Sciatica Relief Help

Archive for the ‘sciatica therapy’ Category

Many people undergo open back surgery for different kinds of back problems. The November 2007 issue of Consumer reports states that back surgery was the most overtreated procedure. Did you know that fifty per cent of back surgeries fail after the first year and seventy per cent after the second? Back surgery has its risks of anesthsia, and scar tissue formation hitting the nerves which can cause severe pain.

Ask yourself before considering surgery what about the recupperation time, healing time (which can take up to a year), lost wages, and missing out on activities. Down the road you might have to have a second surgery.

There is a natural alternative called spinal decompression rehabilatation. This is a FDA cleared procedure which has a hig success rate. It is for people with herniated discs, prolapsed or bulging discs, sciatica, chronic back pain, facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, and failed back surgery. The person lies down or face up on massage like table fully clothed. Many people fall asleep during treatment. A gentle stretch is applied to the spine to allow nutrient rich fluids such as oxygen and water into the disc to hydrate and heal it. This allows the jelly portion of the disc to go back into its central location. If you think of the disc as a jelly donut and in the center of the donut is the jelly. When the jelly oozes out into the cake portion of the donut it can cause pain and the disc is compressed. What the decompression machine does is act as a vaccum and targets that disc and allows the oozing jelly from the cake portion to be sucked back into the discs central location and opens up the area.

Cold laser therapy which is a FDA cleared modality is an excellent companion with spinal decompression. Cold laser is a light that helps relax the muscle. Both of these procedures are non-invasive an an excellent alternative to surgery.

Dr. H. Carol Sanders-Shochat
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/avoid-open-back-surgery-420543.html

Acupuncture is an ancient form of medical treatment designed in China. The skilled healthcare workers who supply this kind of treatment are called acupuncturists. Research has shown that acupuncture is successful in easing some types of pain, including the pain of arthritis. The National Institutes of Health concluded that acupuncture is a helpful addition to the treatment of osteoarthritis in 1997.

The word “acupuncture” is European, the idea having been transported to Europe from Nagasaki by Willem ten Rhyne in 1683, but the treatment has most likely been used in China since around 1600 BC. During the Ching Dynasty (AD 1644-1911) acupuncture fell out of favor in China but has been more commonly used there since the Communist revolution and it is certainly very popular now in the West.

Acupuncture texts list over one hundred conditions that respond well to the therapy. Working in close accord with the International Acupuncture Training Center of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the World Health Organization in 2002 specified that acupuncture is useful in treating the following conditions: severe and persistent pain relief, migraine, tension cluster and sinus headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, neck pain, upper and mid-back pain, lower back pain sciatica, osteoarthritis, sprains and strains, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, post-operative pain relief, gastric problems, asthma, allergies, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, neurological syndrome, various eye problems etc. Given the back benefits, many chiropractors now offer Chiropractic Acupuncture in addition to traditional chiropractic methods.

In November 1999 scientists from the Research Center for Complementary Medicine at Technische Universitat in Munich assessed the usefulness of acupuncture in treating headaches by methodically reviewing 22 randomized controlled trials. Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that acupuncture “has a role in the treatment of recurrent headaches.”

A number of studies have pointed out that acupuncture might improve patients who have had a stroke. Johannson et al of Lund University Hospital in Sweden found major improvement in a group of stroke patients who received acupuncture during the acute phase, compared with an untreated group, regarding evaluations of walking, balance, activities of daily living, quality of life, mobility, and emotional state.

Practitioners of acupuncture and other forms of Chinese traditional medicine believe that attending to the cause of illness, treating the whole person, and focusing on balance of the immune system leads to significant benefits in long-term health management. For many, this can mean the end of struggles with different types of medication and their side effects.

Adam O’Connor
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/studies-indicate-acupuncture-can-improve-quality-of-life-80468.html

Back pain affects millions of people each and every year. For many, they’re lives are never the same.

Unfortunately, many people suffer for weeks, months and even years unnecessarily and one of the reasons is a lack of good information.

