How can you treat sciatic nerve pain?
July 2nd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Most of the people who suffer from Sciatic nerve pain fell helpless and out of control. Only a few ways are known till date by the means of which Sciatic nerve treatment. But majority of the population is not aware of the ways to treat Sciatic nerve pain, so it is better to educate yourself about the ways to treat it. You will notice that when you take action against the pain on your own, the situation will be under your control than it was before.
Sciatic nerve pain is common in, but not limited to, people in their thirties. There are a few risk factors that have been associated with Sciatic nerve pain, most of which can be eliminated from your everyday life. If you are in your thirties, take extra precaution.
If you are working in a way that takes all the energy out of you and makes you feel very weak, then I would like to tell you that you are not doing any good to your health, but you are increasing the risk factors of suffering from Sciatic nerve pain. Working for long hours performing stressful tasks and lifting heavy objects on a regular basis are the factors, which increase the risk level. On the other hand if you sit for long hours and do not perform any work then it will result in obesity or any such problem which too increase the risk of suffering from Sciatic nerve pain. You should take care of your health at all times to be disease free and to live in peacefully.
It is quite common for people suffering from Sciatic nerve pain to become sedentary because the pain does not allow them to be active. Unfortunately, lack of activity only makes it all the more difficult to deal with the pain. It is necessary to make a determined effort to exercise daily, at least for a brief period. This is a sure way to treat the problem. Specific exercises have been designed to relieve Sciatic nerve pain and you must learn about these. It is absolutely essential that you stretch before you start the exercises and after you finish them.
Take particular care in your posture when you sit down or stand up. Movement sitting or standing may exacerbate the pain if you keep bad posture. No only your own movement but what equipment you have while you are at rest could cause or alleviate pain. Your mattress for instance may be too hard or soft causing you to sleep in positions that heighten the Sciatic nerve pain. By examining your posture, and looking into your chairs, beds and other furnishings, you should be able to alter your body positioning or replace these items to get relief.
Many people find that the use of hot and cold on their areas of pain helps to relieve Sciatic nerve pain. The use of ice packs or heating pads is all you need to try out this remedy. Start by using the cold packs for about 15 minutes at a time. This will help to reduce the amount of inflammation you have. For the first two days you only want to use the ice packs.
Afterwards, you might try heat for a day or so. If the pain lasts longer than four days, just alternate hot and cold. You must also think about getting in touch with the doctor to see what might be triggering this problem.
By just doing some homework, you will by well on your way to getting sciatica treatments and get almost instant relief.
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Sciatic nerve pain exercises
July 1st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
There are quite a number of sciatic nerve exercises but how would you ever know if you are doing the best ones to cure your pain? Here we will discuss the best exercises to help you in getting relief on your pain in no time.
Exercise your stomach
There are a number of exercises that will, forever, protect your sciatic nerve from pain. You will be amazed to hear this and doubt its veracity. Whereas walking around is a great method to sooth your frozen leg or foot, crunches too, are a fantastic method to alleviate the pain of your sciatic nerve. Crunches are famous as an abdominal exercise, and, while doing this exercise, ensure that you do it unhurriedly and do not exaggerate. A little bit of stinging and a slight pain the following day is fine. However, if you consider that this makes the situation worse, this is not you cup of tea. Positive thinking is a must for supporting your sciatic nerve.
relieve your hips
What is a hip flexor? The hip flexor is muscles that let you lift up your knee and also to bend at the waist. If you have Sciatica for example, you could be in pain from compression of the hip flexor muscles. There are exercises, which can treat and lessen the resulting symptoms. Unlike aerobic exercises whose goal is to cause you to lose weight by increasing your target heart rate, these exercises are designed as rehabilitation exercises to help you stretch. One of these methods is to sit down, separate your feet approximately 12 inches and lean forward as far as you can toward your toes. It does not matter if you can reach them or not. The stretching toward them is the focus of the exercise. Do not overextend yourself or you could end up with a further or different injury to your back or pelvis. Another stretching method is to do the same thing but standing up. In an upright position bend at the waist with your feet approximately 12 inches apart. Reach down to try to touch your toes. Again, it does not matter if you can reach them or not. The overall effect should be to lessen the symptoms caused by your Sciatica nerve.
Stretch your Piriformis muscles
This too, is also one of the best ways to exercise during your Sciatica Nerve aching; Piriformis is one of your main muscles that involve your Sciatica. To do one of the two exercises with this muscle, you will need a chair. While in the chair, again, be sure you are sitting up straight. If it aches your back more, you may want to try to fight it but the exercise isn’t nearly as effective if it isn’t done correctly. Once you are sitting up straight in the chair, stretch your legs out in front of you and reach as far as possible, while your feet are off of the ground that is. After you have held this position for about 10 seconds, you will move on to the next one. You should pick up one of your legs and cross it over the other. Next you should lean forward and if your back pops, as long as it isn’t too severe, then it will be fine - it could actually help you. So you hold that for a few minutes, then grab hold of your chair legs, and let your body move up. Sit up as straight as possible. Once you have held this for as long as you can you are done. You will feel more energized and your Piriformis muscles will be stretched!
