Saturday, June 22, 2013

The Cure For Back Pain is Stronger Abdominal Muscles


As a back pain sufferer, you are certainly not alone. Research suggests that four out of five adults will experience the symptoms of low back pain at least once in their lifetime. For some poor individuals back pain is something they have to endure on a daily basis. Your back is a very complex structure consisting of 33 vertebrae, 30+ muscles, numerous ligaments, multiple joints, and inter-vertebral discs. Due to this complexity there are many parts that can cause discomfort when injured or compromised in some form.

Causes of back pain include but are not limited to poor posture, weak back and stomach muscles and misalignment. Many of these causes can actually be attributed to one force we must all battle: gravity. Inversion therapy puts gravity to work for you by placing your body in line with the downward force of gravity. Using your own body weight as a natural form of traction, being inverted causes elongation of your spine by increasing the space between the vertebrae, thus relieving the pressure on discs, ligaments and nerve roots. Less pressure means less back pain.

If you are a follower of trends in exercise and fitness, you have almost certainly heard the phrase "core strength." Core strength refers to the muscles of your abdominal area and your back and their ability to support your spine and keep your body stable and balanced. Whilst inversion therapy on a Teeter hangup such as the Teeter F7000 or Teeter EP-550 will relieve pressure on your back and reduce or eliminate pain you will also need to learn how to strengthen your core muscles to prevent back pain from becoming a daily problem.

The major muscles of your core include: transverse abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae. Some examples of exercises that will target these muscle groups include: plank, arm sweep, crossover crunch, crunch, back extension. So be sure to target these muscles in your strength training workouts. When the core muscles are weak or there's an imbalance (e.g. you work your rectus abdominis with crunches but fail to strengthen your transverse abdominis), a common side effect is back pain. Many people experience lower back pain from: muscle strains and spasms, sciatica, herniated disc, injuries, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. If you have weak muscles, poor posture and/or excess weight then your back will be one of the first places to feel the strain.

Before you commence any new exercise regime you should first consult your doctor to rule out any major injuries. If your doctor gives you the okay then you can get started strengthening your torso. Firstly, check your posture to make sure you are evenly distributing the pull of gravity. Good posture includes the following elements: a straight line from your ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles, head is centred and shoulders, hips and knees are of equal height. Some of the most common posture mistakes include: forward head, rounded shoulders, arched lower back, excessive anterior pelvic tilt (your backside sticks out), excessive posterior pelvic tilt (protruding abdomen/pelvis). By strengthening and stretching the muscles of your back, stomach, core and thighs, you can help reduce or prevent problems with back pain. The following exercises would be essential inclusions in your exercise regime: wall slides, prone leg raises, supine leg raises, semi-sit ups and standing back stretch.

Strengthening your core muscles will alleviate back pain for most sufferers and you can then help to keep the pressure from building up again by utilising inversion therapy.

Different Back Surgeries Available After an Accident


When you are involved in an accident, whether it be a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, there is a good chance that you will injure your back. The severity of this injury can vary as can the treatment. Sometimes all you will need is rest and the pain will alleviate. Other times a few months of chiropractic care will be enough to eliminate your pain. Unfortunately, there are times when surgery is the only option.

As with any surgery that is recommended by your doctor it is always a good idea to get a second opinion. This is particularly true when someone is faced with back issues. They are often complex and can affect other parts of your body. It can take a team of medical professionals to diagnose and treat various back traumas. There are several different forms of back surgery that are available and you should be always be aware of the different options facing you. By researching the different operations you will be better informed when discussing this very important issue with your doctor. Listed below are some of the different procedures with a brief description.

* Diskectomy
In this surgery a portion of a disk, the herniated portion, is removed to allow relief of pressure on a nerve. It is done as an open surgery where the surgeon cuts skin and tissue to allow direct access to the involved organ. This surgery will usually involve removing part or the entire back portion of a vertebra to access the ruptured disk.

* Laminectomy
In a laminectomy the lamina which is the part of the back of the bony arch of each vertebra is removed. This surgery will enlarge the spinal canal to relieve pressure caused by spinal stenosis.

* Fusion
This is when two or more bones in your spine are permanently connected. The fusion will add stability to a spinal fracture or when there is a lot of movement between vertebra which will reduce pain. This surgery is also used to help with pain when the disk has been injured or has degenerated.

* Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy
This is also referred to as IDET. This treatment is where the doctor will insert a needle through a catheter directly into the disk. At this point the needle is heated to a high temperature for as long as 20 minutes. The result is the heat will thicken and also seal the disk wall which will reduce the disk bulge and the nerve irritation.

* Vertebroplasty
This procedure is for fractured or compressed vertebrae to help stabilize fractures and relieve pain. In this particular procedure the doctor will inject bone cement into the compressed vertebrae. This procedure is used with another procedure where a balloon type instrument is inserted to expand the compressed vertebrae before the cement is injected.

* Artificial Disks
This is a new treatment and is still being studied. Artificial disks are implanted as an alternative to spinal fusion for relief from pain caused by degenerated or injured disks. It is not clear whether these new devices are a viable surgery option.

There are many options in varying range. The smartest way to address issues is to research and discover as much information about your options. Do your home work so you can make an informed decision and hopefully achieve a pain free life. Also remember that your physician is your employee, you are paying him for a service. If at any time you are confused and want more answers do not hesitate to ask.

Chiropractic - Are You Healthy, Unhealthy, Or Sick?


Our bodies can be in one of these conditions: 1) healthy, 2) unhealthy, or 3) sick. We all know that being healthy means we have no pain or symptoms and that our bodies are working 100% all of the time. But you might ask what is the difference between the latter two?

My definition of unhealthy is the state in which we feel no symptoms but our bodies are not functioning 100%. The definition of being sick is when we feel pain and/or notice our bodies are working improperly and functioning at less than 100%.

An illustration of this might be three types of visits to a dentist's office. A type one visit would be a check-up where the patient feels no pain and the dentist tells the patient everything looks fine--that person's teeth are healthy. In visit type two, the patient feels no pain but the dentist discovers some decay in the tooth and puts a filling in the cavity. That tooth was in an unhealthy state but wasn't bad enough to create pain. Visit type three would be when a patient is in pain and calls the dentist to make an appointment and the dentist finds a cavity that had become bad enough to irritate the tooth's nerve. The tooth is in a condition of sickness. But to get to the point of becoming sick, that tooth had to be unhealthy first.

Another example might be a heart attack. Many people have no clue that they have heart problems until the actual pain from a heart attack occurs. But obviously their hearts had to be in a state of unhealthiness first.

As a chiropractor, most people I see come to me initially in a state of sickness. They are in pain and seek treatment for their pain. However, in most cases, their bodies had to go through a period of unhealthiness to get to the point of being sick. In most cases, their spines became more and more misaligned. In the early stages of their condition, even though they had no pain, their nervous systems had some low-grade irritation.

The problem with being in an unhealthy state is that a person's body isn't functioning at 100% and isn't operating as well as it should. This may lead to that person having a low energy level and being chronically tired. He or she may not sleep well and may be more susceptible to colds, infections, and illness.

Being unhealthy affects our lives. Job and school performance may suffer if a person is fatigued. Relationships may be strained because one person is "sick and tired" of the other person being "sick and tired." Even our recreational and vacation periods may suffer if we don't have the energy we should. Who wants to be tired while on vacation?

Subsequently, it is usually just a matter of time until an unhealthy body with no pain deteriorates to being a sick body with pain.

Chiropractic approaches health from the inside out by accessing our body's inborn intelligence to maintain our health from within. Just as our inborn intelligence knows how to create the body, it also knows how to heal the body.

Chiropractic helps remove nerve interference caused by misalignments of the spine (called subluxations) which can reduce the flow of nerve energy to all parts of the body. Making this correction is the natural way to health and well-being according to chiropractic. And after a century of successful healing, we know that we must be doing something right.

Various Exercises for Sciatica Pain Relief


When the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, impinged or damaged, it can cause both motor and sensory problems to the thighs up to the toes. This is because of the stimulation of each nerve root with certain muscles of the lower limbs. During a sciatic nerve impingement, the muscle of the affected nerve root supplies become weak. The nerve root carries sensory information from the skin to the brain and so a person may experience sensory-related symptoms like numbness and tingling sensation to the area supplied by the affected nerve root.

Sciatica is the condition in which pain associated with the nerve impingement. It is commonly marked by pain that is acute and will disappear as soon as the removal of pressure from the sciatic nerve is done. The pain is described as shooting, cramping or burning which extends from the hips, the thighs up to the feet and toes.

There are three major causes of sciatica and these are spinal stenosis, herniated disc and intervertebral degeneration.

Spinal stenosis is the most common cause of sciatica. It is a condition marked by narrowing of the nerve root canal. The nerve root canal is where the spinal nerves exit and once there are bony spurs or thickening in that area, the sciatic nerve was impinged, pressured or may even become damaged.

Another cause of sciatica is a herniated disc. Our spines have intervertebral discs that act like a cushion that helps protect the vertebral bones from bumping into one another and when these intervertebral discs bulge or rupture, it will cause nearby nerves to become impinged. Furthermore, when the herniated disc occurs in the lumbar region it may impinge the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica.

The third most common cause of sciatica is degenerative disk disease. When the intervertebral disc degenerates it will cause the upper vertebral bones to collapse on the lower vertebral bones causing instability and once this happens, the spinal nerves will most likely get impinged.

There are several medical treatment that could be used such as NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which will greatly improve the swelling issues. Once the swelling has gone down, exercises are recommended to help with the residual pain, restore flexibility and prevent sciatica again.

