No More Back Pain

Back Pain and Osteoporosis

2008-09-23T12:03:00.003+01:00

Spinal fractures that occur as a result of osteoporosis are actually quite common, occurring in approximately 300,000 people in the UK each year. The problem is that the fracture is not always diagnosed instead, the problem is often just thought of as general back pain, such as from a muscle strain or other soft tissue injury, or as a common part of aging. Because of this, approximately two thirds or 200,000 of the vertebral fractures that occur each year are not diagnosed and therefore not treated.
Spinal fractures due to osteoporosis often occur while doing something that causes relatively minor trauma to the spine, such as opening a window, an insignificant fall, or twisting while lifting. Advanced cases of osteoporosis can even lead to a vertebral fracture with routine activities that would normally not cause any trauma, such as sneezing, coughing or turning over in bed.
Vertebral fractures are usually followed by acute back pain, and may lead to chronic pain, deformity (thoracic kyphosis, commonly referred to as a dowager's hump), loss of height, crowding of internal organs, and loss of muscle and aerobic conditioning due to lack of activities and exercise.
A combination of the above problems from vertebral fractures can also lead to changes in the individual’s self-image, which in turn can adversely affect self esteem and ability to carry on the activities of daily living.

It’s important to note that fractures from osteoporosis don’t just occur in the elderly, they can also occur in people as young as 40 or 50 years old. Because osteoporosis is a “silent” disease, meaning that there are typically no symptoms until a fracture occurs, it is not uncommon for someone with back pain to be unaware of the fact that she has actually fractured a vertebra (or multiple vertebrae) in her spine.

Osteoporosis is fairly common disease, and is especially common in postmenopausal women. In fact, in a recent article published in the USA it estimated that approximately 25 percent of all postmenopausal women in the United States have had a vertebral compression fracture.

Osteoporosis also occurs in men, but is far more prevalent in women approximately four times as many women have low bone mass, or osteoporosis, as men.
Osteoporosis causes bones to thin and become more brittle and weak. When the bones in the spine weaken they can break or cave in under normal pressure. The thinning bones can collapse during normal activity, leading to a spinal fracture. These compression fractures can cause a great deal of pain and can permanently alter the shape and strength of the spine.

The type of break in the spine that is typically caused by osteoporosis is called a compression fracture, usually defined as a vertebral bone in the spine that has decreased at least 15 to 20% in height due to fracture (as seen on an x-ray). These compression fractures can occur in vertebrae anywhere in the spine, but they tend to occur most commonly in the upper back (thoracic spine), particularly in the lower vertebrae of that section of the spine (e.g. T10, T11, T12). They rarely occur above the T7 level of the spine.

With a compression fracture caused by osteoporosis, the fracture usually occurs in the front of the vertebra, collapsing the bone in the front of the spine and leaving the back of the same bone unchanged. This results in a wedge shaped vertebra. Because the majority of damage is limited to the front of the vertebral column, the fracture is usually stable and rarely associated with any nerve or spinal cord damage.

Unlike many other conditions that can be treated before a serious complication develops, usually a fracture is the first sign that someone has osteoporosis. By the time a fracture occurs, the osteoporosis is usually advanced and the individual is then susceptible to more vertebral fractures.

Cauda Equina

2008-07-27T18:27:00.008+01:00

Cauda Equina is known as a group of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord.

What is Cauda Equina Syndrome?

The rare condition that affects the nerve endings at the bottom of the spinal column which can have severe consequences to a person’s mobility if it is not dealt with immediately is known as Cauda Equina Syndrome.

This condition weakens the nerves, which then receive electrical impulses sent from the brain that permit the lower limbs and pelvic organs to carry out they purpose properly. If this condition is not dealt with it can cause permanent paralysis, problems with the bowel and bladder and impotency.

This condition can occur if a person has suffered a viral infection, narrowing of the spinal canal or a slipped disc which has not been treated. Also many spinal injuries are bought on by a violent jolt or blow such as one might obtain if involved in a car accident. Spina Bifida is a congenital deformity (an abnormality in the closure of the spinal canal) which can also play a part.

Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome
This condition has an extensive and altering mix of symptoms related to it but remember if any of the symptoms below are experienced then you should seek advice from your GP straight away.

• Stiffness when standing• Tingling prickling feeling in the legs, buttocks, thighs or feet • Numbness or pain in the legs• Bowel Dysfunction• Bladder weakness• Impotency
If any symptoms mentioned above appear over a continued period of time you should visit your doctor and give as much details as possible about the nature of the pain and the symptoms you have been experiencing.

In some cases the condition is only a temporary one that can be cured but for that to happen you have to give your doctor as much information as you can, that is very important. In these less serious cases the myelin covering that surrounds the nerves can become damaged so this can result in a temporary dysfunction, which can last quite a few weeks to a number of months.
In the more severe cases, the nerves (axons) be damaged but the good thing is that the nerves that run to the muscles (motor nerves) can grow back but this can be quite limited and can usually only be achieved after having surgery.

Diagnosis
Your doctor will examine you and assess your stability, reflexes, ability to stand and walk and also muscle strength. Your doctor may also ask for blood tests to be done and in severe cases a lumbar puncture too, which is when a needle is inserted into the lower spinal column to draw fluid for testing.

On top of this your doctor may also need x-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computerised Tomography) scans to try and put together a more thorough picture.
Again it is extremely important that if you believe you have any of the symptoms mentioned that you contact your doctor at once so that he or she can take the proper steps to try and limit the damage. It is vital to remember that not only can this problem cause severe problems with the spine and the lower limbs but it can have unpleasant effects on the bowel, bladder, and sexual organs, which, if not treated, can lead to almost certain paralysis.

It is also very important to make sure that you continue sitting with the correct posture in the workplace and if it is necessary for you to lift any heavy objects then you do so in the proper way.

Back Trouble UK

Rolfing

2008-07-23T11:08:00.004+01:00

Rolfing was invented by Ida P. Rolf (1896-1979), who received her PhD in biochemistry and physiology from Columbia University in 1920. She went on to work at the Rockefeller Institute in the departments of chemotherapy and organic chemistry.

Finding the available therapy methods of her time inadequate, Dr. Rolf investigated the effects of structure on function in her search to find solutions to health-related problems. The catalyst to this search was a deal she made with a piano teacher that suffered from muscular dysfunction in the hands. Dr. Rolf wanted very much for her children to learn piano from this particular teacher. If she was able to improve and correct the teacher’s disability Dr. Rolf did improve the piano teacher’s disability and thus began to teach classes on Rolfing worldwide. In 1971 she established The Rolf Institute in Boulder Colorado. In addition, there are currently Rolfing centers in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.

What Does ROLFING DO?
To see how Rolfing works is to look at the body in the gravitational field as a a fish in a body of water. As a fish is supported and lifted by water, we as humans can be supported and lifted by gravity. It is easy to see the lack of structural balance in an older person, bent over a cane. These imbalances don’t happen over night, they continually deteriorate the body’s capabilities. All of an individual’s history is recorded in their tissues, including falls, illnesses and psychological stress. Even the way a child copies a parent leaves a memory.

The human body’s adaptive nature will always work to integrate an injury. Rolfing helps release the body’s structure from the effects of time and trauma so that the body can do its job more effectively and efficiently. Preferably, Rolfing is used as preventive care, but when an injury is present it can enhance and expedite the healing process.

Who Can Benefit FROM ROLFING?
Rolfing can help anyone and everyone move closer to balance and vitality. The question is are you ready? In Rolfing, the client must actively participate in bringing their body back to balance in and out of the session. The session is only the beginning with increasing change continuing in the body as the client moves through their daily routine.

What Can I Expect in a ROLFING SESSION?
First of all, Rolfers are specialists in facilitating rapid and intense results. The goal is not pain instead its mechanisim is to melt the restrictions that are located at the origin and insertion points on the bone. With pressure and direction from the Rolfers hands and joint movement from the clients, synchronicity happens. Different tissues respond differently to pressure, the Rolfers job is to unlock the code for the different levels of tissure and fluide that surround the particular parts of the body. In some ways, like a hot iron press ironing out melting adheasions from dehydration, adheasions, lactic acid, injury, etc. Rolfers encourage rehydration and fluid consistancy at all spectrums of bodyily operations to support and maximize connection to the bodily fluids that promote regulartory functions for tissue health.

Clients can expect to move limbs and joints while the Rolfer with presssure, moves and holds certian tissues to create an energetic and yet physical release to allow tissues to resume a more healthy and balanced state. Every body is different so every body has it's own centerpoint, in respects to what bone alignment pattern is for them, balanced. The Rolfers job, is to help find what that is for the individual, their a guide of sorts, that facilitates growth at the mechanical level and for some also at the behavioral level. After all, there is the body, mind, spirit connection that is spoken in all tongue's, religons, cultures, myths, and legends.

To create a successful session, the client must be willing to explore new ways of operating in the body. This will help the client find a new and improved manner of movement and function that supports daily physical duties and personal expectations. This attitude will fuel the ability to interact effectively and efficiently in one’s own environment.

The Rolfing format is primarily an educational process and therefore implies an ongoing communication between the Rolfer and client. The client is often asked to make certain moves while the Rolfer is working. This helps the client to find and feel the new patterns of movement. The relationship between the Rolfer and client is a unique one. As trust, honesty and openness develop, the Rolfing process becomes an arena for personal transformation on the part of both individuals.

(NMT) Neuromuscular Therapy

2008-07-08T17:54:00.005+01:00

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a very specialised form of manual therapy. A therapist trained in NMT is educated in the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on the muscular and skeletal systems. The Neuromuscular Therapist is also educated in kinesiology and biomechanics and how to work in a clinical or medical environment.

By definition, Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilisation of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system.

Neuromuscular Therapy will be used to address five elements that cause pain:
1.Ischemia: Lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes hypersensitivity to touch
2.Trigger Points: Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body
3.Nerve Compression or Entrapment: Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone
4.Postural Distortion: Imbalance of the muscular system resulting from the movement of the body off the longitudinal and horizontal planes
5.Biomechanical Dysfunction: Imbalance of the musculoskeletal system resulting in faulty movement patterns (i.e., poor lifting habits, bad mechanics in a golf swing or tennis stroke or perhaps computer keyboarding) .

For a variety of reasons, when we strain muscles and fascia, either through impact or through a build up of chronic stress, the muscles go into spasm. This spasm can restrict blood flow and cause pain, as well as restricting mobility.
Sometimes muscles can be in tension for so long that they lack the energy to release, and form tight "knots" or "trigger points", a "contracture" or little hard bump in the muscle which can be responsible for debilitating back pain or neck & shoulder pain referring to other parts of the body. Fibromyalgia is a different condition, but it seems many patients with fibromyalgia have significant trigger point discomfort also.
Inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, bringing nourishment into the area, and reducing flow away, which reduces the spread of infection. If allowed to continue and become chronic, however, it can lead to restrictive adhesions and thickening of connective tissue.
Neuromuscular Therapy involves releasing Trigger Points in muscles & fascia, and encouraging flexibility in muscle and connective tissue.
Pressure is applied to these Trigger Points, until the congestion diminishes. A release of tension relieves pain and increases mobility. Greater blood flow will allow the healing process to take over.
Stretching the muscle and fascia afterwards helps to consolidate the relaxation, and you will be shown some stretches to practice after the session.Your therapist should conduct a postural assessment to evaluate which areas to address.
Neuromuscular Therapy can be researched easily on the web, and it is gaining ground as a key modality for the repair of soft tissues.

Terry O'Brien

Osteomyology

2008-06-24T11:09:00.003+01:00

Our hectic lifestyles ask a lot of our bodies so it should come as no surprise when, our bodies protest!

An Osteomyologist may well be able to help you. Increasingly, they are becoming an indispensable part of an integrated medical service that complements, supports and augments traditional health care practice.

Although treatment is not yet available on the NHS, it is widely available throughout the U.K., with home visits and 24 hour emergency cover sometimes available. However, most treatments take place within the privacy of a clinic or private treatment room.

Osteomyology, breaks down to Osteo (bone) myo (muscle) ology (study of) so, taken literally, it is the study (and specialisation) of bones and muscles.

The application of this knowledge of the body gives rise to a wide range of physical therapy techniques which are utilised and refined constantly by the Osteomyologist.

Osteomyologists are often already qualified experts in their own field which may be Osteopathy, Chiropractics, Manipulative Science, Kinesiology, Physiotherapy or indeed any one of a number of manually based medical disciplines.

When the practitioner feels restricted by the constraints of his/her chosen field, and find they are lacking the tools to achieve a satisfactory improvement in their client, the natural progression is to widen their knowledge beyond the limitations of their society and training – This is the most common reason for joining the ever expanding ranks of Osteomyologists.

What can an Osteomyologist treat?
1. Joint pain and neurological symptoms.
2. Back and neck pain including whiplash.
3. Pregnancy related symptoms including sciatic pain.
4. Sports injuries.
5. Chronic conditions such as arthritis.
6. Repetitive strain injury.
7. Posture problems.
8. Musculoskeletal dysfunction including reduced flexibility of the joints and spine.

Treatment has also been shown to be effective for the following conditions:
1. Migraine and headaches.
2. Period pains.
3. Behaviour problems in children.
4. Diabetes.
5. Stress.
6. Asthma.
7. Glue ear.
8. Colic in babies.
9. Sleep disturbance.
10. Strokes and other neurological problems.

Recent legislation has made it imperative that ALL employers have a duty of care towards their employees. Osteomyologists are often consulted by Health and Safety managers and Occupational Health Nurses to advise on the suitability of furniture and equipment etc. Many practitioners have experience of legal work, advising and preparing relevant documents to support accident and injury claims.

The Association of Osteomyologists

The Association of Osteomyologists foresaw this requirement for the advancement of experienced professional manual practitioners and sustains this progress through a training program of C.P.D. (Continuing Professional Development). Their logo shows the coming together of different bodies, meeting as one in the centre, and this is the whole concept of an Osteomyologist. He or she has decided that in order to treat their patients successfully, they have joined a group that believes in sharing each others expertise to the benefit of the patient.

Back Trouble UK

Back Supports Are Not Always The Answer!

2008-06-10T18:44:00.003+01:00

Spinal Lumbar or Lower Back Supports cannot really do anything to prevent pain in the lower back, a new review has reported.
The review, published in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, found that the large belts which can be worn around the waist when picking up or carrying heavy objects are as effective in reducing pain as education about lifting.
The researchers looked at 15 studies which involved over 15,000 people and looked at both the prevention and treatment of low back pain. They found that patients who did not use such supports reported the same levels of pain or reduced disability as those who had.

Lead author Ingrid van Duijvenbode said that the findings of the review indicate that lumbar supports should not be recommended for patients looking to treat or manage their low back pain.
She said: "There is moderate evidence that lumbar supports do not prevent low back pain or sick leave more effectively than no intervention or education on lifting techniques in preventing long-term low back pain. There is conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of lumbar supports as treatment compared to no intervention or other interventions."

A spokesman for the Arthritis Research Campaign, which funds a great deal of research into alleviating low back pain, said that in most cases, patients benefited from maintaining everyday activities and keeping as mobile as possible, rather than resting.
Unfortunately back pain tends to deter exercise, but medical opinion is now firmly in favour of movement and exercise as part of back care.

Top Tips:
DO & DON'T
Select a form of exercise suitable for your fitness level - if you are a beginner, work up gradually. Don't do much in your first few days. Your tolerance will be very low at first, and if you do too much you won't be able to do anything the next day. Also, you will be put off.

Find an exercise that you enjoy. You will be more likely to continue. Don't do impact sports like running, at least to start with.

Learn to stretch. Stretches should be done slowly and gently, without jerks or excessive force. Don't just copy others, especially athletes! To get it really right, book a session with a physiotherapist. Don't do sports which make you bend your back, or move suddenly, like cycling or squash, until your back is fully recovered.

Stop if an activity creates increasing pain in your back. Find a different sport until you are fitter. Don't waste money on a home workout machine. Most people quickly stop using them because they are so boring.

Wear good quality trainers. These are excellent for reducing impact forces with the ground, which otherwise generate a shockwave up the back. Don't avoid lifting altogether. Moderate loads on your back are needed to build up fitness in the back muscles. But lift correctly.

Don't play competitive team games to start with - you may be tempted to overdo it, or you might hurt your back in a collision.

The best type and intensity of exercise is different according to your condition, your fitness and the state of your back. You need some exercise, but not too much. That's why you may be given conflicting advice by different experts. If that happens, learn the broad principles and then go your own way - it's your body and only you can feel it.

The key is to start gently, choose your sports carefully, and gradually develop into a more strenuous regime. Getting fit is a stress/recovery process, while most bad backs result from too much or too prolonged stress, with incomplete recovery. Your exercise "sweet spot" will be unique to you, and will change as you get fitter and your back heals.

Find something that you enjoy and that can be easily incorporated into your daily life. This can be easy to achieve, for instance: if you normally get the bus to work, try getting an earlier one and getting off a few stops earlier. Park your car further away from your destination and walk.

When going out to lunch, try to find a restaurant that is within walking distance. Walk up or down stairs instead of taking the lift.

Why exercise is good for your back:
When abdominal and back muscles are toned, they work together like a natural corset for your back, providing support and improving posture.
Fit muscles have better fine control and more power in reserve, giving smoother motion during lifting and moving.
Fitness postpones fatigue, helping you avoid tired habits like not lifting correctly.
Exercise makes bones denser and stronger.
With stretching, exercise increases flexibility, helps you use good postures for lifting and sitting.
Helps you lose weight and stop smoking! Excess body weight and smoking are bad for backs.
Exercise improves blood circulation, and so enhances nutrition and recovery processes in your back.

Terry O’Brien
BackTrouble.co.uk

Homeopathy & Back Pain

2008-05-21T08:53:00.002+01:00

Back pain ranks second only to headaches as the most frequent pain location.
Four out of five adults will experience at least one bout of back pain at some time in their life.
Back pain can occur for no apparent reason and at any point on your spine.

The most common site for pain is your lower back because it bears the most weight and stress.

Although back pain is common, it's also quite possible for you to prevent most back problems with simple steps such as exercise and adopting new ways to sit and stand.

Even if you've injured your back before, you can learn techniques to help avoid recurrent injuries.

Limited rest combined with appropriate exercise and education is often the best course.
Acute back pain often goes away by itself in a few days or weeks.
An ice bag or hot water bottle applied to the back may also help to alleviate pain. Prolonged bed rest is not beneficial because it weakens muscles.

Exercising with Back Pain
Recommendations for preventing initial and recurring episodes of back pain include:
regular exercise stretching before participation in sporting activities
losing weight maintaining correct posture
using comfortable, supportive seats while driving
sleeping on the side with knees drawn up or on the back with a pillow under bent knees

Homeopathy

Many of the herbs used for pain relief use the same biochemical pathways as the non-opiate pain-relieving drugs, but they are not as effective. However, on the positive side, many of these herbs have multiple effects. Their antispasmodic and circulation-promoting constituents may make up for what these plants lack in prostaglandin- suppressing strength. Herbal formulas that combine prostaglandin-suppressing, antispasmodic, sedative, and antidepressant plants are commonly prescribed by professional herbalists in North America, Great Britain, and Australia

Chronic pain often creates other problems besides the pain itself. These may include: tension, spasm, insomnia, and depression. And while conventional pain medications may remedy one or two of these side effects, some formulas of herbs can address them all. A pain-reliever, an antispasrnodic, a sedative, and an antidepressant may all be in included in a typical herbal formula created by a medical herbalist. For example, one herbal combination may include equal parts of willow bark (for pain), cramp bark (for spasm), valerian (a sedative), and St. Johns wort (an antidepressant).

For example, if related to drink. .

Hot, moist herbal packs help relieve the pain and increase blood circulation on painful areas, while herbal teas, juices and extracts soothe muscles and nerves.

Camomile has a calming effect on smooth muscle tissue. Take it as 1-3 cups of tea, 10-20 drops of extract in a cup of liquid or 1-3 capsules daily.

Bromelain (pineapple extract) is a powerful anti-inflammatory (take 2-3 g daily at first, then 1-2 g as the pain eases). Other anti-inflammatories, effective when drunk as teas, are valerian, St. John's wort, and Jamaican dogwood.

Horsetail not only heals and builds connective tissue, but also normalizes the bowels and alleviates lower-back pain, much of which can be traced to a dysfunctional intestinal tract. Take internally as per camomile.

Burdock soothes the pain and purifies the blood. Take 1-3 capsules or 10-25 drops of extract in 1 cup liquid daily.

If the muscle tension is due to emotional stress, take borage, St. John's wort, lemon balm or valerian teas.

Fresh yarrow juice is excellent for strengthening back muscles.

Use a white or black mustard seed pack for more intense heat. A mustard pack should not be left on for more than ten minutes because it can irritate the skin.

An infusion of meadowsweet three times a day combined with a rub on the area with lobelia and cramp bark is useful for physical strain or rheumatic problems.

