Back Pain Treatment From Neck To Tailbone




Posted on October 24, 2011 by Jack Woo

What is Back Pain?

Back Pain Treatment

Back Pain Treatment

Back pain is a very common medical problem that people will experience at some point in their lives. For certain reasons some will be more prone that others. Back pain can be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, middle back pain and lower back pain. Back pain may be moderate or severe, quick or constant.

Back Pain Facts

Half of all working Americans have back pain symptoms each year. Back pain is one of the most common excuses for missed work and the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s clinic. Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain.

Symptoms of Back Pain

  • Sudden and piercing sensation in the neck, upper back, middle, or lower back — especially after some strenuous activities or lifting heavy objects.
  • Recurring ache, stiffness or numbness anywhere from the base of the neck to the hips.
  • Persistent ache in the lower or middle back, especially after sitting or standing for long periods.
  • Unable to stand straight without having intense muscle spasms in the low back.
  • Pain that radiates to the buttock and down the leg.

The most common type of back pain is Acute Pain which last less than 6 weeks. These forms of back pains usually recover on their own. If it gets worse and does not respond to back pain treatments, such as pain relievers, using ice or heat, back pain exercises, and rest, then it is advisable to consult a doctor.  If the back pain lasts more than three months then it is considered as Chronic Pain.

Causes of Back Pain

Our back is made up of a complex structure of bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons and disks. Back pain occurs when there are problems associated with any of these component parts including the following:

Structural and mechanical problems

  • Ruptured Disks.  Disks cushion the vertebrae in your spine. The soft material inside a disk may sometime swell or rupture and press on a nerve.
  • Tense Muscles
  • Spasms

Strain

  • Strained muscles and ligaments
  • Heavy lifting
  • Wrong sitting or standing posture
  • Sudden awkward movement
  • Falls and accidents

 Medical conditions

  • Scoliosis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Arthritis
  • Kidney stones
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Endometriosis
  • Infections
  • Pregnancy
  • Stress
  • Spine cancer

Caudia Equina syndrome (This is a serious neurological problem that cause weakness in the legs, numbness in the groin area, and loss of bowel or bladder control.)

Who Are At Risk Of Getting Back Pain?

  • Ageing.  Older people are more prone to getting back pain, especially when you above 30 years old.
  • Poor physical fitness.
  • Obesity. Too much weight can stress your back causing tension and pain.
  • Occupation. Laborious jobs that require you have to lift, push, or pull heavy things while twisting your spine or mundane desk jobs that require you to sit or stand for long periods.
  • Sports. People who are active in sport, whether professional or leisure, are prone to getting back injuries, especially sport that involves the upper body.
  • Heredity. Some people suffer from a genetic form of arthritis that affects the spine
  • Gender and Race. Black women are more prone to suffer from lower back pain than white women.
  • People who Smoke.
  • People who suffer from Stress, Anxiety and Depression.

How Is Back Pain Diagnosed?

Your doctor will normally check your medical history and perform a physical examination including:

  • Evaluate your ability to sit, stand, squat, walk and lift your legs
  • Test your reflexes with a rubber reflex hammer

Your doctor will determine through these preliminary assessments where the pain originate from. If the doctor believes you have a more serious condition like fracture, tumour or infection then one or more of the following tests may be required:

  • Blood and urine tests. This is to check if you have any infection or underlying diseases.
  • EMG (electromyography). This will check for herniated disks and whether the spinal passageway is narrowing (spinal stenosis).
  • X-ray. This is used to diagnose whether you have broken bones or spinal fractures. It will also check the alignment of your spine and look for degenerative diseases of the joints.
  • Bone scan. This will look for osteoporosis or tumours
  • Spinal taps. These are samplings of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Traces of pus, blood or high levels of protein can indicate infection or spinal disease.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans.

These scans are used to look for herniated disks and other disk abnormalities, joint enlargement and problems with ligaments, tendons, nerve and blood vessels.

Back Pain Treatment

There are many type of treatment for back pain and it all depends on what kind of pain you suffering from. Acute back pain usually gets better without any treatment, but to help ease the pain you may want to take paracetamol, aspirin, or ibuprofen and take a short rest.

If these over the counter drugs and pain relievers do not work then your doctor will probably suggest one or more of the following treatments and therapies.

