News and Articles on Health

Frequent complaints of neck pain and stiff neck come mainly from people who work on computers for a long time at a stretch. Usually people use analgesic gel or a cream or a spray to reduce the pain and continue working. They are all temporary remedies and the cause remains untreated. The medication does not address the cause of the complaint. Do certain exercising of the neck and shoulder region to get rid of the problem permanently.

Present day working pattern is related to long hours of sitting. Practically, there is no physical activity if you remain before the computer or watch TV in a sitting position for long hours. If you are not attending any exercise program, you are going to become a victim of the problem. When there is acute neck pain or stiff neck issue, you are automatically indisposed and the work suffers, the business slows down and your career faces tough time. You go through increased stress levels. The only viable remedy is regular exercising. Take out some time from your busy schedule either in the early hours or after office time and follow some simple exercising to remain fit and without neck problem.

Stand straight and tilt the head backwards as much as possible. Now, start to move the head towards the front so that the chin touches your chest. Look at the floor and pause for a few seconds. Repeat for 10 -12 times a day.

Stand straight and tilt the head back so that you face the ceiling of the room. Be careful of not too much backwards stretching, otherwise you would hurt your neck muscles. Tilt back slowly and smoothly and stay for a few seconds. Do the same for five times a day.

Stand straight and look forward. Move your head to the right smoothly and come back to the starting position. You can do it 5-6 times. Relax and repeat the action to move the head to the left.

stand erect and look forward. Tilt your head sideways to touch the right shoulder with the right ear. Stay for few seconds and come back to the original position Repeat it for 5-6 times a day. Relax and repeat this action involving the left shoulder and the left ear.

Keep the head straight. Try two actions at a time. Try to move the head back and simultaneously try to touch the chest with your chin. Repeat it 5-6 times a day. This is good for neck retraction.

Stand straight. Put your palms at the back of the neck firmly and tilt the head backwards. Simultaneously, try to resist the backward movement of the head. Relax slowly and repeat this feat 5-6 times a day.

These exercises increase the flexibility of neck muscles. There will be lesser frequency pain episodes and you get faster relief.

Before starting any kind of exercising of the neck, you must consult the doctor or your health provider to describe the exact way of doing these exercises. Tell the doctor about your medical history so that he is able to determine and recommend the right course of action for you. Get a fitness trainer for scheduling the exercising plan for you. You will have no complaint of neck pain or stiff neck like before and please do not neglect the small complaints.

“The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain.” – Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC), famous Greek philosopher and scientist.

However, one pain that is very hard to avoid is back pain . In fact, it is one of most frequent complaints of humanity, with nine out of ten adults experiencing it once in their lifetimes and five out of ten working adults experiencing it every year.

Back pain usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spinal column. It is also known as dorsalgia and can be of following types:

Neck pain Neck injuries Spondylosis Infections Stress Wrong posture

Upper back pain Wrong posture Overuse injuries Trauma
Lower back pain Diseases of joints like osteoarthritis, hyperostosis, etc. Spinal problems like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, etc. Metabolic problems like osteomalacia, ochronosis, etc. Tumors Depression Wrong posture 4. Tailbone pain Injuries from falls, etc. Childbirth Tumors

Although some kind of back ache cannot be prevented but only treated, there are assured types that can be. Here are some ideas for preclusion :

Exercise – Regular exercise can renew the joints and muscles and keep them mobile, preventing the onset of back ache . This also helps one maintain a well weight. However, be confident to maintain correct form while lifting weights.
Posture – A lot of back ache is owed to false posture while sitting, standing and sleeping, which keeps the spine out of alignment. Correcting that will decrease the chances of back ache.
Nutrition – You are what you eat. hence , confirm that your body gets all the essential nutrients for a fit lifestyle.
Footwear – This is commonly one of the most neglected aspects of day-to-day lifestyle . However, wearing the suitable shoes can help prohibit back ache. Ladies are recommended to use heels sparingly.
Medicine – approximately all medicines have side-effects, and some of them can origin back ache . Be careful about what medicines you take. The use of pain killers and non steroidal anti provocative drugs can only mask the symptoms and not resolve the trouble.
Stress – The stress of latest living has basically contributed to the rise in cases of back ache . Reducing it will be a important inhibitive procedure.
Smoking – In addition to countless other health benefits, quitting smoking can serve to frustrate back ache .
Mobility – Current jobs usually require us to sit at desks for large periods of time. Intersperse long periods of physical passiveness with short walks to prohibit back ache .
Checkups - Regular checkups by a doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist or individual trainer can help to anticipate back ache . They can also offer direction towards a healthier life.

