Neck and Back Pain - How Do You Know What Kind of Treatment Is Best?

DID YOU KNOW?

93% of patients with chronic whiplash pain who have failed medical and physical therapy care improve with chiropractic adjustments. (From the medical journal Spine, 1994)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for rheumatoid and/or arthritis conservatively cause 15,500 Americans to bleed to death each year, making that the 15th most common cause of death in the U.S. (New England Journal of Medicine, 1999)

Chiropractic spinal adjusting has been shown to be better than 5 times more effective than NSAIDs pain drugs Celebrex and Vioxx in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain (Spine, 2003)

Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to significantly lower blood pressure. (Journal of Human Hypertension, 2007)

Taking the correct drug for the correct diagnoses in the correct dose will kill about 106,000 Americans per year, making it the 4th most common cause of death in the U.S. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 1998)

The FDA admits that all NSAID's (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including Aleve, Aspirin and Ibuprofen, may kill you as they lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems--including heart attacks and strokes. (USA Today, December 23, 2004

Regular use of Aspirin or Tylenol are linked to kidney failure. (The New England Journal of Medicine, Dec. 20, 2001) Those who consumed the highest amounts of NSAIDs increased their risk of dementia, including Alzeimer's disease, by 66%. (Neurology, 2009)

The risk of serious complications from a chiropractic adjustment is 1-2 chances in a million, whereas the rate of the same problems occurring with surgery is 15,600 per million! (Rand Corp., 1992)

TAKING THE EASIER ROAD

Admittedly, it's just plain easier to pop a pill to feel better. One trip to the drug store and you have weeks, even months, worth of pain relief. Often times it seems a lot cheaper, too. Unfortunately, as can be seen from above, research shows if you take NSAIDS, you're not only risking the health of your brain, heart and kidneys, but your life and financial security as well, as these conditions can be devastatingly expensive to treat.

HEALTHCARE'S NEW TREND-- LONGEVITY

If you've been following the news on health these past few years, you've probably noticed how much interest there is in stretching out the number of years people can live in good health. Scientists have determined that only 30% of aging is based on genetic heritage while 70% is attributed to lifestyle choices. Simply put, it's how you choose to live; the things you consume, the amount and quality of exercise you perform, avoiding needless stress and carefully choosing what form of health care you will use. One of the most important things, research shows conclusively, which will help you live a long and healthy is a lifestyle filled with non- toxic, non-injurious ways of maintaining and restoring one's health.

Chiropractic is a safe and effective form of healthcare not only for neck and back pain, but for a variety of conditions, including; headaches, sciatica, vertigo, sport injuries, shoulder pain, knee pain, jaw pain, wrist pain, foot pain and ankle pain.

For more information, go to our website at http://www.achiropracticcenter.com

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Back Pain Symptoms - Detect Them Early For Faster Pain Relief

Most people will experience back pain symptoms at some point in their life. The numbers run between 80 and 90 percent depending on where you look. As one of the top reasons for consulting a doctor, back pain is considered a serious health problem. It can be a simple problem or a sign of something more serious like a systemic imbalance. Therefore, it pays to be aware of back pain symptoms so that you know when to seek medical advice. And, if you are seeking natural alternatives, it is important to be able to identify the exact symptom so you can focus on the right treatment. 

Back pain can be caused by many factors. Some are due to poor health habits, while others are caused by accident like a sports injury, car accident, a fall or muscle strain. The cause of back pain symptoms may vary from one person to another, and from one situation to another, but they frequently have similar traits. 

The most common back pain symptoms include an ache from the lower back that can go down to the buttock, thigh, and even down into the calf and toes. There can also be a persistent pain or stiffness in these areas. These symptoms often come from a condition called sciatica, one of the most common back pain conditions. 

Also, you can experience unending lower or middle back pain. This can be the result of standing or sitting for a long time. Back pain can also come with a sharp and sudden pain or ache in the neck and back that might be caused by carrying heavy objects or doing strenuous physical activities. And, a muscle spasm can cause a serious pain in the lower, middle or upper back.

If you experience any of these symptoms, then you would be well advised to consult with a professional for treatment, especially if your back pain symptoms persist. For one thing, they could point to a more serious issue. For example, if your back ache worsens when you bend forward at the waist, or when you cough, you may have a herniated disk. This type of damage to the spine is often indicated by a feeling of numbness and loss of control in your legs or arms.

