Archive for May, 2011

Exercises for Back Pain : CBS News Special!

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

exercise for back painWhen suffering from any type of illness exercise can certainly be a challenge! However, it is important for your mind, body and soul to be involved in some sort of activity and to have a healthy way to vent excess energy .

Finding exercises that are safe for people that have sciatica or chronic back pain is tough! But, there are some ideas out there that have been proven to be helpful in moderation…

The other day on CBS News they had a great little segment on back pain and exercise. These activities involved exercises that can be done to improve back strength and take pressure off of the spine.  I thought some of these tips may be helpful to those of you out there who are looking for a way to relieve your back pain, but still want to include exercise in your day to day routine!

Exercises include yoga positions and specific maneuvers while swimming. Check it out!
www.cbsnews.com and good luck!

 

SciatiCalm : Clinical Breakdown of the Ingredients

Friday, May 27th, 2011


sciaticalm-drug-factsSciatiCalm is an all natural sciatica treatment, the following is a clinical breakdown of the ingredients in SciatiCalm, to better explain the benefits of the treatment.

 

SciatiCalm: Treatment for Sciatica Nerve Pain a Clinical Breakdown

By Dr. Thomas Latino


Background on the Sciatic Nerve, Pain and Diagnosis

Sciatica is pain in the lower extremity resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain of sciatica is typically felt from the low back (lumbar area) to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and begins from nerve roots in the lumbar spinal cord in the low back and extends through the buttock area to send nerve endings down the lower limb. The pain of sciatica is sometimes referred to as sciatic nerve pain.

While sciatica is most commonly a result of a lumbar disc herniation directly pressing on the nerve, any cause of irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve can reproduce the symptoms of sciatica. This irritation of nerves as a result of an abnormal intervertebral disc is referred to as radiculopathy. Aside from a pinched nerve from a disc, other causes of sciatica include irritation of the nerve from an adjacent bone, tumors, muscle, internal bleeding, infections, injury, and other causes. Sometimes sciatica can occur because of irritation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy.

Sciatica causes pain, a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back and upper buttock down the back of the thigh to the back of the leg. The result is leg pain. Sometimes the pain radiates around the hip or buttocks area to feel like hip pain. While sciatica is often associated with lower back pain (lumbago), it can be present without low back pain. Severe sciatica can make walking difficult if not impossible. Sometimes the symptoms of sciatica are aggravated by walking or bending at the waist and relieved by lying down. The pain relief by changing positions can be partial or complete. Sciatica is diagnosed with a physical exam and medical history. The typical symptoms and certain examination maneuvers help the health-care practitioner to diagnose sciatica. Sometimes, X-rays, films, and other tests, such as CT scan, MRI scan, and electromyogram, are used to further define the exact causes of sciatica.

Ingredients in Sciaticalm

Sciaticalm represents an innovative, homeopathic treatment for the debilitating impact and consequences of Sciatica nerve pain.  The following section of this article will present the 7 ingredients of Sciaticalm and demonstrate how each one of them, working in concert will promote inherent abilities to minimize the pain and discomfort associated with Sciatica nerve pain.

Arnica Montana

Arnica (Arnica montana) has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s and remains popular today. Applied topically as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, or tincture, Europeans and Native Americans have used arnica to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds. It is often the first remedy used for injuries such as sprains and bruises.. Arnica is often used in homeopathy, and should be taken internally only in the extremely diluted form common to homeopathic remedies.

Arnica is used topically for a wide range of conditions, including bruises, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, superficial phlebitis, rheumatic pain, inflammation from insect bites, and swelling due to fractures. Homeopathic preparations are also used to treat sore muscles, bruises, and other conditions caused by overexertion or trauma. Homeopathic doses are extremely diluted. They have no detectable amount of the plant in them and are generally considered safe for internal use when taken according to the directions on the product labeling.

