Eating Healty and Losing Weight: Diet the Health Way

You read many books and research online until you think you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. You don’t. When many people try to lose weight they seek a dieting program which forces them to give up many of their favorite foods and as I’m sure many of you know (who have tried this before) it rarely works longer than a couple of weeks. Let’s face it, the will power to deny all foods that sound good to you is more than nearly anyone can deal with. Before long, the few lost pounds sneak back and you’re as miserable as ever. Well the key to losing weight is not deprivation- it is moderation and knowing which foods to keep on hand. Read more

Pregnancy Massage: Rubbing Down The Mommy To Be

The coming of a newborn child is very exciting, but the anxieties to come for the mother-to-be are not as anticipated. In the same way that popular massage provides pain relief for us when we are tired or have aches, pregnancy massages also are able to provide relief which greatly benefits the mother.

Although many times, pregnancy massages are very helpful, there is no need to go through with the massage if you feel uncomfortable about the idea. If you are a little skeptical, consult your doctor and tell her about your concerns before scheduling your first massage appointment. Read more

First Chiropractic Visit

For those of you who have never gone to a chiropractor, you may have some mixed feelings about making that first visit. If you are nervous, instead of excited to feel better, this is completely normal. The cure for this type of worry is simply understanding, and preparing yourself for a first chiropractic visit.

First of all, your chiropractor will question you about your current health problems. It is extremely important that you mention everything you can think of including; the obvious, shoulder, neck, and back pain, but also frequent colds, susceptibility to infection, hearing problems, changes in weight, and even any cramping you might be experiencing. Even though you might feel silly mentioning everything, it is very important and determines the success of your session. Chiropractic practices rely on touch to relieve pain and every small detail counts. This allows your physician to alter their treatment methods to suit your health condition better.

Secondly, you will be asked a set of questions regarding your medical history and your family’s medical history. Along with these questions, there is typically also a set about the details of your current medical treatments or care which you have received in the past. It is important that you talk to your doctors, dieticians, physicians, consultants, or anyone else who has the history or records of your past medical are. Without sharing all the details, it is like leaving out the corner piece of a majestic puzzle.

Next, most chiropractic doctors will ask you about your current job and the environment you work in every day. A good doc will ask you about the job’s stress level, any physical activity the job requires, your daily lunch routine, whether you walk or sit while at work and any other questions which the chiropractor may see that pertains. Again, remember to divulge all the details of your life since each little thing can give an important clue to which plan of care your doctor needs to follow.

In general, a first chiropractic visit is very exciting for many people and is mainly composed of different types of questions to help your long term experience be more rewarding.

The goal of a chiropractic visit is to not only to reduce your current pain but more so to understand what is causing that pain. If your doctor can get to the bottom of you’re the cause of your pain, then you have a better shot at feeling better long term.

Once the source is pinpointed, you are that much closer to being pain-free, and it all starts with a first chiropractic visit. So don’t be afraid of making that first call. Here’s to feeling better sooner rather than later.

Back Pain Treatments

The reasons you hate back pain should be obvious.  Back pain impacts every single part of your life because the back is involved in the majority of body movements.

So if you have back pain, then every movement is painful.  It is common knowledge that most people will suffer with back pain at some time in their life and for that reason learning all you can about the condition makes it more likely that you will feel better as you deal with the back pain.

The back is full of muscles, ligaments and bones, which work very hard to support your upper body.  Lifting heavy or awkward items improperly can cause injury to your back muscles that can be quite painful.  Most often the area of pain associated with lifting issues is the lower back which carries a lot more pressure and is a lot less sturdy than the upper back.

Spraining a back muscle or ligament requires intervention and should not be ignored.  Back pain can be treated with rest and pain relief medication and often your body will restore itself over a few weeks.  Yes, that’s right…a few weeks…these injuries are not healed over night. Sometimes there are more serious conditions besides a general sprain that can cause back pain. One of these more serious back conditions is known as spinal stenosis.

This occurs when the spinal canal becomes narrow because of bone overgrowth or even arthritis.  In the area of narrowing, pressure on the nerves can occur which can cause pain.  When left untreated or undiscovered, spinal stenosis can ultimately affect the spinal cord itself causing more frightening and dangerous problems.

Another common yet serious back pain problem is called sciatica.  This condition results from a herniated disc pushing on the sciatic nerve which leads to shooting pains running through the buttocks to one or both of the legs. A little unlike the other issues, sciatica doesn’t always result in constant pain since it is dependent on the exact reason why there is pressure on the nerve in the first place.

