I hope everyone had a great Christmas, or whatever.
Here is an article on Yoga, hope you like it.
Yoga The Best Way To Relieve Back Pain
The back portion of our body is a structure made up of bone, muscles,soft tissues and nerves. You tend to rely on your back to be the workhorse of the body. The back can be particularly vulnerable to injury and pain. In fact, back pain is the most common reasons why people seek help from chiropractors, doctors and frequented the Spas for their massages as a form of a natural pain relief. Injuries due to overexertion and poor posture are among the most common why we developed back pain. Yoga is said to be a natural pain relief.
But before tying yoga, it's best to get your doctor's “go” signal because there are back pains which is often a result of a bio-mechanical imbalance in spinal structures, Once you thoroughly discussed it with your doctor; then that was the time to find a good yoga teacher. That yoga first press release can advise you on how far you can go with the yoga exercises and can decide which is safe for your particular type of condition. But if yoga is done without proper instruction, back pain relief may become your next mantra.
The Kinds of Yoga Exercises For a More Meaningful Back Pain Relief
Pelvic Tilts – is a classic therapeutic exercise used to stabilized body posture by strengthening the core musculature.
Supported Bridge Pose - this pose elevates the pelvis.
Recline Big Toe Pose - this pose addresses postural problem with a gentle stretch to the hamstring muscle
Supine Spinal Twist – it gently twists your spine while you are laying on the floor
IT'S A BALANCING ACT
Doing yoga to as a natural back pain relief cultivates a balance between strength and flexibility of the muscles of the body. Yoga releases the tension in the muscles, therefore, improving back pain. A particular yoga style called the “hatha” is highly recommended and so does rest press release format restoration classes. The hatha yoga is main emphasis is on alignment and it also incorporates breathing techniques which serves as a stress relief.
Your Yoga teacher can help you out with the manual adjustments. After all, the very nature why most people are leaning towards yoga is because it is really good for those who have back problems. But don't forget that there is limits on what you can do while practicing yoga to as a back pain relief. Also press backgrounder balancing yoga with the age-old practice of meditation which has been scientifically proven to maintain overall health and boost body resistance to some diseases.
Thus, yoga is one way to heal your back pains, it increases blood circulation, maintain a natural curvature of the spine which is crucial in avoiding lower back pain and an excellent therapy for sore back muscles, it helps reduces the risk of disability brought pr newswire press release pain. However, if doing yoga increases your back pain that is the only time you should stopped until absolute back pain relief is achieved.
Hope this wa sof help.
For more info on Back Pain, please go to www.backpainloss.com
Paul
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Why I opened this Blogg
From the New Straits Times, a lot of Americans, and the rest of us, suffer from Back Pain.
The bane of BACK PAIN
Rajen M.
Email to friend Print article
While back pain is a complex subject, its causes can be identified and, in many cases, relief can be attained.
ONE-HALF of all working Americans admit having back pain symptoms each year. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for staying away from work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visiting the doctor, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic -- meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.
When the body is not seen as a whole, simple things are missed. That is why current technologies have done little to ease the pain of lower back ache sufferers. While back pain is a complex subject, its causes can be identified and, in many cases, relief can be attained.
The cause of lower back pain can be broken down into five primary problems. These five causes are interconnected. This breakdown is adapted from the St John Neuromuscular Therapy training -- a method of postural analysis and clinical massage therapy.
Except for pain caused by trauma or by cancer or rheumatoid arthritis, almost all lower back pain can be traced to one or a combination of these causes.
-Ischemia
In everyday language, this means "lack of blood flow". Tissues such as muscles cannot function properly. Without adequate blood to provide food and oxygen, soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments can build up lactic and other breakdown products of metabolism. This can become painful over time. Ischemia occurs when muscles are chronically contracted over a period of time.
- Trigger points
A "trigger point" is an area of the soft tissue which, after chronic contraction and reduced blood flow, becomes an area of high nerve activity.
For example, certain fibres in an ischemic muscle (a muscle with low blood) can become an unduly active trigger point in response to biochemical changes in the tissue.
Active trigger points cause referred sensation to other parts of the body. That sensation can be pain, tingling, numbness, thermal sensations (hot or cold), weakness, a general ache quality, or the feeling that "it just doesn't feel right".
For example, you might have a trigger point in a muscle of your lower back which refers sensation down into your buttocks, or even down the leg.
- Nerve compression and entrapment
This is pressure put on a nerve by a bone or an inter-vertebral disc. Nerve compression occurs when the spine becomes misaligned and one of the discs between the vertebrae gets squeezed on one side, causing it to bulge out on the other side. This "bulge" can put pressure on a spinal nerve causing pain.
Nerve entrapment is when a nerve is caught or pinched by the soft tissues. For example, the sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body) runs down through the buttocks and can become entrapped by the piriformis muscle when that muscle is very tight. This can result in pain flowing down the back of the leg.
- Structural imbalance
In a sense, this issue is the most significant of all. Structural imbalance is often the root problem responsible for ischemia, trigger points, and nerve compression or entrapment.
If the body is distorted off its centre line of gravity, compensating muscular patterns can result.
- Dysfunctional biomechanics
This is often a secondary result of structural imbalance and is caused by faulty movement patterns. Someone having a nagging lower back pain might hold her body in a restricted way and walk differently, showing a limited range of movement.
It is logical to do that. It is not recommended to fight against your body's self-imposed limitations. It is trying to protect you from pain.
However, "restrictions" are imposed on your body to prevent further damage to the injured areas. The structural imbalance needs to be addressed to relieve pain.
However, repetitive movements while you were injured can become patterned such that, even after the problem has been settled, you still move in a limited, protective way. That is why even a minimum regime of daily stretches can be vital to full recovery.
As you can see, there is quite a bit that you can do naturally in terms of stretching and exercise. There is also quite a bit that an occupational therapist can do as well. Similarly, chiropractors and osteopaths can do a lot in terms of treatment of trigger points and ischemia.