Here are some herbs that are useful in pain relief.

Hot Peppers
Cayenne pepper (Capsicum spp.) is used in formulas for liniments and plasters in the folk medicine. Red pepper contains a pain-relieving chemical--capsaicin--that is so potent that a tiny amount provides the active ingredient in some powerful pharmaceutical topical analgesics. One product, Zostrix, contains only 0.025 percent capsaicin.

The exact mechanism in which red pepper works is not known. But it sure does work. Red pepper's effectiveness may be due to:

Capsaicin interferes with our pain perception
Capsaicin trigger release of the body's own pain-relieving endorphins
Salicylates present in red pepper.

How to Apply

1. You can buy a commercial cream containing capsaicin and use that.

2. Mash a red pepper and rub it directly on the painful area.

3. Take any white skin cream that you have on hand such as cold cream. Mix in enough red pepper to turn it pink.

4. Place 1 ounce of cayenne pepper in a quart of rubbing alcohol. Let the mixture stand for three weeks, shaking the bottle each day. Then, apply to the affected part during acute attacks.

5. Place 1 ounce of cayenne pepper in a pint of boiling water. Simmer for half an hour. Do not strain, but add a pint of rubbing alcohol. Let cool to room temperature. Apply as desired to the affected part.

Caution: Do not ingest any of these remedies. Wash your hands thoroughly after preparing or using red pepper. Don't get it in your eyes.

Some people are sensitive to this compound. Test it on a small area of skin to make sure that it's okay for you to use before using it on a larger area. If it seems to irritate your skin, discontinue use.

Cramp Bark and Black Haw
For the treatment of spasmodic pain, both cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) and black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) have been used in American Indian medicine. The Indians used cramp bark to treat both menstrual pain and muscle spasm. Cramp bark and black haw were also used hisatorically for arthritic or menstrual pain. The plants contain the antispasmodic and muscle-relaxing compounds esouletin and scopoletin. The antispasmodic constituents are best extracted with alcohol. So use tinctures rather than teas. Black haw also contains aspirin- like compounds.

Directions: Mix equal parts of cramp bark and black haw tinctures. Take between 1 and 4 droppers every two or three hours for up to three days.

Willow Bark
Willow bark (Salix alba) was used for treating pain by the ancient Greeks more than 2,400 years ago. American Indians throughout North America used it as a pain reliever even before the arrival of the European colonists. Investigation of salicin, a pain-relieving constituent in willow bark, led to the discovery of aspirin in 1899. The most important active constituent is salicin, but other anti-inflammatory constituents also appear in the willow bark.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and other mints.
The compounds menthol and camphor are found in many over-the-counter backache medications. They are chemicals that can help ease the muscle tightness that contributes to many bad backs. Menthol is a natural constituent of plants in the mint family, particularly peppermint and spearmint, although the aromatic oils of all the other mints contain it as well. Camphor occurs in spike lavender, hyssop and coriander.

Ginger
Ginger is used to treat various sorts of pain in the folk medicine of China and India. It is an important pain medication in contemporary Arabic medicine. Ginger contains 12 different aromatic anti-inflammatory compounds, including some with mild aspirin-like effects.

Directions: Cut a fresh ginger root (about the size of your thumb) into thin slices. Place the slices in a quart of water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer on the lowest possible heat for thirty minutes in a covered pot. Let cool for thirty more minutes. Strain and drink 1/2 to 1 cup, sweetened with honey, for taste if needed.

Rosemary
Drinking rosemary tea for pain is a remedy used in the contemporary Hispanic folk medicine of Mexico and the Southwest. Its leaf also contains four anti-inflammatory substances---camosol, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ursolic acid. Carnosol acts on the same anti-inflammatory pathways as both steroids and aspirin; rosmarinic acid acts through at least two separate anti-inflammatory biochemical pathways; and ursolic acid, which makes up about 4 percent of the plant by weight, has been shown in animal trials to have anti-arthritic effects.

Directions: Put 1/2 ounce of rosemary leaves in a 1-quart canning jar and fill the jar with boiling water. Cover tightly and let it stand for thirty minutes. Drink a cup as hot as possible before going to bed, and have another cupful in the morning before breakfast.

Epsom Salt Baths
Folk traditions call for Epsom salt baths to relieve pain. Epsom salt was reputed to have magical healing properties. Epsom salt is primarily magnesium sulfate and has been used medicinally in Europe for more than three hundred years. The heat of an Epsom salt bath can increase circulation and reduce the swelling of arthritis, and the magnesium can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the body, participating in at least 300 enzyme systems. Magnesium has both anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties.

Directions: Fill a bathtub with water as hot as can be tolerated. Add 2 cups of Epsom salts. Bathe for thirty minutes, adding hot water if necessary to keep the bath water warm.

Angelica
Various species of angelica have been used to quiet pain by American Indians throughout North America. The European species (Angelica archangelica) and the Chinese species (Angelica sinensis) have been used in the same way in the folk medicine of Europe and China respectively. The Chinese species is sometimes sold in North America under the names dang gui or dong quai. All species contain anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and anodyne (pain- relieving) properties. The European species of angelica has been used in European folk medicine since antiquity, as has the Chinese species in Chinese medicine.

Directions: Place 1 tablespoon of the cut roots of either species of angelica in a pint of water and bring to a boil for two minutes in a covered pot. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, until the tea cools to room temperature. Drink the pint in 3 doses during the day.

What ever you decide to do with regard to treating your medical condition, always consult with your GP before starting any alternative therapies or medicines.

Coping with a Whiplash Neck Injury.

2008-05-08T18:14:00.004+01:00

Even with the many advances in medicine and in particular skeletomuscular medicine, Whiplash is still not that well understood. Severity of injury varies considerably between people in the same types of car accidents, even when circumstances are similar.

Speed is a major factor, as is the weight of the vehicles.

There are several other factors involved. When the person sees the accident coming, the injury is often less severe. This may be because the nervous system has time to prepare.
The position of the neck at the time of impact also plays a role. Risk of injury appears to be greater when the head is turned to the side than when it is facing straight ahead - except in very low speed crashes. The position of the headrest is important - it needs to be at the proper height and distance from the head to reduce severity of injury. The strength of a person’s neck also plays a role. Females, having less strength in their necks, generally suffer more severe whiplash injuries than males.
Seatbelts with shoulder harnesses should always be used and head rests at the proper height for the person. The height of the headrest should be just above the ear. The distance between the headrest and back of the head should be two to four inches.
Symptoms may occur immediately after the injury or set in gradually over the next couple of days. It is common for a person with no immediate symptoms to wake up stiff and sore the next morning. Whiplash can vary greatly in severity and cause a wide range of symptoms. Not all people experience the same symptoms. Symptoms that develop rapidly often indicate a serious injury.
The most common symptoms of whiplash are neck pain and stiffness. The neck becomes stiff as muscles tighten up to protect the injured area from further injury by reducing motion.
Headaches are also common. Pain originating in the neck (from muscle spasms in the neck and/or irritated nerves in the back of the neck) is often referred to the head. The pain may felt be over the entire head or any area of the head - often over the forehead and behind the eyes.
There may be back pain or shoulder pain, or numbness or tingling in the arm. Other symptoms of whiplash include problems with memory and concentration, feelings of disorientation, dizziness, ringing in the ears, impaired hearing, blurred vision, sensitivity to sound and light, irritability, depression, and difficulty sleeping.
Neurological symptoms may be the result of injury to soft tissue injury to the neck or a mild brain injury or concussion. A sudden jolt to the head can jar the brain. Neurological symptoms often resolve within a week.
If symptoms occur immediately or shortly after the accident an ambulance should be called so that the neck can be immobilised during transport to a hospital emergency ward.
There may be serious injuries that may require immediate medical treatment (such as haemorrhage, fracture, dislocation, or spinal cord injury). In addition, auto accidents that result in whiplash may also result in other injuries such as chest injuries, back injuries, internal injuries, etc.
Always seek a proper diagnosis from a GP, even if the symptoms are mild. The diagnosis may be based upon symptoms alone, or an MRI or CT may be taken to see the extent of soft tissue injury. X-rays may be taken to rule out fractures or dislocation.

Treatment depends on severity of symptoms. If the injury is mild, applying ice packs at home for the first couple of days along with the short-term use of NSAIDs may be sufficient. If symptoms are moderate (especially if there is limited range of motion), physical therapy is often recommended. Massage therapy and/or spinal manipulation may also be beneficial.
Applying IceApplying ice every four hours for the first couple of days helps reduce inflammation (the main cause of the pain). Inflammation is greatest for the first two days. Wrap ice in a cloth and apply to area of neck pain for 20 minutes every three to four hours.
Medications
Anti-inflammatory medication to relieve both pain and inflammation such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin are often helpful. Your GP may prescribe muscle relaxants or pain medication that contains codeine for temporary use.
Physical Therapy
Depending upon the severity of the whiplash injury, physical therapy may be recommended by your GP. A physical therapist can prescribe range-of-motion exercises, teach proper posture to avoid excess strain on neck, treat pain with cold and heat, etc.
Prolonged Use of Soft Collars do Delay Recovery.
Soft collars may be helpful for the first two or three days, when pain and inflammation are at its greatest. Inflammation may trigger muscle spasms - a protective mechanism to restrict movement to prevent further injury. Wearing a soft collar helps relax the muscles to relieve pain. However, prolonged use of soft collars has been shown to delay recovery from whiplash. Intermittent use may be recommended in some cases.
*If a fracture or dislocation is involved, a wearing moulded collar may be necessary to stabilize the neck.
How quickly one recovers from whiplash depends largely upon the severity of the injury. How quickly the symptoms develop often correlate with the seriousness of the injury.
Mild whiplash injuries often heal completely within two to three weeks, moderate whiplash injuries within two to three months. Severe whiplash injury may take several months to heal. For some people, symptoms (such as mild neck pain and/or headaches) may linger for longer periods of time. If symptoms are still present after six months, the pain is considered to be chronic. Chronic symptoms may last for years. Whiplash injury may increase risk of degenerative changes in the discs and spinal joints.

Their have been cases were people report that new symptoms appear years after the initial whiplash injury, though it is difficult to determine whether or not symptoms that appear years later are related to the whiplash injury.

Terry O’Brien
BackTrouble.co.uk

Degenerative Joint Disease.

2008-04-28T15:37:00.003+01:00

Alternative Names: Hypertrophic osteoarthritis; Osteoarthrosis; Degenerative joint disease; DJD; OA; Arthritis-Osteoarthritis.

Causes
Unfortunately most of the time, the cause of OA is unknown. It is mainly related to aging, but metabolic, genetic, chemical, and mechanical factors can also lead to OA.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis usually appear in middle age and almost everyone has them by age 70. Before age 55, the condition occurs equally in both sexes. However, after 55 it is more common in women.

The disease causes the cushioning (cartilage) between the bone joints to wear away, leading to pain and stiffness. As the disease gets worse, the cartilage disappears and the bone rubs on bone. Bony spurs usually form around the joint.

OA can be primary or secondary.
Primary OA occurs without any type of injury or obvious cause.
Secondary OA is osteoarthritis due to another disease or condition. The most common causes of secondary OA are metabolic conditions, such as acromegaly, problems with anatomy (for example, being bow-legged), injury, or inflammatory disorders such as septic arthritis.

Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
Deep aching joint pain that gets worse after exercise or putting weight on it and is relieved by rest
Grating of the joint with motion
Joint pain in rainy weather
Joint swelling
Limited movement
Morning stiffness
Of course some people might not have symptoms.
Examination and Tests
A physical exam can show limited range of motion, grating of a joint with motion, joint swelling, and tenderness.
An x-ray of affected joints will show loss of the joint space, and in advanced cases, wearing down of the ends of the bone and bone spurs.

Treatment
The goals of treatment are to relieve pain, maintain or improve joint movement, increase the strength of the joints, and reduce the disabling affects of the disease. The treatment depends on which joints are involved.

MEDICATIONS
The most common medications used to treat osteoarthritis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are pain relievers that reduce pain and swelling. Types include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Although NSAIDs work well, long-term use of these drugs can cause stomach problems, such as ulcers and bleeding. Manufacturers of NSAIDs include a warning label on their products that alerts users to an increased risk for cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes) and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Other medications used to treat OA include:
COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs). Coxibs block a substance called COX-2 that causes swelling. This class of drugs was first thought to work as well as other NSAIDs, but with fewer stomach problems. However, reports of heart attacks and stroke have led the Drug Licensing Authorities to re-evaluate the risks and benefits of the COX-2s. Ask your doctor whether the drug is 1. Still available and if so 2. Right and safe for you.
Steroids. These medications are injected right into the joint. They can also be used to reduce inflammation and pain.

Supplements. Many people are helped by over-the-counter remedies such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. There is some evidence that these supplements can help control pain, although they do not seem to grow new cartilage.
Artificial joint fluid (Synvisc, Hyalgan). These medications can be injected into the knee. They may relieve pain for up to 6 months.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Exercise helps maintain joint and overall movement. Ask your health care provider to recommend an appropriate home exercise routine. Water exercises, such as swimming, are especially helpful.
Applying heat and cold, protecting the joints, using self-help devices, and rest are all recommended.
Good nutrition and careful weight control are also important. If you're overweight, losing weight will reduce the strain on the knee and ankle joints.

PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical therapy can help improve muscle strength and the motion at stiff joints. Therapists have many techniques for treating osteoarthritis. If therapy does not make you feel better after 3-6 weeks, then it likely will not work at all.

BRACES
Splints and braces can sometimes support weakened joints. Some prevent the joint from moving; others allow some movement. You should use a brace only when your doctor or therapist recommends one. Using a brace the wrong way can cause joint damage, stiffness, and pain.

SURGERY
Severe cases of osteoarthritis might need surgery to replace or repair damaged joints. Surgical options include:
Total or partial replacement of the damaged joint with an artificial joint (knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty )
Arthroscopic surgery to trim torn and damaged cartilage and wash out the joint
Cartilage restoration to replace the damaged or missing cartilage in some younger patents with arthritis
Change in the alignment of a bone to relieve stress on the bone or joint (osteotomy)
Surgical fusion of bones, usually in the spine (arthodesis)

Outlook (Prognosis)
Your movement may become very limited. However Treatment generally improves function.
Possible Complications
Decreased ability to walk
Decreased ability to perform everyday activities, such as personal hygiene, household chores, or cooking
Adverse reactions to drugs used for treatment
Surgical complications
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Do contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Prevention
*Weight loss can certainly help in the management of DJD and reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis in overweight women.

Degenerative Joint Disease

2008-04-28T15:27:00.004+01:00

Alternative Names: Hypertrophic osteoarthritis; Osteoarthrosis; Degenerative joint disease; DJD; OA; Arthritis-Osteoarthritis.
Causes
Unfortunately most of the time, the cause of OA is unknown. It is mainly related to aging, but metabolic, genetic, chemical, and mechanical factors can also lead to OA.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis usually appear in middle age and almost everyone has them by age 70. Before age 55, the condition occurs equally in both sexes. However, after 55 it is more common in women.

The disease causes the cushioning (cartilage) between the bone joints to wear away, leading to pain and stiffness. As the disease gets worse, the cartilage disappears and the bone rubs on bone. Bony spurs usually form around the joint.

OA can be primary or secondary.
Primary OA occurs without any type of injury or obvious cause.
Secondary OA is osteoarthritis due to another disease or condition. The most common causes of secondary OA are metabolic conditions, such as acromegaly, problems with anatomy (for example, being bow-legged), injury, or inflammatory disorders such as septic arthritis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
Deep aching joint pain that gets worse after exercise or putting weight on it and is relieved by rest.
Grating of the joint with motion.
Joint pain in rainy weather.
Joint swelling.
Limited movement.
Morning stiffness.
Of course some people might not have symptoms.

Examination and Tests
A physical exam can show limited range of motion, grating of a joint with motion, joint swelling, and tenderness.
An x-ray of affected joints will show loss of the joint space, and in advanced cases, wearing down of the ends of the bone and bone spurs.

Treatment
The goals of treatment are to relieve pain, maintain or improve joint movement, increase the strength of the joints, and reduce the disabling affects of the disease. The treatment depends on which joints are involved.

MEDICATIONS
The most common medications used to treat osteoarthritis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are pain relievers that reduce pain and swelling. Types include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

Although NSAIDs work well, long-term use of these drugs can cause stomach problems, such as ulcers and bleeding. Manufacturers of NSAIDs include a warning label on their products that alerts users to an increased risk for cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes) and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Other medications used to treat OA include:
COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs). Coxibs block a substance called COX-2 that causes swelling. This class of drugs was first thought to work as well as other NSAIDs, but with fewer stomach problems. However, reports of heart attacks and stroke have led the Drug Licensing Authorities to re-evaluate the risks and benefits of the COX-2s. Ask your doctor whether the drug is 1. Still available and if so 2. Right and safe for you.

Steroids. These medications are injected right into the joint. They can also be used to reduce inflammation and pain.
Supplements. Many people are helped by over-the-counter remedies such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. There is some evidence that these supplements can help control pain, although they do not seem to grow new cartilage.
Artificial joint fluid (Synvisc, Hyalgan). These medications can be injected into the knee. They may relieve pain for up to 6 months.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Exercise helps maintain joint and overall movement. Ask your health care provider to recommend an appropriate home exercise routine. Water exercises, such as swimming, are especially helpful.
Applying heat and cold, protecting the joints, using self-help devices, and rest are all recommended.
Good nutrition and careful weight control are also important. If you're overweight, losing weight will reduce the strain on the knee and ankle joints.

PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical therapy can help improve muscle strength and the motion at stiff joints. Therapists have many techniques for treating osteoarthritis. If therapy does not make you feel better after 3-6 weeks, then it likely will not work at all.

BRACES
Splints and braces can sometimes support weakened joints. Some prevent the joint from moving; others allow some movement. You should use a brace only when your doctor or therapist recommends one. Using a brace the wrong way can cause joint damage, stiffness, and pain.
SURGERY
Severe cases of osteoarthritis might need surgery to replace or repair damaged joints. Surgical options include:
Total or partial replacement of the damaged joint with an artificial joint (knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty )
Arthroscopic surgery to trim torn and damaged cartilage and wash out the joint
Cartilage restoration to replace the damaged or missing cartilage in some younger patents with arthritis
Change in the alignment of a bone to relieve stress on the bone or joint (osteotomy)
Surgical fusion of bones, usually in the spine (arthodesis)

Outlook (Prognosis)
Your movement may become very limited. However Treatment generally improves function.
Possible Complications.
Decreased ability to walk.
Decreased ability to perform everyday activities, such as personal hygiene, household chores, or cooking.
Adverse reactions to drugs used for treatment.
Surgical complications.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
Do contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Prevention
*Weight loss can considerably help in the management DJD and ceratainly reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis in overweight women.

Bio-Mechanics and Back Pain Relief.

2008-04-18T18:22:00.002+01:00

When our body is in the standing position it is in a state of unsteady equilibrium because the base is small and the centre of gravity is a long way above it. That is why it has to be balanced by keeping the centre of gravity over the base, otherwise the body would fall over.Equilibrium: The steadiness of the body depends on the size of its base and the distance of the centre of gravity from that base. An object having a large base and a low centre of gravity is not easily upset.The first thing necessary in order to accomplish good posture is to straighten the neck, keep the chin down and back.

The second important thing is correct deep breathing. The line of gravity in the fundamental standing position falls in front of the ears, and in front of the cervical and dorsal vertebrae, through the lumbar vertebrae, through the hip joint, and slightly in front of the ankle joint. But this probably varies in individuals according to their build and height."Biomechanics is that branch of science concerned with the understanding of the interrelationships of structure and function of living beings with respect to the kinematics and kinetics of motion"Poor Posture associated by the following:

Genetic disorders, Familial association, Irregular/no exercise, Bad habits when sitting or standing, Carrying excess loads, (School/shopping) Underweight/Overweight (Inadequate diet)Mental Attitude towards oneself.

Biomechanics is our way of describing how each bit of your body moves in relation to another bit.
Our bodies are fantastic at compensating when things are not quite perfect but unfortunately when we run out of compensations we usually end up with pain and stiffness.

Let’s have a look at some of the more common biomechanical problems:

Problem 1.
It’s the fashion not to tie trainers and shoes up but this prevents the shoe from supporting the inside of the foot and allows the foot to roll or ‘pronate’ too much in standing and walking.
This means the knee and the hip rolls inwards too much which makes the inside calf and inside thigh muscle shorter. The iliotibial band can then rub against the outside knee giving pain.
Further up, the bottom muscles become too long and stop working as they should do which puts added stress on the pelvis and low back joints. Before you know it you have back pain, knee pain and ankle pain! And all because of fashion!

Problem 2.
Whether you drive 5 miles or 500 miles a day your car seat is really important. In many cars the base of the seat slopes backwards. In fact some of the more expensive cars are the worst because they want you to feel ‘snug’ and safe in the seat. However, this position forces your pelvis to sit too far backwards.

