Back Pain Treatment

Stop Back Pain With Pilates

February 15, 2011

Whilst back pain is one of the most debilitating conditions today, there are options available to a sufferer and Pilates is fast becoming one of the most recognised natural cures for the condition. Regular Pilates exercises will not just assist the fight against back pain but also lead to a more supple body and a healthier life.

The incidence of back pain can appear anywhere along your spine, leading to the development of neck, mid-back, and lower back pain. The most common causes are muscle spasms, sprains or strains of tendons or ligaments, herniated discs, or a variety of degenerative disorders related to the spine.

Back pain often occurs due to muscle imbalances or weakness in your body. One of the secrets to ensure relief from back pain is to undertake regular sessions of stretching and core strenghtening excercises. Hamstring tightness is a common cause of back pain. Pilates is a recognised method of exercise where the muscles are both soothed and strengthened when performed correctly. Or have you thought about undertaking simple stretching exercises to strengthen muscles and improve your body’s flexibility?

If chronic back or neck pain is suffered, it is very important to have undertaken a medical examination in order to eliminate serious structural issues with your spine. Both X-rays and MRI scans of the affected areas can assist in determining the most effective treatment. If you suddenly experience any unusually symptoms with your back pain, it is best to seek medical attention immediately.

It is advised that pain killers should not be seen as anything more than a very short term remedy for suppressing back pain. While these drugs may provide temporary relief, they do not help resolve your condition and may cause unwanted side-effect or develop into chemical dependency. In contrast, by undertaking Pilates exercises, you will achieve natural relief from back pain

There are many Pilates exercises that can help as there are over 300 to choose from starting from elementary introductions for the beginner through to advanced techniques for the more experienced. Pilates can be undertaken by anyone, whether young or old, supple or stiff. It is not the sole preserve of the fit and healthy. In fact, athletes are turning to the advantages of Pilates far more as a means of strengthening muscles in order to prevent injury and to ensure adequate suppleness.

Don’t forget that the way you stand and sit places significant strain on your back. This can lead to back and neck pain if you are not aligned properly. You should try to always maintain a natural spine position. You should consider a lumbar support cushion placed on your car seat or anywhere that you sit for extended periods of time. It is important to ensure that any mattress provides adequate support when you sleep; often, an old mattress that has lost support can lead to back pain. By adopting these easy solutions plus undertaking Pilates exercises by yourself or in a class should be enough for you to become more mobile, achieve greater flexibility in your joints and attain relief from back pain.

Michael Tasker

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What is Chronic Back Pain

February 12, 2011

There are some simple things you can to do to help yourself if you suffer from chronic back Pain and you have probably tried many of these. First of all, be careful how you bend, especially if you have to pick something up off the floor. Don’t bend over! Get right over the top of the article, bend your knees, lift up one corner first, then the other side. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to lift doing it this way. It is called the power lift and it works.

How about when we don’t do it right or it just goes out? First of all, ICE! Ice always worked the best for me to get it feeling better quicker. An ice pack wrapped in a hand towel and you lay on it on the floor for twenty minutes every hour.

Now, while you are on the floor, GENTLY bring your knees up toward your stomach,
DO NOT ROCK. Let your legs back down and bring them up again, very slowly and gently. This will stretch your back muscles which is what you need because most likely they are all knotted up.

Yoga for Back Pain

The basic strength of yoga lies in its stretching of muscles and joints and then holding it in position combined with scientific breathing technique. This, coupled with the relaxing breathing techniques reduces strain on muscles and joints, occasionally helping repositioning of tendons and muscle fibbers. Get moving, remember that if you have to stand or sit in one position for a long time, then try to change the position at least every 15-20 minutes.

Since yoga postures aim to strengthen the spine as well as lengthen and stretch muscles, it can be ideal for many back Pain sufferers. If you experience back Pain and it keeps you from enjoying many of life’s activities, then try yoga for back pain and finally live life as you once did. Anyone looking for relief from back pain and or neck pain needs to turn away from the medicine cabinet and practice yoga.

Physiotherapy to Treat Back Pain

Low back pain, back pain, lumbar pain, spinal pain, all are names for the troublesome and very common problem which affects many of us at certain times in our lives. Physiotherapists assess and treat large number of back pain patients every day and have various treatment techniques to help this condition.

Back pain is rarely an indication of serious underlying medical condition such as cancer, infection or arthritic disease but the physiotherapist needs to be sure he or she is dealing with a non-serious back pain.

