the quality of your life, so it is very important for you to consult with a spine surgeon. This person can make a proper assessment of your condition and proceed with the right form of surgery.

There is no harm in getting a second and third opinion. In fact, getting more than one doctor's advice and recommendation can actually increase the amount of knowledge you gain and enable you to make a more informed decision. You may learn something that was not covered in your meeting with another specialist, so consulting with several physicians can improve your condition as well.

Keep in mind that surgery should be considered as a last resort. Some conditions, no matter how debilitating they seem, may benefit from other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy. Even though there are millions of Americans who suffer from back pain and other conditions that cause pain and discomfort in their spinal region, there are only a small amount of people who will receive some kind of treatment to alleviate their condition. Out of that small amount of people, an even smaller portion will go on to have surgery. Keep in mind that with all of the advancements in medical technology, surgery is not as invasive as it once was. The chances of a successful outcome have greatly improved and more conditions can be treated. Recovery is much easier to cope with and does not require as much down time. A qualified spine surgeon can get your operation completed successfully in less time than in previous years.

Even though surgery may not be your first choice, it is an excellent choice if you suffer from excruciating pain, severe back trauma and nerve conditions that greatly compromise your mobility, stability and ability to control some of your motor functions. Before you make the final decision, talk to your spine surgeon about any risks that are associated with your age and situation so you can make the best decision to regain control over your body.

If you're looking for a Miami Spine surgeon, visit http://www.neurosurgicalhealth.com for more information.

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Selecting the Best Chiropractor for Pain Relief

2013-01-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

ByDr. L Ramsackal

Backaches are no joke and physiotherapy is one way that is proven a pain relief treatment. Millions of people visit chiropractors each year for relief from symptoms. Chiropractic care and acupuncture providers have many backgrounds so it is important for the patient to do their research prior to selecting a chiropractor.

Before you start your research, the best place to start is to talk to your friends. If they visit a location that administers an alternative technique to treat pain, then they will be able to give you names to start with. The number of chiropractors and other physiotherapists is continuing to grow, so if you do not have somewhere to start, you could be searching forever.

Various Techniques

Accredited schools that teach Eastern medicine put students through an intense educational program that is similar to other physicians. Those who apply chiropractic and acupuncture therapy must both pass a board exam and know several techniques to be licensed to administer medical touch. Once they learn several methods, they then can select one that they can do comfortably. The patient will need to decide whether that method is comfortable or not. If you are not comfortable, or do not get the results you are expecting, try another doctor who uses a different education.

Warning Signs

Chiropractic offices can bring relief to many symptoms on, but rarely can it fix any syndrome other than what misalignment brings. Doctors that claim they can cure disorders such as diabetes or long-term diseases should be avoided. In addition, you should be leery of any claims that want a long-term treatment plan that involves visiting more than once a week for several months. If you do not see relief within the first month of treatment program, then you need to check into a different option.

First Exam

Most therapists will have a first visit that includes an x-ray to give them a good view of your body. This is not necessary so if you are not comfortable, then find an office that does not practice photographing patients. Exams that include a view of the bones and joints will tell the doctor, however, if you have any trauma they need to treat. The picture will also show if you have a shorter leg due to your pelvis being out of alignment, or see if your spine is crooked.

After you have had a chance to talk to others and research technique, then it is time to interview chiropractic and acupuncture offices. Have a list of questions for the physiotherapist ready so you can compare different offices with the same standards. When treated properly, you can expect benefits to your overall health, energy, and stamina levels.

Physical pain and inflammation should decrease over time, but you should feel better quickly. If your needs are not met in a positive manner, do not be afraid to switch offices until you are happy.

For any of your aches, you will need to look no further to find the best chiropractor in Mississauga. We also recommended chiropractor in Mississauga services if you need acupuncture.

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Discover Back Pain Relief Using Lower Back Stretches

2013-01-10T04:55:00.000-08:00

If you've got any sort of musculo-skeletal pain, chances are your body is out of alignment. Your quest is to find out why it's out of alignment.