Datuk Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine. Email him at health@po.jaring.my
If you would like further information about back pain, please go to http://.www.backpainloss.com
Have a happy Christmass, and may all your wishes come true in the new year.
Paul
The bane of BACK PAIN
Rajen M.
Email to friend Print article
While back pain is a complex subject, its causes can be identified and, in many cases, relief can be attained.
ONE-HALF of all working Americans admit having back pain symptoms each year. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for staying away from work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visiting the doctor, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic -- meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.
When the body is not seen as a whole, simple things are missed. That is why current technologies have done little to ease the pain of lower back ache sufferers. While back pain is a complex subject, its causes can be identified and, in many cases, relief can be attained.
The cause of lower back pain can be broken down into five primary problems. These five causes are interconnected. This breakdown is adapted from the St John Neuromuscular Therapy training -- a method of postural analysis and clinical massage therapy.
Except for pain caused by trauma or by cancer or rheumatoid arthritis, almost all lower back pain can be traced to one or a combination of these causes.
-Ischemia
In everyday language, this means "lack of blood flow". Tissues such as muscles cannot function properly. Without adequate blood to provide food and oxygen, soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments can build up lactic and other breakdown products of metabolism. This can become painful over time. Ischemia occurs when muscles are chronically contracted over a period of time.
- Trigger points
A "trigger point" is an area of the soft tissue which, after chronic contraction and reduced blood flow, becomes an area of high nerve activity.
For example, certain fibres in an ischemic muscle (a muscle with low blood) can become an unduly active trigger point in response to biochemical changes in the tissue.
Active trigger points cause referred sensation to other parts of the body. That sensation can be pain, tingling, numbness, thermal sensations (hot or cold), weakness, a general ache quality, or the feeling that "it just doesn't feel right".
For example, you might have a trigger point in a muscle of your lower back which refers sensation down into your buttocks, or even down the leg.
- Nerve compression and entrapment
This is pressure put on a nerve by a bone or an inter-vertebral disc. Nerve compression occurs when the spine becomes misaligned and one of the discs between the vertebrae gets squeezed on one side, causing it to bulge out on the other side. This "bulge" can put pressure on a spinal nerve causing pain.
Nerve entrapment is when a nerve is caught or pinched by the soft tissues. For example, the sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body) runs down through the buttocks and can become entrapped by the piriformis muscle when that muscle is very tight. This can result in pain flowing down the back of the leg.
- Structural imbalance
In a sense, this issue is the most significant of all. Structural imbalance is often the root problem responsible for ischemia, trigger points, and nerve compression or entrapment.
If the body is distorted off its centre line of gravity, compensating muscular patterns can result.
- Dysfunctional biomechanics
This is often a secondary result of structural imbalance and is caused by faulty movement patterns. Someone having a nagging lower back pain might hold her body in a restricted way and walk differently, showing a limited range of movement.
It is logical to do that. It is not recommended to fight against your body's self-imposed limitations. It is trying to protect you from pain.
However, "restrictions" are imposed on your body to prevent further damage to the injured areas. The structural imbalance needs to be addressed to relieve pain.
However, repetitive movements while you were injured can become patterned such that, even after the problem has been settled, you still move in a limited, protective way. That is why even a minimum regime of daily stretches can be vital to full recovery.
As you can see, there is quite a bit that you can do naturally in terms of stretching and exercise. There is also quite a bit that an occupational therapist can do as well. Similarly, chiropractors and osteopaths can do a lot in terms of treatment of trigger points and ischemia.
Datuk Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine. Email him at health@po.jaring.my
If you would like further information about back pain, please go to http://.www.backpainloss.com
Have a happy Christmass, and may all your wishes come true in the new year.
Paul
From the Times Online
Something I read" Is your personal Trainer damaging your Health"
Have a read, I would love some comments
Nicole Thornley was never seriously out of shape. A former international swimmer who represented England and Great Britain in Commonwealth and European championships, she had long considered super-fitness her priority. Years of training meant that her 5ft 10in frame was just under 9 stones of toned muscle. On retiring from competitive swimming in 2005, however, she found herself facing the reality of less athletic mortals.
“I’ve never been fat, but I needed to tone up,” says the 31-year-old. “I joined a gym, but didn’t know which equipment to use as all I’d ever done was swim.” Needing direction, Thornley put her faith in a personal trainer she hired at her gym. It was a decision that she thought would re-ignite her passion for exercise; instead it left her barely able to walk.
Like the 80,000 people expected to join the gym rush in January — a figure that is 65 per cent higher than in any other month of the year — Thornley felt that the tailored fitness regimen offered by a personal trainer would benefit her far more than group classes. But her experience should serve as a warning to those who plan to take a similar route.
In recent years, attempts have been made to regulate the personal training business and weed out unscrupulous practitioners with the launch of the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS). This government-backed programme provides a guarantee that those on its books meet required standards.
Jean-Ann Marnoch, chief registrar of REPS, says that there are 27,000 personal trainers on the books of REPS and adds “to be safe, no one should hire a trainer before checking that they are on the national register”.
The last thing Thornley expected was to end up seriously injured following advice she was given. “I had full confidence in my trainer as he seemed to know what he was doing. He took various assessments and then designed a programme specifically for me,” she says. “I signed up for six sessions and he introduced me to several new exercises and pieces of equipment in the gym.” One of those was the popular Smith machine, used to perform squat exercises with added resistance and consisting of a rack with a suspended barbell that moves up and down on steel runners.
“I had never used the Smith machine before,” Thornley says. “But by my fourth personal training session I was asked to squat with 145lb — much more than my total body weight.”
Finishing her session that Friday evening, Thornley sensed something wasn’t right. Later that evening she felt excruciating pain in her back. “I lost consciousness and by the following morning I could barely lift my head off the pillow,” she says. “I rang the hospital and was told to take painkillers and anti-inflammatories and to go to my doctors first thing on Monday morning.” It was the beginning of what Thornley describes as a spiral of despair. Over the next four months the pain persisted and she twice lost consciousness.