Spinal pain usually reduces the normal movements the patient is able to perform and this pattern of movement loss gives an indication of the kind of lumbar problem. The range of lumbar flexion is often reduced with the lumbar spine staying stiff and with pain during the movement or at the end of the available range. The other spinal movements are also tested, with the physio also checking the muscle reflexes, muscle strength, hip ranges of movement, sacro-iliac joints and the skin sensibility. The physiotherapist will palpate the spinal joints, gathering information about the stiffness or pain reactions of the lumbar segments.

Rich jammes

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Acid Reflux And Back Pain – Options For Relief

February 9, 2011

The Worst of Both Worlds

You have acid reflux. Now to add insult to injury, you have back pain too! People who suffer from acid reflux often feel helpless to do anything to find relief from their pain, but to add back pain as well, sometimes it just too much. However, if you are one of the people who suffer from both acid reflux and back pain, do not give up hope, for there are solutions available to you. It will just take a little personal research to learn about what they are and which one is best for you.

Your Options

The Answer May Already Be In Your Kitchen

According to acid reflux and back pain sufferers, one of the best treatments for acid reflux is a very simple remedy – vinegar! Vinegar is a natural and safe way of treating both acid reflux and back pain. You simply drink a tablespoon of vinegar each day, preferably in the morning. This helps to reduce acid reflux by basically counteracting the overproduction of acid in your stomach.

For those who thing they may not have the stomach (or the tastebuds) for vinegar, apple cider vinegar can replace the regular vinegar. With the apple cider vinegar you take about one tablespoon before each meal. Using the vinegar method to treat acid reflux, you should begin to see results within a few weeks, although some people state they notice relief after only a few days. However, it is important to continue to take the vinegar on a daily basis, even after you begin to notice improvement. Otherwise your pain and acid reflux may return.

Or It May Be In Your Medicine Cabinet

For those who prefer the drug store treatment of acid reflux, another method is to combine antacids and pain medication for the relief of both the acid reflux and the back pain. The antacids will work for the acid reflux by neutralizing acid in the stomach, while the pain medication will offer relief from the back pain. In general, antacids are a gentle medication and can usually be taken safely in conjunction with other medications. However, be sure to consult with your doctor to determine which antacid/pain reliever combination is best for your particular condition.

For specific back pain relief, there are several over-the-counter options as well as prescription drugs that are now available. Some of the most commonly used ones are acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These over-the-counter medications tend to show results in a few days. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant you should not take ibuprofen. Be sure and talk with your doctor in detail before taking any other pain medications.

Prescription pain medications and muscle relaxants may also be used, but these should not ever be considered as a long term solution, and if used for a prolonged period of time they may actually end up making the condition worse.

Choosing The Right Option for You

As difficult as it is when you are suffering from both acid reflux and back pain, try to maintain a positive outlook. There are effective solutions available, it may just be a matter of time and trial and error before you find the method or combination that works best for you. It is also extremely important to consult a medical professional rather than try to diagnose and treat yourself. A medical professional will be better able to asses and diagnose your condition and determine which specific combination of medications or treatment would be most suitable for you. It is also important to stay in close contact with your physician, so that they can track your progress and make any changes necessary for your overall recovery and health.

Stefani Padilla

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Acid Reflux And Back Pain – Options For Relief

February 6, 2011

The Worst of Both Worlds

You have acid reflux. Now to add insult to injury, you have back pain too! People who suffer from acid reflux often feel helpless to do anything to find relief from their pain, but to add back pain as well, sometimes it just too much. However, if you are one of the people who suffer from both acid reflux and back pain, do not give up hope, for there are solutions available to you. It will just take a little personal research to learn about what they are and which one is best for you.

Your Options

The Answer May Already Be In Your Kitchen

According to acid reflux and back pain sufferers, one of the best treatments for acid reflux is a very simple remedy – vinegar! Vinegar is a natural and safe way of treating both acid reflux and back pain. You simply drink a tablespoon of vinegar each day, preferably in the morning. This helps to reduce acid reflux by basically counteracting the overproduction of acid in your stomach.

For those who thing they may not have the stomach (or the tastebuds) for vinegar, apple cider vinegar can replace the regular vinegar. With the apple cider vinegar you take about one tablespoon before each meal. Using the vinegar method to treat acid reflux, you should begin to see results within a few weeks, although some people state they notice relief after only a few days. However, it is important to continue to take the vinegar on a daily basis, even after you begin to notice improvement. Otherwise your pain and acid reflux may return.