Here are two analogies that might help explain what's going one.

Firstly, you're out camping and someone slackens off one of the guy ropes of your tent. Likely as not, it won't take long for the whole tent to collapse.

Chances are that if you're in pain, the 'tent' is leaning over and a few of the 'guy ropes' need adjusting.

Secondly, imagine that one of the front tyres on your car is wearing unevenly. You take it to your mechanic and he recommends you replace the tyre. You know, and I know, that if all you do is replace the tyre the same thing is going to happen again.

You need to have your wheels re-aligned and the tyres balanced. It's not a five minute job.

Taking it back to the human body, in most cases when bones are out of alignment, the secret to getting them back into alignment is to do the opposite to what you'd do to straighten up your tent. You need to loosen off the muscles that have pulled bones out of alignment.

Very few people understand that this is the principle reason why they need to embark on a flexibility training program.

If you want clues as to the underlying cause of your back pain take these tests

Are the muscles on the back side of your body flexible enough to allow you to put your socks on while standing on one leg?
If they're not, you've definitely tightened up - calf, hamstring, buttock and back muscles. Crunching your lower back bones or taking a pill to mask the pain isn't going to improve your flexibility.
Can you sit against a wall with your legs straight out in front of you and your bottom close in to the wall? If you can't, you've got tight hamstrings - which are high on the list of suspects for lower back, neck and shoulder pain.
Are your buttock muscles too tight? Can you sit up straight with your legs crossed and your hands clasped behind your back? If you can't, your buttock muscles are too tight. Tight buttock muscles are also high on the list of suspects for back, neck and shoulder pain.
Can you do 20 pressups, men on their toes and women on the front of their thighs? Research shows that the best predictor of risk of lower back pain is your ability to do pressups. The reason is that while you're doing a pressup the muscles of your trunk - front, back, sides and core need to keep your trunk as stiff as a board. In fact, if you think about it, while you're doing pressups, you're also doing the 'plank' exercise, a highly recommended exercise for strengthening all the muscles that hold your back in good alignment.
Can you do 20 good situps? I do mine with my knees bent, feet under a rail and fingers behind my ears. If you can't to 20 situps the muscles on the front side of your body aren't strong enough to keep your spinal column in good alignment.
Are you more than 20Kg (that's a bit over 40 pounds) over weight? If you are, the risk of coming down with back pain are very high. It's not a matter of if, it's when.
Lastly do you have a regular and systematic strength and flexibility training program, either at home or in the gym? My research shows that people who make a point of keeping themselves strong and flexible dramatically lower their risk of back pain.

In a nutshell, if you're weak, tight, fat and you don't have a strength and flexibility training program, your back pain is definitely not due to a lack of rubbing, crunching, heating, vibrating or Voltarin.

Rushing off to the doctor isn't going to make matters any better because for most people back pain is a fitness problem, not a medical problem; and you can't solve a fitness problem with a medical solution. A lot of people tried and things only got worse. Neither Voltarin not Celebrex strengthen weak muscles or loosen tight muscles. Neither for that matter does rubbing, crunching, heating or vibrating.

The first three tests above will provide you with clues as to which stretches you need to do. The main stretches will involve muscles that are attached to your pelvis, front, back and sides, the reason being that if the pelvis is out of alignment then everything above it will be out of alignment.

In the mean time stay tuned, highly tuned, and move heaven and earth to get your body back in better alignment and strong enough to do every day tasks in comfort.

John Miller

John Miller, Canberra (Australia) based physical educator and the Director of the Musculo-skeletal Fitness Institute helps people worldwide to achieve to relief from musculo-skeletal pain. You can discover more helpful information about how you can achieve back pain relief naturally by downloading a free emergency handbook and free newsletters at http://www.globalbackcare.com

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Natural Supplements For Pain Relief

2013-01-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

ByMichael Bennet

Is Joint Pain Ruining Your Life?