Another serious back pain cause is known as spondylolisthesis.  This condition occurs when one vertebrae moves forward over another vertebrae resulting in considerable pain. This can also quite dangerous since it can cause difficulties with the spinal cord and reduce the strength of the back.

If you suffer an accident that causes trauma to the back, this trauma may damage the muscles, ligaments or spinal column, which obviously can cause a tremendous amount of pain. With back pain related to trauma, the damage to the back can vary quite dramatically and because of this the treatment for back pain related to trauma can vary greatly from person to person.

There are very effective treatments available today for back pain, but the first challenge is to admit that you have a problem with your back and to seek help.  If some of these conditions are left untreated then they can actually worsen with time making them even more difficult to treat.  So don’t skip out on seeking treatment.  Take the steps you need to in order to get the help you need or perhaps you can worsen your back pain.

Fibromyalgia Treatment

Fibromyalgia treatment must be individualized due to the fact that the symptoms of fibromyalgia vary so much from patient to patient.  Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by extreme pain and tenderness in multiple muscles and joints.  The pain occurs in areas where the muscles attach to bone or ligaments.

The pain of fibromyalgia is felt all over spreading out from the spine over large areas of the body.  The pain can be a muscle twitching to a burning sensation.  Fibromyalgia pain can continue throughout a person’s lifetime.

Fibromyalgia treatments should combine trigger point therapy, stress reduction, regular exercise and medications.  Trigger point therapy is a technique where pressure is applied to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body.

There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.  Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied.  Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when pressed upon, they do not refer pain to other areas of the body.  Trigger point therapy is used to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain free habits.

Stress reduction with the use of relaxation techniques is another type of fibromyalgia treatment.  This is used to ease muscle tension and anxiety in the body. There are three major types of relaxation techniques that can be used.  Autogenic training is a technique that uses both visual imagery and body awareness to move a person into a deep state of relaxation.  Progressive muscle relaxation involves slowly tensing and then releasing each muscle group individually.  The third type of relaxation technique is meditation.  This is the most popular form of relaxation techniques.

Another form of fibromyalgia treatment is regular exercise. Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do if you have fibromyalgia. You should begin with stretching exercises and gentle, low impact activity such as walking or bicycling.  Don’t be surprised if the exercise makes your pain worse.  Some muscle soreness is normal when you are starting to exercise.  Eventually as you progress you will become more comfortable.  The goal of regular exercise is to gain relief from pain and improve sleep.

Medications are another form or fibromyalgia treatment. Medications are used to help you sleep better, relax muscles, and relieve muscle and joint pain. Examples of medications that may be prescribed are tricyclic antidepressants, such as Amitriptyline or Elavil, muscle relaxants like Flexeril and nonprescription pain relievers like Advil or aspirin.

Fibromyalgia treatment should be tailored to meet individual needs.  Some people with fibromyalgia have mild symptoms and need very little treatment while others require a comprehensive care program.  There are many options available for fibromyalgia treatment so looking for a comprehensive answer to fibromyalgia pain is the best.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disorder that is characterized by extreme pain and tenderness in multiple joints and muscles.

This condition is referred to as a syndrome because it is a set of signs and symptoms that occur together.  The pain from fibromyalgia occurs in areas where the muscles attach to the bone or ligaments.

Fibromyalgia is an arthritis related condition however, the joints are not affected so they are not deformed or deteriorated as they would be with arthritis.

There are many symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, no two people with this condition will experience the same symptom the exact same way.

This is just one of the reasons diagnosing fibromyalgia is a challenge for healthcare providers.  The difficulty of making an accurate diagnosis and beginning to develop a treatment plan for the patient are just some of the reasons that patients suffering with fibromyalgia often become depressed and perhaps even withdrawn.  It can be an endless circle, the chronic pain of fibromyalgia and the frustration at a lack of a diagnosis and absence of a clear treatment plan can be an incredibly frustrating matter for the sufferer.

The most prominent symptom of fibromyalgia is pain.  The pain of fibromyalgia is not localized but rather felt all over especially in the lower back and arms.  About 90% of people who have fibromyalgia will experience fatigue and sleep disturbance.  Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include morning stiffness, frequent urination, a tingling sensation in the hands, arms, feet and face, migraine headaches, abdominal pain and restless leg syndrome.

There is no specific test used to diagnose fibromyalgia making it difficult to diagnose people with this syndrome.  People with fibromyalgia often look healthy and have no outward signs of pain or fatigue. Again, this can certainly work against the patient when seeking a diagnosis.  Although it seems to be better than it was several years ago, a patient can still feel as if they are fighting for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.  Some may even feel like “it is all in my head”.