These are the different types of exercises for each major causes of sciatica.

Exercises for Sciatica Caused By A Herniated Disc

For a herniated disc the idea is to over extend your spine toward the back to lessen the pain. The goal is to centralize the pain.

Exercise 1. Prone with both elbows bended and fixed on the floor. Arch your back as far as you can with your elbows firmly placed at the back. Hold this stretch for several seconds and then repeat it up to five times.

Exercise 2. Prone with elbows extended and palms placed on the floor. Over arch your back and hold this for few seconds then repeat up to five times but be sure to take enough rests in among these exercises.

Exercise 3. Prone with a pillow at the front for support. Bend your right elbow and place your arms at the back of the crook of your spine then do the same thing with the other arm.

Exercise 4. Prone with knee and arms extended. This is like swimming but only on the ground. You raise one leg and the opposite arm off the floor. Keep this action for few seconds and then do this to the opposite arm and corresponding opposite leg as well.

Exercise 5. The starting action of this exercise is lying down. Bend the knee and firmly place the feet on the ground. With both of your arms folded across your abdomen you do a curl up to strengthen the muscles of your abdomen.

Exercises For Sciatica Caused By Spinal Stenosis

The goal is to increase or restore flexibility of the lower back.

Exercise 1. Lie on your back with both of your knees bended. Pull one leg at a time and when you have both of the legs pulled up, stretch the lower spine by drawing both of your knees close to your chest. Keep that positions for about 30 seconds or more.

Exercise 2. With your head bowed to the ground and hips flexed, stretch your arms directly in front of you until you feel a stretch on your lower back.

Exercise 3. Lying on your back you bend your hip and knee while lying on the plinth or bed. With your left hand internally rotate your knee toward the left side of your body and try to feel the stretch on your lower back. Hold this action for few seconds then do the same with the opposite side of your body.

Exercise 4. Bring up the right ankle and cross over to the left knee. You basically make a figure-4 with your knee and ankle. Grab the left leg and pull it up to the chest to feel a stretch on the lower back. This will increase flexibility and help relieve pain. Hold the stretch for few seconds then do the same exercise using the opposite leg.

Exercise for Sciatica Caused by Degenerative Disk Disease

The goal is to strengthen your abdomen but at the same time to stretch your lower back.

Exercise 1. Do the pelvic tilt exercise by lying on your back with your hips and knees flexed. Try to tighten your abdominal muscles and flatten your lower back by trying to push your lower back to the floor. Hold action for five seconds or so and repeat five times.

Neck Pain - Non-Surgical and Surgical Treatment


The neck supports the head, enabling it to move, and provides a link between the head and the trunk. Seven cervical vertebrae support the neck. However, because the neck is less protected than the rest of the spine, it is vulnerable to injury and disorders that produce pain and restrict motion.

NON SURGICAL TREATMENT:

About 95% of back and neck problems can be treated effectively without spinal surgery. Non-surgical treatment can include medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, braces, and spinal injections

To control pain, inflammation, muscle spasm and sleep disturbance medicines are commonly used for neck pain. In many instances, non-surgical treatment can provide good to excellent results in patients.

SURGICAL TREATMENT:

Foraminoplasty Surgery:
When the part of the disc or a bone spur is pressing on a nerve as it leaves the vertebra (through an exit called the foramen), a foraminotomy may be done. Otomy means "to make an opening." So a foraminotomy is making the opening of the foramen larger, so the nerve can exit without being compressed.

Laminectormy Surgery:
We have a bony plate at the back of each vertebra that protects our spinal canal and spinal cord it is called as lamina. Surgeon removes all or a part of the lamina to make more room.

Anterior Cervical Disectomy Surgery:
When a person is having a bulging disc or a herniated disc, it may be pressing on his nerves. In a discectomy, the surgeon will remove all or part of the disc.

Total Disc Replacement:
Total disc replacement (TDR) may be a solution for some people with degenerative disc disease as an alternative to spinal fusion. During disc replacement surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial disc.

Corpectomy Surgery:
"Corpus" means body and "ectomy" means remove. Another method for relieving pressure on the spinal cord that may be causing spinal stenosis or cervical myelopathy is to remove the front of the spinal canal. This means that the large part of several of the vertebrae must be removed - the vertebral bodies and the discs between. This procedure is called a corpectomy.

Back Pain - Do Inversion Tables Really Cure Back Pain?


Can inversion tables really cure my back pain? According to legend about 400 BC Hippocrates, the father of medicine hoisted a patient who was suffering from an aching back upside down using a system of pulleys and ropes. Reportedly by inverting the person Hippocrates was able to relief his pain. But does this ancient treatment really work?

The principle behind inversion tables are that by inverting a person upside down you decompress the spine taking pressure off the disc and relieving pain. During a typical day you lose up to 3/4" in height. By the time you have reached your senior years you can lose as much as 2" in height all because of the downward force of gravity on your spine. It makes sense that by reversing the force of gravity and the pressure on your spine, pain should be diminished.

There have been numerous studies showing that inversion tables work. One study examined the effect of using inversion tables on 175 people who were unable to return to work because of back problems. After eight sessions on the tables 155 were pain free and able to go back to work. Are these tables safe? A good quality, study table is safe and effective. Some people worry about the possibility of a stroke with all the blood rushing to your head. But according to one manufacturer of inversion tables in the 25 years they have been in business they have not heard of one case where a person using the table suffered a stroke.

So are inversion tables effective in curing your aching back? The answer is yes. Most tables range in price from $250.00 to $1,000.00. Be sure the one you buy is well made by a reputable manufacturer and comes with a solid warranty. Inverting a person to relieve the pressure on their spinal column has been a proven treatment for over 2,000 years and certainly is a good alternative to surgery. As someone who has suffered with a bad back and who has endured months of physical therapy and an operation, I can tell you there are solutions for your discomfort.

Lower Back Exercises - Your Keys to Love Handle Reduction and Back Pain Prevention


The lower back is often a concerning injury prone area for many people, and a lot of the problems are due to a weakness of the core, particularly the lower back muscles. In men particularly, fat has a tendency to gather as 'love handles' around the lower abdomen, and lower back areas. This is a very good indication that there is not much muscle in that area, since if there was a lot of muscle, fat would be a lot less likely to build up in that area, due to the muscles requirement for calories for energy.

Don't misunderstand - you cannot just build up your core by itself, and do no other exercises and expect the fat in the midriff to disappear - it won't, simply because there needs to be a demand for calories from the whole body, so that it then takes that energy from the localized area around the core. Let me illustrate - how many people have you seen with massively muscular limbs that are also very fat? It doesn't happen - the fact simply collects in places where the demand is lower.

Our sedentary lives do not require us to use our core and lower body generally, and due to this fact, we build up fat in these areas, as well as creating problems such as back aches, pinched nerves, slipped disks and other debilitating injuries that may be avoided with a muscular core from using lower back exercises and core exercises.

In conjunction with an effective lean muscle-building program, using whole body workouts, plenty of compound exercises, a good diet and high intensity, performing lower back exercises and core exercises will really burn away the fat in that area. Strengthening this area of your body will also mean that you will find day-to-day tasks much easier, and you may also feel as though you have a lot more energy, because these muscles do not fatigue quite as easily.

You can focus in this area if it is particularly weak, but once it becomes stronger, you must target it as part of full body workouts, rather than trying to isolate the area. In this way, all the supporting muscles get a chance to become equally as strong, and any functional movement can then become easier.

Before we get into some suggestions for lower back exercises - you should go and see a chiropractor if you have problems in this area, as your spine may also be out of alignment due to the weakness, and you would not want to cause any damage, and seeing such a professional is likely to make you feel much better and lead to long-term solutions. We will assume here that you do not have chronic pain, because if you do, it is better than you see a chiropractor or medical professional to ask advice.

So what sorts of lower back exercises can you do that will strengthen your back and core?

  • Bridge where you lie on your back with your feet on the floor, and push your hips up in the air until your hamstrings and abdomen form a straight line. Hold this position if you can do

  • Plank - Toes and hands in contact with the floor, in a push up position, hold for as long as you can, with your back straight, and your abdominal muscles tight and pulled in. Your back should not sag as you do this. If this is too hard try dropping to your elbows - the exercise should be performed in exactly the same way

  • Side Plant - Lie on your side, with your elbow and forearm on the floor, your feet together, and the side of one foot on the floor. Straighten your body so that it forms a straight line from foot to shoulder, and hold. Perform a few holds, and repeat for the other side of the body, on the opposite elbow and foot

  • Knee to elbow plank - This is a more advanced version of the above. Hold the plank in a push up position, then move your right knee to your left elbow, touch and back to the start position. Swap to the left knee, and right elbow. Do this exercise as fast as you are able, and make sure that your back stays strong - you can slightly stick your butt up for this one, as that will also engage the abdominal muscles a little more

  • Prone Cobras - Laying on your stomach, with your arms above your head, slowly lift your head and bend back, as your simultaneously move your hands back, keeping your arms straight, so that you end up in something like a crucifix position on your front, but with your arms as far back as you are able and your back arched and shoulders up and back

  • Bicycle crunches - make bicycle movements with your legs, as your upper body turns first left, elbow touching right leg, then right elbow touching left leg. This is a great exercise that will increase your strength in your oblique muscles as well as your abdominal muscles too

  • Resistance band rotation - Using a resistance band held on the left on your body, rotate your trunk to the right with your arms straight holding the resistance band handle. Perform sets for both sides of the body

  • Straight legged deadlift - with your legs straight, hold onto a barbell or dumbbells, with the weight at your shins, keeping the weights in contact with the shins, slide upward, keeping the back stretched, and the abdominal muscles tight. This is likely to be uncomfortable if you are arching your back - aim to stick your butt out as this will help you to keep your back straight and avoid the discomfort

  • Deadlifts - This is a generally great exercise to be able to do once you have strength in your lower back. Do not attempt to do this exercise if your feel discomfort in your lower back. It means that you are probably arching your back - instead strengthen your back with the other lower back exercises, particularly the stiff-legged deadlift, until this becomes comfortable, as your back is able to stay straight.

