Archive for January 2010
Studies Indicate Acupuncture Can Improve Quality of Life
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
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Acupuncture During Pregnancy
Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese method of using tiny needles to stimulate specific areas or “meridians” of the body and to rebalance the body’s energy, or chi. Because Acupuncture is especially effective for chronic conditions, many pregnant women are turning to acupuncture to provide drug-free relief from many of the unpleasant symptoms of Pregnancy.
An Australian study showed that women who received acupuncture treatments regularly before their 14th week of Pregnancy had less nausea and shorter bouts of morning sickness than women who did not receive the treatment. Acupuncture has also been used to treat the more serious condition hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes serious vomiting that persists throughout pregnancy.
During the second trimester, acupuncture has been used to successfully treat heartburn and hemorrhoids. In the third trimester, acupuncture can provide relief from sciatica, joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, which many women develop late in pregnancy. Acupuncture has even been used to relieve pain during labor and delivery.
Pregnant women seeking to use acupuncture to treat conditions developed during pregnancy should be sure to visit a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. For example, although acupuncture can be used to treat edema, or swelling of the ankles, edema can be an indicator of a serious problem. An acupuncturist experienced in treating pregnant women would be more likely to recognize this problem and refer the patient back to her obstetrician.
The most serious risk of using acupuncture during pregnancy is that it may stimulate labor if it is improperly applied. Choosing an experienced practitioner reduces this risk to almost negligible levels. In fact, many women have turned to acupuncture to purposefully stimulate labor when their baby is overdue. Some women have found that labor induced by acupuncture is gentler than labor induced by drugs such as Pitocin.
In addition to benefits during pregnancy, labor and delivery, acupuncture has been used to promote fertility and to treat infertility. In a small German study, women who used acupuncture in conjunction with in vitro fertilization had a 42.5% success rate compared to 26.3% in women who used in vitro fertilization alone. Fertility specialists attribute this to the overall improvement of health that comes from receiving regular acupuncture treatments.
Finally, acupuncture may have some benefits in treating post-partum depression. Although no research has been done to support the efficacy of acupuncture treatments on post-partum depression, anecdotal evidence shows that some women do benefit from its use. Because acupuncture does not cause harmful drug interactions, it can be a useful complimentary therapy.
Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/acupuncture-during-pregnancy-51393.html
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3 Common Back Pain Questions Answered
Millions of people struggle with Back Pain and fail to get lasting relief and the primary reason is a lack of knowledge and understanding about Back pain.
In our work with over 20,000 back pain sufferers here at The Healthy Back Institute, we have identified several Questions that are common among nearly all, back pain sufferers. And unfortunately, for many, these people continue to struggle with back pain because their questions never get answered or they get the wrong information.
So the purpose of this article is to educate and inform anyone suffering from back pain by answering these common questions and by giving specific recommendations and actions to take.
Question #1 – Is my excess weight causing my back pain?
While excess body weight is a factor, it by itself typically isn’t enough to create a condition that would cause back pain. Excess body weight in the form of excess body fat can worsen a pre-existing condition and can also make recover more difficult.
Also, it’s important to understand that if you are overweight it’s very likely that your muscles are out of balance. When your muscles are out of balance, it forces your body to function and move in an unbalanced way and this places uneven pressure, strain and wear tear on your body. And it’s this process that is responsible for creating any conditions or physical dysfunctions that are causing the pain. Unfortunately, most people aren’t even aware when this is happening with their body.
Action to take:
Don’t worry so much about your weight right now. First focus on eliminating your back pain by identify the muscle imbalances that are throwing your body out of balance and work on improving and correcting them. Then, once your back is feeling better you can focus more on losing weight.
Question #2 – I’ve tried everything but nothing has worked, what should I do?
First off, while it may seem like you’ve exhausted every possible treatment, it’s not likely that you’ve tried everything. So unless you’ve given up and plan on living the rest of your life in pain, you need to make the decision to be open-minded and continue to identify and experiment with other available treatment options. But, before you try any other treatments, it’s important that you understand why what you’ve already tried hasn’t worked.
The reason nearly all back pain treatments fail to deliver long-term relief is because they treat just the symptoms and fail to address the actual, underlying cause. For example, let’s talk about back surgery. While removing a piece of a herniated disc may, if you’re lucky, reduce or eliminate your pain, the fact is it didn’t deal with what caused the disc to herniate in the first place.