Once this happens your low back and upper back flex forward too much but then your neck muscles have to work really hard to stop your head from flexing too much and allow you to see where you are going. This position then forces your shoulder blades to stretch too far forwards and a large stress is placed on both the front and the back of the shoulder.
The result is neck pain and /or upper or low back pain. This position can exacerbate sciatica as it is a big stretch for the nerves.

The solution is to raise the back of the seat so it becomes more horizontal. Some cars allow you to alter this angle but if yours does not then sit on a small cushion or buy a special wedge shape cushion that fits into the seat.

Terry O’Brien
Back Trouble UK.

The Silent Disease

2008-04-10T10:52:00.007+01:00

The Silent Disease is the name that is often given to Osteoporosis, as most people don't know they have osteoporosis until it has progressed often to the point of fracture, usually in the hip, wrist or spine. Even when undiagnosed osteoporosis results in a vertebral fracture, the pain is frequently dismissed as general back pain. This lack of awareness can lead to serious illness, deformity, even death.

Osteoporosis alone does not cause back pain. It can, however, weaken the spine to where it is no longer able to withstand normal stress or minor trauma, resulting in vertebral fracture. It is the ensuing fracture that causes pain.

Osteopenia is a condition where bone mineral density is lower than normal, but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. While often a precursor to osteoporosis, not everyone with osteopenia will develop osteoporosis. Since a diagnosis of osteopenia puts one at greater risk for osteoporosis, patients are encouraged to seek the advice of their physicians about implementing preventive measures.

Osteoporosis Causes and Risk Factors
Bones are made of complex, constantly changing, living tissue. They are able to grow and heal, and are also susceptible to changes in diet, body chemistry, and exercise levels.
Early in life, more bone is laid down than is removed by the body. People typically achieve peak bone mass by around age 30, after which more bone is lost than is replaced. Too much bone loss leads to osteoporosis.

Both of the two primary types of osteoporosis are far more common in women than men:

Type I osteoporosis (postmenopausal osteoporosis) —generally develops after menopause, when estrogen levels drop precipitously, leading to bone loss — usually in the trabecular (spongy) bone inside the hard cortical bone.

Type II osteoporosis (senile osteoporosis) — typically happens after age 70 and involves a thinning of both the trabecular (spongy) and cortical (hard) bone.

In addition, certain medications and medical conditions can damage bone and lead to what is known as “secondary osteoporosis”. Patients being treated for any of the following conditions should discuss the risk of osteoporosis with their physicians:

Endocrine disorders

Marrow disorders

Collagen disorders

Gastrointestinal disorders

Seizure disorders

Eating disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia)

It is important to distinguish between primary and secondary causes of osteoporosis because treatment is often different. To determine the cause, a thorough medical history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic tests need to be conducted (see Diagnosing Osteoporosis).

Key risk factors for developing osteoporosis include:

Advanced = age over age 65.

Gender = Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.

Heredity = Family history of osteoporosis or fracture on the mother’s side.

Personal history = any type of fracture after age 45.

Race = Caucasian and Asian women are at greater risk.

Body type= small-boned women weighing less than 127 pounds.

Menstrual history = Normal menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis and early menopause can exacerbate this risk.

Lifestyle = calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency; little or no exercise (especially weight-bearing exercise); alcohol abuse; smoking; too much cola/soda.

Testosterone deficiency (hypgonadism) = in men.

Why women are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis

Estrogen plays an important part in maintaining bone strength. Starting at about age 30 through onset of menopause, women lose a small amount of bone every year as a natural part of the aging process. When women reach menopause and estrogen levels decrease, the rate of bone loss increases for approximately 8 to 10 years before returning to premenopausal rates.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

Osteoporosis can go undetected for years and fracture is typically the first outward sign. Advanced osteoporosis is potentially disabling, often leading to one or more of the following:
fractures of the spine, wrist or hip

spinal deformity (e.g., lost height, hunched back)

chronic or severe pain

limited function and reduced mobility

loss of independence

decreased lung capacity

difficulty sleeping

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of spine fractures, especially in women over age 50, but only about one third of all spine fractures are diagnosed.

Most osteoporotic spine fractures (vertebral compression fractures) start with sudden back pain, usually after routine activity (lifting or bending) that slightly strains or jars the back. After a month or two, this acute pain is usually replaced by an achy pain (see Diagnosing vertebral compression fractures).

Osteoporosis Prevention

Postmenopausal (Type I) osteoporosis can be significantly influenced by preventive measures. Most of these behaviors are up to the individual and should be started as early in life as possible. For those genetically predisposed to osteoporosis, the following practices are even more important:
Exercise regularly weight-bearing exercises (activities that work one’s bones and muscles against gravity) are essential to maintaining bone health.

Ensure adequate calcium intake, Calcium plays a key role in keeping bones strong. Vitamin D is also essential, as it helps ensure absorption and retention of calcium in bones. Calcium and vitamin D requirements vary depending on age and gender.

Eat a balanced, healthy diet Certain foods provide excellent sources of calcium, while diets high in protein and/or sodium increase calcium loss.

Quit smoking - Smoking has a detrimental effect on bone density, leading to greater risk of injury and longer recovery times.

Limit alcohol consumption - While the exact way alcohol affects bone isn’t entirely understood, excessive alcohol use has been proven to accelerate bone loss.

Limit intake of colas/sodas - recent research indicates that too much cola or soda can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Undergo bone density testing - every 1-2 years if you are postmenopausal, over age 65, or have other risk factors. Bone mineral density (BMD) tests indicate normal, low or osteoporotic bone density levels, as well as any increased risk of fracture.

For more information, see How to prevent osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Treatment

Once osteoporosis has been diagnosed, patient and physician should work together to develop a treatment plan where the goal is to slow bone loss and prevent fractures. Treatment may include:
Education on diet/nutrition - see Food for Thought: Diet and Nutrition for a Healthy Back.

Exercise (if no fracture) - to help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of falls.

Medication - to slow bone loss and prevent fractures. Osteoporosis medications fall into two categories:

medications that slow or stop bone resorption (loss);

medications that increase bone formation.

Treatment for vertebral fractures, which may include:

rest, though long-term rest accelerates bone loss;

rigid back braces to support the spine;

ice/heat and pain medications;

surgery (kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty), which may be necessary in certain situations where the fracture is causing severe pain and/or deformity, or has failed to respond to three months of non-surgical treatment.

Do be positive because even once osteoporosis has been diagnosed, it is possible to slow bone loss, build bone density and prevent fractures. Continually advancing osteoporosis and related fractures are not an inevitable outcome of being diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Terry O’Brien
Back Trouble UK.

Arthritis

2008-03-25T13:54:00.003Z

Spinal arthritis is a very painful condition, worse than other forms of arthritis due to the high amount of nerves present in and around the spinal structures, especially those concerning the facet joints and intervertebral discs.
Spinal osteoarthritis, otherwise known as spondylosis, can affect any region of the spine and is caused by the degenerative process.

More common in the over 55s and with women more than men, spinal arthritis can be triggered by an accident, injury or from a weakened immune system.
People who have a family history of spinal arthritis are more likely to develop the condition themselves.

Symptoms
Apart from suffering with high levels of pain, there is the likelihood of having an increased stiffness, especially in the spine, particularly after long periods of rest. Pain can be intermittent and worse on movement.
As part of the human body’s natural response to arthritis, an excess of bony growth may occur, resulting in ‘spurs’ being formed। They can cause additional pain and can restrict movement further. Some sufferers report a crunching sound, like bone on bone, possibly due to the growth of the spurs.

Spinal arthritis occurring in the lower back can affect the lower extremities with additional pain in the legs and buttocks. Cervical spine arthritis can cause pain to radiate to the shoulders and arms.
There is no known cure for arthritis but there are a number of treatments available for the relief of symptoms.

Treatment
The treating GP may refer you to an x-ray department in order to confirm diagnosis by a series of images। These pictures will also show any inflammation and if there is any deterioration in the cartilage.

Along with this a blood sample can be gained and sent for analysis to determine the type of arthritis. Medications include anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relief, arthritic drugs or steroids.
Spinal spondylosis can cause the intervertebral discs to degenerate which increases the risk of them herniating, a condition that would require further treatment.

Facet joints of the spine can be affected by the deterioration of cartilage or the formation of bony overgrowths and can limit movement significantly. Surgery may be an option to remove the bony growths.
Treatments that can be performed by the patient, without input from a medical professional include giving-up smoking; this will increase the levels of oxygen to the affected area and prevent further deterioration of the discs. Maintaining a healthy weight for your frame will prevent putting excessive pressure and strain on the ligaments and joints of the spine. Applying regular heat or ice therapy, whichever is preferred, will help with pain relief and reduce inflammation. Exercise is a good way of help alleviate symptoms, as arthritis can affect mobility, it may be best to seek advice from a physiotherapist who will work with you and devise an appropriate and manageable programme of exercise.

Spinal arthritis is a painful and restrictive condition. Though there is no cure, it may be prevented or onset delayed by eating a healthy diet, rich in nutrients and calcium (to keep bones strong and healthy), and by ensuring flexibility, strength and suppleness by keeping to a regular exercise regime.

Back Exercises

2008-03-06T17:46:00.002Z

Many times individuals experience back pain because their body is not strong enough to support their bodies. The result of a weak body is often back pain. However, back pain exercises are a great way to strengthen the entire body and provide support for your back. When your back has support because your body is strong due to back pain exercises then you will not experience back pain like you did before. So, if you suffer from back pain consider back pain exercises to increase your back strength and decrease your pain.

Back Pain Exercises

Back pain exercises might sound as if they are exercises that only focus on the back; however this is not the case. In fact, back pain exercises are made up of exercises that strengthen the back, stomach, neck, hips and thighs. The reason back pain exercises focus on all of these muscles is because all of these muscles work together to provide support for your back. When all of these muscles are strong due to back pain exercises they will provide a sound support system for your spine and your back pain days will be over.

Back pain exercises should include cardiovascular exercises like biking, running, or swimming followed up by wall sits, lounges, leg raises, sit ups, and other similar back pain exercises. When these back pain exercises are performed on a regular basis the individual will gradually strengthen their body providing more support to their back and body. As the body becomes stronger and better supported back pain will subside.

The Alexander Technique

2008-02-17T12:38:00.003Z

The Alexander Technique is used to help to teach people about how efficiently and effortlessly they can use their bodies in everyday life. Often, we develop bad posture and habits without being aware of this, and expend too much energy or muscle force to achieve a task. Alexander Technique teachers help to adjust the client's posture to recognise the difference between current habits and what it feels like to use muscles with minimum effort and in a relaxed, fluid way.

Posture:

The Technique teaches how to become more aware of your own posture, balance and movement in everyday life. The lessons usually last for between 30 and 45 minutes and are normally on a one-to-one basis. The teacher uses his/her hands to gently correct any muscular imbalances and encourages the body to a better alignment. This is a direct body experience, so the client becomes familiar with the sensation of correct alignment in his or her own body. This can feel strange initially, as the body is not used to using it's muscles in this way, and the new methods of movement need to be practised with constant awareness as to how we choose to use our bodies in everyday tasks. It is a process of re-educating the body by learning how to stand and move correctly. This leads to health benefits as often-poor spinal posture will lead to other symptoms like poor breathing due to restriction in the throat and diaphragm areas. Breathing and how we breathe is an important aspect of the Alexander Technique.

Successful remedy:

An Australian actor, Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955), developed the Alexander Technique. He suffered from respiratory problems as a child, which later affected his voice and career in the theatre. He tried many remedies without success and eventually began a process of self-observation to try to find a way of curing himself. He realised that the voice problem was a result of muscular tension in his whole body and that his thought patterns also had a great part in contributing to the tension that had become an ingrained habit. Alexander studied his posture with the aid of mirrors to see how this was affected when he recited and as a result could see that his body alignment was incorrect. He gradually taught himself to correct his posture and found that he had cured his voice problem. He went on to pass the technique to others and eventually opened a clinic to help people to learn about their own use of posture.

Back Pain Treatment without Drugs!

2008-02-12T18:44:00.000Z

C’mon there is a standard "cure" for most causes of back and neck pain?

Fact: Compared to other medical conditions, there are relatively few standardised approaches to diagnosis and treatment of back problems. Spine specialists from various areas of expertise (such as physical medicine and rehabilitation, chiropractic, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy and surgery) will often disagree on the diagnosis and most appropriate treatment plan for back pain and back problems, and specialists within a discipline will also frequently have different opinions.

A few diagnoses for back pain as a result of back a back problem are relatively straightforward (such as a spinal tumour, infection, or fracture) and there is generally more consensus for diagnosis and treatment of these back problems.

Myth:
Rest is the key to recovery from back pain and back problems
Fact: The two main reasons bed rest may be recommended for back pain are to reduce pressure on the discs in the spine and to stop the mechanical stresses that are irritating pain receptors. A short period of bed rest may help reduce acute back pain. However, in most instances, more than 1 or 2 days of rest can be detrimental to recovery from back pain, potentially leading to increased pain and other adverse results, such as:

muscle atrophy (1% to 1.5% per day)

cardiopulmonary reconditioning (15% loss in 10 days)

bone mineral loss

risk of blood clots

loss of wages

creating an "illness" mindset

Myth:

Heat and massage feel good so they must be helping back pain and back problems?

Fact: These therapies can reduce acute back pain in the short-term, but do not provide a long-term solution to back problems. They are used to manage pain during recovery, allowing patients to complete a rehabilitation program and participate in daily activities.

Myth:

Long-term pain indicates I need back surgery for my back problems?

Fact: If back pain has reached the chronic stage, spine surgery actually has a reduced likelihood of being successful. Typically, symptoms that suggest back surgery might be helpful occur early in the course of pain and are relatively apparent.

Let us Help?

2008-01-24T18:52:00.000Z

Are you a candidate for treatment?

Our associated clinics treat both acute and chronic back conditions.

If your symptoms have appeared recently we can use the best manual physical

therapy techniques to facilitate the healing process and restore normal function as soon as possible.

If your symptoms are long-standing (more than 6 weeks) or recurrent you are likely to have developed weakness and instability in your spine and you may be a candidate for our specialised programme of intensive strengthening of the lumbar spine.

We are able to treat anyone between the ages of 18 to 80.
Treatment is as suitable for those with sedentary lives as it is for athletes - we have patients at both ends of the scale.

This list shows some of the the conditions that can be treated successfully using Natural Physical Therapy.

Lumbar strain

Herniated (prolapsed) disc

Sciatica

Degenerative disc (or joint) disease

Stenosis

Spondylolisthesis

Osteoporosis

Osteoarthritis

Hypermobility/instability

Scheuermann's disease

Many treatment methods help only with symptomatic relief but do not address the underlying cause of pain and therefore result in only a temporary solution.

That is why so many people with back pain find themselves in the "Pain Maze" confused over which therapy to undergo, or whether drugs, injections, manipulation or surgical procedures will indeed bring an end to the pain.

That’s why Back Trouble UK was formed, so that Back Pain sufferers could be both more informed and to be able to make a more informed choice of available therapies.

Craniosacral Therapy Whats it Mean?

2008-01-11T19:39:00.000Z

Let me introduce Craniosacral Therapy, it is a non-invasive form of treatment that has its roots in the earliest days of Osteopathy, but has since grown and developed in its own right to become a powerful, yet subtle form of treatment.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Dr. William Garner Sutherland, the founder of Cranial work, discovered that the different fluids and tissues (e.g. bones, muscles, organs etc.) of the body express a natural rhythmic motion that can be perceived through a light "listening" touch and can give the practitioner a wealth of information about the functioning of the body. This natural motion is considered to be a direct expression of the state of health of the individual.

Craniosacral therapy works through the practitioner helping to directly influence this most fundamental expression of health within the client. As such, it can be of great benefit to help relieve many physical, psychological and emotional conditions. Unlike other therapies, Craniosacral therapists do not try to directly resolve any symptomatic issues that might be present. Rather, they try to increase the level of available health within the affected area, and the body as a whole by re-establishing natural motion to the problem area. Due to the different experiences of our lives, these natural rhythmic motions may become restricted, or otherwise disturbed.

The more intense the experience (e.g. accidents, i llnesses, surgery, stress, trauma etc.), the greater the effect upon our body. This may lead to the development of various symptoms including reduced blood flow, increased levels of stress, lowered immunity, increased body tension as well as increased pain and dysfunction. It has been found that the most effective way to influence these natural motions, and to help restore the body to its optimum health, is through a light, non-invasive touch, without the use of massage, manipulation or other such techniques.

Where areas of restriction are found, the therapist will subtly encourage or enable the body's own potent healing forces to re-establish themselves in those places, leading to an overall return of healthy movement and function.

First Aid for Back Pain!

2008-01-02T13:33:00.000Z

Apply Heat and Ice:

Apply an ice pack to the affected area. If you haven't got an ice pack, use a bag of frozen vegetables instead. Don't put the ice directly on your skin, as it might cause a cold burn. Put a wet cloth between the ice and your skin.

If ice doesn't work, try applying gentle warmth with a hot water bottle. Don't apply the hot water bottle directly to the skin - cover it so it isn't too hot. A hot bath or shower might also help.

Some people find alternating heat and cold produces most relief. Try to get professional advice on applying heat and ice if you can.

Medication:

Take painkillers following the instructions on the packet - never take more than the recommended dose. Many people find that paracetamol or ibuprofen helps - your pharmacist can advise you.

Painkillers shouldn't be used as a long-term solution. If you find you still need them after a week or so, consult your doctor.

Relaxation:

Muscle tension is bad for back pain, so try to relax as much as possible. Take a long bath or listen to soothing music. Use a relaxation tape if you have one.

A gentle massage from a partner or friend may help, but make sure they don't do anything that causes pain.

Bed rest versus exercise:

Doctors used to recommend long periods of rest for people with backache, but research has shown this is actually bad for backs. Even crawling around on your hands and knees is better than no movement at all.

Some kinds of exercise, such as walking, don't put too much stress on your back. It's a good idea to make a start on them even if your back is a bit sore, just to get your joints moving and your heart and lungs working.

Getting back to normal:

In most cases, the back recovers naturally if allowed to do so and the pain should settle in a couple of days. Once this has happened, continue getting back to normal activities and try not to stay in one position or do any one activity for more than 30 minutes.

Avoid lifting, bending or twisting until the pain has gone for a few days. Refrain from returning to the activity that caused the pain for a week or so, even if you feel better, and gradually build up your exercise and activities day by day.

Don't just listen to your friends and relatives - ask an expert.

Talk to a properly qualified therapist!.

No Quck Fix!

2007-12-17T13:30:00.000Z

Back pain is a common condition which often settles spontaneously, thus justifying a conservative approach to management by both practitioner and patient.

Patients benefit from a confident and knowledgeable practitioner who can dispel doubts and myths, provide appropriate back education and reassurance, outline a logical management plan and refer to other therapists if necessary.

The great variety of treatments available indicates the lack of a `quick fix' cure.

All treatments have some, albeit limited, benefit. The most beneficial treatments are rest for 2-3 days, exercises and appropriate physical therapy.

Key words: Limited rest, education, exercises, physical therapy.

The Pain of it all!

2007-12-14T18:59:00.000Z

Lower back pain is one of the most common ailments people suffer from and approximately 8 out of 10 people will deal with back pain at some point in their life. That's a lot of people… are you one of them? I am.

I have bulging, herniated discs and have had low back spasms (that knock me to my knees) and sciatica. I have been on all kinds of pain killers, including narcotics which only mask the problem and is by no means a permanent solution.

I have avoided back surgery like the plague as there are so many with horror stories.

The only relief I have found is with the proper exercise and stretching. I can assure you will find back pain relief if you do this regimen the correct way, do it the wrong way and you might up under the knife! Out of all of the various forms of back pain, lower back pain is by far the most common and there's a good explanation for this.

Any idea why? It's not car accidents, it's not work-related injuries, and it's not a lack of prescription medications either. Lack of movement and use is the number one cause of lower back pain! It's the lack of movement in various muscles over years that leads to muscle imbalances and uneven wear and tear on your body, especially the spine. For example, how many times a day are you bending, leaning, or twisting?

Here's what the typical person's day is like:

Wake up - Eat breakfast (hopefully) - Drive or ride to work - Sit at desk - Eat lunch - Sit at desk some more - Drive or ride home - Eat dinner - Sit on couch and watch television - Go to bed
Notice the trend here?

That's an awful lot of sitting and not moving. Well, this is what leads to serious muscle imbalances and so what do we do, we go to the gym and perform exercises that only make the imbalances worse! The key to eliminating lower back pain (nearly any ache, pain, or injury for that matter) is to identify the muscle imbalances that are pulling the spine, bones, and joints out of place and then stretch the tight muscles while strengthening the weak muscles.

