Enjoy Memory Foam Pillows - Like Sir Chris Hoy

The nation's greatest-ever Olympian, Sir Chris Hoy, has announced that he uses orthopaedic pillows to ease his neck and shoulder problems. So, if memory foam pillows are good enough for a man who's garnered six Olympic golds, you can bet they'll be good enough for you.

Fresh out of the London Olympic Games, the brilliant 36-year-old track cyclist said, "I used to have problems with my neck and shoulder blades. A physio suggested I try an orthopaedic pillow and the difference has been amazing".

Pain in the neck and shoulders is surprisingly common. Usually, the pain originates from injury to the soft tissues. This can include the muscles, tendons and ligaments within those structures. It might be down to whiplash injuries but, more often, it's just wear and tear through age. Degenerative arthritis of the spine can also create neck and shoulder pain by pinching nerves.

The problem could also be caused by the cervical intervertebral joints. They can suffer from degenerative or arthritic changes, which could be inflammatory and be linked to rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. You can inherit this latter condition. It initially involves painful inflammation in the spine followed by painless fusion of the vertebral bones.

Neck pain can be caused by the cervical facet joints. It's very hard to inject into these joints compared with the thoracic and lumbar facet joints. That's why fewer doctors take on this type of work. There are also risks with the underlying spinal cord and other nearby arteries. Doctors are more likely just to prescribe painkillers and treat the painful areas with steroid or Botox injections. TENS machines can also help with inflammation, as can anti-inflammatories and capsaicin creams.

Sir Chris Hoy wasn't specific about what causes his own problems. But, whatever the cause, if you have neck or shoulder problems, you should look into investing in contour pillows. For the benefit of both your head and neck, a contour pillow is a good all-rounder, supporting your head and keeping your neck healthy.

Memory foam pillows offer superior support for your head by curving to its individual shape. It's a technology originally invented by NASA for improving the safety of aircraft cushions, but one that has been enthusiastically adapted by mattress manufacturers and extended into the pillows market.

Memory pillows ensure that your neck stays in the ideal position when you're sleep. This keeps your neck healthy for longer and, because your posture is right, it also benefits your shoulders, too.

All this support provides you with a much more refreshing night's sleep. Memory pillows ensure that your head and neck area stay as comfortable as possible during the night.

If you want to extend the benefits of foam, you might want to consider pillows orthopaedically designed to support your head, neck and shoulders, plus the natural shape of your back.

Such pillows use soft-touch memory foam to perfectly form around your individual shape. Beneath the outer layer is a firm centre pillow offering extra support. A base provides a solid foundation to the pillow. This is the best memory foam pillow on the market.

If you have neck, shoulder or head pain, it could be the best investment you ever make.

Sciatic Nerve Pain Remedy And Treatment

With the changes in the way we live, compared to our fore fathers, there has been an emergence of complications that were did not exist earlier. These relatively new complications call for research in the field of medicine to curb them. Most of the researches done, only offer curative solutions to these problems. An example of these relatively new health complications is sciatica, a condition that causes Sciatic nerve pain. This is a condition of pain and numbness of the legs originating from the spinal cord.

There are a varied forms or types of Sciatic nerve pain. The differences in pain are brought about by the differences in severity and causes of sciatica. Some of the pains are ordinary sharp, short-lived pains that disappear within seconds or a few minutes. These normal sciatic pains do not call for seeking of medical help. Severe and long-lived pains are the ones that need urgent medical attention. If a symptom lasts for abnormally wrong, it is only wise to seek for medical help, even if the pain is a common occurrence to you.

The different forms Sciatic nerve pain have different forms of treatment. Some require medications while others fade away in minutes. Due to the pain involved in all the forms, people tend to look for medical attention even with the mildest of all forms. By been mild does not mean that it is not painful; it is, the mildness comes in the duration and the severity of the condition. If the symptom last for long then it stops from being mild and becomes severe.

The best way to treat this condition without negative side effects associated with medical drugs s by exercise. Exercises develop stomach muscles. Other methods are herbal remedies. The herbal remedies include raw garlic, celery and any other sources of thiamine. Drinking a lot of water as water increases the circulation of blood in the body and sustains proper hydration of the body. Another home remedy is the application of alternate hot and cold compressions by use of treatment pads on the aching part.

There are however medical remedies for Sciatic nerve pain. These remedies are meant for all people suffering sciatica whether mild or severe. The remedies range from tablet medicines to therapy and surgery for the severest cases. If home remedies do not work for you, it is best to seek medical advice even with the mildest of all forms of sciatica.

Spinal Anomalies, Low Back Pain

The bouts of pain may occur as the individual engages in their usual employment, household chores, gardening, or when they engage in sporting activities. At times even the slightest wrong movement, such as lifting, reaching, or twisting, may bring on a bout of pain.

There can be many, many reasons for low back pain; however, we will discuss a very important reason that has not been spoken of or even usually thought of in diagnosing this condition. These are called "congenital anomalies". A congenital anomaly is something we are born with, that is not within normal limits. An anomaly can be found in any area such as, bone, muscle, ligament, tissue or organ. Very often congenital anomalies can be an inherited trait. The anomaly we are primarily focused on is found in the lower spinal column and its relation to the pain it can cause.

The lumbar area of the spine is comprised of 5 lumbar vertebrae. The 5th lumbar vertebra sits on the broad triangular bone called the "sacrum". On either side of the 5th lumbar and the sacrum are the 2 hipbones, called the"ilii". An anomaly can occur in any of the lumbar vertebrae, the sacrum, or the hipbones (ilii). There can even be one vertebrae missing, or an extra 6th lumbar vertebra, or even a half vertebra. More often anomalies or abnormalities are found in the facets of the vertebrae. The facets are the articulations that align the vertebrae with each other, keeping them fro shifting or sliding.

However, we will discuss another very prevalent anomaly that is found in the 5th lumbar vertebra. Consider this vertebra as one of a child's building blocks. On either side of the block (vertebra) are two fingerlike projections, called the "transverse processes". It is these transverse processes where the congenital anomalies occur. When an individual is born with enlarged transverse processes they will have a tendency to meet and rub against the hipbones (ilii). This can occur on either one or both sides. They can also enlarge even more over a period of years. After years of this occurrence, the transverse processes will cause a fusion with itself and the hipbone, creating a false joint, or joints. There will of course be no normal movement in these false joints.

A condition such as this can set up a myriad of circumstances, affecting the muscles, ligaments and tendons that cause a progression of symptoms and finally severe bouts of low back pain. Although the individual may not lose any motion of the low back, they may have some difficulty in bending forward or backward. After activities that require such prolonged movements, the individual may find some difficulty in getting out of bed, or getting up from a sitting position.

Should an individual find they are experiencing symptoms such as bouts of pain that are nagging, dull and vague in character, and they just can't seem put their finger on the exact spot where it is originating from, they should of course seek professional advice from their healthcare provider. The doctor will after a physical examination, take x-rays that will enable him/her to make a definitive diagnosis. After the diagnosis, they may recommend medications that will only help with some of the pain. Most individuals are already familiar with these over the counter medications OTC). Unfortunately, this condition is not correctable by conservative methods.

Once a definitive diagnosis is made, it will be up to the individual to create a plan to deal with the situation in an effort to prevent more invasive measures such as surgery. Read more on how to plan in the Health Hints below.

Health Hints***

• The individual must be mindful of his/her lower back inadequacies at all times. This means that when they engage in some activity, such as, sports, gardening, or stressful household chores such as vacuuming, ironing, etc., they should gently stretch their back muscles. It will only take one or two minutes. If you golf, hold two or three clubs and gently swing them up to one shoulder following through to the other shoulder. If you bowl, throw a few balls down the alley slowly and gently. Do the same for any other sport following the protocol of that particular sport.


• Before and after engaging in these sports or chores, you can apply a good analgesic gel.


• Should you experience a sharp pain during golfing, bowling, etc., it would be advisable to stop any further participation in that activity.


• If you do experience sharp pain after playing sports, the use of ice is advisable. An ice massage is excellent. This can be accomplished by keeping a few paper cups in the freezer filled with water and having them frozen, ready for such uses at all times. When ready to use, tear about a half-inch strip from around the top of the cup. As you massage the painful area in circular motions, keep tearing small strips from around the paper cup as the ice melts. This should be repeated 3 to 4 times daily, using the analgesic gel between the applications of the ice massage.


• After 48 hours, if the pain persists, start using applications of heat. Apply the heat in the form of a heating pad for 20-30 minutes to the painful area 3 to 4 times daily. Using a moist heat pad is more beneficial as it allows an easier, deeper penetration. Again, apply the analgesic gel between the applications of the heat.


• The above steps will help in the alleviation of the pain. However, the best way is prevention with the long-term outlook of preventing the onset of these painful episodes. To do this, you must start an exercise program that will strengthen, support and reinforce the entire low back structure. Before starting any exercise program you should discuss it with your healthcare provider. Once you have been cleared, you must find a program that you are comfortable with, and one you will stay with for the long haul.


• The next step in choosing an exercise program is choosing one that will not aggravate your condition. It also needs to strengthen the abdominal and low back muscles, ligaments and tendons that are of key importance in supporting the lower back. For this you need a non-impact exercise program.

Whatever exercise program you start on, just make sure you do no harm. Be comfortable with it. Be able to find the time to do it. AND, stay with it for the long haul. You will feel better.

Treatments For Your Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
The failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is also known, simply, as the failed back syndrome. It refers to the pain that persists in the back and or its extremities even after spinal surgeries. This condition is also sometimes known as post-laminectomy syndrome. It is the chronic back pain that may or may not be, accompanied by a pain in the leg.