Much of the information that is given to people regarding back pain is out-dated, inaccurate and often dangerous!

So the purpose of this article is to educate you about many of the treatments that are available for back pain.

But before we get started, it’s important you know that very rarely is one treatment the answer. back pain is often times a complex problem and it often requires treatments that address multiple areas simultaneously.

Also, my experience working with tens of thousands of back pain sufferers has shown that, the people who get lasting relief are the ones who are constantly researching and experimenting with as many treatments as possible.

Ok, let’s review some of the many treatments that are available for back pain and sciatica:

Orthopedic Care

One of the first places many people go when they experience back pain is the orthopedic specialist (surgeon) and a visit usually last 5-10 minutes. They will typically look at the problem/symptomatic area and often fail to look at the body as a whole.

If you’ve been to an orthopedic specialist for your back pain, did they do a full body physical evaluation (takes 30 mins. or more)??? Not likely.

Here are some of the common treatments used / prescribed by orthopedic specialists:

Cortisone Shots

Cortisone is a catabolic steroid which is intended to reduce inflammation by killing off the tissue in the inflamed area… now let me ask you, does that make any sense to you at all?

Not only are these injections quite painful, but they rarely result in any pain relief and if they do it is short lived, usually 1-2 weeks if at all. Plus, it does NOTHING to identify or address the cause of the pain… it is only intended to treat the symptom. It’s for those reasons that we do not recommend them.

Anti-inflammatory Medications

Just the name should scare you away… just like cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory medications do not identify or address the cause of your pain and for many people, they deliver little pain relief. These medications also deliver serious side effects! The main reason they are prescribed is money… and if you don’t believe me, do the research and you’ll see for yourself. The drug industry is huge and unfortunately, they have a huge influence on the whole medical community, including the doctors.

I challenge you to find a drug that will fix your back problem… you’ll be looking forever because there is no way a medication can fix a physical problem so avoid medications at all costs!

Back Surgery

Surgery for back pain is very common and more often than not, the individual still has pain afterwards (or it returns within weeks) and sometimes even new problems! Very rarely is a surgery the answer…

For example, many people have surgery for herniated discs. The logic behind the surgery is if you remove the piece/portion of the disc that is putting pressure on the nerve the problem is solved.

Unfortunately, the same forces that forced that disc to protrude or bulge will likely force more of the disc out, or another disc out.

Surgery should always be the last resort… and even then I’d question it!

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy is traditionally the next step after seeing an Orthopedic Doctor. That is if surgery is not recommended. So what should you expect?

The process will start with an evaluation and here may be the start of the problem… here is why…. the doctor has to write a prescription with a diagnosis on it.

You give the prescription to the PT and he or she will perform an evaluation… chances are the PT will simply confirm the diagnosis from the doctor, however the hope should be that they take the extra step to look for the root cause of your pain. They may but chances are they have several other clients in the office at the same time and simply do not have the time.

So without a comprehensive evaluation to identify the root cause of you pain they will simply treat your symptoms. We have just identified the second problem.

The health care industry is required to show improvement with each and every session so the push is to reduce your symptoms to show progress in order for them to get paid. The long and short of it is that yes your pain can be reduced but the root cause rarely gets addressed, meaning that the pain and your suffering will return again and again.

So what should you do? When selecting a Physical Therapy office you may want to ask how many patients the office sees in a day and how many PTs they have on staff… then ask how many patients can a PT work with in an hour. Do not be surprised to hear that a PT can see up to three patients in an hour. Do you think you will get the attention and proper treatments you need? I doubt it.

There is a little joke in Physical Therapy when treating patients and it has to do with what course of modalities you will get. The joke is called Shake and Bake and it refers to the fact that everyone gets the same treatment protocol… that way it can be timed so that your PT can see other people simultaneously.

What goes into a shake and bake treatment? It may start with a spin on a stationary bike or a trot a treadmill than you will get a 3 to 5 minute Ultrasound over the effected area followed by Electrical Stimulation to the area with a little Ice strapped to your body and to finish off your session you will get a hand out with exercises you should do at home. Certainly not a recipe for success!

