Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Lower Back Pain Cause: Will Science Deliver In The Future What It Has Not Been Able To Until Now?

Experiencing back pain is something that almost all of us have experienced at least once in our lifetimes and doctors too avow that this is a condition for which a great many of their patients request suitable treatment. Lower back pain is not pleasant and in some instances it can totally immobilize anyone no matter how strong they physically are. The best bet as far as overcoming lower back pain is to identify and treat the main lower back pain cause.

Not Real Explanations


The sad truth in regard to identifying the exact lower back pain cause is that science has till date not been able to positively explain what really the main lower back pain cause is. In any case, lower back pain is known to affect your lumbar spinal area and when it occurs it causes a lot of pain and in addition it means having to incur a lot of expenses in getting the problem treated.

Without understands the lower back pain cause it would be hard to figure out the best back pain treatment and this in turn means that disabilities on the job will lead to higher instances of absenteeism at work. However, a major lower back pain cause about which there is not much doubt is when a person has to carry an extra amount of weight which can cause strains and injuries to that region of the body. And, in addition a person that is overweight too will be more prone to suffering from lower back pain.



There are of course three main lower back pain causes that have been identified and which include improper mobility in the hip region; core stability that is poor and also the wrong technique of doing weight training.

In today’s society, we tend to do a lot of sitting and this in turn leads to the freezing up of our joints leading to immobility in vital areas of the body including the ankle which when it is rather immobile will cause the body to look for added mobility in the knees. This is not good for you because extra load on the knees affects the lumbar spine where the possibility of developing lower back pain is the greatest.

If your body does not have proper core stability your body’s foundation when it weakens will result in weakening of the muscles in the lower back and consequently makes you prone to developing lower back pain.

The wrong weight training techniques can cause you to injure different joints in your body and the lower back is an area that is most liable to suffer as a consequence.

Fortunately, there is more than one lower back pain remedy available that can at least alleviate some of the main, if not entirely eliminate the symptoms and the pain. Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM is one such remedy that is worth taking a closer look at.


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Monday, June 8, 2009

Back Pain Stretching Exercise

Back pain can be an excruciating symptom of damage that has been incurred by the back muscles, tendons or ligaments. Some of that damage maybe due to improper lifting of heavy objects, not warming up the muscles before exercising, trauma associated with a traffic accident, etc.

In addition, as part of the therapy and treatment for back pain, there are a number of options available to the sufferer. Some of back pain treatment options available include the participation in a prescription medication program and involvement in back pain stretching exercises.

Prescription Medication Program


Due to the location of the back muscles and the fact that the muscles are an integral part of the body’s movement, the treatment of choice for back pain can be the use of pain prescription medication. Some of those medications that can be prescribed by a licensed physician can include muscle relaxants. Some of those muscle relaxants can be drugs such as Robaxin, Valium, Parafon Forte, etc.



The specific work of these medications are to relax the muscles which in turn allow for healing and decrease the intensity of the pain that the individual is suffering from.

In addition, it is important to note that when taking these types of prescriptions that the patient abstains from alcohol and driving any type of heavy machinery. This is because the effects of taking muscle relaxants causes the individual to become very drowsy.

Performing Back Pain Stretching Exercises


In addition to taking medication or in lieu of taking medication, many physicians prescribe a treatment program that includes the use of back pain stretching exercises. That is because back pain stretching exercises help to facilitate the healing process of the injured muscles, tendons and ligaments in the back as well as strengthening these anatomical areas.

Therefore, if considering a regimen of back pain stretching exercises it is important to know what exercises can be prescribed and how to conduct those exercises. In addition, it is important to follow the doctor's orders in regards to undertaking a back pain exercise program. This is important as the individual does not want to cause further damage to the affected area.

Some of the back pain stretching exercises can include the simple exercise known as back stretches. This particular exercise is very beneficial especially when the individual is just leaving their bed for the first time in the morning. One specific backstretch exercise that can be conducted, according to the individual’s particular needs and possible pain being experienced, is to bend from the waist forward towards the floor. Once this has been accomplished then the individual returns their upper body to its upright position. This can be done a number of times. This particular exercise will stretch the back muscles as well as help to strengthen this particular area.