Having a strong lower back through lower back exercises is going to benefit in a large number of ways, including reducing injury, preventing back aches, reducing the risk of spinal injury, as well as giving you more energy and potentially a lower body fat percentage. The additional stability gained in the core is really going to benefit you if you wish to continue training, and build lean muscle, and get six-pack abdominal muscles.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Understanding The Root Cause of Sciatica Pain


It is very important for a person to understand in detail about sciatica. The reasons, symptoms and causes differ from person to person. Due to this sole reason, the origination of sciatica changes accordingly. Sciatica pain is caused due to compression of nerve roots at the end of the spinal canal. Medical term for sciatica is Radiculopathy - a condition where a nerve root experiences pinching, compressed and irritated. Finding the exact root cause for the occurrence of sciatica will be helpful in providing the right treatment. Current article discusses about the common causes that elevate the pain.

Provided below are few of the important sciatica pain causing factors.

1. Degenerative disc disease:
Occurrence of degeneration in a disk is due to aging. One or more degenerated discs in the lower spinal region can cause irritation to the nerve root resulting in development of sciatica. Diagnosis for a degenerative disc carried out when a person is experiencing excessive micro-motion and inflammation. Proteins present inside the disc are exposed which is the root cause for inflammation and irritation. It is a natural aging process and requires attention in its early stage to prevent its growth.

2. Isthmic spondylolisthesis:
One or more vertebral body slips forward into another vertebral body (example: L5 vertebra slips to S1 vertebra). Due to this situation, a small stress is developed that causes pinching effect on the nerve root. When a combination of disk space collapse, a fracture and the slipping of vertebral body occurs, the pinching effect is elevated causing the development of sciatica.

3. Piriformis syndrome:
Irritation in the sciatica nerve is caused by piriformis muscle present at the rear. There is a chance that pinching effect is created by the muscle which leads to the development of sciatica. Though it does not represent true sciatica, the pain developed resembles the same as sciatica due to the irritation.

In order to overcome sciatica pain, it is important for a person to note down the symptoms experienced to find out the root cause of the problem. Based on this, a reputed spinal therapist will be in a position to provide treatment that comprises of medication and tailor made exercises. Diagnosis will also be helpful in finding out the root cause especially when patients opt for MR Neurography. Reducing the pain is an important factor to carry out regular activities in a day to day life without any trouble.

Pinched Nerves Cause Back Pain


Everyone has at one time or another applied too much pressure to the "funny bone" in their elbow which is actually the ulnar nerve. This physical pressure disrupts the nerve's function causing pain, tingling, numbness or weakness from the elbow into the fingers of the hand. Too much pressure applied for too long to a nerve along the spine results in much the same sensations. Where these sensations occur naturally depends upon the pathway of the specific involved nerve as illustrated above.

Nerve pain resulting from direct physical pressure is called an entrapment neuropathy because the nerve is trapped or pinched by some structure. This term helps to distinguish them from neuropathies resulting from infection or disease where the nerve pain is more often referred to as neuritis or neuralgia.

Radiculitis / Radiculopathy

These are not specific conditions, but rather describe a nerve that is being pinched at or very near the spinal cord at the beginning or ''root'' of the nerve. Radiculitis is from Latin radiculo for root plus itis for inflammation. Radiculopathy comes from the same Latin radiculo for root plus Greek pathos for suffering. There may be slight technical differences between the two words but in truth they are often used interchangeably without clear distinction.

In a radiculitis or radiculopathy the pinch is occurring at or near the root of the nerve along the spinal cord. The most common cause of this physical pressure is a herniated or protruding spinal intervertebral disc crushing the nerve against the bone resulting in pain at that level of the spine in the neck or back, and of course, along the pathway of the adjacent nerve root itself resulting in arm pain or leg pain through a process called referred pain or radicular pain. For example, a nerve root impingement in the neck, or cervical spine, can produce pain, motor weakness, or sensory paresthesia in the shoulder, arm or hand which is called brachial radiculitis from Latin brachio for arm or more simply a cervical radiculitis or cervical radiculopathy. Likewise, a nerve root impingement in the lower back or lumbar-sacral spine can be manifested with symptoms in the lower extremity, a lumbar radiculitis or lumbar radiculopathy. This can result in pain, weakness, numbness, or paresthesia in the butt, hip, leg or foot. This is often called sciatica, a reference to the nerve that is being pinched. Sciatica due to compression of one of the lumbar nerve roots is one of the most common forms of radiculopathy.

Neuritis / Neuralgia

Neuritis is from itis for inflammation and neuro for nerve. Neuralgia is from the Greek algos for pain and neuro for nerve. The difference between neuritis and neuralgia are again technical and these terms too are often used interchangeably. The most common cause of neuritis or neuralgia are generalized metabolic issues such as those that occur as a result of diabetes or alcoholism, and as such, the nerve dysfunction is generalized and widespread as opposed to being one specific nerve root such as in sciatica that is caused by direct physical pressure. Acute or chronic Poisoning most commonly by lead, arsenic, mercury, copper and phosphorus also results in widespread nerve dysfunction also correctly termed a neuritis or a neuralgia.

Types of Spine Surgery


Spine surgery is not as serious of an option for back and leg pain anymore. Today's minimally invasive techniques can make as small of an incision as a half inch, with recovery time practically overnight as opposed to some of the procedures offered in the past. A physician can decide whether a minimally invasive spine surgery is appropriate after diagnosing the situation and determining whether or not there is a high potential for success. There are several procedures available for different conditions, and some that are now under study. With lower back pain as the most common reason for people over the age of 60 to have surgery, these techniques offer plenty of relief.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion can address scoliosis, spinal degeneration and instability caused by injury or aging. Conducted through small incisions to the back with an endoscope (a tube with a camera running into the site) and high-tech tools that perform the surgery, the surgeon can see the procedure on a television monitor with great clarity. The fusion itself occurs when the physician inserts bone tissue between the bones to help it grow - or fuse - together. Screws or a tiny "bone cage" can also be placed in between the bones to encourage quick growth. This attachment of the two vertebrae together prevents future movement that in the past was causing pain.

Kyphoplasty

Bone fractures in the spine can come from a variety of causes, including osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism, or cancer and its treatments including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Kyphoplasty was developed to provide stability to crushed or fractured vertebrae. During the spine surgery, a small incision is made in the back and an endoscope is inserted next to the injured bone. A modified "balloon" is inserted through the tube with fluoroscopy lighting the way and using X-ray images, the surgeon inflates the balloon at the point of the vertebrae and creates a cavity. The balloon is removed and a cement-like substance is injected there where it hardens quickly. Patients typically feel relief immediately or within a couple of days.

X-Stop Spacer

When people suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis - which is the narrowing of the passageways of the vertebrae where the spinal cord and nerve roots pass - they will have pain in the buttocks, groin and either leg. When the individual is bending over or sitting down, the back bones release the pressure on the nerves and offer relief. This compression can be duplicated by placing an implant, a spacer, between the two bones that are pressing together, and sustained relief is offered. This procedure is a welcome addition to the 1.2 million Americans suffering from spinal stenosis.

Investigational ISS

The Superion Interspinous Spacer is an investigational technique very similar to the X-Stop Spacer, in that a device is placed between two vertebrae and acts as a support column to release the compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. As of this writing, the procedure is still under study in locations across the US, and is expected to receive FDA approval by 2014.

With Americans spending around $50 billion each year on back pain alone, the time has come for spinal surgeries to be less invasive, with a quicker recovery time, at less cost.

Spinal Disorders


The spine is a major part of your body. The vertebral column, which is often referred to as the backbone, can acquire a variety of spinal disorders, some of which can cause major pain, complications, and/ or side effects, in turn sustaining major damage to the spine.

It is constructed of joints that are in between each vertebrae. Just like many other parts of our bodies, the spine is susceptible to major injury. The pressure that we put on our spine through the activities that we do and from aging can play a major part in the development of arthritis in the joints of the spine. The arthritis can also lead to other ailments that affect the spine such as spurs and thickening of the ligaments. If someone develops one of these disorders they can be shoved into the canal of the backbone causing a greater amount of complications. Developing thickening of the ligaments and spurs and having them pushed into the spine can diminish the quantity of space that is in the canal making it less accessible to the nerves and spinal cord which are located in this area.

Spinal injuries can also occur within the discs of the spine. Discs are located between each vertebra and are like a soft cushion. These help with bending and mobility and also act as cushions for the bones that compose the spinal column. Discs can be injured when too much pressure is placed upon them, causing a herniated or ruptured disc. When this type of disorder occurs there can be tingling, numbness, and even pain in the leg since the nerve in the leg runs throughout this area. Disc injuries can be treated through over the counter anti-inflammatory medications when they aren't as serious and if they are worse scenario cases steroid injections and prescription medications may be required.