By doing these sciatic nerve exercises every day for a few minutes, you should be well on your way to reduce your pain in no time.
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Pros and Cons of Chiropractic Care
June 30th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
One of the reasons for the continued rise and growth of chiropractic care in the medical field is due to the wide array of benefits that can be derived from it. Plus, many recommend this particular treatment method due to the non-invasive approach and its insistence on awakening the body’s natural ability to heal.
Common Chiropractic Benefits
Dysfunction in your muscoskeletal system does not exclude anyone. Therefore, anyone will benefit from the healing ability of chiropractic care to provide relief from any form of discomfort that one undergoes when they have misaligned spine, back, or neck. But for individuals who are required to remain active, the presence of such dysfunction disables them from performing well and limit their motor capacity. This is due to the fact that any form of movement on the traumatized area of the body can result to pain or discomfort.
Regardless of the cause of your initial discomfort, among the benefits you can enjoy are as follows:
• Improved circulation
• Reduction or elimination of lactic acid
• Smoother travel of oxygen and nutrients in the body
• More flexibility
• Elimination of any pain or soreness
• Faster recovery time
• Reduced muscle spasm
• Prevention of future injury
• More relaxed feeling
Combination Treatments
If you want to enhance the benefits of chiropractic care, it is best to combine your efforts with natural techniques. Even chiropractors recommend it in order to help your body adjust to the treatment provided. The relief from any pressure will allow your body to attain maximum mobility and better performance.
To enhance the results, you must try to develop a routine that incorporates the following physical activities:
• Keep your body properly hydrated.
• Follow a healthy nutritional plan.
• Practice some stretching exercises and develop a healthy exercise routine.
Additional Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Several people have misconceptions about chiropractic care. One of them being that it is not a valid form of treatment and is used only for mild cases of back pain, headaches, and the like. However, this form of treatment method offer adjustment benefits even to those suffering from extreme cases of spinal or vertebral misalignment. But the benefits extend beyond muscoskeletal and different people who suffer from these illnesses experience varying results as well:
• For pregnant women, they are able to deliver much easier.
• For babies, they have improved developmental abilities and prevent the possibility of acquiring scoliosis.
• For kids, it helps prevent asthma, ear infection, bedwetting, among other things.
• For adults, they are able to generate more energy and increase productivity.
• Better balance and less injury is attained by senior citizens.
Meanwhile, overall results and benefits reported from patients who’ve undergone chiropractic care includes the following:
• Boost in the functions of the immune and nervous system.
• Patients attain improved vitality.
• Breathing becomes easier.
• Great digestive functions.
• Sharper vision.
• Improved overall health.
When Do Results Become Evident?
Following chiropractic treatment, your body will start to realign and relieve yourself from any pressure that is causing pain in your joints. In mild cases, a patient will immediately experience relief soon after undergoing chiropractic care. Hence, this is one of the advantages of opting for chiropractic care over surgical or medical procedures that often require a long recovery period.
In other cases, there might be a mild feeling of soreness or aching with chiropractic treatment. The reason for this is that your body has to readjust to the realignment done after being misaligned for a while.
However, it shouldn’t take long either before your body can regain its normal function and mobility.
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Dealing with Shoulder Arthritis Pain
June 30th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Q: My doctor has told me that the pain in my shoulder is due to arthritis. Is there anything that can be done about it?
A: Has throwing the ball with the kids become a big pain in the shoulder? As we get older our joints may deteriorate, with loss of the smooth cartilage coating of the bones in the shoulder joint, a process known as arthritis. It can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common process in the shoulder is degenerative joint disease (DJD). The shoulder is made up of two distinct joints, the large ball-and-socket Gleno-Humeral Joint (GH), where the arm meets socket of the shoulder blade, and the much smaller Acromio-Clavicular (AC) Joint, where the top part of the shoulder blade (the acromion) meets the collar bone (clavicle). Either or both joints can become damaged and painful, and X-rays will be used to detect whether arthritis is present.
Once the diagnosis is made, treatment generally starts with oral medications to reduce the pain and inflammation within the joints. This generally starts with medicines like Tylenol or anti-inflammatories known as NSAIDs, either over-the-counter or by prescription. Sometimes it is necessary to use a short course of stronger anti-inflammatory medicines known as steroids, such as prednisone, usually given in a precise regimen that is tapered quickly. Some patients will benefit from Physical Therapy treatments, which can help by improving the range of motion and strength in the shoulder.
