The Center for Natural Healing and Pain Free Living

Natural Health-Body Detoxification: Is it Necessary?

2009-01-30T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Nabil Khoury

Everyday, people are exposed to various toxins, which harm the body and cause serious diseases. These toxins can be internal toxins that are released in the body as a by-product of normal metabolic activity; or external toxins such as heavy metals (lead, aluminum etc), smoke, drugs (cocaine, steroids etc), food preservatives and additives, alcohol, chemicals, harmful organic compounds etc. The list is practically endless, which is why the process of body detoxification assumes vital proportions.

Body detoxification refers to the ability of the human body to rid itself of harmful toxins. The body performs the detoxification process through four main organs, which are:

*The Kidneys *The Liver *The Skin *The Intestines

All toxins in your blood, whether internal or external, reach your liver before they reach any other part of the body. The liver then acts upon these toxins and removes them through the bile and kidneys. Some water soluble toxins may escape the liver detoxification, but these are then eliminated through the kidneys. Your skin too helps in the process of body detoxification by eliminating toxins through sweat and skin rashes.

Thus, the natural body detoxification process generally ensures that all the toxins are removed from the body. However, in recent times, natural body detoxification processes may not be very efficient in removing all the harmful toxins from the body, due to several reasons such as:

*Sluggish detoxification enzymes in the body. *Presence of too many toxins in the modern world. *Poor nutrition and unhealthy diets. *Increased constipation. *Loss of equilibrium of bowel flora. *Presence of beta-glucuronidase, which is an enzyme that reverses the detoxification process, thus leading to an increase in the amounts of bodily toxins.

Due to all these factors, the natural process of body detoxification can take a severe beating, which is why it is essential to get body detoxification support. In order to optimize the body detoxification process, you may need to do several things including:

*Go on a detoxification diet. *Take natural nutrients and antioxidants which support the liver detoxification process. *Undergo various therapies for colon detoxification. *By simply doing one thing and not doing the other, you will not be able to detoxify your body effectively.

For best results regarding body detoxification, it is recommended that you seek professional help. A natural health expert will advise you about the best combination of body detoxification therapies, depending on your individual needs and interests. You will thus not need to rely on a single product which may or may not benefit you, but will have the finest resources at hand for optimum body detoxification and good health.

About the author: Dr. Nabil Khoury is a medical doctor. He practices integrative medicine combining allopathic medicine and natural health. Visit his website natural health and longevity bible at http://www.get-healthier.com to learn more about natural antioxidants at http://www.get-healthier.com/natural-antioxidants.html

How To Use Natural Cures for Everyday Health Issues

2009-01-29T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Gregg Hall

Natural cures for everyday Health Issues takes many forms. We call them Grandmas' old remedies or natural cures, but they are cures without using medications. Do you know how to stop a baby's hiccups? A little bit of sugar on your finger will take them away after he's done sucking off the sugar. Another one for hiccups for someone older is to try to scare them out of them, sipping water from a glass upside down, and then there's my personal favorite. Taking a big, deep breath and holding it until you either turn blue, pass out or your body forces you to breath. And that's what it does; you can't voluntarily hold your breath to turn blue.

Some other old remedies I remember from living with my Grandma. Do you have a cold? Then the best thing is to do a sink full of dirty dishes and make the water as hot as you can stand it. Personally, I would just rather go sit in the shower. Have you ever had vapor rubbed on your chest and covered with a piece of flannel? Been there, done that lots of times. Our cough syrup was honey and lemon juice.

Headaches also have many natural cures you can try. Exercise is a good idea, a brisk walk will get your blood circulating, release contracted muscles and generally just lets you relax. My personal favorite is a hot bath. The hot water also helps release bunched up muscles and helps you to relax.

Did you know that dehydration could cause headaches? It's been printed that you need to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day. I have heard the excuse that you don't like the taste of water, but now it comes in so many flavors and without sugar that excuse is pretty well not usable anymore. In addition, other natural cures for headaches include acupressure, acupuncture, and aromatherapy. You need to press or massage on the fleshy area between thumb and forefinger, that's one of the pressure points for acupressure.

Other ways to get rid of a nasty headache is to lie down in a dark room avoiding bright lights. Alternate hot and cold washcloths applied to the area where the pain is located. If you haven't eaten in a while, have something to eat that is nutritious. Do slight neck rolls and shoulder lifts to relieve tense muscles in your shoulder and neck area.

Here are some interesting natural cures for symptoms of pregnancy I wish I'd had when I was pregnant. To relieve symptoms of morning sickness there are natural cures you can do to help the situation. One of the most obvious is to cut out spicy and fatty foods. Another is to stay away from strong odors such as onion, garlic, and coffee. You should eat several small meals a day instead of three big ones. Try eating a few soda crackers with a couple of sips of room temperature water before you get up in the morning. Again, acupressure is recommended by wearing sea bands three quarter of an inch down your wrist in between tendons. Last, eat what sounds good to you. My doctor gave me that advice and it has been good for me throughout my life. Generally, if it sounds good, you can keep it down better.

Heartburn can also be helped by many of the same remedies of morning sickness. Some extra hints are avoiding trigger foods that are acidic, spicy, and fatty. Avoid tight fitting clothing after you've eaten which can worsen the symptoms. One other idea, add some slippery elm powder to a cup of tea.

Natural cures are available for arthritis sufferers as well. Ginger extract is a natural anti-inflammatory substance. It takes damaging oxidizing agents out of the body. In other words, it's an antioxidant. Ginger extract is completely natural and can be taken and have no side effects. Willow has also been used to ease pain. The Greeks used to mash the leaves of the willow plant with a little wine and apply it to the sore area.

Lifestyle changes can significantly impact pain levels of arthritis. Getting some exercise daily will help the joints moving freely and strengthens the joints. Don't overdo, but a little exercise will go a long way to keep you moving freely. It helps some sufferers if they cut back on certain foods. Some of those foods are red meat, dairy products, and tomatoes. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, include plenty of Vitamin C and you'll find your joints will feel better but you're also eating healthier too.

About the author: Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get your health products at http://www.shop4betterhealth.com

Boost Your Immune System With Natural Health Products

2009-01-28T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Gregg Hall

The benefits of taking care of yourself are some of the rewards you get from knowing that you are doing the best for your body. This includes the most important part of your body--the part which is in fact a mechanism that protects your body: your immune system.

Your immune system protects you against viruses, bacteria, and toxins. And to ensure that your body keeps doing all these things and more, you need to take good care of it. This includes taking precautions against diseases; and helping your body when you do get infected with diseases.

That is why only the best will do. Before you begin to incorporate a natural health lifestyle into your everyday life, you should first start to learn what options are available for you.

Natural health medicine is one of part of the pool of many medicines available in the natural health market. Because of its natural, anti-bacterial effects, many people are using in place of traditional medicine to cure their illnesses.

Natural health medicine is good in that it has a harmonious effect. It does not act as a drug, but more as a supplement for all your bodies needs. You know that you are giving your body the best of that nature has to offer; rather than bombarding it with chemicals that will harm it as much as help it.

Natural health medicine does not cause drowsiness and it works with the body to help you get better. The most-praised element of natural health medicine is that it is made from natural ingredients. And these ingredients enhance your body's effectiveness to work for you.

When you know what is at stake, you understand that natural health medicine can give you that ultra boost you need to get your body in the best defensive shape possible.

In addition to everything else, you will not suffer side-effects when you take natural health medicine; instead, the medicine will help your body to heal without harming it simultaneously.

About the author: Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get the natural health products you need from http://www.shop4betterhealth.com

Natural Dog Health Care: Giving Man's Best Friend A Longer Life

2009-01-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Joan Winthorp

It is important to give your dog the best life you can possibly provide. That includes taking care of all her needs.

Having a pet is not so different from having a child. Your dog depends on and trusts you to ensure that all its needs are taken care of.

This means making sure it gets regular check ups and vaccinations. That is the unwritten contract you sign when you have a pet.

And just like your body, your dog's body has special needs--and you need to find out how best to meet them if you want to improve your pet's quality of life.

Choosing natural dog health care means that you have taken a pro-active decision to do the best you can for your dog. It also means that you will dedicate yourself to this decision.

Natural dog care also means that you provide the best natural pet products for your dog. This will ensure that your dog stays healthy and enjoys a long life.

Natural dog health care also means that you need to know your dog's needs. Because just like us humans, your dog has its own unique needs that can only be met by the right products. You need to know that your dog is counting on you to know what is right for it.

That is when natural dog health care can be of benefit to you and your dog. You will easily meet your dog's daily demands and it will be of no effort at all.

You have to be sure that the products you purchase for your dog are not working against your dog immune system, but with it to ensure that your dog is getting healthy and strong.

By knowing what to get, you will be able to make the right decision.

Talk to your vet about natural dog health care; and ask them if they can advise you on what the best products are that will ensure you that you are giving your dog the best natural care possible.

About the author: Joan Winthorp has always been fascinated by dogs. If you are a ""dog lover"" then the Joans website at http://www.my-dog-training-secrets.com was written just for you.

Improve Your Dog's Health With Natural Dog Health Care

2009-01-26T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Joan Winthorp

Everyone who has a dog and who is conscientious about their own health will clearly see the benefits of providing a similar lifestyle for their pet. That not only means finding a good place for your dog to live, but also providing for his health.

Commit yourself to your dog's health by giving your dog the best in natural dog health care. As with humans, natural health care for dogs is often an advantageous alternative to chemical treatment.

If you want your dog to have the benefit of providing you with the companionship and entertainment that you need, then you really should make that effort to take care of his needs.

Natural dog health focuses on taking care of your dog's needs by using the best natural products you can find. Your dog has special needs; and you must to ensure that these needs are met on a regular basis if you want to see your dog live a long and healthy life.

Natural dog health care is also about purchasing the natural products that will best benefit your dog. A healthy dog is a happy dog; and when you take out your friend to play, everyone you encounter will see exactly how much love and dedication you have by giving your dog the best treatment and lifestyle possible.

The shiny coat and healthy look will be all the evidence they need. You will also be doing the best for yourself by adapting the natural dog care lifestyle, since you will have your friend around for a long time.

His immune system will be strong and he will enjoy partaking in the games that you will play. Natural dog health is also about changing your lifestyle so that you can be able to incorporate it in the way that you take care of your dog.

That means that you too should consider making natural health a part of you life. This could mean purchasing products that are natural and therefore good for your health.

By combining both methods, both you and your dog can life a happy and healthy life.

About the author: Joan Winthorp has always been fascinated by dogs. If you are a ""dog lover"" then the Joans website at http://www.my-dog-training-secrets.com was written just for you.

Use Natural Health Products To Help You During Pregnancy

2009-01-25T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Gregg Hall

When you are pregnant, you are constantly worried about your growing baby's health and your own health. Investing in natural health medicine can help you reach those goals that are vital to your health and the health of your child.

With all of the products on the market now that are causing unwanted side effects in adults there is no question that anyone who is pregnant would want to stay away from them. Fortunately there is a healthy alternative available for the expectant mother in natural health medicines and natural health supplements.

Doctors often advise pregnant women to be highly selective of the type of medications that they take. This is the reason why so many women opt for natural health medicine when they have any kind of illness during pregnancy--and also why you should consider using natural health medicine if you are pregnant.

Natural health medicine will help you and your baby to achieve a more consistent state of natural health without experiencing those nasty side effects most chemical medications can cause.

It is important to remember that if you have an illness, you should always consult your doctor before you undertake the task of purchasing any medicine, including a natural health medicine.

You can tell them you are interested in using natural health medicine to help you deal with the discomfort that your pregnancy is causing.

That is the best way to ensure that you will not put your baby at risk by perhaps taking medicine which even though the ingredients are natural could have some effect on your growing baby in some way or the other.

Remember that every pregnancy is unique and therefore has unique needs, which you should be aware of. There is no greater feeling than knowing that you are doing the best to ensure your baby's health.

And normally most natural health medicines will be able to provide for both you and your baby's needs. They help your growing baby's immune system as well as your immune system that is working hard to help your baby grow.

If you are pregant or are thinking of becoming pregnant be sure to discuss the natural health alternatives for treating any illness you may have during pregnancy with you doctor.

About the author: Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For great natural health products go to http://www.shop4betterhealth.com

Colostrum - Natural Health Food

2009-01-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Nutrovita1

COLO STRUM

Colo strum is the first milk secreted by a mammal after giving birth and is extremely important to the health of the infant. Because of the various health benefits of Colostrum, many people use it on a regular basis. Bovine Colostrum is the ideal substitute for human Colo strum as it is not species specific.

Colo strum is high in carbohydrates, protein and antibodies, and low in fat. It has a mild laxative effect, encouraging the passing of the baby's first stool, called meconium. This clears excess bilirubin from the body and helps prevent jaundice. Another factor is the high concentration of calcium, potassium, proteins, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and antibodies. Colo strum contains large numbers of antibodies called ""secretory immunoglobulin"" (IgA) that help protect the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, and intestines of the infant. Leukocytes are also present in large numbers; these begin protecting from harmful viruses and bacteria. Ingesting Colo strum establishes beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.

Colo strum is especially helpful to those who want to make use of the growth factors. When Colostrum is taken, growth factors are enhanced by contact with saliva and stomach acids. According to research, these growth factors increase cell re-growth and decrease the signs of aging. They also increase stamina and strength.

Colo strum is extremely efficient in battling viruses and infections because it is loaded with immune agents and powerful growth factors. In a human body, the thymus gland, located at the upper chest of the body, fights viruses and infections by producing white blood cells and T-cells. Unfortunately, because of toxins and nutritional deficiencies, it shrinks to one tenth of its size by the time a man reaches 40. Researches have revealed that regular consumption of Colo strum can help the thymus gland to re-grow to its youthful size. Colostrum contains up to 40 times the amount of immunoglobulin G, one of the body's most effective immune protectors. Nature has packed Colostrum with so many nutritional benefits that it's impossible to overlook its advantages. The agents in Colo strum can improve the absorption of nutrients in your body; improve the density of the bone, make your skin look younger, help burn fat, and they can increase your energy level.

Advantages Of Colostrum

For centuries Colo strum has been considered a potent health aid all over the world. It's a universally accepted natural health food, usually without side effects. Over the years, researches have proven the outstanding health benefits offered by quality Colostrum. No matter the age, gender, or even species, colostrum can revitalize the health of all living beings. The list of diseases colostrum is believed to cure is impressive. Researches have confirmed that Colo strum can cure anemia, asthma, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, diabetes, emphysema, gout, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, influenza, lupus, joint injuries and post-surgery pain, multiple sclerosis, nerve injuries, shingles, stress, stroke, temper outbursts, tendonitis, thyroid disorders, ulcers, and many more diseases.

Consumption of Colo strum also improves prostate health, speeds healing of injuries, improves hair growth & reduces allergy symptoms. Colostrum is as effective as an antibiotic for many diseases but without the side affects.

Side Effects Of Colostrum

Although there are no obvious side effects of Colo strum consumption, some people may experience mild side effects depending on the nature of their body and the quantity of Colostrum intake. Usually, when you consume Colostrum, a variety of toxins are flushed out from your body. When this is happening, you may experience flu-like symptoms. But this is only temporary and will subside as the toxins are completely flushed out from your body. Side effects like abdominal discomfort and/or diarrhea may also occur when the Colo strum consumption is too high and too fast.

Colo strum Nutrovita

About the author: Research & Herbs Depart At Nutrovita

How To Ride the Next Natural Health Supplement Wave

2009-01-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Dwain Berlin

Mangosteen Fruit

If you haven't heard about the exotic Asian fruit Mangosteen anywhere else yet, you're about to! Mangosteen is an amazing natural health supplement that only grows in the rain forests of Asia. The whole fruit contains over 40 of the most potent anti-oxidants known in science today... Xanthones. Asians have used Mangosteen to cure a wide variety of ailments for centuries and in the last few years a flurry of scientific activity has arisen because of the healing properties in this amazing natural health supplement the Mangosteen fruit.

An Amazing Discovery

The Mangosteen fruit and its healing properties was recently discovered by a Canadian business man, and the research that surfaced first was local Asian folklore surrounding the variety of healing properties of the natural supplement Mangosteen. Then with a little more in-depth research, a mountain of scientific papers (over a foot thick when stacked up) were uncovered about this amazing natural health supplement. It became evident there was more to the Mangosteen fruit than just its flavour.

So the question arose. Why hadn't anyone else brought this natural health supplement to market yet? The answer... Someone had to be first!

The Brand Name

The company responsible for bringing this natural health supplement to market is Xango (tm). Imagine for a moment a company that has broken a list of business records like start up, marketing, growth, financial stability to name a few and best of all, promoting a natural supplement that is changing lives!

Imagine...

Think about the significance of being first to market with a high demand product! Do you see the potential?

This article contains so little information about the wonderful Mangosteen fruit juice, it's in your best interest to go online and read a little more. What Mangosteen can do for your health and more specifically what Xango (tm) can do for your bank account will rock your world. Even if all you're interested in is the health benefits make sure to visit this website to learn more about this amazing natural supplement.

Here's one example of how Xanthones benefit your health.