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by the presence of specific fibromyalgia symptoms, such as the presence of widespread pain along with tenderness at specific locations and chronic fatigue.  Diagnosing fibromyalgia can take years and countless visits to a variety of physicians.  Finding a doctor who is willing to listen to you and is very familiar with this condition is important.

There is no known direct cause of fibromyalgia.  Treatment options include medications to diminish pain and improve sleep.  Exercise programs that improve cardiovascular fitness and stretch muscles and relaxation techniques to help ease muscle tension and anxiety can be beneficial in the treatment of fibromyalgia.  Some people have mild symptoms and will need very little treatment while others will require comprehensive care program including medication for pain and sleep as well as an inclusive exercise program.

If you think you might have fibromyalgia make an appointment to see your doctor.  Your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia and can customize a treatment plan to meet your individual needs.

Chronic Pain Symptoms

There are two types of pain, acute pain and chronic pain.  Pain itself is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Acute pain generally comes on suddenly as a result of a disease, inflammation, or injury and the cause of acute pain can usually be diagnosed and treated. Chronic pain is believed to represent a disease itself.

Environmental and psychological factors can make chronic pain worse.  Chronic pain persists over a long period of time compared to acute pain and is resistant to most medial treatments.

There is no test that measures the intensity of pain, no device that can show pain and no instrument that can locate pain.  It is impossible to tell how much pain a person has.

Sometimes doctors find that the best aid to diagnose chronic pain is through the patients own description of the type, duration and location of the pain.  Stating whether the pain is sharp or dull, constant or intermittent, burning or aching helps to give the best clues to the cause of pain.  Description of pain is what is called the pain history and is taken by the physician during an examination of the patient with chronic pain. There is a current theory that says pain is what the patient says it is.

The goal of chronic pain management is to improve function, helping patients to work, go to school or just participate in day to day activities.  There are a number of options for pain management.  Whatever option is chosen for chronic pain management some are more effective than others.  Some of the most common chronic pain treatments are acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, Acupuncture, Ibuprofen and muscle relaxers.

Chronic pain can rob us of our productivity, our well-being and our very lives.  Pain differs from individual to individual.  Chronic pain has become a universal disorder and a serious and costly public health issue. It is important to remember that chronic pain is treatable.  Don’t give up, keep search until you find the answers for your chronic pain.

Back Pain Statistics

Back pain statistics tell us the numbers but they don’t tell us the real story when it comes to the pain and irritation of back pain and that’s the story we must not forget.

With between 50 and 80% of Americans suffering from back pain at some point in there life, this is a serious issue that is responsible for pain, lifestyle changes, loss of productivity, loss of revenue and frustration. Experts believe that four out of every five people will suffer from back pain in their lifetime.

It is believed that at any give snapshot of time that there are 31 million Americans experiencing lower back pain. While as many as 50% of all Americans declare that they experienced back pain in the previous year, only one third of all of those had back problems within the past five years which caused them to seek out medical care. The National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey reported in 2001 that 13,707,000 people visited their physician because of back pain.

Wow, that’s a lot of people!

While the pain and agony of back pain is high of the list of most challenging issues, it is also important to remember that the financial impact of back pain can be astounding. It is believed that over fifty billion dollars annually are spent trying to eliminate back pain.

Back pain can be a life altering frustration and can lead to people missing out on a variety of activities they would normally pursue. It is thought that back pain is the reason many people under the age of 45 aren’t as active as they’d like to be.

We’ve already talked about the financial impact of back pain but did you realize that some studies show that 30-40% of all work absences were because of employees suffering from back pain.

Back pain must be taken seriously and we must realize that the more we understand it the more we can try to wrap our arms around the impact it has on society today. It impacts so many people and changes life choices each and every day.

Of course, you’ve heard it before but it bears repeating. Prevention of back pain is the key. Simple steps to preventing back pain are to lift with your legs and not your back, to stand up straight and maintain a good posture and if you have back pain that doesn’t go away then see your healthcare provider.

Back pain statistics are one thing but it is no statistical matter when you realize that back pain can be completely debilitating and needs you attention. Find a healthcare provider that will help you to get the care you need and don’t just be another back pain statistic.

Poor Posture and Back Pain

There are lots of things that can cause a case of back pain.