Chiropractic Care

One of the most common treatments for back pain is Chiropractic Care. The approach consists of physical manipulations of bones and joints in an attempt to line things back up and it’s recommended typically 2-3 times per week.

The problem with this approach is that the same forces (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) will likely pull the bones and joints right back out of place again. Also, most (not all) chiropractors will spend 15 minutes with you if your lucky.

Ask people who see a chiropractor how long they’ve been going… I hear of people who have been going for 10-15 years and still don’t have a healthy back. Look, the fact is chiropractic care is lacking…

Unless the chiropractor combines the two approaches, it doesn’t make sense…

The ONLY way chiropractic care makes sense is if you are addressing the muscle imbalances that are pulling the bones and joints out of place to begin with and that requires strengthening and stretching exercises that are chosen specifically to correct your muscle imbalances.

Alternative Treatments for Treating Back Pain

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy, if done correctly can work wonders for people with back pain. This is not to say that it is the best choice and that it will work for everyone… however, most people will get great results from it if the massage therapist has a good understanding of muscle imbalances and how to work on them.

NOTE: Not all massage therapists are the same! Just like any profession, there are varying degrees of training and qualifications. When selecting a massage therapist please check to see if they are licensed and insured in the state where you will be seeing them.

You should also ask the massage therapist if they have training in one of the following areas: Orthopedic massage, Medical massage, St. Johns technique and/or has a comprehensive knowledge of muscle imbalances relating to back pain.

With that said the benefits are as follows. The root cause will be identified, your discomfort will be addressed and you root cause will be corrected all in an attempt to make you pain free and give you the tools you need to keep you that way. What to expect when you see a massage therapist.

All massage sessions are one on one allowing you the opportunity to converse with the therapist as well as get the attention you need to get results. You can ask questions about how you compare to other people.

Feel free to ask the therapist what approach they will be taking so that you know what to expect. The massage therapist has many different techniques they can use when to dealing with you back pain and some are better than others.

On the down side sometimes a therapist can get distracted with other problem areas, it is in your best interest to keep them focused on you back and associated problem areas. Like anything else you may need to try several different therapists before finding the one that works best for you and with you.

Post-rehabilitation Fitness Training

Another overlooked form of treatment that is very effective is post-rehabilitation fitness training. This includes targeted strength and flexibility work to correct / improve the individuals muscle imbalances. This is specialized knowledge that very few fitness trainers possess and there are certification programs designed specifically for this.

There are of course, limitations as to what they can do for you. For example, they can not diagnose a condition, prescribe any medications take x-rays, etc… however, if they are well trained they can pinpoint your muscle imbalances quickly and get you started on a fitness program that will restore balance to your body and likely eliminate your back pain.

Often times this can be combined with massage therapy and/or manual physical therapy for a total solution. If you decide to go this route, which I recommend you do, be sure to thoroughly check out the fitness trainer and ask to see their certification, insurance, references, etc.

Manual Physical (muscle) Therapy

Manual Physical Therapy is NOT the same as regular physical therapy… there are some major differences. Here are just a few:

• Manual therapy consists of hands on muscle work primarily whereas traditional physical therapy consists of heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, etc

• Manual therapist will typically perform a much more thorough physical evaluation

• Manual therapists will usually be able to spend more time with each patient

• Manual therapy is more holistic in it’s approach and focuses the body as a whole unit… something lacking from nearly all traditional treatments for back pain.

So before you say, “I’ve already tried physical therapy”… did you try manual physical therapy? They are two very different treatment approaches and I highly recommend you consider manual physical therapy.

Conclusion

As you can see traditional treatments are the main stay of modern medicine… not necessarily for the patients benefit, but it’s just how the system works.

The system will not change until the system is confronted with a very powerful competitive force. That force may well be complementary or alternative care from the likes of Personal Trainers, Acupuncturists, Massage Therapists, Manual Physical Therapists, and the like.

So that’s what we’ve tried to do… force change. The traditional treatments that people have been receiving for decades just don’t work, and we have found a combination approach that not only works the best, but it’s safe, natural, and inexpensive.