Low Back Pain And Sciatica - Functional Limitations

The problem with low back pain and sciatica, is that the lower back itself and surrounding area is so important with regards to any movement or activity you become involved in. It is not like when you have injured an arm or a leg, where you can rest the arm in a sling or use some crutches for your leg in order to allow healing to take place, with low back pain you are not afforded that luxury.

With regards to functional activities, the first thing which needs to be addressed is to divide them into two categories:

i) Those which cause or aggravate your low back pain or sciatica.

ii) Those which cause you no pain or do not increase your pain at all.

The chances are that there is a common factor linking the components of each of these two groups.

For example, let's say sitting down aggravates your low back pain yet keeping upright and a small amount of walking eases your pain. We are going to be thinking along the lines of flexion activities being the aggravating factor for your low back pain and extension type activities being the easing factor.

With this above example, first and foremost we need to modify or temporarily avoid the aggravating factor i.e. sitting down. Now I am not suggesting you do not sit down at all during the day, but rather you try and sit in a more upright chair, with say a rolled up towel for some support for your lower back. In addition to this, I would also recommend that you spend no longer than a maximum of 15-20 minutes sitting down without break i.e. getting up out of the chair.

Moving on to encouraging the easing factors, and once again using the above example, I would suggest you try to have a little walk a few times during the day. This can be anything from a few minutes to say 20 or 30 minutes, depending upon the severity of your pain. The important thing is your low back likes this activity and therefore it is important to provide it with it, as it will be providing you low back with the optimum conditions for it to heal itself.

NB. You can get too much of a good thing, therefore do not just walk for the sake of it. For example, if your low back pain eases after 5 minutes walking, but becomes aggravated after 10 minutes, feel free to walk for 5 minutes, but not too much longer (otherwise you will be simply interfering with the healing process again).

With regards to aggravating and easing factors, it is important to be as specific as possible. Therefore,using the example I have just given, walking for 5 minutes is an easing factor, yet walking for 10 minutes is an aggravating factor.

The main principle is little and often throughout the day. Tying in the above two, the logical thing to do with regards to sitting, is every 15 minutes or so stand yourself up and have a walk up and down the living room. By taking on board the above principle, it will result in less stress being placed across the structures responsible for your low back pain and therefore give your body a chance to heal itself. As healing takes place, the structures responsible for your pain will become stronger, and if they are stronger you will find you can begin to do more and more.

A positive cycle will now result, whereby encouraging the easing factors will promote more healing, which itself will result in your low back becoming stronger and therefore less easily aggravated. If it is less aggravated, it means more healing will take place and therefore you can become more active and your back will become stronger.... and so on.

Sound too simple?

Well there is no doubt I have simplified things a little just to highlight a point. However, it is not too difficult either as the underlying principle is the same. The all important aspect is firstly analysing your day-to-day activities and then dividing them into aggravating and easing ones. When you have established this, begin by temporarily avoiding/modifying the aggravating activities and encouraging the easing ones. As you do this, your low back pain or sciatica will begin to ease and you will be able to become more active.

At this stage, it will be important to consider addressing any muscle imbalances which are present (as it will almost be certain there are some). A simple but effective exercise programme to strengthen any weak muscles and stretch any tight ones will soon have you performing those functional activities you are finding difficult at the moment pain-free...

The Benefits of Yoga for Lower Back Pain Relief

Many people suffer with chronic back pain and have tried pills, chiropractors, physical therapy and other methods to find some relief for their pain; however, treating any type of back or neck pain can be difficult. It can be hard to determine exactly what is causing the pain and treatment options may range from pain relievers that can be as damaging as they are beneficial to relaxation techniques or self-help methods that may prove completely ineffective for many people. Fortunately, current research suggests that a program of stretching or yoga for lower back pain relief can be extremely effective. It seems that concentrating on stretching and strengthening the torso and leg muscles has been able to provide considerable relief for many people.

While most people understand the importance of exercise to help relieve stress and provide good overall health and well-being, people who suffer with back pain often tend to avoid certain types of exercise because they are worried about exacerbating their already painful condition. If you are suffering with back spasm or pain, the last thing you want to do is exercise and make the situation worse. Additionally, many exercises are almost impossible for someone suffering with back pain. Fortunately, a regular program of stretching and strengthening these muscles, using various yoga poses, can help increase a person's core body strength which has been shown to provide lower back pain relief. However, even people who suffer with other types of pain are finding that the relaxation and stretching benefits of yoga can be extremely beneficial.

