Archive for the ‘treating back pain’ Category

Sciatica Pain and Pilates

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Sciatica pain is the characteristic of pain radiating together your sciatic nerve, generally from your lower back to lower leg. Sciatica pain indicates the existence of primary problems for the backbone or neural, such as a herniated drive, trauma, or even tight muscle tissue. So how does Pilates affect sciatica pain? Lets find out!

Frederick Pilates is a designed workout routines on pads and other machines. Pilates workouts retrain your body to move in the core along with focused interest and cautious alignment. The actual sciatica nerve provides sensation to your feet and upper tights and regulates many of the muscle tissue in your calves. A compacted nerve can cause soreness along the sciatic nerve route. You might really feel a sharp discomfort or a moderate ache. Pins and needles or lack of bladder or even bowel manage can be the signs of sciatica and could indicate that you ought to seek treatment. A herniated disc or even tumor is a cause of sciatica pain.

Relaxing the actual muscles around the sitz bones will help you relieve stress on the sciatic nerve. Although a lot of Pilates workouts require the complete strength from the gluteal muscles, a few need only mild contraction. At the beginning of each physical exercise, imagine your own sitz bones tragedy down toward your pad or extending. Make sure that when you’re doing Pilates, do not let your toes get to be more than a fist’s thickness apart. Unnecessary stress on the sciatica nerve may increase your sciatica pain.

Also, workouts in which you collapse forward in the hip may exacerbate sciatica pain, especially when your main body weight sits on your back. Hamstring muscle stretches may also pull in the lower back area. Wait until your own sciatica offers subsided prior to doing these workouts.

Physical exercise can help relieve sciatica pain as well as help prevent outbreaks. The release associated with endorphins through gentle, continual exertion might help reduce discomfort. Strength-training, stretching out and primary stabilization facets of Pilates may help reduce age-related back pain problems.  With more physique awareness, you are able to recognize actions and positions in everyday life induced injuries. If done correctly, Pilates is a great way to alleviate sciatica pain.

 

Treatment for Sciatica: Heading to the Chiropractor

Friday, February 24th, 2012

There are numerous types of treatment for sciatica if you suffer from the condition. Some treatment for sciatica can be natural, while others may be medicinal. One natural and often very helpful treatment for sciatica is going to the chiropractor.

If you prefer drug-free, non-invasive treatment, seeing a chiropractor may be the option for you. Back surgery is not easy to recover from, so before you head right for surgery, you may want to look into going to see a chiropractor. For many years, chiropractic care has been very successful when it comes to treating back problems.

Chiropractors usually deal with tendon ailments, ligaments, muscles, and pinched nerves. For some, their sciatica occurs because of herniated disc, spinal stenosis, facet joint problems, nerve entrapment, metabolic complications, and tumors. If your sciatica stems from any of those conditions it may be best to see a chiropractor. Before he or she touches your back, they will evaluate your symptoms so they can provide you with the best treatment for sciatica.

If you have a ruptured or herniated disc, the treatment program will be suited for a disc injury. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal column narrows, causing inflammation. If this is what is causing your sciatica, the proper treatment will be designed for you.

Entrapment occurs when the spine has mechanical imbalance, which may cause you to experience restrictions in the movement of the facet joint. As the muscles tighten, nerve entrapment may occur. Chiropractic therapies will target the piriformis muscles in order to restore balance. The pressure is released and the sciatica nerve may be relieved.

The therapies or treatment for sciatica programs done by the chiropractor will be based on his or her diagnosis. If you decide that chiropractic care is ideal for you, you should look for a professional in your area. Be sure that you are going to see a license chiropractor with adequate experience in the field. The main goal of this type of treatment for sciatica is to restore the normal functions of the back and legs.

 

Can Certain Foods Ease Back Pain?

