Sciatic Nerve Pain

Archive for the ‘back pain treatment’ Category

Upper back pain is primarily a result of irritation of muscles and while it is not as common as lower back pain, it can be very painful and restrictive.

Many people are suffering upper back pain caused by work conditions, and poor posture and stress are often the cause.

Here’s a quick test. Next time you are at your computer just pause for a second and take note of your posture. Chances are your shoulders are hunched and you are leaning forward.

Now sit with your back straight. Even better get a chair that allows you to sit comfortably with your back in it. See how different your posture is now?

Try to pay attention to your posture on a regular basis. You’ll be surprised how often you catch yourself in the wrong position, but are able to self-correct and help your back.

You might on occasion find yourself waking up with upper back pain. If it’s a common occurrence, chances are that it’s your pillow that’s at fault.

When you first get a pillow, you head is a couple of inches off the mattress. But over time, the pillow gets flattened, and your head may only be half an inch off the mattress. This shift in position could be what’s making you more susceptible to upper back pain.

Aggressive treatment for upper back pain

A great way to treat upper back pain, especially throbbing upper back pain, is icing. Ice your upper back 3-4 times per day for 10 – 15 minutes, for two days.

Talk with your doctor about anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen. My experience has been that the doctor will advise a stronger dosage than what’s on the label and that can accelerate your recovery.

Exercises for upper back pain

If your pain is bad and lasts for a few days, go and see your doctor. Chances are that he will start you on exercises for your upper back to help recover from injury. Exercises that are often recommended include the following which should only be done after being advised by your doctor:

1.Standing in the corner of a room, about two feet or so from the wall. Put your hands on the walls at chest height. Then lean in to the corner until your shoulders are level with your hands. You will feel the stretch across your upper back and shoulders. Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds. Don’t lean in past your shoulders though since this can cause injury.

2.Stand or sit up straight. Now pull back your shoulder blades so that it feels that you are trying to touch them. Feel the stretch across your chest and shoulders.

Don’t try and rush your recovery from upper back pain. Follow your doctor or physiotherapist’s advice and you’ll increase your chances of being pain free sooner rather than later.

Frank Thornton
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/how-to-treat-upper-back-pain-119980.html

When it comes to back pain, sufferers can relate that anything goes in the battle to alleviate discomfort. Back pain can significantly disrupt your life leaving you incapable of performing simple activities. And while an evening rest may be a respite for some, for those suffering from back pain, being in bed only leads to restless tossing and turning. It’s no wonder that more and more people turn to back pain medication to allow them a reprieve from discomfort and promote healing.

There is a large range of back pain medication on the market today that extends from over-the-counter concoctions and more complex pharmaceutical drugs to more holistic forms of treatment. Ultimately, the type of back pain medication that you choose should be decided together with your doctor.

Some of the more common back pain medication is that which can be found over the counter in most drug stores. Pain relief medications such as Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, and the like, can all be most helpful in alleviating back pain. Most work to reduce the inflammation of aggravated back muscles thus giving injuries time to heal. However, over-the-counter back pain medication is meant to address less acute back pain and, therefore, is recommended for shorter term use.

For longer lasting and recurring back pain associated with more complex injuries, most people find that the use of prescription medications, as recommended by their doctor, works well to combat pain. This back pain medication almost always includes the use of muscle relaxants that allow the body to regroup and begin the healing process. As adequate rest is essential for the body to promote healing, the use of prescription back pain medication can be most helpful at night in order to get a restful, pain-free sleep.

There are those, however, who prefer to approach back pain with a holistic approach. There is naturally derived back pain medication that, in many cases, will work just as well as over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Some examples include herbal topical creams that are applied specifically to painful areas and works to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Further, herbs and minerals taken by mouth – such as ginger and magnesium – contain the properties necessary to reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Health food stores and holistic healing centers can offer a wide variety of natural alternatives for pain relief; appeal to knowledgeable employees to help guide the way. But, as always, be sure to consult your doctor before taking any back pain medication.

In line with the holistic approach is also the consultation of acupuncturists, chiropractors, and physical therapists as part of a natural alternative to back pain medication. Professionals such as these will work to strengthen and realign the natural function of the body, allowing muscles to heal themselves.

Back pain medication must be tailored to meet the needs of your specific situation. Working with your medical professional to find the best possible program for you will help alleviate pain and set you on a path of health and vitality.

Michelle Bery
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/combating-discomfort-with-back-pain-medication-117998.html

The health of your back depends to a great extent on your posture and body movements, your ability to cope with stress, and your exercise regime.

Many types of back pain can be blamed on weak abdominal and back muscles. That’s why most doctors oppose prolonged bed rest for back pain and instead recommend light physical activity along with pain relief medication and other proactive treatments.

