Archive for August, 2010

Upper Back And Neck Pain Treatment

August 31st, 2010

Pain in the upper back and neck is not a permanent condition. This article throws light on the upper back and neck pain treatment to stop this pain in time.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/upper-back-and-neck-pain-treatment.html

We lead a fast and complicated life style. Due to the advancement in science and technology, our lives have become mechanical. Long hours of work, long distances to commute are all parts and parcels of our lives today. Pizzas and fast food is all that we eat instead of a balanced diet. It is not surprising, hence, that we suffer from far more health problems than necessary. Upper back and neck pain is a one of the several side effects of this complex life. However, this back pain is not considered as a serious health problem, if treated on time. But the person suffers from a lot of pain and constant neck pain causes discomfort. Hence, upper back and neck pain treatment is important. Timely treatment will also avoid complications.

Our life style doesn’t demand the complete use of all our muscles. Upper back and neck muscles are also not completely utilized the way they should. This makes our muscles weak and weak muscles pain due to the shortage of blood supply. Bad sitting and walking postures are responsible for severe upper back pain. These postures cause wear and tear of our muscles and ligaments and this also causes us pain.

Upper Back and Neck Pain Symptoms

Stiffness – you will find that you are unable to move your back and neck a lot due to stiffness. This stiffness results in restricted movements of the shoulders and neck.

Pain – depending upon the severity of the muscle strain in your upper back and neck, you will find that you suffer from local to radiating pain in your upper back. Also, you might get the sensation of stabbing pain or stiff neck pain, in these areas.

Irritation – whenever you try to use your neck and upper back muscles, you will find irritation in those muscles. This irritation causes back pain between shoulder blades and restricts your movements.

Weakness – due to the lack of use of the muscles, there is a shortage of blood supply to the neck and shoulder area. Muscles become weak due to lack of blood. This also causes pain when the muscles are used.

Muscle Spasms – whenthe stiffness increases in the back, you experience shoulder pain and neck pain due to muscle spasms too.

Upper Back and Neck Pain Exercises

There are several exercises for shoulder and neck pain relief. These exercises will reduce the stiffness in these muscles will increase the blood flow in them thereby reducing their pain. Exercise is the best upper back and neck pain treatment. The below mentioned exercises will help you.

Loosen Up – Do some basic warm up exercises like neck shrugs and shoulder shrugs to relieve your stiff muscles.

Cervical Spine Exercises – In order to strengthen the back muscles and the neck muscles, cervical spine exercises are needed to be done regularly. They increase the mobility of these muscles and this relieves the pain in the muscles.

Stretches – Stretching relieves the cramped muscles. Regularly doing the stretches for back pain will gradually eliminate the upper back and neck pain.

Upper Back Pain Exercises – As mentioned above, exercise is the one upper back and neck pain treatment that can help you get rid of this discomfort. There are several upper back pain exercises that can eliminate the pain completely.

Upper Back and Neck Pain Relief

There are several relieve measures for the burning upper back pain and neck pain. You can control the pain by getting regular massages by an expert. Each hour, you can provide some gentle massage to the suffering area and get some relief. Improving your posture is also a way to reduce this back pain. There are several special mattress for back and neck pain that will help you overcome the back pain at night, enabling you to sleep peacefully.

You might suffer from right side back pain or left side back pain or your entire back might cause you a lot of pain. Treating this pain in time is necessary to avoid severe conditions like arthritis. If the pain becomes unbearable take some medications on the doctors prescription. Consult your doctor for the right upper back and neck pain treatment and get it treated before it stays with you throughout your life.

Many sufferers have reported that Dynamint Muscle Cream has given great relief from their Back, Muscle and Nexk pain:

www.dynamint-muscle-pain-relief.co.uk

Sciatica Pain Relief – What Are Your Options?

August 27th, 2010

 Whilst browsing the internet today we found the following article:

http://www.backpainreliefreports.com/sciatica-information/sciatica-pain-relief-what-are-your-options/

With pain in the lumbar spinal being the primary symptom of sciatica, it is no surprise that patients with this condition clamor for sciatica pain relief.