Many people who seek professional help are often mis-diagnosed and end up following a treatment plan that fails to eliminate the cause of their back pain. ( Seek out Physical Therapy)
Nearly all of the individuals I worked with were able to eliminate their back pain, or significantly improve their condition even though all of the traditional treatments failed them , cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications, back surgery, etc). Even more amasing is the fact that most of these individuals were able to eliminate their back pain in a matter or days or weeks simply by performing a handful of exercises and stretches!

These weren't your basic exercises or the standard back stretches and stomach exercises most "experts" recommend - these were specific exercises and stretches prescribed based on the individual. Many of these people had suffered for years and years with aches, pains, and stiffness and lived inactive lives because of their back pain.

Most back pain treatments offered for lower back pain only address the symptoms and don't address the cause, which usually delivers just temporary relief for the individual. In addition to helping hundreds of others eliminate lower back pain, I also have had personal experiences with back pain and other various conditions such as sciatic pain, tendonitis, muscle strains and sprains, and more.

In every single situation the traditional treatments did nothing but treat the symptoms (often times not successfully) and the only approach that gave lasting improvements and relief was targeted stretches and exercises.

Have you tried traditional treatments and found little relief? I am not saying these treatments are not effective at temporarily reducing the pain or inflammation, but I am saying nearly all fail to get rid of the underlying cause of the problem.
I wish you the best and remember, the key to a healthy back is movement!

About the Author:

Terry O’Brien served 15 years in the Army (Medicine) (Airborne Forces).
He then embarked on Air Crew Emergency Medical Training for Global Airlines and has been actively involved in Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation and Community Care.
www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Sex

2007-12-08T17:07:00.000Z

Back pain can be an intruder into your sex life and even ruin your relationship, if you are not careful. This article presents six things you can do to keep the love in your life when you suffer from back pain. The tips and insights here are provided by Terry O'Brien. Back Trouble (UK)

1. Try to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Sexual Functioning - or Turn Elsewhere
Patients tend to be uncomfortable about discussing sex and sexual positions with their doctors. According to Terry , a big part of the responsibility for the lack of communication between doctor and patient lies with the medical professionals. "Health care providers should be actively seeking the subject," he says. Sex is on par with returning to work and daily activities in diagnosing and treating back pain.

If your health care provider will not address your questions about sex, Terry suggests researching the information on the internet.

2. Address Your Attitude

Address your attitude about your condition and the effect it will have on your relationship. Terry says that quite often relationships break up when one partner experiences back pain. This is because, he says, reaction to pain is a learned behavior. "As you decide to be, that's how you are." Often people in pain will exaggerate it by avoiding sex. "This is what ruins the relationship," he says.

3. Accept that you may not be able to be as vigorous as you were prior to the onset of your pain. You can turn to your creativity and sense of discovery to help you adapt your sex life to the level your back can handle.

4. Know your condition and which positions bring on symptoms, as well as which alleviate them. Back injuries and conditions can be categorized by what kinds of movements make symptoms worse, and this information can be used to guide the selection of sexual positions.

5. With your partner, plan out which positions to try. Often you can modify your favorite positions with just a pillow or towel. Other times, you need to communicate and work it out with your partner. Talk about it up front, then expect, at times, that you will need to modify the plan. Planning your positions is a valuable strategy, Terry says, because relationships which accommodate back pain with a "we can adapt" attitude fare better than those in which the problem belongs only to the partner with the pain.

6. Get your pelvic floor muscles in shape. Strong flexible pelvic floor muscles can greatly enhance sexual function. The good news is that they can also do wonders for your back. The reason for this is that they are a part of the core support system that balances out muscle usage and stabilizes body posture. Terry says that along with their role in sex, the pelvic floor muscles are as important as the abdominals and low back muscles in back health.

Our incredible body!

2007-12-03T10:12:00.000Z

"The human body is an incredible machine that adapts to the stresses we give it every day. Stresses such as poor posture, unusual movement or activities, or even a sedentary lifestyle can lead to poor mechanics and pain. Disability from back pain is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost work time.” Says Terry O’Brien (Back Trouble UK)

Back pain affects 80 percent of adults at some point in their lives, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Here are 11 things you can do to prevent and reduce back pain:

1. Identify and correct body stresses such as poor posture, improper lifting techniques, or weak or tight muscles.

2. Strengthen your back, learn proper lifting methods, carry lighter loads, and use luggage carts for heavy packages and suitcases.

3. Increase your muscle mobility by stretching or doing activities -- such as yoga, tai chi, swimming or pilates -- that help keep you limber.

4. Boost your strength by doing exercises that involve the whole body, especially the core muscles of the stomach, back, hips and pelvis. In addition, strengthening your legs and shoulders can help improve your ability to squat, lift and carry items without overworking or injuring your back.

5. Do aerobic exercise, like walking, swimming and running, for at least 20 minutes three times a week. This kind of exercise increases muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness, improves blood flow to the spine, and helps reduce stress.

6. Practice good posture. If possible, don't sit for long periods of time. Get up every 15 to 30 minutes and move around or stretch. When you're seated, keep your hips and knees at right angles to one another and use a chair with adequate lumbar (lower back) support.

7. When standing, keep your head up, shoulders straight, chest forward and stomach tight. Don't stand in the same position for too long. Use your legs, not your back, when pushing or pulling heavy items.

8. Use proper lifting techniques. When lifting objects from a position below your waist, stand with a wide stance and a slight bend at your hips and knees. Tighten your stomach as you lift and keep your back as flat as possible -- don't arch or bend it. When carrying heavy items, keep them as close as possible to your body. Don't carry items on only one side of your body.

9. Sleep on a firm mattress and box spring that doesn't sag. Sleep in a position that allows you to maintain the natural curve in your back.

10. Warm up before exercise or sports. Increasing muscle temperature and mobility beforehand will reduce the risk of injury.

11. Maintain/adopt a healthy lifestyle. Obesity and smoking increase the incidence of back pain.

Symptomatic Treatment

2007-11-28T11:29:00.000Z

Symptomatic Back Pain Treatment:

Symptomatic back pain treatment is commonplace in medicine today.

Medical science has not been very effective in curing many common back pain conditions. Most of the accepted treatments for back pain only provide relief from the symptoms, rather than attempt to correct the actual cause of the condition. Symptomatic treatments are fine if the condition is incurable, but if used for curable back pain, they are examples of bad medicine and poor science.

Not all care providers continue symptomatic treatment past its usefulness or instead of a true cure.

A good health care provider will always prefer to cure the condition, and will work tirelessly to assist the patient in their recovery.

Back Trouble UK practitioners strive to treat the cause, not just the symptoms of the Back Pain Condition, with excellent results.

Possibly Dangerous Remedies!

2007-11-16T09:35:00.000Z

Back pain occurs in many forms. It may be only an uncomfortable twinge in the lower back or so severe that it is disabling. The pain may persist for a week, or for months or years. Back pain is extremely common, and there are numerous methods and commercial products available to treat it.

One common misconception is that back pain is caused by activity and relieved by rest. Unless otherwise advised by a physician, however, you should not treat back pain with extended bed rest. The patient with low back pain should rest for no more than two days and may try nonprescription products. It is better to resume normal activities (even though there may be some pain) than to rest too long and get out of shape, which may increase the risk of future episodes of pain. In one-third of all cases, back pain will heal in a week or so.

Preventing Back Pain:

To prevent future episodes of back pain, ask your physician to refer you to a physical therapist who can teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back. Sitting for extended periods is a primary factor in back pain. Regular exercise can allow the back to better support weight while sitting. If your job involves a great deal of sitting (such as working at a word processor), walking during break periods and after work is a good idea.

Using Non-prescription Analgesics:

A number of safe and effective non-prescription products are available, but they should not be used longer than 10 days. The products should not be used when pregnant or nursing a baby, and they should not be combined with prescription pain relievers unless you ask a physician or pharmacist. Also, you should not combine non-prescription products with each other (for example, ibuprofen plus naproxen) unless advised to do so by a physician or pharmacist. If you drink three or more alcoholic beverages daily, do not use any non-prescription pain reliever without asking your physician.

Choosing a Pain Reliever:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a good first choice because it does not cause stomach problems and is safe with most prescription medications. Other products that may be effective include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen. It is important to note, however, that these medications may irritate the stomach unless taken with food or milk. Aspirin may cause interactions with prescription medication, such as warfarin, other medications for thinning the blood, or medications for gout, arthritis, or diabetes.

Heat and Cold: Your doctor or physical therapist can tell you how to use heat or cold treatments and other products.

Be cautious about internet information:

Patients searching the Internet for information on back pain may be led to devices purported to relieve back pain, including Back Bars (delivering pressure point massage), portable pillows, seating systems, back supports, and driver’s cushions. One device allows the user to hang suspended from the ceiling, supported by an air-filled cushion worn around the waist.

An A-frame metallic device allows one to hang upside-down holding on to its bars.
Another company claims to have the solution for back pain (as well as stress, insomnia, migraine, and arthritis) with automatic Chinese ear acupuncture devices that do not use needles.

One company touts the benefits of proanthenols, which they claim are grape seed and pine bark extracts, for back pain. Since patients often purchase these products in lieu of a physician visit or safe and effective back treatment.

We would like to warn patients to avoid unproven and possibly dangerous remedies.

See Your GP

2007-11-13T21:28:00.000Z

See your GP:

As a general rule, people with back pain are advised to contact their doctor if the pain is no better after about a 2-3 days.

You should certainly see your GP as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms:

Difficulty passing urine
Numbness around the back passage or genitals
Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the legs
Pain running down one or both legs
Unsteadiness when standing
These are associated with uncommon conditions, but ones that need treatment immediately.

What doctors can Do:

There's no quick fix for most back pain and your doctor is unlikely to be able to 'cure' you. However, they will be able to:
Check you don't have a serious condition
Prescribe another type of painkiller
Refer you to other health practitioners who can help
Your doctor will probably give you a physical examination and ask you about your back pain.
Here are some probable questions your GP will ask. Think them through to make the most of your medical examination:

When did your back pain start?
What were you doing when it started?
Have you had any back problems in the past?
Where is your pain?
What sort of pain is it - dull, piercing or shooting?
Does it stay in the same place?
What makes the pain better, or worse?
Do you have any other symptoms, in your back or elsewhere?
What does your back pain stop you doing?
What have you been doing which might have contributed to giving yourself a bad back?
What can you do in the future to try and keep your back healthy in the long term?

If you're not happy with your doctor's diagnosis or if your symptoms keep coming back, go back to your GP or ask another health expert for their opinion.

Other people who can help?

If your back problem doesn't clear up quickly, your family doctor may refer you to another health practitioner. This is most likely to be a Physical Therapist and may involve a visit to the hospital for examinations, tests and treatment.

Even if your doctor doesn't refer you to anyone else, you can visit another health practitioner privately. Some people go straight to an osteopath or chiropractor as soon as back pain starts.

Private sessions can cost as little as £35, and the practitioner quite rightly may recommend a course of treatment over several weeks.

If you do decide to see a practitioner privately, personal recommendation is a good starting point.

But remember your back problem is unique - just because a specialist helped a friend it doesn't mean they'll be able to do the same for you.

Don't let it get you down!

2007-11-08T12:48:00.000Z

Physical Therapy can be passive or active. Passive therapies such as massage and applying heat and cold are typically effective for pain only in the first two to four weeks after an injury. Patients typically do active physical therapy such as exercise and posture/gait correction for up to 12 weeks. These treatments help with chronic pain by building or reconditioning muscles so they can move more normally.

Psychological Therapy can help you sort through the issues that chronic pain can create. Chronic pain can be stressful in that it strains relationships and affects your ability to work or take part in daily activities. In addition, you, your family members, and significant others may bring a unique mix of feelings, expectations, beliefs, personality traits, experiences, support systems, and skills to the situation. Often, psychologists will work with people on relaxation techniques, coping skills, and self-monitoring skills.

WHY DO PEOPLE SUFFER WITH PAIN?

2007-11-08T10:43:00.000Z

Many people suffer with chronic pain because they are unaware of treatment options that can help them live more normal lives. Others have fears that prevent them from talking about their pain, which in turn creates barriers to seeking adequate relief. (Not all treatment options are applicable to your type of pain.)

Read the following to see if you fall into one of these categories. If you can relate to these fears, remember that help and relief are possible, but only if you discuss your symptoms with your doctor or registered back pain specialist.

Fear of being labelled a "bad patient." You won't find relief if you don't talk with your doctor about your pain.

Fear that increased pain may mean that your disease has worsened. Regardless of the state of your disease, the right treatment for pain may improve daily life for you and your family.

Fear of addiction to drugs. Research shows that the chance of people with chronic pain becoming addicted to pain-relieving drugs is extremely small. When taken properly for pain, drugs can relieve pain without addiction. Needing to take medication to control your pain is not addiction.

Lack of awareness about pain therapy options. Be honest about how your pain feels and how it affects your life. Ask your doctor about the pain therapy options available to you. Often, if one therapy isn't effectively controlling your pain, another therapy can.

Fear of being perceived as "weak." Some people believe that living stoically with pain is a sign of strength, while seeking help often is considered negative or weak. This perception prevents them seeking the best treatment with available therapies.

Because there are many new ways to treat pain, it is important that you speak openly with your doctor or with a doctor who specialises in treating chronic pain. Refer them to this web site so that they too can learn more about natural treatment options for your pain.

A Breech Baby.

2007-11-01T17:53:00.000Z

The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique designed to relieve the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint. This technique is also known by names such as as Webster's In-Utero Constraint Technique or Webster's Breech Turning Technique. The Webster Technique was developed by Dr. Larry Webster in 1978. Dr. Webster was often referred to in the Chiropractic profession as "The Grandfather of Chiropractic Pediatrics." Additionally, the technique is presently taught in many chiropractic colleges and postgraduate chiropractic education seminars.

A recent study was done by surveying a large number of doctors of chiropractic who use the technique to see the percentage of results they obtain on real patients. The survey required detailed information to verify the accuracy of the responses. The results showed that 82% of the doctors surveyed reported a high rate of success when using the Webster Technique.

The results from the study suggested that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique in the 8th month of pregnancy, if it has been determined that the child is in the breech position. This timing is important because from the 8th month on, a breech presentation is unlikely to spontaneously convert to the normal head down position.

The study concludes by saying, "when successful, the Webster Technique avoids the costs and risks of cesarean section or vaginal trial of breech. In view of these findings, the Webster Technique deserves serious consideration in the management of expectant mothers exhibiting adverse fetal presentation."

You Are Not Alone!

2007-10-20T21:57:00.000+01:00

Back pain? You’re not alone

Eight out of ten people in the UK will experience some form of back pain at one point in their lives. It's a serious health problem that often goes untreated. One of the reasons back pain is so common is that it can be caused by so many different things.

Work-related injuries
Sports injuries
Poor posture
Stress
Car accidents
Improper lifting

Any of these things can cause your spine to shift from its normal position or affect your range of motion. This puts pressure on the joints, muscles, and nerves in that area, and is what causes most back pain. A healthy back is essential for a healthy body. For some people, chiropractic treatment is like a regular tune-up for their back, to help deal with the daily wear and tear of life. For others, it's an effective treatment when back pain strikes. Take the time to discuss with your chiropractor the level of care that's best for you.

Back problem warning Signs:
Here are some symptoms which might indicate that you suffer from a back problem:

Leg pain with numbness, tingling, and/or weakness

Back or leg pain with coughing or sneezing

Difficulty standing up after sitting for any period of time

Stiffness in the morning that decreases when you move around

Pain in your hip, buttock, thigh, knee, or foot

Inability to turn or bend to each side equally

Unbalanced posture, when your head, neck, or shoulder may be higher on one side than the other

Pain which prevents you from sleeping well

Pain that persists or worsens after 48 hours.

A Physical Therapist treats your back pain by addressing the cause of the pain. A Physical adjustment allows your spine to return to its proper position and improve your range of motion, letting you feel like yourself again. It's simple, and it works.

Just How Safe is Osteopathy?

2007-10-17T09:55:00.000+01:00

How safe is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy has one of the best safety records of any medically related profession, however no form of medical treatment is ever 100% safe in every case.

Osteopaths have been trained to recognise any condition that might make osteopathic treatment inadvisable so that they can refer their patients for appropriate medical intervention when necessary. In the same way that a family physician regards safety as the most important factor in selecting the appropriate medication for a particular patient, Osteopaths also select the most appropriate style of treatment with safety as the prime consideration.

Contrary to that which some might try and lead you to believe, NO healthcare professional wants you to come to any harm.

Are there any side-effects or risks to osteopathic treatment?
Yes, but there are risks in everything that we do in life. Most of osteopathic patients feel no reactions at all.

Common: general ache or soreness for 24-48 hours following a positive response to osteopathic treatment.

Infrequent: exacerbation of symptoms due to reaction to osteopathic treatment.

Extremely rare: serious complications requiring medical intervention.

Upper Neck (Cervical HVT or HVLA) Manipulations

This leads us neatly into 'upper neck manipulations'. A topic that at best is described as "run-of-the-mill" and at worst is likened to the "handy-work of the devil himself". As is often the case, the truth is somewhere in between and YOU have to decide whom to believe as there is no simple answer.

If someone is NOT trained and experienced, you are asking for trouble. If your practitioner (osteopath or chiropractor) REFUSES to manipulate your neck, even if they are trained and you insist upon it, then you are a liability to both yourself and your practitioner.

Neck manipulations, whether osteopathic or chiropractic, are exceptionally safe when done by trained and experienced professionals. For example, a woman in the UK has more chance of dropping dead from using the contraceptive pill than suffering a stroke (or worse) from a neck manipulation. Think about it. how many women do YOU know who have died from using the contraceptive pill? For me, none, but I am very aware that inexperience in neck techniques can still be a liability.

Let's clear up exactly what a "stroke" is: a stroke is damage to the brain due to the interruption of its blood supply either by a small clot or a narrowing/overstretched blood vessel. Symptoms can involve headache, dizziness, confusion, visual disturbance, slurred or loss of speech, a difficulty in swallowing and, in some cases, death.

The causes of a stroke are unpredictable and can occur through sudden or extreme end of range positions. Look at the list below:

· leaning your head back over a basin at the hairdressing salon
· coughing
· sneezing
· turning your head while reversing your car
· or any of a number of other day-to-day neck movements.

The problem is this: there is no way possible for any osteopath, physician or chiropractor to predict with 100% certainty whom (if anyone) is susceptible to a stroke, just as we cannot predict which (if any) woman will suffer from using the contraceptive pill.

So how safe are osteopathic manipulations? The British health benefits (insurance) company BUPA describes osteopathy as follows: "There is a general consensus that osteopathy is less risky in terms of spinal injury because osteopaths usually use less forceful manipulation techniques on the spine."

Add the above quote from BUPA to data from North American chiropractors suggesting that 1 in every 1.46 million chiropractic neck manipulations will result in a stroke (1 in 1 million women in the UK will die from using oral contraception) and you can see how safe UK osteopaths can be... and that is not to take anything away from chiropractors and their expertise either.

So why do all the scare-mongers lay in to osteopaths and chiropractors? For me, it is a matter of some members of the public wanting someone to blame rather than taking responsibility for their own actions and also some physicians clinging to "medical paternalism" when the world of healthcare is changing rapidly.

Experience in these matters is essential and that is why full-time specific osteopathic training is second-to-none in the UK. I know that it will upset other countries trained osteopaths when I say this, but if someone is going to manipulate MY upper neck I know exactly whom I want to do it (and whom not). If they haven't had a tutor breathing down their neck daily for 4 years non-stop, then they are probably not as badgered about neck manipulations as our Osteopaths are in Britain.

The bottom line:

· If you have any concerns about neck manipulations, you should refuse them.

· If your Osteopath is concerned, he/she has the right to refuse to manipulate your neck, no matter how much of a fuss you create.

· If you are concerned with ANY symptoms either before or after osteopathic treatment, see your physician.

· If experienced osteopathic and chiropractic neck manipulations are as dangerous as some say, patients would be dropping like flies on a daily basis.

· Make up your own mind and don't let anyone (including me) convince you of something that you are not happy with.

www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Osteoarthritis

2007-10-16T17:56:00.000+01:00

Osteoarthritis embraces a broad spectrum of clinical conditions with the common feature being that of primary joint failure.
Prevention is the ideal goal, however opportunities to achieve this are limited by our incomplete understanding of the aetiopathology.

The principles of Preventive Intervention are education about the condition, modification of lifestyle, and judicious exercise and joint protection, together with adequate pain relief. Optimum management involves a team approach that includes orthopaedic surgical expertise, as surgery can provide an alternative to continuing discomfort and limited mobility.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in humans and increases with increasing age. It affects up to 70% of the world population over 65 years of age as well as a significant proportion of younger people. Osteoarthritis is multifactorial in causation and may be defined as primary failure of the joint with degeneration of articular cartilage.

The pathophysiology of the condition has been well reviewed.

Physical, Genetic, Chemical and Immunological factors are involved. The disorder may be primary or the almost inevitable sequel to previous joint damage.