Physical activity may not only provide pain relief, but it can also prevent future back pain. Along with pain relief medication, many doctors and physio-therapists tailor individualized exercise routines to treat patients who suffer from various types of back pain.

A typical exercise program for back pain may involve stretching and strengthening exercises, flexing, and endurance training. A variety of exercises and techniques are available for back pain relief; your doctor can help you choose an appropriate routine, taking into account the cause and severity of your back pain.

Advantages of Exercise for Back Pain Patients

Along with a healthy diet, doctors recommend exercise as an important component of a healthy lifestyle for most people, not only those who suffer from back pain.

The potential benefits of an exercise program for back pain may include: * Immediate, short-term pain relief * Stretching of tight, contracted muscles * Strengthening of weak muscles, which can contribute to back pain * Reducing mechanical stress on the back * Stabilizing the back * Increasing the ease and efficiency of body movements * Improving posture, which can guard against future back pain * Minimizing the frequency and magnitude of chronic back pain * Increasing the likelihood of quicker recovery from back pain in the future * Improving fitness to prevent future injuries

A Basic Exercise Program for Back Pain Relief

A basic exercise program for dealing with back pain involves strengthening the back and supporting muscles. If you have injured your back or have other health problems such as osteoporosis, start the exercises only after consulting with a doctor.
You can start on a gentle stretching and strengthening routine if you have no serious spinal problems.

Exercise #1 For Back Pain Relief:
Abdominal contractions gently stretch the back muscles: 1. Lie on your back. Bend your knees and place your hands below the ribs. 2. Tighten your stomach muscles to squeeze the ribs toward the back. Do not hold your breath. 3. Keep your muscles contracted for five seconds and then release. 4. Repeat ten times.
Exercise #2 To Prevent Back Pain:
Even when you no longer have back pain, doctors often recommend that you continue exercising to strengthen the back. Choose exercises that help align your body correctly and improve your posture to prevent back pain from recurring. For example, curling against the wall can help improve your standing posture. 1. Stand with your back against the wall, with your feet approximately six inches away from the wall. 2. Bend your knees and drop your head and shoulders. 3. Pull your stomach in and slowly roll up one vertebra at a time against the wall.
Exercise #3 To Prevent Back Pain
Strong abdominal muscles prevent many types of back pain so exercises that involve those muscles are often part of physical therapy programs designed to avoid back pain. For example, diagonal crunches not only strengthen the stomach muscles, but also keep the tummy from sagging. 1. Lie on your back. Place your hands behind your head. Bring your knees to your chest at right angles to the waist and cross your feet at the ankles. 2. Exhale slowly while raising your trunk, and move your right elbow as much as you can to the left knee. Slowly lower your trunk. 3. Repeat with the left elbow and the right knee. 4. Repeat ten times.
To improve fitness, you may wish to include stamina-building exercises such as aerobics. As these exercises are more rigorous, start them slowly and only after checking with your physician.
Always warm up before the physical activity and cool down afterward. Walking or light jogging, bicycling, and swimming are some exercises that can provide excellent aerobic conditioning.
Alternative Exercise Therapy Options for Back Pain Relief and Recovery A variety of alternative exercise therapies and programs are available to help alleviate, cure and prevent future back pain. Some of the more popular programs are:

* Tai Chi Chuan: This gentle martial art form provides exercise for the body, while helping the mind to concentrate. The movements relax the muscles, free the joints, and ease tension. Some people suffering from back pain use this technique along with pain relief medication.

* Yoga: This ancient Indian tradition involves a wide range of mind-body exercises including postural and breathing exercises, deep relaxation, and meditation. Many yoga postures focus on increasing spinal strength and flexibility, which can provide back pain relief. According to researchers, regular yoga practice may also prevent some types of chronic back pain.

* Chi Kung: Also known as Qigong, this ancient Chinese system of exercise focuses on breathing and posture while teaching the mind to concentrate. Chi Kung therapists claim that this system may be used effectively for back pain relief.

* Feldenkrais Method: This exercise technique aims to increase the ease and efficiency of body movements. Therapists try to increase your awareness of body movements, while teaching you to recognize and correct muscle tension.

* Buteyko Breathing Technique: This Russian therapy involves exercises in slow breathing and holding the breath. Therapists claim that this technique reduces muscle tension and can provide back pain relief.

Note: When you perform any type of exercise, it is imperative to distinguish between pain and the feeling of exertion. Pain is a signal from the nerves that a certain activity is wrong for you. If you experience pain while exercising, including back pain, you should instead start with mild exercises that feel comfortable.

Treating AND Preventing Your Back Pain

Exercise can be an important part of an effective treatment program for back pain. Customizing an exercise program that’s suitable for you can help you safely strengthen your back, improve your stamina and fitness, and prevent future back pain.

