Sciatica Treatment At Home - Permanent Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief Through Self-Help

The proper sciatica treatment at home is an opportunity for all those suffering from sciatic nerve pain or piriformis syndrome to finally achieve long term permanent relief. Keep in mind this can only be achieved if you utilize an at home treatment that focuses on fixing the root cause or dysfunctions directly responsible for the pain and discomfort you are experiencing. Muscle balance therapy is typically the therapy required to correct your dysfunctions.

Typical dysfunctions responsible for the sciatic nerve pain and discomfort you experience can often be directly related to your conscious and subconscious posture. Posture dysfunctions are very common in today's society. We get far less exercises and spend far more time sitting than our ancestors ever did. It may surprise many of you but sitting is actually a very unnatural position for the spine. The combination of excessive sitting or leisure positions and lack of exercises is not a good combination. Our spines postural position is directly impacted by our muscles and their supporting tissue. This leaves the spine very vulnerable to muscle imbalances which is the number one cause of the dysfunctions that are negatively impacting our spinal health.

The nerves exiting the lower back region, combine to form the large nerve known as the sciatic nerve. It then exits the sacrum runs along the back side of the ilium or iliac bone, runs under or over the piriformis muscle, and down the leg. The areas of focus for treating sciatica are typically the low back, hips, and their corresponding muscles. The proper sciatica treatment at home will focus on your muscular or structural dysfunctions that are responsible for the discomfort and pain you experience. Sciatic treatment at home is an opportunity to restore your spine to its intended and natural state.

Yoga Asana Techniques for Lower Back Pain

More than $50 billion is spent on lower back pain every year in America. It is a leading contributor to missed work, the most common cause of job-related disability, and one of the most common neurological ailments, second only to headache. Still, knowing that you are in good company does not offer much relief for the pain of spinal compression or other lower-back issues.

Sitting in cars and office chairs for long periods of time with a slumped posture compresses the spine and places pressure on the nerves. The abdominal muscles relax and the back muscles tighten over time, leading to pain and stiffness when standing or walking. Regular Yoga practice can help restore healthy length to the spine and can stretch and relax the over-tightened muscles; over time, you may even gain height as the vertebrae decompress!

Several Yoga asanas are especially helpful for lower back pain; caution should be exercised when beginning these postures if the back is already compromised. Take care not to overextend or force any stretches. Inversions have long been considered helpful for spinal decompression, but many students do not feel comfortable in more advanced inversions. It should be noted that the entire spine does not decompress during a Yogic inversion - compression from the lower back is simply transferred to the upper back or neck for a period of time. This may provide relief, but it is not essential to relieving pain.

Ushtra Asana, or Camel pose: this asana exercises all of the back muscles and extends the spinal column, by bending your back fully. It increases spinal and hip flexibility, which can prevent recurrent pain.

Bhujangasana or Cobra pose: by holding this posture, both the superficial and the deep muscles of the back and abdominal region are strengthened. This asana increases bending flexibility backwards in the spine and relieves tension in the lower back region.

Purna Titali Asana or Butterfly pose helps remedy poor posture by stretching and strengthening the muscles of the legs and the back.

Supta Virasana or Saddle Pose is very effective for realigning the sacrum and lower spine, and re-establishing the natural lumbar curve, which may be lost from years of poor posture.

All of these asanas, plus inversions which are comfortable for the practitioner, should be done regularly to help alleviate lower back pain. Poses which strengthen abdominal muscles are also important, to help support the core and take the strain off the lower back.

穢 Copyright 2011 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

What Causes Lower Left Side Back Pain?

Many people experience lower left side back pain, which can last for days, weeks or months at a time. Common symptoms may include localized pain below the ribs and around the side of the torso. In addition, lower left side back pain may be intermittent in frequency in which it is more tolerable during certain hours of the day. Often times, people who have lower left side back pain will notice a stabbing or dull, aching pain. Many people may also be hyper-sensitive to touch, which stays localized to the lower left side of the back. For others, the pain remains unaffected even with changes in dietary habits. Some people who have lower left side back pain may also experience discomfort when taking deep breaths, lying still or during exercise. Changes in bowel movements may also be accompanied with lower left side back pain.

Frustration can be a common emotion for many people experiencing these symptoms because many doctors have trouble finding an accurate diagnosis. Even extensive testing such as medical imaging, colonoscopy, ultrasound, heart scan, blood tests, urine tests and stool tests may all come out normal.

Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, which may or may not help alleviate your pain. Although it is difficult to remain patient during period, please remember that lower left side back pain can be caused by many factors, which make it very difficult to diagnose your condition. If you and your doctor have tried every approach to diagnosing and treating your pain, ask your physician to refer you to a specialist. If you have tried this approach without much success, you may want to consider seeing a new physician. Doctors are very knowledgeable about medical conditions but some may have more expertise and relevant experience with your particular condition. The key to your success is finding a physician who is willing to work with you in treating your condition.

Here is a list of conditions which can cause pain in the lower left side of the back:

Hypochondrial pain: Symptoms include pain under the rib cage, which can be referred from the colon or spleen.

Ectopic pregnancy: A woman with a developing ectopic pregnancy may not display any signs or symptoms of being pregnant. Symptoms include lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, cramping or stabbing pain around the pelvic area, dizziness and felling lightheaded.

Endometriosis: Symptoms may include pain in the pelvis, abdomen and lower back. Heavy flow of vaginal bleeding may accompany these symptoms.

Pancreatitis: Symptoms that are chronic may include indigestion, abdominal pain, back pain, weight loss and steatorrhea (stool that is appears oily and foul smelling).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Also known as spastic colon, IBS may be accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, low back pain and chest pain.

Peptic Ulcer: Symptoms may include a burning pain in the chest, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, change in appetite and back pain.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder: Symptoms may include heartburn, chest pain, back pain, difficulty swallowing or dry cough.

Gastrointestinal bleeding: Common causes include esophageal varices, stomach ulcer, erosions of the esophagus, duodenum or stomach; duodenal ulcer, abnormal blood vessels, colon cancer, anal fissures, colon polyps, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, internal hemorrhoids and inflammation of the large bowels.

Celiac Disease: Symptoms of celiac disease may mimic those of other conditions such as anemia, parasite infections, irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcers and skin disorders. Symptoms may include joint pain, weight loss, back pain, weakness and fatigue, bone disorders such as osteoporosis, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and anemia.

Radicular pain: This occurs when there is irritation or compression along the nerves exiting the spine. Symptoms include pain that is accompanied by weakness, numbness or a tingling sensation. Causes of radicular pain can be due to injury, trauma, soft tissue, disc degeneration, disc herniation, facet syndrome or bony changes to the vertebral column.

Kidney stones: Symptoms include pain below the ribs, pain around the torso and back pain. It is also common to experience pain radiating into the lower abdomen and groin region. Other symptoms include pain during urination, nausea and vomiting.

Gallstones: Symptoms may include pain between the shoulder blades, pain in the center and upper right region of the abdomen, back pain and pain into the right shoulder. Additional symptoms may include abdominal pain after eating meals.

Problems with the adrenal gland: Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness when standing up or changing positions quickly, sensitivity to bright lights and low back pain.

Blame Your Lower Back Pain on the Right Side on Years of Poor Sitting Posture

How does our sitting posture affect our lower back pain, right side? Long periods of sitting is a new "activity" for humans. Never before in history have we spent so much time on our "derrière." Our ancestors have spent most of their lives hunting and gathering. Later in history they became farmers or factory workers. Our bodies are not accustomed to so much time on the "toosh" and our backs suffer as a result. That is why so many other countries around the world suffer from fewer lower back problems than those in the US. They are still up and moving.

Our sitting habits that impact our lower back pain, right side, can be attributed to the left side as well, but because the amount of inquiries to the right side are so many, this article will deal primarily with lower back pain, right side. Just know that if you suffer from left side pain, the same applies.

If you work on a lap top computer, you have an advantage because you can easily move your working station to other positions to avoid lower back pain, right side. Try standing as you work and stretch your legs as you type.

If you must sit, make sure your chair has a stiff back and that you do not slouch. Slouching happens to most of us unconsciously so try to be aware of your posture. Straighten up whenever you feel yourself starting to hunch and soon your better posture will become a habit, reducing the chance of lower back pain, right side.

Sure, it is difficult to always keep your feet flat on the floor, but when you sit in awkward positions, you will typically favor the right side--if you are right handed it is your strongest side--and increase your chances of lower back pain, right side. It is alright to shift to different positions from time to time, but try to keep your feet flat on the floor as often as possible with your knees level with your hips. If this makes your buttocks sore, get up and move around every half hour or perform stretching exercises, paying particular attention to the discomfort area in your lumbar region. Do not exercise one side more than the other, however. It is important to develop your muscles evenly. One of the main causes for back discomfort and pain is muscle imbalance from years of poor posture, both standing and sitting.

You can stretch your back and move around while you sit to avoid getting stiff. Turn your head from side to side, pull your shoulder blades back or perform a seated pelvic tilt as you work. Movement can go a long way toward reducing the stiffness in your back and keep you limber and young for years to come.

Sciatica Relief Information for Lower Back Pain Sufferers

Missing work, fun with family/friends and giving up your favorite activities are all miseries that sciatica sufferers cope with on a daily basis. If you've been struggling with the pain, weakness, and reduced mobility of sciatica, you are on a mission to find information on sciatica relief.

What Is Sciatica?

