Just a quick post today as it's Christmas eve and I expect many of us are rushing around doing all those last minute things we never think of until it's almost too late.
I want to thank all my readers for taking the time to peruse my little blog and occasionally contributing with suggestions/ideas etc.
So, a very happy back pain free Christmas and New Year to you all. May Santa bring you all you wish for, but as the saying goes be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!
I'm taking a little break until the New Year, so back in 2014. My, how the time flies.
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Back Pain Can be Aggravated By Exercise.
Edge on the net.com contributor Kent McGroarty highlights common exercise moves that can in fact be dangerous if not performed correctly. With people coming to exercise more and more, many, if not most, without proper consultation and training.
Backs can be particularly susceptible if certain exercises are not done in the right way. here are a few of the ones to careful of if you don't want to aggravate your back ache.
The good old fashioned sit-up can cause back injury due to the shearing forces placed on the vertebrae and discs, resulting in small disc ruptures.
The leg extension machine is one to avoid as it can cause lower back pain as well as leg and knee problems.
The pec deck and behind the shoulder press should also be given a miss, commonly leading to torn ligaments and rotator cuff tendon injuries.
There are more effective, and less destructive ways of getting a similar workout. Giving the same benefit with a minimal risk of injury.
Interestingly kettlebells (see my previous post) are mentioned here as well. They do seem to be the in thing at the moment.
I guess it's common sense really. Exercise is fine if approached in the right way, and certainly in then early stages get someone who knows what they are doing to take you through some exercises suitable for your particular situation.
If you want to take a look at the complete report use this link.
Backs can be particularly susceptible if certain exercises are not done in the right way. here are a few of the ones to careful of if you don't want to aggravate your back ache.
The good old fashioned sit-up can cause back injury due to the shearing forces placed on the vertebrae and discs, resulting in small disc ruptures.
The leg extension machine is one to avoid as it can cause lower back pain as well as leg and knee problems.
The pec deck and behind the shoulder press should also be given a miss, commonly leading to torn ligaments and rotator cuff tendon injuries.
There are more effective, and less destructive ways of getting a similar workout. Giving the same benefit with a minimal risk of injury.
Interestingly kettlebells (see my previous post) are mentioned here as well. They do seem to be the in thing at the moment.
I guess it's common sense really. Exercise is fine if approached in the right way, and certainly in then early stages get someone who knows what they are doing to take you through some exercises suitable for your particular situation.
If you want to take a look at the complete report use this link.
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Ease Your Back Pain With a Kettle bell Workout
Now this article by Tara Pope that I found on the well blogs page of the New York Times website I found quite interesting.
I don't know about readers of this back pain blog but I always thought that kettlebell workouts were the choice of eastern european athletes, in particular for muscle building.
It seems that using this ancient piece of equipment could be just the thing for easing back pain, along with neck pain and shoulder pain.
Most people with back pain tend to avoid weight training for fear of aggravating their symptoms. However a Danish study, carried out by Lars L. Anderson and his team, has shown that correctly done, strength training can reduce pain and prevent re-injury.
In the past most research in this field has focussed on traditional weight training exercises. The Danish researchers however studied the effects of using kettlebells. So called due to their superficial resemblance to a tea kettle.
Kettlebells require a different technique to the more usual lifting type weight training, which involves the swinging and lifting of the weights. A tricky thing to get the hang of for beginners.
The study recruited 40 middle-aged women who had back, shoulder, and/or neck pain. These volunteers were assigned randomly to a kettlebell workout regime or a control group who were just encouraged to exercise.
The kettlebell group did 20 minute sessions two or three times a week for 8 weeks.
The result was that those women that used the kettlebells reported less pain as well as improved core muscle strength, as compared with the control group. The actual figures showed as a 57 percent reduction in lower back pain, and a 46 percent reduction in neck and shoulder pain.
Pretty impressive I would say. The full report contains much more detail as well as safety issues that need to be considered. I think it's a most interesting read. You can find it here.
I don't know about readers of this back pain blog but I always thought that kettlebell workouts were the choice of eastern european athletes, in particular for muscle building.
It seems that using this ancient piece of equipment could be just the thing for easing back pain, along with neck pain and shoulder pain.
Most people with back pain tend to avoid weight training for fear of aggravating their symptoms. However a Danish study, carried out by Lars L. Anderson and his team, has shown that correctly done, strength training can reduce pain and prevent re-injury.
In the past most research in this field has focussed on traditional weight training exercises. The Danish researchers however studied the effects of using kettlebells. So called due to their superficial resemblance to a tea kettle.
Kettlebells require a different technique to the more usual lifting type weight training, which involves the swinging and lifting of the weights. A tricky thing to get the hang of for beginners.
The study recruited 40 middle-aged women who had back, shoulder, and/or neck pain. These volunteers were assigned randomly to a kettlebell workout regime or a control group who were just encouraged to exercise.
The kettlebell group did 20 minute sessions two or three times a week for 8 weeks.
The result was that those women that used the kettlebells reported less pain as well as improved core muscle strength, as compared with the control group. The actual figures showed as a 57 percent reduction in lower back pain, and a 46 percent reduction in neck and shoulder pain.
Pretty impressive I would say. The full report contains much more detail as well as safety issues that need to be considered. I think it's a most interesting read. You can find it here.
Friday, 13 December 2013
Combined Regimen Reduces Lower Back Pain.
According to a study funded by the U.S. Department of Defence, a regimen of core strengthening exercises was no better than traditional sit-ups for preventing back pain in soldiers.
However, combining both exercise programs, together with a short educational session on back pain strategies did lower the incidence of treatment for back pain.
Reported on the Air Force Medical Website, the prevention of low back pain in this military study involved over 4,000 soldiers. Participants were split into four treatment groups. Core stabilisation exercises, Core stabilisation exercises plus an educational session on back pain coping strategies, traditional lumbar exercises, or traditional lumbar exercises plus the educational session.
Researchers tracked participants incidence of low back pain over two years following the intervention. There was no difference in health care visits for back pain in the groups who received exercise only, however there was a 3% decrease in those seeking care for low back pain amongst those who had received the additional education program.
Well, you can make of that what you will. I suppose 3% of a large number of military personnel would translate into a considerable cost saving. As for us civilians maybe more education and knowledge about our problems could mean less pain.
Although I suspect most of us know pretty well as much as those treating us. If you want to read the full report click here.
However, combining both exercise programs, together with a short educational session on back pain strategies did lower the incidence of treatment for back pain.
Reported on the Air Force Medical Website, the prevention of low back pain in this military study involved over 4,000 soldiers. Participants were split into four treatment groups. Core stabilisation exercises, Core stabilisation exercises plus an educational session on back pain coping strategies, traditional lumbar exercises, or traditional lumbar exercises plus the educational session.
Researchers tracked participants incidence of low back pain over two years following the intervention. There was no difference in health care visits for back pain in the groups who received exercise only, however there was a 3% decrease in those seeking care for low back pain amongst those who had received the additional education program.
Well, you can make of that what you will. I suppose 3% of a large number of military personnel would translate into a considerable cost saving. As for us civilians maybe more education and knowledge about our problems could mean less pain.
Although I suspect most of us know pretty well as much as those treating us. If you want to read the full report click here.
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Shingles Can Cause Back Pain.
I found this article on the connection between shingles and back pain interesting, having suffered with shingles myself. I've only had the one attack and it didn't affect my back, thank goodness, but some back pain blog readers may relate to this.
As reported on the news8000.com website it seems that a lady went to her chiropractor with pain in her upper right shoulder and back. She thought it was related to lower back pain.
However the pain got worse, and a few days later a rash appeared, which was diagnosed as shingles by her doctor, who put her on antiviral medication. This eventually dealt with the rash, but the pain remained.
Apparently I was one of the lucky ones, as one in five of those diagnosed with shingles suffers complications which result in after shingles pain (PHN), resulting from nerve damage caused by the virus.
This pain can be severe, and last for months, even years. With debilitating effects.
As the lady in question says "If you are over 50 and have unexplained pain, ask your doctor if it might be shingles." The reason being that early diagnosis and treatment can lessen , and even possibly prevent, the development of the virus and lower the risk of PHN.
To read the full story use this link.
As reported on the news8000.com website it seems that a lady went to her chiropractor with pain in her upper right shoulder and back. She thought it was related to lower back pain.
However the pain got worse, and a few days later a rash appeared, which was diagnosed as shingles by her doctor, who put her on antiviral medication. This eventually dealt with the rash, but the pain remained.
Apparently I was one of the lucky ones, as one in five of those diagnosed with shingles suffers complications which result in after shingles pain (PHN), resulting from nerve damage caused by the virus.
This pain can be severe, and last for months, even years. With debilitating effects.
As the lady in question says "If you are over 50 and have unexplained pain, ask your doctor if it might be shingles." The reason being that early diagnosis and treatment can lessen , and even possibly prevent, the development of the virus and lower the risk of PHN.
To read the full story use this link.
Friday, 6 December 2013
Back Pain Has a Direct Link to Posture.
Following on from my post about the Royal walk (click here if you want to remind yourself), this short article on zeenews india.com seems to confirm that Prince Charles is doing something right for his back, albeit unwittingly.
Now a new study, led by Alex Ruhe of Murdoch University, Perth, seems to show that backpain has a direct linear link with a persons posture.
In the study researchers used 200 patients who had low back pain, mid back pain, and neck pain (not sure if each patient had all three, probably not). Asking them to rate their pain at the start form 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).
They were then stood on a solid plate with pressure sensors attached to each corner, and measurements were taken of body sway with their eyes closed, and changes of weight shift recorded. (I hope these volunteers were recompensed well!)
The results were then compared to data from healthy individuals subjected to the same regime.
It was found that body sway increased with higher pain intensities, the increase followed a linear fashion, and results were consistent for the three types of pain.
So, in simple terms yes, posture is important, and my dear old Dad was probably right in constantly telling me not to slouch, and stand up straight. I should've listened!
You can read the full article here.
Now a new study, led by Alex Ruhe of Murdoch University, Perth, seems to show that backpain has a direct linear link with a persons posture.
In the study researchers used 200 patients who had low back pain, mid back pain, and neck pain (not sure if each patient had all three, probably not). Asking them to rate their pain at the start form 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).
They were then stood on a solid plate with pressure sensors attached to each corner, and measurements were taken of body sway with their eyes closed, and changes of weight shift recorded. (I hope these volunteers were recompensed well!)
The results were then compared to data from healthy individuals subjected to the same regime.
It was found that body sway increased with higher pain intensities, the increase followed a linear fashion, and results were consistent for the three types of pain.
So, in simple terms yes, posture is important, and my dear old Dad was probably right in constantly telling me not to slouch, and stand up straight. I should've listened!
You can read the full article here.
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Help Back Pain With These 7 Core Strengthening Exercises
As all this back pain blog readers know I'm a great believer in self help and exercise, where practical, for back pain. Well, I think it helps in a lot of different pain situations.
Anyway I thought readers would be interested in these exercises by Monique Washington (who herself has herniated discs), personal trainer at St. John Siegfried Health Club, Tulsa. As reported by Jason Wright on the Hispanic Business.com website.
Monique is a firm believer in core strengthening, and it does seem to be the in-thing these days. But to quote her "the transverse abdominal muscle is your body's natural girdle. You can't have a healthy back without having a healthy core."
Anyway, if you go to this page she goes on to describe seven core strengthening exercises you might like to try. They are illustrated and fairly straightforward.
You could do worse than give these a try. As always take it easy at first and don't try to do more than you think you can.
Anyway I thought readers would be interested in these exercises by Monique Washington (who herself has herniated discs), personal trainer at St. John Siegfried Health Club, Tulsa. As reported by Jason Wright on the Hispanic Business.com website.
Monique is a firm believer in core strengthening, and it does seem to be the in-thing these days. But to quote her "the transverse abdominal muscle is your body's natural girdle. You can't have a healthy back without having a healthy core."
Anyway, if you go to this page she goes on to describe seven core strengthening exercises you might like to try. They are illustrated and fairly straightforward.
You could do worse than give these a try. As always take it easy at first and don't try to do more than you think you can.
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Bend your knees to avoid back pain.
I'm always interested in practical tips and advice that I can incorporate into my regime, so when I found this article by Dr. Mark Kestner on the murfreesboropost.com site I thought I would share it. It's titled "Avoid back pain in 2012 with these tips", but of course applies to any time you like.
He bases this article on the old premise that we should bend our knees when we lift anything. Sound advice, as he agrees. However his suggestion is to get into the habit of routinely bending the knees when you pick anything up at all, even a pen. Dr. Kestner says that by developing this habit you have a greatly reduced chance of injuring your lower back.
It can be difficult, as we lose strength and flexibility in our legs as we age, so we tend, most of us, to bend at the hips rather than squatting to pick anything up.
He goes on to say that even if you already have back problems (most of us I suppose) developing the habit of bending at the knees can help restore spinal health and avoid future problems.
To read what he has to say in full, including his description and recommendation of one of the most simple and effective basic back exercises, click here.
He bases this article on the old premise that we should bend our knees when we lift anything. Sound advice, as he agrees. However his suggestion is to get into the habit of routinely bending the knees when you pick anything up at all, even a pen. Dr. Kestner says that by developing this habit you have a greatly reduced chance of injuring your lower back.
It can be difficult, as we lose strength and flexibility in our legs as we age, so we tend, most of us, to bend at the hips rather than squatting to pick anything up.
He goes on to say that even if you already have back problems (most of us I suppose) developing the habit of bending at the knees can help restore spinal health and avoid future problems.
To read what he has to say in full, including his description and recommendation of one of the most simple and effective basic back exercises, click here.
Friday, 22 November 2013
Tai-Chi Effective in Managing Chronic Low Back Pain.
Today's back pain blog post is about the first randomised, controlled trial aimed at investigating the effects of the ancient art of Tai-Chi on the reduction of pain and disability. In particular it's effects on low back pain.
In a report by Jennifer Davis on the arthritis today website an Australian study, conducted by Chris Maher PhD, a professor at the University of Sydney, and a director of the George Institute for Global Health, seems to show that people with low back pain experienced a 25% reduction in their pain intensity when they completed tai-chi programs.
Most of the participants agreed that the reduction in pain was a worthwhile result. The study involved 160 chronic low back pain sufferers between the ages of 18 and 70. All having pain of an unspecified origin for at least three months. This is typical of 90-95% of back pain cases.
78 of the study group took part in 40 minute tai-chi classes twice a week for eight weeks, then once a week for two weeks. The remainder of the group continued with their usual fitness and health routines.
After ten weeks the tai-chi group reported a 23% improvement for pain and a 32% improvement for disability. While the control group reported an increase in pain levels.
This seems to me quite a significant result, and the fact that tai-chi is a gentle, non-impact form of discipline, suitable for all ages, makes me wonder why more people in the western world havn't taken it up.
I don't do new year resolutions, but I'm thinking I might just find a local tai-chi group and have a go myself. If you are interested in reading the full report use this link.