Clinical Presentation:

There are 3 broad groups:

a. symmetrical peripheral arthritis
Heberden's nodes

Primary generalised osteoarthritis (PGOA) in females
Non-nodal OA in males

b. Oligoarticular large joint disease

c. Spinal arthritis
Spondylosis
Apophyseal OA

While OA is generally accepted as non-inflammatory in nature, localised inflammation can be demonstrated and may be prominent in certain forms such as 'erosive OA' of the fingers. However, in most instances, the precise aetiology cannot be defined and changes in articular cartilage are present long before clinical manifestations become apparent.

Preventive intervention:

Osteoarthritis is aggravated by several factors including obesity, occupation, and the nature of any previous joint damage and the presence of underlying joint disease. Recognition of these factors provides an opportunity for primary, secondary and tertiary preventive interventions, which include:

1. Weight reduction
2. Occupational modification (Posture/Occupational Assessments)
3. Joint protection
4. Team management approach (GP, Osteopath, Chiropractic, Surgeon, and Physiotherapist)
5. Analgesic techniques
6. Education groups for patients and relatives

Conclusion:

There are many approaches to the management of patients with osteoarthritis. It is my belief that Preventive Intervention has an important role in the total care of the patient and is often undervalued and under-utilised.

T. O'Brien (Back Trouble UK)

Your Foot & your Leg?

2007-10-13T22:39:00.000+01:00

Podiatry is primarily concerned with treating problems and injuries that occur due to altered foot function. Our Podiatrists will look at the relationship between your foot and leg and their working effect on the rest of your body. They will look at the causes of the injury and altered foot mechanics and, where appropriate, prescribe orthotics to improve the foot mechanics. It has been shown that a high percentage of lower back pain, hip, knee pain, shin and foot pain can, in some cases, be improved through improving altered foot function.

Visiting the Podiatrist:

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The Podiatrist will first take a detailed history of your condition together with any relevant past medical history. A physical assessment will then be undertaken to determine the clinical diagnosis of your problem. The patient's movement may be analysed, walking and running on a treadmill with a digital video camera from the rear and side view. The digital camera allows for freeze-frame analysis of specific points in the gait. Pressure plate gait analysis may also be used to provide objective data on a limb function and foot pressure distribution. From the results of this comprehensive analysis the podiatrist can paint a picture of the causes of the injury problems. These causes are usually a combination of factors, such as poor flexibility, strength and mis-alignment of the foot or lower leg. The main purpose of an orthotic is to place the foot in a position in which it can move naturally and remain stable. Therefore, the orthotic tackles only the mis-alignment problems.

Therefore, the podiatrist works closely at our clinic's with the physiotherapists to ensure that a correct rehabilitation programme is implemented to correct any postural problems, improve core stability, strengthen the ankle muscles, increase flexibility and improve proprioception. If you don't do these things, the money spent on orthotics may be wasted. We look to manage the condition and prevent problems in the future.

Back Trouble UK = 1st Choice for Back pain!

Babies need help 2 ?

2007-10-12T21:11:00.000+01:00

Osteopathy for Baby and Child

It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are so young. The reality is very different.
Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to twist and turn as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey.

A baby’s head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby’s chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head.

Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually lose the moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries, yawns etc. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some potentially uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.

What effect does this have?

Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe retained moulding and compression, and are contented and happy.
For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems:
Crying and/or irritable baby wanting to be held constantly or rocked...
The reason - the baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head similar to a headache. This is made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.
Feeding difficulties, often windy...

The reason - feeding is difficult and tiring due to stresses through the head, face and throat.
Sickness, wind and symptoms of colic...
The reason - regurgitation and trapped wind result due to the irritation of the nerves that supply the stomach and diaphragm (which originate in the neck), this constricts the stomach opening causing overfill reflux and difficulty expelling air.

Sleep disturbances...

The reason - the tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby’s nervous system in a persistently alert state, they may also be uncomfortable. As the child grows: As the child grows, the effects of retained moulding can lead to other problems. The following are the most common but is not an exhaustive list:

Nasal and Ear Infections

Glue Ear
Sinus and Dental problems
Behavioural problems and learning difficulties
Headaches, aches and pains
Attention difficulties
For the older child - growing pains
Osteopathic treatment of babies and children

Treatment using the cranial approach is very gentle, safe and effective in the treatment of babies and older children.

Specific gentle pressure is applied wherever necessary (not only on the head) to enable the inherent healing ability of the body to effect the release of stresses.

Reactions to treatment are variable; often the baby or child is very relaxed afterwards and sleeps well. Others have a burst of energy after treatment, usually followed by a good night’s sleep. Occasionally the child may seem unsettled and this is merely because treatment may take a few hours or days to complete.

On average, 2 to 6 treatments are sufficient. This varies according to the severity of the actual problem and the age of the child.

Ideally it is best to commence treatment early in a child’s life; it is never too early or late to begin treatment. At Back Trouble UK we treat newly born babies and pensioners alike. The vast majority of our practitioners are also trained in structural osteopathy for those children or adults with more structural problems.

Terry O’Brien-Back Trouble UK (www.backtrouble.co.uk)

Does Physio do the Job?

2007-10-11T21:55:00.000+01:00

Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

One of the most important components of each patient's treatment is a progressive, well planned and executed rehabilitation programme. This will focus on maximum functional restoration and return you to a healthy active life-style. Our aim is to fully assess the patient and provide a comprehensive programme of treatment to anable you to get back to your full potential in the shortest time possible. This will consists of a variety of physical therapy techniques and modalities to assist you in attaining your goal.

All Back Trouble UK clinic’s physiotherapists are chartered and state registered.

We are here to help address your pain and discomfort.

www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Diagnosing Your Condition:

2007-10-08T15:09:00.000+01:00

Clinical Examination:

The exam will probably begin with a medical history during which the practitioner will ask about your symptoms, your lifestyle, and about how the pain affects your daily life. This will help the doctor assess the contribution stress and lifestyle factors make to your pain. If this is your first visit, the doctor will also ask about your other medical conditions and about any surgeries you have had.

The practitioner will examine your neck and/or back and will check your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift your arms or legs. He/she will also assess sensation (what you feel and how you feel it) and the strength of the reflexes in various parts of your body. This will help determine where the pain originates from (which is not always the same place where you feel the pain), what degree of pain-free motion you have, and whether you have muscle spasms. It will also help rule out a more serious underlying condition as the cause of the pain.

Based on the findings of the clinical examination, the practitioner may recommend some diagnostic tests. The most common ones are:

Xray

Computed Tomography (CT Scan.)

Myelogram

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Electromyogram (EMG)

After the clinical examination and the diagnostic studies, the doctor may determine the best way to treat your pain or may refer you to a specialist (such as an orthopaedist or neurologist), a physical therapist, or a chiropractor for further evaluation and treatment.
If you do not understand what is being explained to you, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. It is important for you to understand your back pain so you will be better able to make informed choices and to cope with your pain.

Diagnostic Tests For Back Pain:

X–ray imaging can create detailed images of different types of tissues. For example, an x–ray of the spine can show the vertebrae and the central nervous system. It can detect fractures, infections, dislocations, tumours, bone spurs, and disc disease and help doctors evaluate spinal curvature and defects. However, not all spinal injuries can be seen on x–rays, so doctors sometimes recommend other tests such as a CT scan, MRI, or myelogram to provide more information about the structures in the back.

CT (computed tomography) scan—sometimes referred to as a CAT scan—can show the size and shape of the spinal canal, its contents, and the structures around it. A CT scan is especially helpful for showing bone detail, including stenosis. Sometimes a CT scan is done in combination with a myelogram of the spine to provide additional information.

Myelogram is a type of x–ray study that uses a special dye to make the spinal canal and nerve roots clearer. After the area is numbed with a local anaesthetic, a thin needle is used to inject the dye into the subarachnoid space (the fluid-filled space between the bones in the spinal column). It is sometimes used when other tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, do not detect the cause of the pain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces a three-dimensional image of body structures using powerful magnets and computer technology. It can show the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding areas and can identify tumours and areas of enlargement or degeneration.

EMG (electromyogram) measures the electrical impulses in a muscle when it is at rest and when it contracts. This allows doctors to diagnose problems that damage muscles, nerves, and the places where nerves and muscles meet. Herniated disc is one of these problems. This test involves the placement of an electrode into a muscle. A wire connects the electrode to a machine that records the electrical activity in that muscle.

Reiki-What's it about?

2007-10-06T17:15:00.000+01:00

Reiki

Reiki is the Japanese word for "Universal Life Energy" and is a form of healing which involves the laying on of hands.

This life energy flows through all living things and can be activated by the channeling of spiritual well-being and healing through the hands of the practitioner - it activates the body's own ability to heal and energise.

Whilst treatment is being received, sensations of warmth or cold are often felt and occasionally a tingling sensation is experienced through the areas being touched.

During treatment, patients have often been known to fall asleep as they feel so relaxed. Patients are fully clothed throughout the treament and are usually lying down on a bench (called a "plinth").

This treatment is extremely beneficial to clients who suffer from depression, stress, migraine, menstrual problems, sinus pain, menopause, back pain and so on. Reiki is completely safe and can be used in conjunction with other forms of medication. Each treatment lasts an hour.

Call Back Trouble UK or simply Request a FREE Consultation?

Lifetime "Spinal Health" Programme!

2007-10-03T18:26:00.000+01:00

Our network of clinic’s practice is very much a wellness based practice - recommending ongoing preventative treatment rather than alleviating the present symptoms and waiting for a further reoccurrence.

Our Lifetime ("Back" to Health programme) has been developed specifically for patients who have experienced recurring episodes of back pain. It has been developed to prevent continual reoccurrence. Up to now we have as practitioners been using reactive treatment. What we now offer is proactive treatment.

Reactive treatment is likened to saving a drowning woman, emptying her lungs and then returning her to the water. Our spine plays a fundamental role in our health as it supplies every organ in the body sending and receiving messages to and from the brain.

When a vertebra moves out of place it is called a "subluxation". This can cause nerve impingement and can affect the function of the organ that it is supplying. This can prevent "Optimum Health" and can cause degenerative changes leading to stiffness, pain, and other problems.

Recent research shows that within 3 weeks of a subluxation occurring, the first signs of wear can be detected. We therefore recommend monthly spinal health checks so that any misalignment can be corrected before they cause problems.

To encourage patients to attend monthly we have based it on a standing order. The cost is a modest £25 per month, which is less than 83p per day.

To find out more, simply email: consultants@backtrouble.co.uk

Clinical Guidelines for (LBP)

2007-09-19T10:19:00.000+01:00

Royal College of General Practitioners Report: On Management of Acute Low Back Pain:

The report on "Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Acute Low Back Pain" was published by the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1996.

It was designed to help doctors and other health professionals with the multi-disciplinary approach to the initial assessment, triage, and evidence-based management of acute low back pain (LBP).

Medical assessment (diagnostic triage) should occur to exclude treatable causes (sciatica, red flags such as carcinoma, HIV, spinal abscess, spinal cord compression). X-rays are not routinely indicated for simple back pain. Biopsychosocial assessment should occur early.

Pain killers (relievers, analgesics) should be prescribed regularly and not "as required" to be more effective. Start with paracetamol, adding in anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac), and weak opioids (codeine) as necessary. Consider a short course of a muscle relaxant (diazepam max. 7 days).

Avoid strong opioids if possible (morphine max. 7 days).
Bed rest is not a treatment for simple low back pain. Bed rest may need to be taken early on in the episode, but this should not be considered a treatment. Bed rest for longer than 3 days has been shown to be harmful by delaying the speed of recovery.

Stay as active as possible and continue with normal daily activities. Gently increase activity levels after an acute episode of back pain over a period of days to weeks. If you are in work, then either stay at work or return to work as soon as possible.

Prolonged periods off work will reduce your overall chance of working again (e.g. only 2% of people can return to work after 1 year off sick).

Spinal manipulation treatment within the first 6 weeks has been shown to be beneficial for pain relief and rehabilitation in those where the back pain does not resolve spontaneously.

Active rehabilitation (exercise programme OR physical re-conditioning) should be started at 6 weeks if there has not been return to work or resumption of normal activities.

The Challenge of Back Pain

2007-09-18T14:38:00.000+01:00

In our body, no area presents more of a challenge to doctors than the back.

Second only to that of head pain, debilitating low back pain strikes 80 per cent of us during our lifetimes; it causes millions of lost work days and accounts for a steady stream of patients to general practitioners.

In spite of endless research into its diagnosis, causes and treatment, medical practitioners seem no nearer to understanding back pain. The facts are that misdiagnosis or unproven and aggressive treatment with drugs and surgery contributes more to the problems of back pain sufferers than they do to the solutions.

Conventional methods of diagnosis are still very ineffective. For instance, routine x-rays to determine whether low back pain is caused by a serious condition are virtually useless. By treating back pain as a disease rather than a symptom, we have gone down many one way streets of diagnosis and treatment, with many patients only suffering increased pain from inappropriate treatment.

Some doctors have suggested that conventional medicine should increase its understanding of the back and its problems by adopting an osteopathic / chiropractic understanding of back pain.

The back then becomes part of a whole, complex structure that includes the spine, ribs, pelvis, hips and their surrounding muscles and ligaments and other supporting tissues, as well as the organs contained within those bony structures. Dysfunction or displacement of any of these parts of the structure can eventually lead to back pain.

The vast majority of medical practitioners need to be able to both evaluate and assess the whole impact of the back pain on an individual whilst the individual needs to be able to understand their back pain so that they can work more effectively with their chosen health practitioner.

Ouch! My Back Hurts.

2007-09-13T12:47:00.000+01:00

Acute low back pain

It happens to most of us at some stage in our lives, so how we manage it is vital.

There is good scientific evidence on how we should deal with this.

Back pain is extremely common and nothing to worry about. It may recur but this does not mean re-injury and there will usually be no permanent problems.

Managing episodes of back pain successfully can make a difference to your abilities in the long term.

What to do when you have an episode of back pain:

Do not rest unless you have to, and then 2 to 3 days maximum. Rest is not a treatment for low back pain and can lead to stiffness, weakness, loss of fitness, and disability.

Do seek professional advice early on if you are concerned in any way about your back pain.

Keep up normal activities by giving yourself small goals to keep to, eg to walk around for a few minutes every so often, sit for a certain time etc.

Pace your activities - do normal daily activities but cut them up into small blocks of time that you can easily manage. Increase activities by fixed increments and stick to what you plan, not to how you feel.

Take adequate pain-killing medication. Medication should be taken in fixed doses at fixed times, and not when you feel like it or the pain gets too bad. Drugs used need to be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist.

Recognise negative beliefs and deal with them. Look upon the episode as a relapse, not a disaster.

Manipulation can be useful to provide short-term improvement in pain and abilities. As long as you choose a skilled therapist the risks of manipulation are very low.

Use relaxation techniques, either from classes, books or tapes.

Go back to work/normal activities as soon as possible. Don’t wait.

Do not expect to be completely pain free before resuming normal activities.

You should have returned to normal activities and work by six weeks after the start of your episode. If not you may need to join an exercise programme under supervision or at the gym to prevent long term problems.

Acupuncture For Neck Pain

2007-09-13T11:46:00.000+01:00

A study by a team of researchers at the University of Southampton has revealed that Western style acupuncture can be effective in treating chronic neck pain.

Moreover its beneficial effects may be as much to do with the non-specific but powerful effects of the treatment process as the specific effect of the needles.

The results of the study are set out in a paper that appeared in the Annals of Internal Medicine on 21 December 2004.

Chronic neck pain presents a substantial problem and may be responsible for as many days' absenteeism as low back pain. It is usually associated with unspecific degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis.

Acupuncture is the most frequently used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with approximately one million people in the USA seeking CAM treatment each year. However, despite this huge increase in popularity and use, there has been little sound evidence to date that acupuncture helps patients with chronic neck pain.

Led by Dr Peter White and Dr George Lewith of the University's Complementary Medicine Research Unit, this new study aimed to evaluate whether 'Western style' acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic neck pain. 'Western style' acupuncture involves a conventional diagnosis followed by the use of an individualised acupuncture treatment using a combination of prescriptive points. In contrast, a traditional Chinese approach formulates an individualised diagnosis based on Chinese theories of meridians and energy.

A total of 124 patients with chronic neck pain aged between 18 and 80 years took part in the study. Patients received eight treatments over four weeks having been randomly assigned either acupuncture or mock stimulation to acupuncture points by the same therapist.

Patients were only allowed to use paracetamol for pain relief and were not allowed to undertake any other forms of treatment - even exercises or stretches - during the study or for two months afterwards. During the treatment all patients kept a diary to record pain and also completed questionnaires before, during and after their treatment to assess ease of movement and quality of life.

The results show acupuncture was effective at reducing neck pain and produced a statistically but not a clinically significant effect when compared to the mock treatment or placebo.
Over the 12 weeks of assessment, patients from both groups reported a similar and significant decrease in pain levels of over 60 per cent. The number of patients taking paracetamol also fell, as did the average number of tablets taken by patients. Interestingly, the study also showed that female patients tended to respond better than males and further research is required to establish whether there is a real difference in response in the sexes.

The results of the study cannot be generalised because only one therapist treated all the patients; more information would be gained by using several therapists. It is also impossible to identify whether treating patients with a traditional Chinese medicine-based approach might produce a different outcome so the research team cannot comment on the 'best' type of acupuncture.

Dr Lewith comments: 'Our rigorous and methodologically sound study clearly shows that there was significant and long lasting improvement for both treatment groups. The implications for this are two-fold. First, acupuncture was clearly very effective at reducing pain, with patients experiencing large decreases over a prolonged period which would recommend its clinical use. Second, our study also implies that most of the improvement gained from acupuncture was not due to the needling process itself but due predominantly to the non-specific yet powerful effects which are probably part of the treatment process.

Pregnancy Back Pain

2007-09-13T10:59:00.000+01:00

Osteopathy is well recognised as a treatment for back trouble in pregnancy but most people are unaware of its full potential. Many of the conditions suffered in pregnancy are symptoms of an overall pattern of imbalance in the body. By finding and correcting these imbalances, osteopathy can alleviate many of the adverse side effects of pregnancy in the body. This helps ensure an easier more comfortable pregnancy and improves the chances of a straightforward birth, and a mother that can recover quicker.

The aches and pains that are common in pregnancy, result from the body changing shape to accommodate the increasing size and weight of the uterus. The ligaments of the whole body also soften during pregnancy, due to the action of hormones.
This allows the bones of the pelvis to separate slightly during delivery to facilitate the passage of the baby’s head through the pelvis.

Unfortunately this softening affects the whole body and makes it more vulnerable to strain. Postural imbalances may cause backache, sciatica, neckache, headaches, aching legs, and fatigue. If prior to pregnancy a woman’s body is already under stress from previous strains, trauma or lifestyle factors these changes are likely to impose a physical strain on all the organs and tissues.

Osteopathic treatment aims to assist the body in making postural changes more easily, making the pregnancy more comfortable.

Active Rehabilitation:

2007-09-04T18:17:00.000+01:00

Latest thinking on managing back pain - the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK - is unusual.

It encourages a speedy return to work, rather than the traditional prescription of complete rest.

Back Trouble UK believes that employees should not take long periods of time off work to recover from low back injuries, even if they are still suffering from the symptoms.

The most effective route to recovery is for employers to establish a program of active rehabilitation that encourages employees to get back to work as soon as possible.

Occupational health practitioners and managers are being encouraged to tackle the problem, by working closely together, with a common, consistent approach to agreed goals.

Improving Health

As well as affecting injured employees and their families, back pain has a major effect on industry through absenteeism and avoidable costs.

The Confederation of British Industries estimates that back pain costs £208 for every employee each year, while, at any one time, 430,000 people in the UK are receiving various social security benefits primarily for back pain.

There is strong evidence that physical activities at work, such as manual handling, account for only a small number of low back injuries among employees. Workers in heavy manual jobs report more low back pain symptoms, but people in lighter jobs have similar problems, related to normal everyday activities such as bending and lifting.

As a first step, health practitioners should raise awareness among employers and employees that work-related activities are not the only cause of lower back pain. But it should also be made clear that work activities can make the symptoms worse.

The next step is to carry out a pre-placement assessment to identify employees who may be more likely to develop lower back pain while carrying out particular work activities. This should include finding out whether employees have a previous history of pain. Care should also be taken when placing individuals with a strong history of lower back pain in physically demanding jobs.

The longer a worker is off work, the lower their chances are of ever returning to work. In fact, evidence shows that, whereas half those injured return to work after six months, only five per cent return after a year off work.

Employers are being encouraged to establish an active program of rehabilitation to help employees stay active and return to ordinary work activities as early as possible. This can lead to a faster recovery than traditional medical treatment, while the business benefits can include shorter periods of work loss and reduced sickness absence.

Occupational Issues

One way of promoting a quick return to work is for organisations to establish joint employer-worker initiatives to facilitate and support workers remaining at work or returning as soon as possible.