Check out our “Lose the Back Pain” system now… it will show you how to identify the cause of your back pain and then show you the exact combination of steps to take to eliminate it.

If you have tried other treatments with little or no relief, you owe it to yourself to try this approach… so take charge of your health and get started now working towards not only a pain free back, but a healthy and balanced body! Only you can fix your back… all you need is the right approach!

Steve Hefferon
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/back-pain-treatments-reviewed-94285.html

When the pain of a sore back becomes nearly unbearable, what works best to control it? Here are a few different techniques I am trying, to make myself as comfortable as possible as I struggle to recover from a severe case of sciatica, in which my last lumbar disk has herniated and hit my sciatic nerve, making everyday life, well, really difficult.

After going to my orthopedic doctor, I tried physical therapy. It felt good in traction, when the body is pulled to take the pressure off the spine. Little did I know, that the next day, my whole body would go into major spasms. Being practically paralyzed from the pain, I knew that if I didn’t do something to help myself, then I’d most certainly end up in a hospital bed. With limited insurance, I decided to fight going, until exhausting my options. I called the doctor, and he changed my medicines to new ones, since the former kinds didn’t have an effect on the pain whatsoever.

Now, on muscle relaxants, narcotics and steroids, the pain subsides some. The only place I can find comfort is on the floor, as my bed, couch and recliners aggravate my spine right now. It is so touchy that I have to be careful how I get up, walk, turn, and I cannot bend or twist at all.

With a slab of memory foam on the floor, and a sleeping bag over top of it, the back pain forces me to work my computer from the floor. Not being able to sit up hardly at all, I am propped up by pillows only slightly, with a wedge under my knees and another behind my back for firm support. If I lie still, the pain subsides somewhat. Other people would have given up and gone to the hospital, but I am being gentle with my back, in hopes of recovery. I gave myself a time limit, if there is no improvement in two weeks, then I will go to the hospital as the doctor advised. I don’t recommend this for everyone, but when money is tight and work must be done, for me it’s worth a shot.

The steroids seem to be helping. I am now able to do more than a few days ago. I can sit up a little longer, and walk to the bathroom without doubling over in severe pain. I can get up just enough to get my food, and and feed my cats. They are concerned and sleep at my side at all times, wondering why their normally energetic owner isn’t moving much.

I have stopped physical therapy for now, to avoid more strong muscle spasms, my body is too touchy right now. Thank goodness the pharmacy has someone deliver my medicines to me. I have bottles of different meds all over my desk. It looks like a pharmacy in here. I take pills to sleep, for the pain, to relax muscles, and to keep calm during all of this. I am mellow as a marshmellow. Slowly, there is improvement. The floor is quite comfortable, and when I tried to sit up in my recliner, I realized that I’m not ready for it yet. It is a long and slow process.

Every so often I talk to my doctor, or one of his nurses. I avoid seeing friends much and rest most of the time. Work has been difficult, and I’ve had many days off (though I work from home, it is hard to work on the phone and use the computer efficiently). Thank goodness my bosses understand. As I lay here on my back, surfing the net from a horizontal position, I am learning a lot about dealing with lumbar spine problems, spine anatomy and what not to do to make the condition worse. Surfing orthopedic supply sites, I shop for a tens unit (muscle stimulator, to help control the pain) and all sorts of contraptions meant to help with back pain. I have already bought a few supplies meant to help my back, such as a hand held massager, massage recliner, back belt, ice packs, wedge pillows and memory foam. How glad I am to have them, they all have gotten quite a bit of use lately and make the situation more bearable with their convenience. Using the massage chair or the vibrating massage wand can aggravate the swelling in my back if used too much so I just use them briefly as needed. I apply heat then ice packs.

I’m doing gentle leg exercises to keep my muscles from wasting, too, when I get a momentary reprieve from the pain. Slowly, steadily, there is improvement. The pain is there but there is light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. It is a slow process, and I am encouraged but impatient.