Belladonna

Belladonna has long been used within homeopathic treatments as a mechanism for combatting the painful onset and lingering complications due to inflammation.  Studies have demonstrated the positive impact Belladonna has on treating patients with these specific conditions (Pedallino, 2004). Belladonna or Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade)-the source of the drug atropine belongs to genus Atropa along with two other species (Hunziker, 2001). Although the phylogenetic affinity of Atropa to Hyoscyameae has been controversial for over a century (Hunziker, 2001), however, in a recent study this affinity was conclusively proved (Yuan et al., 2006). The plant Atropa belladonna is surrounded by myth, fear and awe. That this plant contains poison is known from the ancient Greek and Roman civilization to medieval witches, professional poisoners, sorcerers and ultimately in 1830s atropine was isolated from the plant (Lee, 2007). Atropa belladonna is rich in tropane alkaloids, primarily atropine and scopolamine (Talaty et al., 2005).

Roots are the major organs of tropane alkaloid biosynthesis and after their formation in roots, tropane alkaloids are transported to the aerial parts of the plant. Putrescine N-Methyltransferase (PMT) is the pivotal enzyme for the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids. The PMT cDNAs were cloned from A. belladonna and were found to encode a protein homologous to spermidine synthases indicating the evolutionary origin of PMT from spermidine synthase. In A. belladonna, PMT is located in pericycle and xylem cells of the root. Root cultures of A. belladonna form the tropine derived alkaloids hyoscyamine, scopolamine and calystegines. While hyoscyamine and scopolamine are also found in other related species to A. belladonna, thus calystegines appear to be the key agent which is present in high concentration to A. belladonna only and thus differentiates biological activities of belladonna from other related plants.

The biosynthetic pathway of tropane alkaloids is very complex. Putrescine first converted into N-methyl putrescine by PMT. N-methyl putrescine yields tropinone. In tropinone I pathway tropinone is converted to tropine, tropine is converted to hyoscyamine and finally converted to scopolamine by the action of hyoscyamine-6-hydroxylase. In the relatively less investigated tropinone II pathway at first there is formation of pseudotropine, which is then converted to calystegine.

Chamomilla

M. Chamomilla is an herbal remedy derived from the dried leaves of the German chamomile plant. This specific homeopathic remedy is believed to be a natural sedative. Furthermore, the oil from this plant has several topical uses for treating skin inflammations.  Supplements such as Roman Chamomilla and and Chamomile have been demonstrated to possess the requisite compounds and properties to alleviate skin inflammation. It contains several classes of biologically active compounds, including essential oils and several polyphenols that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically. The principal components of the essential oil extracted from chamomile flowers are the terpenoids ?-bisabolol and its oxide and azulenes, including chamazulene and acetylene derivatives. Terpenoids, bisabolol, and chamazulene have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antipyretic, ulcer-protective, and antifungal properties.

M. Chamomilla has also been reported to have anti-angiogenic properties. A review of numerous homeopathic treatments indicates that specific treatments contained properties that prevented tumors from generating blood vessels and therefore deregulating the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients critical to vital internal organs. Specifically, it was reported that M. Chamomilla was effective in prohibiting such angiogenesis from occurring and assisting standard chemotherapy treatments in causing critical tumor necropathy.

Colocynthis

Colocynthis is native to Turkey but is cultivated in many dry, hot semi-desert areas around the world. The fruit is an orange sized gourd that contains pulp and seed. The seeds are claimed to be nutritional but the pulp and outer skin of the gourd contains a highly poisonous constituent called colocynthin. The plant is very similar to the common cucumber plant which is probably where the name “Bitter cucumber” comes from. Colocynthis people are reserved with a restless and anxious undercurrent which is hard to hide. They tend to bear grudges when humiliated by being disregarded or contradicted and suppress anger and this is normally when the physical symptoms appear. Colic, abdominal pain and other gastric upsets are the main physical symptoms. They may be accompanied by headaches and neck pain and shooting pains in the limbs which are the hallmarks of Sciatica pain.  This quality of Colocynthis renders it a vital component of the overall homeopathic treatment for the disorder.