In the early 90's scientists discovered that there are actually two forms of the COX enzyme called COX-1 and COX-2. Basically COX-1 is the good guy enzyme, and performs many ""house keeping"" functions like regulating the integrity of the stomach lining, regulating blood flow within the kidneys, and balancing platelet (blood clotting) function. COX-2 on the other hand appears when a ""cry for help"" by a cell is heard. COX-2 causes inflammation. When the proper regulation of COX-2 is subverted and is continually present, chronic inflammation and resulting damage occurs. Chronic inflammation is now believed to be linked to many serious health problems like heart disease and cancer and is the leading cause of arthritic pain.

To read more about the natural health supplement Mangosteen and all its healing properties, go here. http://www.mymangosteen.com/dwain

The MLM Opportunity

The marketing wave and demand for Mangosteen juice is building momentum right now. This MLM opportunity is ripe because of the massive demand for natural supplements. Xango (tm) has become an industry phenomenum with the daily volume of new clients. Also, the client retention rate is the highest seen for any product in recent memory. That could translate into steady growth in a solid MLM business for you.

*** Powerful Natural Health Supplement *** Discover The Amazing Healing Properties Of Mangosteen... The Queen Of Fruit From Asia Click here for more information on a great Natural Health Supplement

About the author: Being keenly interested in the health field most of his life Dwain Berlin has always been seeking out supplements and methods that deliver significant results.

How Do Vitamins Compliment A Natural Health Regimen?

2009-01-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Tabitha Naylor

Your body does so much for you, which is why so many people are returning the favor.

Natural health is one of the ways many people are opting to take control of their lives, as they have come to appreciate all that Mother Nature has to offer. Natural products provide us with nutrients that help the body. The problem with this concept is that to most, it seems like a daunting task to try and incorporate this type of lifestyle.

However, this doesn't have to be the case. You don't need to go overboard. You see the raw food diets, vegetarian diets, and a million others, all targeted towards helping you ""get natural"" with your diet. There is no need to take it to such extremes.

What does all this mean then? This means consuming more natural food products, and treating your body by giving it vitamins and other essential nutrients you aren't getting naturally through your diet.

Natural health is about being pro-active in your life. You need to understand that if you want to be part of the natural health community, then you must be dedicated to making your life, and especially your body, healthy.

Natural health is not about being a health freak, but more a health-conscious person. It is about making the lifestyle work with and for you.

To truly appreciate everything that natural health has to offer, you really need to invest in a natural health book, which you can refer to find out more. There is simply too much information out there. I cannot even begin to scratch the surface. My hope is that this article at least sends you in the right direction.

If you are like many, and have been living the junk food and quick meal life, then you will need to incorporate vitamins into your natural health regime. To be successful in this, you will need to obtain knowledge on what vitamins your body lacks. Reading food labels and paying attention to the ways that you prepare foods should help you assess this. Stay away from microwaving foods at all costs. And stay away from canned vegetables. These were two things that I never thought twice about, until I started researching this topic almost a year ago for my own personal use.

You will find that there are truly a lot of options available to you when it comes to choosing a more natural, healthy lifestyle. That is precisely why you will need to do proper research. Custom tailoring a program to fit your lifestyle and needs will help you keep your aim of living the natural healthy way. And don't worry if you simply can't figure out a way to get all the recommended vitamins and minerals from the food you consume... that's why vitamins are becoming a more popular product on the market these days.

In a nutshell, natural health means incorporating more naturalistic solutions into your life. You will be able to enjoy the pleasures of life with a body that functions at its optimum at all times.

And if you are truly dedicated, you will succeed. The best part is that once you start living better, you start feeling better; and that is crucial in dealing with everyday stresses and depressions. The first steps are the most difficult, but rest assured, you can do it.

After all, it only takes 30 days for something to become habit.

About the author: 3/28/2006: Tabitha Naylor is a master mentor, and strong advocate for the Isagenix Line. If you are interested in more information, Click Here and Click Here

Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Phantom Pain

2009-01-21T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Richard Neves, PhD., can be contacted through Healthy Life Centers at (888) 865-1870 and <a href=""http://iwanttoquitsmoking.com/"">www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com< /a>

<a href=""http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com"">Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Phantom Pain <a href=""http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com"">www.iwanttoquitsmoking.c om</a> The Stop Smoking Hypnosis people.

Much of what goes on in our bodies is controlled by the subconscious mind. A simple example is the process of moving from a sitting to a standing position. Infants (and stroke survivors also, for example) have to think consciously of exactly what their muscles need to do while they are learning to stand up, but it soon becomes automatic. Thereafter, when we want to stand up, we simply do it -- from then on, it's a process that's controlled by the subconscious mind.

Having learned how to control the body, the <a href=""http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com"">subconscious mind </a> is ""conditioned"" to experience certain sensations from arms and legs and to expect certain responses from them on ""command."". When arms or legs are no longer there, however, the subconscious mind continues to experience the old, learned sensations and to expect certain responses -- that is, until the subconscious mind is retrained to understand the new reality of the absent limb and have new expectations of sensation.

Stress is anything that makes you change, adjust or adapt. And it's cumulative. For example, if you have a tense or difficult discussion with a spouse or co-worker, and later spill coffee on your computer, the stress of spilling the coffee doesn't replace the stress of the discussion. It just adds another layer to your stress level that day. Physical and mental damage can result from too much stress, so it's important to learn and to use good coping skills to relax and relieve the pressure. Here are just a few:

Although we don't understand the subconscious completely, the literature is full of documentation of how the <a href=""http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com"">subconscious mind </a> can control pain (which I prefer to call ""discomfort"" - a less emotional term), and even ""cure"" diseases, such as cancer. For example, the Institute for Noetic Sciences has documented over 3000 cases of such ""cures.""

Certainly, one can explain phantom sensation and even painful phantoms in neurological and physiological terms, but we know the subconscious plays an important part, also. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical clinicians are trained to concentrate on the neurological and physiological explanations in recommending therapies to abate the pain. Hypnotherapy, however, concentrates on the <a href=""http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com"">subconscious mind </a> for answers, with an impressive degree of success, I might add.

Deep relaxation produces desirable physiological and biochemical responses that are exactly the opposite of those seen during stress. According to stress expert Dr. Edmund Jacobson: ""An anxious mind cannot exist in a relaxed body"".

Imagery and visualization are very important tools in hypnotherapy. When working with individuals who suffer chronic phantom pain, I would take them into a deeply relaxed state and ask them to visualize what is going on in their bodies. I might ask them to visualize their body as a blueprint of limbs and organs with the mind as a ""control room."" I might ask them to journey down through the body from the control room--down an imaginary elevator to an absent leg, for example -- to see what is going on there. I might ask the individual to visualize what is causing the discomfort and then visualize ""switches"" in the control room that might be able to shut off the pain. What is the residual limb or the phantom trying to say through the discomfort it's transmitting? What can the control room do to stop listening?

I might ask them to change their body blueprint to more accurately reflect the new situation, so there will be no conflict or confusion between what ""was,"" and what ""is."" I might ask them to rate their discomfort on a scale of one to ten, for example, and then find the ""volume control"" with which they can ""turn it down.""

I might also ask the subconscious mind to ""negotiate"" with the absent part to find out why it's ""misbehaving"" and reach an ""agreement"" that will result in new, non-painful, patterns of sensation.

An encouraging thing about these kinds of techniques is that they can be effective in treating all kinds of discomfort. Thus, these methods can help relieve ""real"" discomfort in residual limbs as well as ""phantom"" discomfort in absent limbs.

In terms of therapy, I believe in using a feather instead of a hammer. For phantom pain sufferers, neuroma resection, neural blocks, and other surgical therapies are hammers. Hypnotherapy is a feather. But because the subconscious mind is so very powerful, the feather is powerful, too.

About the author: Richard Neves, PhD., can be contacted through Healthy Life Centers at (888) 865-1870 and <a href=""http://iwanttoquitsmoking.com/"">www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com< /a>

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Super Foods, Natural Anti-Aging and Your Health

2009-01-20T03:02:00.000-08:00

Author: Alan Rhode

That certain foods have healing powers is a concept that is as old as civilization, but this concept is only now beginning to take root in the West. The terms ""functional food"" and ""super food"" are now popping up everywhere. Just what do these terms mean, however, and how does a food qualify as ""super""?

The first thing to take into account when exploring the functional foods terrain is that not all foods that are advertised as ""super foods"" are proven as having healing properties. As such, one must be very careful about what they believe in the avalanche of hype sprouting up on the Internet and elsewhere.

Why the Sudden Interest in Super Foods?

There are a number of reasons why the functional foods industry is growing at incredible rates every year. First of all, the populations of many industrial nations, such as the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Britain, and elsewhere, are aging rapidly. Baby boomers are beginning to taste their own mortality and are taking notice of how they treat their bodies.

""In the U.S., baby boomers who started turning 50 in 1996 are doing so at a rate of 300,000 per month. The interest in retarding the aging process and remaining healthy will continue to drive the market demand for functional food products,"" noted Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada.

Another reason for the surge in the functional foods industry is the increasing scientific research being done into the effects of certain foods on the body and mind. It has long been known in Asia that certain foods have incredible medicinal value, and with the sharing of research between world scientists, this knowledge is beginning to make its way to North America and elsewhere. Foods that have a long history of medicinal use are only now being verified as having medicinal value through peer reviewed research. An example of this is the goji berry (a.k.a. Wolfberry, a.k.a Himalayan Goji Juice ).

Just a few short years ago this berry was virtually unknown in North America. However, nutritionists and other researchers have since added countless studies to the medical databases involving the berries, and this has fueled a flurry of marketing websites from marketing networks and natural foods companies. These studies have been published in a number of peer-reviewed medical journals in Asia and elsewhere, and a number of natural healers and doctors have promoted the use of goji juice or berries.

What to Watch For

Unfortunately, there are many products available that have little or no scientific backing, and if you enter a health food store, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the dizzying array of choices you are faced with. It is therefore extremely important to first consult with a doctor who is familiar with the medicinal properties of plants (not many regular doctors are, so you'll have to find a good naturopathic doctor or traditional Chinese doctor, etc.). Take a good look in the PubMed medical database online, and do your research. Don't depend on companies who sell the products to get your information, find the skeptics. This is very important, as some plants may actually be damaging to your system. Other plants are very healthy for some people, but do not work well for others. Since everyone's body chemistry is different, it is important to get the advice of someone who is knowledgeable about such natural healing products. Using goji berries or goji juice as an example again, they may overstimulate the liver if used in excess. Although they are very beneficial to the liver, it may be wise to start off with around 20 berries per day and then slowly increase the dosage, according to naturopathic doctor Michelle Garieri of the Kingston Wellness Centre in Kingston, Ontario.

Food vs. Pharmaceuticals

The truth is, if everyone ate optimally, it would not be uncommon to see people living to be well over 100 years old. Most of our aging takes place due to our eating habits. Eating cooked foods, processed foods, and downright synthetic foods is the main cause of aging, according to many doctors. Most people simply do not get enough natural foods in their diet, specifically fresh fruits and vegetables. Instead, drugs are often prescribed to cover the symptoms that were initially caused by eating poorly. Unfortunately, our bodies are better adapted to foods than pharmaceuticals, so functional foods have few side effects, whereas pharmaceuticals do little except cover the symptoms while supporting a ""disease economy"".

Take it Over Time

Another aspect of the functional foods industry that often goes unmentioned is the fact that health foods are much more effective if used over time. Many Asians are well aware of the beneficial effects of using certain ""tonics"" over the long term. Such plants as He shou wu, Gotu Kola, American Ginseng, and Astragalus are examples of herbs that, used over a period of time, can help to boost the health of specific bodily systems, or the overall health of the body in general.

Whereas our health system and its medicines focus on treating the symptoms, many functional foods are used to prevent the illness to begin with by providing the body with materials it can use to repair existing damage, improve communication between cells, fortify the immune system and protect against free radicals. A number of herbs have symptom-treating functions as well, but these are used only when preventative measures have failed.

In conclusion, many benefits can come from exploring the so-called ""super foods"", many of which have been adopted from the ranks of traditional Asian medicinal herbs and foods. As long as one remembers that many of these herbs are indeed medicine, and should be treated as such, this is a relatively safe area to explore. There are many foods that you can begin eating immediately, and besides the aforementioned goji berries, one can also achieve many benefits from eating such super foods as sea buckthorn berries, acai berries, garlic, kale, pomegranates, cinnamon, flax seed and oil, turmeric, algae and brown basmati rice. This is by no means a comprehensive list, however.

About the author: For more information, visit http://www.antiagingaid.net, where you will find articles with extensive information on functional foods, comparisons of the companies selling certain natural health products and general information on anti-aging, including anti-aging advice on everything from how to eat to how to breath. At http://www.gojijuices.net, you will find information on goji berries and goji juice, a highly nutritious, antioxidant rich super food.

Heal Your Body With Natural Health Products

2009-01-19T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Gregg Hall

You want to be the best. And you know you deserve the best. You work hard and play hard. And natural health healing is your ticket to get the best from nature with the same drive and force.

If you want to keep your body in its optimum shape, then you need to take practical steps to do that. This means finding a natural health lifestyle that will work for you.

Your body's defences will be affected by the everyday activities that take a toll on your body. And you do not want all the illnesses to wear you down and prevent you from enjoying life.

Natural health healing is about taking care of you. When your body is worn-out, it cannot perform the services, such as defending you from viral and bacterial attacks.

Your immune system will be weak and you will be subject to getting ill. That is why natural health healing can provide you with the best defence there is: Nature.

You will be able to get help from nature with the natural health products that use these natural ingredients. This means that you get a stronger immune system, which equates to a healthier and happier you. You will be able to enjoy life to the fullest, as you will not have to worry about getting ill.

Natural health healing is also about being part of the natural health lifestyle. This will help you boost your energy levels; and when you have more energy, you will be able to enjoy life.

You will be able to find the time to start a new hobby and you will be able to have a good night's sleep.

These are but the few of the many benefits of getting in your best possible health with natural health healing and a natural health lifestyle.

Discover the Importance of Natural Prostate Health

2009-01-18T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Alex Fir

Modern men understand that it is vital to pay attention to their health as much as women. With illnesses such as prostate cancer, it is obvious that men must be more vigilant with their wellbeing.

Natural prostate health means that you must give your prostate the internal protection it needs. In order to help your body not to wear down and produce abnormal, tumour cells, you must find a natural health routine.

Natural prostate health also means that you must know which kind of supplements will protect and nourish your prostate.

If you do not have any prostate problems, your best option in the long run is a natural approach to prostate health. You will significantly cut the risk of getting cancer or other prostate irregularities, if you increase the amount of antioxidants you take and at the same time decrease the amount of preservatives you eat.

Natural prostate health is the best option that lots of men are making these days to guarantee their health. Men should be aware that indeed they can protect themselves from getting prostate cancer.

Natural prostate cancer institutes know that men must have the know-how, so that they will not be caught uninformed.

For this reason, you need to get in touch with your nearest natural health institute before you suffer irregularities to talk about what options you have.

Allow natural prostate health help you for the rest of your life. Rather than exposing your body to chemicals and radiation after you get cancer, deal with it proactively by living a healthier everyday life.

Make that commitment to your prostate health by committing yourself to a natural health lifestyle. It is your way to make sure that you are not unexpectedly caught by prostate cancer unaware.

About the author: Prostate cancer is one of the main causes of death among men. Visit Prostate Cancer Information for the latest news and information about this disease. You will learn the recent discoveries regarding prostate cancer treatment .

NATURAL HEALTH EDUCATION

2009-01-17T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Kevin Robb

The importance of natural health education is as necessary as food and clothing. It is clear that the choices we make impacts on our health and lifestyle. We need to take full responsibility for our body, what we eat and drink and the the exercise we give it.

Think about it - how long do you want to live? What kind of life do you want to enjoy?

Let's say you're 40 years old and you want to reach the magic 100 years still in good health - Now that's a clear goal!

Maybe you are 70 years old, you want to continue to enjoy life, but maybe you need to slow down the damage done to your health through drinking or smoking.

Think about it, If you have undue stress, are keeping an unhealthy diet, stocking up on fatty foods and or you are unhappy wouldn't you like to add a few 'EXTRA' years to your life?.

Then you had better stop whatever you're doing now and work on changing your habits and lifestyle.

Just as an automobile needs regular check ups to maintain its quality performance, so do we, we need to commit to a regime of discipline and effort, to guarantee us a longer and healthy life.

Through natural health education, people are given the power to determine how long they wish to live. The important value natural health education teaches us is - it is never too late to change. Don't wait for your body to falter before you change your habits.

Remember, we eat to live. We don't live to eat.

Through natural health education, we learn to strike a balanced diet by increasing the intake of fruits and fiber-rich vegetables as carbohydrate sources, keeping total fat consumption low, we also highlight the need for adequate protein in the diet, maintaining strict control of the protein-to-carbohydrate ratio at every meal.

But take note, it is important to mix diet with exercise. Having a healthy diet and exercise program will gradually make you feel better - and you will make a positive step toward extending you time on this planet.

Natural health education teaches us to strike a balance in one's nutritional program, to set a target goal towards health, vitality, longevity and disease prevention.

