Back and Neck Pain Articles

So many people are talking about how slow their metabolism is and why they need to start taking the latest diet supplement scam yet they don’t even understand how the human metabolism works. So before I even go into how to speed yours up, I want to first go over some of the basics. What is ...

There is no health without mental emotional health. According to statistics almost 90% of all illnesses are caused by mental and emotional stress. Depression is the number one reason for doctor visits in America today and the psychiatric drugs prescribed are second only to painkillers.

Back pain is the most common pain of the 21th century. Most of my clients in treatment suffer from pain ranging from the lower back to the upper neck. We are in fact victims of our sedentary lifestyle, stress and bad postural habits of everyday. It is important to understand that pain can occur for many reasons and can be prevented if you are pro-active. I would like to introduce you the most important muscle in the body : the iliopsoas. rnNow, let's talk a bit about anatomy.

Pain is Common There are millions of people who suffer with chronic, sometimes debilitating, pain on a daily basis. It can be due to conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, complex regional pain or failed back surgery syndromes. Pain from traumatic injury can leave people in pain despite medical intervention. Medications for Inflammation There are many ways to manage pain. Medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful. As the name implies, they help in reduci

n nA spinal disc herniation , incorrectly called a "slipped disc", is a medical condition affecting the spine, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion (nucleus pulposus) to bulge out. This tear in the disc ring may result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators which may directly cause severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression (see "chemical radiculitis" below). This is

Bikram Yoga, or hot yoga is something I have been doing on and off for quite a long time. Actually I started before my chronic back pain began. Before I get into a discussion of whether or not Bikram Yoga has had a curative effect on my back pain, I will spend a couple of sentences describing this particular type of Yoga for the benefit of those who may not have come across it before. Bikram Yoga was developed by a fellow called Bikram Choudhury in Los Angeles in the 1970s bu

Summary: If you have been toying with the idea of purchasing an electric blanket - WAIT. Read through this article and find out what's the "in" thing nowadays and why. rnJoe Henderson of Michigan gets pissed off every time his wife, Mary, snuggles close to him at night; her hair tickling his nostrils, he spends the night chasing sleep instead of enjoying it. When snuggling in bed drives your husband nuts, you better take an immediate step before he gets used to sleeping in th

In regard to your health, the most important piece of furniture you own is your mattress. You spend approximately one third of your life in bed. An uncomfortable mattress can have a negative effect on the quantity and quality of your sleep. This is especially the case for millions of back pain sufferers who have been ill advised over the last several decades that a firm mattress is best for them. In actuality there are several factors to consider when choosing the best mattre

Neck Pain is a common medical condition. Neck pain can come from a number of disorders and diseases of any tissues in the neck, such as degenerative disc disease, neck strain, whiplash, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve. Neck pain is also referred to as Cervical Pain. The symptoms include pain in the neck and is commonly associated with dull aching. Sometimes pain in the neck is worsened with movement of the neck. Other symptoms associated with some forms of neck pain incl

In an endeavor to keep up with the fast paced life, the mankind, already enduring a monotonous lifestyle, has been essentially necessitated to explore newer, yet unsure options to make a living for itself. This largely in the dark is contributing to ever increasing health hazards, ‘Aching back’, a new add-on to the list. A recent pie break up published in a leading medical journal revealed how rapidly it is affecting the urban population and more across the advanced natio

The normal approach people take when trying to fix back pain is to prescribe a series of stretching and exercises. I want to go through some of the reasons why in my opinion exercises don’t work as intended either.

Life is full of stress and its physical effects can be felt throughout the body. Too much stress can lead to heart and blood pressure problems, ulcers and strokes, and the list goes on. You can hurt your back by lifting something but accumulated emotional stress and mental strain can also create ...