Thus, it can be said that failed back surgery syndrome is a consequence of an unsuccessful or failed spinal or back surgery. The surgery, which is aimed at relieving a person's back pain, may end up doing exactly the opposite. Sometimes it makes the pain even more excruciating, and may also reduce the person's mobility and flexibility.

Besides this, people suffering from a failed surgery syndrome become hostage to physiological disorders such as depression, extreme rage and/or anxiety.

Causes Of FBSS

The incidence rate (percentage of people) that suffers from FBSS is not a definite figure. Doctors and medical professionals have failed to answer what may actually cause FBSS. Doctors may tell you the probability of a successful surgery but it does not mean that a successful operation will mean eliminating the pain. Therefore, according to a study done in Prague in 2005, the incidence rate for FBSS ranges between 5 to 50 percent. But, the following are the most probable causes:

• Incompetence or mistake of the surgeon


• Incorrect diagnosis


• Scar tissue


• Iatrogenesis

Treatment For FBSS

People suffering from FBSS want to stay as far away from another surgery as possible. The following are some (not all) of the treatments patients can opt for:

• Stem cell treatment - minimally invasive laser surgery that deposits adult stem cell directly at the affected area


• Spinal epidural steroid injections


• Selective nerve root block


• Spinal cord stimulator


• Fusion alternatives

An Overview Of Some Sciatica Remedies

Sciatica can be an incredibly painful condition when there is nerve damage or pressure on the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body. It runs from the bottom of the spine, through the hip, knee and to the ankle. Sciatica can be caused by a number of different things, each which need to be targeted when looking at sciatica remedies. Causes include pressure on the sciatic nerve from the piriformis, a herniated or displaced disk, spinal stenosis or an isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Sciatica can be caused by the piriformis, which is a muscle that runs deep in the hip joint, crossing over the sciatic nerve. When the piriformis is too tight or tense it can choke the sciatic nerve, putting pressure on the nerves which can in turn cause intense pain deep in the joint. Sciatica remedies that target piriformis syndrome include stretching the piriformis muscle as well the gluteal muscles around it. It has also been recommended that by massaging this area, muscles can be released so that they do not choke or put stress on the sciatic nerve. Other muscle relaxants that have been recommended include Valerian root and Passion flower as sciatic remedies.

Herniated or displaced disks can also cause sciatica when a bulging disk puts pressure on the sciatic nerve from a sports injury or something similar. To target disk problems, sciatica remedies can range from homeopathic treatment to surgery. Homeopathy refers to alternative medicine which is believed to more holistic in treating pain. Some of these include Colocynth, Belladonna, Nux vomica and Gnaphalium, however you can consult a homeopathic specialist for recommendations. Traditional medicines include anti-inflammatory drugs, pain-killers or even an epidural injection. Physical therapy is also recommended to strengthen and stretch the back muscles. The last resort for sciatica caused by a herniated disk is surgery.

When the spine is compressed or put under pressure, it can cause spinal stenosis which affects your hip and spine and can cause the sciatic nerve to have intense pressure on it, resulting in sciatica. This is because the spinal canal is narrowed which can cause a lot of pain, numbness and weakness in the neck and lower back. Physical therapy and the strengthening of core muscles through exercise can take pressure off the spine and relieve its stress on the sciatic nerve. Artificial support, like a medical corset can also be worn to take pressure off the spine. Sciatica remedies can also include anti-inflammatory medication or epidural injections. Spinal surgery to relieve compression can be used as a sciatica remedy, taking pressure of the sciatic nerve by alleviating stress on the spine.

A pinched sciatic nerve can be caused by isthmic spondylolisthesis when a vertebra is dislocated, causing strain on the surrounding muscles. When a vertebra has been dislocated or damaged, it is first suggested that one rests for a few days, so as to avoid stress or pressure on the spine. Anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers can also be taken as well as an epidural injection. Exercise, strengthening and stretching may also help rehabilitation of the muscles around the damaged vertebra, relieving pressure off the pinched sciatic nerve. Depending on how badly damaged the vertebra is, a sciatica remedy can include surgery to move the vertebrae off the nerve it is compressing.

More natural sciatica remedies include elderberry juice or elderberry tea, to relax muscles. Garlic or garlic supplements are also recommended along with vitamin B which can be found in spinach, bananas, bread and some types of beans, among others.

While pain can be relieved temporarily in terms of sciatica, the cause of the pain needs to be targeted. Sciatica remedies that try and target these causes are the most helpful and permanent remedies.

Back Pain Warning Signs

Back Pain Warning Signs The prevalence of back pain in our country often leads people to dismiss back problems as something that they just must learn to live with. We have a tendency to reach for whatever over-the-counter pain reliever is in the medicine cabinet and go about our daily business.

Often times, back pain is no cause for concern and a trip to the doctor unnecessary. However, in some cases back pain can signal a serious problem. Here are six fairly common back pain problems that are worthy of a call to the doctor:

Anytime you have severe back pain that lasts for more than three weeks, you should seek the help of a medical professional. While pain will often disappear with time and self treatment, persistent pain should be considered a warning sign and should never be ignored.

If you experience persistent and severe low back pain that extends down your leg, it could be a sign of a compressed nerve. If the pain increases when you raise your knee to your chest or if you bend over, chances are that a disc is irritating the nerve, and you should seek medical attention.

Persistent non-specific symptoms such as low back and buttocks pain, numbness, tingling, muscle tightness or weakness in the leg that is often aggravated by standing, walking and other activities could all be signs of a condition known as Spondylolsthesis, which occurs when a cracked spinal vertebrae slips forward over the vertebrae below it. Medical attention is required and there is an array of possible treatments available.

Numbness or weakness in the legs while walking can be caused by a narrowing of the spinal canal. This is called Spinal Stenosis, a condition that requires medical attention.

If you have significant back pain after a fall, you may have injured your spine in some way, and a visit to the doctor is definitely in order. Individuals with osteoporosis should be particularly aware, as they are at an even greater risk of causing damage to the spine after a fall.

Back pain that worsens during the night and is accompanied by a fever may be a sign of infection or some other type of problem and is worthy of medical attention.

What You Should Know About Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery is a surgical technique that uses a flexible tube with a tiny camera and a light source to allow the surgeon to look inside the body. The tube, called an endoscope, was first developed in 1910, and its use became common in the 1980s for gallbladder surgery. Spinal surgery, however, is a relatively new endoscopic technique that has become more prevalent in the last 15 years. The endoscope is attached to a television screen, which allows the surgeon to see the surgical area and manipulate small instruments that have been inserted into one or more small incisions in the back. Minimally invasive spine surgery is beneficial to the patient in several ways:

• Smaller incisions - minimally invasive spine surgery uses two incisions that are only about 1 inch long. Depending on the procedure, conventional spine surgery incisions may be 3 to 8 inches long. A smaller incision means less trauma to tissues and less blood loss. A smaller incision also causes less scarring.
• Shorter recovery time - conventional surgery recovery time may take up to a year, while recovery from the endoscopic procedure is shortened to weeks or months. Time in the hospital is also reduced.

Candidates for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Not all spinal surgery can be performed with minimally invasive methods. Surgical procedures that require extensive bone grafts or the application of metal rods cannot be performed endoscopically. The ideal patient for endoscopic surgery, as for most surgeries, is basically healthy, physically fit and does not smoke. The medical conditions for which minimally invasive surgery is used include:
• Degenerated discs
• Scoliosis
• Spinal tumors
• Compression fractures

Spinal surgery procedures that can be performed endoscopically include:
• Laminectomy, or removal of part of the vertebral bone known as the lamina.
• Discectomy, or removal of the piece of cartilage between the vertebrae.
• Cervical foraminotomy, a procedure to open the holes in the bone through which the spinal nerves pass.
• Lumbar interbody fusion, a bone graft between two vertebra in the lower back.
• The insertion of pedicle screws, which are used to help stabilize the spine.

Recovery
As with any surgery, you will need to recover from the anesthetic, which takes an hour or two. You can expect to be up and walking by the evening of surgery or next day. Your surgeon or anesthesiologist will manage your pain while you are in the hospital. Some procedures, such as endoscopic discectomies, are often done on an outpatient basis and you will go home the same day. Most people who have had minimally invasive spinal surgery are able to go home within a few days. Full recovery depends on the procedure; recovery from a fusion may take 4 to 6 weeks, while recovery from a discectomy may only take a week or two. Most surgeons recommend physical therapy to help strengthen back muscles and promote full recovery.

Possible Risks
No surgery is without risks. The most common complications from minimally invasive spine surgery are infection, bleeding, anesthetic reactions and blood clots in the legs. Paralysis is a much less common complication that occurs about once in 10,000 surgeries. Occasionally, a minimally invasive spinal surgery can't be completed as planned and the surgeon must use conventional surgery instead. Since this is a relatively new procedure, there is not much information on the long-term risks and benefits.

Alternative Treatments
Conventional spinal surgery is the primary alternative treatment. In some cases, a ruptured disc can be managed without surgery, but the recovery period is often extensive and not all patients do well. A patient who requires a fusion can opt for either conventional or minimally invasive spinal surgery. For tumors, radiation and chemotherapy are possible alternatives for some patients.

To learn more about treatment options, please visit the website below.

Lower Back Anatomy and Back Pain

The muscles that surround the lumbar spine on either side, particularly the spinal erectors (also called the erector spinae), are a common site for chronic pain and stiffness. However, most people have no idea how these muscles even work.