Car accidents, heavy lifting, sudden movements, an injury or a fall as well as many other instances can cause back pain to present itself and as many of you already know the resulting back pain can be life altering and excruciating. One of the easiest things to do to treat back pain is to stand up straight and to maintain good posture.

It is not just cosmetic. Good posture is very important to help you get rid of that nagging back pain.

With poor posture, you are creating additional strain and pressure on the muscles of the back. When you do this then you are also adding more stress and pressure to the spinal cord.

So hear it loud and clear! Poor posture can lead to poor spinal health.

If you keep it up and live with bad posture for a long period of time, then you can actually alter the spine itself. With these changes in the spine, then the blood vessels and the nerves located n the back may become constricted, and this can lead to problems with your back muscles and joints.

Proper posture is critical since it is proper posture that helps you to keep an adequate balance between the different parts of the body. If you are looking to determine if you exhibit proper posture then first of all you have to identify if the parts of your body are directly aligned.

If you are able to draw a straight line from your ankles to your earlobes, including a straight line through your shoulder, hips and knees then pat yourself on the back, you have good posture.

If you are looking to improve your posture, then first of all take a look at your current posture. During the day, take note of your posture and try to determine just when your posture is at its worst. If you can figure out when your posture is at its worst then you’ve got a better shot at reducing your back pain related to poor posture.

Folks often have posture problems when they are sitting in chairs. Use the support that the chair offers. Do not slump forward. Slumping forward and not using the support of the chair can place extra strain on your lower back. Consider buying an ergonomic chair in order to help you reduce your back pain. It is also important to remember that if you have been sitting for a long period of time, then get up and walk around. Stretch. Give your muscles a chance to stretch and relax.

Poor posture can contribute to back pain and it is one of the areas that you must work on when you are trying to get relief from the pain. Good posture is a cosmetic issue for sure but it is also an easy treatment for back pain too.

Back Pain and Disc Surgery

Artificial disc surgery is often the treatment of choice when a disc within the spine is damaged.  With damage to the discs the pain that results can be devastating not to mention life altering.

Back pain is a problem which typically impacts the lives of people for many years.  It is only recently that the Food and Drug Administration of the United States approved artificial disc surgery to treat damaged back discs.  The FDA believed that the research presented demonstrated that artificial disc surgery had been proven to be an effective treatment choice to help alleviate the pain from those suffering with damaged discs.

Previously the treatment of choice for back pain due to damaged discs has been spinal fusion. Located between the vertebrae of the back, the discs act as a shock support system and provide cushioning as we move. But when a disc is damaged, previously one of the surgical treatments used was for the orthopedic surgeon to remove the affected disc and fuse the two vertebrae together.

Yes, this was a good choice for some, but in other cases, the spinal fusion was not at all successful.  In fact, researchers tell us that the success rate for the spinal fusion surgery hovers around 75%. Not only that, but the recovery time for spinal fusion surgery can be rather extensive, since it can take to 24 months for the fusion to be complete.

With the new surgical process, an artificial disc is inserted in place of the damaged disc. This type of surgery makes it easier for patients to keep their full range of motion while traditional spinal fusion surgery can lead to a reduction in or a complete loss of spinal flexibility. In the United States, the FDA has approved only one specific type of artificial disc.

approved by the FDA in October 2004, is created from three distinct pieces. First there is a sliding core that is made out of plastic, followed by two end plates created from cobalt chromium alloy. It is the ingenuity of the sliding core which allows the back to keep its needed flexibility.

The Charite artificial disc is made out of the very same components that have historically been used in knee replacement implants.  Because we already have a history of success with the knee implants, then we already know that the artificial disc should also be generally well-received by the human body since it is made from similar parts. Current research shows that the Charite artificial discs are effective for at least seventeen years.

After making an incision in the lower abdomen near the belly button, the physician will remove the damaged spinal disc and replace it with the new Charite artificial disc.  While different in the mechanics of the surgery, both the new artificial disc surgery and traditional spinal fusion surgery have the same end goal in mind and that is to provide the patient with relief from pain.

Generally following a four to five day hospitalization the patient is able to go home to continue to recover.  A back brace is often used in those first few weeks in order to provide extra support for the abdominal muscles.

It is vitally important to do the research and to get a second opinion before make any decision regarding back surgery.  But it is also just as important to make a decision so that you can ultimately find relief from the back pain you are experiencing.

Whether you decide to do nothing or if you decide on spinal fusion or on the Charite, the most important thing to remember is that you do not just have to life with it.  Artificial disc surgery has gained more and more favor over the past few years and had give many relief from the pain they’ve lived with for way too long.

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