In a report by Jennifer Davis on the arthritis today website an Australian study, conducted by Chris Maher PhD, a professor at the University of Sydney, and a director of the George Institute for Global Health, seems to show that people with low back pain experienced a 25% reduction in their pain intensity when they completed tai-chi programs.
Most of the participants agreed that the reduction in pain was a worthwhile result. The study involved 160 chronic low back pain sufferers between the ages of 18 and 70. All having pain of an unspecified origin for at least three months. This is typical of 90-95% of back pain cases.
78 of the study group took part in 40 minute tai-chi classes twice a week for eight weeks, then once a week for two weeks. The remainder of the group continued with their usual fitness and health routines.
After ten weeks the tai-chi group reported a 23% improvement for pain and a 32% improvement for disability. While the control group reported an increase in pain levels.
This seems to me quite a significant result, and the fact that tai-chi is a gentle, non-impact form of discipline, suitable for all ages, makes me wonder why more people in the western world havn't taken it up.
I don't do new year resolutions, but I'm thinking I might just find a local tai-chi group and have a go myself. If you are interested in reading the full report use this link.
Monday, 18 November 2013
Don't Let Back Pain Ruin Your Festive Season.
According to an article on the stamford plus.com website the incidence of back related problems increase dramatically at this time of year. Yes, I can hear the groans from here. Don't blame me. I didn't invent Christmas, but it is looming ever closer and we are stuck with it, like it or not!
Physiatrists Dr. Peter Moley and Dr. Alice Chen practise in Greenwich, and see a large growth in the number of patients coming to them with back pain around this time.
The doctors say there are a number of reasons for this, with stress being a major contributor.
Drs. Moley and Chen have put together a few useful tips to maintain spine health and keep your back pain free during the Christmas holiday season.
I won't list them now. If you want to know what they recommend click here.
Physiatrists Dr. Peter Moley and Dr. Alice Chen practise in Greenwich, and see a large growth in the number of patients coming to them with back pain around this time.
The doctors say there are a number of reasons for this, with stress being a major contributor.
Drs. Moley and Chen have put together a few useful tips to maintain spine health and keep your back pain free during the Christmas holiday season.
I won't list them now. If you want to know what they recommend click here.
Saturday, 16 November 2013
Try The Royal Walk To Beat Back Pain.
We all know that posture is extremely important when it comes to looking after your back. I came across this little piece on the daily mail website the other day which might make you smile.
Apparently physiotherapist Sammy Margo advises her patients to walk like Prince Charles to reduce back pain and maintain a good posture.
Interlink your fingers from each hand behind your back as you stand and walk, just as Prince Charles does. "This will open up your chest and get your shoulders back and down, reversing the slumping posture many people have whilst sitting." She says.
She goes on to say that poor posture throws the body out of it's correct alignment, so certain muscles become overworked, while others, like the stomach muscles, weaken through lack of use. This can cause undue stress and strain, especially on the lower back.
So there you are, pretend you are going on a walkabout like Prince Charles next time you are out and do your back a favour.
You can check out the article on this page.
Apparently physiotherapist Sammy Margo advises her patients to walk like Prince Charles to reduce back pain and maintain a good posture.
Interlink your fingers from each hand behind your back as you stand and walk, just as Prince Charles does. "This will open up your chest and get your shoulders back and down, reversing the slumping posture many people have whilst sitting." She says.
She goes on to say that poor posture throws the body out of it's correct alignment, so certain muscles become overworked, while others, like the stomach muscles, weaken through lack of use. This can cause undue stress and strain, especially on the lower back.
So there you are, pretend you are going on a walkabout like Prince Charles next time you are out and do your back a favour.
You can check out the article on this page.
Thursday, 14 November 2013
Hi-tech Back Surgery For Chronic Back Pain.
Most readers of this back pain blog are well aware that I am no fan of surgical intervention for back pain. However, I do understand and accept that there are times for some people with certain back problems that spinal surgery is the way to go.
If it's really unavoidable then you may want to be living in Canada, preferably within striking distance of Toronto, as that is where neurosurgeon Dr. Howard Ginsberg is using an amazing piece of technology at St. Michael's Hospital to help him operate without opening up the back and exposing the spine.
A story on the Star.com website by Anne-Marie Tobin of The Canadian Press details a case history involving a young woman who suffered with a severe herniated disc problem after a sneeze.
After two "standard" back surgeries, she had reached a point where the pain was that bad she was barely able to walk. At which point she was referred to Dr. Ginsberg who is using a Ziehm 3D intraoperative scanner for spinal surgery.
This machine is accurate to within half a millimetre, and enables surgeons to place screws inside the body in a minimally invasive way. Thus reducing the risk to the patient. Dr. Ginsberg describes it as "like virtual surgery, but you're actually cutting people."
In the case of the young lady in question, she had a five-level spinal fusion. A big operation which would normally involve weeks in hospital, and taking days to get up and start moving around.
She got up the morning following her surgery, and is now living a normal life once more. Quite remarkable. If you want to read the whole story click here.
If it's really unavoidable then you may want to be living in Canada, preferably within striking distance of Toronto, as that is where neurosurgeon Dr. Howard Ginsberg is using an amazing piece of technology at St. Michael's Hospital to help him operate without opening up the back and exposing the spine.
A story on the Star.com website by Anne-Marie Tobin of The Canadian Press details a case history involving a young woman who suffered with a severe herniated disc problem after a sneeze.
After two "standard" back surgeries, she had reached a point where the pain was that bad she was barely able to walk. At which point she was referred to Dr. Ginsberg who is using a Ziehm 3D intraoperative scanner for spinal surgery.
This machine is accurate to within half a millimetre, and enables surgeons to place screws inside the body in a minimally invasive way. Thus reducing the risk to the patient. Dr. Ginsberg describes it as "like virtual surgery, but you're actually cutting people."
In the case of the young lady in question, she had a five-level spinal fusion. A big operation which would normally involve weeks in hospital, and taking days to get up and start moving around.
She got up the morning following her surgery, and is now living a normal life once more. Quite remarkable. If you want to read the whole story click here.
Monday, 11 November 2013
Chronic Back Pain Exercise
One of my back pain blog readers sent me a very nice e-mail the other day. This lady has suffered with chronic back pain for eleven years, “not that long” she says, brave lady. Anyway she tells me her work involves sitting at a desk in front of a computer which does her back no good at all.
Well Denise, I have found a good video which might help you and others in the same situation. This is a nine minute video by Charlie Murdach, demonstrating a Neck and back pain exercise that you can do sitting in your chair whilst at your desk. I do hope you find it useful. Find it here.
Well Denise, I have found a good video which might help you and others in the same situation. This is a nine minute video by Charlie Murdach, demonstrating a Neck and back pain exercise that you can do sitting in your chair whilst at your desk. I do hope you find it useful. Find it here.
Friday, 8 November 2013
Neck pain? Zap it with a laser!
Doctors led by Roberta Chow of the Brain and Mind Research Institute at Australia's University of Sydney have been studying the results of 16 trials, involving a total of 820 patients, on the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of neck pain.
This is known as “cold” laser treatment, which is low level, but sufficient to to stimulate tissue repair and ease pain.
According to the independent.co.uk this treatment resulted in a marked reduction of pain. The improvement lasting for up to 22 weeks. It is non-invasive and the side effects are minimal.
As in many of these pioneering treatments, just why it works is still unclear, although current thinking suggests that it could interfere with pathways of inflammation, muscle tiredness and the transmission of pain signals along nerves.
This treatment is readily available, and you can even buy your own machine if you have £500 to spare!
Read the full story here.
I’ve also found a short video of a patient receiving this treatment. If you want to see what it entails just click this link.
This is known as “cold” laser treatment, which is low level, but sufficient to to stimulate tissue repair and ease pain.
According to the independent.co.uk this treatment resulted in a marked reduction of pain. The improvement lasting for up to 22 weeks. It is non-invasive and the side effects are minimal.
As in many of these pioneering treatments, just why it works is still unclear, although current thinking suggests that it could interfere with pathways of inflammation, muscle tiredness and the transmission of pain signals along nerves.
This treatment is readily available, and you can even buy your own machine if you have £500 to spare!
Read the full story here.
I’ve also found a short video of a patient receiving this treatment. If you want to see what it entails just click this link.
Thursday, 7 November 2013
Shoes for Back and Knee Pain.
I suppose it’s pretty much a given that we have known for some time that bad (incorrectly fitting) shoes can cause us problems. Aggravating existing conditions, and making us prone to them if we don’t already have them.
In this story on express.co.uk by Cheryl Stonehouse it is reported that a 48 year old supermarket manager from Warwickshire has been wearing a particular brand called FitFlops, an Italian Ciabasan half-shoe slipper that is said to boost circulation, for around a year.
She says they have contributed to a weight loss of two stone (28lb) as well as curing her painful feet. Not a bad bonus!
She is quoted as saying "My doctor diagnosed plantar fasciitis 18 months ago and said there was very little that could be done. Since I started wearing the FitFlop sandals and a pair of their boots for the winter the pain has almost disappeared. " Hmmm, I wonder if they’d work for gout?
Medical opinion is divided, but there is no doubt that anything that encourages a decent posture can do nothing but good for our backs and knees.
To learn more go to this link, where you can also find reviews on four different brands.
In this story on express.co.uk by Cheryl Stonehouse it is reported that a 48 year old supermarket manager from Warwickshire has been wearing a particular brand called FitFlops, an Italian Ciabasan half-shoe slipper that is said to boost circulation, for around a year.
She says they have contributed to a weight loss of two stone (28lb) as well as curing her painful feet. Not a bad bonus!
She is quoted as saying "My doctor diagnosed plantar fasciitis 18 months ago and said there was very little that could be done. Since I started wearing the FitFlop sandals and a pair of their boots for the winter the pain has almost disappeared. " Hmmm, I wonder if they’d work for gout?
Medical opinion is divided, but there is no doubt that anything that encourages a decent posture can do nothing but good for our backs and knees.
To learn more go to this link, where you can also find reviews on four different brands.
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Three simple exercises for neck pain.
For back pain blog readers who also suffer, as I do occasionally, with neck pain, I have found three simple exercises on associated content.com by Rose Twain. These exercises can be done at your desk any time you have a few moments. Simple but effective, I shall be using these myself.
Get the exercises here.
Get the exercises here.
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Wii technology provides relief for severe back pain.
This is a fascinating item, reported on bbc.co.uk by Fergus Walsh, where the use of a motion sensor, similar to the type of thing used in the Wii and other game controllers, is linked to a pain blocking implant.
The sensor can tell when a person is standing, sitting, lying etc. and adjusts the implant accordingly for maximum effect relating to the position of that person.
It’s not as complicated as I seem to have made it sound and it’s well explained in the short video on one particular case study which you can find here.
The sensor can tell when a person is standing, sitting, lying etc. and adjusts the implant accordingly for maximum effect relating to the position of that person.
It’s not as complicated as I seem to have made it sound and it’s well explained in the short video on one particular case study which you can find here.
Saturday, 2 November 2013
5 Back Pain Symptoms That May Be Trying To Tell You Something.
It will come as no surprise to back pain information readers that backache is approaching epidemic proportions in the western world, with around 80% of the population likely to suffer with it at some point in their lives.
Fortunately most back ache problems will resolve themselves with little more than basic over the counter painkillers and a little exercise. Just trying to work through it really.
However there are times when things could be a little more serious, and require more specialist treatment. OK, nothing new there, the problem is in deciding when your backpain is a symptom of something you probably ought to discuss with your Doctor, or something you can deal with yourself.
So an article on the daily mail website by Angela Epstein may well be useful. It lists five conditions your back pain may be a symptom of, the most effective treatment, and if you should seek medical intervention.
Very interesting and well worth a look. Find it here.
Fortunately most back ache problems will resolve themselves with little more than basic over the counter painkillers and a little exercise. Just trying to work through it really.
However there are times when things could be a little more serious, and require more specialist treatment. OK, nothing new there, the problem is in deciding when your backpain is a symptom of something you probably ought to discuss with your Doctor, or something you can deal with yourself.
So an article on the daily mail website by Angela Epstein may well be useful. It lists five conditions your back pain may be a symptom of, the most effective treatment, and if you should seek medical intervention.
Very interesting and well worth a look. Find it here.
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Botox For Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief.
Apparently botox isn’t just for wrinkles. According to an article by Meredith Cohn in The Baltimore Sun an assistant professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine in Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's division of pain medicine, Dr. Paul Christo, has been using botox for about four years to treat a condition called thoracic outlet syndrome, a common condition that involves compression of nerves between the base of the neck and armpit. Symptoms include neck pain, headache, numbness and weakness down the arm.
"Most of the public doesn't realize Botox is used for medical purposes," says Dr. Christo "Botox can have more than one effect. It can have a muscle and nerve benefit, and this allows people to do things they couldn't do before, like brush their hair or teeth."
It seems that just one small dose can give substantial relief for up to three months. Don’t all be rushing down to your local beautician now. To read the full article go here.
"Most of the public doesn't realize Botox is used for medical purposes," says Dr. Christo "Botox can have more than one effect. It can have a muscle and nerve benefit, and this allows people to do things they couldn't do before, like brush their hair or teeth."
It seems that just one small dose can give substantial relief for up to three months. Don’t all be rushing down to your local beautician now. To read the full article go here.
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Having Your Leg Broken Can Help Your Knee.
As I've mentioned many times, although this is primarily a blog about back pain, I do like to sometimes include information about neck, shoulder and knee pain also, as I have suffered from them all, and believe that they are all connected in one way or another. So no apologies for this post, which I hope at least some of you will find informative.
Having your leg broken can help your knee.
Well, it worked for a children’s nursery worker from Sheffield, who by the time she was in her twenties was suffering so badly from knee problems it was affecting her life badly, according to an article by Victoria Lambert on telegraph.co.uk.
As she was very young to undergo knee replacement, she would probably have had to have it replaced several times over the years, her consultant surgeon Paul Sutton, of Sheffield Orthopaedics and the Northern General Hospital decided upon a radical new treatment.
He used a computer image-guided system to help him break and then realign her shin bone, so that instead of the inside of her knee taking all the force, the strong healthy outside edge did the work. “It is a simple theory,” explains Mr Sutton, “but the technology is cutting edge.”
The young lady is now pretty much back to leading a normal life. To read the full story use this link.
Having your leg broken can help your knee.
Well, it worked for a children’s nursery worker from Sheffield, who by the time she was in her twenties was suffering so badly from knee problems it was affecting her life badly, according to an article by Victoria Lambert on telegraph.co.uk.
As she was very young to undergo knee replacement, she would probably have had to have it replaced several times over the years, her consultant surgeon Paul Sutton, of Sheffield Orthopaedics and the Northern General Hospital decided upon a radical new treatment.