The truth is that the function of the spinal erectors is actually quite complicated. By understanding the function of the spinal erectors, you can avoid putting your body in a position that strains this muscle group. This will lead to reduced pain and improved function over time.

Most people assume that the spinal erectors help them extend the back, such as when they bend over and pick an object off the ground. The spinal erectors actually have two sections and functions: the portion of the muscle around the lumbar spine and the portion of the muscle at the mid spine.

The portion around the mid-spine is actually the part of the spinal erectors that helps lift heavy objects off the ground. The portion of the spinal erectors around the lumbar spine has a completely different function. From a structural standpoint, the portion of the muscle around the lower back is way too small to exert enough force to pick up heavy objects. The erector spinae expand in cross-sectional area and get a lot thicker at the mid-spine, which is why the upper portion of the lumbar musculature is dedicated to picking up heavy objects.

The lower portion of the spinal erectors actually holds the lumbar vertebrae in place when you bend forward. This is normally a task that these muscles are built to handle.

Due to the alignment of individual muscle fibers in the erector spinae, this muscle group can only perform its function effectively when the spine is in a neutral position. If the spine is rounded, the orientation of the muscle fibers of the lumbar erectors changes, making it hard for the spinal erectors to do their job properly. As a result, the muscle has to contract much harder to keep the spine in place when it is rounded.

The simple application of this is to always maintain a neutral spine (natural S shape of the spine) when lifting an object. It does not matter if you bend at the hips or at the knees; the only thing that is important is to you keep your spine neutrally aligned so that the lower portion of the erector spinae have a good angle of pull to help keep your lumbar vertebrae stable.

Simply by paying attention to spinal alignment and applying the neutral spine technique to your daily activities, you can significantly reduce your pain and stiffness.

Dealing With Sciatica Pain

Sciatica also known as Lower back pain occurs due to the damage of sciatica nerve. It is characterized by stabbing pain radiating over the course of sciatic nerve. It results due to injury of proximal sciatic nerve, which might follow a fall, a herniated disc or improper administration of an injection on the buttock.

Sciatic nerve controls the movement of lower limb. All the movements of lower limb are usually controlled by the brain and the spinal cord through Sciatic nerve. The back pain or Sciatica therefore results when damage is done to the sciatic nerve. In severe cases this may cause permanent disjunction of the sciatic nerve thus resulting in the complete loss of movement in the lower limb.

Causes of Sciatica
繚 Sciatica may occur as a result of lower limb impairment depending on the precise nerve root injured.
繚 Another cause of sciatic or lower back pain might be an accident which causes the sciatic nerve to be damaged.
繚 Improper administration of injections may also cause the vertebrae of the vertebral column to damage thereby resulting in the destruction of the sciatica nerve completely or partially.
繚 Carrying some weight carelessly may also cause sciatica or lower back problems.

Symptoms of Sciatica
繚 When sciatic nerve is completely transected, the legs become nearly useless.
繚 Lower limbs cannot be flexed and all foot - ankle movement is lost.
繚 Pain may also be felt in the buttock and the patient feels uneasy during movements.

However, there is Sciatic Pain relief geared towards dealing with the issue of lower back pain. Let's examine this. Neuron cures are the most complex treatments in medicine but still there are medicine and treatments for Lower back pain. Sciatic Pain relief deals with the pain effectively.

Here are some facts to note:
繚 Sciatica occurs due to damage to sciatic nerve and so sciatic pain relief through open surgery may be done to put the sciatic nerve on its place. But surgery is taken as a last resort. There are many other options before this needs to happen.
繚 Chiropractic treatment is used in sciatic pain relief when back pain is not a result of accident. Self treatment at home is also good, if you know what to do.
繚 The sciatic pain relief also includes an ancient Chinese treatment that uses needles and pins. This is called acupuncture. It helps in the relaxation of sciatic nerve. This is a little extreme and may not be needed.
繚 It is also advised not to over-work or sit on the same place for hours. This may cause the vertebrae to stiffen and cause lower back problems.
繚 When there's no tangible improvement in treating the pain, surgery is usually the last resort and the final sciatic pain relief to be engaged in order to deal with the problem. This would be only after all other treatments have failed.

In conclusion, it must be noticed that Sciatica or lower back pain is not an ordinary disease. It is a disorder of the skeleton and the patient may lose all his lower limb movements. So it is better to take care of the spinal cord and nerves. Learning how to take care of your spine and back is vital to all of us. However, the recovery from sciatic injury can be done at home if you know what to do. There are exercises that can give you relief and heal these injuries if you know how to use them properly.

Thank you Keith Greene

Relieve Back Pain With Physical Therapy Treatment

My name is Manu Kalia. I am a physical therapist. In this article I want to share a few simple tips that I teach my patients to help them manage their low back problems. Eighty percent of the population is affected by low back issues, so I think this is a really important topic.

Every low back pain is different or unique in its own way. Each patient needs to figure out what aggravates the symptoms and what alleviates or relieves the pain. That's very important to understand. Also, the body will heal itself but you have to give it the right environment to heal. Medications may provide temporary relief but they do not necessarily address the underlying issue.

The first thing to find out is the cause, that which aggravates the problem or increases the problem, and then to remove that cause. I always tell my patients that if I hit myself with a hammer and I continue doing so, I do not give the injured tissue time to heal? I keep aggravating it, keep injuring the tissue and do not allow enough time to heal. Same way most of us keep pushing it even when we are hurt or injured. So it's very important to figure out the activities that are causing you more pain, and avoid repeating them.

The first concept to think about is whether your back is sensitive to load bearing activities (like standing, sitting, bending, walking, etc.); and if it is load sensitive you must avoid these positions. So always ask yourself, does this increase my problem? If so, I have to unload the spine to get relief from back pain.

Unloading can be done by lying down, whether you are lying on your stomach, on your side or on your back -- any of those positions that are comfortable.

In physical therapy I often use manual or mechanical traction for my patients. This is similar to using an inversion table to unload and relieve the compression on the spine - basically removing the pressure off of the joints, the discs, the nerves and the local structures.

Second important point to remember is whether the problem is made worst by static positions or with movement? If static positions like sitting or standing in one position increase the pain then it's best to get out of those positions and move frequently.

When movement makes the pain worst, it's best to avoid excessive movement or excessive activity. Whether it's housework, yard work, exercise or other physical activities, you have to moderate the activity level. This will give the injured tissue time to rest and heal.

Another important point to consider is whether the pain is made worst by bending or arching the spine. Positions that cause the spine to round forward like sitting, bending, etc. will cause more pain. On the other hand if the pain is made worst by arching the back as in standing upright, arching backwards or lying on the stomach, then these positions should be avoided.

It is very important to understand which of these positions or activities, cause you more pain. Once you identify the painful positions, avoid those positions and do more of the opposite to allow the spine to heal.

I hope you find this helpful; these are just some simple tips to start thinking about and you could implement these yourself.

How to Relieve a Sciatic Nerve in Your Sleep During Pregnancy

When my wife and I found out that we were having our first baby, Miles, we jumped for joy. Unfortunately, my wife was not jumping for long as her sciatica pain during pregnancy kept her grounded. At the end of a long day dealing with morning sickness and swollen feet, she would settle down to our bed, only to find a new pain radiating down her legs. Searching high and low for answers for how to relieve a sciatic nerve landed her back in bed and ready to finally enjoy some sweet dreams.

Sciatica is a condition in which people suffer from lower back pain and/or pain in one or both legs. Sciatica is not a medical diagnosis. Instead, it is a symptom of inflammation, pressure or irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs down the spine, splitting at the pelvis and running down the legs.

Proper pillow usage was one key that unlocked sciatica relief for my pregnant wife, Emily. When a woman is pregnant, after the first trimester, she is not supposed to sleep on her back, so side sleeping posed it's own unique challenges for Emily. First, she lay on her left side with pillows propped up between her knees. Keeping hips, knees, and feet parallel, takes the pressure off of the sciatic nerve. Lying on the left side allows for more blood flow, reducing irritation from inflammation. Proper head and neck support also helped take away the pain. We invested in a memory foam pillow that supported the head at a level even with her spine when in a side sleeping position. The pillow was curved in to support the neck also in a straight line with the spine. As soon as she started using these pillows (we used the Tempur-pedic brand) she noticed a marked improvement in her lower back and leg pain, which goes to show you that the spine is an interconnected system. If one part of you is out of line during sleep, you may be causing pressure on a whole host of nerves, including the sciatic.

Take a lesson from Goldie Locks and the Three Bears when it comes to your approach to how much sleep you are getting when thinking about how to relieve a sciatic nerve. Pregnancy can wear down a body. Not getting enough sleep can decrease the effectiveness of your muscles in supporting your back, leading to more pressure placed on the sciatic nerve. It is also really important not to get too much rest. Sitting or lying in one position for a long time, can cause irritation to the nerves. Periodically, switch positions if you can to help alleviate pain.

Finally, you can relieve a sciatic nerve during your sleep with some relaxing preparation. Prenatal massage from a partner or a licensed practitioner can help relax you into a deeper sleep and help stimulate blood flow, which relieves pain. Prenatal yoga can also aid better sleep with less pain. Be sure to seek an instructor who is knowledgeable about working with pregnant women and how to relieve the sciatic nerve. No matter what, don't give up trying. A rested mommy will be ready and able to take on the upcoming challenges.

When Should a Spinal Fusion Be Added to a Spinal Lumbar Discectomy Surgery?