Anyone can change through learning about natural health, you can change the way you look and feel, and look forward to a vibrant, full, active and happy life.

About the author: Kevin regularly writes informative articles about general health issues and healthy living, you can read more at his site: Future Health Guide

Carpal Tunnel Begins in Your Neck, Not Your Wrist

2009-01-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Pamela Adams D.C.

If Carpal Tunnel Syndrome comes from typing on the computer all day, why didn't people who typed on typewriters get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Because there was no computer screen to draw their heads forward, their chins tilted up, necks strained. Typewriters were placed lower than desks and typists tilted their heads down not forward. The culprit in Carpal Tunnel pain, the Median nerve, exits the spinal cord from the lower part of your neck, travels through neck muscles under the collar bone to the front of your shoulder bone, then makes its way down your arm, past your elbow to your wrist where it passes through the Carpal Tunnel and into your hand.

That's a long way to go, and the nerve can be pinched anywhere along the route causing pain in your wrist and numbness in your hand and fingers. The very first and most common place it gets pinched is in your neck. You can wear a wrist brace, buy wrist rests, get an ergonomically correct keyboard, take painkillers, or have surgery and it won't help until you change the position of your head when you work at the computer.

Of course, it's not only computer workers who suffer from Carpal Tunnel symptoms. According to research from the Occupational Health Project at the University of Maryland, workers in the following occupations are most likely to develope the syndrome: 1. Assembler 2. Laborer--non-construction 3. Packaging-and-filling-machine operators 4. Janitors and cleaners 5. Butchers and meat cutters 6. Data entry keyers What is the common-denominator among these occupations? Workers must hold their heads forward and down and reach forward with one or both arms repeatedly.

Learn to keep your head on straight, whatever you do. If your head is supported by your spinal column and not the poor, overworked muscles of your neck and upper back; if you position yourself so that you don't have to reach with your arm, you'll go along way towards relieving and preventing symptoms.

Here are some suggestions for computer users: 1. The computer monitor must be placed directly in front of you. The top of the monitor should be no higher than eye level. 2. Keyboards should be placed low, so that arms can hang at your sides with foreams at right angles to upper arms and wrists straight. 3. Feet are flat on the floor; weight is on the sitting bones. There should be a slight arch in your low back. 4. Your breastbone should be lifted, creating a lengthened space between the navel and breastbone. This brings your head back to an aligned position. 5. Placement of the mouse should be a close to the body as possible so there's no reaching. It's better to use a ball, because fingers are designed for small, precise movements, shoulders are not. 6. A timer set to ring every fifteen minutes or half-hour is a good way to check on your posture. 7. Sleep on your back, not sides, until symptoms subside. Use a flat, thin pillow.

The following exercise is meant to be done once every hour during the day, and, lastly, in bed just before sleep: Lying on your back with hands clasped behind your head, elbows resting on the floor or bed, tuck your chin into your neck as if to make a double chin. Keeping the chin tucked in, gently press your head back into your hands. Hold for a count of ten. Then relax your chin and neck and take a couple of deep breaths. Do a total of three presses in a set. Do one set only every hour.

About the author: Dr. Pamela Adams helps undo the habits that cause you pain. She is the author of ""Dr. Adams' Painless Guide to Computing"" and a complimentary ezine, Self Health News. For more health tips and information, visit her website http://www.PainlessGuides.com

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Pain Killers Aren't The Only Answer

2009-01-15T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Jane Thurnell-Read

Pain is something that most of us dread, but pain often serves a useful purpose: it tells us that something is wrong and that we need to do something about it. So that toothache or pain in the back should not be ignored. Unfortunately some medication masks pain rather than treating pain. So, what can you do if you are experiencing pain?

Sometimes the choice is obvious: if you have toothache, you need to visit a dentist. Sometimes it's less clear. What do you do if you have backache? There are several different choices, including visiting an osteopath, a chiropractor or a sports therapist. Sometimes specific exercises will do the trick. Have a look at the books by Pete Egoscue for simple easy exercises you can do to help alleviate chronic pain.

Sometimes chronic pain responds well to a change in diet. Some people with arthritis find that reducing their meat intake and/or sugar and white flour intake works well. Some pain is caused by allergy problems, so check this out with a kinesiologist.

A recent study on irritable bowel syndrome has shown that many sufferers are allergic to foods, such as yeast (in bread, alcohol, etc.), wheat, peas, cashew nuts, almonds, barley, beef and soya. Migraine sufferers often do well if they exclude certain trigger foods, such as chocolate, cheese, red wine and citrus fruit.

Drinking lots of water can help. So can eating lots of fruit and vegetables. These are rich in antioxidants, which help keep the joints lubricated and so prevent stiffness. Many people swear by fish oil supplements, or glucosamine sulphate to keep them fit and supple into old age.

Whatever you do, don't just put up with pain. Have a look at all the possibilities, not just pain killers.

About the author: Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. She has written two books for the general public: ""Allergy A to Z"" and ""Health Kinesiology"". She also maintains a web site <A HREF=http://www.healthandgoodness.com>http://www.healthandgoodnes s.com</A> with tips, inspiration and information for everyone who wants to live a happier, healthier life.

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Asthma treatment utilizing natural health products versus prescription medicine

2009-01-14T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Rich Marsiglia

Traditionally, Asthma is researched and known as a condition, which affects the respiratory track of the lungs. Asthma can be categorized into allergic and non-allergic or extrinsic, intrinsic and mixed asthma.

An extrinsic Asthma (allergic) :It is normally attacked by allergic things such as dust particles, fumes or smokes, animal dander, sugar, chemicals, drugs, environmental and industrial pollutants, food additive and tobacco, etc

An intrinsic Asthma (Non-Allergic): Generally triggered by adrenal glands' disorder and emotional disorder such as stress, tension and anxiety.

It is wholly depends on the stimuli that trigger or target in attacking a person.

Mixed Asthma Mixed asthma is a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic asthma. Mixed asthma patients react to certain allergies but also are triggered by other reasons and things.

It is a two- steps problem. * When a person is affected by asthma, inflammation is felt in the air passages and it becomes red and swollen. * When the air passages get inflamed, the patient becomes extra-sensitive to different things, which may aggravate asthma.

Symptoms:

It is a respiratory disease caused from allergies; it can be identified or its presence can be felt by symptoms like chest constriction, labored breathing and continuous coughing.

Asthma is a chronic disease, which cannot be cured permanently but can be controlled. One can control his asthma if it is early and properly diagnosed and then patient goes for early treatment. If treatment is not done earlier or a patient becomes careless about his health then there will be frequent and severe attack of asthma, which may lead to fatal consequences.

Treatment:

We know that asthma cannot be cured permanently but we can control it to great extend if we opt natural treatment and take some precautions. Heavy doses of medicines of different chemical compositions may aggravate asthma instead of controlling it. So it is better to start treatment using natural products.

Natural treatment is safe and result oriented; it can control asthma to great extend without any side effects. The health condition of the lungs, immune system, nervous system and adrenal system are the vital areas for the treatment of asthma through natural products.

Asthma treatment using natural product

Natural treatment starts by avoiding things, which trigger asthma such as aerosol, sugar, food additives, fats food, salt, fast food, junk food, ice cream and chemically preservative food.

The patient must add more juicy fruits, green vegetables, fiber vegetables and raw nuts in his diet.

Patent must avoid such conditions and situations, which cause emotional disturbances or negative emotions such as depression, restlessness, anger, anxiety, destructiveness, self-condemnation and self -pity.

In natural treatment of asthma diet, emotional and physical aspects to be taken care.

Herbal products must be taken that help in removing excessive mucous and clear respiratory track.

Herbal asthmatic formula contains 13 types of herbs, which reduces excessive mucus, chest constriction; clear respiratory track and helps in comfortable breathing.

Herbs contain antitussive and antispasmodic qualities, which helps in toning lungs and helps in relieving congestion.

There are herbs included for the treatment of asthma that having demulcent and expectorant qualities to tone up bronchial tubes that help in expelling excessive mucus and phlegm.

Some herbs have multi qualities, which act on the body suitably and positively to tone and shape up lungs, clear air passage, control and calm down coughing and control labor breathing.

Herbs like elecampane, garlic, mustard, ginger, skullcap and valerian easily available naturally and these herbs are highly recommended for the treatment of asthma.

There are herbal chocolate and tea, which can be used for the treatment to control asthma. There are tonic, based on herbs to strengthen the immune system and respiratory system. Food powders are made of herbs and fruits to fight asthmatic attacks.

There are ointments made by herbs to rub the chest during the breathing problems or chest constriction. There are also ayurvedic and homeopathic treatment to control asthma, which is found to be very effective and substantial.

Asthma should be treated opting natural products and herbs because it is safety, cheaper and free from any side effect. These applications will certainly control your asthma and same time you can enjoy life normally and naturally.

About the author: Author Rich Marsiglia, Natural Health Products at YourHealthyPlace .

7 Natural Factors that Affect Your Health

2009-01-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: ian Williamson

Everyday living in today's society can be very taxing on our bodies. With hectic work schedules and quick or skipped meals, we are damaging and destroying our bodies a little bit more every day.

A very sure solution would be to employ eight natural doctors to aid in your healing process. Don't worry, they will not charge you any money, in fact, these doctors will actually help you save money.

Once you have followed the advice of these eight natural doctors, you will experience a new start in life. And 'New Start' is an easy way to remember these doctors. Let's take a brief look at them one at a time.

N-E-W S-T-A-R-T

N - Nutrition It is important to ""watch what you eat"". Eating a lot of trans-fatty foods will not only make you overweight, but will aid in clogging your arteries. Eating plenty of fresh, green, leafy vegetables is a great way to help your body get the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function properly.

E - Exercise The reason exercise is important is because this is how your heart gets stronger. A stronger heart means better blood flow. If you spend 30 minutes, three days a week, working out, not only will you feel better, but your mental abilities will also improve. For exercise to be effective, it must be progressive, systematic, and habitual. The more you exercise, the stronger every part of your body will become.

W - Water It used to be said that you should drink 8 glasses of water each day. Today that number is debated as to whether that specific number applies to everybody or not. The bottom line is that your body is comprised of mostly water. Your brain needs plenty of fresh water everyday in order to function properly. While your body can go three days without water, your brain will start to experience negative effects within 12 to 14 hours. There is no substitute for water, not even sports drinks. By drinking plenty of water every day, your brain, kidneys, and most internal organs will function more efficiently.

S - Sunshine Taking a break from your cubicle everyday and getting into the sunshine will do more for you than you may realize. According to Dr. Tedd Mitchell, in his article for USA Weekend, recent studies suggest that the sun's ability to stimulate vitamin D production in the skin can make it an incredible boon to the body in fighting certain kinds of cancers, including some skin cancers. Taking short, regular breaks to allow your body to be exposed to sunshine is a good way to help you stay healthy.

T - Temperance Temperance is keeping everything in moderation. We all know about being temperate in eating; don't overeat or you will gain weight, etc. But temperance should be used in all areas. For example, too much sunshine can cause skin cancer, so limit how much sun you actually expose yourself to. In order to maintain a healthy life, you must use each of these natural doctors in moderation. Don't overdo it in any area. Keeping well-balanced is the key to good health.

A - Air Getting plenty of fresh air is extremely important; you cannot live more than a few minutes without it. Make sure that your homes and offices are properly ventilated. If possible, open some windows to provide cross-ventilation. Most people leave their windows shut during the winter months, causing the air to become stagnant and ill-smelling. If you cannot open the windows in your office, make sure you take your breaks outside so you can give your body the necessary oxygen it needs to keep healthy. When you are able to go outside and take ten deep breaths, it is like giving yourself an oxygen cocktail. Your body loves it.

R - Rest Maybe you have heard that children grow while they sleep. This is true. During rest, your body is able to grow and to re-build itself. The brain tissue is being restored and the nerves are re-charged while you sleep. If you skimp on sleep, your body does not have adequate time to re-condition itself and to heal itself. Getting the necessary hours of sleep each night is important to maintain a healthy body.

T - Trust in God Trusting in God is the most important of all natural doctors. If we believe that we were created in His image and that He sent His Son to redeem us, we should have no problem trusting Him to take care of us and to keep us healthy. If we do our part in eating nutritiously, exercising, drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of sunshine, being temperate in all areas, getting plenty of fresh air, and getting plenty of rest, God will do His part in sustaining our life to the fullest and keeping it healthy. Just trust Him, He knows what He's doing.

About the author: For more Health Articles by Ian Williamson please visit http://www.real-articles.com/Category/Health/4

6 Natural Ways to Great Health

2009-01-12T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Joseph Beres

6 Natural Ways To Have Great Health by: Joseph Beres

Take control of your own health. People often don't think about it until they develop health problems. Here are some common sense things you can do to create good health for yourself.

1. Open yourself up to become aware and learn. There are many approaches to health using natural techniques. It may be using nutritional supplements. It may be using health professionals such as chiropractors or massage therapists. Look into finding naturopathic doctors practicing in your area. The thing is to open up your mind and explore different options.

2. Maintain optimal weight.

You have to find a weight that feels right to you. Some people naturally weigh more tha others, but a 5% loss of body weight (10 pounds for someone weighing 200 pounds) can lower health risks. 3. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.

Organic may be best, but just make an effort to eat more. Eat what you like, maybe even experiment with different fruits or vegetables you may not have tried before. One such fruit is mangosteen. It comes from the rainforests of southeast asia. It has potent antioxidant power. One brand name is Xango, which processes the fruit into a juice. This makes it very easy to use.

4. Relax

There are many methods to accomplish relaxation, such as meditation, breathing exercises, or yoga. Also remember to give yourself time to do what you like whatever it may be. Gardening, painting, reading, even playing with your pets. The choice is yours, just remember to set aside time for yourself.

5. Get regular exercise.

This doesn't have to be formal exercise. Just make an effort to move around more than you do now. Walking is an excellent, easy form of exercise.

6. Get your antioxidants.

Vitamins C and E are important ones. The mangosteen juice as mentioned before can be very helpful. Green tea has been found to be a very effective way to get antioxidants. It can normalize weight. It can also promote relaxation.

When you think about it, these 6 ways all work together. It is not that difficult to become healthy. Just be aware, learn, and explore.

About the author: Joseph Beres http://healthdepotonline.com

What to Do When You Encounter Back Pain

2009-01-11T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Eddie Tobey

"Ouch– my back hurts," you moan, reaching for your sore, pinched, or strained backside. This is an all-too common scenario for many of us. More than 65 million Americans suffer from back pain every year. It is the most frequent complaint from people seeking medical care.

Advances in medicine have created many treatment options for people seeking back pain relief. Alternative treatments have increased in number and availability as well. However, there is still no "miracle cure" able to rid the world of back pain once and for all. Since the intensity, causes and specific conditions vary with each patient, you need to discuss treatment options with a health care professional in order to tailor treatment to your specific condition.

Patients have an almost daunting number of choices of medications, some of which alleviate not only back pain but reduce inflammation, muscle tension, and spasms too. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) include aspirin, ibuprofen, and a host of prescription medicines. Taken regularly, these medications can significantly reduce inflammation and resulting back pain, and also provide back pain relief when taken during acute episodes. One common side effect of NSAIDs that should be taken into consideration is their propensity for causing gastrointestinal upset.

Acetaminophen comes in many over-the-counter medications. It acts as an analgesic, and is often used to treat acute pain. These medications can be taken alone or in conjunction with NSAIDs. Potential harmful side effects of acetaminophen include liver and kidney damage.

Doctors sometimes prescribe opioids or muscle relaxants for severe pain, but these medications can be habit-forming.

Acupuncture has been used in China for over 2,000 years and was first popularized in the United States in the 1970s. This ancient alternative to traditional 'Western' medicine has received validation by research studies which have documented acupuncture's beneficial effects on patients, but many within the medical community are wary of relying too heavily on this form of treatment, as modern medicine has not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works.

Another alternative treatment, chiropractic, is based on the understanding that a properly functioning nervous system is essential for good health. The spinal column is quite literally the 'backbone' of the nervous system, because the spinal cord is encased inside it, as well as nerve roots that branch out into the entire body. Chiropractors adjust the spine of patients, aligning the vertebrae and correcting stress-inducing imbalances.

Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, which helps patients build strength and increase flexibility. Physical therapy combines exercise with massage, heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.

It is essential that you know what is causing your back pain so you can get the right treatment for you. Your doctor plays a crucial role in diagnosing and prescribing treatment for your condition, but in order to achieve the most effective treatment, you must take an active role in your healthcare also.

About the author: <a href=""http://www.i-painrelief.com"">Pain Relief Info</a> provides detailed information on arthritis, back, joint, lower back, natural, chronic, neck, sciatica, knee, fibromyalgia, and muscle pain relief. Pain Relief Info is the sister site of <a href=""http://www.e-acidreflux.com"">Acid Reflux Web</a>.