He used a computer image-guided system to help him break and then realign her shin bone, so that instead of the inside of her knee taking all the force, the strong healthy outside edge did the work. “It is a simple theory,” explains Mr Sutton, “but the technology is cutting edge.”
The young lady is now pretty much back to leading a normal life. To read the full story use this link.
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Beginners Yoga For Back Pain.
Many readers of this blog will be aware that I have learned to be open minded about the various treatment options for back pain that can be found these days.
I have looked at yoga in the past, and tried it for myself, with pretty good results I have to say.
It occurred to me that a video could be useful. I know that I always get things much better when actually shown what to do rather that read about it.
So on my interweb wanderings I found a very good video by yoga teacher Jen Hilman who demonstrates how to relieve pain due to sciatica or tension on the sciatic nerve using simple stretching and yoga poses.
The video shows you the correct way to do two yoga poses; Upward Facing Dog, (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) & The Cobra Pose, (Bhujangasana).
You can follow along with this video to ease and relieve back pain due to sciatica, stress or pain.I hope you find it useful, and I'll keep my eye out for more informative videos. As is usual these days the video is preceeded by an advertisement, but you can skip it after a couple of seconds or so. Don't let it put you off, this is good stuff.
I have looked at yoga in the past, and tried it for myself, with pretty good results I have to say.
It occurred to me that a video could be useful. I know that I always get things much better when actually shown what to do rather that read about it.
So on my interweb wanderings I found a very good video by yoga teacher Jen Hilman who demonstrates how to relieve pain due to sciatica or tension on the sciatic nerve using simple stretching and yoga poses.
The video shows you the correct way to do two yoga poses; Upward Facing Dog, (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) & The Cobra Pose, (Bhujangasana).
You can follow along with this video to ease and relieve back pain due to sciatica, stress or pain.I hope you find it useful, and I'll keep my eye out for more informative videos. As is usual these days the video is preceeded by an advertisement, but you can skip it after a couple of seconds or so. Don't let it put you off, this is good stuff.
Friday, 25 October 2013
Online Back Pain Guide.
Today on the back pain information blog I'd like to point readers in the direction of a new online clinically approved backpain guide recently introduced by the NHS in UK.
If you are not resident in UK that's fine, as it's an online service it's accessible anywhere, courtesy of the good old British taxpayer.
This is a great site, on which you can find out more about how your back works, what can (and often does) go wrong with it, and practical measures you can take on how to prevent back problems from occuring in the first place.
It also covers neck pain, which I suppose could really be called upper back pain as it's all spine related.
The guide is initially broken down into three parts, (a)types of back pain, (b)treating back pain, and (c)preventing back pain. It is then furthur broken down into subsections giving more detail and information. Including "Red Flag" signs when it's definitely time to visit your Doctor.
This tool is full of images and videos illustrating the various do's and don'ts and useful back exercises to do at home. If you never click on another link on this blog do click on this one for quality, free information all about back pain.
If you are not resident in UK that's fine, as it's an online service it's accessible anywhere, courtesy of the good old British taxpayer.
This is a great site, on which you can find out more about how your back works, what can (and often does) go wrong with it, and practical measures you can take on how to prevent back problems from occuring in the first place.
It also covers neck pain, which I suppose could really be called upper back pain as it's all spine related.
The guide is initially broken down into three parts, (a)types of back pain, (b)treating back pain, and (c)preventing back pain. It is then furthur broken down into subsections giving more detail and information. Including "Red Flag" signs when it's definitely time to visit your Doctor.
This tool is full of images and videos illustrating the various do's and don'ts and useful back exercises to do at home. If you never click on another link on this blog do click on this one for quality, free information all about back pain.
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
The Best Exercises to Strengthen Your Back and Prevent Herniated Discs
If you’re experiencing the agony of lower back pain, your first response may be to lie down and take it easy. If the pain is acute – from a recent injury – and accompanied by redness or swelling, 48 to 72 hours of rest and ice packs may be the best immediate remedy. A strain from overexertion typically corrects itself in a day or two without any need for serious medical intervention.
However, if you suffer from chronic back pain, such as that caused by a herniated disc, there are many non-surgical options available to relieve your discomfort. Water treatment therapy, medication or spinal injections are some effective alternatives for herniated disc treatment, but the most common and easily available solution is exercise. Followed safely and carefully, a regular exercise routine is the key to relieving daily pain, preventing reinjury and reducing the chance of long-term disability.
When your muscles are too weak to support your spine, backaches and injuries are more likely. This is why exercises that strengthen your back and stomach muscles can decrease or even eliminate your back pain. Exercise can be a complementary treatment to any of the other options you and your doctor decide are best. For instance, performing a back stretch prior to receiving water treatment therapy may increase the effectiveness of this herniated disk treatment. Best of all, you can practice simple exercises to alleviate back pain at home without any expensive equipment or training.
Exercising Safely
Once your health care professional has given you permission to begin an exercise program, follow these precautions to prevent a reinjury.
• Avoid standing toe touches, sit-ups, double leg lifts or lifting heavy weights higher than your waistline. These movements can aggravate a back problem and cause even more pain.
• If a movement is painful, don’t do it. Some gentle stretching might loosen up a slight bit of stiffness or soreness, but discontinue any exercise that causes severe pain anywhere in your body, even if it is recommended.
• Start slowly. If your pain is chronic or you have been inactive for a long period of time, you might only be able to perform a few repetitions of a stretch before tiring. That’s alright! Start where your body is comfortable and increase slowly as your back and stomach muscles gain strength.
• Consult with a physical therapist if you’re unsure of how to perform the exercises or if your condition worsens after exercise.
Warm Up
Spend 5-10 minutes walking or riding a stationary bicycle at a gentle pace. Light activity warms the muscles by increasing blood flow. Warming up is essential because it reduces the chance of injury while exercising.
Stretch
Shortened muscles may be the cause of your back pain. If so, stretching may be the remedy. Back muscles that are tightened or “short” can pull the spine out of alignment, causing pain and increasing the possibility of injury. Stretching lengthens the muscles and improves the spine’s mobility. Remember to breathe while you stretch. Exhale during the most difficult part of the stretch and inhale as you release the hold.
• Back Stretch – Place a mat or blanket on the floor and lie on your stomach. Bend your arms at a 90-degree angle and place your open hands on the mat in line with your chest. Keep your hands close to your body. Slowly lift your upper body off the floor and hold the position for a count of five if you can. Relax and repeat up to 10 times.
• Pelvic Tilt – Lie on your back with the soles of your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. Press the small of your back into the floor (or near it) using only the stretch of your stomach muscles, not the leverage of your feet. Count to five and slowly release. Repeat up to 10 times.
• Knee to Chest – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Bring one knee up to your chest, and press it into your body with your hands. Hold for 5 to 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg. Repeat up to 10 times.
• Cat Stretch – While on your hands and knees, allow your stomach to relax towards the floor. Arch your back slowly, as if you’re trying to touch the ceiling with your mid-back, and slowly relax to neutral position. Repeat up to 10 times.
Most people can do warm ups and stretches on a daily basis. Try to increase the number of repetitions as your muscles get stronger and more flexible over time. Practicing these exercises regularly in conjunction with your doctor’s herniated disc treatment plan will produce optimum benefits.
If your back pain persists in spite of exercise and alternative therapies, surgery may be the next step. New technologies such as SpineJet, a hydrosurgery tool, can be safer, faster and more effective that traditional surgical techniques for some types of spinal surgery. If you’ve been avoiding a necessary operation due to anxiety about the surgical process, speak with your surgeon about SpineJet and other modern surgical technologies that might make your procedure less intimidating. Don’t let fear stand in the way of doing what’s best for your back; take control of your health by strengthening your muscles with exercise and getting the help you need to treat and prevent herniated discs.
This guest post article was provided by Paul Kowalski who is the VP of Marketing at Hydrocision. It has been estimated that more than 60 million people worldwide experience chronic lower back pain, which is often caused by herniated or bulging spinal discs, a leading cause of disability among Americans less than 45 years of age.
However, if you suffer from chronic back pain, such as that caused by a herniated disc, there are many non-surgical options available to relieve your discomfort. Water treatment therapy, medication or spinal injections are some effective alternatives for herniated disc treatment, but the most common and easily available solution is exercise. Followed safely and carefully, a regular exercise routine is the key to relieving daily pain, preventing reinjury and reducing the chance of long-term disability.
When your muscles are too weak to support your spine, backaches and injuries are more likely. This is why exercises that strengthen your back and stomach muscles can decrease or even eliminate your back pain. Exercise can be a complementary treatment to any of the other options you and your doctor decide are best. For instance, performing a back stretch prior to receiving water treatment therapy may increase the effectiveness of this herniated disk treatment. Best of all, you can practice simple exercises to alleviate back pain at home without any expensive equipment or training.
Exercising Safely
Once your health care professional has given you permission to begin an exercise program, follow these precautions to prevent a reinjury.
• Avoid standing toe touches, sit-ups, double leg lifts or lifting heavy weights higher than your waistline. These movements can aggravate a back problem and cause even more pain.
• If a movement is painful, don’t do it. Some gentle stretching might loosen up a slight bit of stiffness or soreness, but discontinue any exercise that causes severe pain anywhere in your body, even if it is recommended.
• Start slowly. If your pain is chronic or you have been inactive for a long period of time, you might only be able to perform a few repetitions of a stretch before tiring. That’s alright! Start where your body is comfortable and increase slowly as your back and stomach muscles gain strength.
• Consult with a physical therapist if you’re unsure of how to perform the exercises or if your condition worsens after exercise.
Warm Up
Spend 5-10 minutes walking or riding a stationary bicycle at a gentle pace. Light activity warms the muscles by increasing blood flow. Warming up is essential because it reduces the chance of injury while exercising.
Stretch
Shortened muscles may be the cause of your back pain. If so, stretching may be the remedy. Back muscles that are tightened or “short” can pull the spine out of alignment, causing pain and increasing the possibility of injury. Stretching lengthens the muscles and improves the spine’s mobility. Remember to breathe while you stretch. Exhale during the most difficult part of the stretch and inhale as you release the hold.
• Back Stretch – Place a mat or blanket on the floor and lie on your stomach. Bend your arms at a 90-degree angle and place your open hands on the mat in line with your chest. Keep your hands close to your body. Slowly lift your upper body off the floor and hold the position for a count of five if you can. Relax and repeat up to 10 times.
• Pelvic Tilt – Lie on your back with the soles of your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. Press the small of your back into the floor (or near it) using only the stretch of your stomach muscles, not the leverage of your feet. Count to five and slowly release. Repeat up to 10 times.
• Knee to Chest – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Bring one knee up to your chest, and press it into your body with your hands. Hold for 5 to 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg. Repeat up to 10 times.
• Cat Stretch – While on your hands and knees, allow your stomach to relax towards the floor. Arch your back slowly, as if you’re trying to touch the ceiling with your mid-back, and slowly relax to neutral position. Repeat up to 10 times.
Most people can do warm ups and stretches on a daily basis. Try to increase the number of repetitions as your muscles get stronger and more flexible over time. Practicing these exercises regularly in conjunction with your doctor’s herniated disc treatment plan will produce optimum benefits.
If your back pain persists in spite of exercise and alternative therapies, surgery may be the next step. New technologies such as SpineJet, a hydrosurgery tool, can be safer, faster and more effective that traditional surgical techniques for some types of spinal surgery. If you’ve been avoiding a necessary operation due to anxiety about the surgical process, speak with your surgeon about SpineJet and other modern surgical technologies that might make your procedure less intimidating. Don’t let fear stand in the way of doing what’s best for your back; take control of your health by strengthening your muscles with exercise and getting the help you need to treat and prevent herniated discs.
This guest post article was provided by Paul Kowalski who is the VP of Marketing at Hydrocision. It has been estimated that more than 60 million people worldwide experience chronic lower back pain, which is often caused by herniated or bulging spinal discs, a leading cause of disability among Americans less than 45 years of age.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Epidural Steroid Injection For Back Pain.
Back pain and the epidural steroid injection have become almost inextricably linked over the past few years, as these injections have frequently been used to ascertain the cause of backpain.
I myself have been subject to these as I'm guessing have many readers of this back pain blog. I have to say in my own case to no great effect as a diagnostic tool.
An epidural steroid injection (ESI, yes yet another acronym) is probably the most common injection given to back pain sufferers.
As we all know back pain is notorious in that it can be an excruciating and debilitating condition for a while and then, for no particular reason that we can see, will disappear of it's own accord. The sufferer may never have another attack. Or it may reoccur within days, weeks , months, or indeed years.
Chronic back pain however does require medical intervention, especially in cases where there is difficulty in passing water, numbness in the back or genital area, pain and weakness in the leg(s), or an unsteady feeling whilst standing. In these cases a swift visit to the doctor is called for.
Patients in this condition are very often given spinal injections for two reasons. One to find out the actual cause of the pain, and two, to treat it. Injections used to provide relief (albeit temporary in most cases) are referred to as therapeutic injections. Those used as a diagnostic tool are generally ESI's.
The epidural space is the space between the spinal cord, well strictly speaking the covering of the spinal cord, and the inside of the spinal canal. Injections into this space does ensure that any medication is able to cover all the nerve routes to give back pain relief. So ESI's are a very effective treatment and diagnostic tool.
As many readers will be aware, spinal injections of this type can be very painful in their own right, so in most cases where they are used a prior injection of the local anaesthetic lidocain is administered first. This is harmless, fast acting, and wears off usually within a couple of hours or so.
Epidural steroid injections are usually given in one of three different ways. The most commonly used method when looking to reduce back pain is what is called the translumbar approach. Here the needle is positioned between the vertebrae from the back.
Another method is when a caudal block is placed through the sacral gap (the space below the lumbar spine) and the injection is then administered into the epidural space. This method greatly reduces the chance of the needle puncturing the covering of the spinal cord (the dura).
The third way is more of a diagnostic method, involving injection around specific nerve roots to determine the exact area where the problem lies. There are a few instances where the use of spinal injections are contra-indicated, such as in the case of those taking platelet-inhibiting drugs like aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's, don't you just love all these acronyms?).
Although this technology is by medical standards now quite old it still has a valuable role in many cases of chronic back pain. If you want to learn a bit more try this link.
I myself have been subject to these as I'm guessing have many readers of this back pain blog. I have to say in my own case to no great effect as a diagnostic tool.
An epidural steroid injection (ESI, yes yet another acronym) is probably the most common injection given to back pain sufferers.
As we all know back pain is notorious in that it can be an excruciating and debilitating condition for a while and then, for no particular reason that we can see, will disappear of it's own accord. The sufferer may never have another attack. Or it may reoccur within days, weeks , months, or indeed years.
Chronic back pain however does require medical intervention, especially in cases where there is difficulty in passing water, numbness in the back or genital area, pain and weakness in the leg(s), or an unsteady feeling whilst standing. In these cases a swift visit to the doctor is called for.