A spinal discectomy surgery in America is a very common procedure. The risks of the procedure are fairly low compared with the benefit. Granted, there is a risk of infection, bleeding, injury to the nerve being decompressed, etc. but overall with a discectomy spine surgery the risk profile is low and patients benefit dramatically.

Typically the surgery takes around 45 min. and patients go home either same day or next day. When would a surgeon consider doing a fusion of that level and not just a discectomy? Adding a fusion to the surgery increases the potential risks and complications and should not be taken lightly. But there are times when it is a good idea to add it to the procedure.

One of the most common indications for adding fusion is if the patient has had multiple discectomies at the same level. Here is the thought process on that. If the patient has a recurrence of a disc herniation at the same level as having had a previous surgery, the person should have nonoperative treatment pretty much the same as before to try and avoid surgery. This may include epidural injections from a pain management doctor, physical therapy or chiropractic treatment, and medication management. But if this fails, a lumbar disc removal surgery is indicated after 6 to 8 weeks for pain control, especially if the patient is beginning to have muscle weakness such as a foot drop.

When a person has a discectomy surgery, the part of the disk removed does not regenerate. So disc degeneration is the end result. After one discectomy surgery, this is often fairly tolerable by patients and may just lead to mild to moderate back pain on an inconsistent basis. After a 2nd discectomy surgery, often times the patient ends up with severe degenerative disease. If the patient is having a third discectomy surgery, it is a very good idea to include a spinal fusion surgery. This would remove the rest of the disc, and immobilize that segment so that the eventual severe back pain is hopefully avoided.

If a patient is having a first-time lumbar discectomy surgery and the patient has severe disc degeneration with a considerable amount of back pain, simply taking out the small piece of disk that is pushing on a nerve root is only going to help with leg pain. It is not a back pain operation. So the patient has just as much back pain as they do leg pain, along with a severe degenerative disc, it does make sense to consider having a spinal fusion at that level.

This will hopefully address both the person's back pain and leg pain at the same time.

As mentioned, adding a spinal fusion to a discectomy surgery increases the risks. There is hardware involved with screws and rods, and more dissection is necessary to complete the procedure. There are some minimally invasive ways of doing the surgery, however, anyway you look at it it involves more time in the operating room, more blood loss, and increased risks. For this reason it should not be a decision taken lightly.

Exactly What You Should Know Of Sciatica

Well-known information about sciatica strain or irritability of the weak vertebral neural roots might frequently lead to sciatica. The sciatic nerve is the biggest nerve inside the body. This type of soreness is commonly felt down the leg in addition to lower back pain, while the sciatic nerve is definitely irritated or trapped as a result of lower back condition or injury. Treatment options for sciatica are determined by the main reason and the extent of the pain.

What exactly is sciatica? Sciatica is actually a usually chosen brief phrase for sciatic neural soreness. Sciatica is painfulness in lower legs and back of thighs caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is considered the greatest nerve inside the body. More or less entire leg in addition to lower back are supported with the sciatic nerve. This particular nerve starts out inside low back, goes toward upper legs, knees as well as lower leg. Lower back is considered the most usual area where people spot the discomfort first. Next they might feel it going forward to the legs along with under the knees.

Which are causes of sciatica? The hernitation of backbone disc pressing directly on the nerve would be the essential factor for sciatica discomfort. But it really can be activated by any sort of problem which induces the sciatic nerve irritability. There are certainly many causes of the pain like long term standing or perhaps sitting, body building, heavy training and much more. Numerous causes for example contamination, tumors, internal bleeding, irritation of the nerve from nearby muscle tissue or bone, physical damage and other reasons can certainly contribute to sciatica. Sciatica is definitely attributable to inflammation of a root of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spinal cord.

What are factors of risk for sciatica? Risk factors for sciatica comprise degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spinal column, lumbar disc disorder, and trauma or injury to the lumbar spine.

Indications of sciatic nerve soreness. Sciatica causes painfulness, a burning sense, feeling numb, or tingling passing from your spine and upper buttock straight down the rear of your thigh to the back of the lower leg. Discomfort in buttocks, lumbar soreness, pain in thigh, and soreness in leg are generally some of the several results. From time to time a person can feel as if soreness in hip in the event the painfulness goes across the buttock or hip. Frequently, the painfulness runs from the lower back all through the back of the upper leg and down through the leg. Common signs of sciatica incorporate:

Most of symptoms for sciatica happen to be:

- Feeling tired, tingling, or problems moving the leg or perhaps foot.

- An acute discomfort that makes it challenging to get up.

- Feeling numb: one additional regular attribute, commonly in the paws or foot. Often rather then feeling numb, pins and needles is felt and infrequently a burning sensation.

The abnormal stress or interference in a single or some more nerves which makes up the sciatic nerve certainly is the reason for the sciatic discomfort. From time to time the indications of sciatica will be worsened by going for walks or bending at the waistline and relieved by relaxing. Swapping poses can be rather sufficient to obtain sort of pain relief.

Just how is sciatica identified. To be able to make sure whether lower-body soreness and various signs or symptoms are, in reality, sciatica, a health care professional may inquire about medical background, symptom seriousness, and even indication place. Men and women will likely be expected to look at various postures as well as activities, including squatting, walking on toes, bending ahead and also backward, turning the spine, sitting, relaxing on the back and lifting one leg at a time. Technological strategies just like MR neurography may help in identification as well as care of sciatica. There can be many supplemental studies for sciatica diagnosis:

- MRI - magnetic resonance imaging produces sharp pictures of the inside of the human body without the need of utilization of X-ray.

- EMG - in electromyography, muscle action is watched by quite small needles that check reaction to mind signals.

Treatment of Sciatica

To be able to treat your sciatic nerve pain, you have to know the causal agent and handle it accordingly. On most occasions the medical doctor will propose slumber as the right treatment, for the reason that frequently recovery can happen over time frame. In cases that suffering don't resolve interventions may well involve spinal injections along with medical procedures based on the root cause. It is recommended keep your muscles stretched once you have a sitting occupation that makes you sit for an extended time. Exercises stretch the muscles and beef up, they aid in reducing pain along with tightness, and truly increase the range of activity. The physical exercises recommended will depend on what's inducing the sciatica. Additional therapy ways for sciatica contain dealing with the actual trigger, prescription drugs to alleviate painfulness together with irritation (together with oral and injectable steroid) and loosen up muscle tissues, and even physical treatment.

Equipment Checklist of Supplies You Will Most Likely Need for Scoliosis Exercises

Scoliosis is a malady during which the spinal column is distorted in an abnormal and occasionally stressful way. This often starts to arise in youth and the typical signs include unbalanced hips or ribs, or strange walking techniques. There exist braces that will help coerce the back towards the right alignment; alternatively, there are many scoliosis exercises that are likely to let you strengthen muscles in the back and slide the spine in the right position, and also alleviate some of the aching that is often present. Below is a checklist of equipment that is indispensable during scoliosis exercises:

Wall bars - These instruments might look similar to a ladder, nonetheless they permit patients having scoliosis to hang at multiple heights and also many different angles as a way to correct the flawed curves in the spine. This procedure is often referred to as the Scroth Method, and primarily it is conducted under the advisement of a physical therapist.

Weights - Establishing upper-body strength is a necessity for folks with scoliosis given that increased muscle strength can help greatly enhance posture as well as balance. Weight lifting is a great technique of generating muscle tone in arms as well as shoulders.

Exercise apparatus - A number of machines commonly found at your area health club will also be beneficial to scoliosis-affected individuals. The most appealing machines are anything that will aid the arms, shoulders, and upper as well as lower back areas.

Medicine Balls - There are a good number of methods for taking advantage of medicine balls as a therapy for scoliosis. Since posture is a typical issue for sufferers with scoliosis, medicine balls can help you develop lower-back muscularity which can possibly optimize posture. Many of the workouts conducted using a medicine ball include twists, crunches, and overhead presses.

Yoga mat - Yoga and Pilates are a couple of styles of exercise and workout routines which often focus on making use of body weight as well as various props to exercise the muscle tissue in the back. Instead of just staying focused on repetition, this more focuses on the quality of each technique. These workout routines are planned to help the core, which helps patients who are dealing with scoliosis. Yoga mats are very important for these styles of exercise and workout routines, but ropes and also blocks can be utilized in the course of the training session to prop the back to the most suitable situation or for stretching.

Body weight - The most economical and easiest equipment available is taking advantage of one's own body weight. Multiple routines in Pilates and yoga utilize the body's weight to be the sole resistance, in addition to making use of slower motions that improve strength. These scoliosis exercises can stretch the back to gradually adjust the curvatures and also greatly improve posture.

The Benefits of Pelvic Stabilizers for Back Pain

Our bodies work best when both sides are equal and balanced; after all, that's how they were designed to work! Yet most of us aren't totally symmetrical. Some of those asymmetries have no effect on our bodies. But when our feet our unbalanced, the result can be back pain. It sounds farfetched, but our bodies are complex machines with plenty of intricate-and interconnected-parts.

How Foot Misalignment Causes Back Pain

Your feet are truly the foundation of your body. And without a strong, level foundation the rest of your body can get a little...off-kilter. Eventually the imbalance in your feet causes imbalances in other parts of your body, like a chain reaction. First your pelvis gets off balance, which in turn pushes your shoulders and spine out of balance.

• A fallen arch causes your foot to flatten and roll (pronate). The connected leg automatically begins to turn inward.
• As the leg rotates excessively, there's extra stress on the knee, along with twisting of the hips and spine. If only one leg is turning, the pelvis becomes off balance, contributing to functional scoliosis.
• Once your pelvis is tilted, there's more tension on the muscles and connective tissue around it-which connect to your back muscles and bones. Eventually this causes chronic back pain.
• Favoring one side over the other when you walk or run can lead to uneven loss of your body's natural "shock absorbers" over time. The extra stress on the foot can travel up the body, causing joint and back pain.