Gnaphallium

A remedy of unquestioned benefit in sciatica, when pain is associated with numbness of the part affected. Gnaphallium possesses remedial effects for the following conditions, all of which render the homeopath a vital component of Sciaticalm.  Gnaphallium addresses symptoms in the back and extremities. With respect to the back, Gnaphallium specifically addresses chronic backache in lumbar region; better resting on back along with lumbago with numbness in lower part of back and weight in pelvis. Respecting the extremities, Gnaphallium addresses cramps in calves of legs and feet when in bed. Rheumatic pain in ankle joints and legs. Intense pain along the sciatic nerve; numbness alternates with pain. Frequent pains in calves and feet. Gouty pains in big toes. Better, drawing limbs up, flexing thigh on abdomen. Gouty concretions (Ammon benz). Anterior curial neuralgia (Staph). Pain in joints as if they lacked oil. Chronic muscular rheumatism of back and neck.

Magnesia Phosphorica

M. Phosphorica blends a unique mixture of homeopathy and traditional science. Formulated within the laboratory, this ingredient as the widest range of effectiveness on diseases and disorders affecting and emanating from the nervous system. Diseases having their seat in the nerve-fibre cells or in the terminal bulbs of the nerves, in the muscles or in the muscular tissue itself, are cured by this remedy. It corresponds to pains of all kinds with the exception of burning pains; it is especially related to cramping pains. Pains which are darting, spasmodic in character, boring, lightning-like, accompanied by a constrictive feeling. They are often changing in locality, and are relieved by warmth and pressure. It is purely antispasmodic, and hence is curative in cramps, spasms of the glottis, tetanus, epilepsy, spasmodic retention of the urine, paralysis agitans, etc.

It is best adapted to lean, thin, emaciated persons of a highly nervous organization, and prefers light complexion and the right side of the body. Cold in general favors its action exceedingly, whereas heat and pressure interfere with it. Hence the patient is relieved by these. Attacks are often attended with great prostration and sometimes with profuse sweat. The Magnes. phos. patient is languid, tired, exhausted, and unable to sit up, whether he is suffering from acute or chronic affections.

Conclusion

In summation, the clinical benefits of Sciaticalm are demonstrated within this article.  The Homeopathic ingredients have been shown to possess properties that render them effective in combating the hallmark symptoms of Sciatic Nerve pain. The most common symptom, inflammation, is targeted by several of the homeopath’s compounds including Gnaphallium and Colocynthin.  As more analysis and clinical trials are conducted, it stands to reason that the ingredients within Sciaticalm are poised to bring welcomed relief to those that suffer from debilitating sciatic nerve pain.

For a direct link to this Clinical Breakdown please visit our site HERE.

How Does SciatiCalm™ Work? : Homeopathy Explained

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

homeopathy explainedRecently I have had many readers ask me about homeopathy as an approach to treating sciatica. This blog post is an attempt to explain the approach homeopathy takes in healing a variety of illness’s and their  symptoms. We will start with a simple question…

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is based on a rule of nature called the “Law of Similars.” This law states that specific medicine can cure a sick person, if it can cause similar sickness in a healthy person (similar to the way a vaccine works). Homeopathy was discovered over 200 years ago by a German chemist named Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann discovered written studies that demonstrated the principals of the Law of Similars. Through this law he came up with the name homeopathy from the Latin words homoion and pathein – meaning similar disease.  Hahnemann’s philosophy was to treat “like” with “like” or to “Let it be cured with Like.”

How does Homeopathy Work?

A homeopathic remedy is a dilution of substances found in nature such as;  plants, minerals, or animal substances. These substances are dramatically diluted until the traces barely remain. In homeopathy the weakest dilutions are often found to be the most successful to the patient. When homeopathy is used it stimulates the bodies natural immune response creating an overall healing affect.

It seems confusing that this form of treatment is beneficial, but lets think about this… The principle of vaccines as a treatment and/or preventative measure, is quite similar! Homeopathy is recently emerging in the USA, but is widely accepted in other countries such as: France, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, India and Great Britain.

How are Homeopathic Medicines Prepared?