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

foods for back painAccording to an article in Readers Digest, there is new meaning to the phrase “comfort foods…” As we all now certain foods can make us feel better on an emotional level, but – is it possible that certain foods can ease back pain? Researchers claim that their findings may someday make for a tasty prescription! “We’re not at the point where you’re going to go into a physician’s office and be prescribed tofu for your pain,” says Jill Tall, PhD, a professor at Youngstown State University in Ohio, who has studied how food helps relieve discomfort. “But I do believe that as an adjunct to traditional therapies, there are some possibilities.” According to the article some promising edible antidotes include:

Cherries. Anthocyanins, which give tart cherries their deep red color, have anti-inflammatory properties similar to those in aspirin, says Muraleedharan Nair, PhD, a food-safety researcher at Michigan State University. The benefit hasn’t yet been studied in humans, so we don’t know the optimal doses, but barring any health problems, such as diabetes or acid indigestion, why not pick a few berries this summer? (Raspberries and, to a lesser extent, strawberries also contain pain-fighting anthocyanins.)

Soy. It may help relieve some osteoarthritis pain. In a study of 135 men and women, those who took 40 grams of soy protein a day for three months improved their range of motion and reported fewer aches. Men saw the most benefit. It’s still not clear exactly how soy helps, but the isoflavones are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects, says Srinivasa N. Raja, MD, a pain-management specialist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Caveat: You’d have to eat a ridiculous amount of edamame to reach 40 grams a day, so try adding soy protein powder to shakes.

Sugar. The sweet stuff can reduce the perception of pain, especially in children. Studies show when we consume sugar — sucrose, better known as table sugar, in particular — we hurt less. It seems to enhance our body’s natural pain-relief system. But we all know the unhealthy effects of too much sugar, including an expanding waistline, so make sure you don’t overindulge with this tasty sweetener.

So make sure this holiday season you take advantage of these delicious treats and potentially ease your back pain too!

Sciatica Pain Treatment: Can Acupuncture Treat Chronic Back Pain?

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

sciatica-pain-treatmentAcupuncture has been used for centuries as a chronic pain treatment, and often as a sciatica pain treatment. According to wikipedia, acupuncture is based on the premise that bodily functions are regulated by the flow of an energy-like entity called qi. Acupuncture aims to correct imbalances in the flow of qi by stimulation of anatomical locations on or under the skin called acupuncture points, most of which are connected by channels known as meridians. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of ailments, but is foound especially helpful in the treatment of chronic pain.

Acupuncture is believed to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain, called endorphins. Many acu-points are near nerves. When stimulated, these nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle. The stimulated muscle sends a message to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), causing the release of endorphins (morphine-like chemicals produced in our own bodies during times of pain or stress). Endorphins, along with other neurotransmitters, block the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain.

Although acupuncture is not a cure for sciatica pain, it is very effective in treating several diseases and conditions. Acupuncture is most effective at treating chronic pain, such as headaches; menstrual cramps; and low back (sciatica pain), neck, or muscle pain. It can also be used to treat arthritis, facial pain, pain from shingles, and spastic colon and colitis conditions. Acupuncture has also been successful in treating obesity and addictions such as nicotine or drugs. Acupuncture also can improve the functioning of the immune system!

If you are suffering from sciatica pain, what’s stopping you from trying acupuncture as a sciatica pain treatment? There are many acupuncturists that are now offering a sliding fee scale for low income households – and quite frankly the fees are minimal compared to traditional medicine!

 

Sciatica Remedy: Fresh Pineapple For Sciatica – YUM!

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Personally I absolutely LOVE the tangy deliciousness that is pineapple! But, it’s even better to know that this amazing fruit is also know for its anti-inflammatory properties and therefore may prove useful as a sciatica remedy.

sciatica remedy: pineappleAs you may already know, all fresh fruits including pineapple are packed with enzymes. However, pineapple is well known for being packed with a specific enzyme called bromelain. This gives the fruit some amazing properties including; a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Some websites state that bromelain may be useful in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. It is also states that this anti-inflammatory will help in relieving osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. The medicinal benefits of pineapple have been known and recommended in South American and Central American cultures for hundreds of years.