The aim of these exercises is to help you overcome back discomfort and help in the prevention of back pain. Strong backs do not get injured nearly as often as weaker backs. Stretching alone will not help you if your back is not strong so it is important to do regular exercises for lower back pain.

If you purchase some weights all of these exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home. It is important that before you undertake any exercise programme however, that you get cleared by your doctor particularly if you suffer from chronic back pain or have recently undergone surgery. These exercises are aimed at making the spine stable and they will make it stronger if done regularly; generally it is recommended that you try to work out at least 3 times per week.

Start with 15 reps at a time for each exercise; you can build up the number of sets as you become stronger and more stable. When doing these exercises, in order to activate the transverse abdominal muscles you need to pull in your belly button to the spine. People have a tendency to distend or push out the belly button when they exert force, this has an adverse reaction to core stability, so remember pull in the belly button, suck in those abs and hold but don’t forget to breathe!

OK for the first exercise lie on the ground, keeping the pelvis relaxed, but exaggerating the curve in the lower back by bringing the belly up towards the ceiling, making the contraction nice and hard by exaggerating the curve however the opposite movement is where the exercise comes in to play. Tilt your pelvis back towards your head as you suck your belly button down towards your spine, then tilt back towards your knees and then back towards your head. Repeat. This is the key exercise to start with if you have an acute episode of back pain but only work to your pain tolerance. This exercise aims to increase the range of motion and also by bringing the pelvis back it will help to relax the muscles by taking the pressure off the discs.

To take this exercise to the next level, as before make the contraction nice and hard by exaggerating the curve in the back, lift the pelvis off the ground towards the ceiling into the bridge position, supporting through your shoulders. When you are in this position it is important to keep your body nice and hard by contracting your abdominal muscles and your pelvic floor muscles as you move into the plank position by kicking the right leg straight out,the knee must be in the same plane as the knee of the balancing leg. Keep your stomach tight and avoid twisting or slouching. Maintain the plank for ten seconds keeping nice and strong then bring the extended leg back down, alternate and extend the other leg straight out. By taking the balance point away the small muscles of the lower back will have to contract hard in an effort to stabilise the spine.

Next, lying on the ground, engaging the core, arms outstretched to the side, palms up, lift both feet off the ground bending the knees at a 90 degree angle to the hips, keeping the core still and the knees and heels together, rotate first to the left side and then to the right. The idea is to keep your shoulders down and your head still looking straight up all the time.

To progress from this exercise, in a similar position, extend your knees away from your chest a little further and continue to rotate from side to side maintaining your core stability.

Now still lying flat on your back in the starting position, engaging the core, lift your head up off the ground as you extend your left hand diagonally to the right leg as that leg comes high off the ground to meet the hand, then head, hand and leg go back down to the starting position, then alternate opposite hand with opposite leg again lifting the head off the ground as the cross extension occurs. Alternate, repeat.

For the next exercise again in the starting position, lift the left leg high off the ground towards your chest assisting with your arms to pull all the way as you lift your head off the ground to meet your knee. Alternating right leg, left leg, this exercise will stretch out your hamstrings and lower back.

OK time to get up. Standing before a low bench or table if you are doing these exercises at home, gently squat by bending the knees keeping the head and chest up, rotate, extend arm and reach across to the opposite side of the bench and back up to the standing position, then squat, rotate and reach with the opposite arm to the opposite side of the bench. It is really important that we do not hunch over for this exercise, make sure to bend the knees but keep the body upright in the extension.

Next getting a dumbbell approx 8-10lbs in weight, standing upright, feet close together, dumbbell in left hand, elbow fully bent, tilt body down to the same side as the one you are holding the weight, then back up extending arm straight up above the head. Do not push the arm over the head or tilt to the opposite side; arm comes up and straight next to the head. Do 15 reps and then alternate weight to other side and repeat.

When using weights for some of the exercises,if it is too easy with the chosen weight, increase the weight 5lbs at a time until you get to the point that it is challenging on the last rep.

Next, holding weight in both hands above the head for the next exercise, tilt from side to side, keeping core engaged and head central to arms. Head moves with the tilt i.e. don’t let your arm fall on to your head. Head must be in the middle as you move from left to right. One rep equals left to right tilt.

For the next exercise holding a load in one hand only, core engaged, tilt again from left to right, you don’t need a load in each hand for this exercise, so tilt down to one side, back up and over to the other side, keep chest up and take your time. The aim of this exercise is to work your quadratus lumborum and your obliques. The QL connects the pelvis to the spine and it is a common source of lower back pain. The aim of this exercise is to make this area of the back nice and stable.