Hot or Cold Packs (or Both)

Hot or cold packs can relieve sore, stiff backs. Heat reduces pain and muscle spasms. Cold numbs deep pain and reduces swelling. Using hot or cold packs only help to relieve pain, but this treatment will not cure chronic back pain.

Exercise

Suitable exercises can help to soothe chronic pain but may not be appropriate for acute back pain. It is advisable to consult your doctor or physiotherapist for the best types of exercise to do.

 Medications

Over-the-counter Analgesic drugs such as acetaminophen and aspirin or other prescribed pain medications. Topical analgesic creams, salves and ointments for application onto the skin over the area of pain.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen sodium to reduce both pain and swelling.

Muscle relaxants and some antidepressants such as amitriptyline may be prescribed for some types of chronic back pain.

Behaviour Changes

Learn to use less force when you lift, push, and pull heavy things to reduce the stress on your back. Exercise the right ways, learning to relax, and sleep can help to ease your back pain. Adopt a healthy eating habit and stop smoking will certainly help.

 Injections

If other methods don’t work, your doctor may suggest steroid or numbing shots to lessen your pain. An anti-inflammatory drug known as cortisone may be injected around your spinal cord to reduce your pain, but this is usually a temporary solution.

Alternative and Complementary Treatments

 There are many alternative treatments to help ease your back pain. The more popular ones are:

Chiropractic Care.

Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation to restore mobility to joints and align the musculoskeletal structure so that the body can heal itself without surgery.

Acupuncture.

This Chinese practice inserts thin sterilized needles at certain points on your body. These points are connected by pathways which create a flow of energy called Qi. This has the effect of correcting any imbalance of Qi and enhances the flow of energy which helps relieve pain and restore health.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS).

This involves sending mild electrical pulses to electrodes pasted on the body. The pulses are transmitted through wires from a small battery-powered unit. The frequency and intensity of this treatment depends on the nature of your back pain. However this technique has not been scientifically proven.

Massage.

A good massage may help loosen your overworked muscles and help you to relax. This is usually a short term relief.

Inversion Therapy

Inversion therapy involves hanging upside down, taking gravitational pressure off the nerve roots and disks in your spine. This effectively stretches your spine to help relieve your back pain. This technique does not offer permanent relief for back pain and may not be safe for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions.

Yoga

Yoga teaches you how to move and stretch your body in different styles. These styles offer great health benefits by developing your flexibility, strength, and balance. It also helps people to concentrate their energy on breathing and maintaining posture. The breathing increases oxygen flow to the brain and create a rhythm within the body and mind. All these, together with meditation will help you to dissipate stress and anxiety, therefore, relieving your back pain.

Herbal Treatments

Studies have shown that some herbal treatments are helpful in reducing back pain.

  • Willow bark (Salix alba)

This is the bark of the white willow tree and has pain-relieving properties similar to aspirin.

  • Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbent)

Is useful in fighting inflammation or relieve pain in arthritis, headache, and low back pain.

  • Capsaicin Cream or Plaster

Capsaicin cream is found to be effective in reducing the amount of  substance P, a neurochemical that transmits pain–causing an analgesic effect.
 

Back Pain Surgery

 Unless your back pain is really bad or if the situation is an emergency, surgery is usually the last resort. Surgery is suggested only if all other treatment options have been tried and tested do not work. Minimally invasive surgery is often used for common symptoms and causes of back pain.

Depending on the condition of your back pain, you can opt for one of several different types of traditional spine surgical procedures including:

  • Discetomy. This is performed when you have a torn or herniated intervertebral disc. The protruding disc that is putting pressure on the nerve root is removed.
  • Fusion. This procedure unites two or more vertebrae by using bone grafts and metalwork to provide more strength. Depending on the age and fitness level of the patient, recovery may take up to one year.
  • Laminectomies. This procedure relieves the pressure on the nerves, by trimming excessive lamina thereby enlarging the spinal canal. Recovery ranges from 2 to 6 months.
  • Removal of Tumour. This relieves the pressure on the nerve and also to prevent it from spreading. Recovery depends on the type and size of tumour and the general health of the patient.