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Lower back pain and myths

2009-01-10T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Ansh

8 out of 10 people in some parts of their lifetime experience back pain. Problem of lower back pain is there since long but the remedy is not that simple and straight forward. Some people with proper medication and exercise may find solution and get rid of it quite quickly where as for some it is long and winding road to getting an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment. There is lot of misconception attached to back pain and one with the problem should know what is right for him. Don't get confused with the misleading information to confuse the situation. Lets have a look at some of the common myths attached to back pain:

# Back pain leads to paralysis

The spinal cord starts from the base of the brain goes through the neck and upper back and ends at the upper part of the lower back. Lumber spine has no spinal cord and has a large space for the nerve roots so its in unlikely that a back pain could cause a paralysis even in serious conditions.

# Back pain occurs at old age

Back pain is more common in younger people between 30-50 then in old ones. This is generally true for discogenic pain such as pain that occurs due to slipped disc or degenerative disc disease.

# Spine could be easily injured

The spine is designed uniquely and has a robust structure. Surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments provides strength, flexibility and support for the spine.

# Physically active people don't suffer from back pain

It is true that active and well-conditioned people are less prone to back pain then sedentary individuals. However, back pain could affect all people regardless of their level of activities. Sports such as gymnastics, golf, cricket, and tennis are more likely to cause back pain.

# Lower back pain is related to weakness of bone

Lower back pain is not related to the weakness of the bone and it may happen to the individuals with strong bones.

# Diet affects lower back pain

No, type of food does not have any direct relation with lower back pain.

# Sleep on floor of or hard bed if you have lower back pain

Sleeping on floor or hard bed is in fact harmful for lower back pain. You must be comfortable in your sleep. A normal bed with a firm cotton mattress is enough.

About the author: Ansh is a health freak and loves writing for web. He could be reached at at <a href=""http://www.herbal-home-remedies.com"">Home remedies</a>

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The Health Benefits Natural Dietary Supplements

2009-01-09T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Wirat Munpan

You should check with your health care professional before taking any thing, including natural dietary supplements. Some natural dietary supplements can cause health problems instead of improving your overall health. As with all health supplements, please consult your physician before taking any creatine dietary supplement or other natural supplement. Trinovin is a natural dietary supplement that contains isoflavones, known to contribute to the maintenance of prostate health. The health benefits of a natural dietary supplement can be great, when used correctly and in accordance with the recommended daily dosage. Finally, most health care practitioners are in a quandary regarding dietary supplements and natural products.

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Solgar Natural Health Products Help You Maintain Healthy Hair And Nails

2009-01-08T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Keith Woolley

Your hair gives one of the biggest first impressions people will get when they see you, as it complements all of your other features.

Your hands also tell a story about your life and therefore it is important to take care of these features. It is common to note that people often don't consider that their hair and nails have an effect on their everyday lives.

That is to say when you have a bad hair day it can either make or break your day. That is why it is important to have healthy hair and nails.

It is not a myth used by shampoo ads; it is the reality and a harmonious aspect of being healthy. This is due to the fact that overall health means just that--overall health--not just one component of being ""healthy.""

Solgar natural health products are wonderful products to use. With the natural ingredients they will nourish and feed your hair without unwanted side-effects that many chemical products create. These natural health products include a number of shampoos and conditioners.

If you have dry hair, there are natural health products that will help you solve the problem. Remember that the weather also has an effect on your hair. If your hair sustains a whole lot of damage, you will need to rectify if before it gets worse.

There are also natural health products you can use on your hands. These will make you have strong healthy nails by exfoliating dead cells and fortifying living cells with minerals.

A woman's worst enemy is brittle hair and nails. That is why natural health products are here to help. They are formulated in a way that will ensure that all your hair and nails needs are met.

So maybe you should go out and find that natural health product that will help you.

Do your research; this will help you know what your options are and how you can use these natural health products to benefit you. A recommended product would be Solgar's Skin, Hair and Nail formula, available at http://solgar.co.uk/modules/shop/view.asp?catid=18&Prodcode=E1736

At least you will know that you are giving yourself the best care there is: natural health, from Solgar.

About the author: Keith Woolley is the Technical Director of Boots Herbal Stores Ltd.

Boots Herbal Stores distribute Solgar Vitamins & Herbs online from http://www.solgar.co.uk

Controlling diabetes with natural health products

2009-01-07T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Rich Marsiglia

What do you mean by diabetes

Diabetes occurred due certain metabolic disorder and mal functioning of the pancreas, which leads towards excessive urination, thirst, weakness and restlessness. The Diabetes can be divided into two categories Diabetes mellitus and Diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes mellitus (type one):

In diabetes mellitus body unable to make insulin. Insulin helps the body to convert the sugar from the body into energy source. The patient is insulin dependent. Type one diabetes is very prevalent among young children, young and adults.

Diabetes insipdus (type two)

Diabetes insipdus results due to insulin defective in insulin production and tissues resist to insulin production. In type-2 diabetes, daily supplement of insulin is not necessary. The patent is insulin non-dependent. Controlling diet and doing moderate physical exercises can control type two diabetes.

Diabetes is often slow and silent in effecting a person, an individual may not notice or feel its existence. The tissues of eyes, kidneys, the nerves and the blood vessels of the heart are target areas, which are attacked by diabetes. Diabetes cannot be cured permanently but it can be controlled to great extend.

Causes of diabetes: Excessive eating containing sugar, obesity, lack of exercise, tension and stress and heredity.

Treatment of diabetes with natural products:

People are reluctant and repulsive towards high dose medicines containing different chemicals, which have severe side effects like head reeling, shivering, tiredness, dizziness and skin allergy. So it is better to opt natural treatment using natural products for the treatment of diabetes, which is safe and free from any side effects. Natural products are cheaper and easily available.

Some herbs are highly recommended for the treatment of the diabetes. Important Diabetic Natural Remedy Considerations:

1. Consumption of sugar in large quantity for long time may lead to blood sugar level complications

2. Don't take fatty food, must take fruits and vegetables containing fiber. Fiber reduces blood sugar levels.

3. Avoid direct sugar intake (sugars found in raw fruits or whole grains react on the body differently)

4. White flour based food products increases the chances of diabetes and it will increase the blood sugar level. Avoid taking these foods.

5. Diabetes must be checked up regularly, especially the blood sugar level or it can be dangerous and fatal if it is ignored.

Gymnema: Improves insulin levels in the body. It controls and destroys sugar-craving habits of a patient. This herb also helps in lowering blood sugar level. It can be used for 18 months and more for positive result.

Fenugreek: Helps in glucose tolerance and breaking the glucose and excrete through urination. Keeps blood sugar level balanced and stable.

Cayenne: works as health tonic and tones blood circulation.

Dandelion: It takes care of the liver, which breaks nutrients into glucose.

Kidney Beans: Helps in detoxifying the pancreases.

There are some herbal diabetic supplement, diabetic vitamins such as Chromium GTF tablets and Chromium Picolinate capsules to control diabetes. Other sugar control supplements are SLIM 3, chromium and niacin, chromium picolate, liver and gall formula, multi vitamins, and food powders exclusively based on natural herbs.

Treatment of diabetes through Homeopathic Medicines

Homeopathy medicines are also very effective for the treatment of diabetes.

Uranium Nitrate: this remedy helps in reducing sugar level in the blood and helps in digestion and decreasing sugar in the urine.

Syzygium jambolanum: It is a remedy helps in decreasing sugar in urine if it is taken in lower dose.

Phosphoric acid: It helps the patient having diabetes due to nervous origin. When the urination is increased and the color of urine is milky containing sugar the phosphoric acid to be thought of. It is a great remedy to cure diabetes mellitus when it is rudimentary stage.

Lactic acid: one of the best remedies for diabetes due to gastric origin. The symptoms are frequent urine; urine is yellow, much thirst, nausea and debility, dry skin, much gas in stomach and dry tongue. If these symptoms are present then lactic acid is the best remedy for it.

Acetic acid: it helps to reduce frequent urination and it also abates severe thirst and dry skin.

Bryonia: If symptoms like bitterness in the taste , dryness of the lips and weakness then Bryonia is first remedy to be remembered

There are other remedies such as Chionanthus and Argentum mettalicium good for the treatment of diabetes.

Diabetes can be controlled and a patient can lead normal life if he takes care of himself by adopting right treatment.

About the author: Author Rich Marsiglia, Natural Health Products at YourHealthyPlace .

Coping with lower back pain and sciatica

2009-01-06T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Bill Morrison

Help for your back pain

Lower back pain is a problem many people the world over often come to endure to some degree. For some it is a source of constant pain and agony, while for others it is a problem which comes and goes without too much suffering.

One of the biggest problems is trying to convince your doctor just how much pain you are in, and if you have a prolapsed disc impinging on your sciatic nerve it could take weeks or months before it is correctly diagnosed. All this of course could depend on where you live, how sympathetic your doctor is, or how much you can afford to spend on health care.

The saddest fact of all is, for the many back pain sufferers, there is much that can be done to help ease the pain and get back some form of mobility. Even knowing the right questions to ask your doctor can often help.

Perhaps the most important way all back pain sufferers can help their self is by doing gentle stretching and exercise. This could well be the last thing many sufferers would wish to contemplate when sometimes it is even painful just to move. Sometimes the best way to get started is to do some gentle stretches before you get out of bed. Ask your heath care provider what ones are suitable for you.

Always seek medical help. Do some research on the Web before visiting your health care practitioner and make a list of questions to ask. It is also important, if your back problem persists, to make arrangements to have a MRI scan. This is usually definitive in identifying the problem area.

Once you know what is wrong you can focus all your energy on rehabilitation. Usually there are many avenues to explore including surgery, passive manipulation, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Physical Therapy, Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, Alexander Technique, Chi Kung, Magnetic therapy, TENs machines, and so the list goes on. What works well for some may not work at all for others so it is important to explore as many avenues as possible and try to keep positive.

About the author: Bill Morrison has his own website http://www.help4urback.com where he describes his own personal experiences and what worked for him, including personal recommendations on what books to buy, the best way to get relief for lower back pain ans some useful web sites to check out.

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To Buy Pain Meds Online, a Dangerous Move

2009-01-05T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Jay Moncliff

There are a lot of people that are in pain out there today. If you are one of them, you may try to buy pain meds online. This can be for many reasons. Perhaps your doctor won't write you a prescription for your pain meds. Perhaps you can't afford to go see the doctor and get a prescription. Or maybe you are just addicted to pain meds (hopefully not) and your doctor won't give you a prescription. Whatever the reasons are, if you are going to buy pain meds online, you better be careful.

Many people want to buy pain meds online simply because it is cheaper for them. Recently, thousands of online pharmacies have popped up offering for people to buy pain meds online without a prescription. They offer to sell the medication at cost, or at wholesale prices. This sounds all and good at first, but is it really safe to buy pain meds online?

The answer is more than likely ""no."" This is especially true if you weren't required to provide a prescription to buy pain meds online. The safety of this purchase is not easy to determine. First off, when you buy pain meds online, how can you be sure that the drug you get it the exact one you asked for, or even if it is the correct potency? The risk for an overdose can be very high. Also these online pharmacies will let anyone buy pain meds online. They do not ask for a prescription or your medical history. They could sell it to a child, a teenager, or a person with a drug addiction. All of this will end in bad results. The FDA also states that it is illegal to purchase or distribute any form of prescription medication without having a prescription or being licensed to do so. So in essence, you are doing something illegal.

There are a few safe places to buy pain meds online. These are the online pharmacies that require a prescription and your medical and allergy history. These websites should have a verifiable street address and a toll free number with live operator assistance. They should also be a licensed pharmacy and have a way for you to check and verify their license. If the online pharmacy is lacking in any of these fields, then you should never purchase from them.

You should never buy pain meds online without a prescription. It has been proven dangerous for many reasons. The safest route is to go to your doctor and get a prescription first. If you can't do that, then purchase an over the counter pain medication. Your life and safety is much too important to risk anything else.

About the author:

Jay Moncliff is the founder of <a href=""http://www.medsonlinecenter.info"">http://www.medsonlinecent er.info</a> a blog focusing on the <a href=""http://www.medsonlinecenter.info"">PetMeds</a>, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on Medicine. For more info on Pain Medicine visit: <a href=""http://www.medsonlinecenter.info"">PetMeds</a>

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Overcome Sports Pain After 40 - Are Remedies Available? Part 2

2009-01-04T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Kamau Austin

Overcome Sports Pain After 40 - Are Remedies Available? Part 2

In Part 1 of this article we explored the desire of persons over forty to experience optimal health. Optimal health for most of us can be reflected in more active lifestyles.

Your efforts and goals to be in good shape that results in better health usually will include working out and losing weight.

Nevertheless, your best efforts to achieve the more active and healthier lifestyle may be frustrated by chronic ache joints or back pain.

We also touched upon the condition known as Osteoarthritis and its root causes.

While you should always check with your doctor and health professional before taking on strenuous exercise, below are some tips that helped me feel healthier and better. - Wear the Best Equipment to Exercise and Train

I found that wearing the best running shoes for my foot and ankle type relieved a lot of stress in my ankles and feet. The most expensive brands however does not always equate to the best fitness shoes for your body type.

Nike shoes (some of the most expensive) where not my best choice, a running shoe called ""The Beast"", about $125 actually was the most supportive for a big guy. Plus I also invested in good sports slippers by a company called ""Keen"".

My wife (a very frugal lady) was incredulous when I invested over $100 dollars each for both a running shoe and slipper like shoes to wear around the house. However these running shoes and sports slippers are both comfortable and offer a lot of support to my ankles.

I noticed my back and ankles feel much better after wearing these shoes. To me the over $225 was a great investment in supporting my ankles - knees - joints and back.

I noticed my running was pretty straightforward training. On the other hand basketball or sports with a lot of lateral movement challenged me with my knee condition.

Therefore, when playing these exercises I ware strong Ace fabric knee braces to support my knees.

You would be well advised to wear good supportive sport equipment and products when training for a sports or your active lifestyle after 40.

- Try Supplements for Nutritional Support For years you may of heard of joint support supplements like Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin working wonders for people with Osteoarthritis. I have used these products with good success.

Within days my joint pain, especially in my knees, are greatly diminished. Leading alternative and traditional wellness expert Dr. Andrew Weil M.D. advocates the use of Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin to help with joint support problems.

The best product that I have personally tried to help alleviate my knee and joint problems with my challenging workout goals is known as Phosoplex. It not only diminishes my knee pain, but my knees feel very stable and strong after using it a couple of weeks.

Phosoplex lists both Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin as active ingredients but also includes Biocell Collagen ll as a cutting edge ingredient. Phosoplex is purported to use a time-released formula that is longer lasting than traditional Glucosamine supplements.

I don't know all the scientific mumbo jumbo, but what I do know is it helps my joints feel a hell of a lot better - especially on damp rainy days.

Combine losing weight, good sport equipment, eat healthy foods, and try some good supplements like Phosoplex and see if your joint pain is greatly diminished.

Products like Phosoplex can be further researched at Amazon or the http://www.BODeStore.com

About the author: Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast and advocate. He is also the publisher of http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.com .

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Natural Health Supplements

2009-01-03T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Eddie Tobey

For centuries, natural ingredients have been used for medicinal purposes in countries like India, to bring about a healthier, happier lifestyle. Nowadays, the whole world has awakened to the advantages of these natural herbs, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, which are becoming increasingly popular.

Natural health supplements are broadly categorized as herbal supplements, food-based supplements, dietary supplements and antioxidants. Herbal supplements are made from natural herbs and extracts like aloe vera or ashwagandha. These supplements include ayurvedic herbs, Chinese herbs and herbal teas.

Food-based supplements include everyday food ingredients and have excellent health benefits. These include a vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants are protective elements which have the capacity to counter the free radicals in the body, a common cause of heart disease, premature aging, and cancer. Beta Carotene, turmeric and green tea are some rich sources of natural supplements.

According to experts, the ideal way to consume natural health supplements is to combine a variety of supplements into a single capsule, pill or powder. Thousands of pharmaceutical companies are engaged in the manufacture of these supplements under various brand names to meet the ever-increasing demand.

With the popularity of herbs, ayurveda and other natural medicinal sciences increasing rapidly, natural health supplements are also becoming increasingly popular. Known for fast and long-lasting effects, these supplements are harmless, with minimal or no side effects. Harnessing the qualities of various natural components, which are easy to use and apply, these supplements are extensively used in beauty therapies and other medicinal applications. Though these supplements are immensely effective and harmless, it is always advisable to consult an expert to get their maximum benefit, without any harm.

About the author: Health Supplements provides detailed information on Health Supplements, Natural Health Supplements, Discount Health Supplements, Alternative Health Supplements and more. Health Supplements is affliated with Discount Nutritional Supplements .

When it's YOUR Child's health, shouldn't it be a NATURAL Choice?

2009-01-02T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Keith Woolley

When most people think of health, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to health than just the basics.

Natural Health Medicine And Your Child's Health

Natural health medicine is the option to choose as it has hardly any side effects, which are far more common in medicines that contain concentrated chemical compounds. In addition to reducing side-effects, natural health medicine will also provide the best protection for your child's immune system so that it will strengthen.

This is why parents are now starting to emphasize healthy choices at young ages; they realize that this will encourage their children to replicate this behavior later on in life when they make choices.

We all know that children need to be active, as that is the best way that they learn. So when you give them natural health medicine when they are ill, you will be helping them get onto their feet as soon as possible.

If your health facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions' Make certain you don't let important health information slip by you.