Patients in this condition are very often given spinal injections for two reasons. One to find out the actual cause of the pain, and two, to treat it. Injections used to provide relief (albeit temporary in most cases) are referred to as therapeutic injections. Those used as a diagnostic tool are generally ESI's.
The epidural space is the space between the spinal cord, well strictly speaking the covering of the spinal cord, and the inside of the spinal canal. Injections into this space does ensure that any medication is able to cover all the nerve routes to give back pain relief. So ESI's are a very effective treatment and diagnostic tool.
As many readers will be aware, spinal injections of this type can be very painful in their own right, so in most cases where they are used a prior injection of the local anaesthetic lidocain is administered first. This is harmless, fast acting, and wears off usually within a couple of hours or so.
Epidural steroid injections are usually given in one of three different ways. The most commonly used method when looking to reduce back pain is what is called the translumbar approach. Here the needle is positioned between the vertebrae from the back.
Another method is when a caudal block is placed through the sacral gap (the space below the lumbar spine) and the injection is then administered into the epidural space. This method greatly reduces the chance of the needle puncturing the covering of the spinal cord (the dura).
The third way is more of a diagnostic method, involving injection around specific nerve roots to determine the exact area where the problem lies. There are a few instances where the use of spinal injections are contra-indicated, such as in the case of those taking platelet-inhibiting drugs like aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's, don't you just love all these acronyms?).
Although this technology is by medical standards now quite old it still has a valuable role in many cases of chronic back pain. If you want to learn a bit more try this link.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Drugs For Back Pain Still The Most Profitable.
I suppose it should come as no great surprise to us that, according to forecasts by Decision Resources, a well known analytic and information company in the healthcare sector, drugs produced for the treatment of back pain and arthritis related pain will continue to be the most lucrative sector of the overall market for chronic pain treatment up to at least 2020.
Lynne Taylor reports on the forecast on the pharmatimes.com website, and it make interesting reading. It also says that the market will remain at a stable £20 billion a year. Not a bad business to be in.
An interesting development is the response of the pharmaceutical companies to the growing problem of prescription opioid abuse. They are experimenting with incorporating abuse deterrent ingredients into their newer formulations.
To read more use this link.
Lynne Taylor reports on the forecast on the pharmatimes.com website, and it make interesting reading. It also says that the market will remain at a stable £20 billion a year. Not a bad business to be in.
An interesting development is the response of the pharmaceutical companies to the growing problem of prescription opioid abuse. They are experimenting with incorporating abuse deterrent ingredients into their newer formulations.
To read more use this link.
Friday, 11 October 2013
Ozone Therapy for Back Pain.
Some back pain blog readers will recall that I purchased an ozonator a while back in order to make my own ozonated drinking water as an experiment to see if it had any beneficial effect. In particular my intermittent backache problems.
Well, as far as that goes I have been drinking ozonated water every day for a while now and to be perfectly honest I haven't noticed any great difference. At my age you expect a few ups and downs, some days better than others etc. And as far as the back is concerned, I haven't had any problems recently, but as it is intermittent that doesn't really prove anything.
Anyway, that wasn't really the point of this post, I just thought I'd mention it as I found an article on cbs news.com about an experimental treatment for chronic back pain being researched by Thomas Lehnhert M.D. assistant professor of radiology at Franfurt (Germany) University.
This involves spinal injections of ozone gas and steroids, which has apparently had good results in reducing pain in more than two-thirds of a test group of 327 people with back problems related to a herniated disc.
This treatment seems most effective with this kind of problem, and could help many patients with chronic back pain to avoid back surgery, with it's problematic record.
This ozone therapy works by reducing inflammation, shrinking herniated discs and relieving pressure on the nerves which send pain signals to the brain. The steriod content of the injection acts to furthur reduce inflammation.
Promising stuff, and if you do suffer with a herniated disc you may be interested to read further here.
Well, as far as that goes I have been drinking ozonated water every day for a while now and to be perfectly honest I haven't noticed any great difference. At my age you expect a few ups and downs, some days better than others etc. And as far as the back is concerned, I haven't had any problems recently, but as it is intermittent that doesn't really prove anything.
Anyway, that wasn't really the point of this post, I just thought I'd mention it as I found an article on cbs news.com about an experimental treatment for chronic back pain being researched by Thomas Lehnhert M.D. assistant professor of radiology at Franfurt (Germany) University.
This involves spinal injections of ozone gas and steroids, which has apparently had good results in reducing pain in more than two-thirds of a test group of 327 people with back problems related to a herniated disc.
This treatment seems most effective with this kind of problem, and could help many patients with chronic back pain to avoid back surgery, with it's problematic record.
This ozone therapy works by reducing inflammation, shrinking herniated discs and relieving pressure on the nerves which send pain signals to the brain. The steriod content of the injection acts to furthur reduce inflammation.
Promising stuff, and if you do suffer with a herniated disc you may be interested to read further here.
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Back Pain Sufferers Who Work Through Their Pain Do Better.
As I'm sure I've mentioned before, when I first developed back pain years ago I was told by my Doctor to rest and not overdo things, along with the pain-killers of course.
Now we know differently (we think), and the current advice is to keep as active as possible, despite the pain. This advice seems to be borne out by recent research by Olaya Contreras at the Sahigrenska Academy University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
According to an article on science daily.com, 109 patients with acute low back pain were randomly advised in two ways. One group were told to "stay active even though it hurts." The other was told to "adjust your activity to the pain."
Unsurprisingly to me (having for some time now followed the stay active routine) the group advised to stay active recovered more quickly with fewer problems, such as depression, at the end of the trial.
The full report can be found here.
Now we know differently (we think), and the current advice is to keep as active as possible, despite the pain. This advice seems to be borne out by recent research by Olaya Contreras at the Sahigrenska Academy University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
According to an article on science daily.com, 109 patients with acute low back pain were randomly advised in two ways. One group were told to "stay active even though it hurts." The other was told to "adjust your activity to the pain."
Unsurprisingly to me (having for some time now followed the stay active routine) the group advised to stay active recovered more quickly with fewer problems, such as depression, at the end of the trial.
The full report can be found here.
Monday, 7 October 2013
Understanding The Basics of Back Pain.
I never think it hurts to get back (pardon the pun) to basics occasionally, and I found this video, featuring Dr. Vijay Vad, M.D. on the backpain again.com website.
I also believe that in order to cope with something we first need to understand it. Back pain being no exception. So some of you may find this informative and useful.
I also believe that in order to cope with something we first need to understand it. Back pain being no exception. So some of you may find this informative and useful.
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Back Pain Relief With 10 Natural Remedies
As all readers of this back pain blog will know by now, I am quite a fan of natural remedies. Not that I have anything against prescription medicines. Everything has it's place. But I definitely feel that natural methods are always worth a try.
So, when I chanced upon this article on Ivillage.com I thought I would pass it on. In it David Leopold M.D. from the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla, California, describes ten natural methods you can try to ease your back pain. He also doesn't have a problem with conventional treatments such as muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories, but says they can often have side effects.
He starts off by stating that the very first you need to do before anything else is to rule out any serious underlying conditions such as spinal or nerve injury that might be causing your back problems. Having gotten a clean bill of health, you can then try natural remedies.
I'm not going to list them all on this post, they are comprehensively dealt with in the article, which you can find here. Some, like myself, you will undoubtedly have heard of, but I'll bet there are one or two that will be new to you. Avocado-Soybean Unsaporifiables for instance. That's a new one one to me, as well as botanical anti-inflammatories.
Anyway, check it out, you just might find something useful for your backache.
So, when I chanced upon this article on Ivillage.com I thought I would pass it on. In it David Leopold M.D. from the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla, California, describes ten natural methods you can try to ease your back pain. He also doesn't have a problem with conventional treatments such as muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories, but says they can often have side effects.
He starts off by stating that the very first you need to do before anything else is to rule out any serious underlying conditions such as spinal or nerve injury that might be causing your back problems. Having gotten a clean bill of health, you can then try natural remedies.
I'm not going to list them all on this post, they are comprehensively dealt with in the article, which you can find here. Some, like myself, you will undoubtedly have heard of, but I'll bet there are one or two that will be new to you. Avocado-Soybean Unsaporifiables for instance. That's a new one one to me, as well as botanical anti-inflammatories.
Anyway, check it out, you just might find something useful for your backache.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Physiocise to Treat and Prevent Recurrent Back Pain.
OK, I'll own up. I'd never heard of physiocise until I chanced upon this story on theaustralian.com site.
As you might expect, this is a relatively recent treatment in medical terms, founded by physiotherapist Anna-Louise Bouvier in Sydney, Australia, with one patient in 1995.
From those small beginnings it has expanded to 110 classes a week with two practices and 16 instructors helping 1300 people.
Physiocise is apparently a system of specialised exercises which are designed to treat and prevent recurrent back pain, taught by qualified physiotherapists.
The idea is to look at the whole body, not just the part that is in pain. The aim is to rebuild the back, posture, and body from your brain to your backside and beyond.
The holistic approach in itself is not new, but physiocise certainly has its converts. One such being Al Baxter, the Australian rugby prop-forward.
In his own words: "We were first introduced to physiocise back in 1999 and it took six weeks to see any benefit," Baxter says. "Throughout my career I have been doing the exercises and it has paid off. None more so back in 2004 when I was getting epidural injections in my spine and was told that I might not be able to play again and I couldn't do squats. I was able to strengthen my back, stop the injections and continue playing rugby for another seven years."
Well, if it works for him! I'm not sure how widely available this treatment is if you're not an Australian. I've had a very quick search and I've found clinics offering it in London, and Ireland. There's also a book. I'm sure it won't be long until it's available in most places.
If you want to read the full story you can use this link.
As you might expect, this is a relatively recent treatment in medical terms, founded by physiotherapist Anna-Louise Bouvier in Sydney, Australia, with one patient in 1995.
From those small beginnings it has expanded to 110 classes a week with two practices and 16 instructors helping 1300 people.
Physiocise is apparently a system of specialised exercises which are designed to treat and prevent recurrent back pain, taught by qualified physiotherapists.
The idea is to look at the whole body, not just the part that is in pain. The aim is to rebuild the back, posture, and body from your brain to your backside and beyond.
The holistic approach in itself is not new, but physiocise certainly has its converts. One such being Al Baxter, the Australian rugby prop-forward.
In his own words: "We were first introduced to physiocise back in 1999 and it took six weeks to see any benefit," Baxter says. "Throughout my career I have been doing the exercises and it has paid off. None more so back in 2004 when I was getting epidural injections in my spine and was told that I might not be able to play again and I couldn't do squats. I was able to strengthen my back, stop the injections and continue playing rugby for another seven years."
Well, if it works for him! I'm not sure how widely available this treatment is if you're not an Australian. I've had a very quick search and I've found clinics offering it in London, and Ireland. There's also a book. I'm sure it won't be long until it's available in most places.
If you want to read the full story you can use this link.
Saturday, 28 September 2013
What Causes Back Pain?
Ah yes, the age old question for back pain sufferers. And whilst much bad back pain has no specific cause, as many of this back pain blog readers will frustratingly know only too well, there are plenty of instances when the cause can be identified. An important step towards effective treatment.
To that end, as an interesting article and video on the science daily.com website highlights, doctors have recently returned to a decades old test which has proved it's effectiveness as a diagnostic tool for back problems with new research.
The test is an electromyogram (EMG) which in simple terms measure the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. The beauty of the EMG, as oposed to an MRI scan which just takes a picture of say, the spine, is that it registers electrical activity in the muscles surrounding the spine.
According to Andrew Haig, a physician and professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Health System, “Taking a photo of a car with a dent in it isn’t going to tell you whether the radio works, and taking a photo of an old spine isn’t going to tell you if it hurts.”
The test can potentially rule out disc problems, and has almost zero false positives. Thus avoiding back surgery when it is unnecessary. The fact that the EMG test is significantly cheaper than an MRI also makes it a very useful option.
The slight drawback that EMG results are more difficult to interpret than a standard MRI does put some practitioners off using it. But Professor Haig is convinced that there is no good reason why doctors should avoid the test as a cheap and effective way of pinpointing the source of a serious back pain.
To read the full article and watch the video go here.
To that end, as an interesting article and video on the science daily.com website highlights, doctors have recently returned to a decades old test which has proved it's effectiveness as a diagnostic tool for back problems with new research.
The test is an electromyogram (EMG) which in simple terms measure the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. The beauty of the EMG, as oposed to an MRI scan which just takes a picture of say, the spine, is that it registers electrical activity in the muscles surrounding the spine.
According to Andrew Haig, a physician and professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Health System, “Taking a photo of a car with a dent in it isn’t going to tell you whether the radio works, and taking a photo of an old spine isn’t going to tell you if it hurts.”
The test can potentially rule out disc problems, and has almost zero false positives. Thus avoiding back surgery when it is unnecessary. The fact that the EMG test is significantly cheaper than an MRI also makes it a very useful option.
The slight drawback that EMG results are more difficult to interpret than a standard MRI does put some practitioners off using it. But Professor Haig is convinced that there is no good reason why doctors should avoid the test as a cheap and effective way of pinpointing the source of a serious back pain.
To read the full article and watch the video go here.
Thursday, 26 September 2013
The Most Common Causes of Herniated Discs and How to Avoid Them
Occasionally I am approached by someone who would like to post a guest post on this blog, and if I feel that it would be of interest to my readers I'm more than happy to oblige. Let's face it, that's less work for me!
So today this guest post article was provided by Paul Kowalski, who is the VP of marketing at Hydrocision. SpineJet is a proven new technology that harnesses the power of water for herniated disc treatment for chronic lower back pain.
I think this is very interesting stuff. I hope you enjoy it.
Have you or someone you love been diagnosed with a herniated disc? If you’ve been suffering from lower back pain for some time, then it might be a relief to finally have a name for your condition.
However, now you may have more questions than answers. How did this happen? Did it result from an injury or some repeated activity? Is there a cure? Could you have prevented it? Before you can begin to evaluate the treatment options that are available for a herniated disc, it is important to understand exactly what it is and what may have caused it. Furthermore, knowing the most common causes of herniated discs is also the best way to reduce the risk of it happening again.
Your spine consists of a stack of bones called the vertebrae, which extend from the base of your skull all the way down to your tailbone, or coccyx. The vertebrae design provides flexible support for your body while at the same time protecting the spinal cord, which is the central nervous tissue housed inside of the vertebral column.
Between each of the vertebrae are discs that serve to cushion them from the constant impact of body movement. A “herniation” occurs when one of these discs ruptures, which can put pressure on the adjacent nerve and cause severe pain. Herniated discs are actually quite common and affect 1 in 3 adults. However, only 3% of those produce painful symptoms that require treatment.
So what causes an intervertebral disc to herniate? Unfortunately, Time is a major factor in disc herniation, as the discs in the spine naturally degenerate and become thinner with age. While you may not be able to turn back the clock, three are steps you can take to protect your precious discs from the following common risk factors for herniation.