In February 2006 she was admitted to accident and emergency, where she was injected with morphine. “Since then I’ve had time off work, been unable to drive and have been dependent on painkillers,” Thornley says. “I had physiotherapy, chiropractic sessions, acupuncture, tranquil- isers and an epidural.” An MRI scan revealed that two intervertebral discs had been ruptured, including one prolapse disc and a segment of disc material lodged on the sciatic nerve. In the end, surgery was the only option.
“When I was just 29, I had an operation on my back,” Thornley says. “But I was recently told by my surgeon that the symptoms I've got now, including back and leg pain, are likely to be permanent.” With legal proceedings under way, the gym company denies all liability and responsibility for Thornley’s injury, although she and her medical team are convinced that her injuries resulted directly from her personal training session three years ago. Her experience is far from isolated. Physiotherapists increasingly find that their workload consists of clients who were injured during personal training sessions.
In one case, a woman practising a wide-legged stretch was pushed so forcefully by her personal trainer that she broke her pelvic bone. “So many people now hire a trainer to get them fit,” says Sammy Margo of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. “And so many patients are coming in for treatment for injuries that have taken place when a trainer has pushed the person too far or advised bad technique.”
In the UK, anyone can legally set themselves up as a personal trainer, regardless of knowledge and experience. Fitness qualifications vary enormously from weekend packages or correspondence courses to the rigorous YMCAFit courses for per- sonal trainers and exercise-related degrees that incorporate the study of anatomy, physiology, nutrition and stress management as well as exercise prescription.
However, loopholes exist that mean cowboy trainers can still legitimately offer their services. “Although it is a good benchmark, being on the REPS is voluntary,” says Robin Gargrave, director of the YMCA’s fitness industry training department. “A good personal trainer will have all the skills to tailor a programme for someone’s needs,” Gargrave says. “But what too often happens is that ordinary gym staff pull on a personal trainer’s shirt to earn some extra money, even though they are not qualified to do anything other than take classes or supervise workouts. It is frightening.” It seems that we are heading the way of America, where lawsuits against personal trainers are increasingly common.
In the latest, in October, a Northern Virginia jury awarded $300,000 to a former US Navy sailor who sued a gym for a workout that left him permanently disabled. Makimba Mimms, 29, says that the high-intensity CrossFit circuit training session that he attended in December 2005 was led by an under-qualified trainer who did not supervise him properly. Medical documents produced at the trial revealed that he had suffered a severe case of rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal condition caused by the rapid breakdown of muscle fibres. As the muscle fibres are leaked into the bloodstream, their toxicity raises the risk of kidney damage or failure. He urinated blood and his legs swelled immediately after the session. Three years later, Mimms cannot stand for long periods and still experiences much pain.
Thornley’s warning to those who are eager to get fit is to proceed with caution and cynicism. “I was someone who had always been fit and was used to exercising, yet I have spent the past few years depressed, on painkilling drugs and in physiotherapy,” she says.
“You put your trust in a personal trainer but it can be exploited. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
Choosing a personal trainer: essential tips
-Trainers’ fees range from £20 to £70 per hour. On average, you will need 2-3 sessions a week to get results. Britain’s leading personal trainer, Matt Roberts, says that a good trainer should ask detailed questions about your health, lifestyle and fitness history and carry out physiological assessments including heart rate, blood pressure and body fat tests.
- Make sure that there is no personality clash.
- Check out at least three trainers and contact them either via e-mail or by phone. Discuss your needs. If you don’t like the way they propose to train you, strike them off your list.
- Once you have decided on someone, always meet in a public place and ask to see his or her qualification certificates and insurance documents. He or she should also be trained in first aid.
- Check that the trainer is on the Register of Exercise Professionals (exerciseregister.org)
A lot of us will think about exercise in the new year, I am roughing out the outline of a fitness program at home myself.
Think about what you want to do, enjoy the holiday.
Paul
Have a read, I would love some comments
Nicole Thornley was never seriously out of shape. A former international swimmer who represented England and Great Britain in Commonwealth and European championships, she had long considered super-fitness her priority. Years of training meant that her 5ft 10in frame was just under 9 stones of toned muscle. On retiring from competitive swimming in 2005, however, she found herself facing the reality of less athletic mortals.
“I’ve never been fat, but I needed to tone up,” says the 31-year-old. “I joined a gym, but didn’t know which equipment to use as all I’d ever done was swim.” Needing direction, Thornley put her faith in a personal trainer she hired at her gym. It was a decision that she thought would re-ignite her passion for exercise; instead it left her barely able to walk.
Like the 80,000 people expected to join the gym rush in January — a figure that is 65 per cent higher than in any other month of the year — Thornley felt that the tailored fitness regimen offered by a personal trainer would benefit her far more than group classes. But her experience should serve as a warning to those who plan to take a similar route.
In recent years, attempts have been made to regulate the personal training business and weed out unscrupulous practitioners with the launch of the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS). This government-backed programme provides a guarantee that those on its books meet required standards.
Jean-Ann Marnoch, chief registrar of REPS, says that there are 27,000 personal trainers on the books of REPS and adds “to be safe, no one should hire a trainer before checking that they are on the national register”.
The last thing Thornley expected was to end up seriously injured following advice she was given. “I had full confidence in my trainer as he seemed to know what he was doing. He took various assessments and then designed a programme specifically for me,” she says. “I signed up for six sessions and he introduced me to several new exercises and pieces of equipment in the gym.” One of those was the popular Smith machine, used to perform squat exercises with added resistance and consisting of a rack with a suspended barbell that moves up and down on steel runners.
“I had never used the Smith machine before,” Thornley says. “But by my fourth personal training session I was asked to squat with 145lb — much more than my total body weight.”
Finishing her session that Friday evening, Thornley sensed something wasn’t right. Later that evening she felt excruciating pain in her back. “I lost consciousness and by the following morning I could barely lift my head off the pillow,” she says. “I rang the hospital and was told to take painkillers and anti-inflammatories and to go to my doctors first thing on Monday morning.” It was the beginning of what Thornley describes as a spiral of despair. Over the next four months the pain persisted and she twice lost consciousness.
