“Back Pain Remedies: Walk More”

Looking for a cure for lower back pain? Chronic low back pain got you down? Want to help your chiropractor or therapist ?

Take a walk.

Walking is great exercise for the lower back. Each step uses the lower back, butt and abdominal muscles to keep them fit.

How to walk more:

• Park further from the store when shopping
• Park further from the office at work
• Take a walking lunch
• Get the family out for an evening walk after dinner
• Go to a mall on a rainy day
• Take your poodle out for a stroll
• Go to the zoo
• Or an amusement park

When NOT to walk

• When you have sciatica
• When you can’t comfortably stand straight
• When walking causes more than minor discomfort for your back
• When it’s too hot
• When you have back spasms

By adding extra walking minutes each day, you are conditioning your core muscles that support your back. This will lead to increased strength and endurance which has been shown to reduce back pain.

“Back Pain Remedies: Heat and Ice”

How to Use Heat and Ice
One of the most common questions I get from new patients is “when do I use heat and when do I use ice?”
 
 It’s an excellent question and even some doctors or therapists get confused. Here’s the bottom line from my years of experience…
 
 If your pain is new or if you have suffered an acute strain or injury, apply ice. Continue using ice for the next 2-3 days to control swelling and pain. (See “How to Use Ice” below)
 
 If on the other hand your pain has been around for a few days or more or if you suffer from osteoarthritis, then apply moist heat. (See “How to Use Heat” below)
 
 If you are ever in doubt of which one to use, try ice first. If that doesn’t help switch to heat.
 
 Okay, so here’s and advanced tip used by professional trainers of elite athletes and the one you will hear me advise all day long in the office…
 
 Use both!
 
 If you’re pain is older than 2-3 days, then first apply moist heat, then immediately afterwards apply ice. This is a way to supercharge your body’s natural ability to reduce pain and inflammation fast! (See “How to Alternate Heat & Ice” below)

How to Use Heat
Heat is used to increase circulation to allow the body to heal itself. Blood flow brings nutrients to injured tissues so that they may be repaired and rebuilt. Heat can also significantly reduce chronic pain.

How to Use Ice
Ice is best used in the acute stage of pain or injury (the first 48-72 hours). Ice reduces swelling and inflammation. It is also good at controlling acute pain.

How to Alternate Heat & Ice
Okay, now that you have heat and ice down pat, let’s move on to Therapy 2.0.

Use heat for old pains that flare-up, pain that is more than 3 days old and for osteoarthritis.

Moist heat (moist heating pad, shower, Jacuzzi, bath, hot wet towels) are best and penetrate the deepest.

When using heat do not exceed 30 minutes duration and be sure to allow the area to cool down for at least 1 hour before re-applying heat.

Never go to bed with a heating pad! If it does not shut down you will end up burnt. Even if you do not burn, excessive heat makes the area even more inflamed resulting in more stiffness and pain.

When applying ice remember to use caution. Whether you’re using ice bags or chemical ice packs, place a sheet of paper towel between the ice and your body. Also limit ice to 12 minutes with at least 1 hour between applications.

Ice Massage: An old football trainer’s trick is to fill small Dixie cups half way up with water and freeze. Then crinkle up the top brim of the cup to use as a handle and tear off the bottom of the cup to expose the ice. Rub the exposed ice over the affected body part for 10-12 minutes.  Because the ice is melting and you are moving it around, you can get by with direct contact with ice without risking frost bite.

After the initial 24-48 hours following an injury, try this advanced technique.

Start with moist Heat for 12-15 minutes
 
Gently stretch the affected area for a few moments
 
Apply Ice for 12 minutes
 
Wait 1 hour before repeating procedure, if necessary. Always start with heat and always end with ice.

“Back Pain Remedies…”

Back pain is reported to afflict upwards of 90% of adults. Only the common cold is more common. Despite how common it is, it is still a perplexing problem for many.

For many, chiropractic care, physical therapy and/or acupuncture are quite effective at relieving back pain. But not all back pain responds to these common back pain remedies.
For a certain percentage of the population, a cure for lower back pain remains elusive. For these sufferers of chronic low back pain, here are a couple of tips that may help you get over the hurdle.

Home remedies for lower back pain

• Drink more water
• Add more minerals (Calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.) to your diet
• Lose 1 belt size
• Walk more
• Alternate heat and ice
• Add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet
• Do 100 sit-ups/crunches a day
• Perform knee to chest stretches
• Bounce on a therapy ball
• Sit in a rocking chair for 1 hour a day (JFK did!)
• Get orthotics
• Try a different bed

If you are suffering from lower back pain that just won’t go away, try the items on this list. Go crazy and do them all within a day or two, or slowly plod along. The point is, do something.