Many diseases and conditions can cause joint pain, these may include arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis and fibromyalgia. You can help to eliminate or reduce your chronic pain by identifying the type and cause of joint pain you have.

There are various causes of joint pain and the treatment is also various from one patient to another. Like any kind of therapy, your reaction to a given medication is not actually how another individual will respond. Some individuals may not do well with one medication but do excellent with another. The symptoms and the causes also are a deciding factor for what treatment should be used.

Natural remedies for pain relief

Most victims of arthritis and joint pain often turn to the natural herbal remedies for pain relief when other pain relief methods fail. More and more sufferers are trying out natural pain relief methods successfully which is the prior reason why other victims are trying this route as well.

Alfalfa- this herb is loaded with magnesium, calcium and many other important nutrients. It is a great way to acquire the nutrients that your body needs to combat inflammation. It also reduces the acid level in the body.

Angelica Dong Quai - has anti-swelling properties and is also used to lessen pain. It can be consumed as a tea for some weeks. Not suggested for constant usage.

Turmeric- contains a substance that gives this herb yellow color. Studies have shown that it offers relief from difficulty and swelling of the joints without any side effects that cause intestinal distress.

Black Cohosh Viburnum- is a strong herb with properties similar to aspirin and is used to decrease pain and irritation.

Ginger- it is a unique tasting spice, also sold in the form of supplement that has anti inflammatory properties useful for curing arthritis.

Horsetail- is rich in minerals, selenium and silica that are important in supporting and strengthening the connective tissue.

Warm water- warmness is very helpful for joint pain. You can take a shower or put warm water over the affected area. It reduces the joint pain.

Eucalyptus Oil- this performs really well for many people. Just rub the eucalyptus oil over the location to help relieve the pain. To improve the efficiency you can implement a heated hand towel to the place which allows the oil to penetrate through and decrease the ache.

One can try these natural remedies at home and see the difference in their lives.

Online Herbs is the most reliable and leading online herbal store having over Satisfactory 5000

Shoulder Blade Pain Causes

2013-01-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

Do You Suffer From Back Pain When Sitting?

2013-01-05T02:49:00.000-08:00

How to Banish Your Back Pain For Good

2013-01-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Some Mobility Products That Could Help You Cope Better With Daily Back Pain

2013-01-01T17:25:00.000-08:00

6 Key Concepts for Your Core Training Workouts

2012-12-31T00:43:00.000-08:00

A Brief Guide to Home Products Which Will Assist in the Lives of Back Pain Suffers

2012-12-29T08:01:00.000-08:00

What Are Some Drug-Free Ways to Deal With Lower Back Pain?

2012-12-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

Back Pain Symptoms - First Look For The Underlying Cause Of The Problem

2012-12-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

MELT: Natural Movement Therapy For Back Pain

2012-12-24T05:55:00.000-08:00

Exercises For Back Pain Relief

2012-12-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

Prevent Back Pain From Raking

2012-12-20T20:31:00.000-08:00

What You Should Know If You Have Neck or Back Pain

2012-12-19T03:49:00.000-08:00

Why Your MD May NOT Be the Best Choice for Your Back Pain

2012-12-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

From time to time I will get on Facebook and notice that a friend has some sort of back pain and they are wondering what they should do. This morning I saw this one:

"So I have this sharp pain in my lower back and left hip that knocks me down if I don't handle it right. I can stand just fine, but sitting, lying down, bending, squatting, turning, and walking are killer. My face is developing permanent grimace lines. I don't have to go to a chiropractor, do I?"

The comments section will fill with the advice of well-meaning friends. Ice it then heat it. Heat it then ice it. Go see a chiropractor. Go see an acupuncturist. Don't see and acupuncturist or a chiropractor. Come to my Yoga class. You need surgery. You have sciatica. Physical therapy is the answer.

It's almost as if the flurry of advice compounds the problem instead of making it better. Like I said before... well-meaning friends... but what is somebody to do when they are faced with all of these options? Well I really just want to comment on the piece of advice that irks me the most which is probably one of the least productive things you can do. That is: Go to your MD. They can decide if this is something minor that can be handled by a chiropractor or if it is serious and needs surgery.