In February 2006 she was admitted to accident and emergency, where she was injected with morphine. “Since then I’ve had time off work, been unable to drive and have been dependent on painkillers,” Thornley says. “I had physiotherapy, chiropractic sessions, acupuncture, tranquil- isers and an epidural.” An MRI scan revealed that two intervertebral discs had been ruptured, including one prolapse disc and a segment of disc material lodged on the sciatic nerve. In the end, surgery was the only option.
“When I was just 29, I had an operation on my back,” Thornley says. “But I was recently told by my surgeon that the symptoms I've got now, including back and leg pain, are likely to be permanent.” With legal proceedings under way, the gym company denies all liability and responsibility for Thornley’s injury, although she and her medical team are convinced that her injuries resulted directly from her personal training session three years ago. Her experience is far from isolated. Physiotherapists increasingly find that their workload consists of clients who were injured during personal training sessions.
In one case, a woman practising a wide-legged stretch was pushed so forcefully by her personal trainer that she broke her pelvic bone. “So many people now hire a trainer to get them fit,” says Sammy Margo of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. “And so many patients are coming in for treatment for injuries that have taken place when a trainer has pushed the person too far or advised bad technique.”
In the UK, anyone can legally set themselves up as a personal trainer, regardless of knowledge and experience. Fitness qualifications vary enormously from weekend packages or correspondence courses to the rigorous YMCAFit courses for per- sonal trainers and exercise-related degrees that incorporate the study of anatomy, physiology, nutrition and stress management as well as exercise prescription.
However, loopholes exist that mean cowboy trainers can still legitimately offer their services. “Although it is a good benchmark, being on the REPS is voluntary,” says Robin Gargrave, director of the YMCA’s fitness industry training department. “A good personal trainer will have all the skills to tailor a programme for someone’s needs,” Gargrave says. “But what too often happens is that ordinary gym staff pull on a personal trainer’s shirt to earn some extra money, even though they are not qualified to do anything other than take classes or supervise workouts. It is frightening.” It seems that we are heading the way of America, where lawsuits against personal trainers are increasingly common.
In the latest, in October, a Northern Virginia jury awarded $300,000 to a former US Navy sailor who sued a gym for a workout that left him permanently disabled. Makimba Mimms, 29, says that the high-intensity CrossFit circuit training session that he attended in December 2005 was led by an under-qualified trainer who did not supervise him properly. Medical documents produced at the trial revealed that he had suffered a severe case of rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal condition caused by the rapid breakdown of muscle fibres. As the muscle fibres are leaked into the bloodstream, their toxicity raises the risk of kidney damage or failure. He urinated blood and his legs swelled immediately after the session. Three years later, Mimms cannot stand for long periods and still experiences much pain.
Thornley’s warning to those who are eager to get fit is to proceed with caution and cynicism. “I was someone who had always been fit and was used to exercising, yet I have spent the past few years depressed, on painkilling drugs and in physiotherapy,” she says.
“You put your trust in a personal trainer but it can be exploited. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
Choosing a personal trainer: essential tips
-Trainers’ fees range from £20 to £70 per hour. On average, you will need 2-3 sessions a week to get results. Britain’s leading personal trainer, Matt Roberts, says that a good trainer should ask detailed questions about your health, lifestyle and fitness history and carry out physiological assessments including heart rate, blood pressure and body fat tests.
- Make sure that there is no personality clash.
- Check out at least three trainers and contact them either via e-mail or by phone. Discuss your needs. If you don’t like the way they propose to train you, strike them off your list.
- Once you have decided on someone, always meet in a public place and ask to see his or her qualification certificates and insurance documents. He or she should also be trained in first aid.
- Check that the trainer is on the Register of Exercise Professionals (exerciseregister.org)
A lot of us will think about exercise in the new year, I am roughing out the outline of a fitness program at home myself.
Think about what you want to do, enjoy the holiday.
Paul
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Back pain loss, and headache
Something from Houston, this time
"Houston Chronicle members
So many ways to treat so many types of headache
Treatments can vary
So many ways to treat so many types of headache
Treatments can vary widely, from medication to surgery or herbs
By CINDY GEORGE Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Dec. 14, 2008, 9:09AM
Share Print Email Del.icio.usDiggTechnoratiYahoo! BuzzConstant shooting, stinging, throbbing and other painful head-pounding could ruin — or rule — your life.
Up to 35 million Americans suffer migraine and other forms of headache, according to the American Academy of Neurology.
• FOUR TYPES: The main types of headaches are tension, migraine, cluster and hormone.
Tension headaches, the most common, cause a band-like sensation or other pressure around the head. Most migraine headaches occur on one side of the head. Described as the most intense, cluster headaches attack in groups. Hormone headaches are associated with women's menstrual cycles.
• OTHER TYPES: You might also experience over-medication rebound headaches, sinus headaches and those caused by brain abnormalities, including tumors.
• TRIGGERS: Stress, certain foods and sleeping patterns can trigger headaches.
"Eating meals regularly, staying well-hydrated and trying to minimize stress in life, sleeping well and getting exercise really do make a difference," said Dr. Pamela Blake, a Houston neurologist at Memorial Hermann Northwest.
Changing weather that causes barometric pressure to spike or dip could be the culprit.
"When the fronts are coming in, primarily in the spring and fall, that will trigger headaches in the front of the head or face,"said Dr. Howard S. Derman, a neurologist at The Methodist Hospital. "People sometimes think those are sinus headaches because of spring flowers, but they're really not."
The same concept applies to people plagued with head pain while flying, hiking or mountain-climbing.
• FOOD AND DRINKS TO AVOID: "Red wine is at the top of the list," Derman said.
Tyramine, found in chocolate, aged cheeses, vinegar, sour cream, soy sauce and yogurt can trigger headaches. So can nitrites, the preservatives found in smoked fish and many processed meats, and MSG — a flavor enhancer found in a wide variety of processed foods. Also watch your caffeine; too little or too much can bring on a headache.
• SLEEP: Evaluating your shut-eye might help, especially for migraines.