Before we get into treatment, what is sciatica? Sciatica pertains to the symptoms which take place in the sciatic nerve pathway, including numbness, lack of feeling in the affected area, and reduced range of motion. These symptoms can occur in your lower back, buttocks, the back of your legs, and in some cases, your feet.

What actually causes the symptoms differs from one person to another, although usually the origin of the issue is in the lower back. Disc complications including deterioration, herniation, bulging, narrowing of your spinal canal, and arthritis can result in compression of the nerve roots. This leads to irritation and inflammation -- sciatica.

More often than not a life time of neglect causes the spinal condition -- bad posture, being a couch potato --basically, lack of exercise in general. Once the symptoms appear, you'll find that they are worse when you spend a prolonged amount of time sitting, standing, sneezing, coughing, or doing repetitive straining or twisting. Treatment includes using hot /cold pads, medication, physical therapy and alternative practices such as acupuncture. The three treatment options below are commonly used to treat sciatica.

Treating Sciatica with Medication:

Several types of medication are often used for sciatic pain including popular over the counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Prescription medications, including but not limited to muscle relaxers (to decrease muscle spasms) and antidepressants (for people suffering from chronic and severe lower back pain) help to ease symptoms. In some severe cases, steroid medication is injected into the area around the spinal nerves but with minimal success.

Treating Sciatica with Surgery:

Surgery has been used in cases where pain continues for more than six weeks, despite the use of other treatment. The objective of the surgery is to fix the problem with the sciatic nerve. For an example, if an individual has a herniated disc which is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, surgery may correct the problem and relieve the pain.

Treating Sciatica with Exercise:

Even though sciatica pain may make it difficult to stay active, prolonged bed rest can do you more harm than good. Listen to your body and find the positions and activities that are comfortable for you, but keep moving. If the pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, you may need to talk to your doctor about physical therapy. The right exercises will help minimize the pain. A physical therapist can also suggest a conditioning regimen that will help prevent the pain from returning.

Are You Suffering From Lower Back Pain? Get Relief From Back Braces

Do you feel pain in your lower back? Do you think it may be low back strain or lumbar sprain?

What is a low back strain and why do we have to be careful not to suffer from it? What about lumbar sprain? Why do we suffer from it?

Low Back Strain

A low back muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn. A lumbar sprain occurs when the ligaments, the tough bands of tissue that hold bones together, are torn from their attachments.

The main cause of low back strain or lumbar sprain is the inflammation of the soft tissues resulting when the lumbar spine is strained or sprained. This inflammation causes pain and can cause muscle spasm.

Why Do We Get Injured?

There are many reasons why we could suffer from lower back pain. Following are some of the contributing factors:

• Poor conditioning coupled with over-exercising. While it is good to exercise, the body needs to be well conditioned to strenuous activities. In training for a marathon, for example, you need to do leg raises in order to strengthen your abdominal muscles. However, you need to be careful not to train too much at once, as it puts too much pressure on your back and could cause the strain.


• Obesity or excessive weight. If you are too big, and your back muscles are not defined, this could cause too much pressure in that area, since the top portion of your body will be too heavy without the needed support of strong muscles in the lower back.


• Smoking. According to scientific studies, smoking does increase the risk of getting low back pain. Quitting it will not only save your back but your lungs as well.


• Improper use and/or lifting technique. When you lift weights, you put pressure on certain parts of your body. An improper technique could injure the lower back.

Symptoms of a Low Back Strain or Lumbar Sprain

The following are some of the symptoms that could be felt when you have back problems:

• Pain around the lower back and upper buttocks


• Lower back muscle spasm


• Pain associated with activities, which generally goes away when you are at rest

Treatment for Lower Back Pain

• Ice - this is a well known home remedy to control pain and swelling when you get injured.


• Rest - this can really ease out pain. It is free and can help you out a lot. Make sure that you get enough of it.


• Back Braces - if resting and putting ice compress on the lower back do not work, the next best thing is to get a back brace. Back braces are easy to wear and give comfort. It reduces pain and promotes healing of the injured area. You can wear them before, after, and even during rigorous physical activity.

It is important to seek for professional help if you experience severe back pain. This article is for health information and should not be seen as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional.

Magnetic Therapy For the Relief of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica

An interesting passive method for dealing with lower back pain and sciatica is magnet therapy. This therapy has been in use for a long time but is sometimes overlooked by those is pain. However it really should be amongst the techniques investigated by any sufferer from the disagreeable effects of back strain and its related problems.

In former years the way in which magnets might have any healing power was not understood and even now there is no final agreement as to how the beneficial effects are achieved. However it is now recognised, as a result of research, that magnets very likely act by inhibiting elements of the pain that stems from an injured back. Moreover it has been demonstrated that magnetic fields help the body's own natural tendency to heal itself by improving blood flow. The better oxygenation which this produces, then promotes healing by the reducing of swelling and lessening inflammation. Muscular and skeletal improvements should follow as well.

Those who are suffering from back problems will generally have muscular spasm or other trauma. Tissue in this condition will often have blood vessels which are dilated and not functioning correctly. This is part of the problem with back problems and is one of the reasons that ice packs are sometimes recommended immediately after a back injury or onset of pain. The cold pack helps to promote blood flow although ice packs are not so often suggested when the pain has been continuing for some time. However it should not be expected that conditions such as spinal displacement or slipped disc can be cured by the therapy although it may help in recovery to full health after the substantive problem has been addressed.

Magnetic therapy on the other hand may be recommended at any time to those suffering from back pain. Magnetic therapy by improving blood flow is also valuable, not as a substitute for immediate conventional post trauma treatment, but to be used in conjunction with it and additionally for the longer term. Consider the benefits. Improved blood supply helps healing and by providing relief from pain there is a further improvement leading also to faster healing. Each improvement assists the other.

Those who benefit from magnetic therapy may be able to do so, it should be borne in mind, with reduced or even with no drug treatment and without surgery or other intrusive procedures. Surely it would be worth giving magnetic therapy a chance before submitting to surgery which may not have an assured result?

Many forms of magnetic therapy can be dealt with by the back pain sufferers themselves. There are some easily employed products, such as bracelets, magnetic belts and similar items which can simply be put on in the affected area (e.g. across the small of the back). Also there are more specialist treatments involving pulsed and biomagnetic electromagnetic fields which would require the patient to visit a trained therapist.

The history of magnetic healing goes back a long way and it appears that it may have be used in non-complex ways by the Chinese for some thousands of years with good results. In recent years magnetic therapy and its benefits have been the subjected to tests and trials. For example, athletes and others suffering from injuries have been shown to benefit from the therapy and so also, surprisingly have injured animals. Good results with animals given the magnetic therapy show that the benefits are not due in part to the placebo effect as was once suggested.

There are many people who routinely use magnetic therapy, and their testimony to the enormous benefit it brings them should serve as further assurance to anyone who is hesitating about trying this simple method for relief of their condition. The relatively low cost of magnetic devices for home treatment should also be measured against the cost of other back pain therapies which may require frequent repeat sessions.

Magnetic therapy is then something to which should be given serious consideration by any sufferer of back problems or sciatica. However caution is necessary for some and it would not be suitable or desirable for:

- Children and young persons
- People with certain blood conditions
- Pregnant women
- Those who have a metallic implant or a heart pacemaker
- Those taking medication should discuss with their doctor whether the therapy would be safe.

Magnetic equipment should not be place anywhere near your video tapes, your computer, your credit or other cards, or any item with a magnetic strip etc.

For more information about lower back pain and sciatica please visit lower-back-sprain

Please bear in mind that this article is for general information purposes only and is not medical advice about your health. If you have a medical condition or problem you should always consult your doctor as to the matter which may be more serious than you realise.

Relief of Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy

Finding relief from lower back pain during pregnancy can be one of the most frustrating things for expectant mothers. The pain can be very persistent, and will often seem to get worse before it actually gets better. Fortunately, lower back pain during pregnancy is often resolved with some perseverance. Always check with your doctor, however, before trying to solve lower back pain during pregnancy. You want to be certain that the pain is not related to any other problems first.

Once you have been assured that the pain you are experiencing is normal, take a load off. You should not be allowing yourself to overexert anyway, and having lower back pain is only going to complicate things. Get some rest, but continue to get some exercise. Total bed rest will make the lower back pain worse in the long run. Just do not overdo it.

Learn some stress busting techniques. This is very important to both the health of your baby, and your lower back among other things. Learning to cope with the discomfort of being a pregnant woman is a tough thing, and learning some excellent techniques to keep yourself grounded and calm are priceless. The best cure for lower back pain during pregnancy is a calm demeanor. This will allow your muscles to relax and respond to any treatment.

Try a nice, soothing bath. The warmth will ease your muscles, and the bath will take you away from the everyday. This is especially effective if you set the mood as well with candles, lighting and a great book.
Talk to your doctor about massage. Massage is very effective in those lower back pains that are muscular in nature. This is something that you do not want to do if the problem is in the nerves. Always consult with the doctor before beginning a massage therapy.

Finding relief of lower back pain during pregnancy is often a matter of not doing certain things. If you experience pain while vacuuming the floor, for example, do not do it again. Give the job over to the support staff in the household. The same holds true for lifting, pulling, stretching, and any other bodily action that might cause lower back pain during pregnancy.

Always listen to the cues that your body gives you, particularly when you are pregnant. If you ever suspect that your lower back pain is not normal, contact your doctor immediately. It is far better to err on the side of caution when you are pregnant.