It is important to note that most of the bromelain is concentrated in the core of the pineapple. So if you are making a smoothie make sure to include the stem. You may also find bromelain in tablet form as well. To gain the benefit of bromelain as an anti-inflammatory and effective sciatica remedy, make sure to buy fresh pineapple only – canned and frozen as well as store bought juices will not contain the enzymes needed for it to work properly.

Before using bromelain to improve your health, first consult with a knowledgeable medical practitioner as there are many possible side effects and drug interactions that can occur with this supplement.

 

 

Chiropractors Form A Group To Assist Veterans In Pain

Monday, November 14th, 2011

chiropractors form group to help veteransRecently chiropractors have formed a group dedicated to helping veterans who suffer from back pain. It seems that many veterans have back pain issues when returning home because of the heavy gear they must carry while overseas. The new group is called “Healing Hands for Heroes” and its goal is to help veterans get rid of their back pain. This group was formed by both chiropractors and military to provide free chiropractic care to veterans returning from war.

James Ju, formerly stationed in Iraq as a marine -in 2009 and 2010 states, “I couldn’t really sit, I couldn’t drive for a long period of time. Couldn’t really bend down and pick something up, couldn’t even put on my socks.” Ju now is using the assistance of the “Healing Hands for Heroes” program and he is happy to admit that the treatments are providing him with great relief. “I feel good; I’m able to do everyday stuff without any pain. I actually haven’t felt pain since Doctor E fixed me up.”

Programs such as these truly bring a smile to my face, it is so important that we honor what these men and women have done for us and give back to them in some way shape or form. Dr. Michael Errichiello of Chiropractic Healthcare Associates, NJ. agrees and is participating in this program as well, he states, “These young men and women are heroes; they’re risking themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan to save us, to keep us free. It’s important to give something back to them.”

Sciatica Pain Treatment: Shiatsu

Friday, November 11th, 2011

scaitica pain treatmentWhile there are many therapies and medications that can be used as a sciatica pain treatment, shiatsu is one that we don’t commonly discuss. Shiatsu is an eastern massage technique which may help relax the muscles in the back and neck. It is said that shiatsu dates back about one thousand years to the country of Japan.  In Japan, a traditional shiatsu practitioner is usually a small gentleman who uses his palms, thumbs, fingers and knees to provide a rhythmic massage for pain relief.

Shiatsu as a sciatica pain treatment may be beneficial as it is believed that applying pressure in specific spots will encourage the ki, or chi, to flow through the bones, arteries, muscles and skin of the affected area.

The core belief behind shiatsu is that the body has the power to heal itself. The massage aspect of shiatsu is simply a means of encouragement for healing through the body’s energy. The massage may also help to release blocked energy that may be causing pain.

Shiatsu sessions usually last about an hour, most people state that they feel extremely relaxed afterward. In fact, some people claim that shiatsu has effectively eliminated the pain of sciatica in five sessions or less, making it a very intriguing sciatica pain treatment option.

 

Back Pain: 5 Quick Tips To Ease Back Pain

Monday, November 7th, 2011

tips for back painLiving with back pain can be challenging to say the least. It’s imperative that you understand the actual cause of your back pain so that you can treat it accordingly. Below are five quick tips to help ease your back pain, and make your life a little less painful!

Take your vitamins!
You may help reduce chronic pain by getting the proper amount of essential B vitamins. B vitamins help support your central nervous system, boost your immune system, and help your body heal after injury or illness.  Omega 3 fatty acids may also be essential as they are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties which may help eliminate the inflammation that leads to pain. Seafood, eggs and milk are naturally high in omega-3s. And vitamin B can be found in foods like bananas, potatoes, avocados and legumes, as well as nuts and turkey.

Clean out that purse!
If your purse or briefcase is 10% of your weight, it’s too heavy!  Clean it out, and make sure to only carry around the essentials. It is also important to carry your bag properly as to not aggravate or cause injury to your back. One tip is to alternate shoulders so that you aren’t applying constant pressure/weight to just one side of your body.