"If we can get them to sleep, their headaches generally do better," said Derman, also director of the Headache Clinic at the Methodist Neurological Institute.
• STAY HYDRATED AND FED: Dehydration and long periods without eating are often-overlooked headache triggers.
• EYE STRAIN: The strain from reading in dim light, extended reading or driving sessions as well as an outdated prescription for contacts or glasses can hurt your head.
• IT MAY NOT BE A HEADACHE: If the pain in back of your head has been constant for five years, "that's not a migraine, that's a nerve problem" said Blake, director of the Headache Center of Northwest.
So, what to do about it?
New headache and migraine treatments, including a two-in-one pill, surgery and an implant, could take the pain away.
Medication:
• WHAT'S NEW: This spring, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new migraine pill called Treximet, which combines the active ingredient in the migraine medicine Imitrex with a painkiller.
"The drugs work together to treat the headache and if there is a recurrence, there's a little medicine on board that may kick in later," Derman said.
• PREVENTIVES: Several anti-seizure drugs and anti-depressants are bringing headache and migraine patients' relief, including Topamax and Cymbalta.
Procedures
• NERVE BLOCK: The occipital nerve block, called ONB, is a 10-minute outpatient steroid injection around pinched nerves that stretch from the upper neck to the back of the eyes.
"That will help relieve chronic daily headaches and migraines," Derman said.
The medication doesn't go into the bloodstream and there are no side effects from the steroids, he said.
After 140 procedures in the last 18 months, Derman reports a 65 percent success rate.
• NERVE DECOMPRESSSION SURGERY: Involves an incision at the back of the head to remove thick tissue that squeezes occipital nerves.
"The decompression is very effective in relieving headaches that have been going on for years," Blake said. She evaluates patients and determines which nerves need the operation.
A surgeon performs the decompression. Ideal candidates have had daily, constant headaches for more than 6 months and do not respond well to medications. About half of patients with insurance are covered for the procedure.
• NERVE STIMULATION IMPLANT: A device connected to a battery pack, similar to a pacemaker, is placed under the skin to stimulate occipital nerves and drown out pain.
"The theory is that your brain can only listen to one type of stimulation at a time," Blake said. "If we can drive out painful stimulus with painless stimulus, the brain will listen to that."
This is an option for people who did not respond to decompression surgery or whose insurance will not cover the surgery.
Alternative methods
Magnesium, CoQ10, the medicinal herb Feverfew and other over-the counter supplements may help. Some people find relief with acupuncture and biofeedback. "I'm supportive of all treatment regimens, if they work for you," Derman said.
cindy.george@chron.com!
Hope this is of interest.
For more of interest concerning back pain loss, then why not look at www.backpainloss.com
Bye
Paul
"Houston Chronicle members
So many ways to treat so many types of headache
Treatments can vary
So many ways to treat so many types of headache
Treatments can vary widely, from medication to surgery or herbs
By CINDY GEORGE Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Dec. 14, 2008, 9:09AM
Share Print Email Del.icio.usDiggTechnoratiYahoo! BuzzConstant shooting, stinging, throbbing and other painful head-pounding could ruin — or rule — your life.
Up to 35 million Americans suffer migraine and other forms of headache, according to the American Academy of Neurology.
• FOUR TYPES: The main types of headaches are tension, migraine, cluster and hormone.
Tension headaches, the most common, cause a band-like sensation or other pressure around the head. Most migraine headaches occur on one side of the head. Described as the most intense, cluster headaches attack in groups. Hormone headaches are associated with women's menstrual cycles.
• OTHER TYPES: You might also experience over-medication rebound headaches, sinus headaches and those caused by brain abnormalities, including tumors.
• TRIGGERS: Stress, certain foods and sleeping patterns can trigger headaches.
"Eating meals regularly, staying well-hydrated and trying to minimize stress in life, sleeping well and getting exercise really do make a difference," said Dr. Pamela Blake, a Houston neurologist at Memorial Hermann Northwest.
Changing weather that causes barometric pressure to spike or dip could be the culprit.
"When the fronts are coming in, primarily in the spring and fall, that will trigger headaches in the front of the head or face,"said Dr. Howard S. Derman, a neurologist at The Methodist Hospital. "People sometimes think those are sinus headaches because of spring flowers, but they're really not."
The same concept applies to people plagued with head pain while flying, hiking or mountain-climbing.
• FOOD AND DRINKS TO AVOID: "Red wine is at the top of the list," Derman said.
Tyramine, found in chocolate, aged cheeses, vinegar, sour cream, soy sauce and yogurt can trigger headaches. So can nitrites, the preservatives found in smoked fish and many processed meats, and MSG — a flavor enhancer found in a wide variety of processed foods. Also watch your caffeine; too little or too much can bring on a headache.
• SLEEP: Evaluating your shut-eye might help, especially for migraines.
"If we can get them to sleep, their headaches generally do better," said Derman, also director of the Headache Clinic at the Methodist Neurological Institute.
• STAY HYDRATED AND FED: Dehydration and long periods without eating are often-overlooked headache triggers.
• EYE STRAIN: The strain from reading in dim light, extended reading or driving sessions as well as an outdated prescription for contacts or glasses can hurt your head.
• IT MAY NOT BE A HEADACHE: If the pain in back of your head has been constant for five years, "that's not a migraine, that's a nerve problem" said Blake, director of the Headache Center of Northwest.
So, what to do about it?
New headache and migraine treatments, including a two-in-one pill, surgery and an implant, could take the pain away.
Medication:
• WHAT'S NEW: This spring, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new migraine pill called Treximet, which combines the active ingredient in the migraine medicine Imitrex with a painkiller.
"The drugs work together to treat the headache and if there is a recurrence, there's a little medicine on board that may kick in later," Derman said.
• PREVENTIVES: Several anti-seizure drugs and anti-depressants are bringing headache and migraine patients' relief, including Topamax and Cymbalta.
Procedures
• NERVE BLOCK: The occipital nerve block, called ONB, is a 10-minute outpatient steroid injection around pinched nerves that stretch from the upper neck to the back of the eyes.