So far, so good. I have new appreciation for my spine. Carelessly twisting, bending and otherwise abusing my back on a daily basis has probably gotten me into this position so now, newly learned habits will get me out of this mess. No more contorting my spine into a pretzel as I fall asleep on the couch in front of tv. Those days are over. This is an unfortunate but necessary learning experience. Take care of your spine and get it checked, it never hurts to be preventative, than come in later with a bad case of back trouble. Some conditions aren’t preventable, so if you get one of those, read up on the condition so you know what to expect from your treatment. It will make the whole situation less scary, the more you know.

Carolyn McFann
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/two-weeks-of-sleeping-on-the-floor-trying-to-get-comfortable-during-severe-back-pain-126032.html

Injuries can cause back pain, including injuries to the upper limbs, shoulders, neck, spine, etc. Injuries can occur also cause back pain if the rotator cuffs are disturbed. The rotator cuffs comprise acromion, tendons, such as the rotator cuffs, which rest at the upper bones at the arm, and connect with rotator cuff muscles. The muscles are at the top of the upper arm bones, and below the shoulder joints. Rotator cuffs are clusters of smaller muscles, tendons, etc, and attach to various parts of the body.

If the tendons are torn and/or ruptured it can cause back pain. The injuries usually occur when sudden impacts or forces target the region. Exerting the muscles can also cause injury. If the tendons are damaged, it causes inflammation and swelling, which obviously creates pain.

Such problems are treated with rest, ice packs, compression, and elevation. Shoulder injuries are seen when the arm is thrown out of socket. The injuries occur from falls, overexerting muscles, etc. The doctor considers such injuries carefully, since fractures may arise, which start within the humerus. In some instances, surgery is mandatory to correct the problem.

Additional injuries include arc pain, shoulder freeze, tendonitis, subacromial bursa, acromio-clavicular, and so on. The Bursa is a sac filled with fluids that serve as padding to reduce friction. The purpose of the bursa is to make movement easy and to avert rubbing of the joints. The bursa can cause problems when the shoulders are suddenly tossed over the head.

Treatment for subacromial bursa conditions, include steroid regimens, physical therapy, meds, etc, especially when inflammations sets in. The condition can cause back pain, since bursa is an assistant to the joints, cartilages, bones, and synovium. Bursa works by playing down the risks of joint damage.

If bursa inflames it compresses the nerves, or tendons. What happens after is failure, especially once the joints rub. The soft pockets amid the bones that overlap and protect other bones can cause serious back pain, since inflammation has set in from bursa disorders. The tension caused from inflammation hits the muscles, overexerting these muscles, which the sensory nerves are slowed down and movement is limited.

Posture is the pose we receive from bearing muscles and joints. If a person slouches, often it can cause back pain, since the muscles and joints are not moving, as they should. Physical therapy and meds are often employed to correct the problem. Sitting at long intervals can also cause back problems, especially if the lower back is not supported. In fact, sitting incorrectly can bend the spine at the lower back and cause serious pain.

Back pain in this nature may arrive from sport activities as well, such as heavy lifting, repeated twisting, and so on. Slouches can correct back problems by learning how to sit and stand in proper positions. The back when damaged from slouching affects the lumbar. In addition, the slouchier will need to learn correct techniques of lifting.

Back pain can arrive from slipped disk, sciatica, sacro-iliac, etc. Slip disks is a Herniated nucleus pulposa (HNP) disorder. Slip disks is rupturing of the ‘intervertebral disk.’ The intervertebral disk sits amid the Spinal Columns and next to the backbone.

Slipped disks start at the spinal canal, nerves, gelatinous core, and finally at the disks. When the nerve roots are pressured, the disk can slip, causing herniated nucleus pulposa. Sciatica is a sort of slipped disk, since the pain sends sharp, electrical shock-like pain down the canal of the spine, sending a distressing ache that starts at the back. The pain carries onto the legs. The pain is at times intermittent, yet other times it can lead to chronic pain syndrome. Surgical procedures are often required to correct the problem.

John Pawlett
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/injuries-and-back-pain-97229.html