“Cauda Equina Syndrome: When NOT to See Your Chiropractor”

Your Doctor of Chiropractic can help you with a myriad of health problems. Numerous studies have proven both the efficacy and safety of chiropractic treatment as a cure for lower back pain, neck pain, whiplash and many other issues.

This article however, explains a particular situation “When NOT to See Your Chiropractor.”

Cauda Equina Syndrome
There is a fairly rare, but very serious condition known as “Cauda Equina Syndrome.” Thankfully, very few readers will have direct experience with this condition. But it is nonetheless important to discuss because if you ever develop these symptoms or know someone who does, you’ll know the quick action to take to avoid serious complications.

Horse Anatomy
The last several nerve roots come off of the spinal cord as strands resembling a horse’s tail, thus the Latin term “Cauda Equina” (Horse’s Tail). Cauda Equina Syndrome refers to pressure of these nerve rootlets that branch off of the terminal end of the spinal cord.

Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome
These are the tell-tale signs you have Cauda Equina Syndrome. You can have one or all.

• Weakness of legs
• Atrophy (loss of muscles girth) of legs
• Numbness, pain or tingling into legs or feet
• Numbness and or anesthesia (total loss of sensation) around the anus
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

 

Cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome

There are several conditions that can cause Cauda Equina Syndrome:

• Large disc herniation in lumbar spine
• Spinal Stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis Grade III or greater
• Fracture/Dislocation of lumbar vertebrae
• Tumor

 

Complications

If not treated properly and in time, permanent irreversible paralysis could occur. Therefore, going to your chiropractor or general medical physician when you have these symptoms only further delays proper care.

 

What to Do if You Have These Symptoms
You should immediately report to an emergency room for an examination and MRI and/or CT scan. Once the cause of the syndrome is found, proper treatment may commence.

 

 

Cause of Lower Back Pain: Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis is a common cause of lower back pain and sciatica. It is most often found in older patients in their 60’s and older.

Stenosis means a restriction or blockage of a hole or opening. When doctors refer to “spinal stenosis” they are most often talking about stenosis or blockage of the central spinal canal. The central, canal is the large opening in the spinal bones that provides a bony “tube” that houses and protects the spinal cord.

The Cause of Spinal Stenosis
The central canal may become reduced in size due to:

• Disc bulge or herniation
• Bone spur of vertebral body
• Bone spur from facet arthritis

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
No matter what the cause, the symptoms of central spinal stenosis are the same. The textbook example is back and/or leg pain that is aggravated by walking and is relieved by short periods of sitting, after which time the person can walk for a period of time before the pain increases again. Sufferers of spinal stenosis must take frequent breaks on a walk.

As the condition worsens the amount of time the patient is able to walk gets shorter and shorter. Eventually spinal stenosis sufferers stop going for walks, shopping, etc.

Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis
The history of pain while walking relieved by rest is a big clue. A physical exam is necessary to determine the extent of neurologic function.

Two things must be documented and monitored for treatment:

1. How long the patient can walk before he or she must sit
2. How far down the pain travels; buttocks, back of thighs, calves, etc

An MRI is the most conclusive test to accurately diagnose stenosis and to determine the severity and cause, i.e. bone spur versus disc herniation.

Spinal Stenosis Treatment depends on:

• The cause; disc vs. bone spur
• The severity

For more information on spinal stenosis and a possible treatment go to: http://www.spinediscrehab.com/drx9000.htm

“Is There a Cure for Lower Back Pain?”

The “Cure for Lower Back Pain” ultimately starts with what is causing your back pain. Here are the most common causes and cures of lower back pain:

Subluxation or spinal misalignment: This is the primary condition treated by chiropractors. Spinal bones become stuck causing pain. Doctors of chiropractic move the stuck bones with “adjustments” by hand or hand-held devices. Increased water intake can also help with back pain.

Back strain: Over exertion from sports, work and postural stress can cause the muscles of the back to become strained. The result is spasm, pain and stiffness. Treatments that provide relief of spasm, increased mobility and promote strengthening of the muscles after the pain has subsided are: Chiropractic care with physiotherapy modalities, Physical Therapy and Acupuncture. These providers may also recommend specialized exercises like Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, etc. Increased water intake can also help with back pain.

Degenerative disc disease/arthritis: Long standing stresses on the spine may cause the joints and discs to deteriorate resulting in pain. Common cures are: Chiropractic care with physiotherapy modalities, Physical Therapy and Acupuncture with exercises such as Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, etc. Nutritional cures include: Glucoasamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Vit. C, Omega-3 fatty acids, and others. Increased water intake can also help with back pain. Home applications of hot showers and stretching in the morning can relieve AM stiffness and pain. Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Naproxsodium (Aleve) can be helpful, but can have side-effects if used too often.