Another exercise that can be done is for the individual to lie on their back and bend their knees so that the heels of their feet are on the floor. Once his position as been accomplished then simply grab one of the knees with both hands and bring the knee forward to the chest. Once this action has been taken, then alternate with the other knee using the same process.


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Causes Of Chronic Back Muscle Pain

Chronic back muscle pain is pain in the back that occurs often and almost always at the same area. The pain felt by people in this condition is usually a dull throbbing or ache in the affected area which can turn in to a sharp pain if left unmanaged. There are several causes of chronic back muscle pain.

What Contributes To Chronic Back Muscle Pain


Causes of chronic back muscle pain are varied but mainly focus on how a person uses the muscle sin his back. Frequent stress on the muscles in the back can cause a lot of pain and ache on the muscles and tissues there. Stress can come in the form of the work that one does which may have some movement that stresses the muscles at the back. Examples of work that can eventually lead to chronic back muscle pain are delivery work and hauling, work where bending and twisting is frequent, work where the position is often the same (like standing or sitting) and work where the upper body is often used.

There are also other causes of chronic back muscle pain which are not work related. A person's posture and shoes have a load of contribution to chronic back muscle pain. Constant wearing of high heels, whether walking or standing can cause stress on the muscles of the back. The way a person carries himself can also contribute to this condition. A slouched person will experience back pain frequently due to the stress that his posture adds to his body.



Relief For Chronic Back Muscle Pain


Chronic back pain management is often the treatment that doctors recommend for those who have no way of getting out of what causes of back pain. In cases, like these, medication and drugs are the best chances that a person will have to manage the chronic back muscle pain. These medications and drugs are prescribed by doctors to help ease the discomfort often felt by those who suffer from this chronic pain.

For those who do not wish to use medications and drugs for chronic back muscle pain treatment of relief, alternative medicine therapies abound. Acupuncture and acupressure are just two of the most common alternative medicine therapies that can be applied to chronic back muscle pain. Massage is also another alternative to the two therapies as well as ointments, creams and medicated rubs that can bring relief to the discomfort of back pain.

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Sunday, June 7, 2009

Chronic Back Pain Management : Alternatives To Drugs In

Chronic back pain is a condition where the individual feels a throbbing or aching feeling in the vicinity of his back. This condition can occur in the upper or lower back, although, the more common area is the lower back. Chronic back pain management is based on what causes the condition in a specific individual. It is important to know chronic back pain management in order to escape or reduce the risk of permanently damaging the back or increasing the degree of pain of the condition.

Medication derived from chemical compositions or drugs are the most common treatment that doctors recommend for those who wish for chronic back pain management. Chronic back pain medications often have serious side effects which can damage vital organs as well as eventually lose their effect on the pain they are targeting. These are the reasons why people seeking chronic back pain management alternatives opt for natural ways to treat and manage their back pain.



Therapy


There are not only alternative medicine therapies that can be used for chronic back pain management but also some physical therapy which is based on traditional medicine. Alternative forms of chronic back pain management are acupuncture and massage therapies. On the other hand, traditional medicine also offers physical therapy as a form of chronic back pain management. All three therapies focus on manually reaching points in an individual's body to offer relief and treatment for chronic back pain.

Other Alternatives


Along with any form of therapy, those who wish for chronic back pain management alternatives to drugs can seek relief in aromatherapy, herbal essences as well as teas and infusions. Aromatherapy works to ease the feelings and overall demeanor of a person while herbal essences are often applied directly on the affected area. Many herbs have healing properties quite similar to traditional medicine and drugs. Chronic back pain management is quite easy when using ointments, cream, rubs and other applications.

