Back Pain and Home Remedies

December 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Those of us with back pain are always looking for some relief.  We’ve tried chiropractors, orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, pain medication, you name it.  However, not many people think of back pain and home remedies in the same thought.  Home remedies are nothing to laugh at.  After all, what did our ancestors use for back pain relief back before there were prescription medications, ibuprofen and acetaminophen?  They, of course, used home remedies.  Some of them are quackery, but there are actually some which really do work.  The following article gives a few examples of some home remedies that you might consider the next time you have an attack of back pain.

Backache is the most common ailment which is troubling the man-kind from ages. It is causing uneasiness in the present

Back Pain and Home Remedies

Back Pain and Home Remedies

generation as well. Lower back pain, back pain or lumbago is a discomfort in the lower back region. The pain may vary from mild to severe. The intensity of pain varies from one person to another. The pain may be a sudden attack or take a chronic form and thus called acute form. In acute form, the pain starts suddenly whereas in chronic form, the pain may last for 3 – 4 months. This is a most common problem in pregnant women because of stretching of ligaments around uterus. There are some home remedies for back pain which help in treating the condition to some extent. Here are some of them.

Back Pain Home Remedies:
Home remedies for back pain are used with more safety compared to drugs, particularly pregnant women. Following are some remedies for backache:

Massaging: Massage the affected area with the herbal oils using knuckles and slowly increase the pressure. You will feel better after a few minutes. This helps to relieve tension and also relaxes the muscles.

St. John’s Wort: Application of St. John’s wort oil gives relief from the pain.

Eucalyptus oil: This is another beneficial remedy for back pain. Massage the affected area with eucalyptus oil. You can also use mustard oil for massaging.

Basil: Take a cup of water and boil 10 basil leaves in it. Boil the decoction until it reduces to half the quantity. Let it cool and later add salt to it. Drink this mixture every day. If you have severe back pain, drink it twice a day.

Garlic: Another effective home remedy is garlic. Include garlic in your diet.

Guggulu: Every day eat half a tablespoon of guggulu after having meals. This must be taken twice a day with the warm water.

Ice: Ice also helps in reducing the inflammation of the back pain. Switch to hot packs after a few days.

Diet: Include lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, carrot, tomato and also include two lightly cooked vegetables like carrot, spinach and cauliflower in your diet.

Exercising: Exercise regularly for about 30 minutes.

Honey: Add a tablespoon of honey to a glass of warm water and drink it. This soothes the back pain.

Vitamin C: In some cases, vitamin C deficiency can also lead to backache. Hence, increase vitamin C intake in the diet.

Reduce weight: If you are overweight, first reduce weight, as spine cannot bear the extra pressure.

Tips to Prevent Back Pain:
Bend Knees: While lifting heavy objects, first bend your knees. This prevents the tension in lower back which results in the damage of spinal cord and back muscles.

Do not twist: While lifting objects, do not twist. This will have bad impact on the vertebrae.

During pregnancy: During the last couple of months of your pregnancy, do not lift heavy objects.

So, don’t be afraid to try some of these home remedies.  They may not totally eliminate you back pain, but they can possibly give you some relief.  The good thing about home remedies is that they are non-invasive and usually use items which are readily available at home or over the counter.  Back pain and home remedies do go together.  Don’t be afraid to try!

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Filed Under: Back Pain Relief Products, Back Strengthening Exercises, Better Back News, Chronic Back Pain Management, Cold Therapy Treatment, Heat Therapy Products, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Treatment Options Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Back Pain and Sciatica

December 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Take it from someone who knows, back pain is bad, but I have never, ever experienced any more excruciating pain that sciatica.  In my experience, sciatica felt like a red-hot iron was pressing against the back of my leg, 24-7.  I’m know that there was some back pain involved as well, but frankly I really didn’t notice it that much back then.  Back and sciatica is the subject of the article below.  It mainly relates to athletes, but offers some good advice for all of us that suffer from back pain and sciatica.

Sciatica is a common problem for many people, including athletes, and can lead to pain that will radiate from the lower back to the leg. Sciatica is essential not a medical condition, but rather a severe symptom, caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. It is important for an athlete to recognize the symptoms of sciatica, because it can hinder his or her athletic ability, and eventually lead to severe back or leg complications.