"That will help relieve chronic daily headaches and migraines," Derman said.
The medication doesn't go into the bloodstream and there are no side effects from the steroids, he said.
After 140 procedures in the last 18 months, Derman reports a 65 percent success rate.
• NERVE DECOMPRESSSION SURGERY: Involves an incision at the back of the head to remove thick tissue that squeezes occipital nerves.
"The decompression is very effective in relieving headaches that have been going on for years," Blake said. She evaluates patients and determines which nerves need the operation.
A surgeon performs the decompression. Ideal candidates have had daily, constant headaches for more than 6 months and do not respond well to medications. About half of patients with insurance are covered for the procedure.
• NERVE STIMULATION IMPLANT: A device connected to a battery pack, similar to a pacemaker, is placed under the skin to stimulate occipital nerves and drown out pain.
"The theory is that your brain can only listen to one type of stimulation at a time," Blake said. "If we can drive out painful stimulus with painless stimulus, the brain will listen to that."
This is an option for people who did not respond to decompression surgery or whose insurance will not cover the surgery.
Alternative methods
Magnesium, CoQ10, the medicinal herb Feverfew and other over-the counter supplements may help. Some people find relief with acupuncture and biofeedback. "I'm supportive of all treatment regimens, if they work for you," Derman said.
cindy.george@chron.com!
Hope this is of interest.
For more of interest concerning back pain loss, then why not look at www.backpainloss.com
Bye
Paul
Back Pain down under
Science alert, Australia and New Zealand had this to say
"Back pain hurts 5 million Aussies
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
George Institute for International Health
Clinicians tend to treat back pain well, but need to
focus on preventing it from returning, the
researchers suggest.
A new study by researchers at The George Institute for International Health has found that back pain is a reoccurring problem for five million Australians.
According to lead author, Professor Chris Maher, Director of Musculoskeletal Research at The George Institute, “After an episode of back pain resolves, one in four people will experience a recurrence within one year. This explains why around 25 per cent of the Australian population suffers from back pain at any one time.”
Low back pain is the most prevalent and costly musculoskeletal condition in Australia, estimated to cost up to $1 billion per annum with indirect costs exceeding $8 billion. It is also the most common health condition causing older Australians to be absent from the labour force.
According to Professor Maher, patients and clinicians need to shift their focus to prevention. “We tend to treat the pain when it’s there, but when you recover, patients rarely take steps to prevent the problem from returning. People understand the message about lifting correctly but heavy lifting is only one of the risk factors for developing back pain. What many people do not understand is that some of the risk factors for back pain are also the risk factors for other chronic diseases like heart disease. My advice is that people should take a similar approach to back health, as they do for heart health – eating right, exercise and a healthy lifestyle is definitely good for your heart, and also your spine,” he added.
“Good, previous research has shown participation in an exercise program after the original episode of low back pain is highly effective in preventing recurrence. Those in the exercise group had half the rate of recurrence of the control group. Other studies have indicated that strengthening muscles and developing fitness show some benefit in avoiding recurring back pain. Mental stress also increases the risk of back pain so including stress management in a health promotion approach would be a sensible way to reduce your chances of back pain. Just paying attention to lifting correctly is probably not enough, a holistic approach is really best.”
Researchers reviewed patients who had recovered from their initial back pain within six weeks. Patients saw a range of treatments from general practitioners, physiotherapists and chiropractors in Australia. 353 patients were followed over one year and contacted at six weeks, three months and 12 months."
Thought provoking
For more thoughts on back pain go to www.backpainloss.com
"Back pain hurts 5 million Aussies
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
George Institute for International Health
Clinicians tend to treat back pain well, but need to
focus on preventing it from returning, the
researchers suggest.
A new study by researchers at The George Institute for International Health has found that back pain is a reoccurring problem for five million Australians.
According to lead author, Professor Chris Maher, Director of Musculoskeletal Research at The George Institute, “After an episode of back pain resolves, one in four people will experience a recurrence within one year. This explains why around 25 per cent of the Australian population suffers from back pain at any one time.”
Low back pain is the most prevalent and costly musculoskeletal condition in Australia, estimated to cost up to $1 billion per annum with indirect costs exceeding $8 billion. It is also the most common health condition causing older Australians to be absent from the labour force.
According to Professor Maher, patients and clinicians need to shift their focus to prevention. “We tend to treat the pain when it’s there, but when you recover, patients rarely take steps to prevent the problem from returning. People understand the message about lifting correctly but heavy lifting is only one of the risk factors for developing back pain. What many people do not understand is that some of the risk factors for back pain are also the risk factors for other chronic diseases like heart disease. My advice is that people should take a similar approach to back health, as they do for heart health – eating right, exercise and a healthy lifestyle is definitely good for your heart, and also your spine,” he added.
“Good, previous research has shown participation in an exercise program after the original episode of low back pain is highly effective in preventing recurrence. Those in the exercise group had half the rate of recurrence of the control group. Other studies have indicated that strengthening muscles and developing fitness show some benefit in avoiding recurring back pain. Mental stress also increases the risk of back pain so including stress management in a health promotion approach would be a sensible way to reduce your chances of back pain. Just paying attention to lifting correctly is probably not enough, a holistic approach is really best.”
Researchers reviewed patients who had recovered from their initial back pain within six weeks. Patients saw a range of treatments from general practitioners, physiotherapists and chiropractors in Australia. 353 patients were followed over one year and contacted at six weeks, three months and 12 months."
Thought provoking
For more thoughts on back pain go to www.backpainloss.com
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Cant get enough exercise for Back Pain Loss
From the Health News Digest
"(HealthNewsDigest.com) - ALEXANDRIA, VA, — The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is urging patients with musculoskeletal pain to consider treatment by a physical therapist, in light of a new federal survey showing that more than one-third of American adults and nearly 12 percent of children use alternative medicine – with back and neck pain being the top reasons for treatment. Results of the 2007 survey of more than 32,000 Americans were released Dec. 11 by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
According to APTA, physical therapy offers an evidence-based, time-tested solution to these common conditions in comparison to alternative treatments.