All the Back Pain Treatments covered here are the common options and can be effective if used and performed correctly. However, if you have tried most of them and your back pain refuse to go away, then it is time to consult your spine doctor. There may be an underlying medical condition that is causing the back pain. Only medical practitioners and back specialists are able to offer the best advice, diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

 

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Choosing The Best Pillow For Neck Pain



Posted on February 15, 2012 by Jack Woo
Pillows for neck pain

Pillows for neck pain

 

When I check into a hotel room, one of the things I must inspect is the pillows. More often than not the pillows do not match my expectation, even in high class hotels. This usually results in a restless night and waking up ‘on the wrong side of the bed”. On some occasions I will experience stiff neck and a headache.

What is a good pillow?

In simple terms, a good pillow must provide optimal support for your head and neck so that your spine also gets the right support and alignment to relax. This will alleviate the pressure from your neck and shoulders, preventing neck and back pains. If you are suffering from spinal disc degeneration or spinal stenosis, choosing a firmer pillow will offer better support.

In addition to support a good pillow should be comfortable to sleep on and allows you to rest well. Some people prefer the surface of the pillow to be cool and smooth while others prefer a feeling of warmth. This is a personal preference and you should shop for a pillowcase that suit your liking.
 

Height of the pillow

Best pillow for neck pain

Best pillow for neck pain

The height of the pillow determines whether you can achieve the right alignment and typically it should be in the range of 4 to 6 inches. Our neck has a natural curve and we should keep it this way when we sleep. If the pillow is too high or too low, our neck will not maintain the same curve, regardless of whether we sleep on the sides or the back. Resting on a misaligned position will result in muscle strain on our neck and shoulders.  This can cause the air pipe to narrow and hinder our breathing and may even lead to snoring.

The ideal pillow is one which is adjustable to conform to the shape and curve of our neck and our sleeping positions.

What is the best pillow?

There is a dazzling variety of pillows in various designs, materials, shapes and sizes in the market, each one claiming to possess recuperative and other amazing properties.

Brand names such as Neck Roll, Chiropractic, Buckwheat, Memory Foam, Water-Filled, Inflatable, Therapeutic, Posture Med are some of the more popular ones.

Posture Med pillow is contoured with soft memory foam with just the right compression and density. If you are suffering from acute neck pain, this will be suitable. If you like a firm pillow, then the full size Memory Foam Pillow is a better choice. It can help with posture and neck curve problems but not as comfortable or effective for relieving neck pain.

The Water Filled Pillow provides good support for your head and neck and adapts to changing sleeping positions. By adjusting the amount of water in the pillow, you can achieve the desired firmness and comfort levels.

To keep your head and neck cool, especially during summer or in warm environment, the Buckwheat Pillow is a great option.

Pillow, like many things you wear, is a personal thing and a lot depends on your likes and dislikes, sleeping habits and your medical condition. What is suitable for you may not be so for others.

Neck Pillows. Many studies have indicated that people suffering from neck pain experienced significant pain relief after using a neck pillow. This type of pillow, also known as orthopaedic or cervical pillows, has contours that provide good support for the head and neck. It keeps the neck in alignment with the spine, allowing the body to rest and relax and the injured areas to heal.

When you sleep on a new pillow, you may feel some discomfort as you are adapting to its contour. You will probably know whether it will be suitable for you after one to two weeks. It is advisable to purchase your pillow from reputable and established manufacturers. As a precaution, look for certification from authoritative medical associations. Choosing the best pillow for your neck pain will provide you with a good night’s sleep and waking up without the pain in your neck.

There are many online stores offering a wide range of pillows. Click Here to check the latest offers from Amazon.com

 

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Tai Chi Can Relieve Back Pain



Posted on February 9, 2012 by Jack Woo
Tai Chi relieves back pain

Tai Chi relieves back pain

Tai Chi is a form of exercise that was originated and practised in China for thousands of years. It has gained popularity recently in the west as a form of physical therapy to relieve back pain. This exercise uses slow and gentle movements and involves deep breathing and meditation. It is low impact and relaxing.

New studies have reinforced the belief that Tai Chi is indeed effective in relieving chronic low back pain.

Research done in Australia by Chris Maher, Director of The George Institute for Global Health and professor at the University of Sydney, has shown that participants in the Tai Chi program experienced a 25 percent reduction in their pain intensity.