Here is what every athlete should know regarding the symptoms and treatment of sciatica, so that he or she can get a diagnosis, and continue to play sports as desired.

Sciatica Symptoms

An athlete needs to be very aware of the symptoms of sciatica, in order to prevent

Back Pain and Sciatica

Back Pain and Sciatica

the condition from getting worse. Some of the most obvious symptoms of sciatica include lower back pain, pain that radiates down to the legs, and a feeling of pins or needles in the legs. The pain in the back might be sharp at times, especially if an athlete is playing sports, and it will get worse if he or she continues the activity. An athlete might also notice that the pain increases while coughing, sneezing, and even sitting down after strenuous activity. If an athlete chooses to lie down, he or she might notice the pain eases, especially if he or she is lying on a certain side of the body. There will also be noticeable pain if an athlete puts pressure on a certain part of the lower back, and he or she might be able to feel a small lump in the back. Muscle spasms might also accompany the lower back pain, and an athlete will be able to feel the spasms occur, especially if he or she is sitting down at a table or desk. The spasms might only last a few seconds, but can last hours, and it will feel like a knife being stuck into the back. An athlete might also notice discomfort or pain in the leg, which will get worse after he or she stops physical activity, and spasms could also occur in the leg.

Sciatica Treatment Options

Treatment options that are available for sciatica are fairly general in nature, but an athlete should always seek medical advice if the pain persists. The persistent pain could be a sign of a herniated disc or other serious medical condition, and an athlete should stop all physical activity until the medical condition is treated. One of the most common treatment options for an athlete with sciatica is bed rest. An athlete should stop all participation in sports during this time, and focus on lying in bed, and in a position which can relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. An athlete could also choose to take anti-inflammatory medications, which can relieve the inflammation around the sciatic nerve. Prescription pain medications or over-the-counter pain medications can be used to alleviate the pain associated with sciatica, and a back brace can be used to apply support to the lower back. An athlete should also seek out a sports doctor if the sciatica does not improve, since a sports doctor can help provide treatment specifically to help him or her get back to normal activity, especially if the injury was sports related. A sports doctor can determine the exact cause of the sciatica, use mobilization treatments for the spine, prescribe medications, and can give an athlete a sports massage. A sports massage can help relieve the pressure around the sciatic nerve, and can be beneficial for any other sports injuries. An athlete might also consider doing simple exercises to alleviate the lower back pain, which can help provide flexibility to the muscles, and take pressure off of the sciatic nerve. An athlete should focus on back exercises and leg exercises, since these are the specific regions that sciatica hits the hardest. If an athlete gets proper treatment, then he or she will be back playing sports within a matter of a week or two.

So, if you have been involved in some physical activity or exercise and start experiencing a sharp, hot pain down the back of your leg, then you are probably the unfortunate recipient of sciatic pain.  The following video will give you some suggestions for immediate treatment and, hopefully, some relief.

Back Pain and Sciatica

If, however, you are not a lot better in a few days, then you probably need to see a doctor who may prescribe some physical therapy and some pain medication.  Back pain and sciaticaare not fun, so don’t be afraid to seek some professional medical help to lessen your suffering and give you some relief.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

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Filed Under: Back Pain Medications, Better Back News, Chiropractor Medicine, Chronic Back Pain Management, Cold Therapy Treatment, Low Back Pain Specialist, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Orthopedics Surgeon, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain, Sciatica Nerve, Treatment Options Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

December 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The holiday season brings us a lot of things, i.e. good food, gifts and fellowship with friends and family.  But, unfortunately, sometimes we also get back pain during the holiday season.  Hanging lights and other decorations for the season, traveling and other activities add to the stress of our lives, which in turn can add to our back pain.  The article below, from two doctors, gives us some suggestions on how to avoid an increase in back pain during the holiday.

Drs. Peter Moley and Alice Chen, both physiatrists in Greenwich, see a large increase in patients suffering from back pain between now and the end of the year. “For some, it starts when people try to lift a heavy package and hurt their backs,” says Dr. Chen, who lives in Weston and will be joining the Affiliated Physicians Office of Hospital for Special Surgery in Greenwich in early January.