Finally an exercise for posture that you can do in the sitting position, sitting nice and tall, suck your belly button in, posture erect, bring your head back and down almost creating a double chin, roll your arms back, keep your shoulders down and pinch your shoulder blades together, hold for one minute. This exercise can be done during the day for one minute every half hour as part of your daily routine at the office or home.

By practising these general exercises over a period of time you will build up the strength necessary to live a normal life free of back pain. The key is though to focus on the core abdominal muscles as much as possible and get used to thinking about them and activating them before you go about your regular activities like gardening of vacuuming or lifting the children.

There are various sciatica homeopathic remedies which exist to naturally combat sciatic nerve pain. Unfortunately it is not so easy to find information regarding how to use them and so on.

Sciatica is a condition that affects a multitude of people worldwide. In the west about 80 percent of adults are plagued by nasty back pains running from their lower backs all the way down to their legs. This pain also runs through their buttocks; this path is exactly where the sciatic nerve lies and the pain can be extremely debilitating.

To apply sciatica homeopathic remedies, you need to first determine where the pain is located. This article will reveal four types of sciatica homeopathic remedies which you can begin to use today to combat the pain caused by your pinched sciatic nerve.

Dosage – It is important to note the dosage of the sciatica homeopathic remedies below so that there will be no mistakes of any kind. Even though with homeopathic cures dosage is not as rigid, nevertheless you need to take an hourly dosage of 6C. You may take additional doses if your condition persists but it should not exceed 10 doses a day.

Colocynth is a homeopathic remedy which is also known as bitter apple, bitter cucumber, egusi, or vine of Sodom. It is an effective sciatica homeopathic remedy and if mostly used when there is a shooting pain and numbness along the entire leg.

You may also make use of another remedy called Nux Vomica…

Nux vomica is a medicine which is gotten from the seeds of an Asiatic tree. It contains strychnine and brucine and can also be used as a stimulant besides the fact that it is a fantastic remedy for a pinched sciatic nerve.

It can best be applied when there is rapid, twitching leg spasms accompanied by stiffness and paralysis

Another alternative remedy which may be used is Rhus Toxicodendron…

This sciatic nerve homeopathic cure can be used when calf cramps are mingled with tearing pain and numbness.

Mostly these physical symptoms will mix with other emotional indicators including, but not limited to, the following; restlessness, anxiety, hopelessness and so on.

Alternatively, you may utilize Ammonium Muriaticum…

This sciatica homeopathic remedy should be used if it becomes noticed that sitting down aggravates your sciatic nerve pain by the presence of the following symptoms; contracted hamstrings, leg spasms, chronic muscles twitching, and so on.

Emotional symptoms that might be noticed include melancholia and an urge to cry.

FACT: Most conventional treatments for sciatica only work as a temporary band aid solution; they all fail to work in the long run!

It has been one year since my back surgery and as I look back on a year of challenges, I also see the last twelve months as a time of growth. I enjoy sharing my experiences and what I have learned with others. Now if like me you are facing back surgery here are a few post operative back surgery tips I would like to pass on to you.

Of course the best tip I can give you is to really think long and hard about your back surgery. A year ago I was unaware of the alternatives to surgery. Alternatives that have a track record of eliminating back pain. Surgery is not always the answer. In fact many people still have pain after surgery. Even a year after my own surgery I have pain and discomfort. As someone who has suffered with debilitating back pain, I believe you owe it to yourself to know all the facts.

If you suffer from upper back muscle pain, you are like over a million other Americans. A sedentary lifestyle, with too much time on couches or in front of computers has created what amounts to an epidemic.

Causes of Upper Back Muscle Pain

In more than 80% of cases the actual cause of pain in this area is never determined. Some of the most common causes are:

Treatments

If your pain is caused by something simple, such as poor posture or a minor injury, treatment is relatively simple and effective.

Massage. Deep massage of the affected area gives some relief.

Cures

Chronic pain in the upper back that is not relieved by any of the above treatments can be a sign of a more serious condition. If this is the case, consult a doctor. You might be suffering from scoliosis (misalignment of the spine), which can be corrected surgically. If you have seriously injured your back muscles, your doctor might also try ultrasound treatments for a deep muscle massage.

In your day-to-day activities, are you putting unnecessary strain on your back? Here are some ways to protect your back and relieve back pain:

Spasms usually start when nerve or muscle fibers get stressed. Muscles spasm involuntarily and cause back and other pain. If muscle fibers and nerves cannot connect in a normal manner, back pain does result. Sensory nerves fail to send signals to muscles and other areas of the body, and this leads to back pain. Back pain, basically, can come from many sources but usually it’s associated with spasms from malfunctioning muscles and nerves.