The objective of this randomized and controlled trial was to find out the effects of Tai Chi on the reduction of pain and disability. Although it is a known fact that exercises is one of the more effective treatments than conventional methods for back pain, the effect of Tai Chi has not been done comprehensively.

The research conducted by Chris Maher involved 160 participants whose ages range from 18 to 70.  All of them have chronic low back pain for more than three months and they were not aware of how their pain originated.

About half the group participated in 40 minutes Tai Chi classes twice a week for eight weeks, and the rest took part in normal fitness and health programs. At the end of ten weeks, and on a scale of 10 points, the Tai Chi group reported their pain was reduced by 1 point and their disability levels have noticeably improved. On the other hand, the control group not only experienced an increase in pain, but also more annoyed by the pain, and their disability levels did not improve. For the Tai Chi group, this translated to an improvement of 23 percent for pain and 32 percent for disability. In percentage terms, this improvement may not be very impressive but for back pain sufferers, this is a big deal. The result means Tai Chi can actually improve people’s ability in performing physical tasks both at home and work, and in sports.

The same group of researchers completed a number of trials in 2009 that included people suffering from arthritis, and found that Tai Chi had some positive effect on pain. These researchers are now planning to do further studies to ascertain the long term effect of Tai Chi and whether it has to be practised on a continuous basis to control back pain. Trials and studies with bigger numbers of participants over a longer period are also required to confirm the results.

In addition to relieving back pain, Tai Chi improves the flow of energy in the body, resulting in better health and wellness. Other benefits include better balance and awareness, improved strength, coordination, flexibility, calmness and quality sleep. Tai Chi is non-invasive, free (after you have learned the techniques), soft and gentle on your spine. Best of all, unlike Pilates and gym workouts, it does not require any costly equipment and can be practiced anywhere.

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Five New Trends In Pain Management



Posted on February 4, 2012 by Jack Woo

The World Institute of Pain,  an organization whose aim is to better educate pain

WIP

WIP

physicians for the 21st century will hold its Sixth World Congress from Feb 4-6, 2012 at Miami Beach, Florida in USA.

In conjunction with this event, its founder and chairman of the advisory board, Dr Ira Fox, shares his insights on five trends in pain management.

1.   The importance of Opioids in pain management and how to use it in a responsible manner.

According to Dr Fox, the crackdown on “pill mills” has increased following reports from CDC relating to the prescription of drug abuse. Recently there have been news generated in Florida relating to the closing down of pill mills and these require attention.  He felt that the negative effect is just a perception and the reputation of interventional pain management remain untarnished.

He says, “People don’t understand that what we do as pain specialists entails not only the use of medication but also interventional techniques,”  He reiterated that  there’s a role for medication management, but it has to be done in a responsible manner.
It is important for pain specialists to implement certain standards, such as random drug testing and narcotic contracts, into medication management to ensure patients are taking the prescribed medication and that it’s not being diverted.  Doctors prescribing opioids for pain management must do it correctly and where it makes a difference and improves the quality of life of the patients.

2.   The application of spinal cord stimulation is becoming more extensive.

Spinal cord stimulation is not a new technology but it has been applied in new ways.

Conventionally, it involved placing leads into the spine to impede pain impulses to the other parts of the body.  Now the leads are placed under the skin in different parts of the body, preventing the pain from coming from these areas.

Hybrid stimulation is another method which is becoming more common and this involves leads being positioned into the spine and also other parts of the body

“A typical example of that is placing a spinal cord stimulator lead into the spine blocking impulses that may radiate down into somebody’s leg,” he says. “You would also place stimulation leads under the skin in the lower back area as well in order to augment relief of back pain.”

3.   Minimally invasive spine surgery is becoming popular with pain physicians.

According to Dr Fox, minimally invasive spine procedures are increasingly being used by pain specialists for conditions such as lumbar decompressions, intradiscal procedures and disectomies. In the case of intradiscal procedures, pain physicians go in to remove part of the disc.  For radiofrequency procedures, they completely remove the pain pathways. This is bit different from the conventional epidural steroid injections and other pain management procedures.

 4.   Evidence based medicine and guidelines.

Most sessions of the congress will touch on evidence based medicine in pain management, but Dr Fox says this has its pitfalls as the outcomes are dependent on individual physician’s skill.  “From a personal level, I think evidence based medicine is not quite that simple because there’s definitely a benefit from someone whose technique is a little bit more proficient,” he says.  There is also the need to develop more guidelines for interventional pain management, in addition to evidence based medicine.