Ambulatory Spinal Unloading - A New Treatment For Low Back Pain

"Ambulatory spinal unloading" is the "new kid on the block" when it comes to treatment of acute and chronic low back pain. It is so new that many care givers are not yet fully aware of it.

Anecdotally we know that relieving pressure on the discs via traction, non-surgical spinal decompression or inversion tables etc relieves the pain, we also know that continued activity opposed to inactivity is beneficial and everyone knows that stabilizing the spine and allowing strained muscles to relax and heal are critical to the healing process.

But until ambulatory spinal unloading came along there was no way to offer a low back pain suffer the full treatment. This new treatment modality for low back pain allows sufferers the ability to regain mobility, flexibility and activity in a pain free or pain reduced environment, allowing discs to rehabilitate, muscles to realign and mend and damaged nerves to heal.

Ambulatory spinal unloading dramatically reduces the degenerative cycle and dramatically increases the rejuvenative cycle of the spine and is without a doubt one of the most beneficial and cost effective, non-invasive treatment modalities for acute and chronic low back pain available today.

Ambulatory spinal unloading can be used to extend the benefits offered by stationary treatments as well as chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments or can be used as a pre surgery bridge or a post surgery protection/prevention tool.

Typical indications for this new treatment modality are most forms of low back pain that have been caused by; degenerative disc decease, herniated or bulging disc, nerve impingement, stenosis, facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, lumbar vertebrae compression fracture, sciatica, lordosis etc and for many "undiagnosable" causes of low back pain.

Chronic Back Pain Limitations

Thousands and thousands of people annually seek medical care for back pain. For some, the pain is gone within 6 weeks. For others, it becomes chronic back pain.

Chronic back pain affects individuals in various ways. Most make repeated visits to physicians, seeking relief. They want to know what causes their chronic back pain. They want new tests. They want to try whatever treatment may be available.

Chronic back pain sufferers may report difficulty in performing normal daily activities. They may believe the pain is increasing. They may simply want someone to sympathize, and agree that it is not "all in your head" at all.

Although back pain is the main reason people visit orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, and the second main reason they visit primary care physicians, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of those visitors will receive no cure. They will go from low back pain to chronic back pain.

Patients are frustrated because physicians do not cure back pain. Physicians are frustrated because they cannot cure low back pain. Many think they can do little to prevent occasional severe back pain from becoming chronic back pain.

If nothing is done, however, chronic back pain limitations can seriously impinge on daily activity.

Possible Limitations

A look at possible chronic back pain limitations reveals a long list. There are limitations placed by a physician, but there are many more limitations that patients place on themselves. They may include physical limitations, emotional limitations, or mental limitations. Of the many chronic back pain limitations we can discuss only 7 here.

1. Depression: One of the most common limitations of chronic back pain, depression affects everyone involved in the daily life of the sufferer. The type of depression experienced by sufferers of chronic back pain is not simply a matter of feeling sad or "down at the heels" for a day or so. "Major depression" and "clinical depression" are the terms used for this kind of depression.

When chronic back pain limitations include a major depression, the person feels emotionally miserable everyday for at least two weeks. He or she also may have unexplained crying spells; major appetite changes; fatigue, sleep problems; agitation; and thoughts of death or suicide. There may be little interest in activities that were normally enjoyable.

2. Social Activity: A second of the chronic back pain limitations reported is that of social activity. People suffering chronic back pain become reluctant to attend parties and other social functions. They may curtail recreational activities or outings with the family.

3. Work Time: Those who suffer chronic back pain are also more likely to take off more work time. Statistics show that back pain causes the loss of more than 83 million days of work time each year due to back pain.

4. Job Loss: Since it often means lost work time, another of chronic back pain limitations is job loss. Too many lost days, or poor performance due to chronic back pain, can result in replacement.

5. Work Ability: Chronic back pain is a leading cause of work limitations. Back pain limits workers' ability to lift, carry, and perform other duties that are required. It places restrictions on workers, and narrows the job field for many people.

6. Low Pay: Chronic back pain limitations include financial limits for some. Those who are limited in work by chronic back pain earn, on average, only two-thirds the amount of those without back pain.

7. Housework: One of the largest limitations of chronic back pain appears to hit normal activities associated with housework, gardening, and lawn work. Patients with back pain that lasted more than 60 days often report they are no longer able to do any gardening, lawn work, or normal cleaning activities such as vacuuming, mopping floors, etc.

Clinically Proven Limitations

For the patient, it is difficult to believe that chronic back pain limitations are often unnecessary. They continue to believe that the pain has a cause that can be readily diagnosed, despite their physician's repeated assurances to the contrary. They believe the physician can find a medical sure for their back pain if pressed often enough and hard enough. As for treatment, patients often believe that until the cure is found, the best treatment is bed rest and limited activity.

The result of such beliefs is that back pain that could initially be resolved with exercise becomes chronic back pain. Chronic back pain that might still be resolved if the patient were to exercise regularly gradually develops and produces chronic back pain limitations.

TIP: Back pain is very, very common in our society. Rather than let it lead to complications and limitations, you may want to ask your physician for gentle exercises that may resolve your back pain before it becomes chronic.

Aches and Pain in the Lower Back Can Become a Chronic Problem

For many individuals, the back may be their so-called "Achilles Heel". For them, pain in the area of the back may be related to an increase in emotional stress. Other causes are poor posture, improper footwear and walking habits, improper lifting, slouching when sitting, and sleeping on a mattress that is too soft.

Most back problems are associated with long-term habits that eventually result in an acute attack. Other causes of backache are arthritis, rheumatism, bone disease, a herniated disc, or an abnormal curvature of the spine. Kidney and bladder problems or female pelvic disorders may also produce backache. Fractures are rarely the cause of back ailments. Below are some recommendations for treatment.

VAX-D Spinal Decompression

Neck and Back Pain injuries can be treated using a sophisticated vertebral decompression system known as the Vertebral Axial Decompression or "VAX-D", a method that has been shown to be successful in over 86% of patients. VAX-D is a patented, non-surgical therapy clinically proven to be a successful conservative treatment for such conditions as chronic low back pain and sciatica, caused by bulging, herniated or degenerative discs, and facet syndrome. Even post-surgical patients and those suffering from stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal) have reported a significant pain relief from VAX-D treatments. These treatments are fully automated and specifically designed for each individual patient. This computerized system achieves decompression by minutely adjusting the pull, hold and release series that are repeated up to fifteen times over a 15 to 45-minute time period. Each series goes through a decompression phase, retraction phase, and a rest phase, allowing the tension to be directed to the injured disc, and achieves a negative pressure within the disc that creates a vacuum effect that draws nutrients and fluids into the injured area, thus promoting repair. This motion-controlled biofeedback system automatically administers the tension without injury and allows the area of injury to relax completely. In this way VAX-D intervention facilitates the body to repair damage, regenerate new tissue, attain relief from pain, and thus, return patients to their normal activities.

Hako-Med Electromedical Pain Relief

New Hope Medical Center (NHMC) uses an internationally patented technology, known as Hako-Med, for pain relief. Hako-Med is the most advance tool in the field of bioelectric medicine. For example, it has been proven to eliminate over 80% of pain in osteoarthritis. Hako-med essentially works by using a combination of AM and FM radio wave frequencies, which neutralize pain and stimulate repair by resonating with the area of injury. This non-invasive modality is safe, effective, and easy to use and has no negative side effects. Whereas a typical TENS unit creates a distraction from pain, Hako-Med actually increases energy in the body to promote healing and recovery from injury. This sophisticated technology, developed with German engineering, allows the physician the choice of 200 pre-programmed protocols or the ability to develop customized protocols based on specific NHMC patient parameters. The good news for NHMC patients is that almost all insurance carriers cover this excellent pain treatment. Clinical indications and usages of Hako-Med include chronic pain, muscular dysfunction (e.g., atrophy, range of motion limitations, spasms, weakness, etc.), peripheral nerve pain, poor circulation, post-traumatic injuries, and post-surgical pain and prevention of thrombophlebitis. Hako-Med can be used in conjunction with, in alternation to, or independently from any other therapy. A typical treatment session can last anywhere from 10 to 50 minutes. When used alone, the recommended protocol for Hako-Med is three times weekly for 4 to 8 weeks. However, when used in combination with other therapies, Hako-Med works synergistically to accelerate the healing response and reduce recovery time.

Additional Recommendations for treatment and prevention

1. For acute pain, alternate ice and moist heat applications every 15-30 minutes to keep the swelling down and minimize the injury. Once the initial pain has subsided, Chiropractic or Osteopathic treatment may help to insure proper alignment of the vertebral spine.

2. For chronic back pain, strengthen the back with exercises.Strengthening exercises for your back, known as "Back Exercises", are available for home use. Prior to exercising, warm up your muscles by walking, cycling, or swimming. Exercises should then be performed in both directions (such as flexion and extension) and in one continuous motion. Make them a part of your daily routine. At the conclusion of your exercises, take a hot bath or shower for 10 minutes. A list of specific exercises can be ordered at the end of this recording.

3. As a rule, never lift heavy objects! Lift light objects by bending your legs, keeping your back straight, and then straighten your legs. Do not make quick, jerky movements from the waist or hip. Move only in one direction at a time by turning your whole body in a smooth movement.

4. Do not slouch! When walking, imagine yourself being pulled up and forward by a string attached to your breastbone (e.g. like a puppet on a string).