Because natural health medicine also helps boost the immune system and it also strengthens the immune system, your children will have the energy they need to learn life's lessons.

They will also have energy to do all the things that they want to do, since their bodies will be equipped to handle any of the challenges that they might be setting for themselves.

It is always a wonderful feeling as a parent to know that you are indeed doing the best to ensure your child's health in the best way possible.

Natural health medicine will help you give your children the best start in life that they need. And when they are healthy and happy, they are able to be function at their optimum both at school and when playing at home with friends.

Maybe it is about time that you gave natural medicine a chance to help to keep your child healthy.

If you've picked some pointers about health that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won't really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don't use it. Recommended resources include ViridiKid Natural Health Supplement, available from www.ethicalvitamins.co.uk

About the author: Keith Woolley is the Technical Director of Boots Herbal Stores Ltd.

Boots Herbal Stores distribute Viridian Vitamins & Herbs online from http://www.ethicalvitamins.co.uk

Heel Pain

2008-12-31T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM, C.Ped

If we ranked the things in life that we take for granted, the heel would rank near the top of that list. But a brief look at the heel will give us a much greater appreciation of this unique structure and its' ability to carry us through our day to day activities. As we take a little closer look at the heel bone we'll see that it's actually a remarkable feat of engineering. The heel bone, or calcaneus, is composed of two different types of bone; an outer hard bone and a soft inner bone. Think of the heel bone being much like an egg; firm, yet fragile. And like all other bone, the calcaneus has the ability to change. Apply a load to the heel and it will adapt over time to carry that load.

Each step that we take applies a phenomenal load to the heel. Consider the fact that in a simple slow walk, the load applied to the heel can be more than twice our body weight. If we increase the speed of our walk, take bigger steps or jump, the load applied to the heel at heel strike is significantly increased. This load may be more than three times our body weight. And consider how many times this loading occurs in the course of a normal day. Step after step, over and over again. The ability of the heel to sustain these loads is quite incredible.

First, let's talk a little bit about the definition of load. Load, as an engineering term can describe many things. The first definition that comes to mind is typically the amount of load. The amount of load usually refers to our body weight. In addition to the amount of load, load can also be applied to the heel in several different ways. The duration of load, or time spent standing or walking often becomes a critical loading issue. The number of steps taken in a day, or frequency of loading, is also a variable to be considered when discussing load. The sum of each of these loading issues is what contributes to the majority of heel problems. These problems of 'overloading' are often referred to as overuse syndromes. An overuse syndrome simply means that the amount of load being applied to the heel is greater than what the heel can physically repair in a 24 hour period of time. When we cross this threshold of overloading, and if it's done on a regular basis, problems arise such as tendonitis, fasciitis or fractures.

Another form of mechanical load that is applied to the heel comes from the structures that are attached to the heel. Some of the soft tissue structures that attach to the calcaneus (heel bone) include the Achilles tendon, the plantar fascia, several muscles and ligaments. The Achilles tendon is the largest, most powerful tendon in the human body. Over activity, tightness or a host of other Achilles tendon problems can contribute to heel pain. On the bottom of the heel, the plantar fascia is the structure that pulls away from the heel to cause plantar fasciitis and heel spur syndrome. Many other tendons and ligaments either attach or influence the heel in its' normal function, and subsequently contribute to loading.

You can see from this brief description of heel pain that there may be many different causes of heel pain. The most common causes of heel pain are due to overuse, or what we may even call 'overload'. For a more detailed discussion regarding heel pain, please refer to the additional articles found on our website, <a href=http://www.myfootshop.comMyfootshop.com</a>.

About the author: Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM, C.Ped is a board certified foot and ankle surgeon. Dr. Oster is also board certified in pedorthics. Dr. Oster is medical director of <a href=http://www.myfootshop.comMyfootshop.com</a> and is in active practice in Granville, Ohio.

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Joint Pain Relief: An Overview

2008-12-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Eddie Tobey

Your knees, shoulders, and elbows are all large joints. Your hands and feet contain many tiny joints. Our joints are used for almost every movement we make. Half of adults over age 65 - or more than 20 million Americans, endure recurrent or chronic joint pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling. Joint pain can be so severe that ordinary daily activities of sufferers, such as eating a bowl of cereal or washing one's hair, become difficult or even impossible.

For many years, treatment options for joint pain relief were limited to two types of medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Both are effective treatments for mild joint pain, and the latter reduces joint inflammation too.

Recent medical studies show that sufferers themselves can greatly improve their condition through exercise. Exercise builds strength and flexibility, and toning the muscles that surround the joint helps to stabilize it. Exercise can reduce stiffness, increase blood flow, and aid in weight loss, which takes the stress off of joints. Patients should determine a safe level of exercise with their doctor, and together develop a routine individually tailored to provide the optimum benefit to the sufferer.

Heating pads, ice packs and topical creams, rubs, and sprays provide short-term joint pain relief. For persistent, chronic joint pain, injections of the steroid glucocorticoid can provide relief for about three weeks, and injections of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally present in joints, can last up to a year.

Surgery may be necessary for patients with debilitating joint pain. Surgeons may elect to realign the joint or completely replace the damaged joint with an artificial one. Total joint replacement can bring dramatic joint pain relief for many patients.

Natural supplements such as glucosamine (derived from crustaceans' shells) and chodroitin (a part of connective tissue from cow tracheas) may help alleviate joint pain as well. Alternative treatments like supplements and acupuncture have become increasingly popular in recent years, so much so that the National Institute of Health is currently conducting research on both to determine the effect they have on joint pain relief. Results of this research may validate supporters' claims or even alter the prescribed course of treatment.

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Managing and Relieving Back Pain

2008-12-29T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Joe Serpico

Back injuries reportedy afflict eighty percent of the population of the United States at some point in their life. Not all of these problems will require extended treatment, but back problems are invariably painful.

Managing and relieving back pain can be a complicated process. The experience of pain is subjective. Health providers who treat back pain find it challenging to obtain the objective or measurable signs that verify and diagnose a patient's painful back symptoms.

Additionally, everyone experiences pain differently. Pain descriptors encompass numerous adjectives - dull, sharp, throbbing, pulsating, stabbing and shock-like, just to name a few. Individuals describe and experience pain with such wide variation partly due to its differing and complex origins. Pain actually originates from numerous places in the body, such as muscles, bones, nerves, organs or blood vessels.

Pain is classified as acute or chronic. The word ""acute"" derives from the Latin word for needles and is usually described as a severe, sharp sensation. The initial stage of an injury is called the acute phase.

The word ""chronic"", on the other hand, originated from the Greek word for time. Chronic pain is pain that persists for a length of time, often months to years. Many back injuries tend to become chronic, especially when not treated properly during the acute phase. Chronic pain is often experienced as a dull ache or constant nagging irritant.

Acute and chronic pain sensations travel different nervous system pathways inside the body. When you injure muscles or ligaments in your back, nerve endings called pain receptors pick up the pain impulses and transmit them to the spinal cord. From here, the pain message ascends to the brain. This process takes place at varying rates of speed depending on the size of the nerve fiber involved.

Acute pain tends to travel on faster, larger diameter fibers, while chronic pain prefers smaller, slower pain fibers. Experts suggest that chronic pain affects the brain's limbic system, which is associated with emotional states. Anyone who has ever had a long-term painful injury knows that negative or distressing emotions may accompany or perpetuate the initial injury.

The best way to treat chronic back pain syndromes is to prevent them. Although proficient early treatment does not always prevent an acute injury from turning into a chronic problem, it is a good insurance policy. Early treatment is especially important when dealing with injuries to the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) to prevent them from becoming weaker, less elastic and more pain-sensitive.

An excellent way to treat both acute and chronic soft tissue injuries is a hands-on approach that works to repair the injured tissues. Some examples are joint and soft tissue manipulation and mobilization, typically performed by a doctor of chiropractic or osteopath. Other good options are massage and physical therapy. A formal rehabilitation program at a health club or therapy clinic may also help to strengthen weakened and damaged muscles, especially the core stabilizers of the back.

About the author: Joe Serpico is webmaster at aa-fitness-guide.com. For much more information regarding exercise, health, nutrition, and fitness, visit http://www.aa-fitness-guide.com

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Pain relief without drugs

2008-12-28T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Bill Morrison

More and more people are turning to small compact electronic devices like TENs machines to bring them pain relief without having to depend on drugs that can often have unwanted side effects. These small digital machines can be worn unobtrusively while carrying out normal day to day activities.

What is TENs, how does it work and what sort of pain relief can it be used for?

TENs stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation where transcutaneous means through the skin. A TENs machine produces small electrical impulses which are transmitted from the machine through the skin by means of a wire connected to a small conductive patch which is placed on the skin.

TENs machines are believed to work in a two ways. The small electrical signal they transmit blocks pain signals from the body's sensory nerves to the brain resulting in pain relief. The signals generated by the TENs machines can also encourage your body to release endorphins, natures own pain relieving ""feel good"" hormone.

A study in Sweden showed that backache is one type of pain which was best treated with the use of TENS machines. It also showed that TENS machines were the only painkillers required by 70 per cent of women in labour.

More recently some TENs machines are available with an electrical probe which can be used to stimulate acupuncture points to bring pain relief. While almost all TENs machines have cautions about placing the electrode pads on the head and neck these ""accu TENs"" machines will permit users to stimulate the accu points or ""channels"" elsewhere on the body to bring relief to head or neck pain. Placement of electrode pads is all important for effective pain relief. Usually the pads are placed close to the source of the pain particularly with muscle pain or joint pain. In the case of sciatic nerve pain the electrode pads are likely to be placed either side of the spinal column and the top part of the affected leg. Your health care provider should advise on the best point to place the pads for optimum pain relief. Correct placement is very important and sometimes may take a little trial and error with careful reference to the manufactures guidelines. Pads should never be placed near the eyes or over the nerves from the neck to the throat or brain. Most TENs machines have three main program modes, Conventional (some machines may refer to this as Normal or Constant}, Burst and Modulation. Each mode has subtle differences in the effect they have. Usually a combination of these modes will work best to provide maximum short and long term pain relief. With the TENs machine set to the Conventional mode (frequency between 90 and 120Hz and pulse width between 80uS and 200uS) the pain relief tends to be short lasting after the machine is switched off. To obtain longer lasting pain relief you should choose a Burst mode, or select a lo-rate TENs program (usually between 2Hz to 5Hz with a pulse width close to 200uS). The burst or ""lo TENs"" mode encourages the release of endorphins and gives longer lasting pain relief. All TENs machine will allow you to control the level of electrical signal and once again it is import to set the machine to the optimum setting. If you set the level too high your muscles may start to twitch. You should adjust the TENs machine to a level where you can just feel a slight tingling sensation. TENS machines should only be used on the advice of a doctor or other health professionals. They may not be suitable for all types of pain or all conditions. Always follow the manufactures instructions supplied with the machine. TENS machines should never be used by people who have a pacemaker or have heart problems. Pregnant women should avoid using TENs machines as the affects on the unborn baby are not known. Never place TENs electrodes on your head or neck.

The programs and settings I use personally are listed on <a href=""http://www.help4urback.com/tens%20machines.html""> Low back pain and sciatica</a>

About the author: Bill Morrison has his own website http://www.help4urback.com where he describes his own personal experiences and how he uses his TENs machine to provide pain relief. He also includes personal recommendations for people who suffer from sciatica or lower back pain on what books to buy and what web sites to check out.

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Natural Health Supplement

2008-12-26T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Dwain Berlin

Although ideally we should be able to get all of our essential nutrients from a balanced diet, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do this in reality. Busy lifestyles, overly processed foods, and other factors all contribute to the need for a natural health supplement in order to keep yourself in top health.

Even a diet full of fruits and vegetables will not necessarily deliver optimal levels of essential nutrients, as some of the most vital nutrients are destroyed by the cooking process. The foods we eat are also becoming less nutritious due to the use of artificial fertilizers and other changes in the way food is grown, shipped great distances, and stored.

More Essential Nutrients Needed

To combat these nutritional deficiencies, we can eat more organic produce, take natural health supplements, and look for other natural sources that have retained their healthy food value and essential nutrients. One such discovery is a fruit called the Mangosteen from Southeast Asia. Rich in antioxidants, the juice from this fruit can be taken as a natural health supplement to replenish some of the vital nutrients our bodies need to stay in optimal health.

Antioxidants promote natural growth and regeneration at the cellular level, and fight the damage that can lead to serious illnesses including cancer. In this way, our bodies are better able to heal themselves, and prevent problems from developing in the future.

Mangosteen Juice, The Hottest New Vital Nutrient

Mangosteen is just one example of an anti-aging natural health supplement that can be researched and purchased online. With all the natural health supplements available now, it is worth doing some investigating to discover the latest research findings, find out what health supplements are recommended for your specific ailments, as well as improve your understanding of how holistic medicine works and what it can do for you.

Your health is the product of your lifestyle, including your diet, exercise routine, adequate rest, and includes your mental state as well. As you learn more about natural medicine and natural health supplements, you will also likely discover ways to improve your ability to relax and take better care of yourself in more ways than one.

Do some reading and explore your options for better health using natural health supplements, vital nutrients and healing methods that have been derived from centuries of use in a variety of cultures. Decreasing your dependence on medications for pain, sleep problems, depression, stomach ailments, and more, are just some of the potential rewards for pursuing more natural approaches to health and wellness.

Make your health a priority now, and improve your chances of avoiding more costly and complicated problems down the road. Look for ways to include essential nutrients in your diet. The steps you can take are well worth the investment, and will help you create and maintain a better quality of life for years to come.

*** Powerful Natural Health Supplement *** Discover The Amazing Healing Properties Of Mangosteen... The Queen Of Fruit From Asia Go here for more information ==> http://www.mymangosteen.com/dwain

About the author: Being keenly interested in the health field most of his life Dwain Berlin has always been seeking out supplements and methods that deliver significant results.

Chronic head, facial or neck pain that won't go away... Could it be TMJ?

2008-12-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Naweko San-Joyz

I stumbled across TMJ when I needed treat a literal pain in the neck that would not go away. It seemed that the pain in my neck came from my jaws. "TMJ" refers to disorders of the jaw muscles and of the temporomandibular joint, the hinge at the side of the head that joins the lower jaw, mandible, to the temporal bone of the skull. TMJ expert John Taddey, D.D.S. states that one the most common symptoms of TMJ is a dull, aching pain around the ears which can radiate to the neck, shoulders, and back of the head. These symptoms may be coupled with tenderness of the jaw muscles and a headache.

While the causes of TMJ are many, the condition is usually the result of a collective malfunctioning of the chewing muscles, the teeth, and the temporomandibular joint. The face and jaw muscles may go into spasm or cramp and lead to tissue damage, pain and tenderness. The level of damage and pain varies.

Diaganosing TMJ can be elusive. Recognizing TMJ requires a thorough understanding of the two-inch area just in front of the ears that houses the temporomandibular joint, sinuses, glands, the middle and inner ears, throat tissues, brain tissue, muscles, ligaments, nerves blood vessels, lymphatic tissues, bones and teeth. TMJ can mask itself with a "referred pain". This occurs when pain felt in one area of the body originated from another source. For example, you may visit your doctor with an earache and find your ear is healthy, while a decayed tooth or TMJ is the root cause of the earache.

TMJ can arise form trauma, whiplash, stress, teeth-grinding and clenching, misaligned teeth, missing or sore teeth, muscle abuse, infection, diseases of the joints such as arthritis, and cancer.

Your family dentist should be able to recognize TMJ. Depending on your condition, she may treat the TMJ herself or refer you to a physician, orthodontist, chiropractor, psychologist or oral surgeon for more specialized treatment.

For more information on identifying and treating TMJ yourself, read TMJ Self-Help Program: How to recognize a TMJ problem: What to do to relieve pain and restore health: When to seek professional help by John Taddely, D.D.S. with Constance Schrader and James Dillon.

About the author: Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include "Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne" (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work "Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we're still not getting this dieting thing" (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com.

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Plantar Faciitis And Heel Pain Causes

2008-12-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: David Buster

Plantar faciitis and heel pain causes are related to several possible reasons. Plantar faciitis is the tearing and subsequent inflammation of the plantar fascia ligaments on the bottom of the foot, which in turn causes foot pain. Or when repeated stress and strain occur on the heel bone and surrounding soft tissue, the body tries to protect itself by forming a bone spur.

Plantar faciitis pain is often felt at the front part of the heel on the bottom of the foot. The pain spreads along the bottom of the foot towards the toes. If the ligaments of the foot bottom have tightened up overnight due to inflammation, putting your weight on your foot to walk as you get out of bed in the morning becomes painful. The foot area that is tight is stretched as you put your weight on your foot, which causes a 'hot' pain that runs along the heel toward the toes. Or you may find that heel pain is only a problem after being stationary for a while, or late in the day or while doing certain kinds of activity.

Here are common plantar faciitis and heel pain causes and related conditions:

1. Physical Injury to the Foot, Arch or Heel - running, jogging or walking can result in injury to the foot which in turn becomes inflammed.

2. Excessive Walking, Standing or Exercise - once a plantar faciitis problem begins, being on your feet more leads to additional tearing in the fascia. And tearing in the fascia area leads to inflammation and pain.