Heavy Lifting
Many of the worst back injuries occur as a result of heavy lifting. When a person lifts a load heavier than what he or she is capable of handling, the back is the most vulnerable part of the body. Injuries caused by heavy lifting, including herniated discs, usually occur in the lower back around the fifth lumbar vertebra. Some people find that stretching helps to alleviate the pain caused by heavy lifting injuries. Others prefer water treatment therapy. You can prevent these kinds of back injuries by improving the strength of your abdominal muscles, always squatting down to lift rather than bending over, and avoiding
heavy lifting altogether.
Athletic Injury
Athletes can develop herniated discs from experiencing a traumatic strain on the back or simply the daily wear and tear of their sports. If the ruptured disc pinches the sciatic nerve, this can result in shooting pain throughout the lower back and down the leg. Common treatments for sciatica pain include massage, application of heat, water treatment therapy, and rest. Proper training and stretching are the best ways to prevent sports-related herniated discs. Athletes must care for their bodies appropriately and not overdo it out on the field.
Repetitive Vibratory Motion
Truck drivers and large machine operators are at a greater risk of developing herniated discs due to the repeated up-and-down motion they undergo on a daily basis. The constant vibration puts tremendous pressure on the spine and causes the intervertebral discs to degenerate prematurely. Pain resulting from repetitive motion injuries is often treated with medication and physical therapy, and sometimes minimally invasive spine surgery may be warranted. People who do this kind of work should take frequent breaks and wear protective braces to support their backs and prevent disc rupture.
Millions of people live with herniated discs, and new treatments are emerging every day. Whether your intervertebral disc ruptured because of a back injury or simply due to age, you don’t have to suffer with the pain any longer. Non-surgical solutions are available including medication, exercise, and various physical therapies like water treatment therapy.
If, after trying these treatment alternatives, your doctor feels that minimally invasive spine surgery is the best option, then be sure to ask him/her about SpineJet. SpineJet is a new hydrosurgery tool that uses a thin, supersonic stream of water rather than a laser or blade. This new technology allows the surgeon to perform major surgeries more quickly, safely, and easily and with fewer risks of complications than ever before. If all else fails, SpineJet may be the solution for your herniated disc.
So today this guest post article was provided by Paul Kowalski, who is the VP of marketing at Hydrocision. SpineJet is a proven new technology that harnesses the power of water for herniated disc treatment for chronic lower back pain.
I think this is very interesting stuff. I hope you enjoy it.
However, now you may have more questions than answers. How did this happen? Did it result from an injury or some repeated activity? Is there a cure? Could you have prevented it? Before you can begin to evaluate the treatment options that are available for a herniated disc, it is important to understand exactly what it is and what may have caused it. Furthermore, knowing the most common causes of herniated discs is also the best way to reduce the risk of it happening again.
Your spine consists of a stack of bones called the vertebrae, which extend from the base of your skull all the way down to your tailbone, or coccyx. The vertebrae design provides flexible support for your body while at the same time protecting the spinal cord, which is the central nervous tissue housed inside of the vertebral column.
Between each of the vertebrae are discs that serve to cushion them from the constant impact of body movement. A “herniation” occurs when one of these discs ruptures, which can put pressure on the adjacent nerve and cause severe pain. Herniated discs are actually quite common and affect 1 in 3 adults. However, only 3% of those produce painful symptoms that require treatment.
So what causes an intervertebral disc to herniate? Unfortunately, Time is a major factor in disc herniation, as the discs in the spine naturally degenerate and become thinner with age. While you may not be able to turn back the clock, three are steps you can take to protect your precious discs from the following common risk factors for herniation.
Heavy Lifting
Many of the worst back injuries occur as a result of heavy lifting. When a person lifts a load heavier than what he or she is capable of handling, the back is the most vulnerable part of the body. Injuries caused by heavy lifting, including herniated discs, usually occur in the lower back around the fifth lumbar vertebra. Some people find that stretching helps to alleviate the pain caused by heavy lifting injuries. Others prefer water treatment therapy. You can prevent these kinds of back injuries by improving the strength of your abdominal muscles, always squatting down to lift rather than bending over, and avoiding
heavy lifting altogether.
Athletic Injury
Athletes can develop herniated discs from experiencing a traumatic strain on the back or simply the daily wear and tear of their sports. If the ruptured disc pinches the sciatic nerve, this can result in shooting pain throughout the lower back and down the leg. Common treatments for sciatica pain include massage, application of heat, water treatment therapy, and rest. Proper training and stretching are the best ways to prevent sports-related herniated discs. Athletes must care for their bodies appropriately and not overdo it out on the field.
Repetitive Vibratory Motion
Truck drivers and large machine operators are at a greater risk of developing herniated discs due to the repeated up-and-down motion they undergo on a daily basis. The constant vibration puts tremendous pressure on the spine and causes the intervertebral discs to degenerate prematurely. Pain resulting from repetitive motion injuries is often treated with medication and physical therapy, and sometimes minimally invasive spine surgery may be warranted. People who do this kind of work should take frequent breaks and wear protective braces to support their backs and prevent disc rupture.
Millions of people live with herniated discs, and new treatments are emerging every day. Whether your intervertebral disc ruptured because of a back injury or simply due to age, you don’t have to suffer with the pain any longer. Non-surgical solutions are available including medication, exercise, and various physical therapies like water treatment therapy.
If, after trying these treatment alternatives, your doctor feels that minimally invasive spine surgery is the best option, then be sure to ask him/her about SpineJet. SpineJet is a new hydrosurgery tool that uses a thin, supersonic stream of water rather than a laser or blade. This new technology allows the surgeon to perform major surgeries more quickly, safely, and easily and with fewer risks of complications than ever before. If all else fails, SpineJet may be the solution for your herniated disc.
Monday, 23 September 2013
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Relief Device On The Way.
Lumbar spinal stenosis affects more than 4 million people in the USA alone, who are left with debilitating lower back pain even after conventional therapies, but do not wish to seek surgical intervention such as fusion.
So says a report on news channel wfmz.com, reporting on Applied Spine Technologies milestone of their 100th patient enrolled in the clinical trial of their Stabilimax NZ Dynamic Spine Stabilization System.
Sounds a bit of a mouthful, but to keep it simple, it's a device impanted in the lower back to support injured or degenerated spines.
Unlike spinal fusion the Stabilimax is designed to treat the patients leg and back pain whilst preserving motion in the spine, a more natural solution.
At the moment this device is at the evaluation and investigative stage only. The company is expecting to eventually enroll 400 participants in the trial, comparing the Stabilimax VZ treatment to spinal fusion surgery in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
This looks very promising. Read the unabridged version here.
So says a report on news channel wfmz.com, reporting on Applied Spine Technologies milestone of their 100th patient enrolled in the clinical trial of their Stabilimax NZ Dynamic Spine Stabilization System.
Sounds a bit of a mouthful, but to keep it simple, it's a device impanted in the lower back to support injured or degenerated spines.
Unlike spinal fusion the Stabilimax is designed to treat the patients leg and back pain whilst preserving motion in the spine, a more natural solution.
At the moment this device is at the evaluation and investigative stage only. The company is expecting to eventually enroll 400 participants in the trial, comparing the Stabilimax VZ treatment to spinal fusion surgery in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
This looks very promising. Read the unabridged version here.
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Three Everyday Items You Can Use to Ease Your Back Pain.
I love to find items like this article by Dr. Jay Adlersberg on the abc local.go.com website.
In it he details just how you can use three cheap and easily obtainable items to treat your bad back yourself at home.
Dr. Adlersberg has done this himself and found it effective. All you need are a lacrosse ball, a stick (two handles and some plastic rollers), and a foam roller. Regarding the lacrosse ball, I personally have found a tennis ball to be very effective and a lot cheaper and more easily obtainable (here in UK anyway).
There's a video on the article page which explains it much better than I can, and shows you how to use them to best effect. Together with links to sites where you can find more exercises to do with them.
Good, practical stuff and well worth a look. Oh, you may have to sit through a 10 second ad before the video proper starts, but it's worth it. Go here.
In it he details just how you can use three cheap and easily obtainable items to treat your bad back yourself at home.
Dr. Adlersberg has done this himself and found it effective. All you need are a lacrosse ball, a stick (two handles and some plastic rollers), and a foam roller. Regarding the lacrosse ball, I personally have found a tennis ball to be very effective and a lot cheaper and more easily obtainable (here in UK anyway).
There's a video on the article page which explains it much better than I can, and shows you how to use them to best effect. Together with links to sites where you can find more exercises to do with them.
Good, practical stuff and well worth a look. Oh, you may have to sit through a 10 second ad before the video proper starts, but it's worth it. Go here.
Monday, 16 September 2013
Back Pain in Children and Teens.
I never really thought about this until I chanced upon an article by Dr. Mohan Krishna on the medwonders.com website.
I suppose it's true that we tend to think of back pain as an adult condition. However Dr. Krishna makes the point that studies have shown that nearly half of school-age children have a sore back.
This is often put down as "growing pains" due to the myth that backpain is rare in children. However back problems in children need to be evaluated with more than usual thoroughness, by a specialist if need be, as the chances of a serious condition developing are more common in children.
Younger children are less likely to put mechanical stress on their back than teenagers, so their back problems are more likely to be of a non-mechanical nature and potentially more serious (infection, deformity, tumours etc.).
It is therefore appropriate to investigate back pain in children at a much lower threshold. And he goes on to list some red flag signs when such investigation would be justified.
This makes good reading, especially if you have teens or younger children in your family and they complain of back problems. You can go to the article here.
I suppose it's true that we tend to think of back pain as an adult condition. However Dr. Krishna makes the point that studies have shown that nearly half of school-age children have a sore back.
This is often put down as "growing pains" due to the myth that backpain is rare in children. However back problems in children need to be evaluated with more than usual thoroughness, by a specialist if need be, as the chances of a serious condition developing are more common in children.
Younger children are less likely to put mechanical stress on their back than teenagers, so their back problems are more likely to be of a non-mechanical nature and potentially more serious (infection, deformity, tumours etc.).
It is therefore appropriate to investigate back pain in children at a much lower threshold. And he goes on to list some red flag signs when such investigation would be justified.
This makes good reading, especially if you have teens or younger children in your family and they complain of back problems. You can go to the article here.
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Whales With Back Pain - Whatever Next!
In the immortal words of Monty Python, "and now for something completely different." It's not just us humans that suffer back problems.
I found this story by Dwayne Bevil on the Orlando Sentinel website and couldn't resist passing it on. If you think you have back problems how do you think a whale would feel?
Vets and other animal experts are making news by fitting a 1000 pound female pilot whale with a custom brace to help her severe scoliosis.
The whale, who has been called "300" for some reason, was one of several who beached themselves in the Florida Keys in May 2011. She was taken to SeaWorlds Cetation Rehabilitation Facility where she developed severe scoliosis, making it difficult for her to swim normally.
She has been given physical therapy by staff three times a day, but about four weeks ago SeaWorld called in orthopaedic spine surgeon Dr. Philip Meinhardt. He, together with Scott Saunders, president of ABC Prosthetics and Orthotics, created a brace to try to correct the deformity.
Well, you read this and watch the video and I have to say it makes you think. Quite amazing. Go here to check it out.
I found this story by Dwayne Bevil on the Orlando Sentinel website and couldn't resist passing it on. If you think you have back problems how do you think a whale would feel?
Vets and other animal experts are making news by fitting a 1000 pound female pilot whale with a custom brace to help her severe scoliosis.
The whale, who has been called "300" for some reason, was one of several who beached themselves in the Florida Keys in May 2011. She was taken to SeaWorlds Cetation Rehabilitation Facility where she developed severe scoliosis, making it difficult for her to swim normally.
She has been given physical therapy by staff three times a day, but about four weeks ago SeaWorld called in orthopaedic spine surgeon Dr. Philip Meinhardt. He, together with Scott Saunders, president of ABC Prosthetics and Orthotics, created a brace to try to correct the deformity.
Well, you read this and watch the video and I have to say it makes you think. Quite amazing. Go here to check it out.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Operation To Cure Lower Back Pain In An Hour.
Regular readers of this back pain blog will know that I am not a big fan of back surgery. Not least because it is a fact that in most cases it fails.
However, I am not dogmatic about it, an open mind is a healthy mind and all that! So it was very refreshing to read on the Daily Mail.co.uk website of a technique being successfully used by a surgical unit at Kings College Hospital London to treat back problems caused by slipped and/or bulging discs.
The procedure, keyhole endoscopic surgery, involves making a tiny (5mm) incision 10mm to the side of the spine, and an endoscope is guided to the trouble spot with the aid of x-rays.
Surgical instruments are then put down the centre of the tube to cut away the problem area of the disc and retrieve the debris.
The whole thing takes only about an hour, usually under local anaesthetic, and there are not even any stitches. The patient can go home within hours and there is not even a scar after a couple of months.
With an impressive 95% success rate this treatment has many advantages for both the patient and the NHS.
Consultant spinal neurosurgeon at Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust, Irfan Malik, says that for one in 20 people he sees with back pain a slipped disc is the cause, and is convinced that in the future this procedure will become the standard method of treating patients with back pain problems.
Whatever your views on back surgery this procedure is something that seems to offer real promise, although it has to be said that so far only 20 patients have undergone it.
To read this very comprehensive article, which covers an actual case study of a patient operated on by Mr. Malik, and the result, click here.
However, I am not dogmatic about it, an open mind is a healthy mind and all that! So it was very refreshing to read on the Daily Mail.co.uk website of a technique being successfully used by a surgical unit at Kings College Hospital London to treat back problems caused by slipped and/or bulging discs.
The procedure, keyhole endoscopic surgery, involves making a tiny (5mm) incision 10mm to the side of the spine, and an endoscope is guided to the trouble spot with the aid of x-rays.
Surgical instruments are then put down the centre of the tube to cut away the problem area of the disc and retrieve the debris.
The whole thing takes only about an hour, usually under local anaesthetic, and there are not even any stitches. The patient can go home within hours and there is not even a scar after a couple of months.
With an impressive 95% success rate this treatment has many advantages for both the patient and the NHS.
Consultant spinal neurosurgeon at Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust, Irfan Malik, says that for one in 20 people he sees with back pain a slipped disc is the cause, and is convinced that in the future this procedure will become the standard method of treating patients with back pain problems.
Whatever your views on back surgery this procedure is something that seems to offer real promise, although it has to be said that so far only 20 patients have undergone it.
To read this very comprehensive article, which covers an actual case study of a patient operated on by Mr. Malik, and the result, click here.
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Back Pain Affects Your Balance.
The fact that back pain can affect your balance is not new. I guess most readers of this back pain blog will have experienced times when their back problem has put them out of balance to some degree.
However, Chiropractor Alex Ruhe, a PhD candidate at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, has recently for the first time demonstrated a directly proportional, or linear, relationship between back pain and bad balance.