Why Doctors Recommend Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers
A pelvic stabilizer isn't an effective treatment for all kinds of back pain. However, if your back pain originates from a structural imbalance in your skeletal system, it could be an ideal option. A few benefits of spinal pelvic stabilizers:

• Spinal pelvic stabilizers support your foot, preventing excessive turning or twisting of the foot and ankle. This reduces unnecessary stress on the body.
• A pelvic stabilizer provides additional shock absorption, reducing your risk for repetitive stress injuries in joints and muscles and decreasing the symptoms of arthritis.
• Pelvic stabilizers are less expensive and less invasive than many other back pain treatment options. If back pain is caused by a structural or functional problem, stabilizers are often the best option.

Ultimately pelvic stabilizers can do more than simply reduce back and body pain. They can help you improve athletic performance; reduce the occurrence of back, leg, knee or foot problems.

5 Exercises After a Spine Surgery

Spinal surgery is a major surgery and post rehabilitation is extremely important in getting patients back to full health quickly. The ability to return back to post surgery status depends not only on how successful the surgery is but also the rehabilitative program that the doctor has set.

Exercise is extremely important to recovery after surgery. Exercise will help to get rid of fatigue and aid in a smooth transition back to daily activities. Exercise also helps to decrease further back pain. One excellent low impact exercise is walking.

Walking

Walking causes almost no spinal irritation and helps to align the vertebral column after surgery. Walking also helps speed up the healing process as nutrients can reach the injured tissues to help with repair.

Water activities

Water activities such as water aerobics are good post surgery rehabilitation exercises that are low impact, yet allow a full body workout. The water will support the body weight making it feel like a low gravity setting. As a result, the compressive forces in the spinal columns are significantly reduced, allowing for a better recovery.

Stability Stretching

After surgery, the soft tissues will take roughly 2 to 3 weeks to heal. Once the soft tissues are fully healed, stretching exercises should be done a few times daily to regain a full range of motion. Bear in mind that stretching should only start after your physiotherapist has given the all clear. Due to surgery, the back muscles have lost the ability to stabilize due to a lack of motion. As such, daily stability stretching exercises should be done until the back has fully regained the ability to be stable.

Yoga

Yoga strengthens the core muscles and helps to gain flexibility, range of motion and coordination skills. Yoga also requires flexing and twisting of the body so medical advice should be sought before commencing it.

Exercise bike

An exercise bike provides a whole body workout with low impact on the spine. Make sure that the seat is aligned in a way that you do not need to bend over your back. Start off with low resistance until you are able to gain more strength. As time pass, slowly increase the resistance to build up muscles.

The recovery is as important as the surgery itself. A lengthy recovery time is required following spinal surgery to avoid any complications and further aggravation of the spine. Back rehabilitation exercises are able to help gain strength and regain range of motion which is very important following surgery.

Consequences of Having a Poor Sitting Posture

Good posture is essential for overall well-bring. Prolonged sitting with poor posture will lead to negative effects such as back pain, muscle strain and improper alignment. Prolong sitting will cause the body to get into a slouchy position which seems to be more?comfortable, but there are consequences in the long run. Being in a poor sitting posture for a long period of time will increase pressure on the intervertebral discs, increasing the chances of suffering a back injury.

Weak stomach muscles

Our stomach muscles are one of the core body muscles and they are important to help maintain proper posture of the body. The stomach muscles work hand in hand with our back muscles to support and hold the body in the proper alignment. Poor sitting posture will lead to us having weak stomach muscles and this will lead to cause improper alignment of the back and ultimately weakening the lumbar spine muscles, causing back pain.

Poor blood circulation

Poor sitting posture will lead to a lack of proper blood circulation around the body, causing degeneration of the intervertebral discs and eventually causing back pain.

Neck pain

Poor posture is responsible for more than 80% of neck pain as it will cause misalignment of the back, head and shoulders, causing tremendous strain on the ligaments and muscles, causing neck pain.

Spine curvature

Poor posture can cause the curving of the spine, adding pressure on the spine and reducing the ability of the spine to absorb shock. This will lead to a higher chance of injury. In the long term, it will also lead to neck pain, headache and lower back pain.

Headache

Poor posture leads to muscle tension, reducing blood flow throughout the body. A decrease in blood flow can possibly lead to fatigue and headache. A proper posture instead will help increase the flow of blood throughout the entire body.

Inefficient breathing

Our body is designed in a way that the entire skeletal system and muscles are in a proper alignment and that helps to ensure every single component of our body is placed correctly for optimal health. A poor posture disrupts that and that will decrease the capacity of the lungs to take in oxygen and causing inefficient breathing.

Joint and muscle disorder

One of the causes of joint and muscle disorder is poor posture. Poor posture can cause pain in our face as well as earache.

Poor posture will add unwanted stress and pressure onto our body, causing pain, muscular disorders and spine problems. It doesn't hurt for us to sit in a proper posture and a good posture will increase our productiveness and our overall well-being.

Orthopaedic Chairs

Orthopaedic chairs are designed to support the user when seated, encouraging the most optimum seating position to minimise stress and strain from the spine. Also known as ergonomic chairs, they are designed with posture and support as their main objectives.

So what does an orthopaedic chair do?

The objective of the chair is to shift the skeletal structure of the body into alignment with the places that have the least stress on the body, especially when sitting in the same position for hours at a time. The best sitting position encourages the spine to be at an angle close to verticality, with the upper legs at an angle that is slightly greater than 90 degrees.

The padding of the chair combined with the correct seating position ensures the healthiest sitting position for the back when sat down for lengthy periods of time. Most orthopaedic chairs have high levels of adjustment which enable them to take account of each individual's height and body shape. These adjustable features make the chairs available to everyone.

So why buy an orthopaedic chair?

Whether your overall health is considered bad or good, your body will most definitely benefit from being seated in a chair that provides the most optimum levels of support for your body. Orthopaedic chairs are designed to help balance the weight and the movement of your body in a way that helps reduce the pressures that sitting upright in the same position can have.

If you are already suffering from existing back problems then the chair will come as a necessity as opposed to a luxury. In the modern work place this sort of chair is being accepted as a standard requirement. There are also other types of furniture available to help encourage a healthier workplace, from ergonomic tables and monitors to ergonomic mouse mats. All of which are designed to encourage the body into the most comfortable and healthy work position.

As well as being used in the workplace, the chairs can also be used at home, although the objectives of the chair this time are usually comfort and relaxation. These types of chairs can also come with a "lift," meaning the chairs can offer assistance with enabling the user to stand up from a seated position.

To conclude, orthopaedic chairs are useful to encourage a healthy spine and posture and can help with existing back problems as well as being used as a method to help reduce the risk of back ache in the future.

Lower Back Pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Is there a correlation between lower back pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Researchers have long argued that IBS may be caused by abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel. No indication or explanation is ever given as to why this malfunction might occur. To my knowledge there has been no adequate evidence to support this assumption. More over, I have not seen, heard of or read about any studies which were specifically implemented to test this hypothesis. Because of my own observations about my own IBS symptoms, I am inclined to believe and support this hypothesis.

Some of us who suffer Irritable Bowel Syndrome have tried for many years, without success, to eliminate the often debilitating affects of this mysterious disorder. Generally those who suffer have spent a great deal of time and money, having test after test only to be told that nothing conclusive was found.

Often after years of diagnostic procedures and expensive studies, patients are told there was nothing wrong with them. Their complaint of symptoms are brushed off as imaginary or more properly put in medical terms, psychosomatic. But with the ever increasing number of patients complaining of the same generalized list of symptoms, the medical community has been forced, in at least a small part, to acknowledge the malady as something more then imaginary symptoms of hypochondria.

So what can we surmise about IBS? It is a condition or disease in and of itself? Or is IBS is a condition caused by or a symptom of some other physical, neurological or possibly even psychological problem that is as yet undetected or undiagnosed as being relative to the IBS condition? I find this to be a more plausible conclusion and will provide some insight for my personal belief that IBS is a secondary condition rather then a condition unto itself.

For years doctors have proposed the secondary condition concept in relation to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Unfortunately, they have not yet been able to successfully document any evidence to conclusively say what might be the root cause of IBS. Moreover, I believe there is not just one cause, but several causes, all with the same secondary symptoms, which make up what is termed as IBS.

Please don't think that it is my intent to say the IBS condition is not real, or the symptomology is psychosomatic in nature. I know from painful experience the condition and symptoms of IBS are very real. I also would venture to say because of the sheer number of reported cases, the medical community had been forced to re-evaluate their approach while dealing with patients with complaints of Irritable Bowel Syndrome-like symptoms. I am merely going to express what I personally have concluded about another possible causation for IBS which may be overlooked by the medical profession.

I would like to also toss up for consideration that IBS, with its list of many symptoms, may be a traceable progression of symptoms stemming from a single causation. I believe, in my case, this is a very valid assumption. I have as yet been unable to get any physician to agree with me, at least to the point of taking up the position on the record.