On the down side, insurance companies used these guidelines in a way to deny care to the patients. These guidelines should instead be used to expedite the process and approve rather than deny care. However if the patients don’t meet the criteria they should be assessed on an individual basis.

5.   Board certification will allow for separation.

 The World Institute of Pain conducts certification exam at the congress by using cadavers so that examiners can watch closely how the pain physicians perform certain procedures.
Although certification is not mandatory for physicians to practice, it represents the enduring spirit of pain physicians.

 

The World Institute of Pain was founded in 1993 as an organization to better educate pain physicians for the 21st century. The theme of the World Congress is: Better education, better relief. One of its main objectives is to improve the management of pain centres to a level of excellence.

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Top 3 Reasons For Buying Foam Mattresses



Posted on January 24, 2012 by Jack Woo

This is a guest post from guestblogaddict.

For months, my back was aching so much that my husband pushed me to see a back specialist. After thorough questioning, the specialist determined that my mattress was the cause of my pain and recommended that I use a memory foam mattress. I had heard of these mattresses, but had always owned regular spring mattresses, so I did a little research to make sure the investment in a new mattress would be worth it.

After searching through a variety of sites and consumer reviews, plus asking for recommendations from friends and family, I learned that memory foam mattresses feature sophisticated technology that could help me sleep much more comfortably. Here are a few of the perks I discovered:

Memory foam caters to different consumers

These mattresses feature sturdy construction for durability and functionality. Some memory foam mattresses adjust to different body types and specific needs, as well. One mattress has a ventilation system to help warm bodies stay cool; another comforts tense muscles. Some of these mattresses are even made of natural, sustainable materials, which will please environmentally friendly consumers. My research showed me that memory foam mattresses can be perfectly suited for almost anyone.

Different types of accessories and features available

Some of the top memory foam accessories and features that interest consumers are toppers, pillows and massagers. In terms of toppers, I would recommend one that is removable and washable. Since I am a mother, it’s important for me to keep my home as clean as possible. I try to be environmentally responsible, as well, so finding eco-friendly foam is a big plus.

Pillows that provide contouring alignment are also a big help, because I tend to roll around a bit before I fall asleep. The massagers provide even more comfort. They have different speeds and settings that can be customized to your preferences. All of these accessories will help you get the best sleep possible.

Rave reviews 

The people I know who use memory foam mattresses give them rave reviews. At first, users of this type of mattresses need time to adjust, because the body is so used to a firmer bed. However, longtime users liken the experience of sleeping on memory foam to sleeping on a cloud. Memory foam will contour perfectly to the body and support it, without adding pressure to tense muscles.

After all this research, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to happily invest in a memory foam mattress. It is truly amazing how this type of mattress has improved my quality of life.

 

One of Mary’s favorite things to write about is health. For more information regarding invest in a memory foam mattress, please visit http://www.boydmemoryfoammattresses.com/

 

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Tips On Selecting The Best Mattress For Back Pain



Posted on January 22, 2012 by Jack Woo

We had a grandfather in the bed business. He loved beds the way an artist loves paintings or an actor loves the theater. He talked about beds and their importance to a healthy back constantly, always reminding us how one-third of our lives was spent in bed.

One time, he was visiting and had to sleep on a bunk bed mattress that he thought was improperly made. He complained endlessly and critiqued the bed’s poor manufacture for days. We didn’t believe him but he swore he awoke with his first backache in years.

We should have given the old man a bit more credit. The fact of the matter is that selecting a bed can very definitely make the difference between days of torturous pain and none at all. Here are a few guidelines on making sure the bed you sleep in is as good to your back and spine as possible.

1. You need a good foundation. One of the problems grandpa complained about was actually beneath the bunk bed mattress, it was the box spring. These large bases for beds are not always well made and may tend to become seriously out of whack over time, and that will never be good for your spine. Make sure your bed has a good box spring or other type of base first.