Another spinal disorder can be spondyloisthesis. This takes place when a vertebra slips forward or backward, becoming out of line with the ones next to it. Spondyloisthesis can be caused by the effect that wear and tear over a number of years can have of the backbone, from a fracture, or even from being born with this disorder. This disorder can cause nerve pressure, lower back pain, or leg pain. The best medicine for a disorder such as this is a high-quality back exercise plan along with anti-inflammatory medication. When you have spondyloisthesis the spine can also sometimes benefit from a surgery called lumber fusion.

The back is a huge support system for the body and all of its elements should be taken care of. Spinal disorders are not to be taken lightly and should be treated by a medical professional or suggested plan or action or program immediately.

Solutions For a Pinched Nerve


One of the most common causes behind complaints of neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain; a pinched nerve can cause excruciating pain until it is properly treated. After enduring intense massages, the next place that most patients turn to is a chiropractor.

The term pinched nerve means that a nerve has been compressed or forcibly stretched in some fashion. If the nerve originates in the neck or back, the condition can have symptoms of tingling, burning or numbness in either the back of the neck or behind the shoulder. This will also cause the muscles of the back to tighten in response, putting even more pressure on the nerves.

Realignment and Decompression

When you visit the chiropractor for a pinched nerve, you have two options available for you right away. The first, realignment, involves the manipulation of the bones surrounding the spinal column and those found within the affected area. The chiropractor will pop and stretch out those bones and muscles slowly and carefully, so that the pressure on the nerve will be eased.

Decompression is a non-surgical solution offered in some chiropractic offices as pinched nerve treatments. This involves a sophisticated multileveled table with proprietary biofeedback that manipulates the spine to form its own natural vacuum within it. This vacuum will ease the pressure from a pinched nerve, lower back pain and even a herniated disc.

Subluxation

A pinched nerve can also be the result of subluxation, a condition that occurs when a bone is partially pushed or pulled out of its usual position within a joint, like kneecaps, hips, fingers, elbows and shoulders. This is almost always caused by some trauma, like a direct blow to the joint affected, a fall, or by making a sudden twisting movement. This can happen to everyone, even during everyday activities.

The chiropractic treatment for a subluxation usually involves adjusting the joints and bones by twisting, pulling or pushing movements. Heat, electrical stimulation and ultrasound treatments are often used in conjunction with the manipulations to ease the threat to the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage that surround the joint. Care must also be taken so that no nerves or blood vessels are permanently injured during the treatment.

Herniated Disc

Pain that is thought to be the result of a pinched nerve might also be from a herniated disc. The bones that form the spine in a person's back are actually cushioned by small discs that literally act as shock absorbers. As we age, these spongy discs get drier and more brittle. Sudden trauma to the spine causes these discs to bulge or break open. When this happens it is herniated, and the bulging can cause nerves in the spine to become compressed.

A sure sign of a possible herniated disc is weakness or numbness in both legs or loss of bladder control in severe cases. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medication, heat and rest, depending upon the severity. A decompression table can also help restore the disc to its proper position.

Spinal Stenosis

This condition is caused by the narrowing of the spaces along the spine. When the space is reduced, the spine becomes compressed in a very painful way. The spaces are narrowed through arthritis or through the growth of bone spurs within the spinal column.

Spinal stenosis causes chronic lower back pain and can sometimes pinch the nerves that control muscle power and sensation in the legs. This is best treated through medication, manipulation or flexing of the spinal column and rest can restore some comfort. In extreme cases, surgery may be used to remove the spurs from the spinal column.

Resource:

Don't let a pinched nerve hamper your movements any more. If you suffer from severe neck, back or shoulder pain brought on by a pinched nerve, a visit to a qualified chiropractor is set you right in no time at all. Visit Chiropractic Center of Lakeland today to stay pain free!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Finally There Is A Breakthrough Procedure For Back Pain


For lower back pain caused by overexertion, strain or sprain injuries, chiropractic, medications and injections may bring relief.

But for those suffering from chronic and more severe neck and back pain, there has been little rescue - until now. This new medical breakthrough, Spinal Decompression specializes.

in treating neck and lower back pain from Disc Bulges and Hernias, Sciatica, Stenosis, Degenerative Discs, Arthritis or facet syndrome. This non-surgical procedure is ideal for those with clinically Unstable low backs, have tried Medication unsuccessfully or have been scheduled for lengthy or alternative therapies. In fact, clinical studies have even shown spinal decompression is effective on patients scheduled for surgery or for those who unfortunately have already had surgery - and it failed them.

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal Decompression Therapy is proven to be a safe and effective means to treat severe and chronic neck and low back conditions. The program, consists of FDA-cleared non-surgical Spinal Decompression machine focusing on discal and arthritic conditions affecting the spine. Along with the decompression therapy, ancillary care is provided in the form of Physiotherapy modalities and procedures.

Who Invented Spinal Decompression Therapy?

It was developed by Dr. Allen Dyer, a world renowned medical researcher who invented the cardiac defibrillator that went around the globe to revive heart attack victims. Dr. Dyer holds an M.D., a Ph.D. and a pharmaceutical degree. He is the former deputy minister with Ministry of Health in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Nahali utilizes Dr. Dyer's treatment protocol to ensure that all of our patients receive individualized care according to their specific condition.

Medical Breakthrough. We spend 25% of our annual health care budget on low back pain, yet it remains at epidemic proportions today. With 30 million people in pain, many struggle to find a reliable treatment and few hold hopes of a permanent cure. For those who have been to numerous doctors or tried a variety of treatments or have been told to live with it, or are scheduled for lengthy therapy protocols or surgery, this is the breakthrough they have been Waiting for - and it is affordable for all.

How It Works

Non-surgical Spinal Decompression creates a negative pressure inside the disc, which draws in any bulging or herniated disc material, like suction. This stimulates the body to undergo a process known as "fibroblast
activity," producing fresh new tissues and cells. These new cells attach themselves to the torn fibers of the disc that cause its contents to bulge. In essence, it's like a bone healing. When complete, it is stronger than before. It is more of a cure than a temporary remedy.

How successful is this procedure? The success rate for Spinal Decompression Therapy is extremely high for patients who are candidates. This treatment makes changes in the spine. After recommended treatment program, patients will be on their way to optimal health again. Unlike surgical procedures, which only have a 40 percent success rate and have very high risks and complications, spinal decompression therapy has no side effects and is virtually pain free. Patients can also continue with their normal daily activities during this procedure.

Is Cracking Your Back And Neck Safe?


Many people are concerned that cracking their backs and necks will lead to painful conditions like arthritis. Others consider cracking a normal part of maintenance; after all, chiropractors help people with back pain by cracking their backs with manipulation techniques. Is it safe to crack your back and neck?

The answer to this depends on the method and frequency of cracking. First, consider what happens when you crack a joint. The bones of the joint move apart, which creates a temporary vacuum (since more volume equals less pressure). Gases that have dissolved in the joint's protective fluids undergo a reconstitution of sorts when volume decreases; the dissolved gases now form into bubbles. The pop you hear is the sound of these bubbles popping as pressure drops even lower.

Cracking the back and neck often feels good because it involves stretching joints, ligaments and muscles. If you hear your joints crack when you stretch, this is generally nothing to be concerned about. When cracking becomes excessive, such as when a person habitually and forcibly cracks his or her back and neck multiple times a day, hypermobility becomes a concern.

Hypermobility occurs when the ligaments surrounding a joint become overstretched. The ligaments fail to support the joint and the joint is susceptible to excess range of motion. Though cracking knuckles doesn't cause arthritis, the extra wear and tear hypermobile spinal joints are subjected to can likely increase your risk of non-rheumatoid arthritis if you crack your spine habitually. Joints that crack regularly without much prompting may be a symptom of hypermobility.

Another problem that occurs with hypermobility is tight muscles. Muscles surrounding lax ligaments tense up to protect and support the area, compensating for the ligaments. This muscular tension increases your perceived need to crack your back and neck, and so the cycle continues.

Neck cracking comes with a unique risk: stroke. The vertebrobasiliar artery runs the length of the cervical spine and is most vulnerable at the top of the spine, where it loops into and out of the vertebra (C1). This artery provides nutrients and oxygen to parts of the brain that facilitate many functions, including vision, balance and consciousness. Cracking the neck forcibly changes the position of the vertebra and can condense the artery enough to cause a tear. Blood clots can pass along to the brain or block the flow of blood to it resulting in possible stroke and death. The risk is present for both self adjustments and chiropractic manipulations. See http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20030512/neck-cracking-raises-stroke-risk for more on this.

Is cracking your back and neck safe? Cracking that occurs when stretching is often safe, but if it happens with very little effort it may be a sign of hypermobility. Excessive intentional cracking may cause hypermobility of ligaments and joints coupled with tense muscles. Joint wear can accelerate if you crack your spine constantly. Finally, cracking your neck comes with a rare but serious risk of stroke. If you experience pain when cracking a joint, this could be the sign of a joint problem and deserves medical attention.

There are many myths surrounding back cracking. Keeping yourself informed will help you know which actions are healthy and which are harmful.

Tennis Elbow Treatment - Is There A Quick Fix To Cure Tennis Elbow?


What causes tennis elbow? Is there an ideal tennis elbow treatment? These questions often cross my mind when I play tennis as no one is immune to this annoying problem. Tennis can't rival football or skiing down the Alps as far as the frequency of injuries goes. But every year, more tennis players are seeking care for this disorder.

Tennis elbow is not the exclusive problem of tennis players. Dentists, carpenters, window cleaners, pianists and gardeners often complain of aching elbows. So do politicians who shake 10,000 hands. And one orthopedic surgeon developed this disease by twisting his elbow while performing a spinal fusion. This condition can occur in any activity that requires gripping.