Once someone has back pain — and the most common area is the lower back — there’s an 80 percent chance they will have back pain again, according to Dr. Moley, who lives in Darien and sees patients at the Affiliated Physicians Office in Greenwich and at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Physiatrists are specialists in the nonsurgical treatment of muscle and joint conditions, as well as spinal and sports-related injuries. Drs. Chen and Moley say back pain is the most common reason for patient visits. Indeed, it’s the leading cause of disability in Americans under age 45. More than 26 million Americans between the ages of 20-64 experience frequent back pain.

It often gets worse this time of year, and the doctors point to a number of reasons.

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

Stress is a major culprit. It tends to make back pain worse, according to Dr. Chen. “People think it’s a happy time of year, but it’s also very stressful,” she says.

“People are running around shopping, they’re trying to meet deadlines. People are stuck in traffic and they’re in their car longer, which may lead to back and neck pain. They’re walking in the mall for hours with heavy packages. It can be an emotional and sad time for people who have lost family members. All of these factors can lead to back pain or make a minor problem worse.”

Even everyday chores at home can cause problems because there’s so much more to do this time of year. “I’ve seen people develop back pain after standing for many hours when cooking for the holidays. I’ve treated patients with neck and hand injuries from frantically knitting or crocheting for hours on end to finish a project for the holidays,” Dr. Chen says.

Research shows that emotional stress or mental pain can turn into physical pain. Depression and stress deplete certain brain chemicals that play a role in controlling pain, according to Dr. Chen. When these chemicals are diminished, pain gets worse.

With so much to do, people also get run down this time of year. “You don’t sleep well, you many not have time to eat right, you don’t have time to exercise. It’s no wonder we see more patients this time of year,” Dr. Moley says.

Drs. Chen and Moley have the following tips to maintain spine health and enjoy the holidays pain-free:

Put things in perspective.

Make sure you’re getting enough rest.

If a package is heavy, ask for help. If you do lift, remember to bend from the KNEES.

Slow down and take breaks. Don’t overdo it.

Stay focused on the task at hand and be mindful to avoid an accident.

Don’t forget to do your exercises and stretching during the holiday season.

Don’t say “I don’t have time to attend to my pain.” Don’t ignore initial symptoms.

If you do develop back pain, the doctors advise resting for two days and taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. If the pain is not better in two days, or if you have sharp, excruciating pain that radiates down your leg, see a doctor.

Dr. Moley says when you see a physician, the doctor should spend ample time with you, taking a good medical history, performing a physical exam and ordering appropriate diagnostic tests, such as x-rays. “The doctor must spend time with the patient to get to the root of the problem and prescribe the best individualized treatment plan,” he says. “Our goal is to restore function and mobility, and once the patient is pain-free, we encourage him or her to develop good habits to maintain spine health for life.”

Not only are these suggestions good for lessening back pain during the holiday season, they are also good suggestions for the entire year.  Any habits that you can acquire that will improve your back health are to be taken seriously.  So, while having a good time during the holiday season, please also take precautions with your back health.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

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Filed Under: Better Back News, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Back Problems Disc Pain

December 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many people with back problems are afflicted with disc pain.  The discs are vital components of our backs and over the years, discs can wear down or be damaged.  This can result in back pain and discomfort.  The following article does a good job of explaining what back discs are and how they can cause pain.  There are also some good tips on how to take care of your discs in order to minimize any damage or pain.

Eighty percent of people experience back pain, and at any one point in time, approximately 20% of the population has back pain.

For many decades, doctors and scientists believed that most back pain was caused by “slipped” or “torn” discs. We now know this not to be true. Disc problems constitute only a small portion of the causes of back pain and rarely require surgery for pain relief.

Back Health - Disc Pain

Back Health - Disc Pain

Spinal discs are a critically important part of your spinal column. Along with the vertebrae, also called the spinal bones, they perform many functions. The discs provide shock absorption, protecting the spinal cord and ensuring flexibility of the spine. They also perform other functions.

The spinal discs are essentially ligaments (structures connecting bones) that attach to the top and bottom of each vertebra. They are thick, ligament-like outer rings, also known as annuli fibrosis. Because they are arranged in an alternating pattern with the vertebrae, annuli fibrosis allow flexibility while preventing the vertebrae from moving too much and causing injury. Inside a single annulus fibrosis is a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposis. It contains some proteins, but is primarily made up of water. The nucleus provides more shock absorption than does the annulus, and it also acts as a fulcrum to direct the type of movement through which each vertebra travels.