5. Sleep on a hard, preferably orthopedic, mattress or place a board under your own mattress. When sleeping, sleep on your back or on your side with your legs pulled up in the fetal position to reduce the pressure on your back. Upon arising in the morning, roll over on your side, let your legs come off the bed first, and then push yourself up--avoid doing a "sit-up."

6. When watching long hours of television, lie comfortably on a hard surface supported by pillows under your neck and in the small of your back or sit up straight in a good firm chair with your knees above your hips and your feet flat on the ground.

7. For back pain, use moist heat, such as a wet cloth around a hot water bottle. This increases circulation to the painful area and relaxes the spasm that caused the pain.

8. Supplements to consider include: Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, and Bioflavonoids and B-complex for stress relief; minerals such as magnesium aspartate as a natural muscle relaxant, zinc and manganese for tissue repair. DL-Phenylalanine, an amino acid, helps with alleviation of pain. The herb horsetail (e.g., Silica) aids in calcium absorption and white willow bark is a natural anti-inflammatory.

9. Homeopathics for back pain are: Arnica (especially if the pain results from acute trauma), Bryonia (if the pain is worse with movement), Rhus Tox. (if pain is worse after exposure to cold and after having been immobile), Ruta Graveolens (for lower lumbar pain made worse by sitting and lying down), and Calcarea Fluorica (when pain is burning, better with movement and worse after rest). Combination remedies such as Traumeel by BHI and Body Healing by Bioenergetics are excellent. Homeopathics are available in creams and oils for topical application as well.

10. Get prolotherapy. This involves the injection of a natural solution (e.g., dextrose or saline) with anesthetic into the areas of the ligaments that hold the bones together and the tendons that attach the muscles to the bones. This, in turn, sets in motion a healing response to stimulate the body to develop new tissues in weakened areas and hold the joints together more firmly. It also helps bulging discs to return by strengthening the posterior vertebral attachments, which weakness makes a disc more prone to protrude. This approach is usually given weekly and can help to avoid surgery by stimulating the body to do its own repair.

11. Gentle relaxation and rejuvenation therapy through use of a medical spa with steam sauna, infrared sauna, and/or contrast shower.

Reasons to seek medical advice for back pain include: pain that comes on suddenly for no apparent reason, pain that is accompanied by chest pain, pain that lasts more than three days in an acute attack or more than two weeks without relief in chronic cases, or pain that radiates down your leg. To learn more about healing and health optimizing therapies, go to NHMC or call (866) HEAL-NOW!

Lower Back Pain When Lying Down - Tips

If you experience lower back pain when lying down you are not alone. Pain can strike in different parts of the back and can affect different activities and functions. Lying down when you have this sort of pain can be uncomfortable and painful, as can walking, sitting, and standing. The big problem with getting this type of pain when you lie down is that it makes it impossible to get any rest, which puts you in a catch 22 situation. This is because you need rest in order to help alleviate the condition causing your back pain but the fact that you have this pain means you cannot get any rest.

There are a number of reasons why you may be getting this pain when you are lying down. The root cause of the condition can vary. Remember, the lower region of the back, also known as the lumbar region, is particularly susceptible to problems. Pain in this part of the back can strike at different times, such as when you sit, stand, walk, or lie down. If you experience the discomfort for more than a few days you may need to see your doctor to find out the cause of the problem. However, often the root cause of the condition can be simpler than you think.

What causes this pain when you lie down?

A number of problems can cause this sort of discomfort when you lie down. There are some conditions that may require medical assistance to address them. However, this problem can be caused by a number of simple things too. By identifying the cause of the pain you can then look at the options available to rectify it. Some of the things that may be causing this discomfort include:

• An underlying condition: Pain in the back region can be caused by many different things. If your pain persists and you cannot pinpoint the reason for it you should visit your doctor so that tests can be carried out. It is then possible for the doctor to determine the cause of your pain.


• Your bedding: The time when most people lie down is at night when they go to bed. You may therefore find that it is your bed, or more specifically your mattress, that is causing the problem. A change of mattress could prove to be a huge help.


• The way in which you sleep: Your sleeping position could also be affecting your comfort levels when lying down. If you sleep in a way that is awkward and causes twisting you could experience discomfort when you are lying down.

Stretching to ease your pain

Anyone that is experiencing this pain in the back when lying down may be able to ease the symptoms through stretching and exercise. This can help to ease stiffness and increase flexibility. It can also improve the strength of the spine and stretch the muscles. For those in pain with their backs this type of self help therapy can prove really helpful and can help to ease lower back pain when lying down.

Lower Back Pain - Don't Take Too Much Rest But Take These 3 Simple Steps to Get Immediate Relief

Don't take your back pain lying down

This is true both literally and figuratively. Going by the conventional wisdom, you should take rest by lying down on a bed after a bout of back pain. This is not to deny that when you lie down, your back does get rest and relief from the pain resulting from whatever it was that caused it.

But this rest is only temporary. As the wise men say you cannot achieve anything by lying down; you have to get up and try---exert yourself. You have to activate, exercise to strengthen your muscles. Excessive rest may deteriorate the back pain instead of eliminating it.

If at all you cannot rise up, then you should lie flat on your back and place two pillows/wedges below your knees. Elevating your legs may relieve pressure on your lumbar spine.

Do not lie with your face down on the bed, as you may have to raise or twist your head to breathe and this may result in neck pain. You may end up contracting another problem trying to relieve the existing one.

Try to leave the bed and start moving around slowly and carefully as soon as you can.A rule of thumb is that you should not take more then three days rest in normal circumstances.

1.Ice pack

Applying an ice pack on the painful site on the back as soon as possible after the pain occurs may reduce the inflammation. It may numb the nerves that transmit pain messages to the brain.

Put some ice in a bag or a thin towel and place it on the paining spot for about twenty minutes. Remove it and place it again after about 30 minutes.

2.Hot treatment

Ice packs help only within 24 hours of the injury to the back. They do not work thereafter. You have to, instead, apply heat to the ailing spot. Heat relaxes the muscles and increases their elasticity. You may apply heat by using a hot water bottle, infra red lamp or soaking the back in hot water tub for about twenty minutes. Pregnant women should consult the doctors.

3.Change your mattress

Soft and sagging mattresses often cause back pain on their own. Go for a firm mattress that supports your back and helps it to maintain the right mechanism. It should neither be too soft nor too hard.

If a new mattress is beyond your budget, get a three quarters of an inch thick piece of plywood sheet and place it beneath the mattress.

4.Over the counter remedies for back pain treatment

You can generally take over the counter analgesics like aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve the back pain. But they provide only temporary relief. Pregnant women should not take them without consulting doctors. All in all, natural and home remedies for back pain are the best option for immediate as well as long- term relief.

Lower Back Pain Relief - The Unexpected Specialists

Orthopedics is likely the first medical specialty to come to mind when we think of lower back pain relief. The back, after all, brings to mind the spine, which brings to mind the bones, the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and other components of the musculoskeletal system, which is the area of specialty of the orthopedic surgeon.

Meanwhile, it turns out that two of the most frequently referred specialists - neurosurgeons and physiatrists - play a vital role.

Neurosurgeons

Patients with lower back pain symptoms that include weakness in the foot or other signs of a neurologic deficit will most often be referred to a neurosurgeon or neurological surgeon, who is, in the simplest terms, a medical specialist whose focus is on your nerves.

It may come as a surprise to learn that the health care professionals so often thought of as brain surgeons more often deal with the back. Sixty percent of the members of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the largest neurosurgical organization in North America, in fact, say they are exclusively spine surgeons. And lumbar/thoracic spine problems are the most common condition these medical specialists see.

The neurosurgeon is not just there to operate, but provides either surgical or non-surgical care, depending on the nature of the injury or illness.

Education is the biggest thing a neurosurgeon does. They spend a lot of our day keeping people from surgery. It's not just a doctor problem, it's a patient perception. People need to understand that if they hurt it doesn't always mean that they need an operation when it comes to the spine.

Neurosurgeons have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with injury to, or diseases of, the brain, spine, or peripheral nerves (nerves dealing with the face, arms, legs, hands, and feet), but many specialize in or confine their practice to the back.

Like an orthopedic surgeon, the neurosurgeon might be the only doctor you see after referral - or he or she might be consulted by or be part of a team including primary care practitioners, physiatrists, and others.

A neurologist is yet another professional who is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of problems related to the nervous system, but does not perform surgery.

The Spinal Cord and Nervous System

One of the crucial functions of the spinal column is to protect the spinal cord, which can be thought of as an extension of the brain. All the information going from the brain to the limbs, allowing our bodies to move, goes through the spinal cord. It's been called "the first relay station" for sensory information on its way to the different parts of the brain. Bladder functions, sensory functions, and movement all depend on information traveling up and down the spinal cord.

A New Drug For Chronic Lower Back Pain Relief

Eli Lilly Canada recently announced that Health Canada has approved Cymbalta簧 (duloxetine HCl) for the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP).

The approval is based on the results of two randomized, double-blind, 12-13 week, placebo-controlled studies in 637 adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic low back pain with pain present on most days for at least 6 months and no sign of radiculopathy or spinal stenosis.