It's the backhand shot that's the main offender for tennis players. It doesn't matter whether players use wood or metal rackets, nylon or gut strings. Rather, it's the size of the grip that makes the difference. Players who used a small grip experienced the greatest discomfort.

Tennis elbow occurs more frequently in older players. However, it does not respect ability. Both weekend hackers and professionals get it.

The million dollar question is what is the best tennis elbow treatment? One point is certain: there's no general agreement among orthopedic surgeons on the ideal treatment. This is partly because it depends on whether the doctor is treating a "patient or an impatient." That's why some doctors have a "menu" of therapies.

The first recommendation is usually to cut back on tennis activity. If it's the backhand that's causing the pain, develop a two-handed backhand shot.

It's most important to control inflammation in the acute stage. Rehabilitation usually isn't started until you have a quiet, cool elbow.

But how do you calm this inflammatory response? Some use non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NASIDS) to cool the elbow. Other doctors routinely inject cortisone as the first line of defense for both patient and impatient patients, as it rapidly cools the inflamed tendons. But it may cause severe pain in the elbow for 24 hours.

Ultrasound and electrical stimulation of the elbow are sometimes used as a tennis elbow treatment with varying degrees of success. It is primarily used for patients who are not getting any better and who are pressing to return to tennis.

So when should you return to tennis if you have an aching elbow? Most doctors advocate waiting until there's no tenderness over the elbow and no pain during exercises. Sprain an ankle and it's prudent to rest it as much as possible while healing takes place. The same principle holds for inflamed tendons in the elbow. But in the real world, doctors admit it's often the player who decides when he or she returns to the court.

Can tennis players prevent this injury? A program of strengthening exercises makes sense for tennis elbow treatment, but there's no human scientific data to back it up.

How Stress Can Cause Back Pain and Disc Problems


We live in a world today where there is a lot of stress. Most of us are constantly pushing ourselves to the limit and finding little time to rest. Your adrenal glands are made to help you handle stress. For example they respond in a time of crisis by releasing adrenaline into the body. The adrenals also release other hormones to help you combat stress and cope with a stressful life. Biochemically the hormones that are released under stress actually can effect the ligaments in your back making a disc rupture more possible, and letting the back fall out of alignment easier.

I am a chiropractor in the Denver area and have seen some people respond well to chiropractic care and some not respond well. When I incorporated treating adrenal function and stress management into back pain I saw a great increase in the amount of people getting better. It became obvious when looking at biochemistry what was going on.

Every time your body moves there are inflammatory cytokines that are released from the motion. After you have inflammation your body then needs to anti inflame and heal. If there is an inability of your body to create a healing cascade then you are more prone to joint damage and disc rupture. The hormones that allow you to heal are made from your adrenals and impacted by your pituitary and hypothalamus. What is interesting is those hormones are effected by stress. So the more stress you have the more prone to injury you may become and the less likely you are to heal. A study done by the department of psychobiology at the University of Trier in Germany found just that. What this study found was the more stressed a person was the more probable they were to not heal well from surgery of the low back. What we can take from that is not only is healing from surgery delayed also healing in general is delayed including in the low back and discs.

There was a wonderful researcher named Hans Selye that studied the stress response in great detail. He found the adrenal glands became larger and less efficient, the immune system was weakened and healing was decreased. It becomes very important in many medical problems to understand how to increase the function of the adrenals, hypothalamus, and pituitary not just for back pain but for healing in general. I recently had a man that was severely immobilized and told he would need spinal fusion as the only option for his low back disc problem. When we supported the adrenal function he became pain free and started playing tennis. The body is a miracle with what it can do we just need to deeply understand its function to allow it to do its job. If you have questions regarding this article you can email me.

Links

Steriod Hormones and ligament rupture- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15733636

Adrenals, Pituitary, and Hypothamus and healing - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15733636

Thanks for reading.
Dr. Kennedy, D.C.
http://www.kennedywellness.org

Ergonomic Chairs Can Change Your Life


Have you ever suffered from fatigue or back pain? Have you come home from work stiff and having little energy left in you to enjoy your life and children? I think it may be time you consider upgrading your office chair to a fully ergonomic chair. I have spent a considerable amount of time of this very subject and I would like to share some of the information that I have uncovered with you. My thirty years of experience in the office furniture world has finally paid some dividends!

An ergonomic task chair is the basis for a comfortable, productive workstation. Ergonomic means that the chair has the necessary adjustable functions and standard qualities that make it suitable for the majority of the population. I have listed below some of the unique characteristics of a good quality ergonomic chair.

Seat Height - Adjustability is a must; your feet should rest comfortably on the floor without pressure on the back of the thighs. The angle between the thigh and torso should not be less than 90簞.

Seat Depth - The seat should have a waterfall edge and be the right depth. Too short, and pressure will result on the back of the thighs, too long and the seat edge will press into the back of the knee. A seat slider is a good option to provide adjustable depth.

Seat pan Angle - Should allow the user to keep the feet flat on floor and should move proportionally to backrest angle.

Lumbar support - The backrest curve should follow the natural curve of the spine, so when purchasing, always look for an adjustable lumbar support.

Backrest Height - The backrest needs to adequately support the back. Mid-back chairs are most popular since they allow for upper torso movement, while high-back chairs support the shoulder blades as well. Low-back chairs (<45 cm tall) are not recommended.

Backrest Angle - A great adjustable feature to allow for the recommended 93簞-113簞 torso-to-thigh angle, plus provide a changing posture throughout the day.

Armrests - Should be height adjustable between 19-24 cm and should naturally support the arms at the elbow and forearm with a padded surface, without the user leaning or elevating the shoulder. They should not interfere with computer work or positioning of the chair, so should be set back from the front edge of the chair 15 cm.

I know that your body will benefit from the correct chair for you. Go to a local office supplies company who specializes in quality office furniture and test drive all the wonderful chairs available. Good Luck!!

Spine Surgery - Scope in India


Scope of spine surgery in India is very good now days because of the availability of good treatment facilities and most experienced spine surgeons in Indian spine surgery hospitals. Spine treatment is must required when the symptoms of spine disorders affect daily routine life and chronic back pain starts. The treatment provided to different spine disorders depends on the patients' health, level of disorder and the status of back bone. Different surgical procedures for spine treatment in India are available. In India, medical treatment centers for spine surgery are at Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Pune. The clinical care provided by the staff of these hospitals is very good and the medical infrastructure is also very good. Thus many abroad patients are getting attracted to India for their treatment at low cost.

Now days different surgical procedures are available for the treatment of spine disorders. Some of the available spine surgery procedures are most advanced and the recovery time required after the surgery is very less. The success rate of different spine surgery techniques is very good worldwide. All the spine disorders can be completely removed from body with spine surgery. Different surgeries available for the treatment of spine surgery are micro disectomy surgery, lumbar herniated disc surgery, cervical spine surgery, thoracic spine surgery, lumbar spine surgery, rotational corpectomy surgery, laminectomy surgery, lumbar spinal fusion surgery, cervical herniated disc surgery, cervical spine fusion surgery, artificial disc replacement surgery, laser spine surgery, spinal cord surgery. The spine has of a series of bone blocks which are separated from one another by discs of soft tissue. Within the structure of the spine sits a tunnel called the spinal canal. This tunnel contains the neurological structure including the spinal cord and nerve roots. Although there is some free space between the neurological structure and the edges of the spinal canal, this space can be reduced by many different conditions including injury to the spine. Spinal cord surgery refers to the condition of in which spinal cord is treated to remove the injuries and traumas in the spinal cord. Arthritis of the small joints in the spine as well as thickening of ligaments and formation of bony spurs can all lead to gradual squeezing and irritation of neurological structure. This process is usually gradual and can lead to symptoms such as pain with walking, a decreased endurance for physical activities, heaviness in the legs, tingling sensations, tightness and numbness in the legs with activity, and often associated low back pains. Spinal cord ranges from physical therapy to epidural injections and finally surgery in certain cases. Since patients affected by spinal cord injury are usually elderly, treatment must carefully consider not only the disease in the spine but also the risks and benefits of treatment in each individual. Although the surgery and steroid injections into the affected area of the spinal cord can offer good relief in some patients, there are people who will only get temporary relief if at all.

Medical tourism in India provides very good assistance to abroad patients for their spinal cord surgery. Medical treatment centers of spine surgery in India at Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore provide very good treatment facilities to abroad patients coming India for their treatment. The clinical care provided by these hospitals is very good and the medical infrastructure is also very good. This availability of world class services makes India an ideal destination for abroad patients seeking low cost spine surgery.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Study Affirms Physical Therapy As a Frontline Treatment For Low Back Pain


One of the simplest methods for treating Low Back Pain may actually be the best method. A review article published in February 2009 in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons affirms that Physical Therapy should be the first treatment for low back pain. This review of previously published peer reviewed journal articles recommends that in the majority of cases the most effective treatment is physical therapy combined with anti-inflammatory medications.

This study examined people with symptomatic lower back pain arising from lumbar degenerative disc disease, a common cause of back pain. Symptomatic lumbar degenerative disc disease develops when a disc weakens (often due to repetitive strain), is injured, or deteriorates from aging. As a result, the disc is unable to hold the vertebrae as it should and the lack of stability can cause back pain.

Different treatment methods were detailed including surgery, medication and physical therapy with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as over the counter medications aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. The study affirms that physical therapy with NSAIDS is the cornerstone of non-surgical treatment and that in 90% of patients with low back pain, symptoms will resolve without surgical intervention. Therefore, barring an emergency, the initial treatment should be noninvasive.