While the poses used in many types of yoga may seem simple, they promote flexibility while increasing strength. This provides a more effective frame or core that can be especially helpful in protecting inflamed and sore back muscles. Additionally, the stretching associated with these yoga poses helps to increase blood flow and circulation which can also be attributed to the relaxation and overall better sense of wellness reported by people who participate in yoga on a regular basis.

There are many reasons people could be experiencing back, neck or shoulder pain, but even stress and tension can be major triggers. In today's hectic and fast-paced world, many people are stressed and do not even realize it. Fortunately, an exercise program that includes extensive stretching or yoga for lower back pain relief can help bring about a sense of calm and relaxation which can in turn allow muscles to relax and heal.

Causes of Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy - Tips to Help Pregnant Women Suffering From This Pain

Each year, more than four million women in America give birth, among which two out of every three women suffers from pelvic and lower back pain during pregnancy. Most times these symptoms will vanish within three months after delivery.

There are two main reasons for back pain during pregnancy:

1. Hormone Relaxin: During your pregnancy period, the relaxin (a sex hormone of the corpus luteum that facilitates birth by causing relaxation of the pelvic ligaments) exists in your body is ten times more than its usual level. All the joints in your pelvis is been relaxed by this hormone, to provide enough room for your baby to come out from the birth canal. Oftentimes, the hormone results to abnormal motion in different new joints of your body, which leads to swelling and pain.

2. Growing Fetus: When the fetus is growing, your abdominal wall stretches so as to hold the expanding womb. The additional room required for this need to come somewhere from your body. Stretching your abdominal muscles during your pregnancy is far beyond the usual level, so the muscles will lose the ability to do its normal function in maintaining the body pressure. Because of these changes, your lower back gets an unusual amount of burden from the torso.

Below are some simple tips to help reduce the pain and possibly prevent lower back pain during pregnancy.

1. Your back muscles need to be strengthened. You can do this safely during your pregnancy period until there is no burden from the torso squeezing the pelvis.

2. Try to decrease the physical activities level. Reducing these activities that put stress on your lower back and pelvis will help relieve pain. Some of the activities include walking long distance, standing on single leg, standing for longer hours, doing household duties that should be done by a woman that is not pregnant etc

3. Follow right ergonomic posture at your place of work. You should take frequent breaks, lie down or some time, and alert yourself on structural strength. Do not lift anything with large weights. Create comfortable work environment.

Getting the right techniques to exercise your back is important. Also you need methods of physical and mental re-education to reduce habitual and unnecessary tension in all your activity through awareness of balance, posture and movement.

How to Be Free From Back Pain

There is nothing quit so debilitating as low back pain. I don't mean the kind of pain that aches and leaves you a bit sore. I'm talking about the kind of pain that takes you out of action. The kind that makes even walking hard to do.

Some people learn to live with the pain. In the morning they get up and move slowly until the stiffness is worked out. They learn to be careful picking up even the smallest things. Everyday activities become a test to see if there is some way to do even the simplest activities or not.

One reason muscles in the low back tighten up and sometimes spasm is a misalignment in the joints. Misalignments press on sensitive tissues causing pain. Muscles tense, nerves get compressed and the surrounding area becomes inflamed. With inflammation comes pain.

The most common low back issue comes from a combination of three issues. First, the fifth lumbar which is in the very lower back, goes out of alignment. Then, the illio-sacral joint which is the junction between the upper hip in the back, and the sacrum goes out of alignment. The weakness allows the spine in the low back to get compressed, even locking the vertebrae together.

The illio-sacral joint is the load-bearing connection between the upper and lower body. Most of the weight of the entire upper body rests on this joint. When there is a problem here, especially when coupled with the other two misalignments, there is no strength in the back. Usually it is quite painful.

What is the root cause of most lower back problems? That is the real question. Back problems often return, so knowing the root cause is essential in treatment and prevention.

In most cases the root issue is stress. Time off is one of the best known treatments for low back pain. However, it often returns when people return to their usual lives.

Stress injures the body by putting excess strain on the adrenal glands which produce stress hormones. As the adrenals work harder and harder, they start drawing nutrients from other areas of the body to keep up with demand. Some of the nutrients they really need are the same ones that ligaments and tendons need to keep their tone. And, the low back often is the first place go.