Causes of muscle spasms

• Fatigued muscles.
• Dehydration after exercise.
• Pregnancy and associated weight gain.
• Hypothyroidism, a deficiency of calcium and magnesium.
• Hormone deficiencies (causing muscle spasms).
• Excessive drinking leading to failure of the kidneys.
• Weight gain in general.
• Lack of proper nutrition.

Gentle stretching can help reduce or even eliminate some muscle spasms. Do a few minutes of it before exercising. This is why dancers warm up. Muscle spasms are abnormal contractions of the muscles and they can cause shuddering, twinges, seizures, tremors and paroxysm. The latter can cause sudden outburst, convulsions and other symptoms. The key is to warm up and get loose before performing any amount of physical activity. Give your muscles and body a chance to practice beforehand, so to speak.

Ligaments and tendons affect the muscles and start back pain if not properly used. They are the linkages between our bones and muscles. They help with sitting, bending, movement, walking and standing. Muscles are the main component in movement but the helper ligaments and tendons are vital. Proper nutrition and exercise are vital so you can move and continue to move properly. The body is a machine and all of the connecting components have to work together so we can perform pain-free movement. Look after each part and it will be a healthy whole.

Shoes and posture and nutrition and exercise all play a part in both experiencing back pain from muscle spasms, and eliminating as much of it as you can. In essence, if you eat right, hydrate properly, get some exercise (stretching out beforehand of course), perhaps practising meditation or yoga, and get enough sleep and wear comfortable shoes. Then most back pain can be eliminated. At least, that which is caused by muscle spasms. You don’t have to spend any money when you start on the path to better back health. Rolling out the exercise mat or using an exercise ball at home, is a great start. Check your diet and see what you can do to improve it. Make sure you get enough of the proper vitamins and minerals, or use a supplement if you want to. As always, check with your doctor if your back pain or spasms are sudden and severe.

Are you familiar with backers? These are the emotions that kick in when pain acts out. It’s the radicals that circle around our human makeup, which can create a substantial amount of consequences.

One thing to understand is that back pain and emotions go hand in hand. You may see depression, irritation, hopelessness, and various others issues surface. When each one comes about it is extremely easy to get wrapped up in a defeated thought process. However, your resolutions are sitting right in front of you.

The most important thing you can do is listen, learn, and take action. Take the time to get a better grasp of what you’re dealing with and the symptoms that may take place. Over time you will come to realize that the information you’re learning will definitely work in your favor. Plus, if you play your cards right you can utilize effective strategies that will save you tons of money.

Have you ever heard of RICE? No, we’re not talking about the San Francisco treat, but Rest, Ice Packs, Compression, and Elevation. If you can remember this you will be able to help your back condition simply by using common sense. Best of all they will be inexpensive remedies.

One of the most important things to take away from this article is that emotions can seriously take over your life. Unless of course you learn how to harness them accordingly, then it’ll be different.

The usual stages can be resolved by simply using some sort of aspirin. The only time this really doesn’t work is if you have severe aching. When you’re hurting it’s easy to see that the muscles are stressed and need a little stretching to feel a better.

The point is you need to know what you’re dealing with in order to take action. Plus, it allows you to relax. So try not to overexert your muscles or else you will have to deal with back pain more often. Stressing the muscles is pretty common when you are working with weights. If you notice a problem then you should change your actions.

If you feel sorry for yourself as opposed to taking action you have discomfiture. You have to overcome this and to do it you must stretch, relax, and rest.

These have been known to reduce inflammation and swelling, which of course is the leading cause of pain.

However, if you’re dealing with acute back conditions then you don’t want to waste your time with OTC meds. These options are only for short term relief and if you overuse them you could end up with kidney damage or develop ulcers.

Whether your back pain is a dull, nagging ache or spasms that stops your daily routine, take a simple approach on how to relieve your pain and not stress so much on how to get a solution.

Millions of people in the US alone have experienced chronic or acute back pain that needs professional treatment. As you already know, you can strain your back doing everyday tasks or by just sleeping or sitting in a uneasy positions. If you seek relief for back pain but don’t know how to start, the following are just pointers to help you decide whether to go to the doctor right now or decide to treat your backache at home.

First, you need to see a doctor right away if you have a back pain that goes along after an injury or some sort of accident. If you’re also running a fever and you feel a continuous numbness or weakness in your legs and lower trunk, consult a doctor right away. But if the pain you feel is just an ordinary work stress or caused by bad posture or positions, try the following tips below.