People who give this advice operate under the false assumption that MDs have a lot of training in diagnosing or treating back pain. The truth is that there is very little training on musculoskeletal (that is muscle and joint) conditions in medical school. Unless an MD receives specific orthopedic or sports medicine training then their training is very basic. When I receive a referral from a medical doctor or review chart notes by an MD treating a low back pain case the most common diagnosis they use is code 724.2 which is the code for "Low Back Pain". Yes that's right. You go to the MD and tell them you have low back pain and they diagnose you with... low back pain. Usually this only costs you a couple hundred bucks. There are dozens of more specific ways to diagnose back pain but MDs typically don't have the training to identify the different types.

Shocked? I'm not just picking on MDs. They know this themselves. A 1999 survey of the Steering Committee on Collaboration among Physician Providers Involved in Musculoskeletal Care revealed that the percentages MDs who felt adequately prepared to physically assess problems of low back pain was 31%. See what I'm saying? The problem is that most MDs would never let you know that they didn't feel confident about treating your back pain. They are trained in school to appear confident regardless of the challenge. As a result we expect them to have all of the answers when we have a problem. You can see though that less than 1/3 of them do.

As a result they tend to offer the riskiest and least effective treatment methods with comparison to what they have labeled "Complementary and Alternative" methods. Narcotics are routinely prescribed to cover low back pain symptoms without thought or attempt to ascertain the actual cause of the problem. Some patients risk drug interactions, adverse reactions and even addiction. Over-the-counter drugs also pose significant risks as NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aleve, and advil which kill about 16,000 people every year. MDs also frequently order unnecessary and expensive tests such as MRI for simple problems. Meanwhile much safer and more effective therapies such as Chiropractic or Osteopathic Manipulation are considered a second tier option by MDs for treating back pain? It is time to switch our thinking about the role of these therapies when it comes to musculoskeletal conditions. Or more to the point, drugs and surgery need to be considered the alternative treatment methods.

As a Doctor of Chiropractic my primary training is in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. To become a chiropractor requires thousands of hours in the study, diagnosis and treatment of these problems. In all my years of practice I have never diagnosed a low back condition as 724.2 - Low Back Pain. Let's be honest. You can diagnose yourself with that for free. Because of my training I know when to order an X-Ray, MRI or refer for surgery. I know the difference between a simple strain, a disc injury or even evidence that the problem could even be cancer. My treatments carry a very low level of risk and chiropractic is consistently rated as the treatment method with the highest level of patient satisfaction for low back pain. When you have back pain you want an expert. Typically, that is not your MD. Don't get me wrong... MDs are great at many things but for low back pain you have much better options.

So in the future, if you want to help a friend you can post a link to this post in the comments. You'll be doing them a favor!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Jason Young, DC is the founder and chiropractor of Body of Health Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Corvallils, OR. Dr. Young is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and enjoys treating and training athletes of all sports and skill levels. Body of Health is a high quality wellness center which focuses on treating families, athletes, and people with a wide variety of conditions and attitudes about health. Using some of the latest techniques in chiropractic, massage and evidence based care Body of Health is a one-stop solution to your health needs because YOUR Health Matters!.

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Getting Help for Low Back Pain

2012-12-15T18:25:00.000-08:00

Low back pain is something that afflicts millions of people, to include children and teenagers, as well as adults. When it comes to this type of pain, there are a number of challenges. For one thing, back pain can be caused by many different things and on reach several levels of intensity. In addition, the back is used to perform multiple daily tasks such as bending, twisting, lifting, coughing, sneezing, and much more.

To treat all the different problems that involve the lower back, an individual has multiple possibilities for treatment. However, the only way to get relief from pain and address the underlying cause is with a firm diagnosis but to avoid aggregating the problem, it would be essential to undergo the right treatment.