Before going any further, I think it would be a good idea to review a partial list of Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. IBS may be characterized by a combination of any or all of the following symptoms:

o Abdominal discomfort or pain, usually in the lower abdomen

o Altered bowel habit

o Chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both. May be mixed or in alternation.

o Bloating

o Heartburn

o Nausea

o Abdominal fullness

o Feelings of urgent need to evacuate the bowel

o Feeling of "incomplete" bowel emptying

o Low back pain

o Headache

o Fatigue

o Muscle pain

o Sleep disturbances

o Sexual dysfunction

More and more it is generally believed that the symptoms of IBS are produced by abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel. More and more I personally agree with this as a valid and plausible perception of at least one of the causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. With some personal observations, I hope to give light as to why I believe this to be a possible causation for many IBS sufferers. Unfortunately, what I have come to believe as the causation for my particular brand of IBS, most assuredly will not be a diagnosis for all cases of IBS.

I think we who have suffered Irritable Bowel Syndrome tend to minimalize our symptoms and pain. We have been led to believe that other than common sense changes to diet and exercise there is nothing we can do because there is no cure. Many people who suffer will suffer in silence for years before seeking medical treatment. By then, and I include myself in this group, we may have subconsciously lessened or even put aside some of the lesser symptoms that IBS causes, focusing only on the ones that cause the most pain and discomfort.

Worse yet, we are less likely to bring symptoms to the attention of a doctor by mere assumption that it is just another facet of our complex disorder. This could become a dangerous scenario for anyone who suffers from IBS. We may ignore persistent symptoms that have gotten more intense or new symptoms that seem to be related only because we are discouraged by being told there is nothing anyone can do.

Doing these kinds of things could lead to serious life threatening symptoms being overlooked. Symptoms of conditions that, unlike IBS, can be treated if caught in time. Things like colon cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer or many others, might be missed because we want to ignore our IBS symptoms after so many trips to the doctor.

My story of IBS starts over 20 years ago when I was a young man of 26. While helping lift a very heavy cast iron wood burning stove from the back of a pickup truck, the other person lost their grip and the load all shifted down hill onto my back. I felt my back give way as the stove went crashing to the ground at my feet. I knew I had sustained a serious injury. I couldn't erect myself from the 90 degree bent forward position I was in. I had to literally pull my self up by using my hands and arms against the side of the pickup.

Being 26 and stubborn and thinking that I was invincible, I had my wife help me home and to bed, not bothering to go to the emergency room. I had some left over pain killers which numbed the pain enough to allow me to sleep. When I awoke in the morning I was horrified as I could not feel my legs. They were both cold and numb to the touch. I could move them, I just couldn't feel them. After about 30 minutes of movement the feeling began to return to my legs and at that point I knew it was time to get to the doctor.

After the examination and x-rays what the doctor had to say wasn't pleasant to hear. He told me I had two options. One was to go to a surgical specialist and have fusion surgery on several of my lower lumbar vertebra because the discs between them had been severely compressed. He mentioned that having this type of surgery would reduce my physical mobility by as much as 30% or more. At best, he explained, the surgery was about 40% effective.

My other option, he told me, was time... time allow let my body try to heal itself. He explained I would probably never be as good as I was before the accident, but with time my body should partially heal it self. He told me the inflammation which was causing the pain and partial paralysis should lessen. At age 26 losing permanently 30% or more of my mobility was an unthinkable option. At least the second option offered some hope of recovery. He gave me muscle relaxants and pain pills and that was that.

I trusted this doctor...we were good friends. We had a good personal and professional relationship. I took him at his word. By today's medical standards, his medical advice probably wouldn't hold water, but over 20 years ago, it was most likely a very good perception of my problem.

For the next 6 months, I would wake up to cold, numb legs and each day, but as he said, the symptoms gradually got better. I was so focused on my back injury improving; I didn't pay attention to other, minor things going on which had become bothersome.

The first and most prevalent symptom was a change in my bowel habit. Not a big change, but it seemed that instead of a daily movement, it was now once every other day, and it took a bit more effort. But with the back issue, it seemed minor in comparison and for several years seemed to be the only symptom. My back continued to get better but my bowel never did return to normal.

I have always been a large person, in 1986 at the age of 26: I weighed about 220 pounds, standing 6 feet tall. Slowly, my weight began to rise. I attributed my initial weight gain to a lessening of physical activity over the first year or two of my back problem. By the end of the second year, my physical ability and activity had almost returned to normal. I learned to deal with the pain and my legs no longer went numb. I was able to function fairly well. Only occasionally did the pain in my back become such that I was unable to function in my "new" normal fashion, and usually only lasted a day or two. I now had added 70 pounds to my weight with no real explanation.

Only in the past couple of years (over 20 have passed since my back injury) have I begun considering the original injury being related to my bowel and stomach problems. Because I believed there was little I could do to rectify the situation, I have done as well as I could to manage the pain mentally. I did this well until the pain in my back started to worsen to the point that again my legs started going numb again. Not that this happened all the time, it was only occasional, but these bouts of pain have gotten much worse.

Only now that the back pain is impossible to ignore have I come to realize the cycle of events which have taken place. Now when I notice my legs are beginning to go numb on a more frequent basis, I have also noticed an increase in my IBS symptoms. More frequent and painful symptoms seem to begin with chronic constipation, lasting for many days. This is followed by the gas distress fatigue, head aches, bloating, acid indigestion, heartburn and eventually explosive diarrhea. Along with other symptoms, all interwoven into a cycle I now believe to be directly related to some type of nerve injury due to my original back injury.

I have since gone to a neurosurgeon and been diagnosed with severe disk compression and degeneration and spinal stenosis in the lower lumbar region. The treatment is as yet to be mapped out, but I now have at least one doctor who agrees that many, if not all, of my symptoms could be tied directly to nerve dysfunction resulting from my present spinal condition.

If you have sustained a back injury, or have IBS with lower back pain, it may be prudent to have a spinal study, to find out if an underlying back problem might be involved in the causation of your IBS symptoms. It stands to practical reason that if there is injury to the spine or lower back from where the nerves controlling lower bowl function stem, there could also be bowel dysfunction. With bowel dysfunction, the progression of symptoms in logical sequence right up the line to the top of the digestive tract would be a very plausible scenario.

If you have IBS and low back pain you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by having a spinal examination. At the very least you may find out that there is no problem with your spine thereby eliminating one more source.

Facts About Lumbar Artificial Disk Replacement

Replacement surgery of disk was implemented in the mid and late 1980s in Europe as an alternative to spinal fusion. Since then, it has been clinically used for more than 20 years.

The first disk was the Charite FDA approved disc of October 2004. Since then, it has been used for more than 10 years in disk replacement surgery. Besides the Charite disc, the second FDA approved disc for use in the US was the ProDisc, which was developed in the late 1980s and has been operational since then.

Different discs

Both Charite and ProDisc discs used in lumbar replacement are made of similar materials; plastic and metal. These discs help produce the same motion of the disc, where at the most, you may find some biomechanical differences between the two.

In addition to this, there are several other devices awaiting FDA approval for artificial disk replacement like the Flexicore, Kineflex and Maverick. They are all metal-on-metal discs that may be used on the lumbar spine.

There are also some new generation disc replacement discs like the Axiomed Freedom lumbar disc that is made from compressed material that is similar to natural discs.

Low rate of complications

Though disc replacement has been used extensively with a low rate of complications, there are still some insurance companies that consider that this procedure to be an experimental procedure.

Though there may be some variations in the different artificial discs, 90% of patients experience 50% reduction in pain after the surgery, along sixth 50% improvement in their functional activities. In addition to this, the results of lumbar artificial disk replacement are similar to the results of spinal fusion.

Advantages of lumbar artificial disk replacement

Many people opt for lumbar artificial disk replacement over spinal fusion as it leads to less biomechanical stress on the nearby discs. The success rate of this surgery is far better than the success rate of a spinal fusion. This is much better than the succession of spinal fusion operation where patients are restricted from their activities for 6 months or more.

Taking a look at all the benefits and advantages of eplacement, it is no wonder that there is an increasing number of patients opting for lumbar artificial replacement instead of spinal fusion.

How To Treat a Pinched Nerve in Your Lower Back

A pinched nerve in your lower back is also called nerve entrapment, or nerve compression. In layman terms, it is a sore part of the body. A pinched nerve in the lower back may cause anywhere from mild pain and minor discomfort to severe soreness that makes any type of movement excruciatingly painful. Anyone who has experienced the ordeal knows that you would want it to go away, as soon as possible.

Factors Affecting Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve in the body may be caused by a number of factors. Poor posture where weight is unevenly distributed may result in lower back pain as muscles tend to compensate for the imbalance. Same goes with wearing shoes that do not offer good arch support as the pressure of your body weight is transferred from the arches of the feet to your lower back. Stress is also a known cause of lower back pain. Other factors include obesity, Morton's toe and foot misalignment, uneven leg lengths, prolonged sitting, and in more extreme cases by slipped vertebrae or a concussion on the spinal cord.

Chronic vs Acute Pain

To treat a pinched nerve in your lower back, first you have to know whether it falls under the acute or the chronic categories. Acute pain is pain that lasts for less than 3 months. These cases may be treated with back pain home remedies. Meanwhile, chronic pain is pain that is longer than 3 months. This usually requires a more intensive treatment preferably by a nerve doctor or a rehabilitation therapist.

Chronic lower back pain can be treated by either pressing heat or ice pack (never both, for your sake) over the affected area, or taking mild pain relievers. A gentle back rub using mild liniment may also alleviate the pain. Note that bed rest is never recommended, it will aggravate the situation. If you suspect that your condition is caused by stress, do gentle movement side to side, sit back and take plenty of me-time.

Treatment for Pinched Nerve in Lower Back

Once you have recovered, it is important that you do not suffer a relapse. Study how you can acquire the correct posture so you can evenly distribute your body weight. Engage in back pain relief exercises such as pilates exercises. Use a pair of shoes that has arch support that hugs your feet's shape. Avoid sitting or standing in the same position too long. Take time to understand how you got your pinched nerve so you can give it proper solution.