Infusions and teas are also used as a form of medicine wherein the medicinal properties of the herb or botanical is taken in by the person through drinking or ingesting. There are many herbs and spices which can really have the same effect as traditional medicine without the dreaded side effects. These work well in chronic back pain management combined with the physical therapies and acupuncture stated above. Chronic back pain management is important in controlling the pain and easing the discomfort.


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Choosing Back Pain Relief Products

Back pain relief products are so numerous that there is sure to be some confusion when choosing which ones to purchase. Back pain relief products range from stuff that can be worn, stuff that is applied directly to the affected area and stuff that is taken internally to alleviate the pain. There are also some products that are totally useless for alleviating back pain and just good for all the hype that surrounds it.

Back Pain Relief Products That Can Be Worn


There are back pain relief products which are worn, such as the back pain relief bra and corset. Orthopedic shoes and braces also fall under the category back pain relief products that can be worn to the advantage of the person suffering from back pain. The bra, corset and brace are actually recommended by doctors for the more severe kinds of back pain which can really be quite excruciating for some people. Arthritis back pain relief can be included in these kinds of back pain.



Back Pain Relief Products That Are Applied On The Area


Many of the products that are applied directly on the affected area are those that have herbal or botanical properties. Many of the herbs and botanicals have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties are very effective in easing back pain. Many of these back pain relief products actually work for other parts of the body experiencing aches and pains as well and are not specifically aimed at the back. Lotions, salves, ointments, patches and creams all make up back pain relief products that are applied directly to the back of the individual suffering from back pain. Many of these products have capsicum properties that penetrate through the skin into the muscles and tissues and release their analgesic effect.

Back Pain Relief Products That Are Taken Internally


These products include traditional medicines derived from chemical solutions as well as herbal supplements and alternative medicines which have some degree of effect on the pain. Many people consider these back pain relief products as godsends because they are usually fast acting and quite thorough when they take effect, especially those of traditional medicine origins. Supplements and some forms of alternative medicines can have some positive effect also on the back pain. Many people favor these forms of alternative medicine over traditional medicine due to their being natural and basically safe to ingest.

The purchase of back pain relief products should be thought over well because not all may be good for an individual.



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Friday, June 5, 2009

Back Pain Relief During Pregnancy

Back pain one of the most common complaints during pregnancy, and affects more than 50% of the pregnant women. During pregnancy, back pain is caused due to change in body’s contours. As the baby grows, there is an additional weight to be carried by the mother. This extra weight changes the center of gravity of the body, and major hormonal changes during early stages of pregnancy can also cause back pain. In some cases, the urinary tract infection may also cause pain in the back.

Back Pain Relief During Pregnancy


During pregnancy, it is advisable to avoid the medication without doctor’s advice. Exercising is the best way to get relief from back pain relief during pregnancy, and simple walking for half an hour each day is the best choice. Try to avoid rigorous exercise or aggressive walking.

Maintaining a good posture can be quite helpful to get back neck pain relief and back pain relief during pregnancy. Pregnant women should also avoid standing for long hours as this can cause back pain, or make it worse. Avoid wearing high heel shoes as it will put a lot of strain on your back, and it can be quite dangerous as well. Sit on the flat stool, and avoid kitchen work for long periods of time.



Use imaginative clothing to get back pain relief during pregnancy, and avoid wearing tight clothes. Avoid slumping, as it pushes the rib cage on the stomach. When standing, maintain the posture that does not put the stress on your back, and keep the knees soft. Some great tips to get back pain relief during pregnancy can be obtained from experienced friends and relatives.

There are certain exercises that must be done to get back pain relief during pregnancy. Pelvic tilts require arching the body inward and outward, and can be done lying on back or standing. Back stretch, hamstring stretch and wall-posture stretch can be helpful during pregnancy to get rid of back pain.

In case of severe back pain, women can use the maternity support belt, which is a specially designed curved lumbar pad that helps to improve the body postures, and gives back pain relief during pregnancy.