Dealing with the stressors is first. One of the worst ones that really harms the adrenals is sugar including honey, fruit juice, dried fruit and more. Processed carbohydrates release their sugar stores quickly, so they cause the same problems. Things like noodles, bread, chips both corn and potato and other 'health chips,' white rice, bread of any kind and just about anything that comes in a package.

Another stress factor is emotional stress. This could be caused by any intense emotional experience from work related expectations to a great loss. These issues need to be dealt with on different levels. Obviously, a release of some type is needed for the immediate issue. And, the root, often from childhood, must be dealt with.

On a physical level, emotional components can become lodged in the body. They usually cause some sort of problem like a tight muscle pulling a rib out of alignment resulting in chronic back pain. These issues can be cleared using a very gentle Applied Kinesiology technique.

Realignment is next. After the underlying issues have been cleared, it is time for realignment. Realignment is facilitated by physical manipulations that put bones in proper alignment so that the joint is fully functional.

There are different ways to realign a back and other areas of the body. One is to go to a chiropractor or an Osteopath, a medical doctor who specializes in joint manipulation. They often use forceful techniques that can cause other problems and sometimes even more pain. Not to mention the scary noises as joints are forced back into alignment. There are some though who learn and develop more gentle techniques.

Alternatively, you can learn how to adjust yourself with Self Adjusting Technique. This is a simple method of doing gentle adjustments on yourself without the forcing that is common to so many chiropractic adjustments.

Stretching can relieve back pain as well as help prevent problems. Taking a yoga class is a good way to learn stretches that will help your back. It is best to tell the instructor before the class if you have any limitations. Often they can give you an alternative pose or a variation. With time you can develop a daily practice which many people use to eliminate back problems.

Exercise is essential to good back health. Walking is one of the best exercises in the world. As well as working most every muscle in the body, walking strengthens the core muscles that support the low back.

These are just a few things that can be done for any kind of back pain. There are many other treatments available. Now more than ever, we can be proactive with our health and with our treatment possibilities. Find what works for you, and above all else, listen to your body.

Treatment For Middle Back Pain During Pregnancy

Middle back pain during pregnancy is something that many women have come to accept as normal. Though not quite as common as lower back pain, it still afflicts a large number of women, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. Fortunately, there are some options for treatment for middle back pain. Middle back pain during pregnancy occurs primarily as the stomach expands and the growing baby inside starts pushing against the ribs. This pressure alone can be quite painful, but it is usually accompanied by some other problems. The uterus expands not just out, but up, so pressure is put on the diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe at times. In addition, the pressure can pinch the nerves in the diaphragm, sending shooting pains into your shoulders.

During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxing. This is generated specifically to prepare your body for childbirth. Muscles and ligaments are loosened and relaxed, and your ribs are allowed to expand outward. This alone can cause pain and discomfort. However, as with any other type of back discomforts, there are some simple ways to prevent it, and provide relief once you have it.

The best treatment for middle back discomfort is to perform stretches regularly. These have the effect of lifting the ribs away from the uterus, providing at least momentary relief from the pressure. Consider practicing prenatal yoga, as that comprises stretches that are specially designed for the challenges pregnant women face.

Middle back discomfort during pregnancy can also be treated with some alternative measures. You might consider visiting an acupuncturist. They are trained to use the body's pressure points to help alleviate pain. An acupuncturist in general can do all kinds of things to make your pregnancy easier. The same is true of a chiropractor. A chiropractic adjustment, or series of adjustments, can help relax the muscles that get tightened due to misalignments, thereby eliminating a great deal of pain and tension.

As with any other type of back pain, one of the best things you can do to eliminate middle back pain during pregnancy is to practice good posture. While walking, make sure your shoulders are back and your head is lifted. Be very conscious of how your stomach tends to pull you forward, and don't give in to the urge to arch your back. It may seem like the right thing to do at the time, but it will just create a whole host of other problems in the future.

Middle back trouble during pregnancy is unpleasant to deal with, especially if you are already experiencing problems with the rest of your back. But keep in mind that the best treatment for middle back pain is basically the same as it is for any other kind of back pain. Keep an eye on your posture, and do plenty of stretches to keep pressure off your ribs and other painful areas. If all else fails, look into treatment by a reputable acupuncturist or chiropractor. You might be surprised at how much better you'll feel after just a few treatments.