Back Trouble UK recommends that health practitioners should:

Initiate communication with the primary health care professional early in treatment and rehabilitation;
Advise the employee to continue as normally as possible and to provide support to achieve this;
Advise employers on the actions required, which may include sympathetic contact with the absent worker;
Consider how an employee's work tasks can be temporarily modified or how they can be given lighter work until they are fully recovered.

Guidelines suggest implementing rest pauses, work rotation, or using mechanical handling aids to carry out lifting operations to achieve this aim.

Other practical steps that can be taken to tackle the problem of low back pain include advising employees on current good working practices - for example, good lifting techniques - and issuing them with user-friendly information, such as HSE guidance publications.

Employers are also encouraged to:Consider joint employer-worker initiatives to identify and control occupational risks;

Monitor back problems and sickness absence due to Lower Back Pain;
Recognise that high job satisfaction can help to reduce disability and sickness absence rates attributed to Lower Back Pain.

Conventional tests such as X-rays and clinical examinations are of limited value when it comes to assessing and preventing lower back pain.

It is important to identify work-related factors. For example, dissatisfaction with work may get in the way of an employee's recovery and may cause symptoms to persist.

Please join us, we welcome your comments.

You can email us at: consultants@backtrouble.co.uk

My Brain Hurts?

2007-09-04T08:55:00.000+01:00

CHRONIC BACK PAIN EATS AWAY AT BRAIN

Scientists in Chicago have discovered new clues into what role the brain plays in chronic back pain (CBP).

The investigators used magnetic resonance imaging brain scans to compare the morphology of 26 individuals with CBP with 26 pain-free control subjects.

According to the report "patients with CBP showed 5-11% less neocortical gray matter volume than control subjects. The magnitude of this decrease is equivalent to the gray matter volume lost in 10-20 years of normal aging. The decreased volume was related to pain duration, indicating a 1.3 cm(3) loss of gray matter for every year of chronic pain."

The study also showed that CBP patients had decreased gray matter density.

"Our results imply that CBP is accompanied by brain atrophy and suggest that the pathophysiology of chronic pain includes thalamocortical processes," conclude the authors.

Decisions, Decisions!

2007-09-04T08:50:00.000+01:00

CHRONIC BACK PAIN IMPAIRS DECISION MAKING

Scientific evidence supports the hypothesis that chronic pain impairs an individual`s decision-making capability.

As part of one study, investigators compared 26 healthy people with 26 patients with chronic back pain (CBP) and 12 patients with a condition called chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

CRPS is a chronic nerve disorder typically afflicting the arms or legs, which usually onsets following an injury.

The study participants were asked to perform a test researchers use to assess emotional decision-making. The test, called the Iowa Gambling Task, is a gambling card game.
Subjects with CBP performed 41% worse than did pain-free individuals. Those with CRPS performed even poorer.

The study`s authors conclude that "our evidence indicates that chronic pain is associated with a specific cognitive deficit, which may impact everyday behaviour especially in risky, emotionally laden, situations."

"Other cognitive abilities, such as attention, short-term memory, and general intelligence tested normal in the chronic pain patients."

http://www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Smoking!

2007-08-21T14:26:00.000+01:00

SMOKING, A CAUSE OF BACK TROUBLE?

Epidemiological studies strongly imply that smoking may be a risk factor for back problems. It has been speculated that this is due to frequent coughing, unhealthy life style or osteoporosis in smokers.

All of these hypotheses, however, do not accord with the experimental evidence. A new theory is therefore proposed. It suggests that smoking leads to malnutrition of the disc which in turn renders it more vulnerable to mechanical stress.

Malnutritition can be brought about by carboxyhaemoglobin formation, nicotine-induced vasoconstriction, arteriosclerotic vessel wall changes, impairment of fibrinolytic activity and changes in the flow properties of blood.

Future studies should test the above hypothesis experimentally.

No Pain No Gain? Surely Not!

2007-08-14T09:43:00.000+01:00

Sources of Back Pain:

Herniated Discs - As people age, the outer rings of their discs weaken and may tear. The gel-like inner portion of a disc bulges outward, putting painful pressure on nearby nerves. This is commonly called a “slipped disc.” People who are obese, use improper lifting techniques or have bad posture are all at risk.

Slipped Vertebra - Joints or discs weaken and can no longer hold spine segments in place, causing one vertebra to slip over another. Shifted bones push against nerves, causing pain.

Disk Degeneration-Discs start out spongy, but lose water with age, becoming brittle. Weaken discs collapse under weight from above, causing vertebrae to scrape against each other.

Strains/Sprains - Sudden traumatic injuries or repetitive motions can stretch and tear muscles or ligaments. The damage may be accompanied by painful spasms and inflammation.

www.backtrouble.co.uk

Acute & Chronic Pain

2007-08-08T11:20:00.000+01:00

Doctors make a distinction between acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain usually goes away quickly. It's useful, because it warns you of sources of harm and tells you to protect yourself while the body heals.

Chronic pain can be just as unpleasant but lasts much longer. If you have pain in the same place for 12 weeks or more, it is likely to be classified as chronic pain. Because it lasts so long, it's of less value as a warning.

Most people have acute pain, and common painkillers usually help if taken regularly and according to instructions. The body also produces its own natural painkillers called endorphins. Exercise and treatments such as Chiropractic Therapy, Manipulation and Acupuncture, help increase the endorphins in your body.

Chronic pain is more difficult than acute pain to help and sometimes does not respond to treatments such as over-the-counter painkillers and conventional physiotherapy alone. People with chronic pain often need specialist advice and support and are sometimes referred by doctors to Specialist Chiropractic Clinics.

Understanding your symptoms:

People injure their backs in all manner of ways, and often the pain is a result of a strain rather than a dramatic accident. So why do we experience so much pain and what can we do to reduce our risk of injury? Download a free copy of “Where Does It Hurt?” today a unique book about Back Pain, Treatments and Rehabilitation.

Sport & Low Back Pain:

2007-08-06T13:33:00.000+01:00

About 80 per cent of the world's residents suffer from low back pain at one time or another, and an athletic lifestyle offers no warranty against the problem.

low back pain is a common ailment among runners, cyclists, and other athletes, and until now no one has been exactly sure what sports-minded people should do to alleviate - or prevent - the complaint. Now, thanks to research carried out at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, it appears that special co-ordination exercises can help get athletes' backs 'back on track'.

The Copenhagen investigations add some clarity to what has been a muddled picture concerning the proper therapy for low back pain. Sports scientists have been pretty certain that inadequate strength and endurance of the back muscles increase the risk of low back pain, suggesting that back-strengthening exercises would be an ideal preventative.

However, it's been impossible to determine which back-muscle strengthening programme is optimal, and recent research has even called into question the validity of traditional back-strengthening therapy. For one thing, scientists have shown that some popular low back exercises actually magnify 'intradiscal pressure' in the spine, possibly INCREASING the risk of difficulties. In addition, other studies have suggested that back-strengthening exercises are no more effective than short-wave diathermy or ultrasound at ameliorating low back pain.

Developing smoother back movements:

So, the Copenhagen investigators decided to take a new tack. Instead of assuming, as almost all other researchers have done, that muscle-strengthening routines are the answer for low back pain. The Danish researchers reasoned that healthy functioning in the low back does not depend on muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility alone - but also on the CO-ORDINATION of movements involving the lower back.

They theorised that individuals who moved clumsily might put inordinate strains on their low back muscles, connective tissues, and spinal structures, even if their basic muscle strength was pretty decent, leading to the onset of pain. As a result, the Danes hypothesised that training to improve co-ordination - but not necessarily muscle strength - might help individuals develop smoother movements of the lower back, which would then decrease the risk of harmful stress on the low back and thereby reduce the risk of pain. Forty Copenhagenians aged 18 to 65 with chronic low back pain took part in the study.

The subjects had all experienced low back pain for at least three months in the preceding year, but none of the individuals suffered from serious problems such as osteoporosis, painful osteo-arthritis, inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis, or disc degeneration.The subjects were divided into two groups, each of which trained for one hour two times per week over a three-month period. One group carried out conventional endurance/strength training for the low back, while the other conducted the special co-ordination training. After a 10-minute warm-up, the endurance/ strength group completed four key exercises:

Leg Lifts, in which subjects stood by the end of a table, leaned over into a prone position with the hips against the edge of the table and the chest flat on the table, and then lifted both legs behind them to the greatest possible height.

Trunk lifts, in which subjects lay prone on a table with their hips at the edge and the upper part of the body extending out over the edge of the table face-down (a strap over the calves kept individuals from toppling off the table). With hands behind their heads, the participants lowered their trunks and then lifted their trunks upward to the greatest possible extent (very much like traditional 'Roman-Chair' exercise).

Abdominal contractions (sit-ups), in which individuals lay on their backs with their knees flexed, feet on the floor, and arms behind their heads and then slowly 'sat up' in a straight- forward direction; and
Lat pull-downs, in which participants sat on a seat, grasped a weight lever, and then pulled the lever down behind their necks and shoulders, lifting a weight stack which was attached to the lever.

During the strength/endurance workouts, subjects did as many repetitions of each exercise as possible (but no more than 100), with 30-second pauses after each set of 10 repetitions.

At the end of the workout, participants completed about 10 total minutes of stretching, using 30-second static stretches of the various muscle groupsLike the strength/endurance people, the co-ordination-trained subjects started their workouts with 10 minutes of jogging and warm-up activity. They then completed four co-ordination exercises, including 1) "Knee-elbow touches'' in which they started in an upright, standing position and then rotated their trunks to the right, lifted their right knees while standing on their left feet only, and touched their right knees with their left elbows. They then returned to the standing position, rotated their trunks to the left, lifted their left knees, and touched their left knees with their right elbows. This alternating pattern - left elbow touching right knee and right elbow touching left knee - continued for up to 40 repetitions. 2) 'Balancers,' in which subjects started out on all fours (hands and knees on the ground) and then extended their left legs straight back and their right arms straight ahead, while remaining in balance on their right knees and left hands.

They then went back to the starting position and moved their left arms ahead and right legs back before alternating this pattern for a total of up to 40 reps.
3) Modified sit-ups, like No. 3 from the strength/endurance training except that instead of sitting up straight ahead, subjects moved forward alternately to the left and then to the right as they did their 'crunches'; and
4) Proprioceptive training, in which the participants stood on a wooden disk with a sphere attached to its undersurface. Subjects tried to keep balanced on the sphere without letting the edges of the disk touch the floor - while twisting their bodies and bending at the knees.

Participants stood on both feet at the beginning of the study but progressed to one-footed balancing (alternating feet) after several weeks. Post-workout stretching was the same as for the strength/endurance group.

And the results?

After three months of training, both groups had less low back pain, better mobility of the low back, and less trouble carrying out their daily activities, and the co-ordination group improved just as much as the strength/endurance group. Consumption of drugs to control low back pain was reduced by about two-thirds in both groups as well. Notably, back-muscle strength increased in the strength/endurance group but not in the co-ordination subjects, yet each group made similar improvements in low back function, demonstrating that an upgrade in strength is not the only thing which can heal a 'bad back'. Supporting this idea is the fact that there was not a strong correlation between improved back strength and reduction in low back pain in the Copenhagen research.

What does the Danish research mean to you?

If you suffer from low back pain or want to minimise the risk of low back pain in the future, improving your back-muscle strength is a decent idea, but it's not the complete answer. You should also carry out the co-ordination drills completed by the Danish athletes to 'smooth' and co-ordinate the functioning of your lower-back muscles and spine, and you should probably also improve the flexibility of your low back by stretching out your low back muscles AFTER they are thoroughly warmed up.

With improved strength, co-ordination, and flexibility in your low back, you should be able to exercise more efficiently and with less fatigue in your low back area. In addition, the prevention of low back pain should allow you to train more consistently, leading to higher-quality performances.

Pregnancy Back pain

2007-08-05T21:00:00.000+01:00

Answering "Help" - severe back pain in early pregnancy :

I am 6 weeks pregnant and last week I nearly passed out due to pains across my lower back, it was so intense I had to lay on the floor at work. I went to the doctors and he diagnosed me with a kidney infection and gave me pregnancy safe antibiotics.

The pain was still continuing and not lessening after id finished my 7 day course of antibiotics so I returned to the doctors who told me to go to casualty if I got the pain again. Soon after returning home I got the pains and went to the casualty at the hospital. They referred me to the gynaecology ward & took a blood and urine test & found no signs of a kidney infection and both tests were fine. They prescribed me some pregnancy safe painkillers and said that it was probably high hormone level or ligaments softening for pregnancy.

It has now been 9 days and I’m still suffering with such severe lower back pain that I cannot stand up when it comes, leave the house on my own, drive or go to work. The only symptoms I get are pain in my lower back that comes every 8-10 hours & lasts for about 15 minutes (no bleeding so not ectopic). I’m so upset and distressed now as I cant believe that the ligaments softening is so unbearably painful that I nearly pass out each time it happens and have to lay on the floor and I have no idea of how long this is going to last. The doctors aren’t very helpful either, as they haven’t given me any further medication or any definite answer of what it is. If this is "ligaments softening" has anyone had or heard of anyone suffering pain as severe as this? Please help because I’m at my wits end.

Little Lady one of the priorities of assessment of early pregnancy symptoms of pain and bleeding is to exclude an ectopic pregnancy, as it can result in loss of life. Traditionally, a history of pain disproportionate to bleeding with signs of pain on vaginal examination (cervical excitation) or reduced blood volume (hypovolaemia) will lead to a laparoscopy (See Gynaesurgeon.co.uk - Laparoscopy) to diagnose and treat the ectopic pregnancy.

Over the last ten years, the introduction of routine transvaginal scanning, rapid serum HCG estimation, combined with advances in laparoscopic surgery, has led to a major change in the way that we diagnose and treat ectopic pregnancy.

If the pain persists and you are distressed don’t think that all will work out! Please seek help, see a medical professional as soon as possible…GP ..

www.backtrouble.co.uk

Nutrition & Back Pain

2007-08-01T09:50:00.000+01:00

Good nutrition is really an important part of your overall health including the health of your back. Back pain can be reduced by providing proper nutrition.

Those of us who consume too many calories and eat relatively unhealthy foods are more than likely a bit heavier than we should be. Common sense should tell us that the more we weigh the more stress is placed on our spine as well as other joints in our bodies which causes extra wear and tear.

Extra body weight can also lead to poor posture which is a leading cause of back problems and back pain. Using good posture and body mechanics is essential for a healthy back and spine; the more aware we are of this fact the more likely we are to continuously look at the way we do things.

So, before you have that third Jam Doughnut or finish off the last of the triple cheese pizza ask yourself if you really need it? Your back will thank you.

Drink water! Dehydration is bad for your body; in general most of us need to drink more water. The discs between the vertebrae of our spine need to be nourished and kept hydrated.

Do you smoke? If you smoke you probably don't want to hear this but studies show that there is a direct relationship between smoking cigarettes and having back problems. Smoking slows down your circulation and cuts down the oxygen supply in your bloodstream. Adequate blood flow and oxygen supply are needed for good health and for proper healing to occur.

If you have never tried juicing you may want to get a juicer and give it a try, it'll provide you with a good amount of vitamins and minerals plus it's a simple and quick way to consume your daily fruits and vegetables. My favourite juice is apple and carrot, it tastes great! By eating properly and drinking sufficient amounts of water you'll be one step closer to having a healthier back and you'll improve your overall health as well.

www.backtrouble.co.uk

Back Injuries

2007-07-20T20:54:00.000+01:00

The statement that back injuries tend to be difficult to cure can be a myth in many cases.

A back disorder may develop over a period of time or a patient may actually have a sudden onset of back pain. There may be one specific incident or known injury such as a fall, motor vehicle accident, direct trauma, or the back injury may be the cumulative result of one or all of the following:

Poor posture
Improper body mechanics
Stressful living situations and poor working habits
Limited flexibility and decreased strength .

Poor posture is one of the leading causes of back pain. You can help prevent or even help cure a back disorder by trying to improve your postural awareness and by making changes in your activities of daily living.

Listed below are some useful tips to remember:

Correct sitting and standing postures are one and the same; head and shoulders erect and balanced, stand up straight and look straight ahead.
Do not sit or stand for long periods of time (take periodic rest breaks and change positions as needed).
Always position yourself close to your work and work at a comfortable height.
Always practice good posture and proper body mechanics.
Faulty Body Mechanicsfaulty body mechanics involves improper lifting techniques.
One must maintain proper posture and keep objects close to the body.

One must use the strong muscles of the lower extremities to perform the lift instead of bending at the waist and using the lower back.

Do not twist while lifting and obtain assistance if needed.

Stressful Living Conditions and Poor Work Habits, this may aggravate the symptoms of back pain and may even create a flare-up of pain following periods of increased tension.

Utilising stress management is an important tool to help improve emotional factors in one's life.
Most individuals will cope better by understanding the nature of their injury and taking the appropriate steps necessary to eliminate back pain and provide for a healthy back.

Exercising aerobically 3 to 5 times weekly and maintaining good strength and flexibility are the keys to having a strong and healthy back. Generally, people in poor physical condition tend to be more vulnerable to back injuries than those who maintain a high level of physical fitness.

One of the most important components of good health is to maintain a daily exercise program.

Conclusion:
Back problems can be prevented most of the time. It is certainly easier to prevent a back injury by taking the appropriate measures. Patient education is one of the most effective tools in preventing back injuries. Patients can be taught to understand what their back problems are, how to prevent them and what to do if they occur.

Self-responsibility and a desire to have a healthy back is the first step to success!

www.backtrouble.co.uk

Is Exercising Safe for Those with Back Pain?

2007-07-11T18:06:00.000+01:00

Many people with back pain don't know whether it is safe to do exercises or if exercises will worsen their condition. It all depends on the cause of the back pain.

Exercising is beneficial for various conditions causing back pain, even osteoarthritis of the spine.

Always check with your GP or Chiropractic Doctor as to which exercises are appropriate for you to do.

When back pain is caused by an injury, maintaining day-to-day activities is usually recommended.

BED REST FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS ONLY: Muscles go into spasms at the site of an acute injury (triggered by inflammation). Muscle spasms restrict movement to protect the body from further injury.

Muscle spasms may cause intense pain. For the first couple of days after an acute back injury, lying on a firm surface may be helpful in relieving muscle spasms and pain.

After a couple of days, bed rest is counterproductive. Prolonged bed rest weakens the back and delays healing.

For the majority of people experiencing back pain from an injury, maintaining normal activity speeds up recovery. Maintaining normal activity is better than either bed rest or getting into an exercise program too quickly.

In the case of an acute back injury, back exercises (except for gentle stretching exercises) are best started after the majority of back pain has resolved. It is important to maintain day-to-day activities, as bed rest will not speed up recovery and prolonged bed rest causes wasting of the muscles. Weakened muscles make recovery more difficult.

If you are suffering from severe back pain caused by an acute injury, a couple days of bed rest may be necessary until inflammation and muscle spasms have subsided, but get up and get moving as soon as possible.

Increase activity slowly. Try to get up and walk around the house a little. Do a little more every day.
The muscles that support the back are activated during almost any activity - even while simply sitting or standing the core muscles support the weight of the body - so maintaining daily activities will maintain the muscles that support the back.

Walking and swimming are low impact activities that can be started before the back pain has totally resolved, as recommended by your physician. Stay away from high impact activities until you have completely recovered from a back injury.

Start with gentle stretching exercises only. Stretching exercises for the back increase circulation to the muscles to speed healing, relieve tight muscles and back pain, and help increase mobility. A warm shower or bath before exercising will loosen up tight muscles and ease pain, making the exercises easier to do.

Save the strengthening exercises until your back pain has gone or as recommended by your GP or Physical Therapist. Until back pain is gone (usually two weeks to two months for back muscle strain), avoid exercises that put pressure on the lower back, such as leg lifts done in a face down position.

You don't want to restrain injured muscles and cause a flare up of back pain. If you are unsure as to what exercises are safe, a Chiropractic Doctor can create a personalised exercise program for you to follow.

*Warm water exercises are particularly beneficial. Warm water increases circulation, speeds healing, relaxes tense muscles, and eases pain, which makes the exercises easier to perform. Many public swimming pools offer warm-water exercise classes.

When you have recovered from your back injury, begin strengthening exercises that target your core muscles. Strong back, abdominal, and buttocks muscles support the spine, take stress off the joints of the spine, are vital to good posture, and will reduce the chance of recurring back pain. Do strengthening exercises regularly to maintain strong muscles.

It’s a well proven fact that strengthening the muscles that support the back can prevent back pain from recurring.

Effective Treatments

2007-07-04T16:13:00.000+01:00

Chiropractic is now firmly established as a primary health-care profession in the United Kingdom.

The profession has earned recognition for its remarkable effectiveness and its focus on natural, drug-free, non-invasive methods of treatment. This section summarises the effectiveness of chiropractic for some of the conditions that Back Trouble UK practitioners treat.