3. Obesity - you may have even gained weight since your heel pain began because of less activity. Excess weight transmits more stress to the plantar fascia area, causing plantar faciitis pain.

4. Poorly Fitting, Hard-Soled Uncomfortable Shoes - leather shoes may look great but can be uncomfortable for your feet. Well-made, good-fitting rubber-heeled shoes will better cushion the impact of the heel striking the surface and can help reduce heel pain.

5. Calcium Deposits - abnormal calcium deposits can form on the bottom of the foot resulting in foot pain.

Persons suffering from muscle inflammation, gout, lupus, alkalosis, arthritis or tendonitis seem to have a tendency for plantar faciitis problems and heel pain.

Plantar faciitis pain can be somewhat annoying or it can become serious enough to be disabling. If you have experienced this type of heel pain, you know how debilitating it can be. However, understanding heel pain causes can help you know how to find relief. Foot surgery should always be considered the very last resort. There are proven ways you can treat plantar faciitis and reduce heel pain.

About the author: Read more at http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/plantar-fascitis.html about natural treatments to reduce heel pain. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of natural health articles.

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Does Natural Pain Relief Really Exist?

2008-12-23T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Eddie Tobey

Everyone will suffer pain at some point in their lives. Grim as this may sound, some pain is necessary - it's a signal from our brain that something is wrong in our body, something we need to address to protect our health and well-being. It can be caused by anything from a dental cavity to a broken bone to a disease. Once we determine where the pain is coming from, we can diagnose and address the health problem, thus alleviating the pain.

Sometimes, however, pain isn't done away with so easily - it remains with us despite all efforts to banish it. This is called 'chronic' pain, distinguishable from 'acute' pain by its persistence. Common examples of chronic pain include backaches, migraine headaches, and arthritis.

The most popular treatment for chronic pain are prescription medications, but these often have adverse side effects ranging from nausea to fatigue, and can cease to be effective once a patient builds a tolerance. Acupuncture has been used as a form of natural pain relief and cure for many chronic conditions for over two thousand years. Originating in China, acupuncture involves piercing the skin with thin needles on specific points of the body. Patients have claimed acupuncture has proven effective in treating ailments such as neck pain, migraine headaches, arthritic pain, and even depression.

Herbal remedies offer another time-tested alternative to conventional therapies, providing natural pain relief to sufferers without many of the unwanted side effects of conventional medicines. There usually several herbal treatments for a particular condition; popular herbal remedies include emu oil, which can alleviate the pain of arthritis, and good old Vitamin E, which helps minimize scarring. The downside of herbal treatments is that they often take longer to achieve noticeable results; the upside is that you aren't introducing man-made foreign compounds into your body, and run less risk of side effects or damaging your overall health.

Although it may sound like well-worn advice with little glitter or pizzazz, perhaps the best advice is to take care of yourself - get proper nutrition by eating fewer processed foods and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Take care to get enough sleep each night, and take time out of each day for exercise - even simple activities like taking the stairs at work or a walk around the block go a long way towards improving your health.

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Complex Regional Pain Syndromes

2008-12-22T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Dr. Jeffrey A. Oster, Medical Director Of <a href=http://www.myfootshop.comMyfootshop.com</a>.

The description of complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) dates back to the days of the civil war when Mitchell first described this condition in 1864. Mitchell coined the term causalgia, meaning burning pain. The most striking feature of this condition is pain that is disproportional to an injury. CRPS typically follows minor injuries such as sprains, fractures or surgery. Other names for this condition include;

reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD/RSDS) Sudeck's atrophy shoulder-hand syndrome algodystrophy peripheral trophoneurosis sympathetically maintained pain post-traumatic pain syndrome sympathalgia sympathetic overdrive syndrome

Due to confusion arising from the many names for this set of symptoms, The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) developed nomenclature to more accurately describe CRPS.

CRPS I - Consists of pain, sensory abnormalities, abnormal sweating and blood flow, abnormal motor system function and trophic changes ( thickening of the skin and nails, coarse thin hair growth) and atrophy of the superficial and deep tissues (skin, muscle, bone). The most common form is RSD and may not present with an identifiable nerve injury.

CRPS II - Same as CRPS I but presents with an identifiable nerve injury. Symptoms include burning pain made worse by light touch, temperature changes or motion of the limb. These findings are most common in the foot or hand following partial injury to the nerve. The affected area appears cool, reddish, and clammy. The superficial and deep tissue structures may also begin trophic changes.

Treatment for complex regional pain syndromes

Treatment consists of many different measure, but there is general agreement that the success of treatment depends upon early implementation of treatment. Treatment may include;

Medications Narcotics- for pain suppression Anti-inflammatory- non-narcotic control of inflammatory pain Antidepressants-maintenance of normal sleep cycles, anxiety control Calcium channel blockers- increased blood flow to extremities Anticonvulsant- regulation of normal sleep cycle, control of pain

Pain blocks Peripheral nerve blocks of the affected area IV regional blocks of the affected extremity Lumbar sympathetic blocks- given by an anesthesiologist

Physical therapy Range of motion, strengthening exercises, continuous passive motion (CPM) Whirlpool, ultrasound, heat treatment TENS, nerve stimulation

Steroid injections

Lumbar sympathectomy

Dorsal column stimulation Morphine pump

Neurectomy - surgical excision of the nerve

The prognosis for patients with CRPS varies greatly and depends upon the degree of symptoms, when treatment is initiated and the type of treatment. Studies have shown that the overall success rate of the treatment of RSD has been 50%. In a study performed by Anderson and Fallat, they found that 3.5 years following the onset of traumatic injury resulting in CRPS, 12 of 13 patients still had pain considered to be moderate to considerable. (1)

Symptoms:

CRPS vary dramatically in their symptoms and intensity. One of the difficulties of CRPS is making an initial diagnosis due to the complex nature of this group of conditions. Once diagnosed, aggressive treatment is important to try to arrest the symptoms of each of the CRPS's.

Additional references include;

Anderson, D.J., Fallat, L.M. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the Lower Extremity: A Retrospective Study of 33 Patients. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery 38(6):381-387, 1999

Wasner G, Backonjia M, Baron R. Neuropathic pain Syndromes. Neurol. Clin. 16:851-868, 1998.

Schurmann M, Gradl G, Andress H, Furst H, Schildberg F. Assessment of peripheral sympathetic nervous function in diagnosing early post-traumatic complex regional pain syndrome type I. Pain 80:149-159, 1999

Mellick G, Mellick A. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy treated with gabapentin. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 78:98-104, 1997

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Easing Arthritis Pain with Glucosamine & Chondroitin Supplements

2008-12-21T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Nettie Mae

If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard of a relatively new over-the-counter remedy called Glucosamine. But what is Glucosamine, and how does it work to relieve arthritis? In this article, I'll introduce you to this new treatment and provide you with the pros and cons of its use. By the time you've finished reading this article, you'll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not Glucosamine is right for you.

What is Glucosamine? Glucosamine, together with a related ingredient called Chondroitin, are substances which exist naturally in your body. It is believed that glucosamine helps to build and repair cartilage (the soft, spongy material between your joints), while chondroitin lends to the elasticity and flexibility of joints. A deficiency of either one can lead to increased wear and tear on the joint, and cause redness, swelling and stiffness as a result. When used together, glucosamine and chondroitin act as a tag-team of arthritis fighters, improving flexibility, soothing inflammation and reducing swelling caused by achy joints.

Where Can I Buy Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements? You can find these products in virtually any pharmacy or health goods store. The downside to this is, like other herbal and alternative medicines, supplements are not regulated by any governing body. That's why you'll need to do a little bit of research to find the best, most potent brand for your needs. Here's what you need to know when comparison shopping for a glucosamine supplement:

· You should expect to pay anywhere from $1-3 per pill when taking glucosamine daily. Since insurance companies rarely cover supplements of any kind, you'll most likely be paying for them out of pocket.

· Read the ingredients label on the bottle to determine the dosage. Approximately 1500mg of glucosamine and 1200mg of chondroitin have been safely used in clinical trials. Depending on your individual medication tolerances and the severity of your arthritis, you should consult your physician or rheumatologist to find the right dose for your individual needs.

· Select supplements manufactured by a well-known, reputable company. Recommended brands include: Osteo Bi-Flex, WholeHealth, Flex-A-Min, MoveFree and individual pharmacy brands.

Are There Any Side Effects I Should Know About? As with any medication or supplements, there are a few warnings you should know:

· If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, as no long-term studies have been done to gage what materials (if any) are passed on to the baby either internally or through breast milk.

· If you are diabetic, chondroitin (a form of sugar) may cause your blood sugar to rise.

· Chondroitin also acts as a mild blood thinner. Therefore, if you are taking any heart medication or are taking an aspirin regimen, have your blood clotting time checked more frequently by your doctor.

· Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements should not be taken by children since no studies have been done to determine their effect (if any) on the child's development.

(Please note: The information contained within this article is not intended to replace or substitute for that of an experienced physician. Remember to check with your doctor or rheumatologist before starting daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, and don't stop or reduce any of your current medications (whether they're for arthritis or not) without first talking with your doctor).

About the author: Sick and tired of being Sick and Tired, Nettie Mae quit her 3rd shift factory job. To see what keeps her going, visit http://www.frutavida4u.com/nettiemae/.

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Using Fatty Acids for Reducing Joint Pain

2008-12-20T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Rudy Silva

Joint pain as experienced in arthritis occurs in both men and women. Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis, but there are other types of arthritis:

* rheumatoid arthritis

* arthritis from lupus

* gout

* psoriatic arthritis

* reiter's disease

* infective arthritis

As you age, the constant movement of the joints creates wear and tear. Toxic wastes that circulate in the blood, dead cells, uric acid, inorganic acids and liquid can accumulate in the various joints and cause inflammation and pain.

Continual inflammation can cause damage to the joints. In some cases, the cartilage that coats the bone ends, wears down and joints then rub bone to bone causing extreme pain. There are several conditions and lifestyles that contribute to arthritis:

* Obesity

* Diabetes

* Heredity

* Poor nutrition

* Poor digestion

* Lack of water

* Allergies

* Repetitive use of fingers, hands, legs or arms

* Body injuries - sports or accidents

Arthritis is a difficult disease to treat because there is usually more than one cause. Just working on one cause may not help enough to give pain relief. But it always helps to know the many things the contribute to arthritis so that different nutritional and lifestyles changes can be made.

The use of omega-3 is known to provide anti-inflammatory benefits. In my other fatty acid articles, I point out that the breakdown of omega-3 eventually produce prostaglandins. It is the prostaglandins that provide the anti-inflammatory relief.

So by using the omega-3, GLA, and EPA/DHA or Fish Oil supplements, you can get some pain and inflammation relief from arthritis. This will prevent some damage from occurring in your joints. It is recommended that you use a good dose of,

* Borage oil

* Primrose oil

* NKO oil

* Fish oil

* Flax seed oil

Using these oils spread across the day provides the benefit of feeling reduce joint stiffness and pain in the morning. One additional benefit of using these oils is the coating protection that GLA has in your stomach lining.

The standard treatment for arthritis is the use of NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors. These, however, have undesirable side effects such as attacking the stomach lining. Thousands of deaths and visits to the emergency are associated with the use of NSAIDs. You can benefit greatly if you use NSAIDs by adding fatty acid oils to your diet.

By using fatty acid oils your can reduce arthritis pain and protect your stomach lining from acid attack.

About the author: Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He writes a newsletter call ""Natural Remedies Thatwork."" For more information and remedies on arthritis and essential fatty acids, visit his web site at http://www.arthritis-remedies.for--you.info http://www.fatty-acid-remedies.for--you.info

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Chronic Pain Relief

2008-12-19T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Ratliff J

Most likely, you or someone you know suffers from some form of joint pain. With the recent removal of VIOXX and Celebrex from the market, millions of people are searching for an all-natural alternative. Eazol™ is the ONLY pain relief health supplement that includes a complete list of active botanicals in one easy to take supplement.

Eazol can relieve chronic pain of osteoarthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, stiff joints, shingles, neck ache, and lower back pain. Eazol can also provide welcome pain relief from carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, fibromyalgia, muscle and joint pain, pinched nerves and sprains.

Learn more about <a href=""http://www.askwellness.com/eazol.htm"">Eazol</a>.

About the author: J. Ratliff is a writer for http://www.askwellness.com

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Chronic Pain Relief: An Overview

2008-12-18T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Eddie Tobey

Everyone will experience pain at some point in their lives. Pain is a necessary form of protection against injuries, diseases, or conditions that would otherwise impair or even kill us. Pain alerts us that something is wrong. Pain can be either 'acute' or 'chronic' - the distinguishing characteristic between the two is their duration.

Acute pain usually occurs after a specific injury. It appears quickly and is usually very intense - one example is the pain of a broken bone. It subsides fairly quickly, particularly after treatment. Chronic pain, on the other hand, seems to build up over time, and often cannot be connected to a particular injury or condition. What chronic pain lasts in intensity, it makes up for in duration - sometimes persisting for decades. Living with constant pain can be unbearable, and many forms of treatment attempt to offer sufferers some sort of chronic pain relief.

One of the most commonly prescribed therapy for chronic pain is medication, both prescription and over-the-counter. While often effective in alleviating pain, these are eschewed by some because of their adverse side effects, which include nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Others are in search of a more natural form of chronic pain relief.

Exercise, stretching and physical therapy reduce chronic joint pain and muscle soreness and spasms by increasing strength, tone, and flexibility. Exercise increases blood flow, eases joint stiffness, aids in weight loss, and counteracts the stress, anxiety, and depression that often comes from living with chronic pain.

Chiropractic, acupuncture and massage offer three alternative methods of chronic pain relief. Though their methods differ, all of these have helped sufferers manage chronic pain.

In the past few years, researchers have begun to turn their focus on the real source of pain - the brain. Although an injury or wound may lie elsewhere on the body, signals of pain are intercepted, processed, and quite literally 'felt' by the brain. Research findings indicate that a multidisciplinary approach to treating chronic pain - one that incorporates psychological as well as physical therapy - provides the most chronic pain relief. Yoga, meditation, and even laughing clinics have proved effective treatments.

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MANAGING YOUR PAIN IN THREE EASY STEPS

2008-12-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Dakota Caudilla

When you are in pain you are basically involved in a dialogue with your body. Your body is screaming for help. At first it is confusing, but once you understand that all you need to do is respond to your body's cries for help, then you can begin working towards managing your pain.

Of course, chronic pain isn't easy to alleviate. This sort of pain, usually linked to a debilitating illness, is a symptom of the illness itself and that may not be curable. Pain resulting from such illnesses is difficult to handle because it often causes other problems, like fatigue (making you less inclined to act) and depression (making you too unhappy to act). But remember, you can manage your pain.

Step 1: Change your mind

Managing pain begins in the mind. Whatever the pain, however severe it is, you need to alter the way you think about it, first. Positive thinking is one way of doing this. Including positive thoughts in your life is vital. You may choose to collect some positive thoughts or affirmations from a favorite book or from an Internet search. You may write these in a notebook or pin them up around the house or say them out loud each morning in front of the mirror. Anything that makes you laugh, be it a sitcom on the television or a funny friend should be included in your life on a regular basis. Laughing does wonders to our heatlth. A belly laugh a day is absolutely vital.

Step 2: Change your habits

Eating well and exercising regularly are also vital ingredients for a pain-free life. Consult your doctor or a nutritionist and ask to be put on a diet. Learn about the types of foods and the impact they have on our physical health and wellbeing. As a pain sufferer you'll find that most physical exercise is far too difficult. But even a stroll around the block is a vital addition to your life. Physical exercises improves your mood, improves your sleep patterns, and strengthens muscles. On the other spectrum, relaxation also helps in managing your pain. Relaxation in combination with massage therapy can help. But even relaxing on your own can work wonders. Simply find a nice quiet spot in the house and spend ten to twenty minutes alone.

Step 3: Find alternatives

Start introducing back into your life the things you forgot about at around the time of your illness. If you enjoyed reading, but now find it difficult to be comfortable holding a book in your hands for prolonged periods of time, try purchasing audio books to listen to as you rest. Always look for alternative ways of doing the things you loved to do before pain changed your lifestyle. You'll find there are many ways to do the things you once loved to do.