Like most of my patients, you probably spend at least 8 hours a day working. For whatever your profession is, a set of ergonomics has been developed for it. The science of ergonomics was created to design workplace environments, furniture, devices, and specific positions that would allow people to work comfortably and productively during their workday, without injury or strain, regardless of their occupation. Ergonomics and Work-Related Risk Factors Ergonomics involves assess

nOne of the pioneers in proposing the benefits of a forward-sloping seat was Danish surgeon Dr. A.C. Mandal. He had found that the only way he could remain seated without incurring backpain was to lean forward on the front legs of his chair. He also observed that many school children did the same thing when trying to ease back pain brought on by poorly designed school furniture. nMandal recommended that the seat pan should slope forward by 15°. When we take up this position

When the higher incorporates the lower into its service, the nature of the lower is transformed into the higher.rn rn-Meister Eckhart rnWhen someone’s back “goes out” where does it go?rn rnMy experience working hands on with thousands of people from over 50 countries has shown me that “out” is more than just a mechanical misalignment -- even when a physical injury has occurred.rn rnOne of Webster’s definitions for the word out is “In or into an insensible or unc

There are many misleading reasons people are given as causes for their back pain or sciatica, which, rather than providing a solution, just leave the pain sufferer more confused and frustrated. However, the reality is that these reasons don't uncover the underlying cause or source of back pain and sciatica because they don't go back far enough. Even when a bulging disc, muscle spasm or strained ligament is the cause, explanations are not given for what caused the ligament to be strained, the disc to bulge, or what caused the muscle to go into spasm in the first place.

Our bodies already contain the information on how to effectively combat oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. That information is stored in our genes. The secret lies in being able to instruct cells regarding the implementation of that information. Protandim does just that.

How can anyone manage to walk comfort when walking in high-heeled stiletto shoes? It seems that there are guidelines on the internet that show you how to balance in these incredibly high-heeled shoes, or stilettos as they are called in the fashion world. Sadly I must inform you about the dangers that you are causing to your skeletal gait by just walking in these so called shoes. High-heeled or stiletto shoes are not shoes at all, because they are crippling your feet and do

Your SI joint, or sacroiliac joint, is found in your pelvis. It connects your upper body and back to your hips and legs. Pain in this part of your body can be often be felt down to your buttocks or at the back of the thigh. When there is injury or inflammation in this area, it can really affect the movement because this is a joint that can transfer the upper body weight to your lower body. Kind of important, right? Activities as simple as walking up stairs to reaching things

Debbie is a 45 year old woman who I have been working with for about four years. She was diagnosed with a severe bipolar disorder at age twelve.r

Before we start, we must define lower back pain exercises. Exercise does not just mean stretching or lifting weights, exercises include such things as joint techniques, Acupressure techniques, Trigger Point techniques and neural stimulation. Why? These are all techniques you can perform yourself at home. Lower back pain exercises are there to reduce or eliminate your pain. If all you do is stretch or exercise the muscles you will only get temporary relief. Back pain no matt

n n Neck pain (or cervicalgia) is a common problem, with two-thirds of the population having neck pain at some point in their lives.[1] It is increasing in both intensity, frequency and severity of episodes.[citation needed] As people are increasingly sedentary, live fast-paced and hectic lives, they place more stress and strain on the upper back and neck regions of their spines.[citation needed]nnNeck pain, although felt in the neck, can be caused by numerous other spinal is

A back brace can be used to treat a number of medical conditions and overuse or improper use of your back. Some of the causes of back pain can include: • Strained ligaments and musclesrn• Improper lifting of heavy itemsrn• Moving awkwardlyrn• Ruptured or bulging disksrn• Arthritisrn• Scoliosisrn• Back pain that is stress-induced In the United States, approximately four out of five people experience back pain at least one time during their lives. It is a common r

Your daughter rolls out of bed to the sound of a blaring alarm and heads for the shower. She brushes her teeth, washes her face, dresses herself with the outfit you left out the night before, and heads downstairs for a piping hot bowl of oatmeal that her father just prepared for her. After breakfast, she grabs her backpack and jams her science and math textbooks inside, followed by her spelling workbook, lunch bag, and the makeup she is hiding from you. She slings the bag loo

Desiccation is a scientific word meaning "dry" and when referring to a spinal intervertebral disc it means that the inside of the disc is drying out.

n n Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder which affects the lumbar segment of the spine. It can be either acute, subacute or chronic in its clinical presentation. Typically, the symptoms of low back pain do show significant improvement within two to three months from its onset. In a significant number of individuals, low back pain tends to be recurrent in nature with a waxing and waning quality to it. In a small proportion of sufferers this condition can become c