Back pain can be worse if the baby is large or in case of multiples. Sometimes, the back pain just comes and goes, but for some ladies, it stays for days or weeks. It may appear during the first trimester, and continue even after the delivery. It is not easy to get back pain relief during pregnancy, but strengthening and flexibility exercise can be of great help. But before trying any new medication or exercise, talk to your doctor.


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The Right Back Pain Exercise Program Can And Will Do You Much Good

A question that millions of Americans are asking today is which the best back pain exercise program is. Contrary to popular conception, bed rest – and especially too much of it – can actually worsen the back pain rather than improve it. It is actually recommended that along with bed rest that the patient also does a simple back pain exercise program to help recover quickly as well as more effectively.

Distribution Of Nutrients


The simple truth is that the right back pain exercise program will help in the proper distribution of nutrients to various important parts of the body including the spinal column as well as major muscles as too nerves, ligaments and the joints. Furthermore, the right back pain exercise program will also help in stretching the back and making it supple, while the right program will also help in strengthening the back and making it able to withstand pressures and strain more effectively. These programs will help you overcome stiffness and weakness that normally develop whenever you choose to take bed rest to alleviate your back pain.



The simplest back pain exercise program should involve stretching of muscles and ligaments as well as tendons. Even if at present you are not experiencing back pain it is still recommended doing stretching because this will help provide necessary strength that in turn can help to overcome as well as prevent injuries as well as back traumas.

Of course, before starting a particular back pain exercise program it is necessary that you warm up the body and to ensure taking things slowly in case you experience pain. And, after completing a back pain exercise program it is necessary that you allow the body to cool down once more. You need to ensure that your gluteus muscles (those that are found in the buttocks) are made to be more flexible through performing the gluteus stretch.

Your hamstrings that are found in the rear of either leg help in providing the proper posture and so the best back pain exercise program for keeping the hamstrings working perfectly is to do the hamstring stretch. Other back pain exercise programs include dealing with the piriformis syndrome through performance of the piriformis stretch and performing the Psoas Major stretch to ensure better mobility in the lower back.

Getting relief from back pain is one of the major considerations in the minds of sufferers and in order to speed up recovery it pays to look at certain items of back pain exercise equipment that will prove their worth should you choose to buy such equipment. With products such as the Total back System around, you will be able to treat your back pain more effectively.

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Chronic Back Pain Cause

Back pain is a common problem for adults in the United States, with the majority of the cases resolving within one to two months. However, the last ten percent will suffer from a chronic condition that may be difficult to diagnose and treat. In addition to living with daily discomfort, patients with chronic back muscle pain have to deal with the fact that finding an effective back pain treatment program is easier said than done. The first step is often to try to determine a chronic back pain cause, which may provide a clue as to which treatment options might hold the greatest promise. There are a number of tests that doctors can use to pinpoint a chronic back pain cause, and one or more of them may be employed, depending on a patient's precise complaints and history.


X-Rays


This diagnostic tool is by far the most common one used to determine a chronic back pain cause. An x-ray can provide plenty of information about the spine itself, although it may not be able to pick up on pain centered in the muscles and tissue surrounding the spine. In many cases, an x-ray can be taken right at the doctor's office, allowing many patients to have this test done quickly an inexpensively.




CAT Scan


A CAT scan, which is short for computed axial tomography, uses a series of pictures to create a three-dimensional look at bones and soft tissue. This test can be used to detect a host of possibilities in a chronic back pain cause, but the test is expensive since it requires specialized equipment to complete. If a doctor cannot find a reason for the pain through an x-ray, he may order a CAT scan for a more in depth look at potential causes.


MRI


MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, and this diagnostic tool can be used for many purposes including finding a chronic back pain cause. An MRI will provide the best detail of the spine, allowing the doctor to check for spinal problems that might not be visible through the above testing procedures. Again, the testing is expensive, which is why doctors will not order it for every patient suffering from chronic pain in this area.


Bone Scan


If a doctor suspects that a chronic back pain cause might have to do with a tumor or infection, he might order a bone scan as well. This test will measure the amount of bone turnover that is taking place, with higher numbers signifying a possible problem. This test is usually done after the above testing has taken place, to pinpoint a diagnosis that has not shown up definitively in the other procedures.