2. Medium-firm is the message. We all have our personal preferences regarding firmness of mattresses, but most experts suggest that one that is neither too squishy soft nor excessively hard and unyielding will work best when it comes to preventing or easing back issues. Once upon a time, doctors often suggested the hardest, firmest possible mattress for back pain. The thinking has reversed itself somewhat and medical professionals now believe that an excessively firm mattress can do some harm as well. The idea is to find a firmness that allows it to blend in with your spine without allowing it to sink too low.

3. Give yourself some space. You may have noticed that you never wake up in exactly the same position as you were when you fell asleep. While it’s true that “sleep” and “rest” are nearly synonymous as words, the fact of the matter is that most of us humans are surprisingly active as we slumber.  In fact, it seems that most of us move around scores of times in a single evening.  Apparently, if we have a partner, we can end up getting into some rather spinally unfriendly positions. If you and your significant other are sleeping in a relatively small bed, you may need to consider moving up in the world to the largest bed that’s practical for your situation. Consider the royalty of bedding, i.e., king and queen sizes.

4. “Something old” is for wedding, not bedding. There was another problem with that bunk bed mattress grandpa hated so much. Perhaps he should not have said so many mean things about it since they both were of a somewhat advanced age, but he was not wrong. A fine wine may be kinder to your tongue as it ages, but even a fine mattress will be no kinder to your spine as the years roll on. Most experts suggest that the life of a typical mattress is absolutely no more than a decade. In other words, don’t even think about buying a used mattress unless it’s from someone you know very well and has only been used for a reasonably short time.

5. Talk to your doc. If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that every one of us is built at least slightly differently from each other. Sometimes the differences are very dramatic. Especially if your back pain is severe and/or chronic, you really want to talk with someone who will understand all the issues involved, in other words your family doctor who, if needed, will refer you to an appropriate specialist. Depending on your opinions regarding complementary or alternative medicine, you may also want to speak to a chiropractor or a doctor of Chinese medicine for advice, but please don’t leave a traditional doctor out of the mix.

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Neck Pain Relief Roanoke Chiropractor – Dr Christopher Lauria



Posted on January 17, 2012 by Jack Woo

This is a guest post from Dr Christopher Lauria of Lifestyle Wellness Center

A recent New York Times article reveal the results of a study in the annals of medicine that show the effectiveness of chiropractic care and exercises for neck pain. The study results show how these treatments are far more effective than medication for this condition. The article can be viewed  here.

The reason why chiropractic care is so effective is that a common cause of neck pain is from misaligned vertebrae. These misaligned bones can pinch and irritate the nerves that exit in between each vertebra. These nerves run to all the muscles and tissue in the area surrounding the nerves. This condition is exactly what chiropractors are trained to correct. This condition not only causes neck pain but can also lead to back pain, headaches, fibromyalgia and sciatica.

If you suffer from neck pain is very important to find out the cause of the problem. A complete evaluation will help to determine the cause of the problem. At Lifestyle Wellness Center this evaluation includes full computerized electrocardiography testing. This will measure the specific areas of muscle tightness and asymmetry. Computerized thermography will determine areas of nerve irritation. Range of motion testing is also important in determine the cause of the problem. Finally neck X-rays will be taken to look for spinal misalignment and any areas of spinal degeneration.

These tests will be studied to determine the cause of the problem and if it is a chiropractic case. If it is a course of treatment including chiropractic adjustments, exercise and lifestyle changes will be recommended. Each care plan is set up with regular reexaminations to make sure the problem is being corrected. Post xrays are usually done at the end of the program to determine if the problem is fixed.

If  you are suffering from neck pain act now. Do not waste time treating your symptoms with dangerous over the counter medications. Get a complete evaluation of your neck to determine the cause by a chiropractor.

At Lifestyle Wellness Center we offer a Free Initial Evaluation to individuals who respond to this website. Just fill out the form on the website and you will be called or call out office at 540-725-9501 to set up your first visit.

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Causes Of Mid Back Pain And How To Find Relief



Posted on January 11, 2012 by Jack Woo
Mid back pain

Mid back pain

People who have experience mid back pain can only describe how painful such pains can be. Most people who have not experienced such pains wonder what the causes could be and how painful it is. The intensity of the pain most people experience is dependent upon the type of activity such people were involved in when the pain actually started. The causes are actually numerous, it could be as a result of lifting of heavy objects, it could result from standing for a very long time, sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress, trauma from accident, taking of too much sugar, or it could be from straining of the muscle. Some people apply too much strain on the body that result in injury and this injury can lead to pain in the region of the back.