If this approach is not successful, a patient may need to have a steroid injection in the shoulder, which can be effective by placing the anti-inflammatory material directly into the painful area. The effect may not last long, but the injection can help to confirm that the arthritic area is actually causing the shoulder pain. On the other hand, some shots will lead to long-term pain relief. We have some patients who come to the office every six months for a steroid shot and function well between visits.
If this approach is not working, surgery may be needed. An MRI is often obtained to rule out other shoulder damage, such as tendonitis or a rotator cuff tear, and it is also useful to gauge the full extent of the arthritis.
If the upper (AC) joint is the primary source of pain, and conservative measures have failed, relatively simple surgery can usually solve the problem. The AC joint pain seems to come from the deformed ends of the bones which rub together once the cartilage coating has worn away. We can remove the ends of the bones and the scar that fills the space will gradually become comfortable. At first, this was done as an open procedure, but now it is done routinely through small stab wounds using a fiber-optic tool known as an arthroscope.
When the ball-and-socket shoulder joint (GH) is arthritic and requires surgery, things get more complicated. As an open procedure, requiring an incision that is about six inches long, the damaged joint surfaces can be replaced by an artificial joint made of plastic and metal. This procedure has evolved over the years and is now very reliable. The recovery period will last six to twelve months and will require Physical Therapy. When a patient has fully recovered, the shoulder strength and function should be reasonably good, but patients almost always report that their pain is gone. In fact, some of our happiest patients are those who put up with severe shoulder arthritis for years and after getting a Total Shoulder Replacement could finally get a good night’s sleep.
We have a dilemma when a patient has severe ball-and-socket shoulder arthritis along with a large rotator cuff tear. The soft tissue envelope of tendons around the shoulder is known as the Rotator Cuff, and if it is massively torn and unrepairable, a conventional shoulder replacement may not work well, because the shoulder will be weak and unstable and the components will tend to become loose and painful. Fortunately, an ingenious solution has been developed to deal with this situation. A Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty is a plastic and metal device which replaces the socket with a ball and replaces the ball with a socket, allowing most patients to regain overhead motion without an intact rotator cuff. The surgery is somewhat more complicated and there are more potential complications, but for certain patients, it is just what the doctor ordered.
What to do: If you have shoulder pain that lasts more than a few weeks, try gentle stretching and over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol or NSAIDs. If you cannot get relief, make plans to see your doctor. These days, most shoulder pain can be resolved. With any luck you will be able to get back to throwing in the backyard in time for spring training.
About the Author
Dr. Martin R. Coleman is a physician with OSC-Ortho, a leading provider of Newport News Orthopedics, Newport News Shoulder Replacement Surgery, and Newport News Physical Therapy. OSC-Ortho can be found online at: OSC-Ortho.com .
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General Health Tips: An Aso Ankle Brace Can Help!
June 29th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you’ve ever had to go to a medical supply store to find an ankle brace, you were probably surprised to find so many different styles, each of which is designed to address a specific medical condition or injury. Back and leg braces, knee braces and ankle braces are all designed to suit one purpose, and that’s to support joints. An ASO ankle brace is a special kind of ankle brace that’s called an Ankle Stabilizing Orthosis. Orthosis is a fancy word for Orthotic, which in turn means ‘a branch of mechanical or medical science that deals with the support of weak or ineffective joints or muscles’. Ergo, an ASO ankle brace, is designed to support the ankle joint in a manner in which other ankle braces won’t. Go to pain orthotics for more information.
Most types of ASO ankle braces slip on over the foot and are then anchored into place over the ankle joint while supporting the heel area, the mid foot and up over the ankle joint. Some ASO ankle brace designs will have a thin metal rod inserted inside the canvas or nylon material for added support to the ankle joint. Some ASO ankle brace designs can be worn inside a shoe, while others can’t, so if you have a preference, let your doctor know about it, or the personnel at the medical supply store. Most ASO ankle brace styles aren’t carried in drug stores or supermarkets, so you may have to find a medical supply store in your area or order one over the Internet. Price ranges for an ASO ankle brace start at around $40 and run higher, but it all depends on what type of ASO ankle brace you decide to purchase. Refer to pain orthotics for more information.
An ASO ankle brace can be a small, compact type brace that fits over the heel like a canvas glove, with a Velcro strap that holds it in place above the ankle joint. Then again, an ASO ankle brace can slide over the foot and reach almost halfway up the calf, with Velcro straps and laces for additional support, as well as stiff plastic supports that slide into pockets at strategic points around the ankle joint. While some ASO ankle brace styles allow for comfort, they are meant to stabilize an ankle joint, so no matter which style you select, be aware that ankle movement and range of motion will be somewhat restricted. Such restrictions enable torn muscle tissues or healing bones to grow or mend in the correct anatomical position.