In homeopathy any plant, mineral or animal substance may be used as a remedy. The substance chosen is then diluted in liquid repeatedly and shaken vigorously with each dilution.

Types of Homeopathy : Classical vs Complex

Classical Homeopathy uses one remedy at a time, and can often be found in pharmacy’s for sale. On the other hand Complex Homeopathy uses a variety of different remedies combined to be used in conjunction with one another. Complex Homeoptathy is commonly used to treat more severe conditions, as it may contain different substances at different levels of potency ( see homeochords).

Where is the Proof that Homeopathy Works?

There are hundreds of published scientific studies that prove that homeopathy works! These studies have been published in respectable sources such as: Lancet, Pediatrics, Annals of Internal Medicine etc. If you have any more question or would like more information on homeopathy, please post them here.

 

Leg Pain on One Side : What Does This Symptom Mean?

Monday, May 23rd, 2011
leg-pain-on-one-side

leg-pain-on-one-side

Often times people wonder why sciatic pain can be felt in not only the back but the legs as well. That is because the sciatic nerve travels down the back of each leg all the way into the foot and toes.

The symptoms of sciatica may or may not include lower back pain, pain on one side, pain in the left or right buttock, pain down the back of the leg and/or foot pain. These symptoms are often described as numbness, tingling, pins and needles or a burning, achy soreness.

Many sciatica sufferers report that the pain they feel originates on one side of the body only. To complicate matters, although sciatica pain is usually in the back of the legs or thighs, in some people it can be in the front or the side of the legs, or even in the hips and for some, the pain is in both legs .

Spin Health lists some possible causes of sciatica and their symptoms:

  • Burning pain. Some leg pain sufferers experience a searing pain that at times radiates from the low back or buttocks down the leg, while others complain of intermittent pain that shoots from the lower back down the leg and occasionally into the foot. Words that patients use to describe this type of burning leg pain include radiating, electric or shooting pain that literally feels like a jolt. Unlike many forms of low back pain that can often be a dull ache, for many, leg pain can be excruciating and nearly intolerable. This type of burning pain is fairly typical when a nerve root in the lower spine is irritated, and it is often referred to as sciatica.
  • Leg numbness or tingling. Anyone who has had a leg or foot ‘fall asleep’ and then gradually return to normal can imagine what numbness in a leg would feel like. Not being able to feel pressure, or hot or cold, is unnerving. Unlike the short-lived numbness of an asleep limb, numbness coming from a low back problem can be nearly continuous and can severely affect a person’s quality of life. For example, it can be difficult or almost impossible to walk or drive a car if one’s leg or foot is numb. Typical symptoms can range from a slight tingling sensation to complete numbness down the leg and into the foot.
  • Weakness (foot drop) or heaviness. Here, the predominant complaint is that leg weakness or heaviness interferes significantly with movement. People have described a feeling of having to drag their lower leg and foot or being unable to move their leg as quickly and easily as needed while walking or climbing stairs, for example, because of perceived weakness or slow reaction. Patients with foot drop are unable to walk on their heels, flex their ankle, or walk with the usual heel-toe pattern.
  • Constant pain. This type of pain is normally felt in the buttock area, so it is not technically leg pain but it may accompany some form of pain felt in the legs. It may also be pain that occasionally radiates past the buttock into the leg. This type of pain is usually described as “nerve pain ,” versus an aching or throbbing pain. It is typically present only on one side, and is commonly called sciatica. It may often be relieved by stretching, walking or other gentle movement.
  • Positional leg pain. If leg pain dramatically worsens in intensity when sitting, standing or walking, this can indicate a problem with a specific part of the anatomy in the low back. Finding more comfortable positions is usually possible to alleviate the pain. For example, bending over may relieve pain from spinal stenosis, while twisting (as in a golf swing) can increase facet joint related groin, hip and leg ache.

Sciatica News Update : New Gel That Cures Back Pain!

Friday, May 20th, 2011

injection-sciaticaA gel hmmm… that’s a new one! According to this article that was posted on FOX NEWS, scientists have come up with a  new gel injection, that cures back pain without surgery! Read more about this new technology below!