Sciatica Pain Relief – Natural Therapies

Most symptoms and cases of sciatica or piriformis syndrome heal with no surgery or simple conservative treatment within 6 to 8 weeks. While most people suffering from back pain may be tempted to get a lot of bed rest at home, this is only necessary with acute severe sciatic nerve pain. Muscle disuse with bed rest will only weaken the muscles of the back and hinder recovery, so it is very important to help keep your body active.

Sciatica caused by tense muscles or muscle spasms may be relieved by hydrotherapy or massage therapy. This special sciatica massage therapy promotes muscle relaxation. Stretching exercises are especially helpful in loosening tight muscles. Consultation with a physical therapist may be necessary to determine which exercises would be most beneficial to a patient.

Sciatica Pain Relief – Pain Relievers

Most patients find sciatic pain relief through the intake of non-prescription NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Inflammatory Drugs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. For severe sciatica pain, patients may be prescribed codeine medications or muscle relaxants or be given epidural steroid injections.

Patients who are leery of the side effects of pain relievers may opt for ice and hot compresses. Cold compresses are most effective during the first 48 hours of pain onset. Pain that extends beyond 48 hours is best treated with hot compresses.

Sciatica Pain Relief – Switch to Healthy Habits

What is most important in sciatica pain relief is making the switch to healthy habits. Some of these health habits include the following…

Observing correct posture.

Ensuring adequate support to the lower back while sitting (with the use of support cushions) and sleeping (with the use of a medium-firm mattress)

Avoiding heavy lifting as much as possible. When lifting something heavy, the knees should be bent, the back straight and the head tilted backwards as you lift.

Avoid prolonged sitting or standing.

Exercise regularly. The best exercises for sciatica patients are low-impact activities and leg exercises, such as walking, swimming, and stationary bike riding. Stretching exercises are especially of benefit because they cause tense muscles to loosen up and increase the spaces between vertebrae, thus relieving pressure on the nerves and herniated disc.

Fibromyalgia Pain Relief And Cures

August 18th, 2010

Whilst browsing the internet today we found the following article on Fibromyalgia:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Fibromyalgia-Pain-Relief-Causes-and-Cures&id=4825619

Fibromyalgia is a condition which causes unbelievable pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It also causes sufferers to be fatigued and to feel tender spots literally all over and the slightest pressure can cause pain. Women are more likely to suffer than men statistically and the risk of fibromyalgia increases as we age. Fibromyalgia pain relief is something which sufferers crave for as they seek to quell the tide of the never ending dull aches and pains afflicting what seems to be their very core.

Statistic also show us that in most cases there appears to be no specific cause for the onset of fibromyalgia. In fact, the exact cause of Fibromyalgia is not known although it is thought that in some cases it can develop after a trauma to a part or parts of the body.

There are some known medical facts however. For example, it is documented that sufferers have increased amounts of a nerve chemical known simply as ‘substance P’ in their spinal fluid. It is also known that patients with Fibromyalgia also generally have lower than usual levels of the chemical serotonin in their brain.

Many studies have been completed on how to give patients some relief from pain caused by Fibromyalgia and perhaps the best known of these are studies completed by Israeli physicist Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. In the process of treating himself for a sports related injury, Feldenkrais developed a process which sees gentle pressure applied to improve and restore posture, flexibility, muscle strength and coordination. Somehow in the process, Feldenkrais discovered that this process provides fibromyalgia pain relief.

The Feldenkrais method concentrates on encouraging efficient muscle function thereby helping to minimize fatigue and pain. Another focus of the method is to have patients concentrate on taking control of their illness by making lifestyle related changes and focusing on those rather than the chronic pain experienced as a result of fibromyalgia. It is said that the majority of sufferers who try the Feldenkrais method gain lasting pain relief after no more than three to four weeks of employing the techniques.

It is recommended that patients employing the technique start slowly and build up exercise levels. It has been shown by all studies in this area that regular exercise increases the body’s production of endorphins and other hormones which decrease pain levels and have a positive effect on mood and temperament. For sufferers of Fibromyalgia there can be no logical reason whatsoever not to give the Feldenkrais method a try and see if it can help you relieve the pain you suffer form Fibromyalgia.