There are different types of disc injury. A disc “bulge” results from slight tears in the outermost fibers of an annulus fibrosis. These small tears can be painful for a short time. A disc protrusion/extrusion is a more significant injury. It results from a complete or significant tear of the fibers of an annulus-when some of the nucleus leaks through. A protrusion can also be painful and may even cause nerve compression that may cause neurologic changes such as weakness or numbness/tingling in the lower or upper extremities. In the most severe cases, the spinal cord can become compressed. The most common disc problem suffered by adults is degenerative disc disease. This occurs when the nucleus loses water and small tears develop in it. The body then forms osteophytes (bone spurs), along the edges of the vertebra and the disc space narrows.

Disc problems are most often diagnosed with the use of a thorough history and physical examination, including examination of your nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Your doctor will most likely move your back and arms and legs into various positions while applying pressure to your joints. Plain film x-rays are helpful in only some forms of disc problems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the mainstay for the diagnosis of disc problems, as it images the discs quite nicely. Your doctor may order an MRI if he or she feels it would be helpful in diagnosing a disc problem and determining the proper course of care for you. Most often, however, this is not necessary.

Luckily, in most circumstances, disc problems are easily treated with conservative interventions. Early in the course of an acute injury, your doctor of chiropractic will very likely set a goal of pain control, using several different physical modalities to reach it. Ice and heat have shown effectiveness in managing the pain of acute low-back injury. Your doctor of chiropractic will help you determine which is most effective for you. In addition, getting you back on your feet and moving as quickly as is safely possible is critical. Typically, the less time you spend in bed, the better off you are in terms of long-term results. You’ll also need to learn not to be afraid to move. If you “baby” your back, in most cases, the long-term results will be worse.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation has also been demonstrated to be a safe and effective tool in the management of disc problems. Manipulation is especially effective when combined with therapeutic exercise. In most circumstances, spine surgery and injections are not necessary in the management of disc problems and may cause more side effects than they’re worth. Your doctor of chiropractic will discuss all available treatment options with you and help you decide on the best course of action.

While regular exercise will help strengthen your back, research has demonstrated that staying fit and using proper body mechanics alone will not prevent injury. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that individuals do not lift more than 50 lbs. Further, activities that require awkward or prolonged postures and repetitive activities place individuals at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders and disc problems regardless of body mechanics and fitness level. Your doctor of chiropractic can conduct an ergonomic assessment of your work and home activities to help you prevent injury.

It is also critically important to have “spinal awareness.” Make a conscious effort, for example, to be aware of what posture you are maintaining when you sit, stand, lie down, work, and exercise. Lift objects with proper posture, including slightly bending your knees, keeping the object close to your body, keeping your back straight and lifting with your hips. Never lift an object by bending over and twisting. You’ll only invite a back injury.

Hopefully you have learned something from the above article and have a better understanding of how your back disc form a critical component of your back structure.  I don’t know about you, but if a little back education can help me avoid some back problems involving disc pain, then I’m all for it.  I wish I had known some of these facts earlier in my life.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

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Filed Under: Chiropractor Medicine, Chronic Back Pain Management, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Back Pain and Christmas

December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Christmas-time is normally quite stressful because of the rush to buy presents, the travel time to get to relative’s homes, the preparation of holiday meals, etc.  The following article offers some common-sense, practical suggestions on how to keep from channeling this stress into back pain.  After all, Christmas is meant to be a time to enjoy family and friends, good food and happy times.  Back pain and Christmas do NOT go together!

The lead-up to Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year because everything hangs on the success of the big day. However the emotional and physical stress we often suffer beforehand can hamper our enjoyment and even cause us pain.

Back Pain and Christmas

Back Pain and Christmas

Here, osteopath Paul Clusker offers his top Christmas survival tips:

Planning

  •  A little goes a long way; try to organise so that other people can help you with all the things you need to do.
  •  In the morning, try to do some squat exercises with your feet flat on the floor (stretching the spinal cord keeps the spinal canal more open).
  • At the end of the day lie on the floor and bring your knees gently up to your chest and hold for a few seconds, do this for several repetitions to release any tension you may have in your back.