Sit up straight!
If you are one of the many who spend 8+ hours sitting at a desk, it is imperative that you sit properly. Make sure to sit with your back against your chair and place both feet flat on the floor. If you stand for long periods make sure to change your position – widen your stance or alternate your position to avoid repeated stress on the same muscles.

Get up and get moving.
This doesn’t mean go out and over exert yourself! Just get up, and get the blood pumping in your body! Walking alone can promote circulation and relax over-stressed and tightened muscles.

Sleep…
Sleep is an essential nutrient for your body. If you are having trouble sleeping or find that you wake in the morning more tired than when you went to bed, you may need to take a good look at where and how you sleep. A good mattress is key to a good nights rest! When your body is allowed to rest in its natural position, muscles are relaxed and sleep is more refreshing. Make sure your bed is as comfortable as possible, so that your body gets the rest it deserves!

 

 

Sciatica Treatment: 5 Questions To Ask Before Surgery

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

sciatica treatment - surgeryIf you suffer from chronic lower back pain or sciatica pain you know that finding an effective sciatica treatment can be frustrating to say the least! Your doctor may recommend surgery as a sciatica treatment, if so, ask these 5 important questions before you commit to going under the knife!

 

1. What is the root cause of my pain?

Make sure your doctor can identify the root cause of your sciatica, or low back pain, before he or she determines the best sciatica treatment for you. Once the root cause of sciatic pain is determined, your doctor should know the best type of sciatica treatment or operation for your particular condition. Jeffrey Goldstein, MD, director of Spine Service at the New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, advises patients to make sure that their doctor has found a well-defined source of pain that shows up on an MRI or some other test.

2.Is surgery the BEST form of sciatica treatment for my condition?

Everyone’s back pain is different and some conditions respond better to surgery than others. Make sure you discuss the risks and success rates of surgery as a sciatica treatment with your doctor before making a decision.

3. What are my other options vs. sciatica surgery?

Make sure you explore all of your options before having a major surgery. The spine can be a complicated place to operate and you will want to be confident that the surgery is necessary for your sciatica treatment. Some doctors may recommend other alternatives before opting for surgery as a sciatica treatment.

4. Should I get a second opinion?

All doctors have a different methodology for the treatment of their patients. It is highly recommended with any serious surgery that you get more than one opinion before actually committing.

5. What should I expect in my recovery?

In all the fuss of the surgery specifics we often forget to ask, “What should I expect in recovery.” This is an important question – How long will your recovery be? Will you need assistance for days or weeks? How long will you need to stay in the hospital? Will physical therapy be needed. When you consult with your doctor bring along a notebook with all of these concerns and write down the answers during your visit.

Sciatica Remedy : Cayanne Pepper For Sciatica

Monday, October 31st, 2011

cayenne as a sciatica remedyThe term sciatica is used to describe pain symptoms felt in the lower back and buttocks which may be due to an injury, or pressure on the sciatic nerve. Natural medicinal proponents claim the topical use of cayenne may help relieve sciatica pain, and work as a sciatica remedy. However, further scientific evidence is needed to support this claim.

The active ingredient found in cayenne  -which may be beneficial as a sciatica remedy - is called capsaicin.  A study published in the January 2008 issue of “Spine” found topical capsaicin prevented mechanical hyperalgesia, pain sensitivity, caused by disc compression in rats. While these findings are promising, further research is required to determine if cayenne can act as an effective sciatica remedy and reduce sciatica pain in humans.

Capsaicin as a sciatica remedy is suggested to be applied topically by the University of Maryland Medical Center. They also suggest aplying the cream with a 0.025 to 0.075 percent concentration up to four times daily.

Prior to using cayenne as a sciatica remedy, talk with your doctor to determine its safety. As with any natural treatment, cayenne can cause adverse side effects such as skin irritation, itching or a burning sensation.