Best Stretches for Lower Back Pain

August 12th, 2010

Whilst searching the internet today we found the following article on stretching exercises for lower back pain:

http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/64538/best-stretches-for-lower-back-pain-stretching-for-.html

Stretching for Back Pain

Stretching for back pain is important as it can help relieve back pain and helps you to gain flexibility too. When the core muscles (muscles of the abdomen, the back and the buttocks which support the spine) become weak, lower back pain results. Stretching exercises help to lengthen shortened muscles and also to relieve back pain.

Lower back stretches will help you to live with a lot less pain and injuries.

Before you start doing any stretching for lower back pain, you would need to ask yourself which lower back stretches you should do. You should concentrate on the major muscles in your back.

These are the Hamstring, the Hip Flexors, Gluteals, Erector Spinae and the Piriformis if you suffer from sciatica. These muscles are usually responsible for lower back pain. The way you stretch makes all the difference when you are stretching for back pain. If you stretch using the proprioceptive neuro-facilitation (PNF), you will find get relief from back pain and gain flexibility too. PNF stretches make your muscles perform a rebound relaxation and strengthen the muscle as well. It is important to stretch at least three times a day. It is also necessary to know exactly which muscles are causing the problem. If you do not know this, it could result in you stretching the wrong muscles. Stop exercising immediately if you have any pain during the stretching exercises. Failure to do this could result in even more damage to the muscles. Do not overdo the stretch as it will cause you more pain and do you even more harm. Lower back stretches will help you to correct muscle imbalances which in turn will improve your posture. Overall flexibility will also be improved. The stretches are a great stress reliever too.

Check with your doctor before you start on any stretching exercises. Do remember to do a warm up exercise for at least five minutes before you start any stretching exercise. A good low back stretch exercise is: Lie flat on your back on the floor. Bring your knees towards your chest and hold the back of your thighs. Pull your chin in and keep your tailbone, shoulder blades, and lower back pressed to the floor. Hold this position for about 20-30 seconds. Other best stretches for lower back pain that you can do are the Hip Flexor Stretch, Seated Lower Back, Gluteal Stretch, Cat and Camel Stretch and the Lower Back Twister.

Fast Shoulder Pain Relief

August 2nd, 2010

Whilst browsing the internet today we came across the following information:

http://blog.salepharmacy.biz/fast-shoulder-pain-relief-using-the-feldenkrais-method/

Chronic shoulder pain is a very common complaint. The shoulder is the most freely movable joint in our body. Because of the range of movement allowed, it is an unstable joint. It is easily injured because the ball of the upper arm barely fits in the shoulder socket designed to hold it. For its only stablity, the shoulder is anchored by ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Some shoulder problems arise from injury of these soft tissues as a result of overuse or weakness of the shoulder. Other problems arise from degenerative processes in which tissues break down and no longer function well.

Some common causes of chronic shoulder pain include:

Shoulder tendonitis occurs when the tendons that control the shoulder joint’s movement become inflamed. This is the result of overuse, misuse or injury of the shoulder muscles and is very common.
Rotator cuff tear is a tear that occurs in a shoulder tendon as a result of overuse or injury.
Frozen Shoulder may be prompted by tendonitis, a rotator cuff tear or another chronic pain process in the shoulder. It literally means a shoulder that cannot move.
Arthritis shoulder joint pain caused by degeneration or inflammation inside the joint.
An injury or fall on the shoulder can cause chronic shoulder muscle pain if the injured muscles never fully heal.

When addressing chronic shoulder pain treatment consider that the shoulder has to relate well to the rest of the body to prevent excessive strain and pain. For example the shoulder blade may no longer glide easily along the rib cage, thus straining the whole arm each time the shoulder moves.  Shoulder pain relief is the result of optimizing the function of the shoulder. The system should be addressed as a whole and therapy involve the whole body, restoring the working relationship of the shoulder with the rest of the body. Some gentle form of exercises are needed.

Want to be rid of your shoulder pain now? The Feldenkrais Method is a systematic method to improve human movement and general functioning. Feldenkrais uses simple, gentle movements to reorganize posture, flexibility, strength and coordination and in doing so provides shoulder pain relief. A new approach to pain management, Feldenkrais integrates mind and body, using the plasticity of the nervous system to help the body function more efficiently. More efficient use of self creates an environment within which chronic shoulder pain can heal. Discover what Feldenkrais can do for your shoulder pain.