Along with treatment, there are things an individual could do to prevent injury and reduce risk of developing certain health conditions. We wanted to take the opportunity to address some of the causes of low back pain but also safe and effective treatment options available today.

Onset of Back Pain

Although pain can develop in virtually any part of the body, it is most common in the lower region of the back because of an intricate structure that consists of tendons, muscles, soft tissue, and extremely sensitive nerves and nerve roots. The lower back is also comprised of both small and complex joints, along with spinal discs filled with a gel-like fluid.

If at any time one or more of these components becomes irritated or damaged, pain would ensue. Of course, the type and level of pain would depend on the part of the structure involved but also the exact cause, which would dictate the proper treatment. Pain can develop from strain associated with overuse, as well as twisting, bending, or lifting incorrectly. However, pain can also be the result of a car accident, bad fall, or some other trauma.

Some of the underlying health issues that lead to lower back pain include the following:

Degenerative Disc DiseaseHerniated DiscLumbar RadiculopathyOsteoarthritisSacroiliac Joint DysfunctionSciaticaSpinal StenosisSpondylolisthesisSubluxation

In addition to the above, there are certain risk factors for back pain. For instance, age, obesity, and poor posture would increase risk of experiencing pain and but also decrease mobility. By making healthy lifestyle choices and going through special exercises, a person can often overcome pain without any further assistance but for persistent or worsening pain, it would be essential to get proper treatment.

We also wanted to point out that if any of the following symptoms were to accompany pain, immediate medical attention would be warranted.

Medium to high feverChillsSignificant weight lossLeg weaknessIncontinenceSevere abdominal pain

Appropriate Treatment Options

As mentioned, the exact treatment would depend largely on actual cause or health risk involved although there are many problems that can be prevented. While conventional medicine is one option, chiropractic care should also be considered for many back issues.

When taking a more conventional approach, medication to reduce both pain and inflammation would likely be prescribed. In addition, physical therapy, cognitive/behavioral therapy, and biofeedback are often used. Now, for more serious conditions, the solution could involve a minor surgical procedure or full-blown surgery.

As an alternative, chiropractic care comes highly recommended. According to the latest statistics, approximately 22 million people in the United States see a chiropractor to achieve pain relief. Chiropractic care takes two very distinct approaches to include regular visits as a means of preventing back trouble and going through specialized treatments to produce relief form pain and inflammation.

Using hands-on spinal adjusting alone or coupled with other treatments as part of chiropractic care, the body's musculoskeletal structure can be perfectly aligned. With the spinal column and components in proper balance, the body has the ability to heal on its own. However, spinal adjusting is also used to restore mobility and function. On a final note, there are patients with low back pain that get the best results from a combination of chiropractic care and conventional medicine.

Dr. Rick Galla, Chiropractor. Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek care from a chiropractor. Isn't time you went to a chiropractor to have your spine checked for the cause of your problem and stop covering up your symptoms with medication? Please visit my office to get the expert care you need.

For more information and internet specials contact our office at http://gallachiropractic.com or http://topencinitaschiropractor.com

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6 Short And Effective Back Pain Relief Tips

2012-12-14T01:43:00.000-08:00

Many individuals have problems with back pain each year. Do you think you're one of them?

Below are 6 back pain relief points for your information. You could try them out, and see if they meet your needs.

1 - Sleep on a Good Mattress

If you believe you're "sleeping wrong," or in case you are inflexible and even achy when you get up each morning, the issue is possibly musculoskeletal and relatively simple to cope with. You may help your body out by trying to adjust positions, thus taking strain off certain muscle groups. A bed mattress that's nor too fluffy nor too hard helps prevent your body from arching and sinking and preserves excellent posture if you find yourself lying down. Water pillows are excellent as you'll be able to let water out to get the perfect size. It is a myth that sleeping without a pillow is better for you - this may be quite as bad as sleeping with too many pillows.

2 - Watch Your Posture

Sitting in the identical position for a long time is the major culprit here - always try to get up to reduce tension right after working at a personal computer.