The consumption of too much carbohydrate and other poor nutritional habit sometimes lead to mid back pain in some patients. It should be noted that patients who suffer from back pain as a result of poor posture or overexertion can be cured at home by simply relaxing the back. The patient can apply cream, ointment, or spray on the spot where the pain is felt before relaxing the back. But if this pain doesn’t subside or it even increases, such a patient should visit the doctor. This is because the doctor would then determine the type of treatment that would be best for the patient.  Some patients are involved in certain activities on a daily basis that brings about pains in the back, sometimes the diaphragm of some people just become tightened and this usually result in so much pains in the back.

There are lots of things patients suffering from mid back pain can do to bring relief: the patients could try as much as possible to maintain a good posture, try and lift as little things as possible, take folic acid daily, take calcium that is required daily, drink enough water and other fluid to keep the body hydrated, and perform daily breathing exercise. The patient can also take breaks either when the patient has stood for a long time or sat for a long time.

Sleeping on a good mattress also helps in relieving mid back pain. The patient should get enough sleep, and remove stress from the back by using pillows under the knees and on the head. The use of orthopaedic pillows is equally good. The patient should try as much as possible to reduce or totally eliminate stressful activities including emotional stress.

Patients suffering from mid back pain can be relieved by going through the above simple ways. Patients can also get involved in exercise that stretches the joint and back, making use of analgesics to reduce the back pain, taking of hot baths to reduce the pain caused by swellings in the back, and making use of ice is equally helpful. Massaging the areas where pains are felt could relieve such pains. The services of acupuncture have also been found to relieve back pain.

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Tips For Buying The Best Mattress For Back Pain



Posted on January 1, 2012 by Jack Woo

People who are experiencing back pain should source for the best mattress to sleep on.

Best Matress For Back Pain

Best Matress For Back Pain

Sleeping on a bad mattress will aggravate the pain in the back region.  While making use of a good mattress will assist in reducing the lower back pain to a considerable level or even eliminate it totally.  In order to get the right mattress for back pain condition, there are a few tips that will provide help to sufferers.

The first tip for getting the best mattress for back pain is to search for a good mattress that will be comfortable when in use.  There is a need to try out the mattress before purchasing it.  People can try out different sleeping styles on the bed to make sure that it is very comfortable for the body at any position.  There is no need to buy a mattress that will not offer comfort. In fact such beds will not make the user sleep soundly and it can make the back pain grow worse.  This is why it is necessary to try out the mattress before making the final decision of purchase.

The second tip for choosing the best mattress for back pain is to check out the components of the mattress.  It is necessary to ensure that the right materials are used in the right quantities.  There are mattresses which are made of coils and padding.  The number of coils used for the mattress should be checked out and also the way they are arranged inside the mattress.  Padding is positioned on top of mattresses though, they are different in thickness.  The coils and padding have great effect on the back.

The third tip is to make sure that the mattress provides enough support for the back.  The mattress should support the spin so that during the sleeping time, it remains in the natural position that is right for it.  This will totally eradicate stress in the muscles when working out. Normally the moderate firm mattress provides the best support for the back.

The fourth tip is to select a good mattress that will provide enough balanced comfort and support.  It is very important to provide a balance between comfort and support when choosing a mattress to use.  Every back pain sufferer will prefer to have a mattress that offers comfort and lots of support. However, there must be balance in the support provided; otherwise it will lead to more discomfort. Likewise, if the mattress is too comfortable, it may not provide enough support needed for the back.  This is the reason why it is necessary to find the middle line between the two to provide a good night sleep.

The above mentioned tips should be used when buying a new mattress especially the best mattress for back pain.  These tips will help sufferers to know what to look for in a good mattress that is designed to reduce or totally eliminate back pain.  The best mattress will provide a night good sleep and also reduce pain when sufferers wake up in the morning.