Reporting on medical express.com he states "Our research shows that sufferers of neck, mid-back and low back pain sway significantly more than healthy individuals.
To some of us this may seem self-evident, and possibly a waste of time, spending time and resources on research to tell us something we already know. But there is actually a practical use for this knowledge.
As Ruhe says "this research marks an important finding for clinicians. It serves as an objective monitoring tool for patients suffering from back pain under treatment and rehabilitation."
The research may also be of use in the treatment of back pain in the elderly, who already may have balance problems.
It makes interesting reading. If you want to read the full article use this link.
However, Chiropractor Alex Ruhe, a PhD candidate at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, has recently for the first time demonstrated a directly proportional, or linear, relationship between back pain and bad balance.
Reporting on medical express.com he states "Our research shows that sufferers of neck, mid-back and low back pain sway significantly more than healthy individuals.
To some of us this may seem self-evident, and possibly a waste of time, spending time and resources on research to tell us something we already know. But there is actually a practical use for this knowledge.
As Ruhe says "this research marks an important finding for clinicians. It serves as an objective monitoring tool for patients suffering from back pain under treatment and rehabilitation."
The research may also be of use in the treatment of back pain in the elderly, who already may have balance problems.
It makes interesting reading. If you want to read the full article use this link.
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Yoga for Back Pain - The Case for It.
Back pain information blog readers will no doubt recall my post of a couple of months ago in which I highlighted a story that said yoga was no better than stretching for back pain. If you want to remind yourself you can find it at this link.
Anyway, in the interests of fairness, and because I am personally a fan of, and believer in, the benefits of yoga, today we'll put the other side using an article by Michelle Fiscus, contributor to hearndon patch.com.
Apparently the findings of several studies, all released within a week of each other, suggest that when treating back pain you may be better off signing up to a yoga class than going to the doctor.
In one British study, whose findings incidentally were mirrored by a similar study at the University of Washington, chronic back pain sufferers were divided into two groups.
One group was given a 12 week course of yoga. The other group received standard back care from a medical professional.
After 3 months the yoga group were able to take part in 30% more activities than the group given standard back treatment.
The differences between the groups was marked. With the yoga group experiencing a reduction in pain, were able to walk faster, stand for extended periods of time, and dress without assistance.
The study concluded that yoga provides both short and long term benefits to sufferers of chronic or recurrent back pain. With no serious side effects.
The article does make the point that not all yoga classes are the same, and it's not always easy to find a yoga instructor who specialises in back pain.
This is probably where the controversy arises between stretching and yoga. Stretching classes should be focused on a remedial preference. While a yoga class needs to be geared specifically for lower back pain.
So there we have it. You pays your money and you takes your choice. To read the full article click here.
Anyway, in the interests of fairness, and because I am personally a fan of, and believer in, the benefits of yoga, today we'll put the other side using an article by Michelle Fiscus, contributor to hearndon patch.com.
Apparently the findings of several studies, all released within a week of each other, suggest that when treating back pain you may be better off signing up to a yoga class than going to the doctor.
In one British study, whose findings incidentally were mirrored by a similar study at the University of Washington, chronic back pain sufferers were divided into two groups.
One group was given a 12 week course of yoga. The other group received standard back care from a medical professional.
After 3 months the yoga group were able to take part in 30% more activities than the group given standard back treatment.
The differences between the groups was marked. With the yoga group experiencing a reduction in pain, were able to walk faster, stand for extended periods of time, and dress without assistance.
The study concluded that yoga provides both short and long term benefits to sufferers of chronic or recurrent back pain. With no serious side effects.
The article does make the point that not all yoga classes are the same, and it's not always easy to find a yoga instructor who specialises in back pain.
This is probably where the controversy arises between stretching and yoga. Stretching classes should be focused on a remedial preference. While a yoga class needs to be geared specifically for lower back pain.
So there we have it. You pays your money and you takes your choice. To read the full article click here.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
Traditional Back Exercises May do More Harm Than Good.
Us back pain sufferers are often reminded of the virtues of exercise. So I was interested to find an article by Kathy Ekdahl, a cerified personal trainer, on the wicked local.com website with a slightly different point of view.
She makes the observation that many of the commonly used back exercises, especially those designed to strengthen lower back muscles, may actually do more harm than good.
She says sit-ups, weighted crunches, and weighted hyperextensions can be very risky for your back and that back health and stability is really created through exercises that strengthen the buttocks and abdominals.
The article was in response to a question asking about back strengthening exercises to improve back strength prior to winter snow shovelling in the U.S.
Although they do tend to have more of the stuff than us here in the UK, with last years winter apparently set to become the norm, and it being September already, I thought it was something we could learn from.
Kathy goes on to describe some safe back exercises as well as handy tips for snow shovelling. I personally try to avoid it as much as possible, as well as anything else that may aggravate my back pain.
But if you must shovel snow, you could do well to read the full article here.
She makes the observation that many of the commonly used back exercises, especially those designed to strengthen lower back muscles, may actually do more harm than good.
She says sit-ups, weighted crunches, and weighted hyperextensions can be very risky for your back and that back health and stability is really created through exercises that strengthen the buttocks and abdominals.
The article was in response to a question asking about back strengthening exercises to improve back strength prior to winter snow shovelling in the U.S.
Although they do tend to have more of the stuff than us here in the UK, with last years winter apparently set to become the norm, and it being September already, I thought it was something we could learn from.
Kathy goes on to describe some safe back exercises as well as handy tips for snow shovelling. I personally try to avoid it as much as possible, as well as anything else that may aggravate my back pain.
But if you must shovel snow, you could do well to read the full article here.
Friday, 30 August 2013
Results on The Use of Adalimubab in The Treatment of Sciatica Uncertain.
If any back pain information blog readers are using adalimubab as a treatment for their sciatica you may well find this article by Janice Kelly on the medscape.com website of some interest. You need to sign up for a free account for medscape if you don't have one, but it's a good site and well worth while with lots of good information.
For those of us (myself included) who don't know much about this drug I'll give you this brief description from the arthritisresearchuk.org website:
"Adalimubab (brand name Humira) is a type of drug known as anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor). In people with rheumatoid arthritis and some other inflammatory diseases a protein called TNF is overproduced in the body, causing inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and tissue. Anti-TNF drugs block the action of TNF and so can reduce this inflammation".
If you want to learn more about it then I recommend going to their webpage here.
Anyway, there has been an ongoing trial of Adalimubab in Switzerland, by Dr. Genevay, from the Division of Rheumatology at University Hospitals of Geneva.
The follow up data from this trial after three years has shown no difference in leg pain or back pain in the treated versus placebo groups. They did however find a significant decrease in the need for back surgery. An impressive 61% decrease in fact.
The results are, as one would expect, controversial, and the study has it's detractors. But this is interesting stuff and could well lead to useful treatments in the future.
For those of us (myself included) who don't know much about this drug I'll give you this brief description from the arthritisresearchuk.org website:
"Adalimubab (brand name Humira) is a type of drug known as anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor). In people with rheumatoid arthritis and some other inflammatory diseases a protein called TNF is overproduced in the body, causing inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and tissue. Anti-TNF drugs block the action of TNF and so can reduce this inflammation".
If you want to learn more about it then I recommend going to their webpage here.
Anyway, there has been an ongoing trial of Adalimubab in Switzerland, by Dr. Genevay, from the Division of Rheumatology at University Hospitals of Geneva.
The follow up data from this trial after three years has shown no difference in leg pain or back pain in the treated versus placebo groups. They did however find a significant decrease in the need for back surgery. An impressive 61% decrease in fact.
The results are, as one would expect, controversial, and the study has it's detractors. But this is interesting stuff and could well lead to useful treatments in the future.
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Could PRP Be an Effective Treatment for Chronic Back Pain?
There really is some fascinating stuff out there. Some of which borders on the bizarre. I'm not sure about this particular item I found on arthritistoday.org this week, but I thought I'd pass it on for what it's worth.
It seems a relatively new therapy, called Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) is gaining popularity in some circles for the treatment of chronic pain.
This particular story focuses on a woman with chronic knee pain (brings back memories), but there seems to be no reason why it could not work for many types of chronic pain, including back pain.
I have found on furthur research that it has even been used to good effect to treat racehorses with inflammation and conformation problems affecting their soundness.
Now I am always inclined to give credence to results obtained on animals as there is not much likelihood of the results being in the mind of the patient. It either works or it doesn't.
The process itself is relatively simple. Involving drawing off some of the patients blood, centrifuging it to separate the components and injecting the platelet rich plasma portion back into the patient in the affected area.
As I say, I'm in two minds about this, but I'm sure that many treatments we use and take for granted today were probably controversial in their day. Smallpox vaccination springs to mind.
Still, if you want to have a look, go here.
It seems a relatively new therapy, called Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) is gaining popularity in some circles for the treatment of chronic pain.
This particular story focuses on a woman with chronic knee pain (brings back memories), but there seems to be no reason why it could not work for many types of chronic pain, including back pain.
I have found on furthur research that it has even been used to good effect to treat racehorses with inflammation and conformation problems affecting their soundness.
Now I am always inclined to give credence to results obtained on animals as there is not much likelihood of the results being in the mind of the patient. It either works or it doesn't.
The process itself is relatively simple. Involving drawing off some of the patients blood, centrifuging it to separate the components and injecting the platelet rich plasma portion back into the patient in the affected area.
As I say, I'm in two minds about this, but I'm sure that many treatments we use and take for granted today were probably controversial in their day. Smallpox vaccination springs to mind.
Still, if you want to have a look, go here.
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Positive Thinking Is As Good as Painkillers for Your Back Pain!
Research shows that positive thinking can be as helpful in treating back pain as painkillers, physiotherapy, and surgery.
So says an article by Sadie Nicholas on the Daily Mail website. I guess many readers will know only too well the frustration of inneffective treatments for chronic back pain. leading to associated, and potentially worse conditions such as depression and anxiety.
The fact that often powerful painkillers do not provide effective relief has led researchers at Warwick University to consider if something as seemingly mechanical as back pain could really be rooted in the mind.
Their research shows that backpain patients given a form of counselling called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) showed double the improvement of patients who received standard forms of treatment alone.
It does seem quite promising. And even for those who doubt the value of this kind of thing. These are impressive results from a respected bona-fide research team.
The story is worth a look. With case studies, and seven things you can try at home. Find it here.
So says an article by Sadie Nicholas on the Daily Mail website. I guess many readers will know only too well the frustration of inneffective treatments for chronic back pain. leading to associated, and potentially worse conditions such as depression and anxiety.
The fact that often powerful painkillers do not provide effective relief has led researchers at Warwick University to consider if something as seemingly mechanical as back pain could really be rooted in the mind.
Their research shows that backpain patients given a form of counselling called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) showed double the improvement of patients who received standard forms of treatment alone.
It does seem quite promising. And even for those who doubt the value of this kind of thing. These are impressive results from a respected bona-fide research team.
The story is worth a look. With case studies, and seven things you can try at home. Find it here.
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Pine Bark can Reduce your Knee Pain and Perhaps Back Pain Too!
According to an article on the Medical News Today website it has been found that a substance naturally occuring in pine bark, Pycnogenol, reduced pain by as much as 43% in a trial involving 35 volunteers suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. It also reduced stiffness by 35%.
That sounds pretty impressive to me, and as a fan of the use of naturally occurring substances to control and relieve pain I look forward to furthur developments. Especially if it is applied to back pain as osteoarthritis of the spine is a major cause of back problems.
You do have to wonder how these things are found. I mean did someone just decide to have a chew on a tree because they were in pain?
To read the full article use this link.
That sounds pretty impressive to me, and as a fan of the use of naturally occurring substances to control and relieve pain I look forward to furthur developments. Especially if it is applied to back pain as osteoarthritis of the spine is a major cause of back problems.
You do have to wonder how these things are found. I mean did someone just decide to have a chew on a tree because they were in pain?
To read the full article use this link.
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Don't Forget About Aspirin for Back Pain.
I suppose for most of us, of a certain age anyway, our earliest experience of pain relief would be the administering of aspirin by a parent.
I still use good old aspirin myself occasionally. Apparently in 1500 BC the Egyptians were using infusions of myrtle leaves to relieve back pain. Myrtle leaves contain salycylic acid, the main ingredient of aspirin.
I know that every now and again we here a bad report about it, but the fact remains that it really is a bit of a wonder drug, and it's still available pretty much everywhere without prescription. I wonder how many of todays "miracle pills" will still be around after over 100 years?
Although not specifically about back pain as such, I have given myself a broad remit, and I thought readers may be interested in this story by Virginia Blackburn on the express.co.uk website.
It makes totally absorbing reading, and if you thought you knew everything about aspirin read this and I bet you'll learn something new.
I still use good old aspirin myself occasionally. Apparently in 1500 BC the Egyptians were using infusions of myrtle leaves to relieve back pain. Myrtle leaves contain salycylic acid, the main ingredient of aspirin.
I know that every now and again we here a bad report about it, but the fact remains that it really is a bit of a wonder drug, and it's still available pretty much everywhere without prescription. I wonder how many of todays "miracle pills" will still be around after over 100 years?
Although not specifically about back pain as such, I have given myself a broad remit, and I thought readers may be interested in this story by Virginia Blackburn on the express.co.uk website.
It makes totally absorbing reading, and if you thought you knew everything about aspirin read this and I bet you'll learn something new.
Thursday, 8 August 2013
Zen and The Art of Back Pain Management.
According to an article in sciencedaily.com research performed at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center shows that slow breathing at a controlled rate can significantly reduce the pain felt by chronic pain sufferers.
This does seem to bear out previous findings that Zen meditation and yogic breathing can have a beneficial effect on pain levels. Back pain being no exception.
I suppose if you think about it we quite often instinctively do this. I know that if I have skinned a knuckle or hit a finger with a hammer, after the expletive I have often taken a deep breath, let it out slowly, maybe a couple of times. Perhaps we should try it consciously.
You can read the full article here.
This does seem to bear out previous findings that Zen meditation and yogic breathing can have a beneficial effect on pain levels. Back pain being no exception.
I suppose if you think about it we quite often instinctively do this. I know that if I have skinned a knuckle or hit a finger with a hammer, after the expletive I have often taken a deep breath, let it out slowly, maybe a couple of times. Perhaps we should try it consciously.
You can read the full article here.
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Back Pain and Backpacks.
This is what I like, when back pain information blog readers make my life easy by sending me useful stuff that I can use.
A little while ago Charles Holbert of submitinfographics.com sent me an infographic they had produced all about back packs and their role in back problems.
I thought this looked pretty good and might well be of use to those of us who carry/wear backpacks. I can be even lazier here and quote directly from the introduction to the infographic, which I reproduce below. I hope you find it informative and useful.
"It’s pretty common for students of all ages, sizes and shapes to use backpacks to carry their books, lunches, laptops and whatever else they can squeeze in them. They are very convenient and give both of your hands freedom to do whatever you want. But, is it worth it?