Some ASO ankle brace models are designed to help prevent edema in the healing joint, but this is a type of brace that your doctor will surely discuss with you. For ankle injuries more severe than typical sprains and strains, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor to make sure you are not suffering from hairline fractures, displacements or bone growth issues that might affect your walking ability if not healed properly. If your doctor prescribes or suggests an ASO ankle brace to help support your joint while you heal, take the advice and follow his instructions. Visit Prefabricated orthotics for ball of foot pain for further information.
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Neck Disc Pain? Learn All You Need to Know for Relief
June 28th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
neck disc problems can be very frustrating to live with, not only because of the pain they cause, but also because of the disability that can occur. This article will cover what a cervical discs is, the most common problems that can develop with one, symptoms caused by them, and the most effective treatment options for these conditions.
The spinal discs are cushions that separate each set of vertebrae in the back. Their primary purpose is to act as shock-absorbers between the bones, which protects the vertebrae of the spine from breaking or rubbing together when you move (which would be very painful).
The spinal discs are actually a special type of ligament, and their other purpose is to hold the vertebrae of the spine together. Each one is composed of two main parts – a strong, outer covering (called the annulus), and a soft jelly center (called the nucleus).
This structure is very significant – especially the jelly in the center of each disc. One of the problems with the spinal discs is that they don’t receive a very good blood flow, which dramatically slows their healing time if you ever injure one.
The jelly actually stores oxygen and nutrients for the disc to heal if there is ever an injury, which is why that part of the disc is so important.
With this in mind, there are two main conditions that can develop related to a cervical disc. The first is a herniated cervical disc (you may hear this condition referred to as a bulging disc, herniated disc, or even a slipped disc). With this problem, the strong outer covering of the disc tears, and the jelly begins to shift out of the center of the disc, into the area where the disc is torn.
This creates an area in the weakened disc that literally bulges out. Now, one thing that you may not be aware of related to the discs of the spine is that they are unable to feel pain sensations. This may sound crazy at first, because if you’re living with this problem, or know someone who has suffered with this, you know it can be very painful.
If you think about it, though, it makes sense that the discs of the spine wouldn’t be able to feel pain because of their purpose of absorbing shock. So, if this is true, what actually causes all the pain with this problem?
Well, if you were to look at the spine, what you would see is that the spinal nerves are actually located directly behind each disc of the spine, which is usually where they will bulge. Because of this, the herniated disc in the neck will usually apply pressure on the nerve, which can be very painful.
In addition to the pain, a cervical spine herniated disc can also cause quite a bit of disability because the nerves of the spine control everything in the body, and if there’s pressure applied to a nerve, it will stop communicating with the body properly and lead to problems with whatever the affected nerve is controlling.
The second major condition that can occur with a cervical discs is called cervical disc disease (which is a form of arthritis that develops in the disc). In this case, the jelly in the center of the disc will start to become dehydrated (which means it loses water). This causes the disc to become shorter, which also causes pressure to be applied to the nerve in that location.
So, if the main cause of the pain in each of these cases is the aggravated nerve, what types of symptoms may occur if you develop a problem with a cervical discs?
In addition to neck pain, it’s also very common for a person to suffer with headaches, shoulder, arm, and/or hand pain, weakness in the arms, numbness in the arms, chest pains, thyroid problems (which usually leads to weight issues), ringing in the ears, and vision problems.
These symptoms are common because these are the body parts that are affected by the nerves in the neck.
If you’re experiencing pain from a neck disc problem, there are a number of things you can do for relief. Most doctors will recommend medications (usually a combination of muscle relaxers and pain relievers), pain injections (such as steroids or epidurals), physical therapy, and surgery (as a last resort).
However, it is important to note that these treatments usually don’t provide lasting relief because they are primarily focused on numbing the involved nerve to reduce the pain levels. Although this may sound good on the surface, it’s important to remember that the source of the pain is actually the damaged disc, so if you don’t get the disc to heal, the pain returns when you discontinue those treatments.
Alternative treatments are also available for these problems. Treatments such as chiropractic, massage therapy, and acupuncture have all been found to be helpful with these conditions.
One thing I should bring up at this point, however, is that cervical disc conditions are usually more complicated and difficult to heal because of the lack of blood going to them. Because of this, I have found that it’s usually a combination of treatments that provide the best results for these conditions.
You need to be patient with the healing process, because it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 years for a disc to heal completely with the right combination of treatments, so do your best to not get aggravated (although I know that’s easier said than done when you’re in pain).
If you are interested in learning more about the most successful treatments (and combination of treatments) for a cervical disc condition (whether it be a cervical disc herniation or cervical disc disease), you can click here (neck disc herniation).
About the Author: Dr. Ron Daulton, Jr. is a chiropractor, national speaker, and published author who specializes in spinal disc conditions.
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