About the author: Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.health-relief.net on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

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Study: Exercise prevents back pain

2008-12-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Stella Parker

John Briley, a long time proponet of exercise to improve health, and well known writer for the Washington Post, recaps the results of a recent study that indicates that exercise helps alleviate back pain as well psychological stress. The article quotes William O. Roberts, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a past president of the American College of Sports Medicine, thusly: ""Get people moving and it helps [address] their back pain,"" The study -- involving 681 men and women, aged 34 to 69, who sought treatment for low-back pain -- was published in the October issue of the peer-reviewed American Journal of Public Health. All data were self-reported, including pain (on a zero-to-10 scale, with 10 representing unbearable pain), psychological distress, frequency and amount of physical activity, and frequency of low-back exercises. The average pain score was seven; 77 percent of the group said they had at least one day of restricted activity in the prior month due to back pain, and about 47 percent reported having had back pain for more than a year. Participants filled out questionnaires six weeks after enrolling in the study and again at six, 12 and 18 months. Researchers converted exercise data for each participant into metabolic equivalent task (MET) values. Those who exerted at least 10.5 METs per week -- about the equivalent of three hours of brisk walking or similar activity -- showed the greatest reductions in back pain and psychological distress. But back exercises increased the odds of subsequent low back pain and disability by 64 percent and 44 percent, respectively. And among the participants who did lower-back exercises, those who did them the least -- less often than one day per week -- reported the lowest pain levels. Maddeningly, researchers did not collect data on which back exercises each person performed, nor did they determine why the exercises might worsen back pain. These failings reduce the value of the findings. Poor form and the wrong exercises may explain the negative results, they said. The findings are not surprising, says William O. Roberts, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a past president of the American College of Sports Medicine. Roberts also promotes core conditioning to address back pain. It's generally felt that a strong core and strong abs can go a long way towards reducing many kinds of lower back pain.

About the author: For information on <a href=""http://www.getfitsource.com"">fitness and health products</a> and <a href=""http://www.getfitsource.com"">Swiss balls</a>, please visit <a href=""http://www.getfitsource.com"">http://www.getfitsource.com</a >

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Sciatica Pain Relief

2008-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Eddie Tobey

The term ""sciatica"" refers to pain along a specific nerve - the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down through each leg. It usually caused by a wayward vertebral disc, more commonly referred to as a pinched nerve or a herniated, ruptured, or slipped disc that has shifted from it's normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root), which connects to the sciatic nerve.

The intensity and duration of the pain varies with each person, and ranges from an infrequent and slightly irritating sensation to a constant, debilitating pain. It normally affects the lower back and one leg only, but pain may also extend to the feet and toes. Typical ""flare-ups"" last two weeks to a few months. During these episodes, sufferers have several options for sciatica pain relief.

At-home remedies such as heat and ice packs often work wonders to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. They should be used in twenty minute intervals every couple of hours for optimum effect. Over-the-counter or prescription medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also bring sciatica pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be particularly helpful in reducing inflammation, but can have painful side effects.

If pain is severe, a patient may receive an epidural steroid injection. Steroids are injected directly into the painful area around the nerve and greatly reduce inflammation and pain. These injections are temporary and provide sciatic pain relief anywhere from one week to a year.

Physical therapy and chiropractic care ease the painful symptoms of sciatica and work as correctives to prevent future recurrences of the condition by helping to strengthen and tone the lower back.

If pain persists for two to three months and the aforementioned treatments have not worked, surgery may be the most effective solution. Sufferers and their doctors must choose between two surgical procedures performed to relieved the pain of sciatica. These surgeries are elective and effective, relieving 75% to 95% of patients' pain.

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How To Eliminate your Back and Neck Pain by Changing the Chair you sit in!

2008-12-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Suzanne Lamoutte

The ergonomic kneeling chair actually encourages you to sit with an upright posture, which leaves your back, shoulders and neck aligned correctly. Your hips are in a forward tilt position, which allows you to sit in a more upright way. When we sit at the computer for long stretches of periods hunched over the keyboard we are at high risk of damaging our backs. Doing this makes us more susceptible to strains, headaches and body aches. I am sure you know what I am talking about. Especially if you are in front of the computer working for hours at a time like I am. The ergonomic kneeling chair actually starts to give you the relief you have been looking for all of these years. There is no choice, if your business is on the internet, or your working 8 hours or more a day in front of a computer or desk, why suffer if there is a solution. Nobody wants to feel these aches and pains that's why they designed ergonomics.

Sitting for Long Periods of time Makes Your Back and Shoulders feel Weak. The Ergonomic Knee Chair Can Help.

Believe it or not this weak feeling can be because of your posture, the way that you sit. I am not a doctor so I am in no way telling you that this is the cause of all your back, shoulder or neck pain. But I will tell you about the way that we sit that can cause these types of pain. When you sit in that slumped over way that you sit, your muscles are tighting up to prevent us from falling over. You are basically, working out your muscles, but not in the way that you would want to. Your necks natural position is to go down. This will then cause the shoulders to follow and then of course your back. Doing this leaves you sitting the way that you don't want to be sitting, hunched over. Sitting this way is the cause of the all the pain. Look at it this way, when you work out your muscles work out what happens? They become sore! You also run the risk of straining a muscle when you work out as well, don't you? Yes! Well you run the same risk of straining muscles from sitting the way that you are probably sitting right now as you read this. Neck forward, shoulders pulled down and your back is arched.

Well sit up straight, pick up that neck and keep it straight, keep your back touching the back of the chair, bring those elbows in, and square out those shoulders. It would be nice if you could stay that way, without the need to buy a new chair. Not that it is not possible, but trust me I know how hard it is to sit up straight, that's work enough. You eventually end up feeling worse then you did before, but that's only temporary. You need to train yourself to sit up with good posture and it will take some time to get use too. And most of us don't have the time or the patience to do things like that. This is what the ergonomic kneeling chair does. It's an aid to help you to sit up straight, right away. There is no practice there is no time consuming procedure. It's such a great thing. This ergonomic chair has no back, you sit on it and then there is a cushion that you rest your knee's on. It's unconventional, but very effective. You may look at this ergonomic chair and say to yourself, or maybe even out loud, ""This chair can't be what you are raving about!"". Well it is! These ergonomic chairs are referred by physical therapists, doctors and ergonomists. I would highly suggest taking a test drive on this ergonomic chair. You may just be as surprised as I was, and you may just find the relief you have been wishing for. You have nothing to lose but the nagging pain in your back, neck or shoulders, by checking into it.

So go and start searching for this ergonomic kneeling chair. I would suggest that you come to your own conclusion from your own research, but I can almost guarantee that you will be as amazingly and delightfully surprised, just like I was and still am. For once you need to invest in something that will help you to feel better. It's not a selfish act if the ultimate goal is to have a clear mind to accomplish your goals of the day, pain free. Something that will give you the relief that you have been searching for even if you didn't know it was going to be in a chair. Now stop with those hand-me-downs from your family and friends, splurge on for your own chair this time. I believe that your office chair is the most important piece of furniture in your office; this is not an area that you want to skimp out on. Think about it you spend on average 7 hours a day in your chair, 35 hours a week if you work only a 5 day week. That's an awful lot of sitting. So take your friends filing cabinets, your brother's printing stand, but pass on the brown leather executive chair, and get yourself into an ergonomic office chair, preferably the ergonomic knee chair.

What is ergonomics? And the reason we need them.

Ergonomic is (also known as human factors engineering), is the science of refining the design of products to optimize them for human use. Basically ergonomic chairs are designed to fit your body type, your size and designed to make you comfortable. Ergonomic was intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort. So why would you want to go with any other chair, but the ergonomic chair. It would be crazy if you did.

Nobody wants to work, but we don't really have a choice. Do we? So choosing an ergonomic chair will make the time, well... less painful. I can not ask this enough, ""Why suffer if you don't have too?"" Ergonomic chairs offer many adjustments that can make the chair just right for your needs and your body. These ergonomic chairs are well designed to support your body and does not restrict your movement, with built in pressure points for the best support possible. The seat and back offer much support that is necessary for your back and lower limb, without this you will suffer from lower back and shoulder pain. People have been known to get migraines from the bad posture due to the lack of proper support.

Sitting with good posture without the ergonomic knee chair is possible. Just relax your shoulders, keep your wrists straight, your legs must remain in contact with your seat, your feet must be on the floor (both of them) at all times, your back will have to touch the chair's back, keep your elbows at right angle's while typing (this will help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome), your upper arm's and elbow's need to remain close to your body, and your head and neck must be straight. It's not an easy task as I have mentioned before, but these are effect techniques. At first it will feel weird sitting this way but with some practice this will become a natural way of sitting, and your back, neck, and shoulder pain will be a thing of your past.

About the author: Check out http://www.allmyofficestuff.com. You will find many tips and resources to make your home office efficient, stylish and comfortable. This website offers detailed reviews of office chairs and is full of articles, news and many resources.

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Arthritis and Pain Relief Medications cause 16,500 deaths per year

2008-12-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Brad Krueger DC

Almost everyone is familar with the pain relief formulas. Over 30 billion over the counter tablets, and 70 million prescriptions are sold annually just in the USA.

Known as ""Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs"" (NSAIDs), a few commonly known names include Aspirin, Ibuprofin, Advil, Motrin as well as prescription products like Celebrex, Vioxx, Daypro and more.

Here's something you might ""not"" know about common pain relief...

""Conservative calculations estimate that approximately 107,000 patients are hospitalized annually for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related gastrointestinal (GI) complications and at least 16,500 NSAID-related deaths occur each year among arthritis patients alone. The figures of all NSAID users would be overwhelming, yet the scope of this problem is generally under-appreciated."" American Journal of Medicine, July 1998

And from the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine...

""It has been estimated conservatively that 16,500 NSAID-related deaths occur among patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis every year in the United States. This figure is similar to the number of deaths from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and considerably greater than the number of deaths from multiple myeloma, asthma, cervical cancer, or Hodgkin's disease.

If deaths from gastrointestinal toxic effects from NSAIDs were tabulated separately in the National Vital Statistics reports, these effects would constitute the 15th most common cause of death in the United States. Yet these toxic effects remain mainly a 'silent epidemic,' with many physicians and most patients unaware of the magnitude of the problem.

Furthermore the mortality statistics do not include deaths ascribed to the use of over-the-counter NSAIDS."" New England Journal of Medicine

The Food and Drug Administration suggests even higher figures, estimating NSAID use accounts for 10,000 to 20,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. In spite of this knowledge, little has been done to notify the public. There has been no large scale public alert and pharmaceutical companies still market and promote worldwide sales of these products.

It is important to note that most people have no warning signs that these drugs are causing internal damage before they end up in the hospital in serious condition. As the death toll rises annually, consumers are slowly learning the toxic effects of these medications and turning to Mother Earth to seek natural and less toxic alternatives to find relief from pain.

References;

Singh Gurkirpal, MD, ""Recent Considerations in Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Gastropathy"", The American Journal of Medicine, July 27, 1998, p. 31S

Wolfe M. MD, Lichtenstein D. MD, and Singh Gurkirpal, MD, ""Gastrointestinal Toxicity of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs"", The New England Journal of Medicine, June 17, 1999, Vol. 340, No. 24, pp. 1888-1889.

Fries James F., ""NSAID Gastropathy: The Second Most Deadly Rheumatic Disease? Epidemiology and Risk Appraisal"", Journal of Rheumatology, 1991, (Supplement 28), Vol. 18, pp. 6-10

healthsentinel.com & content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/340/24/1888

About the author: Dr. Brad Krueger created FlexEasy™, the only liquid supplement that provides ingredients in useable dosages that maintain and repair cartilage, fight joint and muscle inflammation, and fight the release of your body's pain triggers, the COX-2 and 5-LO pain enzymes without the harmful side effects. Find out how FlexEasy™ can help you or others suffering from arthritis/joint pain at <ahref=""www.flexeasy.net"">www.flexeasy.net</a>

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The Cause of Lower Back Pain... Five Primary Problems

2008-12-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Stephen O'Dwyer

A Holistic View Points Toward Skeletal Muscles

It is often stated in conventional literature that the cause of lower back pain cannot be precisely identified. This perspective derives from a mechanistic, non-integrated view of the body which has been our legacy since the scientific revolution. When the body is viewed as a collection of isolated parts rather than an elegant, integrated whole, the causes of lower back pain become a bewildering thing.

However, a holistic view of the body can begin to sort out the confusion. By evaluating the relationship between the body's overall structure in gravity and it's function in movement, the causes of lower back pain begin to reveal themselves.

A holistic perspective guides us to one of the most overlooked sources, not only of lower back pain, but chronic pain in general. That source is skeletal muscle.

As Drs. Janet Travell and David Simons made explicitly clear in their exhaustive 2-volume work, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, a vast proportion of chronic pain in the body is not due to problems with damaged nerves, disrupted bursae, and degenerative joints, but dysfunction in the soft tissue, especially skeletal muscles.

The cause of lower back pain can be broken down into five primary problems which interconnect with one another. The following breakdown is adapted from the St. John Neuromuscular Therapy training, a method of postural analysis and clinical massage therapy focused on musculoskeletal alignment and treating compensatory muscular patterns.

Five Primary Problems

1) Ischemia (pronounced: Iz skeem ee ah) The first cause of lower back pain is ischemia. ""Ischemia"" means lack of blood. Without adequate blood to provide nutrients and oxygen, soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia build up lactic and other toxins and become painful. Ischemia occurs when muscles are chronically contracted over a period of time. The most prevalent cause of lower back pain, by far, is muscular strain and spasm due to ischemia.

2) Trigger Points The second cause of lower back pain is trigger points. A trigger point is an area of the soft tissue which, after chronic contraction and reduced blood flow, becomes an area of high neurological activity. For example, fibers in an ischemic muscle (a muscle with low blood) can become an active trigger point in response to biochemical changes in the tissue. Active trigger points cause referred sensation to other parts of the body. That sensation can be pain, tingling, numbness, thermal sensations (hot or cold), weakness, a general achy quality, or the feeling that ""it just doesn't feel right."" For example, you might have a trigger point in a muscle of your lower back which refers sensation down into your buttocks, or even down the leg. This is NOT same thing as the referred pain caused by nerve compression and nerve entrapment which will be covered next.

3) Nerve Compression and Nerve Entrapment The third cause of lower back pain is nerve compression and entrapment. Nerve compression is the pressure put on a nerve by a bone or an intervertebral disc. Nerve compression occurs when the spine becomes misaligned for some reason (faulty movement patterns, injury, chronic muscular tightness) and one of the discs between the vertebrae get squeezed on one side so that it bulges out the other side. If the bulging puts pressure on a spinal nerve, then you've got pain! Nerve entrapment is when a nerve is caught or pinched by the soft tissues. For example, the sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body) runs down through the buttocks and can become entrapped by the piriformis muscle when that muscle is very tight. This can result in pain down the back of the leg.

4) Structural Imbalance, aka Postural Distortion The fourth cause of lower back pain is structural imbalance or postural imbalance. In a sense, this issue is the most significant of all. The reason for that lofty status is due to the fact that structural imbalance is often the root problem responsible for ischemia, trigger points, and nerve compression or entrapment.

If the body is distorted off its center line of gravity, compensating muscular patterns can result. To illustrate the point, put your elbow on the table in front of you with your forearm pointed straight up to the ceiling. Now imagine you've got a bowling ball resting in your palm. If your forearm is completely straight up and down, the weight of the bowling ball will be supported by the bones of your forearm. Theoretically, you could hold that bowling ball there indefinitely.

But if you shifted off that center line, even a tiny bit, then the muscles of your arm would have to engage in order to hold up the bowling ball. Even the strongest human in the world wouldn't be able to hold that ball there for long. This is precisely what can happen with your body. If your alignment is off such that your head is not centered over your shoulders over your hips over you feet, then the core muscles of your body must perpetually engage in order to hold your body up!

5) Dysfunctional Biomechanics The fifth cause of lower back pain is dysfunctional biomechanics. This is often a secondary result of structural imbalance and is evidenced by faulty movement patterns. For example, if you've got nagging lower back pain you might hold your body in a restricted way, walk differently, or reach for things with limited range of movement. It's logical to do that, and not recommended to fight against your body's self-imposed limitations. It's trying to protect you from pain. Until the structural imbalance is addressed, and the pain is relieved, there's wisdom in those limits. However, repetitive movements can become patterned into your nervous system such that, even after structural and muscular problems have been eliminated, you still move in a limited, protective way. This can revive structural and muscular imbalances. That's why even a minimum regime of daily stretches can be vital to full recovery.

About the author: Stephen O'Dwyer, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, is the founder and director of Neuromuscular Therapy of Vermont & the Center for Advanced Bodywork Training. His website, Lower Back Pain Answers http://www.lower-back-pain-answers.com is the result of years of research, and offers revolutionary insight and innovative solutions to relieving lower back pain. Stephen has maintained a private practice in manual therapy since 1990.

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Back Pain and the Disability System - A First Person Perspective

2008-12-11T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Tim Moore

One of the most commonly listed impairments on social security disability and ssi disability applications is lower back pain. Why is this condition so ""common""? Well, it's simply due to the way humans are built. The lower back area (particularly L5-S1) is the point at which we bend to pick up things and we often use it as a fulcrum to lift heavy objects. Unfortunately, because lower back problems are seen so often on disability applications, they tend to be viewed by disability examiners in a dismissive way. The typical examiner will look at a disability app that lists back pain as the only allegation and will think to themselves, ""Back pain, is that all?"". From day one, when the file lands on the examiner's desk, the examiner will have it in his or her mind that the case will ultimately be denied.

Having been an examiner, I am sad to say that this is how the evaulation process usually begins for such cases. And it sucks. Extreme lower back pain (I don't mean simply ""pain"". I mean pain of the kind that prevents you from even being able to get off the bed and onto your feet to go to the bathroom without breaking into a sweat and wanting to scream) is something that one cannot imagine...unless one has experienced it firsthand. And without having experienced it personally, it is difficult for others to really understand how back pain can be so severe that it impairs a person's ability to work.