The primary efficacy endpoint in both studies was a reduction in pain severity as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory (PBI) 24-hour average pain rating on the 11-point Likert scale (0 = no pain; 10 = worst possible pain). In both studies, patients taking Cymbalta 60 mg once daily experienced significantly greater pain reduction compared to placebo. In addition, some patients reported pain reduction as early as one week into the trial after starting the 60 mg dose, which continued throughout the study.

Cymbalta has been evaluated for safety in 698 patients with chronic low back pain The most common side effects reported in the two studies included nausea, insomnia, somnolence, constipation, dry mouth, fatigue and dizziness.

About Cymbalta

Cymbalta is a potent and balanced serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which targets two chemical messengers in the brain believed to play a role in sensitivity to pain - serotonin and norepinephrine. While the mechanism of action of duloxetine in humans is not fully known, scientists believe its effect on pain perception is due to increasing the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system.

Cymbalta is now indicated in Canada for three distinct pain conditions: chronic low back pain, neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It is also indicated in Canada for the symptomatic relief of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Duloxetine is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to it, who have liver disease resulting in hepatic impairment, who are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) including linezolid and methylene blue, thiorazidine, potent CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g. fluvoxamine), and some guinolone antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin or enoxacine), who have uncontrolled narrow glaucoma, or who have severe kidney disease.

Eli Lilly is a leading innovation-driven corporation, renowned for developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Eli Lilly Canada, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, employs close to 500 people across the country.

Faster, Better Back Pain Relief With 10X Therapy and Topical Pain Medication

"10X" Treatment - Could It Give You Faster Pain-relief?

New medical research confirms the 40-year theory that surgery is not often necessary for successful - and fast-relief - of lumbar herniated discs. Approximately 98% of patients won't need any surgery - even "laser surgery" - for relief of the low back and radiating leg pain often associated with herniated discs.

The new and most-successful treatment paradigm is called "pattern-recognition." This new refinement of a 40-year old system is based on:

• Identifying the specific syndrome of pain one of seven syndromes - or patterns;


• This is determined primarily by your back pain history, and


• By the back movements that aggravate or relieve your back or radiating leg pain;

Lower back pain-relief comes fast enough that this new treatment approach can be called "10X" therapy because it can be ten times faster. In contrast, the usual medical treatment too-often attempts to get the diagnosis or specific cause of the pain.

Research has exposed the sad truth that this often fails in 80-90% of cases. This is especially true for the most-common type of back (or neck) pain - "non-specific low back pain."

Standard or "Classic" Treatment For Back Pain - Pills, Physical Therapy, MRI's, Needles...and Surgery?

When:

1. The ever-present oral pain-relief modalities don't help the pain much;


2. The typical generic core-strengthening and pain modalities don't give lasting back pain relief either;


3. Then back or radicular leg pain can begin to seem like a chronic or insurmountable problem.

Doctors usually proceed to try something they think will be stronger. Despite powerful pain pills like Percocet or Oxycontin, back pain doesn't go away in 30-40% of cases.

In those cases, the historical preference has often been to try to get better pain relief with an epidural steroid injection. What happens is: A steroid (powerful anti-inflammatory) is injected into the area around the irritable lumbar spine or disc level based on the MRI findings and the doctor's educated guess as to exactly which level.

A more technically-demanding procedure is the newer "foramenal epidural" where the steroid is guided into the opening where the nerve root exits the spinal canal. This more direct delivery of medication with injection into the foramen has been shown to be a bit more effective.

Either epidural steroid may give pain-relief for a few weeks or months - especially for radiating leg pain. However, once again the recent medical literature shows that there's another alternative "needle" procedure - acupuncture - that may also help relieve the pain to enable the necessary exercise treatment. But at a lower price and outside the hospital, too.

The real obstacle to faster back pain relief is that most doctors don't yet know about this new 10X "pattern-recognition" approach.

Other New Alternatives For Faster Back Pain-Relief

Another new delivery system for potent pain medication has recently become available in the United States - topical pain-relief medication applied directly to the painful area. This targeted-delivery approach has proven surprisingly effective for fast relief - up to 95.2% in 5 days reported in one British medical journal.

Hand-in-hand with the short-term relief from topical pain medications, the new pattern-based therapy can help that temporary targeted-delivery pain-relief to become a long-lasting back pain cure.

Turns out that very frequently, a specific set of special exercises can minimize and eventually eliminate back pain and even pain shooting down the leg or arm. Special resting positions and stretching exercises can also open the foramen, minimize the release of inflammatory chemicals, restore balance to the spinal vertebra and relieve the low back pain effectively.

Spine-Specialty Physical Therapy Is Different - and Better!

This new "spine-specialty" therapy approach is much more effective than the generic core strengthening, modalities and stretching offered by many therapists. Specialized therapy techniques based on pattern recognition are up to five - ten times (5X-10X) as effective as the usual back treatment.

Hence, the nickname - "10X Therapy." This pattern-specific postural re-education works well for neck pain problems, too.

Cellaplex For Lower Back Pain

Cellaplex Can Provide Back Pain Relief: The Answer to Your Debilitating Problem

Lower back pain is the most common cause of work-related disabilities. It is second only to headaches as the most common neurological disorder. In fact, in the US alone, Americans are spending more than 50 billion dollars annually for pain relief and treatments.

The Causes of Lower Back Pain

There are many causes of lower back pains. For example, acute back pains are normally caused by trauma or injury. Your movement can be hampered because of stabbing pain in your back. If left untreated, acute back pains can lead to permanent paralysis.

There are also chronic lower back pains. If there is a persistent pain in your back that bothers you everyday, then it could be chronic. This is a more problematic disorder and you need immediate medical help so you can find effective lower back pain relief.

Age is a determining factor that causes back pain. As you get older, the strength of your backbone and the elasticity of your muscles will decrease also. The disc will gradually lose its fluid thus it will not be able to properly support the vertebrae.

Conventional Pain Relief

The most common approach to alleviate pain is through medication. However, this is a palliative solution because it only numbs the pain. So you will still experience shooting pain back whenever the drug wears off.

Surgery is also an option. Surgical procedures are ideal for those with severe disorders. However, this is a very expensive and risky treatment. It will also take months before you can fully regain your mobility.

Natural Supplements

Natural supplements for the treatment of arthritis and degenerative joint disorders can provide an effective solution for chronic back pain. One of the formulas on the market is Cellaplex. Cellaplex addresses all of the common back pain problems and is recommended by the top orthopaedic doctors in the country.

Cellaplex contains natural anti-inflammatory ingredients (chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and bromelain) which are your best and safest option. This can significantly reduce or eliminate pain symptoms. Cellaplex also contains glucosamine, hydrolyzed collagen, and resveratrol which can rebuild damaged tissues and restore the normal functioning of your lower back.

This unique, pain-fighting supplement would be the best remedy as these natural substances can effectively boost natural lubrication of joints thus restoring flexibility and mobility. Cellaplex also contains essential mineral and vitamins needed for healthy bone growth and regeneration. These ingredients help keep your bones healthier and can aid in fighting inflammation and strengthen and promote cartilage growth.

Unfortunately, not all natural joint pain supplements are created equal. You should choose one that passed controlled clinical testing but this is almost impossible as the FDA does not require over the counter products to be tested and approved. Doctor and physician endorsements or recommendations are also very good as that means a product has been used in their rehab facilities and has yielded positive results. Cellaplex is recommended by numerous doctors and physicians and that is a good sign of its efficacy.

Lower back pain is a nasty disorder. It could significantly affect the quality of your life and could prevent you from doing normal physical activities. Once you suspect that you are suffering from this ailment, you have to immediately treat it in order to avoid serious complications. Cellaplex now makes it possible to live a normal, pain free life again!

Low Back Pain, Sciatica and the Hamstring Muscles

Muscles play a crucial part in the normal functioning of the lower back and sciatic nerve. If any of the muscles in this area become too tight or too weak, they have the potential to cause pain. This is typically referred to as muscle imbalance. The hamstring muscles are a common culprit for this and it is usually tightness which is the problem.

In a similar vein to which I have mentioned in an article on the piriformis muscle ("Low Back Pain & Sciatica - The Role of the Piriformis Muscle") tight hamstring muscles can also have an influence over the lower back, sacro-iliac joint and sciatic nerve.

Low Back Pain

With regards to the lower back, the hamstring muscles are attached to the bottom of the pelvis, in a similar area to the bony points of your buttock you sit on. If this muscle is tight, it will pull on the bottom of the pelvis and encourage it to rotate backwards. If there is also tightness around the low back itself, this backwards rotation movement of the pelvis will be resisted by the back and therefore the increased stress will be taken up in and around the bottom of the lower back or the sacro-iliac joint. This increased stress is likely to lead to pain.

Alternatively, if there is no particular tightness about the lower back and maybe even some weakness, the increased pull resulting from the tight hamstrings may well encourage the lower back to flex too much, this time potentially leading to literally from the lower back pain as opposed to sacro-iliac joint. Either way, pain in the region of the lower back can occur as a result of tight hamstring muscles.

Sciatica

It is slightly different as far as sciatica is concerned. The sciatic nerve is formed from 5 nerve roots which leave the lower back from the lumbar spine and sacrum. Once formed, the sciatic nerve passes through the buttock region and down the back of the leg to the back of the knee. As it passes down the back of the leg, the sciatic nerve also passes through the hamstring muscles. Consequently, if the hamstring muscles are tight, they can place increased stress upon the sciatic nerve, leading to pain.

In either of the above examples, the aim of treatment is to gently stretch the hamstring muscles in order to relieve the stress being placed across the low back, sacro-iliac joint or sciatic nerve.