The lumbar spine is composed of five vertebrae; each one is connected to the next by the intervertebral disc and two facet joints. The discs between each vertebra are made up of a tough outer ring called an annulus and a soft inner core called the nucleus pulposis. The annulus is a ligament like material that connects the vertebra together around the outer edge. It provides a tough strong connection between the vertebrae and holds the soft jelly like nucleus pulposis in place

Ultimately, sitting in traditional chairs can lead to “sitting-oriented disorders,” or SOD. This includes discomfort while sitting, poor posture, neck and shoulder problems, lower-back pain, strained joints in the lower extremities, weakened circulation, poor breathing, and general fatigue. The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) estimates that 80 percent of American workers experience back pain at some point in their careers. For many, it is directly attribu

n n Sciatica is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five nerve roots that give rise to the sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the sympt

Cancer is a disease - not a tumor. The tumor is just the result, a symptom of the disease called cancer. Therefore, unless the disease called cancer is cured, it will continue to create new tumors even if they were removed successfully in the past. To treat cancer successfully one needs to know what to treat. Conventional and alte ative medicine focus solely on tumors but this is not enough. Instead, for cancer treatment to be successful it has to focus on three components: the tumors, the cancer disease and the cancer miasm.

The psoas muscle (which is sometimes referred to as the Iliopsoas) is a large muscle that connects the upper back and the inner thigh. Though it might be difficult to imagine how a muscle could make this connection, the psoas is an extremely important muscle. It help to stabilize and torso as well as rotate the hips. This muscle helps you sit up from lying down, stand up from sitting down, and it helps you walk. The psoas is very important in our day-to-day life. But sometime

If you’ve been suffering from sciatica for awhile, you probably know just how ineffective and expensive all the traditional treatments can be. Chiropractor visits and physical therapy aren’t cheap, and you have to keep going back over and over again. Painkillers don’t really fix the problem, but your doctor keeps giving them to you anyway. Surely there has got to be a better alternative. If you’re at your wit’s end and you’re ready to explore some alternative trea

Okay, so you’ve got some back pain. What’s the first thing that pops into your mind? If you’re like most people, you probably think about a visit to the chiropractor. But is chiropractic care actually safe? Did you know that chiropractic manipulation of the neck is actually quite dangerous? There are certain plaque deposits and small blood clots that form naturally in your neck, and it is possible for chiropractic adjustments to loosen those. If they get released into t

A good night’s sleep is indeed very important for everyone to have. It can dictate to a large extent the way your next day will unfold. Whether you will be productive or not, energetic or fatigued, is primarily determined by the amount and quality of sleep that you get. This is why many people are now buying orthopedic pillows to help them get the kind of sleep that allows them to greet the following day with a smile. Of course, you’ll have to make sure that the orthopedi

Healthcare rebuttals are needed when dealing with medical claim denials, and have to be drafted with great care. These must contain a summary of the key facts plus an outline of the opposition’s case. A rebuttal constitutes a rejoinder to an argument or evidence, which is intended to disprove it. Considered an important part of a fair trial, rebuttals are vital tools to medico-legal entities involved in medical litigation. Healthcare rebuttals are required in cases dealing

Discitis is relatively uncommon but it usually affects children under the age of ten. It is a low grade infection, usually caused by staphylococcus or a virus. It affects the disc space between two vertebrae and develops very slowly. Medical experts say this should be viewed in the same category ...

Proper footwear is a very important consideration when it comes to back pain relief. Not wearing the proper footwear can be a major contributing factor to ongoing lower back pain. If the correct footwear is being worn, it can help decrease pain by properly aligning the foot when it hits the ground and during takeoff. If the foot is aligned correctly when it hits the ground, the forces and weight are evenly distributed throughout the foot, ankle, knee and hip. When the foot ma

What is the Benefit of a Diagnostic Based Pain Assessment for treating Chronic Pain with Medical Massage? Medical Massage Therapy, when combined with Diagnostic Testing, as part of a Comprehensive Pain Assessment, can be a highly effective tool for Chronic Pain Management. Can Medical Massage treat Chronic Pain effectively without a Diagnostic Based Pain Assessment? Without a Diagnostic Testing based Pain Assessment, the Massage Therapist can only guess and make assumptions at what the appropriate Chronic Pain Treatment Plan for a patient should be.