Millions of people suffer from low back pain each year and it is the #1 reason people miss work in the US. Approximately 75% to 85% of adults will be affected by this condition at some point during their life, and the cost of this care is estimated to be a staggering $90 billion dollars per year. This includes money spent on diagnostics such as x-rays and MRI's (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and treatment including medications and surgery.

Pain medications are a very common first treatment for low back pain, but this only masks the symptoms rather than address the cause of the pain. This course of treatment is not free of risk or 100% safe as many people can become reliant on pain medications. Over 100,000 people per year are hospitalized from common over the counter pain medications, with over 16,000 deaths. In 2003, complications arising from NSAID use were the 13th most common cause of death in the United States. This rate is higher than that found from cervical cancer, asthma or malignant melanoma.

The other common treatment for back pain, spinal surgery, is not always the quick fix we wish it would be and it does not necessarily address the movement problem causing or contributing to one's back pain. This is not a risk free treatment either. There are thousands of people who die each year from complications arising from spinal surgery and up to 50% of spinal surgery patients have partial or no relief of their symptoms.

There is a safer option; Physical Therapy.

Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy is any "hands-on" treatment provided by the physical therapist. Treatment may include moving joints in specific directions and at different speeds to regain movement (joint mobilization and manipulation), muscle stretching, passive movements of the affected body part, or having the patient move the body part against the therapist's resistance to improve muscle activation and timing. Selected specific soft tissue techniques may also be used to improve the mobility and function of tissue and muscles. Manual Physical Therapy is a safe, cost effective, and proven treatment for low back pain. In specific subgroups 95% of patients achieve dramatic relief with manual physical therapy, which is 1/10 the cost of a spinal fusion. What would you choose?

A physical therapy evaluation should consist of a thorough history, postural evaluation, range of motion, strength measurements, and a physical evaluation. Treatment should include hands-on therapy, including joint and soft-tissue mobilization, body mechanics and core stabilization exercises. Physical therapists are the primary provider of treatment for musculoskeletal pain and movement dysfunctions, especially low back pain.

Current estimates suggest that 90-97 percent of all low back/leg pain is caused by dysfunction of either the spinal joints or muscles, or both. Surgery should be the last option, once all other noninvasive treatments have been explored. There are many alternatives to spinal surgery, and physical therapy is a proven and effective treatment for lower back pain. Physical Therapists are also easily accessible and you can see yours right away for low back pain and many other orthopedic conditions. Here are some highly effective exercises, which will help safely move your back and engage your core, that you can do if you have low back pain.

In North Carolina, you have the right to choose who you see for physical therapy and you can see your physical therapist without first having to see your physician. This is called Direct Access, and allows you to seek treatment for your condition today, get better faster, spend less money, feel great and return to the activities you enjoy. You can search for a manual physical therapist online or when you call the physical therapy practice of your choice, ask if they provide manual physical therapy as their main treatment for low back pain.

Part 2: The Best Bed For Back Pain


Finding the best bed for back pain is important since you spend roughly a third of your life in it. In the last section, we saw how platform frames are often the best choice for people with back pain. Now, let's consider the other important component of a bed.

Mattresses

There is no one mattress that will suit everyone with back pain; some people are comfortable with very firm mattresses while others require softer varieties. Firm mattresses help support alignment but can place painful pressure on the body's joints. Softer mattresses cradle the joints but can allow them to sink into the bed, distorting spinal and pelvic alignment.

Innerspring, air and water mattresses are quickly falling out of favor as more supportive and longer-lasting options become available. One main innovation in the mattress world is foam. Latex and memory foam are both now commonly used in the making of mattresses. Memory foam, also known as visco-elastic foam or polyurethane foam, molds to the shape of your body and re-expands when you get up. Its density ranges from soft to firm. Firmer densities of foam will help promote alignment. Memory foam mattresses are excellent for people who share a bed; the foam reduces or eliminates the transfer of motion across the bed, meaning one partner' movement shouldn't wake the other. The disadvantage of memory foam is that it is not very breathable, meaning you may "sleep hot" on it. Some manufacturers, like Serta, have taken measures to counter the heat problem by equipping their memory foam with special fabrics that breathe well.

Latex mattresses can be either synthetic or natural. Since synthetic latex is cheaper and more durable, many manufacturers choose to go with it or to combine it with natural latex in their products. Latex foam also conforms quickly to the body and is firmer than memory foam. It is highly breathable and hypoallergenic. See http://sleeplikethedead.com/memory-foam-v-latex.html#1 for more on the comparison between memory and latex foam mattresses.

Finally, we have the futon. There are two types of futons: American and Japanese. Traditional Japanese futons have been used throughout history and are just making their way to the West. These mattresses are very thin and usually made of cotton, although sometimes wool or feathers are used. Japanese futons are traditionally placed on the floor for sleeping and then rolled up and stored in a closet during the day. Some people use the mattress on platform or panel frames. This option only works for people who need or like a very firm sleeping surface; the thin Japanese futon compresses quickly and the platform doesn't allow for any give. American futons are usually made of cotton, cotton and polyester or cotton and foam. These can also compress for firmness, but are much thicker and allow for more cushioning.

Cost

When it comes to cost, American futons are by far the cheapest option. Most American futons, no matter what size, will be less than $200. Japanese futons are not easily accessible in the U.S.; ordering one online can cost anywhere from $200 to $600 and above, depending on size.

Standard 10"-12" memory foam mattress can cost $300-$500 or more. Thinner, 8" mattresses are available for around $200 and have very high customer ratings on Amazon.com. Many memory foam mattresses come with a 20 year warranty. Latex mattresses can be expected to cost $500 or more.

If you want the support of memory or latex foam but can't afford a whole mattress, you can consider investing in a mattress topper. Coupled with a futon or other mattress along with a platform frame, you may achieve the balance you're looking for. Toppers are available at different levels of firmness. Memory foam toppers can cost between $50 and $150 depending on thickness and size. Latex toppers are more expensive, ranging from $190 to $300 depending on size and thickness.

When shopping for a mattress, consider thickness, firmness, cost, durability and the frame it will go on. There are many options to choose from. It is possible to find a good bed for back pain even on a budget.

Spinal Stenosis - Exercises For Spinal Stenosis


If you are like me and are suffering because of spinal stenosis, sciatica or a herniated disc the last thing you want to think about is exercising. However the correct exercises properly done is one of the best ways to lose the pain and prevent it from returning.

For many years the accepted way to treat a bad back was rest. However we now know that rest and/or inactivity is actually the worst thing you can do. Although right after an injury resting for a few days is a good idea, it is important to begin a program of exercises as soon as possible.

Why? Because studies have shown that proper exercises will strengthen the back and correct muscle imbalance. As my physical therapist says you need to retrain weak muscles. Strong muscles support the spine, keep in alignment and help prevent injury. but what exercises are the best? Here's a short list.

1. Walking: Find a comfortable pair of shoes and walk. I find that finding a level hard surface is better than walking on grass or a rough surface with bumps and dips.

2. Swimming: The great thing about swimming is that the water gives full support to your body, taking the pressure of your spine. Just don't go off the diving board or try out for the Olympics. easy does it!

3. Stretching: Be sure to get some expert advice and guidance to ensure the proper stretching exercises and procedures. Find a program or system of exercise designed specifically for a person with back problems

Spinal Stenosis can be cured and prevented by proper exercises. One of the top rated programs is called the Lose The Back Pain System developed by therapists and doctors of the Healthy back Institute. This program has helped thousands by strengthening muscles and eliminating muscles imbalance.

As someone who has suffered with a bad back and who has endured months of physical therapy and an operation, I can tell you there are solutions for your discomfort.

Three Reasons Why Spinal Arthritis Is More Difficult To Treat Than Hip or Knee Arthritis


The joints of the spine are called facet joints. They are located on both sides of the spine at every level up and down the spinal column all the way from the skull down to the sacrum.

Each of these joints combines to allow humans an incredible range of motion of the spines, permitting bending and twisting to an exceptional degree. Unfortunately though, each of these joints has cartilage and it has the potential for arthritis either due to age with loss of cartilage or trauma with damage to cartilage and subsequent arthritis pain.

Spinal arthritis is more difficult to treat than that of an extremity such as the hip or the knee. Here are the three main reasons why this is the case.

1. The number of joints in the spine is much higher. When you're dealing with hip or knee arthritis, there is one on each side. When you're dealing with spinal joints, there is one on each side at every level. Each of them is prone to developing arthritis and pain. even though the joints are considerably smaller, arthritis at any one facet joint can cause just as much pain as arthritis in a knee or a hip joint.

Typically when a person develops arthritis in a facet joint, he or she has arthritis in multiple facet joints which would need to be treated. Figuring out which is causing the pain and treating appropriately is much more difficult in a spinal arthritis situation than for the hip or knee.

2. Figuring out the source of the pain is more difficult. Even the best trained spine doctors who are board-certified can only tell people 50% of the time exactly why their back hurts. This is one of the shortcomings of back pain treatment, that the world of modern medicine is simply farther along when it comes to hip or knee arthritis than for that of the spine.

What this means is that if a pain management doctor does an injection into one of the facet joints of the lumbar spine, it may relieve part of a person's back pain, but a decent amount of the time they will still have significant residual pain. Pain management doctors have developed some more specific techniques to delineate the source of a person's pain, including facet joint injections and medial branch blocks as diagnostic tools. This will continue to improve, however, currently it makes spinal arthritis more difficult to deal with than that of the hip or knee.

3. Surgical outcomes for spinal arthritis treatments are not as good as that of total joint replacement for the hip or knee. Out of all the surgeries done for quality-of-life in the world, total hip and total knee replacement are in the top five overall. They are unbelievable game changers when it comes to decreasing pain and increasing function.