There are numerous ways of stretching the hamstring muscles. I shall now describe a very gentle way of stretching them. Only when you feel that this stretch is too easy, should you consider progressing on with more aggressive stretches.

While lying on your back with your knees bent, gently hold behind the knee of the side to be stretched and pull your knee towards your chest, stopping when your knee is pointing directly up towards the ceiling.

When in this position, gently straighten the same knee so that your lower leg begins to point towards the ceiling as well.

NB If your hamstrings are tight, you will not be able to get your foot to point towards the ceiling!

As you are doing this, stop as soon as you begin to feel a stretching sensation at the back of your leg.

Hold: approximately 20-30 seconds.

Repeat: 2-3 times.

Repeat: 2-3 times per day.

As you begin to gently stretch the hamstring muscle it will become more supple. This will result in tension being taken from the lower back, sacro-iliac joint and hamstring muscles, which in turn will encourage correct function of these areas, therefore healing will take place. As a result, your pain will also begin to resolve.

Be careful when performing this stretch, as it is important you do not allow your back to flatten too much into the floor/surface you are lying on. A simple way to prevent this is to keep your low back in a neutral position and then gently tighten your abdominal muscles.

The abdominal muscles play an important role with regards to stability of the lower back and associated structures, and therefore by gently working these while performing this exercise, you will be helping to provide your lower back and pelvis with more stability as well.

It is unlikely, although not impossible, that your low back pain will resolve as a result of performing hamstring stretches alone. The chances are however, that you may need to perform one or two other exercises as well, be they stretching or strengthening exercises.

7 Tricks to Help Your Back Pain

Are you like thousands of others adults who suffer from back pain? Are you struggling with sciatica or lower back pain? Is your day less enjoyable as back pain stops you doing the activities you wish to do?

Well there are some simple tricks you can apply that can make your life better. Sure you still need to remove your back pain, and you can do this easily - in fact it is trick #8, a special treat just for you.

Back to the tips and tricks though...

Follow these tricks below and you will find back pain will ease. These are best applied if you don't have back pain, and wish to make sure you stay that way. As the saying goes - prevention is easier than cure!

With back pain this is doubly so, you need to stop your back pain before it starts. The statistics are frightening...

Over 80% of adults suffer from back pain at some stage. Back pain is the second most common reason to visit your doctor, behind the common cold only. Back pain is likely to affect you at some time so now is the best time to do something about it.

Follow these simple 7 tricks and you can avoid becoming one of the statistics.

Tip 1. Stand upright and pay attention to posture - don't slouch. This does not mean to stand in a military type posture, but stand in a relaxed manner. Hard to do if you have back pain, but more on that in trick #8.

Tip 2. Sit upright at your desk with your lower back slightly curved. Don't slump in your chair or hunch over your keyboard. Set your workstation up correctly - screen at eye level. Try and sit on your sitting bones (the bony part of your buttock) as this helps to distribute your weight evenly and remove pressure off your back.

Tip 3. Change your position frequently. Get up and walk around every 20-30 minutes even if it's only for 30 seconds. Back pain is usually from your spine tiring out - getting up and moving helps to change your posture and stop spinal fatigue.

Tip 4. Water. Drink lots of it! Your discs between your spine are fluid, if you lack water these lack strength. Also muscles require good fluid levels and your back pain will heal faster if your body is not dehydrated.

Tip 5. Do specific back strengthening and relaxing exercises. Muscles are the most common cause of pain, although why muscles cause pain is the true underlying cause. You need to strengthen the weak muscles and relax the tense muscles. Simple to do if you know how - see http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/back-exercises.html

Tip 6. Target the muscles that cause 90% of lower back pain. Your Abdominal muscles, Hip Flexors and Erector Spinae group of muscles are the main muscles that de-stabilize your lower back. These muscles are the ones that create the imbalances that lead to most back pain. Change these and also mobilize your joints and you will not become a back pain statistic.

Tip 7. Push rather than pull heavy objects. If you're lifting something heavy, use your leg muscles and hold it close to your body. Don't bend over and strain your back. Most back pain comes from doing seemingly innocuous activities. It is rare for adults to tell their doctor that pain came from a large fall. It is usually from lifting their child, lifting a chair, shifting furniture etc. If you lift correctly then you are less likely to create that last stress that triggers your back pain...

But!

Most back pain occurs from a build up of tension. Physical and emotional tensions are equal causes of back pain. The most important trick you can implement to not only remove your back pain, but prevent it also is...

Tip 8: Learn to balance your spine, to remove stress and get rid of back pain once and for all. There are many techniques you can do at home to relax muscles, to strengthen the weakened muscles and to mobilize joints. Add in ways to speed your healing and recovery rates and learn ways to prevent back pain and you can be free of back pain completely and permanently.

If you want to learn to help your self and be free of back pain once and for all! - you must read this!

Two Common Causes of Lower Back Pain: Lumbar Muscle Strain and Lumbar Radiculopathy

How is your lower back doing right now?

Does the pain come and go, or is it constant?

1.) Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons cited for worker sick leave in the United States and Europe. Around 30% of workers in both the United States and Europe are affected by lower back pain. While the incidence of this condition may be attributed to a wide range of factors, two of its most common causes deal with lumbar strain and nerve irritation.

2.) A Muscle Strain

A low back muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn. Diagnosis of a lumbar strain usually takes into consideration the history of the injury, the location of the pain and taking steps to rule out nerve injury and bone abnormalities.

3.) Treatment of a Strained Lumbar Muscle

In treating a lumbar strain, it is recommended that the back be given a rest to avoid aggravation of the injury. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken. Local heat application may also offer some relief. Performing reconditioning exercises will help to strengthen the lower back and the affected muscles. To avoid future injuries, it would be worthwhile to study and practice techniques for protecting the back, as well as use available back support devices. (Consult your physician first about any medications and exercises).

4.) Nerve Irritation

Another common cause of lower back pain is nerve irritation. The nerves of the lower back may become irritated if bones or tissues impinge on them due to mechanical pressure. This is what happens with lumbar radiculopathy.

When the outer ring of the vertebral discs degenerate due to wear and tear, or suffer physical trauma, the softer part at the center of the disc may rupture and extend through the outer ring of the disc, impinging on the spinal cord and the nerves. A sharp pain shoots out from the herniated disc from the lower back and extends down to the buttock and the leg. Movements at the waist, as well as coughing and sneezing, may increase the pain. The patient usually feels a radiating pain when the legs are lifted.

Further detection of the nerve irritation is done through electromyogram (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), computerized axial tomography (CAT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

5.) Treatment For Nerve Irritation

Treatment options for lumbar radiculopathy usually include medical management. Cortisone injection is applied around the spinal cord in addition to the taking of pain relievers. Physical therapy through the administration of heat, massage, ultrasound and electrical stimulation may also be used. For severe cases, it might be necessary to perform surgery.

6.) Braces For Support

Pain can be reduce when the proper lower back support is worn. It is important to contact your local, licensed orthotist for your brace needs when you have back pain for medical advice on orthotics for the spine.

What Causes Sharp Lower Right Back Pain?

Lower back pain is a really annoying and frustrating issue. It seems that no matter what you do, it simple does not go away and it also seriously affects your quality of life. The key to treating any disease or condition, is finding out the cause. If you want to get relief from sharp lower right back pain, then you need to know what causes it. This is the most important part and in this article I will tell you exactly what the cause is.

The causes sharp lower right back pain

• There are many treatments, products and techniques that are used to eliminate the pain. But the vast majority of these treatments provide only temporary relief, if that. The reason why this is so, is because they address the symptom, which is the pain, and don`t treat the cause. Logic will tell you that if the symptom is treated, then the cause will not go anywhere.
  
  


• The sharp lower right back pain you feel, has not happened overnight. You may have started to feel the pain suddenly, but the pain itself is the end result. The chain reaction that led to the sharp pain, may have started months or even years before you started to feel pain.
  
  


• Imbalances of the muscles is the hidden cause of different types of the pain. Muscle imbalancement happens if one muscle group is weaker and the other muscle group is tighter. At first the difference of the muscle groups might be very small and not cause any problems, but over time this gets worse and worse. This imbalancement over a long period, pulls your pelvis and spine out of position. The bigger the imbalancement, the more your spine, pelvis and joints are pulled out of positions. All of a sudden you start feeling sharp lower right back pain.
  
  Luckily the sharp pain you feel is treatable, if it is done correctly of course. One of the most trusted resource for back pain and sciatica sufferers online is the Healthy Back Institute. The reason why it has been so successful for over 10 years, is because they focus on the main causes of the problem and not on the symptom. So many medical or healthcare professionals are not doing this and that explains why so many people fail to get permanent relief for their pain.

Ten Tips to Ease Low Back Pain

Working days lost in the US alone due to back pain runs into hundreds of millions.

Our back is highly complex mechanism and even with the use of modern technology pin pointing the exact cause of low back problems can be difficult and challenging. At the center of our back is the spine, with a sophisticated inter linking of vertebrae and various bones. The spinal column itself is supported by a complex array of muscles and ligaments. Many back problems occur as a result of some change in the spinal column. These changes often happen after an injury to the neck or back. Any shift in our spinal column alignment causes the muscles tighten up and go into spasm, making the muscle work continuously, (nature's protection mechanism).