Or It May Be In Your Medicine Cabinet

For those who prefer the drug store treatment of acid reflux, another method is to combine antacids and pain medication for the relief of both the acid reflux and the back pain. The antacids will work for the acid reflux by neutralizing acid in the stomach, while the pain medication will offer relief from the back pain. In general, antacids are a gentle medication and can usually be taken safely in conjunction with other medications. However, be sure to consult with your doctor to determine which antacid/pain reliever combination is best for your particular condition.

For specific back pain relief, there are several over-the-counter options as well as prescription drugs that are now available. Some of the most commonly used ones are acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These over-the-counter medications tend to show results in a few days. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant you should not take ibuprofen. Be sure and talk with your doctor in detail before taking any other pain medications.

Prescription pain medications and muscle relaxants may also be used, but these should not ever be considered as a long term solution, and if used for a prolonged period of time they may actually end up making the condition worse.

Choosing The Right Option for You

As difficult as it is when you are suffering from both acid reflux and back pain, try to maintain a positive outlook. There are effective solutions available, it may just be a matter of time and trial and error before you find the method or combination that works best for you. It is also extremely important to consult a medical professional rather than try to diagnose and treat yourself. A medical professional will be better able to asses and diagnose your condition and determine which specific combination of medications or treatment would be most suitable for you. It is also important to stay in close contact with your physician, so that they can track your progress and make any changes necessary for your overall recovery and health.

Stefani Padilla

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Insider Secrets to Find the Cause of Your Back Pain Now

February 2, 2011

During my 17 years practicing medicine, patients and friends constantly ask me:

“What is the most likely cause of my Back pain?”

I’ve written this simple guide for people who have the same question in mind.

The commonest type of Back pain is caused by tears or strains to ligaments, tendons or muscles around the lower spinal cord. The underlying factors are straining, poor posture, incorrect lifting and inactivity. The pain usually appears 36-48 hours after the strain or can be gradual in onset. The symptoms can be mild to moderate depending on the level of injury.

Herniation of a vertebral disc may be associated with back pain and also sciatica…shooting pain down the back of one leg. It is most often seen in people in their 30′s and 40′s but can also occur in the elderly. The condition is caused by underlying disc degeneration. This can lead to a gradual rupturing of the disc and Herniation of the disc contents. This process can be exacerbated by physical straining or exercise. The sciatica occurs when the disc contents press on the neighboring spinal nerve. The pain, which can be very severe, may be associated with numbness or tingling in the area supplied by that nerve (dermatome).

Facet Joint Arthropathy can result from arthritic changes, degeneration or trauma to the facet joints of the vertebral bodies of the spine. These joints are normally covered with cartilage and lined by synovial membranes. Arthritis leads to wear and tear of the cartilage and inflammation of the membranes. This leads to grating movements between the two facet joints. This type of back pain is worsened by torsion or elongation of the spine. The pain is normally well localized and may spread to the buttocks.

Narrowing of the spinal canal (Spinal Stenosis) is more commonly seen in the elderly. It is secondary to vertebral degeneration. It may also occur with infection, trauma, tumors and arthritis of the spine and with bony spurs and disk herniation. It can progress to severe spinal cord injury. It is associated with back pain as well as pain, numbness and weakness of the buttocks.

Radiculopathy (‘a pinched nerve’) is associated with back pain and pain, numbness, weakness and tingling of the legs. It occurs when inflammation of a spinal nerve is caused by pressure or friction. The underlying factors can be tumors, bony spurs, disc herniation, and fractures of the vertebrae. The presence of muscle weakness in the legs as well as pain in the back… indicates severe symptoms. In such cases you should seek a doctor’s advice immediately.

Tumors of the spine, whether they originate in the spine or spread from distant organs, can cause terrible back pain through pressure on the nerves and spine. Chronic persistent pain despite treatment is suggestive although not diagnostic of a spinal tumor. Be suspicious when such pain is associated with generalized signs of cancer such as weight loss, loss of appetite and tiredness.

Infection of the spinal cord or surrounding tissues causes pressure on the spine and can result in severe back pain and loss of function of the affected spinal nerves. Examples include spinal meningitis and osteomyelitis.

Pathology of the vertebrae of the spine can cause pressure on the spinal nerves, inflammatory conditions and degeneration. Examples include osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by pain in the back and stiffness. This stiffness is more pronounced in the morning as is not helped by rest. There may also be pain in the shoulders, neck and mid-spine. Osteoporosis ( low bone mass) leads to fractures. Fractures cause sudden severe back pain localized to the area of the fracture. Osteoarthritis, the wear and tear of joints with age, leads to chronic back pain which tends to be poorly localized. It is normally associated with stiffness and pain which is not eased by rest.

anonymous

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Lumbar Spinal Stenosis