The same cannot be said for surgery for spinal arthritis. Although artificial disc replacement has been in existence since 2004, it has not been shown to be as good of a procedure as extremity joint replacement. In addition, there is no FDA approved procedure for replacing the facet joints in the back of the spine. What this means is that if a person undergoes surgery for facet arthritis, it will involve a spinal fusion. Satisfactory results after these treatments are in the 50 to 75% range, whereas knee replacement surgeries are typically over 90% satisfactory with outcomes.

The hope is that with modern medical techniques advancing, diagnosing the exact areas of spinal arthritis will become more exact and the results will be better with surgery. For now, nonsurgical pain management treatment is actually very good at reducing pain. it just takes more diagnostic tools and thought-provoking maneuvers to make sure the proper levels are being treated with the appropriate procedures.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Causes and Symptoms


Some serious conditions such as ankylosing spinal disorders (ASD), ankylosing spondylitis Spine (AS) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) are long-term diseases that causes inflammation of the joints between the spinal bones and the joints between the spine and the pelvis. Spinal bones will eventually join together after a period of time.

Ankylosing spondylitis Spine(AS) is a chronic disease of inflammatory nature. Although Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine mainly affects the spine, it can also affect other parts of the body such as the lower back and the pelvis. There is a group of rheumatic diseases. This is a disease that affects the vertebral joints. Another medical term is "Spondyloathopathy". AS causes pain and inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae of the spine and the joints between the spine and pelvis.

Some initial symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis spine may incur chronic pain in the lower part of your back. This is most common in the morning and after periods of inactivity. It is also possible to have stiffness in the lower back and hip areas.

Conditions can continually progress. Over time the symptoms can get worse. The pain and stiffness can increase with the inflammation around the spine and other joints. Common areas for inflammation is at the tendons and ligaments where they attach to the bones. Other areas affected are between the ribs and spine and also joints in hips shoulders, knees and feet. Inflammation in the eyes is also possible.

There seems to be no specific causes of AS. Genetic factors seem to be involved with people with the gene called HLA-B27 being a major risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis spine.

As inflammation persists, new bone forms as part of the body's attempt to heal itself. Vertebrae begin to grow together, forming vertical bony outgrowths (syndesmophytes), becoming stiff and inflexible. Lung capacity and function can also be restricted, from fusion that stiffen the rib cage.

It is important to keep physical therapy in the treatment program for ankylosing spondylitis spine symptoms. Research has shown that there is significant improvement with therapy. Remember it is a combination of things that can help.

The main objective should be reducing the inflammation. This can be done through medicines. Drugs such as Cytotoxic which block cell growth can be used in people who do not respond well or are dependent on high doses of corticosteroids.

Surgery may be done if pain or joint damage is severe.

Exercises can help improve posture and breathing. At night time lying flat on the back can help maintain normal posture.

There are also alternatives such as natural products. Some Natural products can also help with ankylosing spondylitis spine by reducing inflammation. The main thing to remember, is that the inflammation in the body needs to be reduced. Once you get the inflammation under control, it will help in all areas of the body.

Seat Cushions For Back Support


If you are truly looking for comfort from a seat cushion, you might as well go for back comfort as well. There are many companies out there that create seat cushions to promote circulation and reduce back discomfort through reducing pressure on the joints. Many are made of memory foam to contour to your body. Many are equipped with an area that can be removed if people have inflamed or sensitive tailbones. People with sensitive tailbones will often create a posture to compensate for comfort. When this happens, there will be stress on the rest of the spine as well.

Seat cushions come in many other designs to meet the demands of comfort and spinal posture. There are specific seats to correct your pelvic angle, preserve the curve of your back, and help maintain your sitting posture. These cushions are also great for travel to the office, or in the car.

If you are looking to sit for an extended period, there are cushions out there that will help you do this in the most comfortable manner possible. Certain cushions are built to distribute your weight evenly over the entire surface. This prevents you from getting those uncomfortable pressure points when you have to sit for extended periods. You won't feel like you need to keep shifting back and forth in your seat.

Do you ever find it annoying to sit in a seat with an opening at the back? You probably feel quite uncomfortable and that there is no support. There are even seat cushions for this purpose. These cushions are made to elevate your hips. This helps you avoid those awful holes. This allows you to have a better posture while sitting which will maintain your back comfort. You won't end up sitting too far at the edge of your seat, or leaning forward.

If you are ambitious and a person who loves to keep your body strong, you can buy a seat cushion that will strengthen your core while you sit. This is key to keeping your back healthy and strong. There are special seat cushions that come in a disc that is inflatable. Since the top is dome shaped, it mimics the resistance of an exercise ball. You can decrease or increase the challenge that the cushion gives you, by changing the pressure.

No matter what type of seat cushion you are looking for to help your back, it is out there. There are many types of cushions that offer support in a variety of unique ways. Consider whether you need coccyx, lumbar, or overall posture support.

No matter what type of seat you have, if your back is out of alignment or you sit with poor posture, you will not be very comfortable. It is important to consider back health when considering sitting just for? comfort. The more well off your back is, the better your comfort level will be while sitting. So, when looking for a good cushion, keep comfort and spinal well-being in mind.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Do Inversion Therapy Tables Relieve Back Pain?


If you suffer from chronic back pain, you're not alone. Millions of adults in the U.S. suffer from it every day. The search for a natural form of relief has led many of these sufferers to turn to gravity inversion therapy for help. This popular treatment involves the reversal of gravitational force on the spine to increase the space between the spinal discs. Back pain that involves compression of the spinal discs may benefit significantly from the regular use of an inversion table.

The effectiveness of this therapy finds overwhelming support in the success stories of people just like you. Many people who have suffered from debilitating back pain swear by the effective relief of gravity inversion. Do an Internet search on testimonials for this treatment and you'll come up with thousands of reviews by actual people who have benefited from this therapy, many of whom view inversion as the ultimate solution for their back pain.

Not only do many home users swear by this therapy, but the U.S. Army also uses gravity inversion as a regular part of its physical training regimen to keep its troops in top condition during intense training periods. They have also written inversion exercise into their worldwide physical training manual. The amount of stress placed on the body during intense physical conditioning is brutal, but stretching the spine eases the stress load on the body and reduces the risk of injury.

A number of scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of this natural treatment. One study in particular, led by Frederick Sheffield, studied the results of gravity inversion therapy on 175 participants who suffered from back pain. The intensity of the participants' condition prevented them from working. After eight sessions of inversion therapy, 155 of these participants were able to return to work full time. The treatments greatly reduced their pain and allowed them to return to the daily activities of their lives as normal.

The benefits of full body stretching and reversing the effects of gravity on the spine are numerous. Regular inversion can improve body posture and flexibility, reduce swelling and inflammation in the joints, improve circulation, and provide relief from pinched nerves, among other benefits. Not only does inversion provide relief from physical pain, but it can also benefit the mind. It increases blood flow to the brain, improves mental acuteness, and can also induce a calming, almost meditative state. A full body stretch relaxes both the muscles and the mind, promoting an overall sense of well-being.

Used consistently over time, an inversion table may greatly relieve your back pain. As you become comfortable with hanging upside down, you may wish to add inverted exercises to further stretch and strengthen the muscles. Inversion therapy can be used alone or to complement other forms of back pain relief.

This natural anti-gravity treatment may be the solution to your chronic pain. The only way to know for sure is to try it for yourself. Gravity inversion is safe for most people; however, there are certain contraindications that may preclude you as a candidate for this therapy. You should also discuss treatment options with your doctor and obtain his approval before beginning any new regimen or exercise.

Cure For Lower Back Pain - Know Some Herbs That You Can Use


For those who are glued in front of their computer all day, diligently laboring over their work, you might experience many aches and pains when your day ends-lower back pain included. You should not disregard this condition as it may cause further damage to your body. There is a cure for lower back pain-herbal, exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

There are numerous causes of lower back pain. Here are some of them:

1. An injury in the back caused by vehicular accident, sports accidents, and the like
2. Muscle, nerves and ligaments tension in your lower back
3. Gynecological conditions in women such as menstrual cramps, fibroid tumors or endometriosis
4. Bone or joint diseases such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis
5. overweight
6. lack of exercise
7. infections, slipped discs and pinch nerves
8. smoking

If your lower back pain is already severe, it may be due to an underlying disease such as spinal tumor. In those cases, it is best to consult your doctor.

There are many things that you can do to relieve lower back pain. Some people try yoga. Yoga is not only a calming exercise, it can also strengthen your bones and your spine to make you body more pliant and more resistant to stress.

Drink milk or eat calcium rich foods. Calcium strengthens your bones and your cartilage.

You can also try using these herbs that were already tried and tested by many people suffering from lower back pain.

1. Arthcare oil
Arthcare oil is very helpful in relieving lower back pain. What it does is it seeps into the body tissues as a result of its very potent anti-inflammatory property. You can use this topically by rubbing it on the painful area in your back.

2. Lemon
Lemon can give temporary relief for back pains. Drink the juice of lemon mixed with salt twice every day and you can feel the results.

3. Turpentine Oil
Massaging turpentine oil on your lower back can give immediate relief.

4. Potato
Raw potato in poultice form can be effective in curing backaches.

If you want to achieve better and faster results, you can always opt to take already made natural herbal remedies.

There is one product that can promote comfort of the nerves and improve your overall health as well. This product is called SciatiGon.

SciatiGon actually works on the sciatic nerve of the body. This is the nerve that is located on the lower back, the buttock and the pelvis area. This nerve is an extension of the lower end of our spinal cord. By soothing the sciatic nerve, you are able to soothe the peripheral nerve and the spine as well.