General Lower-Back Pain

Because we focus predominately on Back pain, approximately 75% of our patients come to us with a chief complaint of low-back/pelvic pain or discomfort. This pain can be brought on by an accident, overuse, repetitive stress, emotional stress, or just everyday living.

Several studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy of spinal manipulation as a treatment for lower-back pain in general. One of these involved three chiropractic colleges in California, where researchers reported that "the trend for spinal manipulation to produce better results than any form of treatment to which it was compared was consistent and strong." For 86% of the outcomes, spinal manipulation was more effective than any other treatment rendered for lower-back pain.

Additional studies conducted both in Europe and the United States yielded similar results, where patients reportedly recovered at a more rapid rate, had fewer relapses, and gained a new sense of confidence in their movement.

More investigations have been conducted on the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for two sub-categories of lower-back pain: acute and chronic.

Acute Lower-Back Pain

A report published in 1994 by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research on acute low-back pain concluded that spinal adjustment is one of the most effective treatments for this condition. In another study published in 1994 by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre and the Jefferson County (Missouri) Rehabilitation Centre, it was concluded that greater and more rapid improvement occurred when treated using exercises and spinal adjustment for acute low-back pain.

A third study conducted by the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and the University of Vermont was published in 1992. These researchers reported that spinal adjustment, when compared to other methods of treatment for acute lower-back pain (massage, corset, and TMS), proved to be a "superior," more effective treatment after three weeks of care.

Chronic Lower-Back Pain

In 1997, the Dutch Health Insurance Board funded an investigation that summarised the results of 48 separate studies on the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for chronic lower-back pain. The investigation determined that spinal adjustment is more effective than treatments suggested by general practitioners (bed rest, analgesics, and massage).

Two similar studies conducted in Canada in 1985 (University Hospital in Saskatoon) and 1991 (University of Calgary), plus a third study conducted in Poland in 1986 (Silesian Medical School), produced results similar to the Dutch investigation.

Neck Pain

Approximately 19% of our patients come to us with complaints of neck pain or discomfort. This pain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an accident, injury, overuse, etc. The most common neck condition we address is whiplash.

The efficacy of chiropractic for neck pain has been well documented in numerous studies conducted in the UK, Netherlands, United States and Canada.

Head Pain

Headaches, both tension and migraine, are the chief complaint for approximately 13% of our patients. Before you reach for your pain-reliever of choice the next time a headache or migraine sneaks up on you, consider the following information on the efficacy of chiropractic care for head pain.

In a 1995 study conducted in Minnesota, the effectiveness of spinal adjustment relative to the administration of an antidepressant drug (amitriptyline) for patients with chronic tension-type headaches was investigated. The researchers included doctors of chiropractic, a doctor of medicine, and another professionals from North-western College of Chiropractic and the Pain Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre, Ltd. They determined that, after four weeks of treatment, patients receiving spinal adjustment therapy experienced a continued lack of symptoms, whereas patients taking the medication returned to original, baseline conditions.

Another study, published in 1997 by doctors of medicine and doctors of chiropractic at the University of Odense and the Nordic Institute of Chiropractic and Clinical Biomechanics in Denmark, compared spinal adjustment and soft tissue therapy for the treatment of benign, chronic headaches. They found that both methods of therapy allowed for significant improvement, and there were no side effects or signs of worsening associated with either method.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

With a large percentage of the population using keyboards either at work or at home, CTS is becoming increasingly common. CTS is a condition where there is a disturbance of nerve function in the wrist. Because it is a neurological issue, Chiropractic practitioners are treating more and more patients of all ages suffering from this condition.

One study, published in 1998 and conducted by researchers from the North-western College of Chiropractic in Minnesota, compared chiropractic treatment of CTS to conservative medical treatment. The chiropractic treatment included manipulation, ultrasound treatment, and wrist supports, while the medical group received an anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen) and wore wrist supports. They found that both methods of treatment proved to be equally effective and recommended that patients with CTS who are sensitive to medical side effects pursue chiropractic for treatment.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterised by chronic pain in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints, fatigue, and tenderness at specific sites in the body. While the cause is unknown, an estimated 1.5 million people are affected in the UK.

Because our practitioners offer a conservative, hands-on approach to health care, some patients suffering from fibromyalgia are supplementing their medical care with chiropractic care.
In 1997, a study was conducted by three Canadian chiropractors on the effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients with fibromyalgia. They reported significant improvement in flexibility and reduction of pain levels and recommended that this type of treatment be included along with medical treatments for this condition.

Infantile Colic

Is a condition that occurs in early infancy and is characterised by episodes of loud crying, apparent abdominal pain, and irritability. Unfortunately, it is a common condition that affects approximately 10% of babies in the UK and lasts from about 2-3 weeks of age until 3-4 months.

While the causes of colic are not always known or understood, parents of children exhibiting symptoms of colic are seeking help from chiropractors because of its effectiveness in reducing the severity of the symptoms.

One study that documents the efficacy of chiropractic for treating infantile colic was conducted in 1989 by a doctor of medicine and doctors of chiropractic at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Great Britain. Researchers reported that 94% of infants with colic appeared to be helped by spinal manipulation within 14 days of the start of treatment. The babies tended to have both fewer episodes of crying and shorter crying spells.

Another study, this one conducted in 1999 in Denmark, investigated two infant groups: one that was treated with spinal manipulation, and another that was treated with an over-the-counter antacid medication (dimethicone). After two weeks, the group treated with spinal manipulation exhibited a 67% drop in daily hours of crying, while the dimethicone group experienced a 38% drop.

In summary

The above-referenced studies indicate chiropractic is effective for head, neck, and back pain, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic. It is important to note that the conditions discussed in this section are not the only conditions chiropractors treat— this has simply been a sampling of studies that have been conducted to determine the efficacy of chiropractic. The scope of chiropractic practice extends well beyond the above conditions, and we will help you determine if chiropractic care will be an effective means of treating your particular condition.

www.backtrouble.co.uk

Back Facts

2007-07-01T12:56:00.000+01:00

Back pain has reached epidemic proportions in the U.K.

According to the Arthritis Foundation back pain is one of the most common health problems in all developed countries.

It affects 50-80 percent of adults at some time in their lives, and 10 percent of all UK residents will have back pain in a given year. It can occur at any age, in both men and women. We spend more than £10 billion on both private and NHS treatments each year - not including time we miss from work or the emotional costs from the intrusion into our lives.

It can range from mildly uncomfortable, to excruciating, or anywhere in between. Back pain can start slowly, sometimes as a result of poor posture, or come on suddenly because of injury.

Most times, the Arthritis Foundation says, it's caused by irritation of the joints, pressure on ligaments and muscles from diseased or injured disks, or from bony spurs on the spinal joints, or vertebra. Pressure on nerve roots can also lead to back and leg pain, they warn. Even non-joint ailments can result in back pain, such as problems of the prostate, kidneys, reproductive organs or intestinal diseases.

Back Trouble UK Chiropractic practitioners don't offer 'miracle cures' or 'magic potions'. They know that often, your back pain didn't appear overnight - and they caution patients that recovery from it probably won't happen after only one or two treatments.

Our practitioners use a systematic approach to treat their patients' symptoms, based on deep-level knowledge of the mechanisms of the body, and of the emotional ties of pain to body dysfunction.

Learn more on How We Work With You, matching our treatments to your specific needs, providing you with the most successful Back Pain management and relief programme.

Tension Headaches

2007-06-28T09:39:00.000+01:00

Chiropractic Treatment of Chronic Tension-type Headaches:

A Randomised Clinical Trial conducted at the Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Center for Clinical Studies, Minnesota, USA.

Background:
In the United States headaches are responsible for more than 18 million office visits annually, and are the most common reason for using over-the-counter medications. It is estimated that 156 million work days are lost each year because of headaches, translating to £15 billion in lost productivity. Of the categories of chronic headaches, tension-type headaches are most common.

Headaches are commonly treated by chiropractic doctors with spinal manipulation, and several studies have reported good outcomes. These trials however, suffered from either a lack of a control group or inadequate statistical power. The purpose of this randomised clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of spinal manipulation and a common pharmaceutical treatment (amitriptyline) for chronic tension-type headache.

Methods: One-hundred-fifty patients between the ages of 18 and 70 were randomly assigned to receive either six weeks of chiropractic or pharmaceutical treatment which was preceded by a two week baseline period and included a four week, post-treatment follow up period. Main outcome measures were change in patient-reported daily headache intensity, weekly headache frequency, over-the-counter medication usage, and functional health status using the SF-36 Health Survey.

Results: During the treatment period both groups improved at very similar rates in all primary outcomes. Four weeks following the cessation of treatment patients who received spinal manipulative therapy showed a reduction of 32% in headache intensity, 42% in headache frequency, 30% in over-the-counter medication usage and 16% in functional health status.

By comparison, patients that received amitriptyline showed no improvement or a slight worsening from baseline values in the same outcome measures. The group differences at four week post-treatment follow up were considered to be clinically important and statistically significant.

There is however further need to assess the effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy beyond four weeks and to compare spinal manipulative therapy to an appropriate placebo such as sham manipulation in future clinical trials.

Conclusion: The results of this study show that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches. Amitriptyline was slightly more effective in reducing pain by the end of the treatment period, but was associated with more side effects. Four weeks after cessation of treatment however, patients who received spinal manipulation experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in all major outcomes in contrast to the amitriptyline group, who reverted to baseline values. The sustained theraputic benefit associated with spial manipulation seemed to result in a decreased need for over-the-counter medication.

http://www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Reduce Your Stress

2007-06-26T09:42:00.000+01:00

Relieving stress can reduce pain that is aggravated or caused by tense muscles. Managing stress on an ongoing basis may also help prevent back pain from occurring in the first place.

Relieving Stress with Exercise:

Stress can be relieved through exercise. Aerobic exercise is a particularly effective form of exercise for relieving stress -aerobic exercise burns off stress hormones and increases the body's production of endorphins - naturally occurring chemicals that relieve pain and improve mood. Stretching exercises also can relieve stress and loosen tight muscles. Yoga incorporates poses that increase strength and flexibility with breathing techniques to relieve stress.

Relaxation Techniques:

Relaxation techniques invoke the "relaxation response." Muscles relax and blood pressure, heartbeat, and respiration decrease. This is the opposite of the "stress response" where muscles tense and blood pressure, heartbeat, and respiration increase.
There are many relaxation techniques, from simple deep breathing exercises that are easy to learn on one's own to self-hypnosis that must initially be taught by a qualified professional. Other relaxation techniques include meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, biofeedback. Special equipment is needed for biofeedback and it must be taught by a professional.

Though most relaxation techniques are not complicated, they still take time and practice to master.

Massage Therapy:

is very beneficial for relaxing muscles, increasing circulation, and relieving stress. Regular massage can help manage stress and back pain. Soaking in warm water relaxes the muscles and has a calming effect
Stress Management is an ongoing process - as is staying strong through exercise. Keeping fit through exercise and managing stress are both important in the treatment and prevention of back pain.

Chiropractic Therapy is regarded as being highly successful in both the treatment and management of stress related Back Pain. Visit http://www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Neck Pain

2007-06-20T12:34:00.000+01:00

The efficacy (Efficacy is the ability to produce a desired amount of a desired effect).

of chiropractic for neck pain has been well documented in numerous studies conducted in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. In a joint U.S./Canadian study published in 1996, researchers from UCLA, the West LA Veterans Affairs Medical Centre, and two chiropractic colleges found that for some patients with sub-acute or chronic neck pain, spinal adjustment proved to be a more effective treatment than mobilisation or physical therapy.

In a study conducted by the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto in 1997, researchers found spinal adjustments to improve neck mobility and decrease neck pain. An additional Canadian investigation published in 1997 by the University of Calgary found spinal adjustments to improve neck mobility and decrease neck pain in patients having back and/or neck complaints.

General practitioners in private practice at the Welsh National School of Medicine in the United Kingdom conducted a study of the efficacy of spinal adjustment in alleviating neck and shoulder pain. The results, published in 1983, indicated that pain and discomfort improved significantly after adjustment, as well as range of motion and flexibility of the affected areas.

A 1992 Netherlands study conducted by medical physicians and other professionals investigated different methods of treatment for patients with chronic back and neck pain. After 12 weeks of care, manual therapy (which consisted of adjustment and mobilisation of the spine) had showed a "faster and larger improvement in physical functioning" relative to the other types of treatment such as massage, exercises, and physical therapy.

http://www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Where Does It Hurt?

2007-06-13T18:37:00.000+01:00

The Book "Where does it Hurt?"

Empowers the back pain sufferer with information that will enable them to confidently manage their back pain, treatment and rehabilitation.

If You Suffer from Back Pain

Whether it's lower back pain, upper back pain, disc problems or sciatica you can find out the best treatment for your particular problem by reading a copy of

"Where Doe’s it Hurt?"

This book will provide you with:

Unique information that you will never get from your Doctor.

Covers back pain, sciatica, lower back pain, upper-back pain, disc problems plus more.

An explanation of all the things in life that contribute to back and neck pain.

How to get rid of your sciatica or back pain.

A clear explanation of what exercises NOT to do with back pain and why.
The important role stress plays in causing and prolonging back pain.
Plus so much more unique, original information.

Now released on http://www.backtrouble.co.uk/

If you would like any further information on "Where does it Hurt?" please contact

consultants@backtrouble.co.uk

Ruptured Disk

2007-06-11T09:22:00.000+01:00

Description:

www.backtrouble.co.uk

You have probably heard people say they have a "slipped" or "ruptured" disk in their neck or lower back. What they are actually describing is a herniated disk, a common source of neck, or lower back and arm or leg pain.
Disks are soft, rubbery pads found between the hard bones (vertebrae) that make up the spinal column. In the middle of the spinal column is the spinal canal-a hollow space that contains the spinal cord and other nerve roots. The disks between the vertebrae allow the back to flex or bend. Disks also act as shock absorbers.
Disks in the lumbar spine (low back) are composed of a thick outer ring of cartilage (annulus) and an inner gel-like substance (nucleus). In the cervical spine (neck), the disks are similar but smaller in size.

A disk herniates or ruptures when part of the center nucleus pushes through the outer edge of the disk. The centre nucleus pushes backwards toward the spinal canal. This puts pressure on the nerves. Spinal nerves are very sensitive to even slight amounts of pressure. Pain, numbness or weakness may occur in one or both legs.

Risk Factors & Prevention:
In children and young adults, disks have high water content. As people age, the water content in the disks decreases. They become less flexible. The disks begin to shrink. The spaces between the vertebrae get narrower. The disk itself becomes less flexible. Conditions that can weaken the disk include:
Improper lifting
Smoking
Excessive body weight that places added stress on the disks (in the lower back)
Sudden pressure (which may be slight)
Repetitive strenuous activities

Symptoms:
Lower Back: Low back pain affects four out of five people. Pain alone isn't enough to recognise a herniated disk. See your GP if back pain results from a fall or a blow to your back. The most common symptom of a herniated disk is sciatica - a sharp, often shooting pain that extends from the buttocks down the back of one leg. It is caused by pressure on the spinal nerve.

Other symptoms include:
Weakness in one leg
Tingling (a "pins-and-needles" sensation) or numbness in one leg or buttock
Loss of bladder or bowel control (If you also have significant weakness in both legs, you could have a serious problem. Seek immediate attention.)
A burning pain centered in the neck

Neck: Like pain in the lower back, neck pain is also common. When pressure is placed on a nerve in the neck, it causes pain in the muscles between your neck and shoulder (trapezial muscles). The pain may shoot down the arm. Sometimes the pain causes headaches in the back of the head.

Other symptoms include:
Weakness in one arm
Tingling (a "pins-and-needles" sensation) or numbness in one arm
Loss of bladder or bowel control (If you also have significant weakness in both arms or legs, you could have a serious problem. Seek immediate attention.)
Burning pain in the shoulders, neck or arm.

Diagnosis:
To diagnose a herniated disk, give the physician your complete medical history. Tell him or her if you have neck/back pain with gradually increasing arm/leg pain. Tell the them if you were injured. The physician will physically examine you. This can determine which nerve roots are affected (and how seriously). A simple X-ray may show evidence of disk or degenerative spine changes.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scans (imaging tests to confirm which disk is injured) or an EMG (a test that measures nerve impulses to the muscles) may be recommended if pain continues.

Treatment Options:
Conservative treatment is effective in treating symptoms of herniated disks in more than 90 percent of patients. Most neck or back pain will resolve gradually with simple measures.
Moderate short term Bed rest and over-the-counter pain relievers may be all that's needed.
Muscle relaxers, analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications are also helpful.
You can also apply cold compresses or ice for no more than 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
After any spasms settle, you can switch to gentle heat applications.

However it may be advisable to seek specialist advice from a Chiropractic Doctor.

Any physical activity should be slow and controlled, especially bending forward and lifting.

This can help ensure that symptoms do not return. Take short walks and avoid sitting for long periods. For the lower back, exercises may also be helpful in strengthening back and abdominal muscles. For the neck, exercises or traction may also be helpful. It's essential that you learn how to properly stand, sit and lift. This can help you avoid future episodes of pain.

Surgical Treatment Options:
If conservative treatment fails, epidural injections of a cortisone-like drug may lessen nerve irritation and allow better participation in physical therapy. These shots are given on an outpatient basis over a period of weeks.
Surgery may be required if a disk fragment lodges in the spinal canal and presses on a nerve, causing significant loss of function. Surgical options in the lower back include microdiskectomy or laminectomy depending on the size and position of the disk herniation. In the neck, an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is usually recommended. This involves removing the entire disk to take the pressure off the spinal cord and nerve roots. Bone is placed in the disc space and a metal plate may be used to stabilise the spine. On occasion, a smaller surgery may be performed on the back of the neck that does not require fusing the bones together. Each of these surgeries is performed under general anesthesia. It may be performed as an outpatient or require an overnight hospital stay. You should be able to return to work in two to six weeks.

My Back Ache's

2007-06-08T08:47:00.000+01:00

What causes backache?
Backache usually is caused by minor strains in the muscles or ligaments, but more serious lower back pain usually is the result of an injury to one of the many joints in the base of your spine. The joints include the facet joints and discs, which push when disturbed against painful tissue or nerve roots just behind them.

The injury usually happens while bending your spine forwards (flexing it), especially while lifting something heavy.
Never bend forward with your legs straight to perform any task. Once you have experienced back trouble, it has a tendency to recur, and so be careful to protect your back.

How can you care for it?
Adjust your activity to your back discomfort. Take care with posture. Avoid fatigue. Ideally you should perform a set of exercises to strengthen the muscles of your spine and abdomen.

Sport and exercise:

Be careful of sudden twisting movements and sudden overloading of muscles, as in cricket, golf, squash, sailing, weight lifting and horse riding. Walking, jogging (avoid hard surfaces) and swimming are good activities.

Sitting:
Avoid sitting for long periods, especially in the car. Your knees should be higher than your hips and your back straight. Maintain the hollow in your back.

Bed rest and sleep:
Use a low pillow and lie on your side. Do not lie face-up or face-down. Use a firm mattress.

Lifting:
Avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 kg (20 lb). Squat close to the load and keep your back straight. Do not stoop over the load to get a grip and pick it up. Lift using your knees and legs (not your back) as leverage. Keep your back straight, not bent forwards or backwards.

Cleaning floors, Housework and gardening:
Your hands should be as far forward of you as necessary to keep your back straight. Do not flex your back by having your hands working too close to your knees.

Bending:
Take care when bending, for example tying shoelaces or putting on stockings. Put your foot on a stool, chair or box that is near enough to your body and high enough so that you do not have to bend down to your foot.

For professional advice on Back Care and Back related problems consider obtaining advice from a Chiropractic Doctor.
www.backtrouble.co.uk

Baby Colic and Chiropractic Treatment

2007-06-06T10:40:00.000+01:00

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If you have a colicky baby, and other forms of treatment don't seem to be helping very much, you may want to investigate taking your baby to a chiropractor.

As your child is being born, the neck and back vertebrae can go out of alignment due to the stretching and compressing of the body as it emerges into the world. If your delivery included a prolonged pushing stage, forceps or vacuum extraction, or other form of assisted delivery, the chances of a misalignment are great.

If the misalignments, called vertebral subluxations, are big enough, the functioning of major systems in the body can be compromised. The digestive system can be affected and ineffective digestion of breast milk and formula can cause major discomfort in your baby, leading to colic episodes.

Many parents are wary of taking their small, helpless babies to see a chiropractor. The main reason being the "Snap, Crackle and Pop" stereotype that chiropractic invokes.

In actuality, the adjustments that a chiropractor will do on your baby are basically applying gentle pressure with the finger to areas on the neck and back. You may see your baby totally relax before your eyes as the misalignments are corrected.

As with selecting any health care provider, you need to ask questions first. In this case, "Have you adjusted other infants?" would be most important. Do ask for referrals that you can contact if you are unsure.