Herniated or bulging disc: The discs between the spinal bones may protrude and irritate the spinal nerves due to injury or long-standing physical stress resulting in pain that radiates from the back to the lower extremities. Most common cures: Chiropractic adjustments for disc bulges, Physical therapy rehabilitation for disc bulges, DRX9000 or other non-surgical spinal decompression for bulges and herniation, Minimally invasive disc surgery for bulges and herniations, traditional surgery for herniations.

More info at http://www.cureforlowerbackpain.com

New Alternative Back Pain Treatments Part 1

If you’ve been hurting and looking for a cure for lower back pain, here aer some newer treatments you should know about.

Chronic back pain in particular, is a scourge. It is reported that upwards of 90% of American Adults will suffer back pain in their lifetime. Back pain costs this country more in lost man hours and lost productivity than any other medical condition. Lower back pain is the most common cause of worker’s compensation claims.

Unfortunately, even though the problem is widespread, historically there have been relatively few successful chronc low back pain cures. Thanks to newer computer technology, however, doctors have so much more in their arsenal in the war on back pain.

Cold Laser Therapy
One of the new alternative back pain treatments is Cold Laser therapy. Low light energy is emitted from a small hand-held device that has been clinically proven to help fight the pain and inflammation of arthritis and other causes of chronic low back pain. This FDA cleared treatment has been around for some time, but until recently it was used primarily by sports physicians caring for elite athletes like Lance, Tiger, our US Olympians and many NFL, NBA and MLB players. Cold laser is emerging as one of the fastest growing therapies today for all sorts of conditions including low back and leg pain (sciatica).

Cold laser treatments are brief, about 6 minutes and are often used at the same time massage, stretching or other exercises are done to loosen tight muscles, stimulate nerves and remove inflammation. Because it is a light therapy, you cannot feel it. It is totally painless. And in the hands of a careful and competent doctor, there are no side effects. Patients often experience relief within only a few visits.

To learn more about Cold Laser Therapy and see if it can help your painful back, follow this link:
http://www.drmarks.com/cold_laser_therapy_for_carpal_tunnel_sciatica_and_whiplash.html

Cause of Lower Back Pain: Subluxation

There are many causes of lower back pain. Most cases of lower back pain are caused by mechanical malfunction or structural defects from injury or chronic physical stress.

The most common and widespread cause of mechanical lower back pain is subluxation. Subluxation is a term that refers to two adjacent spinal bones (vertebrae) that are malfunctioning. They may be misaligned with each other or the usual freedom of movement has been lost.

This may occur as a result of an injury, but often times stems from our daily activities of bending, lifting, stooping, etc. Chronic postural strain from our work or daily activities may also cause subluxation to result in lower back pain.

Once the joints have lost their normal motion and/or alignment that triggers other processes to kick in.

Nerve endings within the joints send signals to the brain that joint malfunction has occurred, which results in the brain telling the surrounding muscles to tighten up. This is a protective measure to “splint” the joint and prevent further damage. The problem with this is that it causes further loss of motion and yes, you guessed it, even more reciprocal muscle spasm.

The next event to occur is nerve facilitation or irritation. The nerve roots that exit between the two spinal bones become irritated. At first, this causes abnormally high amounts of nerve impulses to be sent outward to wherever that particular nerve goes. The nerve irritation will cause hyper-function of that end organ. For example, the middle back nerves supply the stomach. If you are subluxated in the mid back or thoracic spine, the nerve facilitation will cause increased acid production which could result in an upset stomach or heartburn and often diarrhea.

After a period of time the nerves become “burned out” from facilitation and they begin to lessen their activity. This results in the end organ slowing down its activity. As in the example above, this would eventually result in not enough stomach acid being produced causing maldigestion and the associated problems of bloating, gas and constipation.

If a subluxation has been around long enough, damage or deterioration of the soft tissues begins. In particular, the discs begin to lose become dehydrated, shrink and crack. Long standing dehydration leads to disc bulges and/or herniation. This is noticeable on x-ray as a loss of disc height and on MRI as disc dessication (dehydration), bulging or herniation.

The final process is bone remodeling. Due to chronic malfunction and loss of normal disc function the body begins laying down extra bone to try to bridge the gap of the joints and fuse the spine in order to protect it. This is visible on x-ray as bone spurring and lipping.

Subluxation is the most common causes of lower back pain and ahs a wide variety of signs and symptoms. In order to repair or correct subluxation, your doctor must first know how to locate subluxations, measure them and then lay out a strategic plan to eliminate them.

For more information on back pain caused by subluxations and how to accurately diagnose it, follow this link:

http://www.spinediscrehab.com/locate_cause_of_back_pain.html