Research shows that backpacks may actually be harming you, due to improper usage, over packing and choosing the wrong kind. There are things you should take into consideration before choosing a backpack that will help you avoid causing any back pain, such as padding on the back of the backpack, chest or waist belts, and backpacks with pockets on both sides.
Go here to learn about statistics, how to avoid back pain and remedies for it, and the benefits of wearing a backpack correctly".
A little while ago Charles Holbert of submitinfographics.com sent me an infographic they had produced all about back packs and their role in back problems.
I thought this looked pretty good and might well be of use to those of us who carry/wear backpacks. I can be even lazier here and quote directly from the introduction to the infographic, which I reproduce below. I hope you find it informative and useful.
"It’s pretty common for students of all ages, sizes and shapes to use backpacks to carry their books, lunches, laptops and whatever else they can squeeze in them. They are very convenient and give both of your hands freedom to do whatever you want. But, is it worth it?
Research shows that backpacks may actually be harming you, due to improper usage, over packing and choosing the wrong kind. There are things you should take into consideration before choosing a backpack that will help you avoid causing any back pain, such as padding on the back of the backpack, chest or waist belts, and backpacks with pockets on both sides.
Go here to learn about statistics, how to avoid back pain and remedies for it, and the benefits of wearing a backpack correctly".
Friday, 2 August 2013
Micro Spine Implant on Way to Stop Back Pain.
This article by Chris Burns on the slashgear.com website caught my eye a while ago. I think it will be of great interest to chronic back pain sufferers.
It seems that a team of Australian researchers are well on the way to completing development of a micro implant that will block pain signals to the brain.
We have heard of similar things before, but the difference with this one is that it really is tiny. The implant itself being not much bigger than the head of a match, and the external box the size of a matchbox.
The really clever thing is that it is also selective in the pain it blocks. It only blocks constant pain so the useful warning pains such as being poked in the back with something sharp will still get through.
When fully developed the researchers say that as well as back pain it could help with leg pain, pain from nerve damage, migraines, Parkinson’s disease tremors, and epileptic seizures!
Sounds very promising. To read the full article go here.
It seems that a team of Australian researchers are well on the way to completing development of a micro implant that will block pain signals to the brain.
We have heard of similar things before, but the difference with this one is that it really is tiny. The implant itself being not much bigger than the head of a match, and the external box the size of a matchbox.
The really clever thing is that it is also selective in the pain it blocks. It only blocks constant pain so the useful warning pains such as being poked in the back with something sharp will still get through.
When fully developed the researchers say that as well as back pain it could help with leg pain, pain from nerve damage, migraines, Parkinson’s disease tremors, and epileptic seizures!
Sounds very promising. To read the full article go here.
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Gadget Obsession is Causing Postural Problems.
"A survey by the British Chiropractic Association has found that one in four of us complain of a sore neck, back or shoulder due to using or carrying gadgets. Not surprising when you consider that two-thirds carry at least two items of technology around with them. A typical notebook, smartphone and e-reader have a combined weight of 2Kg or 4.4lbs."
So says this story on the dailymail.co.uk website by Claire Bates. Modern day Britons are becoming increasingly obsessed with technological gadgets and it's causing us problems.
Laptops are seen to cause the most problems, but tablets and smartphones are also right up there in the running.
Although this online survey of over 2,000 adults was commissioned a couple of years ago in order to support Backcare Awareness Week (17th - 23rd October 2011) it does offer some excellent advice on how to avoid these postural problems when using these devices. Find out what you can do here.
So says this story on the dailymail.co.uk website by Claire Bates. Modern day Britons are becoming increasingly obsessed with technological gadgets and it's causing us problems.
Laptops are seen to cause the most problems, but tablets and smartphones are also right up there in the running.
Although this online survey of over 2,000 adults was commissioned a couple of years ago in order to support Backcare Awareness Week (17th - 23rd October 2011) it does offer some excellent advice on how to avoid these postural problems when using these devices. Find out what you can do here.
Monday, 29 July 2013
6 More Common Myths About Back Pain.
Back in January I published a post "The top ten back pain myths" if you didn't get to read it you can find it at this link.
That proved to be quite popular, so when I discovered another article on the same subject by Hannah Jones, on the walesonline.co.uk website I thought I would pass it on.
Interestingly enough it does not cover the same ground, these are different myths, explained well by Garry Trainer, osteopath to the stars (Sir Paul McCartney, Emma Thompson, and Gwyneth Paltrow amongst others) based at Vale Healthcare, Hensol, Nr. Cardiff, Wales.
This is good stuff, and I have been guilty of subscribing to one or two of them. I won't spoil it for you here, but you may be surprised, as I was. Read it here.
That proved to be quite popular, so when I discovered another article on the same subject by Hannah Jones, on the walesonline.co.uk website I thought I would pass it on.
Interestingly enough it does not cover the same ground, these are different myths, explained well by Garry Trainer, osteopath to the stars (Sir Paul McCartney, Emma Thompson, and Gwyneth Paltrow amongst others) based at Vale Healthcare, Hensol, Nr. Cardiff, Wales.
This is good stuff, and I have been guilty of subscribing to one or two of them. I won't spoil it for you here, but you may be surprised, as I was. Read it here.
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Yoga no better than stretching for back pain.
Well, today's back pain data blog post illustrates yet another example of the inconsistencies in the world of back pain advice.
In an article by Nadia Gilani on the dailymail.co.uk website she reports on research at the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, Washington, which apparently shows that Yoga is no better than simple stretching for easing back pain.
I don't know about you but I find myself getting increasingly frustrated by these contradictions in advice by the medical profession and other "experts". I know that things progress and the world is not flat, but goodness me it seems that we are told that something is the best, most amazing treatment for a bad back one week, and the next it's rubbish.
Maybe it's just a sign of the speed of medical advances these days and my increasing lack of tolerance as I get older. I suppose we should be grateful for all this research and maybe, just maybe, in the not too distant future we will be presented with the definitive cure!
I won't be holding my breath. Anyway you can read the article here and make your own mind up. It does make quite an interesting read.
In an article by Nadia Gilani on the dailymail.co.uk website she reports on research at the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, Washington, which apparently shows that Yoga is no better than simple stretching for easing back pain.
I don't know about you but I find myself getting increasingly frustrated by these contradictions in advice by the medical profession and other "experts". I know that things progress and the world is not flat, but goodness me it seems that we are told that something is the best, most amazing treatment for a bad back one week, and the next it's rubbish.
Maybe it's just a sign of the speed of medical advances these days and my increasing lack of tolerance as I get older. I suppose we should be grateful for all this research and maybe, just maybe, in the not too distant future we will be presented with the definitive cure!
I won't be holding my breath. Anyway you can read the article here and make your own mind up. It does make quite an interesting read.
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
3 Great Lower Back Exercises.
Continuing on the exercise theme I have found three excellent exercises on livemint.com that can be done pretty much anywhere, with a minimum of equipment, in just a few minutes.
One does require an exercise ball, but I would guess that most long term back pain sufferers already have one, if you don't then get one, there's loads of stuff you can do for your back using it and they are not expensive. For an excellent quality, inexpensive exercise ball, complete with pump and DVD try this link.
Lower back exercises are a valuable weapon in our constant war on back ache. They strengthen and stretch the muscles of the lower back, and it is these that are often the most troublesome. They keep us upright, define your posture, and are the platform for almost any activity you can think of.
We hear a lot about the benefits of strengthening your core muscles these days. Mainly the benefit of having sexy abs. But I reckon the benefit of having a pain free lower back is much more important to most of us.
You can find the illustrated exercises here.
One does require an exercise ball, but I would guess that most long term back pain sufferers already have one, if you don't then get one, there's loads of stuff you can do for your back using it and they are not expensive. For an excellent quality, inexpensive exercise ball, complete with pump and DVD try this link.
Lower back exercises are a valuable weapon in our constant war on back ache. They strengthen and stretch the muscles of the lower back, and it is these that are often the most troublesome. They keep us upright, define your posture, and are the platform for almost any activity you can think of.
We hear a lot about the benefits of strengthening your core muscles these days. Mainly the benefit of having sexy abs. But I reckon the benefit of having a pain free lower back is much more important to most of us.
You can find the illustrated exercises here.
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Recover from Back Pain Quicker With Exercise.
When we get back pain usually our first reaction is to rest and take it easy, maybe lie down, until it lessens.
In fact that used to be the very advice that your doctor would give you not so long ago. I was told that by my own doctor when my back problems started many years ago.
Of course most of us know now that rest often makes matters worse. A fact borne out by recent research done at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
According to an article by Sue Meredith on the naples news.com website researchers discovered that inactivity undermines the healing process as it "locks up" the body's movement, worsening the pain and slowing recovery.
Remaining immobile for extended periods of time weakens the muscles, leaving the spine prone to furthur injury.Therefore exercise is crucial for recovery from backache, and also for protection against future damage.
Sue, a certified personal fitness trainer, recommends various exercises that you can do that will not strain or jolt impacted areas. You can find the article and what she recommends here.
My personal experience is that if you can work through the pain recovery is much quicker and lasts longer. Of course there will be times when the pain is such that rest is the only option, but don't rest any more than absolutely neccessary.
In fact that used to be the very advice that your doctor would give you not so long ago. I was told that by my own doctor when my back problems started many years ago.
Of course most of us know now that rest often makes matters worse. A fact borne out by recent research done at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
According to an article by Sue Meredith on the naples news.com website researchers discovered that inactivity undermines the healing process as it "locks up" the body's movement, worsening the pain and slowing recovery.
Remaining immobile for extended periods of time weakens the muscles, leaving the spine prone to furthur injury.Therefore exercise is crucial for recovery from backache, and also for protection against future damage.
Sue, a certified personal fitness trainer, recommends various exercises that you can do that will not strain or jolt impacted areas. You can find the article and what she recommends here.
My personal experience is that if you can work through the pain recovery is much quicker and lasts longer. Of course there will be times when the pain is such that rest is the only option, but don't rest any more than absolutely neccessary.
Friday, 19 July 2013
The McKenzie Method for Treating Back Pain.
I'm sure that many people reading this will be aware of, and know all about The McKenzie Method for treating back pain. Some of you may even be using it, or have used it. I'd be keen to hear about that.
Equally there will be others who have not heard of this method, so here's a little information.
Robin McKenzie, now in his 80's, was a young physiotherapist in Wellington, New Zealand in the 1950's when he unwittingly left a back pain patient he was treating on a bed with his back arched in extension. The bed had been adjusted for a previous patient.
Upon returning and seeing the situation McKenzie rushed to move the man, as this position was thought to be very damaging for the back. However, the patient said that his pain was much improved, and in fact the next day the patient reported he was symptom free.
This was the start of many years of research, resulting in The McKenzie Institute having branches in some 26 countries helping back pain sufferers to effectively treat themselves.
The method is relatively inexpensive, can be done pretty much anywhere, home or work. It takes only a minute or so to do a set of exercises, which are designed not to strengthen, but to reverse any distortion within the joints.
Like all therapies, this method will not suit everyone, which is why it is wise to find a clinic near you for an initial assessment where "a systematic progression of applied mechanical forces utilizes pain response to monitor changes in motion and/or function. The underlying disorder can then be quickly identified through objective findings for each individual patient".
Sounds a bit brutal, but is not as bad as it sounds and clinic practitioners can then identify those cases where the method will be appropriate.
Once taught the techniques most patients can go on to successfully treat themselves safely and effectively.
I have not tried this myself yet, but it is something I may well look at in the future. There are about 70 clinics qualified to offer The McKenzie Method in the UK alone at present. For more details of the method and where the clinics are go here.
If you'd like to read the full background story of Robin McKenzie, and it is fascinating, click here.
Equally there will be others who have not heard of this method, so here's a little information.
Robin McKenzie, now in his 80's, was a young physiotherapist in Wellington, New Zealand in the 1950's when he unwittingly left a back pain patient he was treating on a bed with his back arched in extension. The bed had been adjusted for a previous patient.
Upon returning and seeing the situation McKenzie rushed to move the man, as this position was thought to be very damaging for the back. However, the patient said that his pain was much improved, and in fact the next day the patient reported he was symptom free.
This was the start of many years of research, resulting in The McKenzie Institute having branches in some 26 countries helping back pain sufferers to effectively treat themselves.
The method is relatively inexpensive, can be done pretty much anywhere, home or work. It takes only a minute or so to do a set of exercises, which are designed not to strengthen, but to reverse any distortion within the joints.
Like all therapies, this method will not suit everyone, which is why it is wise to find a clinic near you for an initial assessment where "a systematic progression of applied mechanical forces utilizes pain response to monitor changes in motion and/or function. The underlying disorder can then be quickly identified through objective findings for each individual patient".
Sounds a bit brutal, but is not as bad as it sounds and clinic practitioners can then identify those cases where the method will be appropriate.
Once taught the techniques most patients can go on to successfully treat themselves safely and effectively.
I have not tried this myself yet, but it is something I may well look at in the future. There are about 70 clinics qualified to offer The McKenzie Method in the UK alone at present. For more details of the method and where the clinics are go here.
If you'd like to read the full background story of Robin McKenzie, and it is fascinating, click here.
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Reiki as a Treatment for Chronic Back Pain.
During my internet wanderings in search of material for the back pain data blog I come across all manner of weird and wonderful things. I'm not quite sure how I would classify this item, but I thought it worthy of inclusion.
I found an article by Pamela Miles on the reikiinmedicine.org website, in which she tells how she was able to relieve her sisters chronic back pain, which she had suffered from for twelve years, after only a month of practising daily Reiki self-treatment.
Reiki is a technique developed by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui in 1922. It is a stress reduction and relaxation method that also promotes healing. It is apparently easily and quickly learnt and is very suitable for self administration.
So far so good. It gets a little strange when we are told that you can also use it on inanimate objects such as food and drink, even your car and computer!
Well I like to think I am open minded. I'm certainly a great believer in the power of the human mind and Pamela's story makes an interesting read, you can find it here.
You may also find this video worth a watch if you want to know more (I'm afraid you'll have to sit through a short ad first). It's by Reiki master teacher Stephanie Kraft, who explains how it works. There's actually a series of videos if you get into it.
If any back pain data blog reader has experience of Reiki that they would like to pass on I'd be delighted to hear from them at: thebackman@live.com
I found an article by Pamela Miles on the reikiinmedicine.org website, in which she tells how she was able to relieve her sisters chronic back pain, which she had suffered from for twelve years, after only a month of practising daily Reiki self-treatment.
Reiki is a technique developed by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui in 1922. It is a stress reduction and relaxation method that also promotes healing. It is apparently easily and quickly learnt and is very suitable for self administration.
So far so good. It gets a little strange when we are told that you can also use it on inanimate objects such as food and drink, even your car and computer!
Well I like to think I am open minded. I'm certainly a great believer in the power of the human mind and Pamela's story makes an interesting read, you can find it here.