Most people will have at least one backache during their lives, and many will live with recurrent or prolonged back problems. While discomfort can affect any area of the back, pain mostly occurs in the lower part, which supports most of the body's weight. Indeed, low back pain is among the most common reasons why Americans visit the doctor. Some people have backaches that cause significant disability, with pain or numbness radiating down the leg or into the foot - a condition known as sciatica.

Taking off the shelf pain killers such as ibuprofen or aspirin often helps to reduce the inflammation and bring some sort of relief; however for people who suffer from chronic back pain they seldom bring much relief. Whether you are a newcomer to back pain or a long term sufferer, here are ten tips to ease your back pain.

1. If you are in extreme pain try lying on your back, on the floor, with your feet and lower legs over a chair. Support your head under a pillow. Try to relax as much as possible.

2. Consider doing some simple stretches to improve your overall flexibility and help relax those over tight muscles. Your healthcare practitioner should be able to advise you which ones are best for you.

3. Ensure you maintain the correct posture. Try standing with your back against a closed door. Align your shoulders against the door and touch the door with the back of your head, your buttocks and your heels at the same time. If you can manage this then your body is in the correct alignment. Try to hold this posture when walking. Posture is also important when sitting - it may be necessary to invest in a good office chair which provides good back and lumbar support. Latest thinking suggests that sitting with the back angled at about 120 degrees is the best position, almost in a slightly slouched position.

4. Start walking. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do to help to relieve back pain. A recent study found that a group of low back pain patients who did 3 hours brisk walking per week had considerably less pain and distress than a group who were given specific low back exercises. Walking helps exercise many the muscles in the musco skeletal system, which in turn help provide support to the spine.

5. Always ensure you keep your back straight when lifting - no matter how light the object may be.

6.A good mattress is not only important to allow to have a good night's sleep it is also important that the mattress provides good support for your back.

7. Do a quick health check. If you smoke quit. If you drink - do it in moderation. If you are overweight - loose it. Easy to say I know but the harsh facts are that people who carry too much weight are more prone to back problems, as are smokers and people who drink to excess. Try to eat a healthy balance diet making sure you eat at least five fruit and veg a day.

8. If you drive pay attention to how you get in and out of the car. Sit down facing the door and swing both legs into the car together. Getting out is the reverse. It may look cumbersome but many a bad back is triggered by getting in or out of the car the wrong way. Ensure if you are driving any distance that you take regular breaks and have a walk around.

9. Buy a TENs or EMS machine to help relax those tensed up muscles and block out any nerve pain.

10. Always seek medical help from a Doctor, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Physical Therapist or other health care practitioner. Do some research on the Web before visiting your health care practitioner and make a list of questions to ask. If your back problem persists, seriously consider having a MRI scan. This is usually definitive in identifying the problem area and it is particularly useful in determining the source of sciatic nerve pain.

Once you know what is wrong you can focus all your energy on rehabilitation. Usually there are many avenues to explore including surgery, passive manipulation, Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, Alexander Technique, or Chi Kung. What works well for some may not work at all for others so it is important to explore as many avenues as possible and try to keep positive.

This information in this article should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. You should always consult with your health care professional especially relating to the suitability of exercises, supplements or drugs and on all health matters that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

Types of Physiotherapy That Help Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain plagues Americans to the extent that 80% will suffer from it at some time in their lives. It is one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor. For many, the problem is more than a passing incident; they need physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy of different types can be used to treat lower back pain. Acupuncture is fast becoming an important method for the relief of such pain. The doctor has the patient lie face-down and inserts the acupuncture needles across the back. The doctor then finishes the procedure for lower back pain. Pain relief after a series of treatments usually lasts months.

Massage is also used for lower back pain. The massage used must be done by someone well-versed in the treatment of lower back pain. A massage done by an untrained person may do more harm than good.

These methods are called passive therapies, or modalities. They are done to the patient and not by the patient. There are other modalities that are commonly used. Heat and ice packs are a well-known form of passive physiotherapy. They can be used separately, or they can be used alternately by a person who is suffering from acute lower back pain.

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) can be used as another modality for lower back pain. The patient will feel the sensation of the stimulator instead of his pain. If the TENS unit seems to work well for him, he will be sent home with one to use at his convenience.

Ultrasound is especially useful as a passive therapy for anyone with acute lower back pain. It delivers heat deep into the muscles of the lower back. This not only relieves pain. It can also speed healing.

Back exercises may be assigned by a physiotherapist. These exercises will help with lower back pain if one does them correctly and faithfully. The only exception is if the back is in an acute condition requiring emergency care or surgery.

The exercises that will help with lower back pain the most will be assigned and supervised by a physiotherapist. They may be done at home, but it will be necessary to follow instructions and check in frequently.

These exercises include ones for lower back pain that stretch or extend the back and ones that strengthen it. One is an exercise where one lies prone and moves as if swimming. This protects the back while giving the surrounding muscles a workout.

Lower back pain exercises called flexion exercises strengthen the midsection to provide support for the back. If the lower back pain is reduced when one sits, these exercises are important. One is a knee-to-chest exercise.

Aerobic exercise such as walking is excellent for reducing and preventing lower back pain as well. Massage and acupuncture can be counted on to relieve pain for most patients. Exercises can make the back stronger to both relieve and prevent lower back pain. Any physiotherapy that can help relieve lower back pain will help millions of people.

Acupuncture For Relief of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica - An Ancient Eastern Treatment

Despite the fact that acupuncture may not always provide long term relief, it is accepted that it may often be a source of relief from the immediate symptoms of back pain and sciatica. Really acupuncture should be viewed as being a method of alleviating pain and not thought to be a cure. However it should be remembered that pain relief even without a cure is valuable. It is essential for those who are experiencing serious discomfort or worse, and pain relief in itself may create a helpful climate for a cure by other means.

Acupuncture is now well known and accepted in the west although it is regarded generally as a Chinese therapy. It has been practised by the Chinese for several millennia and has enjoyed considerable success although it has not been claimed by them to be an absolute cure. The fundamentals of the therapy are simple. Sterile thin needles are inserted into the body at strategic places and the practitioner then moves them so as to create the necessary stimulus.

The acupuncture positions are not easy to locate, but are important and so require experience on the part of the therapist. Traditional Chinese medicine relate the acupuncture points to theories of yin and yang upon which the effectiveness of the treatment is explained. However it is most likely that the needles when inserted into the skin help to relieve pain by stimulating the bodies own pain relief mechanisms.

It is generally accepted that in the context of back and sciatica, acupuncture does not amount to a cure. Also it does not always work and there are those for whom it is ineffective. But there are very good grounds for believing that it will probably be a means of giving relief for back related problems. Another point to be considered is that the pain relief is normally longer lasting than typical pain relieving drugs available on prescription. Prescription drugs for pain relief will usually have to be taken again within a few hours. Acupuncture has been shown to have a much better effect and this is a great advantage apart, from the fact also that there is no risk of addiction with acupuncture.

Assuming the acupuncture to work for the particular patient, there is then a realistic chance that the easing of pain achieved will in itself lead to better mobility and this will then encourage a cure naturally. It should be added though, that if the acupuncture treatment does not bring about an indirect improvement as described, then probably future treatments by the therapist will be necessary, perhaps as frequently in some cases as every week. This may prove too costly for some.

Safety and hygiene is an essential for the proper use of acupuncture. The needles should always be sterile and are specifically used only once. If undergoing treatment you should expect that the needles will be in sterile unopened packaging before the therapist starts. You will see that the needles are very thin and for this reason you are unlikely to have any sensation of pain as they are inserted into your skin.

In the past the question has been asked as to whether acupuncture does indeed have the pain relief effect that is claimed. Are the claims for the treatment based on an nothing more than the placebo effect? Inevitably where there is incomplete understanding as to how a treatment may achieve its results doubts may be raised about it. It will be reassuring to know that clinical tests have been able to confirm that acupuncture is a genuine means of pain relief for those suffering from back and sciatica pain. And in comparison with the placebo effect, acupuncture has a much higher success rate.

The difficulty with acupuncture remains that as explained it does not amount to a cure. It may help bring about a cure but not always and repeat visits to the therapist may be required. In terms of pain relief then, acupuncture is well worth trying and it may lead to something better. However anyone suffering from back related problems, for example matters such as a slipped disc, which clearly are not going to be put right just by acupuncture, will wish also to address the underlying problem and to see what can be done to correct the malfunction that has brought it about.

Finally do bear in mind that acupuncture should only be given by those who are fully qualified. This is not something to try at home! And nor should acupuncture be tried by anyone who has a problem with bleeding or a blood disorder. Always consult your medical practitioner before undertaking acupuncture.

5 Exercises For Lower Back Pain - Right Side

One of the best ways to reduce lower back pain right side is through proper exercise and stretching techniques. The best time to do these is when you are not thinking about it-when you do not have lower back pain right side. Granted, it is very difficult to do exercises to prevent lower back pain right side because unlike exercises that build your physique, the results of back exercises are not apparent and the reward is not visual.

When you re-injure yourself, however, you will have regretted not doing the exercises. The best way to stick to them is by making it part of your daily routine. Do not view them as exercises. They need to be as much a part of you as going to work, walking the dog or playing with your kids and should be taken seriously if you want to reduce your pain.