Chiropractic care can be very valuable in helping to calm the colic tendencies.

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Children with Low Back Pain

2007-06-05T14:39:00.000+01:00

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Published in 2003 an issue of the peer-reviewed periodical, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), is the results of a very interesting study on lower back pain in children. The journal article starts off by noting that about 50% of children suffer from lower back pain at one time or another. It also notes that about 15% of children experience frequent or continual pain.

The study was conducted on 54 children between the ages of 4 and 18 in the cities of Calgary, Alberta, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In the study the children with lower back pain received chiropractic care from a variety of volunteer chiropractors in Canada. The children were tracked regularly during the study to monitor their progress.

Results were obtained in several ways including responses from the patients themselves on how they felt their progress was coming.
Results of the study showed improvement over the follow-up period was observed in 46% to 92% of the children for various criteria. In a period of 30 days 82% of the children reported that they were "much improved."

The researchers conclusions were, "Patients responded favorably to chiropractic management, and there were no reported complications."

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Scoliosis

2007-06-04T21:54:00.000+01:00

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Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine.

A certain degree of spinal curvature is often considered normal and usually requires no formal treatment. This may not be considered an abnormal finding in some cases.

Scoliosis has many causes and can be associated with:
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Bone disease
• Soft tissue disordersScoliosis can occur in infancy or during adolescence.
• Infantile scoliosis is rare and typically presents itself before the age of three.
• Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis.

Females are affected eight times as frequent as males. School screening programs have provided for earlier detection and treatment of scoliosis, which has led to improved outcomes.

A careful spinal evaluation is a part of all chiropractic examinations. The examination should also include a thorough neurological examination and inspection for skin lesions to rule out non-idiopathic causes.

Diagnostic evaluation:

• X-rays of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine should be performed to measure the exact location and degree of curvature.
• Bone scans may be indicated
.Treatment varies based on criteria including:

• Location of curve
• Type of curve
• Degree of curvature
• Age
• Underlying condition(s)
• Skeletal maturityIn general, curves less than 20 degrees can be observed and followed every six months. Curves above 20 degrees typically require bracing.

Exercise is important for maintaining flexibility and strength of spinal muscles.
Surgery is performed if the curve continues to progress despite bracing, or if the curvature angle is too severe.

Curves above 50 degrees have been shown to progress over the years, and progression of a thoracic curve above 60 degrees can impair heart and lung function. Surgical fusion is important in these cases to prevent further medical problems.

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Continuing with Chiropractic Care

2007-06-04T08:39:00.000+01:00

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A LASTING RECOVERY:

Research suggests ligaments and muscles that support your spine take longer to heal than indicated by how you feel. Your body continues to heal these soft tissues after your symptoms are gone. Continuing with chiropractic care encourages more complete healing. This helps assure a lasting recovery.

PREVENTING A RELAPSE:

Before obvious symptoms provided a warning, your body adapted to the soft tissue damage caused by improper spinal function. Without continued chiropractic care, muscles and connective tissue are predisposed to assume unhealthy patterns. Rehabilitative care continues to retrain and strengthen your spine to help avoid a relapse.

AVOID FUTURE PROBLEMS:

Long periods of sitting, financial worries, toxic environments, and many everyday activities can stress your spine. Even the slightest trauma can cause interference to your nervous system and compromise optimum health. Maintenance care can help keep you healthy and avoid small problems from becoming big ones.

SAVE MONEY:

Besides keeping you at your best, continuing your care can save money. Just as brushing and cleaning your teeth can prevent expensive dental treatment, regular chiropractic check-ups help avoid the expense of having to correct preventable problems.

FEELING GOOD:

Continue your chiropractic care so you can enjoy life to the fullest. Your doctor will recommend a schedule of preventive care visits based on his or her clinical experience. Most patients who enjoy a chiropractic lifestyle report they have more energy and feel better.

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

Proper spinal care is new for most people. Ask questions, Get involved, Learn how to become an active partner in the recovery of your health. Make sure you fully understand the role of your spine and nervous system in the maintenance of good health - your most valuable possession.

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Trigger Point Therapy.

2007-06-03T18:29:00.000+01:00

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Designed to aid in the treatment of pain or injuries, an orthopaedic massage offers a conceptual approach to the management of soft tissue spasm and dysfunction’s.

The Neuromuscular (Trigger Point Therapy) massage is geared toward the trigger points of the body, which are highly sensitive areas in the muscles that cause localised pain and/or refer pain to other areas of the body.

Chiropractic Doctors apply concentrated finger pressure to these points to break the cycles of spasm and pain. Numerous research studies conducted in the United States, Europe, and Asia have documented that far beyond simply "feeling good"; massage therapy has an impressive range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

Benefits of Massage:

• Stimulates the release of endorphins - (the body’s natural painkiller)
• Calms the nervous system

• Improves sleep

• Strengthens the immune system
• Aids in the removal of toxins from the body

• Reduces muscular tension
• Improves circulation of blood & lymph
• Increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues
• Calms the nervous system
• Improves posture

• Increases flexibility & improves joint range of motion
• Enhances overall performance
• Relieves mental & physical stress
• Overall feeling of well-being

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Alternative and Complementary Medicine

2007-05-29T15:16:00.000+01:00

What is the Difference between Alternative and Complementary Medicine?

The term’s "complementary medicine" and "alternative medicine" often are used interchangeably, but the two are different. Complementary therapies are used together with traditional western medicine. For example, you may take prescribed medication to manage your day-to-day pain and use guided imagery to help manage a breakthrough pain episode. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. For example, using a special diet to treat your arthritis instead of using medications recommended by your GP is using alternative medicine.

Complementary techniques to manage pain include diet, exercise, biofeedback, massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and self-regulation techniques such as self-hypnosis, relaxation training, yoga, reiki (a natural healing process using the hands to tap a universal life energy) and Jin Shin Jyutsu (a process to balance the body’s energies to bring optimal health and well-being).

Practitioners of complementary medicine, such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, and naturopaths, often view health as a balance of physical, emotional and spiritual factors. Complementary treatment often attempts to restore that balance. The most widely used complementary medicine practices in the United Kingdom are acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, and herbal medicine.

Choosing Practitioners and Techniques:

One of the most important decisions you can make when deciding to pursue complementary therapies is choosing a qualified and knowledgeable practitioner to ensure you receive the best care.
Another vitally important aspect of using complementary or alternative therapies is to make sure that you inform your GP. It is believed that as much as 60% of complementary therapy use is not disclosed to physicians—it cannot be emphasised enough that your health care providers need to know what therapies, herbs, or other medications you may be using or are considering using. Many herbal remedies interact adversely with medications and some complementary therapies may not be appropriate for your condition (e.g., massage may not be comfortable for people who suffer with arthritis)

Factors to Consider:

Speak with your primary health care provider regarding the therapy in which you are interested. Ask if he or she can recommend a practitioner or if they are willing to make a referral.

Ask basic questions about a practitioner’s credentials and practice (e.g., Where were they trained? How long have they been in practice? What licenses or certifications do they have? How much will the treatment cost?).

Be sure to check with your insurer to see if the cost of therapy will be covered. For example, most health insurers cover visits to a chiropractor.

Meet with the practitioner and determine if he or she is right for you (e.g., Did you feel comfortable with the practitioner? Did he or she answer your questions and respond to you in a way that satisfied you? Does the treatment plan seem reasonable and acceptable to you?).

Contact a professional organisation for the type of practitioner you are seeking. Often, professional organisations have standards of practice, provide referrals to practitioners, have publications explaining the therapy that their members provide, and may offer information on the type of training needed and whether practitioners of a therapy must be licensed or certified in your country.

Chiropractic Manipulation:

Chiropractors, osteopathic physicians and manual therapists most commonly practice this intervention, which involves moving tissue by the laying on of hands. According to the International Chiropractic Association, the primary focus of chiropractic is the detection, reduction and correction of spinal misalignments and nervous system dysfunction. Doctors of chiropractic attempt to get to the root cause of a health problem and seek to maximise the natural strengths of the body and its capacity to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

When performed gently, manipulation is usually referred to as mobilisation. Doctors of chiropractic and osteopathy often perform manipulations that are called adjustments. Many patients can experience effective pain relief from this therapy and many prefer these interventions because they avoid the potential side effects or complications of medications or surgery.

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MS and Chiropractic Treatments

2007-05-28T10:21:00.000+01:00

MS and Parkinson's Symptoms Reversed:Chiropractic Treatment:www.backtrouble.co.uk/

A recent study was the first to reveal that correction of upper neck injuries might help improve or even reverse the progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD).

A study evaluated the data from 44 MS patients and 37 PD patients who received treatment over a five-year period.

Results of Treating Upper Neck Injuries in 81 Patients:

91 percent of MS patients showed improvement
92 percent of PD patients showed improvement

These findings led researchers to believe the correction of neck injuries could activate a reversal of MS and PD symptoms. For a long time, head and neck injuries have been thought of as contributing factors to the development of MS and PD. These results are the first to confirm the relationship between the two.

When Neck Injuries are Left Untreated:

Upper neck injuries usually occur as the result of accidents in which the individual sustains a sudden hit to the head. Examples of this include experiencing whiplash or a concussion from a car accident. Symptoms of MS and PD could surface in months, years or even decades following the accident. Often, the individual doesn't even realise the extent of the injury they sustained.

Experts suggested putting some of the funding dedicated to MS and Parkinson's research toward research on chiropractic treatments.

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Live Life-Control Your Back Pain

2007-05-27T17:10:00.000+01:00

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1. A back disorder can develop over a period of time or a patient may actually have a sudden onset of back pain. There may be one specific incident or known injury such as a fall, direct trauma, motor vehicle accident, or the back injury may be the cumulative result of one or all of the following:

*.Poor posture
*.Improper body mechanics
*.Stressful living situations and poor working habits
*.Limited flexibility and decreased strength

Poor posture is one of the leading causes of back pain. You can help prevent or even help cure a back disorder by trying to improve your postural awareness and by making changes in your activities of daily living.

Listed below are some useful tips to remember:
Correct sitting and standing postures are one and the same; head and shoulders erect and balanced, stand up straight and look straight ahead.

Do not sit or stand for long periods of time (take periodic rest breaks and change positions as needed).
Always position yourself close to your work and work at a comfortable height.

2. Always practice good posture and proper body mechanics.
Faulty Body Mechanics involves improper lifting techniques.
One must maintain proper posture and keep objects close to the body.

3. One must use the strong muscles of the lower extremities to perform the lift instead of bending at the waist and using the lower back.

4. Do not twist while lifting and obtain assistance if needed.

5. Stressful Living Conditions and Poor Work Habits.

This may aggravate the symptoms of back pain and may even create a flare-up of pain following periods of increased tension.

6. Utilising stress management is an important tool to help improve emotional factors in one's life.

Most individuals will cope better by understanding the nature of their injury and taking the appropriate steps necessary to eliminate back pain and provide for a healthy back.

7. Exercise:

Exercising aerobically 3 to 5 times weekly and maintaining good strength and flexibility are the keys to having a strong and healthy back. Generally, people in poor physical condition tend to be more vulnerable to back injuries than those who maintain a high level of physical fitness. One of the most important components of good health is to maintain a daily exercise program.

8. In conclusion Back problems can be prevented most of the time. It is certainly easier to prevent a back injury by taking the appropriate measures. Patient education is one of the most effective tools in preventing back injuries. Patients can be taught to understand what their back problems are, how to prevent them and what to do if they occur. Self-responsibility and a desire to have a healthy back is the first step to success!

www.backtrouble.co.uk/

www.backtrouble.co.uk

2007-05-27T16:49:00.000+01:00

Crusader: I'm Pregnant and My Back Hurts?

I'm Pregnant and My Back Hurts?

2007-05-27T09:23:00.000+01:00

Back pain during pregnancy is a very common problem. At least three out of four women experience some degree of back pain during pregnancy.

For some women, symptoms may begin before they are showing and last throughout pregnancy. The cause of back pain during pregnancy is related to many factors, change in body posture, hormones that cause the relaxation of connective tissue in the body, poor body mechanics and muscle fatigue.

The actual incidence of a pinched nerve during pregnancy is very rare.

So, how do you relieve and manage back pain during pregnancy?

Regular aerobic exercise and general conditioning exercise, such as walking, swimming, and bicycling, are the best methods. These types of exercises increase muscle tone and strength, improve endurance and decrease fatigue. Swimming and water aerobics are also excellent exercises for pregnant women.

Frequent position changes, including stretching throughout the day, sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs, and using proper posture and body mechanics are also important in maintaining a healthy back. Care should be taken to use the larger muscles of the legs and arms in moving objects to prevent muscle strain. You may strengthen your leg muscles by doing lunges and squats.

If you experience back pain, you may apply moist heat and/or cold packs as needed to decrease pain.

You can wear a pregnancy support or SI (sacroiliac) belt to decrease pain and improve posture. Medications, including over-the-counter ones, should be taken only under the direction of your physician or health professional.

If you have persistent back pain which interferes with your overall function, talk to Chiropractic. They are specialists in restoring function and self-sufficiency in persons with disabilities and pain, utilising Individually tailored Therapies which are safe and gentle during pregnancy.

Remember that most women who experience back pain during pregnancy do not have symptoms after delivery. Back strengthening exercises done throughout pregnancy will help you during labor and delivery and while caring for your growing infant after delivery.

Exercise For A Healthy Back

2007-05-26T15:41:00.000+01:00

These recommendations are for people currently not experiencing back pain. Modifications are necessary if you have back pain. Do not continue to perform an exercise that produces pain. Seek the advice of a GP or Chiropractic Therapist or other medical professional.

Exercise is an important part of improving and maintaining normal, comfortable back function. It is important to practice these exercises regularly so you can maintain your fitness level.

What are the different types of exercise? Exercise can be divided into three basic groups:

1. Strengthening: repeated muscle contractions until the muscle becomes tired.
2. Stretching or Flexibility: slow, sustained lengthening of the muscle.
3. Aerobic: steady exercise using large muscle groups.

All exercises should be performed slowly and comfortably to avoid injury. When performing strengthening and flexibility exercises, remember to breathe naturally and do NOT hold your breath; exhale during exertion and inhale during relaxation.

A program of strengthening, stretching and aerobic exercises will improve your overall fitness level. Research has shown that people who are physically fit are more resistant to back injuries and pain, and recover quicker when they do have injuries than those who are less physically fit.

Strengthening exercises help increase muscle tone and improve the quality of muscles. Muscle strength and endurance provide energy and a feeling of wellness to help you perform daily, routine activities.

Adequate strength of abdominal and back muscles helps stabilise the spine, allows proper spinal movement and makes it easier to maintain correct posture. Strong hip and leg muscles are important to perform proper lifting techniques and body mechanics.

Stretching/Flexibility Exercise:

Flexibility is the ability to move your arms and legs through their full range of motion. Stretching will help improve your flexibility.

Adequate flexibility of tissues around the spine and pelvis allows full, normal spinal movement, prevents abnormal force on the joints and decreases the possibility of injury. Stretching also prepares muscles for activity; stretching should be done before and after each vigorous workout to prevent muscle strain and soreness and to help avoid injuries.

When performing flexibility exercises, stretch as far as you can and hold the stretch for 10 seconds and then ease back. Each stretching exercise should be performed slowly, with no sudden jerking or bouncing. Bouncing is more likely to injure or strain a muscle or joint.

Aerobic Exercise:

Aerobic exercise provides cardiovascular conditioning--it strengthens the heart and lungs and improves the body's ability to use oxygen. Some other benefits of aerobic exercise include increased energy levels, improved mood, better sleep habits and decreased blood pressure. Aerobic exercise also burns calories and improves your metabolism, helping with weight loss. Some examples of aerobic exercise include:
Jogging, Cycling, Skating , Rowing, Swimming , Walking, Cross-country skiing and Dancing.

In general, to achieve maximum benefits, you should gradually work up to an aerobic session lasting 15 to 60 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week. Please check with your doctor before starting any aerobic program.
Your exercise routine should consist of a 5-minute warm-up (including stretching exercises) before the aerobic activity and 5 to 10 minutes of a cool down (stretching and slower activity) after the activity.

Here are some precautions with aerobic exercise:

Skipping or Jumping rope , puts too much pressure on the discs and should be avoided. Running can be done as long as it doesn't increase lower back pain. When walking or running, wear supportive, well-cushioned shoes and walk or run on a level surface.

What should I know about pain during exercise?

Do not ignore pain--if you feel increased pain or pain spreading to the legs, do not continue the activity. If you continue to perform the activity while you are in pain, you may cause unnecessary stress or damage on your joints. Seek the advice of a GP or a Chiropractor. Fear of pain can cause unnecessary inactivity.

Learn to "read" your body and know when you need to stop an activity.

www.backtrouble.co.uk

Your a Pain in the Leg!

2007-05-26T05:20:00.000+01:00

Compression or pressure on any of the nerve roots in the low back can cause pain, numbness or weakness along the different nerves as they travel down through the leg and into the foot. Because the sciatic nerve is commonly affected, leg pain and related symptoms are often generally referred to as sciatica, although medical professionals prefer the term radiculopathy.

Leg pain and foot pain quite often is not caused by a problem in the leg or foot, but rather by a condition in the lower back. Diagnosis of leg pain and other lower extremity symptoms should focus not only on the legs and hips, but should also include examination of the low back. In fact, with many low back problems, there is actually little or no low back pain. Instead, there may be leg pain, foot pain, and/or lower extremity numbness or weakness.

On a practical point many low back disorders can cause pain to radiate, or be referred to, the leg and/or foot, so an accurate diagnosis of leg pain or foot pain should include a low back examination. Not all leg pain derived from low back problems presents the same way. Leg pain caused by a low back problem is often accompanied by additional symptoms, such as leg numbness or weakness, or foot pain, and the type of leg pain experienced may vary widely from patient to patient.

These leg symptoms can be evidence of a problem in the low back, and it is usually advisable to seek medical attention to determine the cause of the pain and to find a course of treatment. Leg pain along with certain other symptoms may be a sign of a potentially serious condition and warrant urgent medical attention, such as:
Progressive weakness in the legs, which can be a sign of nerve damage
Bowel or bladder dysfunction
Fever and/or chills
Recent unintended weight loss
Significant trauma preceding symptoms
Several specific low back conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and more, are common causes of leg pain and foot pain.

So remember that Pain is a communicator, a warning, if you are experiencing any type of persistant pain do seek professional advice as soon as possible.

www.backtrouble.co.uk

Two forms of Chiropractic. Two different Chiropractors

2007-05-24T18:18:00.000+01:00

A Chiropractor based in Canterbury Kent, UK sates on their web-site that Chiropractic, around the world, is divided. There is one half that practice in a way that is congruent with medicine, but not what chiropractic was founded upon. This small faction of chiropractic only provide palliative care and provide treatment to relieve symptoms. It is the purpose of this kind of chiropractor to see a patient for 6-8 visits for pain relief and possibly some kind of treatment regime to minimise pain. This kind of chiropractor is trained in the UK.

Unfortunately, training is limited to this one form of chiropractic. It is unfortunate for the profession but even more unfortunate for the community who miss out on the many benefits that the other, more prevalent faction of chiropractic, provide all around the world, from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Europe, South Africa and even Ireland.

They go on to state that the leading and most prevalent group of chiropractors are trained overseas in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
This Chiropractor graduated with a double degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic in Australia, where they practised as a Chiropractor until June 2000 when they decided to move to the UK. They now practice as a Spinal Specialist in Blean, near Canterbury in Kent in the UK.

I am personally dismayed and find it very frustrating that certain practitioners of such an established and accredited profession as Chiropractic. Find it necessary to seek a commercial advantage by decrying other established practices and aspects of their Profession.
Chiropractic needs to present a united front to the world, not this "I’m trained in this technique and they are not". The I’m better than you are approach to attracting potential patients is only undermining the Chiropractic Profession as a whole and its ability to establish itself as the treatment of choice for those suffering from back related disorders!

Not a Painful Education

2007-05-24T13:40:00.000+01:00

Pain is your body's way of communicating to your mind. We do not suffer from pain because our body was poorly designed. We have pain because we were ingeniously designed.
Every pain, every symptom you experience is a part of this ingenious design. Pain is the communicator, the warning!

A recent study suggests that education and advice from a chiropractor or physiotherapist may be as good as physical treatment for people who have back pain. Low back pain is one of the most common symptoms prompting people to seek medical advice. In the UK, patients often get referred to a Chiropactor, Physiotherapist or an Osteopath if medication and advice is not effective.

A team at Keele University once reported on a comparison between a pain management program delivered by physiotherapists and manipulation therapy. The study involved 400 adults and showed that there was no difference at the three month and 12 month point for participants in either group. Therefore, self-help and advice may be a useful option for those with persistent back pain. At least it needs fewer treatment sessions, puts the patient in charge and, in this study, resulted in fewer referrals on for specialist treatment.