In fact, a study published in the June 2004 issue of Spine, an international journal for the study of the spine, found that 40% of people who underwent back surgery had no decrease in their pain even though their doctor/surgeon had assured them of the results.
So in order for you to get long-term, lasting relief you need to identify and address the underlying cause of your pain.
Action to take:
Identify the underlying cause of your pain by identifying the muscle imbalances that are creating your physical dysfunctions and conditions. Make sure any treatment you are given or perform addresses both the symptoms (condition and pain) and the cause (muscle imbalances and dysfunctions).
Question #3 – My doctor not to exercise, what should I do?
Find a new doctor. Too many research studies have shown that people with back pain who avoid exercise and activity, end up suffering longer and have a more difficult time getting relief.
While you may need to rest for a few days initially to let things settle down, after that you will get better results by staying active because by continuing to move you keep your blood circulating and your muscle active, which will prevent them from getting weaker.
But that’s not enough.
Even though staying active may help; it’s not enough to get rid of the underlying cause of the pain. In order to do that, you must identify and address your imbalances and dysfunctions.
And the generic exercises that almost every back pain sufferer receives from their healthcare professional, may or may not help… it can even worsen the condition. And the reason is, these exercises do not address the specific muscle imbalances and dysfunctions that are responsible for their pain.
Action to take:
If your doctor or healthcare professional hasn’t taken the time to educate about the effect of muscle imbalances and importance of performing targeted and specific, corrective exercises and stretches, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Unfortunately, the number of healthcare professionals who are educated and trained in the art of identifying and addressing muscle imbalances is small and finding one can often be difficult. If you have trouble finding someone in your area, please feel free to contact us here at The Healthy Back Institute by calling 800-216-4908 and we’ll do our best to help you.
Conclusion
If you’re a back pain sufferer, you well know that these are just a few of the many questions that you may have. The fastest way for you to get lasting relief from back pain is to become an expert on it and your body and you do that be educating yourself.
I strongly encourage you to learn as much as you can about back pain, how it develops and the various treatment options that are available. And lastly, stay focused and don’t give up.
Steve Hefferon
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/3-common-back-pain-questions-answered-94284.html
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Back Pain Treatments Reviewed
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
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Natural Solutions And Remedies For Pain Relief
Posture – Slouching is when you drop your shoulder forward and your head downward. The tendency is for your back to work extra just to maintain your balance. As a result, it puts pressure on your vertebrae, which will likely cause your back to ache. Stop slouching and start to stand and seat straight. This will not only make your look good, it will also make you feel good.
Massage Therapy – Massage helps relieve back Pain, shin splints, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel type symptoms, neck stiffness, sciatica, bursitis, headaches, tennis elbow, and low back stiffness by treating trigger points. Trigger points are accretions of waste products in the region of a nerve receptor which manifest themselves in the forms of dull ache, hot or cold, harp Pain, pins and needles, and tingling among others.
Exercise – Your bones should carry your weight. But if your weight exceeds the carrying capacity, then you should be feeling pain right now. There are certain exercises that strengthen the bones. Meanwhile, loosing weight is another way to relieve the stress on your bone. People who are either obese or overweight and experiencing pain might not realize that the main contributor to the pain they feel is their weight.
Balneotherapy – “balneo” (from balneum) is a Latin word meaning bath. Balneotherapy is a kind of hydrotherapy that involves bathing in warm water or mineral water. Researches found that balneotherapy possesses significant beneficial effects for people experiencing body pain. Balneotherapy meanwhile should not be applied to people with heart condition unless supervised with primary care provider.
Sleeping position – the best way to sleep is on your side with your knees bend with a pillow between your legs. For pregnant women who experience back pain, sleeping on the side would be the best remedy for it. Place a pillow under your abdomen to support its weight.
Vitamin D – pain can be a manifestation of Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D can be found in fortified milk and cereals, soya milk, margarine, fish, and sunlight.
Hot and cold – back pain can be alleviated by applying cold pack at their back. Other people find heat to be a source of relief. A combination of either hot or cold and massage would also work for other people. Trying out any of these would not do you harm so feel free to explore the possibilities of finding relief to either of them.
Rest – at the office, an all day’s work would mean seating for long hours. This is okay if you are maintaining a good posture all throughout the day. However, the temptation to slouch is great that you completely forget you are slouching. After that, you complain about the pain at your back. Surprisingly, a few minutes of rest is all you need help remove the pain.
John Furnem
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/Natural-solutions-and-remedies-for-pain-relief-85337.html