Shopping

• Think about your footwear before you hit the shops and wear comfortable, supportive shoes.

• Make sure you balance the weight you are carrying and, if necessary, make more than one trip.

• Take regular tea breaks and rest your feet.

• Wrap your presents either sitting at a table or standing at a work surface at waist height, not on the floor. People who sit cross legged and lean forward to wrap presents for hours can become stiff and could suffer from a locked up back.

The big day

• Avoid ‘turkey back’ – when putting a heavy turkey into a low level oven keep your back straight, bend from the knees and stay close to the oven, so you are not over-straining.

• Keep mobile and take some gentle exercise to work off the Christmas feast.

So, do your best to enjoy the Christmas season with as little stress as possible.  Stop and take a deep breath occasionally and follow the above tips so that you don’t have to contend with back pain and Christmas at the same time.  And have a Happy Holiday!

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

 

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Filed Under: Better Back News, Chronic Back Pain Management, Lower Back Pain Remedies Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Back Health and Sitting

December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you have ever had back problems or suffer with chronic back pain, then there is a pretty good chance that your posture is not the greatest when sitting.  The relationship of back health and sitting is very important, since most people spend a good part of their day sitting at a desk or work bench.  This article, written by a chiropractor, gives us a few simple stretches and exercises to help strengthen our posture while in a sitting position.

If you have back pain, you probably know your posture isn’t good. And if you sit for much of your waking day, you know you’re training your body to be slumped over into folded, or “weak” posture. However, even though you may never be perfectly straight, there are ways to relieve your pain by strengthening your posture.

Back Health and Sitting

Back Health and Sitting

Low-back pain from sitting results from mechanical stress on the body. This is called poor bio-mechanics, and when the body is not mechanically well aligned posture, and balance, is weak. The simple act of balancing when you stand up with weak posture will overwork some muscles and stress joints. The key to reducing this strain is to improve balance, and the ability to control how you balance, to retrain muscles and nerves for less pain and better function.

Step one towards stronger posture is improving the symmetry of how your body moves on each side. In fact, just changing the position from which you move can help free up locked and stiff joints and become the first step to stronger posture and less pain.

The “Sitting Leg Cross” StrongPosture Stretch is an easy back and hip stretch you can do at your desk. You can use your office chair, or if you want to challenge yourself with an exercise taught by posture professionals, do the Sitting Leg Cross while sitting on a ball.

A: Sit tall and strong on the front edge of chair or ball as you cross your left leg over the right knee. Pull your belly in to brace your core.

As you breath out, keep your head and shoulders aligned as you pull your body forward. Take two or three breaths, and come up with your posture still strong. Repeat on other side.

B: Repeat above, but this time cross your legs at the knee.

Do this to help you become aware of and improve your lower body symmetry, and to start your own daily posture exercise program.

Everybody with a desk job should implement an exercise program to improve their back health while sitting.  If you have back problems, it can help alleviate your back pain and if you don’t have back pain, it can certainly help prevent it.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

This video will also give you some types related to back posture and sitting.

Back Health and Sitting

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Filed Under: Back Strengthening Exercises, Better Back News, Lower Back Pain Remedies Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain

July 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

What are the primary causes of lower back pain?   There are many causes or reasons for back pain–some of them physical and some of them can be mental or psychological.  Back pain can be the result of a single sudden action or it can be the result of repetitive actions over a long period of time.  By determining the causes of back pain, we can sometimes take action to avoid the incident or actions that caused the back pain in the first place.  Knowing what caused your back pain can also help the doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist who is treating the back pain and trying to give you some relief.

Back pain can also be caused by injuries to other parts of the body, such as a neck injury.  The back is a very complex structure of skeletal bones, tissue and muscle.  There are hundreds of parts that can go out of whack and cause unbelievable pain in the back area.  Believe it or not, back pain can also be caused by something as simple as poor posture.

Within this website, we are going to explore some of the reasons for back pain.   By knowing and understanding the causes of back pain, hopefully you will become more aware and focused on how to treat your back and what you can (or shouldn’t) do to result in painful injury to your back.

 

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