“An end to the agony of back pain may be in sight after British scientists invented a new gel that could fix the cause of the problem without the need for, the Daily Mail reported Friday. The gel, administered through an injection, contains sponge-like particles that repair damaged spinal discs, which cushion the vertebrae. The gel would produce results within days, and mean sufferers would not have to go through painful surgery followed by a lengthy recovery period, the report said. Brian Saunders, who led the research at the University of Manchester, said of the particles, “When we inject them, they expand and push against each other like a boxful of balloons blowing up and pushing against each other.”The vast majority of people suffer from deterioration of the vertebrae once they turn 50, and the problem has been exacerbated in recent years as levels rise.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/20/british-scientists-invent-gel-cure-pain/
www.sciaticalmrelief.com – A homeopathic treatment for sciatica pain

 

Lower Pain in Back : Affecting Your Job?

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Accordinback-pain-and-workg to a recent article on BNET there is a link between performance at work and chronic low back pain. The article discusses the large number of people that suffer from lower back pain and how their career may be directly afffected by the pain they suffer from…

The new study, published in the May issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, measured the thickness of parts of the brain and brain function during a demanding task in 18 people who had experienced low back pain (rated at least a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale) for at least one year, and who were planning to have treatment–either a spinal surgery or a nerve block.  Subjects had thinner cortical thickness than controls and abnormal activity during an attention-demanding task. Six months after they underwent their back treatment, those whose pain was successfully treated had regained cortical thickness and had normal brain activity during the cognitive task.

To read more about this topic visit the article listed here:
The Link Between Back Pain and Your Job

Sciatic Pain Remedies : Chamomile

Monday, May 16th, 2011

chamomile-for-backacheEuropeans have been using this remedy for nearly four centuries as a treatment for backache, neuralgia and arthritis…

A hardy evergreen perennial called chamomile that grows in herb gardens worldwide is known for its aromatic and medicinal qualities.

Among the components of chamomile are: essential oils, beta-carotene, p-coumaric acid, tannic acid, a glucoside, coumarin, luteolin, rutin, scopoletin, thymol, boron, calcium, choline, essential fatty acids, folate, inositol, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfur, zinc, B-vitamins and vitamins A, C, E and K. The herb also includes the amino acid, tryptophan, which has been used for insomnia since the 1600s.

Chamomile is a natural sedative that has a long history of use as a tranquilizer. Modern science claims that it does indeed soothe frayed nerves, because it actually slows down the central nervous system. This relaxing tonic is excellent for promoting good digestion and helping the gastro-intestinal canal. It also helps to treat irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, dyspepsia, gas, travel (motion) sickness, diarrhea and nervous stomach.  As an antispasmodic, it aids in the relief of severe stomach cramps.

Chamomile is used to relieve pain, and traditional herbalists have long recommended it for the pain of backache, neuralgia, rheumatism, headache and arthritis. It helps to bring on menstruation and regulate its flow.

Chamomile is also commonly found in many cosmetics.  It is included in shampoos and conditioners, and Chamomile tea is often served in beauty salons to relax facial muscles. Chamomile has been known to whiten skin, soothe sunburn, windburn, eczema and other skin irritations and has also been used as an eye bath and tea bag compress to reduce inflammation and eliminate fatigue. It has also been applied to the skin to treat hemorrhoids, swollen and painful breasts, wounds, rashes and leg ulcers.

Daily stress can make back muscles feel knotted. Chamomile tea offers calming relief to soothe tense muscle tissue. During a break or after work, treat yourself to a steaming mug. Steep 1 tablespoon chamomile flowers in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Or, you can use a prepackaged chamomile tea. Drink 1 to 3 cups a day for maximized results!