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The Best Mattress For Back Pain Sufferers



Posted on December 30, 2011 by Jack Woo
Best Mattress For Back Pain

Best Mattress For Back Pain

The best mattress for back pain sufferers is definitely essential in reducing or totally putting a stop to back pain. A good mattress is very important especially for a peaceful night sleep.  A normal human being spend about one third of life in bed. A bad mattress can produce a negative impact not only on your sleep quality but also your long term health.  This is especially important for people suffering from back pain and who have been using the wrong kind of mattress for several years.  In selecting a good mattress for back pain, it is good to first of all clarify the kind of back pain problems experienced, the positioning of sufferers in bed, the mattress support and the comfort and ease that is ideal.

Several kinds of mattress for back pain can assist in relieving pain for different kinds of back conditions.  People suffering from back disc problems have symptoms that consist of bombarding pain in one leg from above the buttocks down to the lower leg.  The foot feels as if there are needles piercing it. The condition is known as leg deterioration.  People who have this kind of symptoms will find solace in company mattress because a flexing mattress will not be comfortable.

People who suffer from back pain normally experiences untold pain, contraction with the back, hands, legs and shoulders.  This is why the best mattress for back pain must be purchased to help reduce the pain.  The best mattress in this case will be those that are softer in nature.  Most people suffering from back pain complain about the lower back pain.  They feel much pain at the lower side of the back. A study carried out recently on good mattress for back pain revealed that a moderate firm mattress is preferred for reducing relentless pains from the back.

There are several brands of mattress for back pain sufferers such as sleep number mattress, Serta memory foam topper, Sealy, Simmons, Tempurpedic, and Select comfort. However, selecting the best mattress for back pain is a choice every sufferer will have to make depending on the level of comfort provided.  The brands mentioned above are a good place to start searching for new mattress. Most of the mattress provides settings that can be customised by the user to preferred choice which is important for comfort.  The firmness of the mattress can be set to fit the body’s specific need which can reduce or eliminate back pains.

Mattresses are normally expensive; therefore people should not believe the advertisement that claims the higher the mattress’s price, the better the mattress.  The best mattresses for back pain are always on sale at affordable prices, so it is better to wait for a good sale before making a purchase. Most mattress manufacturers also claim that their mattress is the best for back pain.  The truth is that there is no basic standard for such claims; it is just a way for advertisers to make more money.

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How To Choose The Best Mattress For Back Pain



Posted on December 28, 2011 by Jack Woo
Best Mattress For Back Pain

Best Mattress For Back Pain

Choosing the best mattress for back pain is a very important factor for a good night sleep.  There are so many things to put into consideration when looking for good mattress. The first thing is to check out the support system of the mattress. This depends on the quantity and arrangement of the coils inside the mattress.  The mattress padding is another important factor which needs to be examined.  Mattresses come in different styles, types and thickness of padding on top of the mattress.  The sleeping position of the user is also going to be considered when buying a bed mattress that will help to ease the back pain. Based on the way individuals sleep, the style of the mattress may create a change.

Most people prefer to go for a firm mattress, but people suffering from back pain finds the medium-firm mattress to the best mattress for back pain. It is much better to use a medium firm mattress because it will hold the body gently and carefully while providing support at the same time.   The pressure areas of the body will be well supported so that the muscles will not be strained.  This implies that the spine will be aligned and all these will work together to reduce or even eliminate back pain altogether.

In selecting a mattress in the shopping mall, there are some useful tips to follow in order to get a good one.  The first thing to do is to go to the shopping mall in the evening and not in the usual morning hours.  This sounds strange! This is because the body having woken up from sleep may not be able to differentiate between the bed in the house and the one in the mall.  But by the time the body relaxes and the effect of sleep wears out very well, it will be easy to sense how comfortable the mattress feels. This can be done in the afternoon or early evening.

The second thing is to try to check it out whether it will be the best mattress for back pain or not.  In order to do this, it may be required to try it out in the public.  Individuals can lie on the mattress in several positions such as the side, the back, the belly etc.  It should be done for a minimum of 10 minutes so that the feel of the mattress on the back can be determined.  There is no need to hurry out of the place without getting a good mattress that will serve the purpose.

The best mattress for back pain conditions should not make the shoulders and hips to sink into it.  There should be some support. The kind of mattress that sinks the shoulders and the hips are too soft.  A good mattress for back pain should cradle the body and keep the spine in a correct position. If the spine feels like it is off, that means the mattress may be too firm and may need more padding. It should be constructed in a good manner and provide exceptional support.

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