One of the best ways to relieve the pain of Sciatica is with stretching exercises. Since most cases of Sciatica are caused by muscular imbalances or poor posture (which often results in muscle imbalances over time), stretching can help you to strengthen weak muscles and release the tension to tight or contracted muscles. Here are a few of the most effective stretching exercises for Sciatica that I’ve encountered. Piriformis Stretch - Your Piriformis is a muscle located deep

It's no secret that many women suffer through their monthly periods, experiencing cramps, bloating, and lower back pain, to name just a few. But a large number of them—estimated at anywhere from 30 to 90 percent—also endure the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Most women feel some discomfort before their periods. But if you have PMS, you may feel so anxious, depressed, or uncomfortable that you can't cope at home or at work.nn What causes PMS? nnNo one know for su

The results of a study on children carrying heavy backpacks was just published in January of 2010 in the journal Spine. The study showed that when weight was added to backpacks that children were wearing, their spines showed more compression and curvature. The weights were 9, 18, and 26 pounds. The children also reported more pain when more weight was added. So, is it bad to carry weight on your back? Actually, when wearing a backpack, the weight rests on the shoulders, as is common in many countries around the world where people still have natural, healthy posture.

You want to relieve back pain quickly, which is the goal of most people who suffer with back pain. Firstly can I warn you... Relieving back pain is great, as long as you still aim to remove all the causes. If not your back ache will repeat again and again. Below is a simple technique you can do to relieve back pain, and it will work quickly. But it will work only for short term back pain relief. If you are unsure of the causes of your backpain then I'll explain. There are

With the event of the upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing , the eToims blog news will relate to the muscles and nerves responsible for performing the various sports events in the Games. This week we hail the Olympics with blogging about injuries associated with competitive swimming. The ...

Dealing with a bulging disc can be difficult. Of course it probably hurts since there's a good chance it is pushing up against a nerve, but it can also be a little bit scary as well. I mean, it's kind of frightening to think that there is something going wrong with your body and if you don't take care of it, you might end up with a herniated disc and need to go in for an operation. I previously wrote about 3 ways to treat a bulging disc. Here are 4 more common treatments for

Low back pain is one of the most common complaints in those over the age of 21. A number of different conditions can cause low back pain, though muscle irritation is one of the most common causes. Other causes of pain in the lower back are spinal stenosis and disc herniation, otherwise known as a "slipped disc." While severe cases of lower back pain may require frightening surgical treatment, such as spinal fusion or disc replacement surgery, most cases can be treated through

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment used to address various health conditions related to the spine. It is FDA approved and non-invasive. Spinal decompression therapy is a revolutionary treatment for addressing spinal complaints. This article provides information about spinal decompression therapy, its advantages, treatment approaches, risk factors and treatment time. Spinal decompression treatment has been proven effective in treating conditions such as: Herniate

Back pain is common. In fact, the vast majority of people at some point in their lives suffer from back or neck pain. According to a 1998 report by the Journal of Neuroimaging, more than 26 million Americans between the ages of 20-64 experience frequent back pain, making back pain the second most common reason for seeing a doctor. In some cases the cause is minor, perhaps just a strained muscle, and the pain goes away on its own in relative short time. Even in more serious co

We all are well aware of the importance of balanced diet and nutrition for our proper health and strong immune system. While we all know that balanced diet is composed of carbohydrates, fats, protiens, vitamins and minerals, little do we know that proper digestion and absorption of these vital nutrients is equally important for good health and immunity.rnAs soon as food enters our body, it is broken down into smaller particles with the help of various chemical reactions. Thes

If you are looking to learn a new skill that gives you the opportunity to move into more effective back care with your own clients then Do Spinal Therapy is just the right modality for you. Sure as massage therapist you would see many clients suffering from some sort of back or neck pain and ...

If you’ve suffered from sciatica for quite some time, you probably are at least a little fed up with the conventional treatment plans out there. Painkillers, chiropractic, and stretching exercises that just don’t seem to lead to any lasting relief. Well, alternative treatments can actually be just as effective. Here I’d like to talk about 4 simple alternative treatments for sciatica: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - Acupuncture, as you may already know, is the use o