For neck pain, for example, a recent study published in the medical journal Spine found that when patients received up to six treatments of manual physical therapy and exercise, they not only experienced pain relief, but were also less likely to seek additional medical care up to one year following treatment.
“This study, demonstrating the efficacy of physical therapy for a condition as widespread as neck pain, is particularly relevant in today’s challenging economic environment,” according to the study’s lead researcher and APTA spokesman Michael Walker, PT, DSc, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT. “The Kaiser Foundation, for instance, recently found that more than half of all Americans are not taking prescribed medication and postponing needed medical care in an effort to save money. It is important for consumers to know that there are effective, conservative solutions such as physical therapy available.[1]”
Walker’s study compared the effectiveness of a three-week program of manual physical therapy and exercise to a minimal intervention treatment approach for patients with neck pain.
Study participants consisted of 94 patients with a primary complaint of neck pain, 58 (62%) of whom also had radiating arm pain. Patients randomized to the manual
physical therapy and exercise group received joint and soft-tissue mobilizations and manipulations to restore motion and decrease pain, followed by a standard home exercise program of chin tucks, neck strengthening, and range-of-motion exercises. Patients in the minimal intervention group received treatment consistent with the current guidelines of advice, range-of-motion exercise, and any medication use prescribed by their general practitioner. Patients did not have to complete all six visits if their symptoms were fully resolved.
Sample exercises to relieve neck pain can be found on the APTA Web site, www.apta.org/consumer.
Results show that manual physical therapy and exercise was significantly more effective in reducing mechanical neck pain and disability and increasing patient-perceived improvements during short- and long-term follow-ups. These results are comparable with previous studies that found manual physical therapy and exercise provided greater treatment effectiveness (Hoving et al, 2002)[2] and cost effectiveness (Kothals-de Bos et al, 2003)[3] than general practitioner care.
“Physical therapist intervention can be an effective, high-value, conservative solution for treatment of musculoskeletal pain,” said Walker. “Physical therapists can help individuals improve mobility and quality of life without expensive surgery or the side effects of pain medication. We give patients the tools they need, such as the home program we used in the study, to help them prevent or manage a condition in order to achieve long-term health benefits.”
1 http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_posr102108pkg.cfm
2 Hoving JL, Koes BW, de Vet HC, van der Windt DA, et al. Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy, Or Continued Care by a General Practitioner for Patients with Neck Pain. Ann Intern Med 2002;136 (10):713-722
3 Korthals-de Bos IB, Hoving JL, van Tulder MW, et al. Cost effectiveness of physiotherapy, manual therapy, and general practitioner care for neck pain: economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2003;326 (7395):911
Learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat at www.apta.org/consumer, and find a physical therapist in your area at www.findapt.us.
www.HealthNewsDigest.com "
For more on back pain go to: http:www.backpainloss.com
Paul
"(HealthNewsDigest.com) - ALEXANDRIA, VA, — The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is urging patients with musculoskeletal pain to consider treatment by a physical therapist, in light of a new federal survey showing that more than one-third of American adults and nearly 12 percent of children use alternative medicine – with back and neck pain being the top reasons for treatment. Results of the 2007 survey of more than 32,000 Americans were released Dec. 11 by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
According to APTA, physical therapy offers an evidence-based, time-tested solution to these common conditions in comparison to alternative treatments.
For neck pain, for example, a recent study published in the medical journal Spine found that when patients received up to six treatments of manual physical therapy and exercise, they not only experienced pain relief, but were also less likely to seek additional medical care up to one year following treatment.
“This study, demonstrating the efficacy of physical therapy for a condition as widespread as neck pain, is particularly relevant in today’s challenging economic environment,” according to the study’s lead researcher and APTA spokesman Michael Walker, PT, DSc, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT. “The Kaiser Foundation, for instance, recently found that more than half of all Americans are not taking prescribed medication and postponing needed medical care in an effort to save money. It is important for consumers to know that there are effective, conservative solutions such as physical therapy available.[1]”
Walker’s study compared the effectiveness of a three-week program of manual physical therapy and exercise to a minimal intervention treatment approach for patients with neck pain.
Study participants consisted of 94 patients with a primary complaint of neck pain, 58 (62%) of whom also had radiating arm pain. Patients randomized to the manual
physical therapy and exercise group received joint and soft-tissue mobilizations and manipulations to restore motion and decrease pain, followed by a standard home exercise program of chin tucks, neck strengthening, and range-of-motion exercises. Patients in the minimal intervention group received treatment consistent with the current guidelines of advice, range-of-motion exercise, and any medication use prescribed by their general practitioner. Patients did not have to complete all six visits if their symptoms were fully resolved.
Sample exercises to relieve neck pain can be found on the APTA Web site, www.apta.org/consumer.
Results show that manual physical therapy and exercise was significantly more effective in reducing mechanical neck pain and disability and increasing patient-perceived improvements during short- and long-term follow-ups. These results are comparable with previous studies that found manual physical therapy and exercise provided greater treatment effectiveness (Hoving et al, 2002)[2] and cost effectiveness (Kothals-de Bos et al, 2003)[3] than general practitioner care.
“Physical therapist intervention can be an effective, high-value, conservative solution for treatment of musculoskeletal pain,” said Walker. “Physical therapists can help individuals improve mobility and quality of life without expensive surgery or the side effects of pain medication. We give patients the tools they need, such as the home program we used in the study, to help them prevent or manage a condition in order to achieve long-term health benefits.”
1 http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_posr102108pkg.cfm
2 Hoving JL, Koes BW, de Vet HC, van der Windt DA, et al. Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy, Or Continued Care by a General Practitioner for Patients with Neck Pain. Ann Intern Med 2002;136 (10):713-722
3 Korthals-de Bos IB, Hoving JL, van Tulder MW, et al. Cost effectiveness of physiotherapy, manual therapy, and general practitioner care for neck pain: economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2003;326 (7395):911
Learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat at www.apta.org/consumer, and find a physical therapist in your area at www.findapt.us.
www.HealthNewsDigest.com "
For more on back pain go to: http:www.backpainloss.com
Paul
Thursday, 11 December 2008
more about exercise
From the Soth Florida Sun
Something for the ladies
Five exercises women should avoid
Personal trainer lists substitutions for five exercises that women should avoid.