It is obvious, when our back hurts it is saying something to us that it needs less stress in order to recover from our daily twists and turns. Stop and Relax. If you’re at home, you can try getting a comfortable position that may suites your back pain in no time. Lying on your back with a small pillow under your knees can help you loosen and relieves pain. Another position is lying on your back with your feet resting on a chair and bend your knees 90 degrees then place a small pillow under your neck. Remember, if the pain is very bad, rest in bed for a day but don’t stay longer because too much bed rest can also weaken our body reflexes thus may lead to severe back pain. Try also sleeping in a firm bed, this helps flatten your back when sleeping.

A good resting habit also provides a nice relief to back pain. If you need to rest do not just sit in bed just to watch TV or read any book this can create force to your back. Lay in bed and move yourself in every 2 hours, take a slow walk or sit on the edge of your bed for a couple of minutes. Take it slowly, do not rush yourself to relieve the pain.

If you decided to take a pain reliever, here’s a quick note – do not take aspirin and ibuprofen together, this can produce a side effects. You also take note that if you are have an allergy or asthma do not use aspirin or ibuprofen.

Get a soft massage from your loved ones, this is also a good therapy for a person experiencing from back pain because it relaxes your mind and relieves stress. But if you feel your back hurts when doing the massage because of injury, stop immediately.

There are a lot of ways to help ease back pain. The tips mentioned above are methods that requires less expense – find the right one that best for you and relieves your pain most.

As a chiropractor here in Plano, Texas, I often have patients who come in for treatment because of lower back pain, and some find that it’s the sciatic nerve that’s giving them the pain. Sciatica is commonly seen as a pain of the lower back which runs down from the back into the leg. This pain can be sharp, tingling and cause numbness of the lower back and leg. As part of my chiropractic care, I prescribe non-surgical methods to bring relief to my patients.

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest single nerve in your body. It branches off at the base of the spine and runs down each side of your pelvic area, supplying nerve impulses to your butt, legs and feet. If you’ve ever experienced sciatica, you know how debilitating this pain can be. I’ve seen patients, who could barely walk, couldn’t bend over, or even stand. There are a lot of things that can trigger problems with your sciatic nerve, poor posture when you sit, slip and fall on your butt, improper swing while playing golf, and the list goes on. For most of my patients, I recommend, certain exercise, lots of rest, and certain pain medication, while they recuperate. Usually you will be back to your normal self within 2-3 weeks. However, if your pain is still severe and continues beyond 2 months, it might be necessary to consider surgery as a last resolve. In this article I will focus on alternative methods to treat this condition and leave the surgery to those more qual
ified.

Chiropractic Treatments and Alternatives at Home

I immediately recommend heat packs and ice packs. Both can be used independently or combined at various intervals. If you do not have access to over the counter packs, please use ice in a Ziploc bag and heated towels or a heating pad. Both should be applied for 20 to 30 minutes and then repeated every 2-3 hours. This should bring relief until the patient can get in to my office.

Along with heat and ice, I suggest that you use Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen, or naproxen to help reduce the pain. Another consideration if the pain is very acute is the use epidural steroid injections. These injections are different from the oral steroid medicines because the steroid is given directly to the injured area and should bring immediate relief from the pain, much quicker than meds or oral steroids. This must be administered by a qualified medical specialist, I do not provide this service but can recommend other medical professionals who do.

Alternative Chiropractic Treatment at my Office

Chiropractors sometimes suggest the need for exercise. This might sound counter productive, but very mild exercise along with the other treatments listed above, can help strengthen muscles of the lower back and your stomach muscles. To qualify the type of exercise I recommend, I prescribe simple stretching starting slowly and gradually increasing as you recover and also to prevent future recurrences of sciatica or other back pain. The equipment I’ve installed at my office is very effective in helping with the pain and if utilized correctly, will contribute to end of sciatic pain.

Other techniques for pain relief are spinal decompression, cold laser therapy, heat and cold applied with gentle massage therapy. I have patients who I see in my office that usually need a combination of the above techniques to resolve their sciatic pain. We use various forms of massage and cold laser to relax patient’s muscles, improve blood flow, and most important, the release of endorphins in the body that act as natural pain relievers.

Last but not least, a highly effective technique for treatment that is being used more and more is acupuncture. Most people think of being a human pin cushion and even though the origins of this technique were developed by the Chinese, it is an approved procedure for back pain by the FDA. A qualified and trained acupuncturist can provide relief from back pain by simply using thin needles inserted in the area where you feel discomfort. Acupuncture focuses on the applied principle of harmonizing your body’s flow of energy through various pathways in the body. There is no guarantee that this or any other combination of treatments will totally eliminate sciatica from recurring but if you follow the advice of your chiropractor and seek help early, you should prevent this from happening again in the future.