For more information on back pain and effective pain relief options, consult the online knowledge base at eDrugstore.md. To order prescription pain relief medications at discount prices, visit eDrugstore.md home page and look for the pain relief section.

Mark Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/how-to-exercise-for-back-pain-relief-443992.html

After many a valiant searches and researches, it is now universally accepted that, it is not medication but yoga that is the most effective treatment for various types of back pain. This is, however, not to say that all types of yoga exercises relieve back pain. Your yoga teacher will be able to tell you, depending upon the severity of your back pain, the types of exercises you need to start with.

There are specific poses for relieving the back pain. Yoga exercises should not be done under pressure or with artificial compulsion. That is, hold on to each poses for 5 to ten seconds. Yoga is never done on bare floor. Use a mat or any soft supportive surface. Yoga exercises need to be done regularly. Morning hours are preferred though.

Some of the important yoga postures mentioned in relation to back pain are Cat Stretch, Wind Releasing pose, Corpse pose, Sage Twist, Palm Tree, Fish pose, Locust, Bending forward pose and many more.

The problem with the modern lifestyles, whether in office or at home, is that your body gets limited type of physical exercise. For example, you sit in a particular position in the office, for 8 to 10 hours. Other parts of the body are virtually left lazy. Even blood circulation is at times impaired. Toxins get deposited and the blood circulation is not proper so the problems start in that area.

Treatment for back pain has much to do with muscle relaxation. If muscles are stressed in particular part of the body, that surely means you have pain. Your local herbal medicine specialist or the Chinese Medical practitioner will be able to help you relieve your back pain, with medical formulations tested for back pain for thousands of years. The virtue of this sort of treatment is that they do not create any side effects.

Medication is okay, when you have back pain, herbal or any other. But, the real solution to get rid of the problem once and for all is to understand your body alignment. An insignificant looking thing may be the cause of your recurring back pain.

For example, the chair on which you sit. You sit in this chair for hours together and even if the alignment is slightly wrong, you suffer for the whole day. You feel uncomfortable, go on shifting from angle to angle, but over a period of time, your body will protest in the way, it should- by reporting pain. Unless the basic cause of the pain is treated, any medication is not going to do you any good.

So, home back pain relief methods are the best, only you have to chose your method and follow it with regularity and sincerity.

Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/how-to-seek-back-pain-relief-82119.html

According to a survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, 47% of Americans have experienced some form of foot pain in their life. Foot pain can affect every part of the foot, including the sole, arch, heel, and toes. Most causes of foot pain can be treated very easily, but there are different circumstances where surgery is necessary.

Some of the most common causes of foot pain include:

1). Bunions

This is a very common condition that affects the base of the big toe. It occurs when the big toe gets pushed toward the second toe.

Treatment: As soon as you notice a bunion forming, switch to wider, more comfortable shoes. If the bunion is severe and results in deformity or relentless foot pain, surgery may be needed. If surgery is suggested, get a 2nd opinion.

2). Plantar Fasciitis

If you experience foot pain in your heal when you wake up in the morning, chances are you have plantar fasciitis. This irritating foot pain means the band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes is inflamed.

Treatment: Stretching and rest will help you deal with the foot pain associated with plantar fasciitis. In some cases, anti-inflammatory medication is prescribed.

3). Corns

Corns are thickened skin on toes or side of the foot. They are typically caused by poor-fitting shoes.

Treatment: The foot pain experienced by corns can be easily eased by wearing properly-fitted shoes. If the foot pain is severe because of an infection around the corn, antibiotics may be prescribed. For immediate relief of foot pain, soak your foot in warm water, and then rub down the corn with a pumice stone, found in most drug stores.

4). Heel Spurs

A heel spur is a small hook of bone that forms on the heel bone. Heel spurs occur in almost 70% of patients with planter fasciitis. See a podiatrist is you think you have either condition. The podiatrist can determine the condition by taking and reviewing an X-Ray.

Treatment: Do not use heel inserts because they can increase your foot pain caused by heel spurs. Treatment may range from cortisone shots, to physical therapy, to a pair of customer made orthonics.

5). Tendonitis

Over time, wear and tear affects the tendons in the foot, specifically the Achilles tendon. Those who suffer from Achilles tendonitis liken the foot pain to a sharp smack to the back of the heel.

Treatment: Initially, doctors will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to alleviate foot pain. Physical therapy may also be recommended in order to strengthen the muscles.

If after two weeks of self treatment, your foot pain still persists, see your doctor or a podiatrist. Also, if you cannot bear weight on the foot, or if there is bruising, deformity, or blood present, a trip to the doctor is mandatory.

Ray Attebery
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/pain-foot-pain-treatment-suggestions-for-5-types-of-foot-pain-137992.html