By Julie Deardorff | Chicago Tribune
December 10, 2008
If you hate sit-ups, you're in luck. They're one of the top-five exercises women should completely avoid, according to personal trainer Kristal Richardson.
While women can tackle the same workouts as men, their joints are generally looser than a man's and "poor form and too much weight can lead to stiff joints or even damage." Here are five exercises that Richardson says women should avoid.
Don't do straight leg push-ups. Push-ups often are the culprit of neck, lower back, elbow and shoulder pain.
Instead try: Push-ups on your knees. Focus on where you place your hands to make sure you're working the chest. You can also try the dumbbell bench press instead for toning the chest and shoulders. Lie flat on your back and, with arms straight up and dumbbells in hand, slowly lower the arms to just past a 90-degree angle or until you feel a slight stretch in your chest. Repeat three sets of 10 reps.
Don't do sit-ups. If you lock your hands behind your head, it can cause a torque in the spine, which ultimately leads to neck pain, she says. Remember sit-ups are different from "crunches." When you do a sit-up, you bring your torso up 90 degrees, so your back is off the floor. A crunch has a limited range of motion; you raise your torso about 45 degrees and your lower back will still be on the floor.
Instead try: Bicycle crunches, which are considered one of the most effective abdominal workouts. Lie on your back, place your hands next to your ears and start a pedaling motion with your legs, lifting the left shoulder to the right knee and vice versa. Try three sets of 10.
Don't do weighted squats. Squats with a weight bar on your back build serious bulk in the rear end and upper thighs, places women are most likely looking to trim down, said Richardson.
Instead try: Lunges, which "don't place nearly as much stress on the lower back and distribute the workout throughout the entire leg," she said. Take a long, even stride forward with one leg. Be sure to keep your knee at a 90-degree angle with your foot for support. If you have bad knees, try doing a reverse lunge by stepping backward.
Don't do behind-the-neck shoulder presses. This exercise strains the shoulders, both on the way down and up. The little muscles on the top of your shoulders work too hard and become inflamed, causing "weight lifter's shoulder," she said.
Instead try: Seated shoulder presses. "Hold a pair of dumbbells overhead with your arms straight and palms facing each other," she said. "Then, bend your right elbow and lower your right arm, moving your elbow out to the side until your upper arm is parallel with the floor." Press back up and repeat with your right arm for three sets of 12 reps with each arm.
Don't do standing dead lifts. Since women are typically more flexible than men and can bend down farther, it puts even greater stress on their legs and lower back. It also results in bulky back, leg and rear-end muscles.
Instead try: Leg kick-backs. Facing a wall, stabilize yourself with your arms and kick your right leg back as far as you can. Repeat 10 times, then do the same with your left leg. Try two sets."
Looks quite interesting.
For more on exercise and back pain: www.backpainloss.com
Paul
Something for the ladies
Five exercises women should avoid
Personal trainer lists substitutions for five exercises that women should avoid.
By Julie Deardorff | Chicago Tribune
December 10, 2008
If you hate sit-ups, you're in luck. They're one of the top-five exercises women should completely avoid, according to personal trainer Kristal Richardson.
While women can tackle the same workouts as men, their joints are generally looser than a man's and "poor form and too much weight can lead to stiff joints or even damage." Here are five exercises that Richardson says women should avoid.
Don't do straight leg push-ups. Push-ups often are the culprit of neck, lower back, elbow and shoulder pain.
Instead try: Push-ups on your knees. Focus on where you place your hands to make sure you're working the chest. You can also try the dumbbell bench press instead for toning the chest and shoulders. Lie flat on your back and, with arms straight up and dumbbells in hand, slowly lower the arms to just past a 90-degree angle or until you feel a slight stretch in your chest. Repeat three sets of 10 reps.
Don't do sit-ups. If you lock your hands behind your head, it can cause a torque in the spine, which ultimately leads to neck pain, she says. Remember sit-ups are different from "crunches." When you do a sit-up, you bring your torso up 90 degrees, so your back is off the floor. A crunch has a limited range of motion; you raise your torso about 45 degrees and your lower back will still be on the floor.
Instead try: Bicycle crunches, which are considered one of the most effective abdominal workouts. Lie on your back, place your hands next to your ears and start a pedaling motion with your legs, lifting the left shoulder to the right knee and vice versa. Try three sets of 10.
Don't do weighted squats. Squats with a weight bar on your back build serious bulk in the rear end and upper thighs, places women are most likely looking to trim down, said Richardson.
Instead try: Lunges, which "don't place nearly as much stress on the lower back and distribute the workout throughout the entire leg," she said. Take a long, even stride forward with one leg. Be sure to keep your knee at a 90-degree angle with your foot for support. If you have bad knees, try doing a reverse lunge by stepping backward.
Don't do behind-the-neck shoulder presses. This exercise strains the shoulders, both on the way down and up. The little muscles on the top of your shoulders work too hard and become inflamed, causing "weight lifter's shoulder," she said.
Instead try: Seated shoulder presses. "Hold a pair of dumbbells overhead with your arms straight and palms facing each other," she said. "Then, bend your right elbow and lower your right arm, moving your elbow out to the side until your upper arm is parallel with the floor." Press back up and repeat with your right arm for three sets of 12 reps with each arm.
Don't do standing dead lifts. Since women are typically more flexible than men and can bend down farther, it puts even greater stress on their legs and lower back. It also results in bulky back, leg and rear-end muscles.
Instead try: Leg kick-backs. Facing a wall, stabilize yourself with your arms and kick your right leg back as far as you can. Repeat 10 times, then do the same with your left leg. Try two sets."
Looks quite interesting.
For more on exercise and back pain: www.backpainloss.com
Paul
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