This product is very helpful in supporting the strength of our spine and the sciatic nerve and reduces the occurrence of lower back pains.

SciatiGon contains safe ingredients such as:

Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis which is helpful in soothing our nervous and circulatory system

German Chamomile which is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that can soothe tired and aching muscles and joints.

Burdock which purifies our blood and cleanses our system to promote better joint and over all health condition.

Devil's claw which is essential in promoting healthy muscles and joints.

There is no harm in trying SciatiGon. If you are looking for cure for lower back pain, this is the ideal product for you. Don't let back pain hinder your daily activities. Use a remedy that can help promote better spine and nerve functioning.

Proper Back Care for Healthcare Workers


If you are a nurse or caregiver, then you know the importance of protecting both yourself and your patient when you are working. However, many healthcare professionals get back injuries or strains when they are transferring patients, lifting equipment or moving supplies, and some patients are injured as well. This is why it is extremely important that you use every precaution necessary to protect everyone involved.

Follow Guidelines

If you work for a healthcare facility, make sure that you follow all guidelines that they have in place about transferring patients. This may mean that you need to have several nurses on hand to help move the patient, or it may require you to use a patient lift. Patient lifts will take the strain off of you and the patient, which keeps everyone safer, while extra hands will make sure that help is available in case of an accident. In addition to protecting you from injury, following the guidelines will protect you from any legal ramifications if an accident occurs.

Wear the Proper Equipment

No matter what type of work you do, it is vital that you wear the proper shoes. This is especially important when you are working in the healthcare industry. Since you are on your feet all day, you are more susceptible to injuries. A good pair of shoes will keep your muscles and joints healthy so that you are less likely to pull or strain a muscle.

If you will be lifting patients or heavy equipment, you need to wear a back brace. This will help you remember how to bend properly and to lift using your legs.

Change Position Often

As you are working with patients, make sure that you change your position often. Don't hunch over a patient's bed for several minutes without standing up straight, as this could cause the muscles in your neck, back and shoulders to become bunched up. Keep your movements varied, and avoid repetitive movements, which will overwork your muscles.

Outside of the Workplace

When you get off work, it is still important that you take care of your back. Take a long, hot bath to soothe away the strain of the day. Visit a chiropractor if necessary, which will help to alleviate any strains or knots that you may have. You should also indulge in an occasional massage to pamper your back and should muscles.

Your back is a very important part of your job, so you should protect it while you are working and at home. By taking these precautions, you will be less likely to suffer back injuries so that you can continue to work and do the things you love.

Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain


For any person trying to learn the causes of lower back pain, it is important to recognize first that it is not a condition but rather a sign of irregularities in the muscles, ligaments, and nerves in the lower area of the back and possible diseases found in that specific area, like the kidneys.

Lower back pain is commonly one-sided; depending upon the pinched nerve root, it may occur on the left side or the right side.

Because many conditions could generate the pain, cited here are the primary causes of lower back pain:



  • Poor form, particularly when carrying large items (the mere act of carrying an object bigger than your body weight could cause lower back pain). Sitting for a long-period of time with arch back can also cause pain on your lower back.? If you work 8 hours a day in work office, sitting the whole time is inevitable. Take a break, stand up and stretch your back at least every three hours, and make sure that you are sitting up straight.? Bad sitting posture can't be corrected by trying harder, you need to stop sitting badly and let your body resume its natural posture.


  • Stress and fractures.


  • Non-specific anxiety or sprain of the back muscles, ligaments and soft tissues.


  • Physical factors such as disc degeneration in spondylosis, stenosis of the spine, disc herniation, spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis, and leg length discrepancy (one leg is shorter than the other)


  • Inflammation related illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and spondylitis.


  • Infections, like osteomyelitis, epidural abscess and Post-herpetic neuralgia, bring about nerve irritation.


  • Metabolic problems, such as osteoporosis and osteomalacia.


  • Cancers of the bone and spine that would constrict upon the nerves.


  • Related soreness, such as in kidney disease and prostate cancer.


  • Pinched nerve, which is appropriately called as nerve root impingement (direct irritation on a nerve) or nerve root syndromes, such as sciatica and cauda equina syndrome.


  • Standard pregnancy (the rising weight and the strain of lugging a child causes strain on the lower part area of the back, nerve irritation, and elongating of pelvic ligaments).


  • Bone and joint pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia (described by generalized ache, tenderness, rigidity and fatigue) and myofascial pain (with pain and tenderness experienced in localized areas referred to as "trigger points", which observe the dermatomal or radiating pattern of a peripheral nerve).

Depression has also been mentioned as one of the causes of lower back pain. However, reports on patients suffering from the pain and making use of anti-depressants as remedy have generated inconclusive outcomes.

There Is No Holy Grail In Dealing With Back Arthritis


The question of how to deal with arthritis in the back is not an easy one. Arthritis in the back comes from numerous potential causes most of which stem from degeneration of the intervertebral disk. Once the disk starts to dehydrate and degenerate, then ensuing arthritic changes occur in that level of the spinal column.

The other elements in the spinal column include the facet joints of which there are one joint on each side at each level of the spine. By and large the major problem when dealing with arthritis in the back is facet joint arthritis. These joints are about the size of a thumbnail and they are symmetrically situated at each level of the spine.

When dealing with facet joint arthritis unfortunately if you have arthritis at any one particular joint most likely you also have arthritis at multiple others. So it's much more complicated than dealing with simply a hip joint. Isn't this great?

So if you were to have spine surgery on all of the arthritic joints, you would have a spinal fusion at multiple levels which is not a good idea unless there is associated scoliosis or instability to address.

There are some very good answers for treating arthritis in the back that are non-surgical. One of those for example would be spinal decompression therapy. These treatments consist of about six weeks worth of intermittent spinal traction which can be very effective in decreasing the pain from facet arthritis.

Another option for treating arthritis in the facet joints is physical therapy. Strengthening the muscles around the spine can take pressure and stress off of the facet joints and it's the movement and pressure and stress which create and increase the pain. So strengthening one's core and doing lumbar stabilization exercises can decrease the pain from back arthritis.

One of the best options that we have for treating arthritis in the facet joints are facet injections, also called facet blocks. The injections into the facet joints consist of steroid medication which is currently the gold standard. Another injection that may be of benefit are medial branch blocks, which are injections around what's called the medial branches which are the tiny little nerves that supply sensation to the joints. These injections may include simply numbing medicine or also steroid medication too.

Assuming you want to achieve some sort of relief for back pain from arthritis with either medial branch blocks or facet injections, but potentially a combination of the two, and this wears off, the next step that may be of significant benefit is called radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment that involves burning the small little nerves that supply sensation to the facet joints, and that is what actually causes the pain from arthritis. So if one can eliminate that pain with radiofrequency ablation, the objective has been achieved. The reduction of pain from radiofrequency ablation, also called rhizotomy, can be achieved for upwards of two years but typically it's around 6 to 12 months.

Medical Intervention Or Natural Cures For Back Pain?


Discussed at the 7th EFIC Congress -- Pain in Europe VII in Hamburg concluded that the prognosis for unspecific back pain, already an epidemic in industrialised countries, has been worse than commonly recognized.

This unspecified lumbar pain, isn't attributed to a specific disease and needs an increase in research and rehabilitation support if recovery rates are to be improved. There is some optimism that the necessary support will be forthcoming.

Of the work force on sick leave due to unspecific back pain, 80% return to work within a few weeks, however there has been a broad misconception that they recover from their pain within the time taken off sick yet for upwards of 65 percent of this group, it is thought that the pain suffered eventually becomes chronic.

In essence the back or lumbar pain that we are talking about is having a major impact not just in terms of the personal pain) but also from a socio economic point of view and with most care inadequate, the prognosis is not good.

The discussion concluded that we must design a new classification of unspecific back pain, breaking it down into appropriate subgroups to allow for the development of pinpointed treatments for each.

During recent decades, back pain has become all the more common in the industrialised countries. Somewhere between 60 & 90 percent of the population will experience some kind of back pain at least once in their lifetime. Of that, 30 to 50 percent will involve cervical pain, 16 to 20 percent thoracic pain and over 70 percent lower back or lumbar pain. The unspecific element accounts for approximately 95 percent of these figures.

Because of the serious nature of the problem and the socio economic impacts, the current EFIC Congress has discussed the problem of adequately treating back pain in many of its sittings, contributing to current evidence for effective treatment options. The technical reports concluded that only short term use of NSAIDs and weak opioids is recommended. Noradrenergic or noradrenergic-serotonergic antidepressants, muscle relaxants and capsicum plasters can be considered.

The best forms of rehabilitation include a combination of exercise, functional restoration and cognitive behavioural therapy however it has to be said that present usage of such interventions is small to moderate when applied to the general population of sufferers of pain.

Scientific evidence for interventions such as the infiltration of corticosteroids directly into the spinal channel guided by computer-assisted fluoroscopic imaging is weak, but they can sometimes be effective for pain in highly selected patient groups.

Surgery for chronic back pain and cervical pain is based on the assumption that pain will stop once the symptomatic painful segments are immobilized by operative fusion. However, randomized studies have concluded that the non surgical treatment is just as valid if not better as a method of rehabilitation.

In conclusion, spinal fusion and total disc replacement surgery should not be regarded as a standard treatment for chronic back pain. Non interventional or natural cures for back pain should be considered and used for at least 2 years and medical intervention considered further only if treatment programs are found to have failed to relieve the patient's pain and disability.