You may also find this video worth a watch if you want to know more (I'm afraid you'll have to sit through a short ad first). It's by Reiki master teacher Stephanie Kraft, who explains how it works. There's actually a series of videos if you get into it.
If any back pain data blog reader has experience of Reiki that they would like to pass on I'd be delighted to hear from them at: thebackman@live.com
Friday, 12 July 2013
Spinal Manipulation for Back Pain.
Spinal manipulation has been a valuable tool in the treatment of back pain and associated conditions for many years.
It's had a varied press over recent times with the very occasional chiropractic session that's gone wrong (even resulting in paralysis) receiving lots of attention.
However these instances are extremely rare, and spinal manipulation remains a very effective and safe option for back pain treatment with a properly trained and qualified practitioner.
Knowledge is a powerful thing, and I found a most useful article all about spinal manipulation by Joe DiVincenzo, a physical therapist and clinical specialist in manual therapy, on the gloucester times website.
If you are considering this therapy then I would suggest you give this a read and learn why your back may crack, the difference between a chiropractor and a physical therapist, how long you can safely have the treatment, and lots more.
It's had a varied press over recent times with the very occasional chiropractic session that's gone wrong (even resulting in paralysis) receiving lots of attention.
However these instances are extremely rare, and spinal manipulation remains a very effective and safe option for back pain treatment with a properly trained and qualified practitioner.
Knowledge is a powerful thing, and I found a most useful article all about spinal manipulation by Joe DiVincenzo, a physical therapist and clinical specialist in manual therapy, on the gloucester times website.
If you are considering this therapy then I would suggest you give this a read and learn why your back may crack, the difference between a chiropractor and a physical therapist, how long you can safely have the treatment, and lots more.
Friday, 5 July 2013
5 Secrets to Easing Back Pain.
Brief and to the point today, I'm going to point you towards an excellent article on the caring.com website.
It's quite lengthy at five pages but has lots of what I think is really useful stuff to help get rid of and remain pain free. There are five basic ideas/suggestions, together with a few ways to implement each one.
Well worth a read. I have printed them out and will certainly try a few. Find them here.
It's quite lengthy at five pages but has lots of what I think is really useful stuff to help get rid of and remain pain free. There are five basic ideas/suggestions, together with a few ways to implement each one.
Well worth a read. I have printed them out and will certainly try a few. Find them here.
Sunday, 30 June 2013
Fix Back Pain Fast, Without Doing a Single Exercise.
Lasting relief from chronic back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain fast. No exercise involved.
It sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? This is the claim of Roy Palmer MSTAT NDT(INPP) who over 12 years has helped over 5000 people relieve pain in their back, shoulders and neck. Including many professionals and athletes who rely on their body to perform at it’s very best. If it’s good enough for them it’s probably got to worth a look.
You can find the full details here.
It’s not the symptoms you need to treat.
Roy says the most important thing you need to know is that when you are in pain your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong. The pain is a symptom, and the mistake often made is in trying to treat the pain, a symptom, rather than the underlying cause.
He likens it to complaining of the house being cold when all the windows are open. Close the windows and you are not cold.
Treat the cause and your pain disappears. This is easily done by “re-educating” your muscles to work naturally again.
Click here to learn more.
Safe techniques that have been used for over 100 years and are proven to work.
The simple and safe techniques in Roy’s guide have been used for over 100 years with a proven track record. It is said that there is nothing new under the sun. I might dispute that in the case of modern technology, however, in the rush to develop newer and newer techniques, these tried and tested methods have been pushed aside and forgotten by most.
This is a really good system, including videos and a follow up advanced program. Roy is so confident he can get you pain free naturally that he is offering an eight week guarantee.
If you think this might be something for you, go here.
It sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? This is the claim of Roy Palmer MSTAT NDT(INPP) who over 12 years has helped over 5000 people relieve pain in their back, shoulders and neck. Including many professionals and athletes who rely on their body to perform at it’s very best. If it’s good enough for them it’s probably got to worth a look.
You can find the full details here.
It’s not the symptoms you need to treat.
Roy says the most important thing you need to know is that when you are in pain your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong. The pain is a symptom, and the mistake often made is in trying to treat the pain, a symptom, rather than the underlying cause.
He likens it to complaining of the house being cold when all the windows are open. Close the windows and you are not cold.
Treat the cause and your pain disappears. This is easily done by “re-educating” your muscles to work naturally again.
Click here to learn more.
Safe techniques that have been used for over 100 years and are proven to work.
The simple and safe techniques in Roy’s guide have been used for over 100 years with a proven track record. It is said that there is nothing new under the sun. I might dispute that in the case of modern technology, however, in the rush to develop newer and newer techniques, these tried and tested methods have been pushed aside and forgotten by most.
This is a really good system, including videos and a follow up advanced program. Roy is so confident he can get you pain free naturally that he is offering an eight week guarantee.
If you think this might be something for you, go here.
Thursday, 27 June 2013
40% of Chronic Back Pain Could Be Cured by Simple Antibiotics.
As many as 40% of cases of chronic back pain could be caused by bacterial infection, and as such cured by a simple course of antibiotics.
This seemingly controversial statement is backed by scientists at the University of Southern Denmark. Who spent ten years researching the connection between chronic lower back pain and bacterial infection.
The Danish research team looked at tissue removed from back pain patients during surgery and examined it for signs of infection. Amazingly nearly half of all samples looked at tested positive, with 80% of those carrying Propionibacterium acnes.
These are bacteria more usually associated with acne, but can get into the bloodstream where they don't often cause any problem. However if a person then suffers a slipped disc the bacteria can get inside, causing serious inflammation and damage, and of course pain.
This research has been described by Peter Hamlyn, one of the UK's most eminent spinal surgeons, as the greatest discovery he had witnessed in his professional life and was worthy of a Nobel prize.
Praise indeed, and it seems entirely possible that this could lead to a massive reduction in unnecessary operations and a cure for many cases of chronic back pain at a cost of a little over £100.
I for one will be watching this line of research for developments with great interest. The full story, reported by Ian Sample on the Guardian.co.uk website, can be found here.
This seemingly controversial statement is backed by scientists at the University of Southern Denmark. Who spent ten years researching the connection between chronic lower back pain and bacterial infection.
The Danish research team looked at tissue removed from back pain patients during surgery and examined it for signs of infection. Amazingly nearly half of all samples looked at tested positive, with 80% of those carrying Propionibacterium acnes.
These are bacteria more usually associated with acne, but can get into the bloodstream where they don't often cause any problem. However if a person then suffers a slipped disc the bacteria can get inside, causing serious inflammation and damage, and of course pain.
This research has been described by Peter Hamlyn, one of the UK's most eminent spinal surgeons, as the greatest discovery he had witnessed in his professional life and was worthy of a Nobel prize.
Praise indeed, and it seems entirely possible that this could lead to a massive reduction in unnecessary operations and a cure for many cases of chronic back pain at a cost of a little over £100.
I for one will be watching this line of research for developments with great interest. The full story, reported by Ian Sample on the Guardian.co.uk website, can be found here.
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
9 Tips to Avoid Back Pain When Driving.
I like to try and make this back pain information blog as useful as I can for readers, so I thought that these tips by some of Britain's top spinal experts, featured by Emily Fox on the express.co.uk website would come in handy.
Despite the ever increasing cost of running one, it's a fact that many of us spend a lot of time in our cars. And we are often not doing our backs any good at all because of bad habits with our posture and not taking sufficient breaks.
These tips are plain common sense really, especially when you have read them. But I'm betting that we are all guilty of not using about half of them.
Check them out here, and implement any that you are not already using. Maybe your motoring trips will be less of a pain in the back!
Despite the ever increasing cost of running one, it's a fact that many of us spend a lot of time in our cars. And we are often not doing our backs any good at all because of bad habits with our posture and not taking sufficient breaks.
These tips are plain common sense really, especially when you have read them. But I'm betting that we are all guilty of not using about half of them.
Check them out here, and implement any that you are not already using. Maybe your motoring trips will be less of a pain in the back!
Saturday, 22 June 2013
Is Your Back Pain Down to Your Nerves?
I found this very interesting article by Jo Waters on the daily mail website a little while ago. Using the case study of a retired exhibitions manager from London she uncovers the fact that an estimated one-third of Britons with back pain are actually suffering from neuropathic pain.
This is caused by damage or changes to the nerves, and sufferers often think that it is a structural back problem to do with the spine, discs or joints. This results in them not getting the correct treatment, and suffering years of unnecessary chronic back pain.
This lady, whose story is related in the article reckons to have spent around £100,000 over the years for various back treatments, including back surgery, which had little or no effect (no surprise there then).
After 30 years of pain, and after a final failed spinal fusion operation she was referrred to a physiotherapist who mentioned the possibility of neuropathic pain and explained the significance of it.
This lady is now receiving the correct treatment, but will never be fully cured because of the failure of doctors to diagnose it years ago.
If you have been living with chronic back pain and nothing seems to work this may be worth investigating. Read the whole article here.
This is caused by damage or changes to the nerves, and sufferers often think that it is a structural back problem to do with the spine, discs or joints. This results in them not getting the correct treatment, and suffering years of unnecessary chronic back pain.
This lady, whose story is related in the article reckons to have spent around £100,000 over the years for various back treatments, including back surgery, which had little or no effect (no surprise there then).
After 30 years of pain, and after a final failed spinal fusion operation she was referrred to a physiotherapist who mentioned the possibility of neuropathic pain and explained the significance of it.
This lady is now receiving the correct treatment, but will never be fully cured because of the failure of doctors to diagnose it years ago.
If you have been living with chronic back pain and nothing seems to work this may be worth investigating. Read the whole article here.
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Heat or Cold for Back Pain Relief?
We all of us know that you can effectively relieve your back pain by the application of heat and cold. Especially muscular back pain. However, the most suitable choice will depend upon the reason for your pain.
So in this departure from my normal format post on back pain information I'm going to try and help you determine the best choice between hot or cold in a particular circumstance.
If your back problem is due to some type of back muscle injury then the first thing to do is establish if you have any inflammation or swelling. If there is no swelling then it's probably best to use heat to relieve the pain.
This is because heat increases the muscles' flexibility and elasticity. If you are hoping to maintain a level of activity then heat will be more suitable as it will encourage movement in the muscles without undue pain.
As heat increases blood flow and skin temperature you can apply an appropriate source of heat to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Moist heat seems to work best, at least it does for me, so you could use a hot towel.
I use the microwave, having soaked a towel and wrung it out a bit but be careful until you get the timing right, it gets very hot very quickly. You don't want third degree burns.
You can also use a gel pack which you can either heat in hot water or freeze to use as a cold application. These are pretty useful and I also use one myself. More for cold than hot, but that's just my personal preference.
If you just put something like heat pack or cold pack into your search engine you'll find lots of options, but you dont have to spend your money. You know about the towel and I bet most of you have a bag of frozen peas or similar in the freezer.
Anyway, to get back to the point, there will be times when application of cold will be more effective in reducing your pain.
If your back pain is caused by an obvious injury where swelling/inflammation has occurred then cold will be more appropriate.
The cold will cause the blood vessels to narrow and that will help limit any internal tissue bleeding (bruising) and swelling.
Whatever you use to apply the cold, gel pack, frozen vegetables, or ice. Wrap the source in a cloth like a tea towel or similar to avoid ice or freezer burn.
Again apply for 15 to 20 minutes before allowing the skin to return to normal temperature before re-applying. You can do this as often as you like for as long as you like. But if things havn't improved after say three or four days it would be wise to get medical advice.
If your back pain is caused by unaccustomed or excess (for you) physical exertion then cold is usually the way to go. Athletes tend to use cold applications to relieve muscle pain caused by over exercise and muscle stress.
If you have a back problem then the application of either heat or cold can be useful in reducing the severity of the pain. After assessing your problem you can decide which of the alternatives seems best for your situation.
Although it is more generally believed that applying cold to any muscle injury is best, in fact for chronic back pain heat works better, and I speak from experience here.
You also need to bear in mind that what works best for one person may not necessarily be the most suitable treatment for another.
The sensible way is to test both hot and cold, but when you do, use the cold therapy first as the application of heat could worsen any inflammation or swelling, where the cold treatment tends to be gentler.
That's all for today. I hope I haven't bored you all by trying to teach my Granny to suck eggs, but it never hurts to re-visit the basics now and again and hopefully you'll have picked up a helpful hint or two.
So in this departure from my normal format post on back pain information I'm going to try and help you determine the best choice between hot or cold in a particular circumstance.
If your back problem is due to some type of back muscle injury then the first thing to do is establish if you have any inflammation or swelling. If there is no swelling then it's probably best to use heat to relieve the pain.
This is because heat increases the muscles' flexibility and elasticity. If you are hoping to maintain a level of activity then heat will be more suitable as it will encourage movement in the muscles without undue pain.
As heat increases blood flow and skin temperature you can apply an appropriate source of heat to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Moist heat seems to work best, at least it does for me, so you could use a hot towel.
I use the microwave, having soaked a towel and wrung it out a bit but be careful until you get the timing right, it gets very hot very quickly. You don't want third degree burns.
You can also use a gel pack which you can either heat in hot water or freeze to use as a cold application. These are pretty useful and I also use one myself. More for cold than hot, but that's just my personal preference.
If you just put something like heat pack or cold pack into your search engine you'll find lots of options, but you dont have to spend your money. You know about the towel and I bet most of you have a bag of frozen peas or similar in the freezer.
Anyway, to get back to the point, there will be times when application of cold will be more effective in reducing your pain.
If your back pain is caused by an obvious injury where swelling/inflammation has occurred then cold will be more appropriate.
The cold will cause the blood vessels to narrow and that will help limit any internal tissue bleeding (bruising) and swelling.
Whatever you use to apply the cold, gel pack, frozen vegetables, or ice. Wrap the source in a cloth like a tea towel or similar to avoid ice or freezer burn.
Again apply for 15 to 20 minutes before allowing the skin to return to normal temperature before re-applying. You can do this as often as you like for as long as you like. But if things havn't improved after say three or four days it would be wise to get medical advice.
If your back pain is caused by unaccustomed or excess (for you) physical exertion then cold is usually the way to go. Athletes tend to use cold applications to relieve muscle pain caused by over exercise and muscle stress.
If you have a back problem then the application of either heat or cold can be useful in reducing the severity of the pain. After assessing your problem you can decide which of the alternatives seems best for your situation.
Although it is more generally believed that applying cold to any muscle injury is best, in fact for chronic back pain heat works better, and I speak from experience here.
You also need to bear in mind that what works best for one person may not necessarily be the most suitable treatment for another.
The sensible way is to test both hot and cold, but when you do, use the cold therapy first as the application of heat could worsen any inflammation or swelling, where the cold treatment tends to be gentler.
That's all for today. I hope I haven't bored you all by trying to teach my Granny to suck eggs, but it never hurts to re-visit the basics now and again and hopefully you'll have picked up a helpful hint or two.
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