Finding a chronic back pain cause can be a challenging prospect for a doctor, but there are a number of good diagnostic tools at his disposal. Through these high-tech tests, often a chronic back pain cause can be found so that a targeted treatment plan can be created for best results.


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Forms Of Natural Back Pain Relief

Back pain is localized in the back, sometimes the upper or lower back. Many people suffer from this condition and relief is sought in many avenues. Natural back pain relief is one avenue where many people like to seek relief. There are several forms of natural back pain relief and many of these means no taking traditional medicine or drugs to ease the pain. Some of the natural back pain relief is rooted in alternative medicine and many accept hat these can actually work for them with regards to their back pain.

Acupuncture And Acupressure


These forms of alternative medicine are quite good natural back pain relief therapies. Acupuncture and acupressure both aim to hit specific points in the body to help ease the pain associated with the lower back and the upper back. Both therapies have been found to have made a significant impact on chronic back pain. Acupuncture entails pushing in sterile needles, specifically made for acupuncture, into the body until they reach specific points based on the Chinese chart for acupuncture. Acupressure as natural back pain relief is also effective because some acupressure points are specifically pressed to alleviate the pain.



For both forms of natural back pain relief, there should be a continuous session to help ease the pain of chronic back pain. One session of either natural back pain relief therapy can actually work well to reduce the pain but successive sessions, maybe spaced every week can help greatly in lessening the pain for a longer period of time.

Herbs And Botanicals


Many herbs and botanicals possess properties that can be considered as natural back pain relief. These properties are not specific for back pain only but also help to alleviate other aches and pains in the body. There are back pain relief products that are specifically manufactured for back pain but can actually work for other aches and pains as well. These products are possibly made from herbs and other botanicals.

Many herbs have analgesic properties that can ease the back pain as well as herbs that have properties that can reduce the inflammation and swelling in the back which may have caused the back pain. Natural back pain relief is actually not difficult to come by. There are even capsicum patches that are stuck to the affected area and then left there for a long period of time to release their properties into the body. These patches can be left for two to three days and may still be effective even after bathing.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Use Back Pain Exercise Equipment To Elongate The Spine

It is not always necessary that a person has to spend a lot of money in buying expensive back pain exercise equipment in order to effectively deal with their back pain problems. The plain fact is that it is also possible to get relief in an inexpensive manner through, for example, using foam roll that provides an effective solution to getting relief from back pain.

Exercise Ball


However, it might be a good idea to consider some other items of back pain exercise equipment as well, especially those that suit different needs. If you need to treat lower back pain then you needs to consider performing abs exercises on exercise balls followed by stretching on an inversion bench. The inversion table is a good piece of back pain exercise equipment that helps provide effective relief from back pain and in addition it also helps to speed up the healing process.

The Total Back System back pain exercise equipment is made by Motion and is a type of equipment that is finding increasing use in most gyms where people that suffer from back pain can use this equipment to get relief from pain and also to get relief from stress while at the same time also being able to strengthen their backs.



This item of physical therapy back pain exercise equipment helps considerably as it allows you to elongate your spine that in turn has the effect of relieving pressure on your nerves and spinal discs and just a few minutes of exercising with this equipment is sufficient to bring back mobility to your body.

You can also check out the GT-1000 Gravity Table that helps in inversion therapies which aim at helping people strengthen their backs. With the help of this gravity table a person will be forced into using their back muscles as well as muscles in their core bodies. The stretching that you will be doing will help to elongate the spine and along with a few other movements provides excellent results in so far as getting relief from back pain goes.

Having one of these excellent items of back pain exercise equipment can prove to be a real boon for people that have to deal with back pain. In fact, such equipment can also be used as preventive measures against possible back pain in the future.

It is also recommended giving yoga exercises for back pain a second thought because yoga can play an important role in providing relief from back pain as well as help avoid the condition. Its gentle exercise will be able to provide necessary alleviation from the pain that occurs whenever the back is immobilized or hurt.