Natural Methods For Sciatic pain

22 Home Remedies For Back Pain

Sciaticalm Homeopathic Treatment


Exercises For Sciatic Nerve : Therapeutic Climbing

Friday, May 13th, 2011

therapeutic-climbingThere are many exercises that are beneficial to treating back pain and sciatica. One new exercise that is beneficial to treating chronic low back pain is called therapeutic climbing. According to a recent study published in Spine magazine therapeutic climbing is a new and superior treatment for low chronic back pain. Health Day News states that this exercise improves perceived health and physical functioning for people who are suffering.

There are many other forms of treatment for back pain and sciatica, but researchers wanted to compare the effects of therapeutic climbing to find out if it compared to other successful methods. According to an article posted today on the DoctorsLounge.com “Kai Engbert, Ph.D., and Michaela Weber, from the Technical University Munich in Germany, investigated the physical and psychological effects of therapeutic climbing, and assessed whether it was comparable or superior to other forms of exercise for patients with chronic low back pain. A cohort of 28 patients underwent a four-week therapeutic climbing or standard exercise regime, including four guided training sessions per week. Patients completed questionnaires before and after the program assessing their physical and mental well-being.

The investigators found that there was no difference before or after the treatments in pain-related disability measured by the Hannover Functional Ability Questionnaire. For the Short Form-36 (SF-36), significant improvements were seen in two of eight subscales for therapeutic climbing, and in one subscale for standard exercise. According to the SF-36 physical functioning and general health perception subscales, significantly larger improvements were seen in the therapeutic climbing group.”

There findings has lead them to the conclusion that therapeutic climbing for low back pain is just as good if not better than standard exercise.

SciatiCalmRelief.com

 

Exercises for Sciatic Nerve : The Alexander Technique

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

alexander-techniqueAccording to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) , The Alexander Technique is an education/guidance system to “improve posture and movement, and to use muscles efficiently“. The “Alexander technique” denotes both the educational methods used by Alexander teachers and the individual bodily awareness methods taught. Students practice the technique to recognize and become free of habituated limitations in their manner of movement as well as for other benefits.

This technique is usually taught in a one to one setting from teacher to student. It is based on the theory that we waste too much precious muscle energy  doing simple basic functions such as sitting or laying down. The AT is a method for becoming conscious of yourself in a manner which will allow you to reduce making too much of an effort and allow the design of your body to work well.

This techniques is believed to have many benefits for the physical and emotional aspects of the body such as:

reduces tension
• helps with movement & breathing
• improve flexibility
• refine athletic skill
• manage & even eliminate pain
• improve posture
• increases energy

The Alexander technique was founded over a century ago! However up until recent years  there was no science to back it up. In 2008 the British Medical Journal conducted a study and revealed their findings to be positive for treating back pain -including sciatica.

For more information check out this article titled :
Could Alexander Technique Lessons Be The Most Effective Sciatica Treatment Available?

Want to see a video about this technique?
Mark Josefsberg – The Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique – Lesson 1

Lower Pain In Back : Ergonomics Tips to Reduce Pain and Have Better Posture

Monday, May 9th, 2011

office-ergonomicsIf your work day consists of a lot of sitting it is important to make sure that you are conscious about your posture. Most work related injuries involve back pain, and can often timed be due to poor posture and/or the non-use of ergonomically correct furniture and office equipment. This doesn’t mean that your office needs to be completely revamped, however a simple re-arrange of the items you already have may prove to be beneficial to your back.

According to fyiliving.com the following tips will help you to maintian correct posture and reduce the risk of back injury.

Chair:

  • Your chair should be at a level where your feet are planted flat on the ground, with your thighs level or pointed slightly down.
  • Armrests should be set so that your shoulders are neither shrugged nor sloped

Mouse:

  • The mouse should be slightly higher than your keyboard
  • Relax your hand when using your mouse, gripping the mouse too hard strains your hand

Keyboard:

  • You should set up your keyboard so that your hands fall naturally on the pad, your arms aren’t overextended
  • Your palms (not the wrist) should touch the pad.

Monitor:

  • The height of the monitor should be where your eyes will look naturally at the top third of the screen when your head is level.
  • The distance from you to your monitor should be about an arm’s length when leaning back on your chair.

For more information on posture and ergonomics please visit the sites below!