The first point to remember is that you should always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise or stretching routine to make sure you are reducing your lower back pain right side and not increasing it. The second point to remember is that you need to warm up before you stretch. Do a few jumping jacks or jog around the block. You need to get the blood pumping and the muscles moving before you start stretching or you may end up with more lower back pain right side than when you started. You should warm up, stretch, exercise and warm down, in that order. The third thing to remember is to breath evenly throughout each exercise. Breath in deeply, then breath out slowly.

Exercises for Lower Back Pain Right Side:

1. Lie flat on your back with knees bent. Slowly tighten your abdominal muscles and hold for 5 seconds. Release and repeat up to 10 times. This is a good exercise with which to start.

2. In the same position, now raise your shoulders off the ground a few inches. This is not a crunch as you are not bending. You are lifting yourself only a few inches straight off the ground. Hold for 3 seconds and repeat 10 times and you will feel your core strengthening, a key to avoiding lower back pain right side.

3. The cat and camel has you on all fours. Lower your abdomen so it is completely relaxed and "pooching" out toward the floor. Allow your head to droop as well. Hold for a few moments. This should feel good as it takes all the stress off your lower back. Slowly arch your back in the other direction like a scared cat. Hold for a few seconds and then let yourself back down. Repeat 10 times.

4. Lie flat on your back with legs straight and hands slightly under your rump. Raise both your legs so they are pointing toward the sky. Slowly lower one leg until it is a few inches off the ground, hold for 3 seconds and lift back up. Repeat with the other leg. Do 10 repetitions.

5. Go back to lying on your back with knees bent. Slowly lower both knees to one side and hold. Feel the stretch? Pay attention to your lower back pain right side as you lower your knees to the left. Raise and lower toward the other side. This is an easy exercise to help reduce your pain.

What Causes Lower Back Ache in the Morning?

It seems that a lot of people suffer from lower back ache in the morning when getting out of bed. This can have lots of reasons but most commonly the back pain is a result of something you did the day before. It is possible that you lifted something that was too heavy or you lifted something incorrect. Even though most people know how to lift a heavy object it's astonishing to see so many people using incorrect lifting techniques which results in strained muscles and sprained ligaments.

It's not always obvious what caused the back ache. Sometimes stress builds up at work and also stress builds up in your back and then suddenly without any warning the damage is done and you wake up with lower back pain. It's also possible that you sit before your computer all day or drive a car or truck. Obviously this is not good for your back. We weren't made to sit down all day if possible try to walk around every hour for a few minutes. If this is not possible then shift your weight regularly when sitting down so your weight isn't on the same point all the time.

Another cause could be your bed or mattress.

The choice of your bed and mattress is absolutely critical in solving many back injuries. However, this does not absolutely mean that you should buy a bed that is described as solving any particular medical problem, or as an orthopedic bed or mattress.

Most of the orthopedic mattresses are too hard, and I would not recommend an orthopedic mattress to someone who suffers from back ache. What you really need is a bed mattress that is solid and supportive, instead of being hard. If you often have a lot of back pain you should change your mattress regularly as old mattresses often don't give you the support you need.

If you are a constant back ache sufferer I would suggest you spend as much money as you can afford when buying a new bed, because I believe that sleeping on a first-class bed can make a considerable distinction to your back ache problems. Evidently, everyone who has a back pain condition has a somewhat diverse problem and therefore there is not one perfect sleeping explanation that covers every back pain problem. Therefore, you must do a little research when you purchase a new bed. That new bed could be the step you need to take to overcome your back ache problems and maybe solve the problem very rapidly.

Low Back Pain and MRI Scan Abnormality

Lower back pain is a common medical problem that, at some time, 80% of the population will experience at least one episode. Many individuals will experience recurrent episodes of pain in their lower back or suffer from persistent daily pain. Of those patients, one-third will have some degree of leg pain in one or both legs (sciatica). Most cases of back pain and leg pain do not originate from lumbar (lower back) spine. The main cause of lower back pain are the other pain fiber bearing structures in the lower back including: muscles, tendons, ligaments, vertebral joints and bone itself. Fortunately over 97% of all low back problems can be treated without surgery or invasive spinal procedures. Low back surgery is the most common overly performed surgical procedure in the United States. All too frequently the results are poor and even worse, makes the patient's condition (back pain) more severe. We will look at the association of lower back pain and an MRI abnormality.

In examining patients with complaints of pain, a careful history and detailed physical exam is the basis for developing a comprehensive, conservative treatment plan. Physical exam with show significant back muscle spasm with tenderness. Some will have exquisite sacroiliac joint tenderness. The sacroiliac joint is where the tail bone meets the hip bone. This is called sacroiliitis. Piriformis syndrome can cause low back pain and leg pain. The piriformis muscle lays on top of the sciatic nerve. If this muscle is sprained, the sciatic nerve can be irritated, causing leg pains although there is no clinical findings to show spinal nerve compression - the proverbial "pinched nerve."

In most clinical settings of low back pain, non-surgical treatment is indicated. Even in individuals who have evidence of a herniated disc need conservative therapy - physical therapy, massage and anti-inflammatory medication. The natural history of disc herniation is to heal without the need for surgery or other invasive procedures such as epidural spine injections. Physical therapy which involves direct hands on therapy combined with deep tissue massage therapy plus daily, self-administered back stretching exercises will result in relief the majority of the time.

Many patients will first undergo an MRI scan to look for the cause of their low back pain. This is where the common problem occurs in making the correct decision to use conservative therapy first versus the improper decision to go to with an invasive treatment route such as spine injections or worse, surgery. Studies have shown that the long term outcome of back pain patients treated surgically is no better than those treated with conservative medical therapy.

For patients who do get MRI studies, it is not uncommon to find spine MRI abnormalities. The important fact to remember is that an MRI abnormality does not necessarily explain the pain or symptoms that an individual is experiencing. The majority of the time, the MRI abnormality has nothing to do with the patient's symptoms. To account for an individual's back pain or sciatica (leg pain), the MRI findings must match exactly with the patient's symptoms and neurological exam. MRI studies of normal individuals without back pain or sciatica have been done. The results show approximately 55% had bulging discs at one or more levels, 28% had disc herniation - with or without stenosis - on the MRI scans. Over 70% of MRI scans showed abnormalities and yet these patients had no symptoms. Conclusion: Just because there is an MRI abnormality does not mean that this is the cause of the patient's symptoms.

With conservative treatment and patient cooperation to do the back exercises, most patients have significant pain relief within 4-6 weeks. Patients should continue to do their back exercises on a regular basis, as part of their daily exercise routine. Physical body reconditioning and core strengthening will also help a great deal. An MRI abnormality usually does not explain the patient's low back pain. Back surgery (or neck surgery) can and should almost always be avoided.

Sore Lower Back - What Are the Treatment Options?

A common complaint that arises is a sore or injured lower back. And, what you will discover when you have suffered from a sore lower back is that there are an overwhelming array of options available to repair the damage and alleviate the pain. Every person you meet will have a different opinion on what you should do about your back pain. So, I am going to try and explain what some of the alternative treatments mean to help you better understand your options.

Physiotherapy

The first time you injure your back, you are most likely to end up at the physiotherapist. Their technique will typically revolve around muscle manipulation to correct the issue. They will use a range of massage and stretching techniques around the affected area and into your legs as well. You will typically be given a range of exercises that you then complete on a regular basis to try and maintain ongoing muscle movement.

Osteopath

An osteopath will work on a combination of your muscles and bones to fix the problem and relieve your symptoms. You will find an osteopath will be very interested in your personal history to understand where the problem started, even going back to childhood. They will also look at your stance and posture, particularly the positioning of your hips relative to your spine and legs. Most treatments typically involve a combination of massage and spinal adjustment. Similarly to a Physiotherapist, you will be given some exercises to stretch and strengthen the area between appointments.

Chiropractor

A Chiropractor is interested in your spine. After an assessment of your problem, a Chiropractor will manipulate your spine to attempt to correct the problem over time. There are two techniques for manipulation that I have seen, although there may be more. Any Chiropractors that are out there feel free to chime in! The first technique I have seen is physical manipulation where they use their body to adjust your spine. The second is the use of a small device that pushes into the area they wish to treat. It has a flat, round end that applies a small amount of pressure to a targeted area so it doesn't hurt.

Massage

Remedial massage or myotherapy is also commonly used to treat back pain. Essentially, the massage therapist will attempt to reduce tension around the affected area and release toxins that have built up in the muscles over time. This typically treats the symptoms rather than the cause itself. Having said that, massage is an effective way to regain movement and reduce pain. Many people also use it as part of a maintenance strategy to prevent further injury in the future. It is probably worth mentioning at this point, that once you injure your back, it is very rare not to experience problems again.

Pilates

Pilates is a good preventative and long term repair strategy for people with lower back pain. It is focused on building the muscles that support your spine, commonly referred to as core strength. In doing so, you are managing the risk of further injury as your body starts to gain strength in the right areas. There are two types of Pilates to choose from called clinical or classic.

Yoga

Similarly to Pilates, yoga is another preventative strategy. Many people actually start yoga to help alleviate or manage lower back pain. Yoga provides a structured approach to stretching of the muscles and helps build strength over time.

These are just a few of the treatments and management strategies that you will hear about. Others will include Acupuncture, Bowen Therapy and lots, lots more. It goes without saying that your choice of treatments will need to be one that is right for you but I hope that this has given you a better understanding of the spectrum of alternatives. It is also worth mentioning that many people end up using a couple in parallel and if that is the case just make sure you tell whoever is treating you, so they have the full picture. Best of luck with finding a treatment that is right for you!