An upholstered chair that has a seat pillow which equally redirects your weight can help individuals who may have a herniated disc, piriformis syndrome (pain within the butt) together with different types of bursitis.

3 - Sleep Sideways

Sleeping on your side is more effective for your back since it yields less curvature in the spine. In the event you sleep on your back, place a cushion underneath your knees. Investigation shows that a reasonably firm bed mattress may usually provide greater level of comfort compared to a soft or quite firm bed mattress.

4 - Sleeping Behaviors

During the night or whenever you rest, sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. In case your price range enables getting a completely new bed mattress, don't be afraid to "test drive" a couple of choices.

5 - Stress And Back Pain

Even though it is normally acknowledged that emotional stress and also mental factors could make just about any back pain problem more intense, the very idea of "stress-related" back pain takes this concept one step further. It must be stressed that despite the fact that subconscious factors could be causing the physical signs and symptoms, the symptoms are certainly not fictional. Anxiety reduction activities can include pilates, meditation, biofeedback, tai chi, along with guided photographs.

6 - Top off on Specialized Cushions

The benefit of specific back cushions offered by pharmacies, catalogs along with numerous web sites online is usually that they help remind the sitter to pay attention to posture in the thoracic spinal column by sitting up in a straight however comfortable position, they may serve you well at the gym as well. Gel cushions are usually good for piriformis syndrome and muscle spasm in the bottom; a person I saw the other day kept hers with her 5 times per week throughout her time spent at the gym.

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Treating SI Joint Dysfunction in Children

2012-12-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

ByAmee LaTour

Children with sharp, one-sided lower back pain that travels down the buttocks may be suffering from sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction. The condition is often caused by rigorous sports play in youth and is far more common in girls, given the general looseness of the developing female pelvic girdle.

The SI joints attach the large hip bones to the spine on each side. They typically allow for very little movement; SI joint dysfunction occurs when too much or too little movement is allowed. The repeated stresses of activities like dance or track and field, or impact injuries from sports like football or softball, can cause the joint to be either dislodged or locked in place.

SI joint dysfunction can be identified either by injecting a numbing agent into the joint to see if it stops the pain or by an assessment in which the child performs certain movements and indicates pain to an observing professional trained to identify SI joint dysfunction through movement patterns. This condition is increasingly thought to be a prevalent and overlooked cause of back pain in adults. It may also be prevalent among young people, whose bodies are still developing.

It may be frightening to imagine a child with a misaligned joint, but SI joint dysfunction may be very easily and safely treated among youth. One study sought to test the effectiveness of muscle energy technique in the realignment of the SI joint. Put simply, muscle energy technique involves the patient using his or her muscles to push against a counterforce. In the study, youth diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction did hip extension and flexion exercises while a physical therapist provided resistance. From a supine position, each patient first attempted to straighten their affected side's leg as the therapist resisted; this engaged the gluteus maximum muscle in the buttocks and pulled back on the pelvis. If this didn't realign the joint, the patients would attempt to re-bend the leg as the therapist resisted; this engaged the iliopsoas in the front of the hip and pulled the pelvis forward.

By using simple muscle engagement to change the position of the pelvis, 80% of the study's participants experienced significant relief of painful symptoms. 53% had complete, immediate resolution of pain. Average pain scale scores dropped nearly 4 points (within a 10-point scale) post-treatment. Of the 20% (9 patients) who did not experience relief, 2 had a spinal condition and 3 had histories of spinal surgeries. The full study can be viewed at http://thejns.org/doi/full/10.3171/2012.2.PEDS11220?prevSearch

A Note to Super Teacher

2012-12-10T16:19:00.000-08:00

If you're a teacher then you probably how hard a job like that can be on your back. There is a lot of bending to help students, standing for hours at a chalk board or lecturn, or dozens of other tasks that may send you crying to the chiropractor. I have been a teacher before. I have taught everything from Sunday School to College classes and BOY! I do not miss the sore back! Here are a few tips that may help you out:

If you are helping a student at their desk then try squatting, kneeling or lunging next to the desk. This way you are able to keep your back straight and that is less stressful. When you keep your spine straight then your vertebrae stack on each other and the discs in between them deal with the force of gravity. When you are leaning over then your muscles and ligaments are trying to keep you up which can be stressful. Also this is good for the students. You get down to their level rather than looming over them which establishes a better rapport.
Wear comfortable shoes! This can make a HUGE difference in how your back feels. Avoid anything with an elevated heel or a narrow toe. Good shoes will allow your feet to help you maintain good posture and these muscles will help you balance too rather than overworking your low back muscles to keep you going.
Take some breaks. I don't mean that you need to hit the teacher's lounge for 15 minutes at a time. But when I was teaching I would stand and lecture for a while and then I would sit on a stool and lecture for a while. I would move around the room to allow my body a chance to move. So take frequent breaks from being stuck in the same position all day. When students are doing group work, individual work or between classes that is a good time to do some pain free range of motion stretches with the neck and low back. Bend forward, back, rotate side-to-side and lean to the sides avoiding pain. This keeps you from tightening up. I would even have my classes take a break sometimes and stretch with me. It is good to the students too!

These simple tips can help you have a happy and healthy school year. Your back will thank you and your students will too!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Jason Young, DC is the founder and chiropractor of Body of Health Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Corvallils, OR. At Body of Health we take normal people and make them feel extraordinary.

Visit the website today: www.YourBodyofHealth.com

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Exercise and Back Pain

2012-12-08T23:37:00.000-08:00

ByRick Franks

Back pain. We've all suffered from it at least one time in our lives. And having experienced that pain, we all know just how debilitating it can be in our every day lives, not to mention completely eliminating our exercise workouts. The problem with back pain too is, once you've experienced it, you can bet you will be plagued with it again.

There are ways however, to help prevent and eliminate back pain. The first thing I recommend is to see a Chiropractor. A Chiropractor can make sure you spine in aligned, remove nerve interference and make sure your disks are where they are supposed to be. This will help reduce your back pain in a very short time.

The next thing I recommend is strengthening your abdominal muscles. The abdominal muscles hold the pelvic girdle in place and help align the spine properly. If your abdominal muscles are weak, you will potentially put too much pressure on your spine during even your most simple day to day activities. That pressure can cause a pinched nerve or a slipped disk, resulting in lots of back pain and reduction in quality of life.

When deciding on abdominal exercises, be sure to choose the ones that focus on contracting the abdominal muscles. And be sure to perform the exercise properly. An example of not performing the exercise properly would be, using momentum when doing crunches. If you use momentum when doing crunches, you aren't contracting the abdominal muscle enough when lifting your shoulders, therefore that exercise isn't as effective as is should be and you can potentially put undue pressure on your spine.

If you have a chin up bar, you can attach arm straps to it and perform leg lifts. There are several different abdominal exercises you can do with those. Gravity boots allow you to really target your abdominals as well. The slower you perform the exercise the better.

A word of caution with the gravity boots though, if you are a heavy person and you hang from your ankles, you could be putting too much pressure on your knees. So keep that in mind when choosing your exercises.

If you like to run/jog and you are suffering from back pain, think about switching to an elliptical trainer. It will greatly reduce the impact on your spine. If however, you just prefer to run, then be sure to reduce the amount of time you are running until your back is no longer causing you pain. Consider briskly walking instead of running while you are recuperating from back pain. When you are finally free from back pain, you can slowly increase your running duration.

Remember, once you strengthen your core muscles, you reduce the potential for injuring your spine. Strong core muscles will also make your recovery from back pain go much faster. You will be amazed at how much better your back will feel if you see a Chiropractor to make sure your spine is aligned and strengthen your abdominals to make sure your spine is protected.

Yours in health,

Dr. Rick

http://www.EyeCatchingAbs.com
http://www.EyeCatchingAbs.org

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