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Back Pain Relief Without Medication

Back pain is one of the most inconvenient conditions that can occur to a person. This is inconvenient because it affects the way a person moves around. Back pain usually occurs in many adults, both young and old. There are several factors that cause back pain. Back pain relief is sometimes in the traditional medication form and in the natural form. Back pain relief in the natural way is usually yearned by many since this means that there are no drugs and medications involved which may affect the body.

Posture


Back pain is sometimes caused by incorrect posture. Back pain relief can be in the form of changing one's incorrect posture to the correct one. There are several factors that can affect posture. One of these is one's bone health and weight. The health of one's bone structure can be strong enough to support the entire body. Changing from a slouched position when sitting or standing can help to ease the stress on the back. Back pain relief can also come by just taking a well deserved rest from standing too long or sitting in the same position for too long.



Shoes And Ointments


Back pain relief can also be achieved by wearing sensible shoes, especially for women. High heeled shoes can be a killer on the back and throw a person off balance. Back pain relief can be felt almost immediately after taking off killer shoes like these and taking a rest with the feet and legs up. Natural back pain relief can also come in the form of ointments and medicated rubs which are infused with herbal essences that can give back pain relief to those who suffer from it.

Many of the ointments and rubs that are used for back pain relief contain essences of herbs that are absorbed into the skin and directly to the affected area. Back pain relief is felt within the hour of applying the ointment. In spite of this, not all people are affected in the same way by ointments and rubs.

For many people, back pain relief is essential to a good life. As we get older, our body does not function as well as it used to when we were younger. Essentially, taking care of ourselves should be able to reduce the risk of getting back pain earlier in life. Not abusing one's body or taking it for granted can also help prolong good back health as well.


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Monday, June 1, 2009

A Guide To Massage for Back Pain Relief

There are many types of massages available that can help relieve the back and neck pain. Some of the most commonly used massage techniques are Swedish massage, shiatsu and deep tissue massage. There is no evidence that any one kind of massage is better than the other, so it is mainly a matter of personal choice and convenience.

Latest researches indicate that back pain has become more prevalent in men and women of all age groups due to sedentary lifestyles at home and work. As children spend more time playing games or watching television instead of playing outdoors, back pain in children has become a growing problem.

Types of Massages for Back Pain Relief


Each massage uses a different technique, the one that suits you best can only be found out by trial and error. It is recommended to get the massage for back pain relief from the massage therapist.

In Swedish massage, the therapist uses smooth long strokes, circular movements and kneading on the superficial muscle layer using oil or massage lotion. This massage is very relaxing and gentle. Aromatherapy massage for back pain relief uses various scented plant oils to address specific needs. The massage therapist selects these essential oils that are energizing, relaxing, balancing and stress-reducing. This massage is mainly used for stress-related conditions, with emotional component attached to it.



Massage for back pain relief can be done using the whole hand with smooth rhythmic strokes, and whole surface of both hands are used firmly upwards starting at the lower back, till neck, and ending with the circle around shoulders. For smaller areas, put deep pressure and use both hands to work in circles. The pressure of thumb can be used on either side of the spine, gliding from lower back till neck. It should be done three times on each side. The pressure on the back can also be applied with the arms, moving them upwards.

Massage for back pain relief must be done in a quiet, warm and relaxed environment, on a comfortable surface such as floor mat, massage table or firm bed. A good massage oil must be used so that the friction is reduced, but don’t use too much oil as it will reduce the intensity of pressure.

While giving massage for chronic back pain relief, make sure that the patient is comfortable in lower back, shoulders and neck. Pregnant women can lie on their side. Cover body parts that are not being worked with the warm towel. Don’t apply the oil that is too hot or too cold. Once the massage is started, the hands should always be in touch with the person’s body to avoid any surprises. Avoid putting too much pressure on the bony processes.

Massage for back pain relief should be done in a way that relaxes the tight muscles and improves the blood circulation.


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