Varieties of Herniated Discs

There are many varieties of herniated discs possible in the human spine and patients love to declare their diagnosis without even understanding what it means. I am bombarded daily by readers who go to great lengths to detail the specific variety of disc concern which has been blamed for causing them so much pain, but I find that virtually none of these patients really understand the difference between the many types of disc protrusions which are possible. It is for this reason that I advise all patients to spend some time educating themselves as to the exact nature of their diagnosed spinal abnormality in order to better their participation in treatment and increase their chances for better therapy results.

There are many terms used to diagnose disc pathologies, with some being used interchangeably by care providers and others being used to differentiate specific types of bulges and herniations. Some of the more common terminologies include bulging disc, slipped disc and prolapsed disc, among others. These simply identify a herniated disc condition in one form or another, but this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to diagnostic terminology!

In addition to any of the above terms, certain other names may be applied to a herniated disc, signifying how or where it is abnormally affected. The first set of names which may be applied include anterior and posterior herniations. Anterior bulges are rare and are almost never considered symptomatic. Posterior herniations face into the spinal nerve structures and are therefore blamed for sourcing the majority of back pain concerns, even when no evidence of actual structural impingement or compression is noted.

Posterior herniations are further broken down into many subcategories, which detail more specifically how and where the bulge occurs. Diffuse herniated discs occur over a large portion of the disc structure. Broad based herniations account for bulges consisting of 25% to 50% of the total disc size, while focal disc protrusions involve less than 25% of the overall disc structure. All of these can occur in any of the following varieties:

Central herniated discs, are also known as median herniations, and have a tendency to bulge directly in the midline of the disc, facing directly into the middle of the thecal sac and possibly impinging upon or compressing the spinal cord or cauda equina, depending on the affected level.

Posterolateral herniated discs, also known as paramedian herniations, are the most common variety of posterior disc issue and bulge off center and into the lateral recess on one side of the central spinal canal or the other. In some cases, these bulges can enact asymmetrical central canal stenosis or may enter into the neuroforaminal space, possibly causing a pinched nerve root syndrome.

Foraminal herniated disc is the term used for a one sided herniation which also does indeed block the neuroforaminal space or even protrudes through it. These discs have the best chance of enacting nerve compression due to pressure on the nerve root as it attempts to exit the vertebral foramen.

Far lateral herniated discs, also called extraforaminal herniations, exist outside the spinal canal and may be difficult to accurately image and diagnose. Unlike most posterolateral and foraminal herniations which affect the nerve root at the same level as the disc condition, far lateral bulges may affect the nerve root above the herniation, making positive symptomatic correlation that much more difficult.

Luckily, research clearly demonstrates that the vast majority of disc herniations and bulges are not problematic and do not cause chronic back pain. For disc issues which are definitively sources of symptoms, most will respond well to appropriate treatment. If your disc issues have not resolved despite numerous therapy attempts, it may be wise to consider the very viable possibility that these structural findings are coincidental to the pain and therefore will never respond well to targeted treatment... For more information on any of these disc diagnoses, please visit the Cure Back Pain Network website detailed in the author resource section.

Does Scoliosis Surgery Correct Your Rib Hump?

The number one concern cosmetically for a person with scoliosis is the rib deformity that often accompanies a thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. The cause of this ribcage deformity is secondary to the spinal deformation. The reason ribcage deformity occurs is based on several biomechanical reasons. The main reason is that the spine and ribs are connected via joints, muscles, and ligaments so therefore changes in the spine will cause abnormal forces in the ribs leading to rib deformation. Scoliosis is a three dimensional deformity and is not merely a curved spine as opposed to a straight spine. The classic thoracic scoliosis with rib hump in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis occurs at a ratio of approximately seventy to eighty percent of cases leading to surgical intervention. Thoracolumbar and lumbar scoliosis curvatures most often do not exhibit enough abnormal forces upon the ribcage to create the cosmetic rib hump associated with primary structural thoracic curves.

The shape and size of the rib hump will vary depending on where the apex is and how many vertebral segments are involved with the overall thoracic curvature. Midlevel to lower apex locations from T8 through T10 will often cause a more noticeable rib hump deformity compared to thoracic apex locations that reside higher in the spine. In addition mid to lower apex locations often encompass more vertebrae in total that create the thoracic curvature thereby causing a more noticeable hump. It could be theoreticized that if scoliosis did not cause ribcage deformity that the attention placed on this condition would be substantially less and the rate of surgical intervention would drop significantly. There are only two symptoms that present with surgical level scoliosis, an increase in pain frequency as an adult, not pain intensity, and mild decreases in respiratory volume with scoliosis curvature greater than 60 degrees with anteriority.. So the so called "need" for surgery wouldn't be worth the potential risks. This being said the number reason patients and parents proceed is the rib hump deformity and its ability to create self image problems and the potential socioeconomic ramifications of not having a "normal" body form.

So does scoliosis fusion surgery correct the rib hump? The surgery itself without thoracoplasty where ribs are removed, will generally decrease ribcage deformity on an average of 30% often leading to a dissatisfaction in post surgery patients whose sole anticipation post surgery is cosmetic improvement. When thoracoplasty is performed in combination with posterior spinal fusion rib hump correction averages are 70% with patient satisfaction rates going up significantly. so why wouldn't all patients and surgeons agree to perform concomitant thoracoplasties to ensure rib hump reduction? The complications from surgeries performing both posterior spinal fusion and thoracoplasty are significantly higher and the rate of pulmonary deficiencies rises to levels equal to that of infused severe scoliosis curvatures which would defeat the entire argument to fuse because of potential pulmonary compromise if moderate 45-55 degree curves progress to severe levels at or near 80 degrees. Scoliosis Surgery with and without thoracoplasty is common practice in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and individuals considering this procedure need to understand the outcome and potential risks associated with achieving desired cosmetic improvement.

6 Easy Steps to Help Alleviate Back Pain

Nutrition

Good nutrition is essential for tissue growth and repair. Aches, pains, and inflamed joints can be caused, or exacerbated by poor diet, and nutritional deficits.
Diets low in good fats, such as those in olive oil, oily fish, nuts & seeds prevent the body from repairing quickly and effectively.

Vitamins B, C, D & K and the minerals calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc are also essential to the bodies repair process.

Diets poor in calcium can also cause osteoporosis, where the bones become weak & brittle, losing bone density.

Obesity, caused by poor diet, also puts the back under additional stress, putting supporting muscles and joints under additional strain.

Try cutting out calorie dense, nutritionally poor, foods such as sugars, and starchy carbs coming from refined white flour.

Enjoy a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables, protein, and good fats such as those from fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds.

Water

Between each vertebra in the human spine is a cartilage disc with a fluid centre. These discs are the bodies' shock absorbers with every step we take. They cushion movement of the spine.

The inner fluid in each disc is predominately water. If the body is dehydrated, insufficient fluid in the discs will cause additional strain, leaving the body at risk of pain, swelling, even ruptured or herniated discs.
Some research has even found that pain can be reduced by as much as 50% through proper hydration.

Try drinking at least 1 litre of good quality water for every 50llbs of bodyweight.

Posture

Poor posture can create or exacerbate back pain, particularly in the lower back.

The ideal postural alignment should see ankle, knee, hip, shoulder & ear on top of each other. The more deviations away from this correct posture, the more the likelihood of pain syndromes developing up the spine.

Practice correct postural positioning in the mirror, till your body learns corrects positioning. Stand with feet hip width apart, and the knees "soft". Keep the front of the legs long, and the bum gently squeezed. Keep the torso tall, with the shoulder blades pulled back, to prevent you slumping forwards, making sure that the head does not migrate forwards.

Changing positions regularly when either sitting, standing or lying down can also help. As it prevents muscle groups straining and taking on too much load for lengthy periods of time, particularly when the body is in bad posture.

Stretch

Many postural issues can be caused by tightness in key muscles groups, which pull the body out of alignment.

Our sedentary lifestyles create imbalances between key muscle groups in the body.
For example, tight hip flexors at the front of the thighs, frequently caused by lengthy periods of sitting, can pull the body forwards. This can have a further detrimental effect on posture, as muscles in key groups such as the glutes may become weak, causing the back to take additional strain in key movements. Also, the pull of tight hip flexors pull down the front of the pelvis, bringing the body into anterior tilt, leading to lordosis, a common contributor to lower back pain.

Further up the spine, slumping forwards can cause tightness in the pectorals and other muscles such as the anterior deltoids, pulling the body to collapse forwards & inwards, weakening the muscles in the middle back.

In addition, the repetitive tasks of using mouse and/or keyboard, takes the upper back muscles (upper trapezius and levator scapulae) through small ranges of motion, this subsequently produces toxic waste products such as lactic acid and urea. Without sufficient circulation, stimulation and exercise in the middle and upper back, waste products can build up, causing knots, and general aches and pain. A massage will help, but is simply treating the symptom not the cause.

Try stretching out the pectorals and the quads & hip flexors on a daily basis, to help the body to progress into good posture.

Pec stretch - stand with one arm against a door frame or wall corner, step forwards till you feel a good stretch in the front of the shoulder/chest. Hold for 10 - 15 seconds.

Quad & hip flexors stretch - standing on one leg, the other leg bent from the knee, grab the foot behind. Keeping the knees in alignment, squeeze the bum to drive the pelvis forward to hit the hip flexors. Hold for 10 - 15 seconds.

Strengthen

Where muscles may have become tight through poor posture or lack of exercise, and a sedentary lifestyle, opposing muscles may become week, leaving parts of the back weak or taking too much strain.
For example, if tight hip flexors are pulling the pelvis into an anterior tilt, this can prevent the glute muscles from working, instead the lower back takes too much strain, becoming tight or over-facilitated, leaving it prone to strain and injury.

Try a simple glute activation exercise, lying down on your side, pushing the whole of the back of the body against a wall. Bend the knees in, whilst keeping the feet against the wall. Squeeze the bum to open out the top leg, the knee being pulled back towards the wall. Hold the position for 10 seconds before lowering the leg down, repeat 5 times. Then do ten repetitions, holding at the top for just one second each time. Note - If the lower back is overactive, then make sure that the back does not move away from the wall, thus preventing it from "interfering" or taking over in the movement. This exercise works extremely well, after the stretches above, giving the body space to achieve these movements.

For middle back weakness, lay face down with the forehead supported to inline with the rest of the spine with a pillow. Take the arms out to the side & away from the body in a "crucifix" position. Keeping the head still, lift the arms up behind you, squeezing the shoulder blades back. Repeat 20 - 30 times.

Mobilise

Increasing spinal mobility can help alleviate common back pains and aches, gentle spinal twists can provide some immediate relief, as well as long term benefits. Lack of spinal mobility in one area of the back, can lead to pain syndromes in other areas of the spine. Try yoga or Pilates lessons to help increase spinal mobility. Simple twists you can try at home are lying on your back with arms out to the side. Bend the knees in with the feet still in contact with the floor. Take both knees over to the right, and gently turn the head to the left. Rest here for a few moments, before repeating on the other side.

Note - It is always advisable to seek medical advice before embarking on a new exercise or diet regimen.

Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical is a medical term for the neck part of a certain organ. On the other hand, spondylosis is a term used to refer to the degeneration of joints between adjacent vertebrae. When combined together, cervical spondylosis simply means the abnormal wearing of the joints of the neck spine caused by old-age or consequent pressure. However, its effects are not simple. The joints between adjacent vertebrae degenerate narrowing and compressing the nerve roots from the spine and may result to problems in or disturbances of motor skills. Cervical spondylosis is also called neck arthritis, cervical osteoarthritis and chronic neck pain.

How to know if you have Cervical Spondylosis?

Usually, cervical spondylosis do not manifest any symptom at early stages. Also, most common causes are found in populations aged more than 60. But, when it gets worse, stiffness and pain in the neck area are commonly and constantly felt. This pain is caused by the thinning of joints between the vertebrae in the neck area. And because the nerves in these area are pinched and compressed, disturbances in motor skills like losing balance, lack of coordination and difficulty in walking may be experienced. This phenomenon is also called cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Aside from myelopathy, paresthesia and radiculopathy or radicular symptoms may also be experienced. Paresthesia is a phenomenon of shocks in hands and legs because of pinched nerves and lack of blood flow which is a likely result of the compression. Radiculopathy or radicular symptoms can also be felt like tingling sensations, numbness and weakness in the arms, legs and hands or feet. Suboccipital pain is also prevalent with people having cervical spondylosis. This pain covers the area of the neck and the lower back of the head. Another symptom of a rather severe or worsening cervical spondylosis is lost bowel or lost bladder control.

If you feel the above-mentioned signs (any of paresthesia, myelopathy, radiculopathy or radicular symptoms and suboccipital pain) and lost bowel or bladder control, consult your physician immediately.

With busy schedules and deadlines to meet, people have a higher tendency of ignoring what they believe as simple pain which will eventually go away. But what if the assumed simple pain is an early manifestation of a sickness you will have when you get older? Cervical Spondylosis is rare to cause crippling or paralysis. But again, don't you want to have an at ease retirement which is without any complication? Visit your doctor frequently and not when all your organs have deteriorated. Having constant medical check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will be helpful to prevent future illness like cervical spondylosis.

Home Back Pain Relief - Simple Home Remedy For Back Pain Relief

Nearly all individuals will experience some form of back pain in their lives. This is a relatively common, but troubling experience. Many may experience in the upper section of the body. Then, there are some that will experience lower back discomfort. Many fail to realize that pain, in itself, is not a medical condition. It is generally a symptom of another medical condition that can prove to be exceptionally devastating if left untreated. In this article, you will learn some basic information, as well as some useful tips on how you can achieve home back pain relief.

Common Causes

There are many conditions and circumstances that can cause the pain. One of the most common occurrences results from difficulties in the way in which the spine experiences movement. There are certain conditions that can result in complications in spinal movement. These conditions include degeneration of the discs, tension in the muscles of the back, as well as discs that are herniated and/or bulging. Individuals who have experienced an injury to the back may experience some degree of discomfort. This may last a short period of time, but it may also be a long term condition that affects one on and off the rest of their life.

There are certain diseases and other types of medical conditions that may result in to this problem as well. Those that experience one of the many forms of arthritis, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and other types of spinal deformities and complications also stand the chance of developing pain in some location on the back. If you have pain, and have not been diagnosed with a condition that may result in this discomfort, it is important that you talk to a medical doctor about your condition. This individual will work to uncover the cause of the pain that is being experienced. It is always important that you take this step prior to seeking out home back pain relief remedies.

Home Back Pain Relief

We all know that medical treatments can be quite expensive. This is why so many people seek out home pack pain relief remedies that can help them overcome the discomfort that they experience. Here, we will review some of the remedies that have been found to be effective when it comes to soothing the discomfort of a back that just will not give in. It is always important, when dealing with remedies for the back, that you take the time to discover treatments that will work for you as an individual. Not all treatments are appropriate for all people. In addition to this, many individuals will find that what works for one person may not work well for them.

Combining the elements of heat and cold has been very successful when it comes to home back pain relief for many. The hot packs assist in the area of maximizing the amount of oxygen that is carried throughout the blood. This helps to eliminate the common muscle spasms that many individuals experience. The cold packs assist in the area of reducing swelling and general pain that is commonly associated with pain over the back. The secret of success when it comes to this technique is to rotate the heat and cold to the area that hurts the most. It is best to rotate at least every fifteen minutes until relief is experienced.

The next remedy hat you can do at home is exercise. You should be especially careful with the exercises that you elect to participate in when experiencing pain. This is because there are many types that can be made worse by engaging in the wrong types of exercises. If you are interested in this remedy, you should contact a specialist to determine which ones are most appropriate for your situation. You may only be able to perform simple stretches, while someone you know with the problem is able to participate in high impact aerobics. It all depends on you, and your unique experience with this condition.

The last home remedy that we will discuss is that of massage. Massage is a very effective form of relief for all types of pain - especially pain that ends up in the back. This simple techniques works to soothe the tension that often resides in the muscles of the back, which helps to eliminate a lot of pain that may be occurring. You can elect to use a simple massager that you can often find in a local department store, or you can request that a friend or relative perform this step.

Conclusion

There are a number of home remedies that may be implemented to achieve relief. However, it is important that you seek the approval of a medical professional prior to engaging in these techniques. This will ensure that you do not cause further back problems.

Get Relief From Excruciating Back Pain

Study shows over 60% of the world population suffers from pain in the back region, at least once in their life time. However, for most people suffering with backache is a persistent and chronic problem. Some of the reasons for back pain are perennial bad postures, slip disc, injury, regularly sleeping on an uncomfortable bed or even using an improper chair. Pain in the spinal column region can be a major cause of inconvenience, to the extent of sometimes restricting free and natural movement.

Backaches can be either chronic or acute. Chronic backaches can last up to three months at a stretch. Acute pain is sporadic in nature and can occur any time. Chronic and acute backaches can cause excruciating pain or cause a continuous mild nagging pain. Nonetheless, both these aches disrupt our normal way of life.

Lower back pain can be very severe. The agonizing pain can almost cripple movement. In a human being, the back is built to be very strong and supple. It is meant to take a lot of stress, yet it sometimes suffers injury. Muscles in the region get strained or there could be a case of slip disc. In both these cases, there is backache in the lower region.

Avoiding Lower Backache-

Like the rest of the body the back needs to be exercised regularly. A good way of avoiding back related problem is to flex the back muscles by stretching and doing exercise to strengthen the back; this improves flexibility. Maintaining a correct posture goes a long way in keeping lower back pain, at bay. Lifting heavy items must be avoided as this can cause a lot of stress on the back. One of the main reasons for developing backache is lifting heavy items without using the proper technique.

Finding a Remedy for Severe Backache

There are remedies which can give back pain relief. The first thing to do is improve posture. A bad posture will give anyone backache. Standing and sitting erect keeps the spine straight and the lower back well supported. This should help in preventing backache to some extent.

There are certain other measures which can be taken to reduce the occurrence and intensity of pain. If backache has set in, the best solution is giving the back some rest. Sleeping on a firm bed supports the back and provides relief from the pain. Cold compression of the affected part helps to numb the pain.

Further Management for Severe Back Problems

A massage by an expert can relieve backache, but a doctor needs to be consulted at the earliest, thereafter. In some cases, a massage is not recommended and it will only aggravate the situation. If rest and ice compression do not help then a topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory spray especially devised for backache can be applied, provided there is no open wound.

Braces are ideal for unbearable pain in the lower back. Braces are especially designed to support the back and restrict movement. They are very comfortable to use and do not cause inconvenience. They are compact and when worn can easily be concealed under the clothes. In fact, these braces are being recommended by most doctors for low backache. With proper care, backache can be avoided.