Unfortunately, most DDS examiners--the individuals who slap decisions on ssd and ssi claims--are relatively young people who have NEVER experienced this kind of pain. Typically, probably due to relatively low pay, most examiners in a DDS unit will be in their early to late twenties. Yes, you do see people in their thirties, forties, even fifties at a DDS, but most DDS units will be composed of younger workers.

I have no doubt in my mind that this fact alone has a bearing on the decisions rendered for some claims. I mean, how can a person understand how debilitating or painful a situation can be if they've never experienced at least something similar? I'm sure they can't. And with so many examiners belonging to a relativly young age-set, this ""builds"" a certain insensitivity into the process.

I'll give you an example of what I mean. About eight years ago, I injured my back and was out for 3 straight days. How did this happen? I simply got out of the shower. I must have stepped the wrong way as I got out, because as I was closing my front door I could feel pain tingling down my right leg. Thirty minutes later at a christmas eve party I was on the floor and unable to move. I spent the next three days in bed, on flexeril and pain killers, unable to move much at all. Getting up to go to the bathroom felt like a spike was being hammered into my tailbone.

How does this personal bit of information relate? When I got back to the job (DDS), I tended to look at back cases a lot differently than before. Even though my condition had been relatively short-lived, the memory of the awful pain I felt in those three days made me more acutely aware of how debilitating back pain can be. And how restrictive and limiting a back condition can be for people who have chronic and ongoing back pain.

Now, why am I writing this particular post today? Well, once again I find myself in bed, on percocet and flexeril, after simply crouching (this was a crouch, not a stoop, which you would think would be safer) down to do something. As before, neither the muscle relaxant nor the pain pill seem to do the trick (though I wonder how bad it would feel without these meds) and I expect the situation to last for probably 2-3 days.

Am I disabled? No, of course, not. The likelihood is that sometime in the next 24-48 hours I will be able to walk again, with some residual pain. But...what if I had a condition that caused this level of pain, yet was chronic and ongoing? Frankly, I don't know what I would do. I certainly wouldn't be able to work. And feeling that kind of pain for so long would undoubtedly make me depressed and anxious (a lot of claimants with back problems also cite depression as an impairment). And, for me, knowing what I know about the disability system, the situation would seem even more depressing because ""pain"" is given very little consideration in the disability evaulation process.

What do you do if your major allegation on a claim is back-related? Here's a tip that really applies to all cases. Seek regular medical care and try to make sure your physician fully documents all the limitations you have as a result of your condition. Medical record documentation on a federal disability claim is essentially the gas that powers the engine.

About the author: The author of this article is Timothy Moore, who, in addition to being a former food stamp caseworker, medicaid caseworker and AFDC caseworker, is a former disability claims examiner. He publishes information at <a href=http://www.disabilitysecrets.com>Social Security Disability Tips and Secrets</a> which features a helpful and informative <a href=http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/questions.html>Disability faq</a>

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Hemorrhoids: A Real Pain in the Butt!

2008-12-10T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Matthew C. Keegan

Being afflicted by hemorrhoids is no laughing matter. The pain and itching associated with the condition can be embarrassing as well as distracting. There are a variety of solutions to help you overcome hemorrhoids and we'll discuss some of your options here.

Exactly what are hemorrhoids? In short, hemorrhoids refers to a condition in which the veins around the lower rectum or anus are swollen and inflamed. Hemorrhoids can be found internally within the anus or externally around the anus.

The condition is often worsened as sufferers attempt to make a bowel movement. Other causes include: diarrhea, anal intercourse, pregnancy, constipation, and aging.

Signs of hemorrhoids are observed through blood on toilet tissue, as well as blood found in and around the toilet bowl. A lump or painful swelling around the anus can be a physical sign as well as extreme itching in the same area.

There are two methods you can try to actively reduce or eliminate the condition:

1. Apply a hemorroidal cream or suppository to the area affected.

2. Warm tub baths, several times a day, in plain water.

To prevent future attacks you can take the following steps:

1. If constipation is a problem for you, increase your fiber intake to bring on smoother bowel movements.

2. Cut back on caffiene as coffee and similar products may exacerbate the problem.

3. Exercise regularly.

In severe cases you may require a physician's intervention. Your doctor may suggest that affected tissue be burned or the hemmorhoid removed altogether. Other options include rubber band ligation or the injection of a chemical solution to alleviate the condition.

Some cases of hemorrhoids simply go away on their own. In all cases you can control and even eliminate the condition by following the steps outlined for you.

About the author: Matt is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of topics. You can view his primary site at <a href=""http://www.thearticlewriter.com"">http://www.thearticlewr iter.com</a> for samples of his work.

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Lower Back Pain and SSDI

2008-12-09T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Tim Moore

About one week ago to the day, I injured my lower back. And though I am now fully on the road to recovery, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be saddled with nagging lumbar back pain indefinitely as is the case with many disability claimants.

It would be awful without a doubt. But here are some specific things my spouse (also a former DDS examiner and a current D.O. CR) and I discussed: light jobs would be difficult because handling any amount of weight, let alone, say, 20 pounds, would aggravate a back problem. I rediscovered this reality yesterday as I, in a limited fashion, tried to help my wife with groceries. The simple weight of a gallon jug of milk was enough to make me wince. How about a sedentary job? Well, the problem with sedentary jobs has to do with...being sedentary.

As many claimants with chronic lower back pain will attest, being in a seated position can become very uncomfortable even after a few minutes. But even ""sedentary jobs"" are not entirely sedentary. Most sedentary work still involves having to get up and down from a seated position dozens of times during the course of a day. And this can obviouly present a problem for someone with lower lumbar pain. And, of course, there are the psychological aspects of having continuous pain and discomfort; chief among these is the effect that continuous pain has on one's ability to maintain attention and concentration. And, of course, pain does have a nasty effect on one's disposition.

Now, in the context of disability claims adjudication, why do I even bother mentioning this kind of stuff? Simply for this reason: Disability examiners, their supervisors, and the medical consultants with whom disability examiners work all too often slap decisions on cases without allowing claimants reasonable consideration with respect to their pain. This is not a trivial issue as the social security administration has been sued a number of times over its failure to recognize claimants' limitations due to pain.

Why do the ""functionaries"", or cogs of the disability system, fail to recognize the role that pain plays in a claimant's functional limitations?

Well, in the case of examiners, it may have a little to do with age. Most disability examiners tend to be younger individuals (twenties and thirties), i.e. people who have never had to deal with a disabling illness, such as degenerative disc disease. It's an unfortunate reality of human existence that people are often unable to empathize with someone else's pain if we have not experienced something similar ourselves.

In the case of the disability docs, that is the physicans who serve as unit medical consultants in a state's DDS (disability determination services), the blinders they wear may have more to do with the nature of their work. Basically, ""disability docs"" sit in an office all day long, reading files and writeups that have been written by disability examiners. After a disability doc has finished perusing a file, he or she will write an RFC (residual functional capacity

form) that may or may not agree with what an examiner has ""conjured"". At any one time, a DDS medical consultant may have dozens of cases in his office which need reviewing. But in NONE, ABSOLUTELY NONE, of that time will one of these doctors ever see, touch, or feel one of the claimants that they are writing an RFC for. Can you make out the picture that I'm drawing. These doctors render VERDICTS on cases, in a way that is very impersonal, removed, bureaucratic, and even automated. And with the number of cases that come across their desks, it's hardly a wonder that MOST cases are given a medium RFC, or residual functional capacity rating.

What is a medium RFC? It means several things, but in terms of exertional limitations, it means that a claimant is still expected to be able to, in the course of a workday, lift 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently. As an examiner, I saw medium RFCs given to claimants who, doubtless, would have difficulty lifting even 20 lbs once, let alone 50 lbs occasionally.

This, of course, qualifies as a gripe that I hold against the SSA system. However, I believe it is wholly a legitimate one concerning a legitimate problem. How do you address the problem?

Here's a novel solution that might have an immediate impact on how DDS medical consultants rate the limitations of claimants: require them all to keep fifty pound dumbbells beside their desks and each time they consider handing out a medium rfc, require them to lift it just once. Each time they perform this action and feel the discomfort that comes from lifting fifty pounds, they can then consider the effect this amount of weight might have on a claimant with chronic lower back pain. And, just perhaps, their ratings of cases might begin to approach a state closer to reality. Because, presently, it is doubtful, at best, that many of these doctors have any real clue as to what fifty pounds really is, or feels like.

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Non-Surgical Treatments For Back Pain

2008-12-08T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Ron King

If you suffer from severe back pain and fear that surgery may be necessary, or if surgery has been recommended and you question the wisdom of it, you may want to try some non-surgical physical treatments first.

Unless your back pain is due to an infection, malformation of the back, or tumor, some type of physical treatment can probably help it. Let's look at a few of the more popular and effective types of treatment.

Chiropractic Therapy

Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be most effective when applied within 2 months of the onset of back pain. Chiropractors realign the spine, increase the range of motion in back muscles, increase the flexibility of spinal soft tissue, break down scar tissue, and reduce pressure from constricted and misaligned spinal joints, all of which help to relieve pain. Usually treatment takes around 15 minutes 3 times a week at first. Over a few weeks sessions decrease until you are on a maintenance program of once a month or even ""come come only if it hurts.""

Acupuncture

Studies by the National Institutes of Health show that acupuncture is very effective in treating back pain. According to the theory of acupuncture, energy (known as chi) flows through the body along pathways called meridians. If the flow of chi is interrupted, pain or illness can result.

An acupuncturist uses very thin needles inserted into the skin along the meridians to correct the flow of chi. You may be surprised to learn that acupuncture is rarely described as painful. In fact, many people find it relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment.

Physical Therapy

A good physical therapist will combine passive and active treatments, since exercise is essential to the long term imporvement in back pain.

Active therapy involves the patient's participation. The therapist will determine which exercises are best for a particular condition, and supervise you in those exercises to ensure that you are doing them correctly. They will include: * stretching * strength building exercises * aerobic exercise.

Passive therapy is done on you, usually while you are relaxing, and includes: * heat or cold therapy * electrical stimulation * ultrasound * massage * iontophoresis (inserting a drug through intact skin using an electric current).

Other Alternatives to Surgery

In addition to these 3 modalities, many other non-surgical treatments exist for back pain, among them massage, and the use of herbs and natural supplements.

About the author: Visit <a href=""http://www.back-pain-gone.com"" target=""_blank""> Back Pain</a> to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted only if the resource box is left intact.

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Is Your Pillow A Pain In The Neck?

2008-12-07T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Patricia Bowlin

Most people don't know that pillows really need to be replaced every few years. They compress and get lumpy, and that's no way to sleep!

You may want to consider Tempur Pedic pillows- they're designed to deliver incredible comfort- and considered quiet the perfect pillow by many.

Tempur Pedic produces state-of-the-art pillows-and are used in most every major fine hotel and resort around the world, where the demand for the best is always in style.

If you've never tried a Tempurpedic pillow, the foam is so dense and supportive you won't believe it! It's no wonder why these pillows are so popular- afterall, this material was developed to provide the ultimate cushioning for US astronauts during liftoff.

If you've had trouble with neck pain because your pillow doesn't support you and align your spine that way it should, you probably have a hard time concentrating and focusing at work, which can be a real problem.

You'll find pillows that cost less than those from Tempur Pedic, but peaceful rest is worth the price, especially if you've been experiencing insomnia, an aching back or neck pain.

Tempur Pedic makes several designs of bed pillow to meet your needs.

Let's look at each one briefly. Then you'll have the facts at hand to choose the very best pillow for your needs.

The Tempur Pedic Swedish Neck Pillow is recommended for people who need a more therapeutic sleep posture to ensure a better night's sleep.

The design contains a dual lobe which supports and cradles the curve of the neck, head and shoulders perfectly. This shape prevents undue pressure on the spine which often causes sleep problems like we mentioned before. You'll need to select the right size to ensure that your head is neither too high nor too low as this can stress the neck and actually inhibit breathing. Size selections range from the Junior, measuring 15 X 10 X 2.5 inches up to the King Medium which measures 34 X 14 X 4 inches. You'll find just the right size pillow for you in this Tempur Pedic line.

The ComfortPillow is a more traditional pillow in appearance. It provides the comfort you want- along with the support you need and fits into your regular pillow cases.

This pillow is available in Standard, measuring 25 X 19 inches or Queen which measures 29 X 19 inches.

The Millennium Neck Pillow provides a curved edge that is lower in the center and higher on each side to keep the neck aligned properly whether you choose to sleep on your back or side. The tilted front edge cradles you upper vertebrae for the most comfort and support imaginable.

This pillow comes in medium, measuring 22 X 13 X 4.2/2.5 inches and Queen Medium which measures 26 X 13 X 4.5/25 inches.

The Classic Pillow can be an inexpensive solution to your pillow needs. It provides support and comfort while using the traditional pillow design. You'll enjoy the neck and head support you need and find that standard pillow cases fit just fine. It measures 22 X 15 X 4 inches.

Have you ever thought about trying a body pillow?

I used to have trouble with my legs getting sore at night because of my side sleeping position. But now I can just wrap my legs around that body pillow and all is well!

Tempurpedic makes an awesome body pillow that will have you sleeping like a baby! It measures 36 X 14 inches, which should be long enough for about everyone.

If allergies or mites are a concern, you'll be very pleased to know that Tempur Pedic products are naturally treated to resist mites and household allergens. No CFCs or formaldehyde are used in these great products so you'll rest in comfort and get a good night's sleep!

Your next favorite pillow may really be Tempurpedic!

About the author: Patricia Bowlin is an entrepenuer, writer and researcher who loves to share her tips, sense of humor, advice and ideas on creating the perfect bedroom sanctuary. Get hundreds of Free useful tips, advice and ideas now by visiting http://www.best-in-bedding.com

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Living With Chronic Low Back Pain

2008-12-06T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Robert Gould

They tell me my diagnosis is pretty common, that millions of Americans suffer with low back pain. I've also heard that next to the common cold, missing work from low back pain is the biggest reason. With these two major known facts, I then wondered why getting the correct treatment for low back pain is so difficult.

After being diagnosed with a herniated disc and bone disc degenerative disease, I was immediately scheduled to see a surgeon. The surgeon suggested I have back surgery. To make a long story short, after a lot of prayer, a lot of thought, and after talking to many people who already have had surgery with my same diagnosis, I chose against surgery.

After deciding against surgery, I found I was immediately cast in a different light, by my doctor, and the medical community in general. I found my pain was then not taken seriously. I felt disbelieved about how much I hurt. I actually felt like a drug addict when asking for something for the pain. It appeared my physician felt back surgery was the end all cure all to my back & leg pain. To the contrary studies have shown, back surgery may actually cause more pain, complications, and even damage that requires more follow up surgery.

Knowing physicians and surgeons are already aware of these statistics, it really makes you wonder why they would put you at such risk. I wish some of these healthcare professionals would just once switch places with me for one day living with chronic low back pain. Im not saying all physicians are practicing like this, but seeking treatment for chronic low back pain in general seems to be an ever loosing search to find someone who truly understands your pain, and willing to help you in treating your pain. God bless those physicians who do.

About the author: Author is a chronic pain sufferer dedicated and committed to helping other chronic pain sufferers get the medical treatment necessary to live a more productive and better quality of life by living as pain free as possible. For more information, go to: http://www.rxscripts4u.com

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How To Live With Joint Pain

2008-12-05T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Ryan Larson

No one I know enjoys joint pain. I guess as we get older we feel that chronic dull aching in the joints just ""comes with the territory"". This doesn't have to be so. There are some ways that you can manage your joint pain.

You can have joint pain for many different reasons, a trauma to a specific area of the body, such as knee or elbow, a strain from lifting a heavy object, sleeping on a poor mattress, sitting slumped in a chair, or bad posture in general can cause joint pain. Perhaps you do some sort of repetitive movement every day, perhaps associated with your job, such as cashiering. Any repetitive motion can exacerbate joint pain. Joint pain felt in the wrist due to repetitive motion is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The joint pain associated with arthritis affects millions of Americans. Osteoarthritis is known in the medical community as the ""wear and tear"" arthritis. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is generally caused by injury or occupation, excess weight and genetics. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage of a joint to wear away. Rheumatoid arthritis is aggressive and causes joint damage and joint deformity.

Fibromyalgia is a condition where people experience body aches and pains, extreme fatigue, depression and sleep problems. Fibromyalgia suffers may also have tenderness in specific muscles on the body.

There are some ways to help alleviate your joint pain. The first is to listen to your body and be aware of what causes you pain, and avoid those activities. Do not remain in one position for a long period of time, this causes stiffness. If you can sit to perform a task it is better than standing. Sitting helps take weight off your hips and knees. If you have pain in the fingers or hands try to avoid activities where you grip your fingers and avoid twisting or squeezing with your hands.

If applicable to your condition use an orthopedic support. Supports are available for most areas of the body, ankle, arm, elbow, knee, back, wrist. Heat and ice applied to joints can help alleviate pain. A program of regular stretching exercises would help joint pain. Mild exercise is good for joint pain as it helps prevent muscle atrophy around the joint. It would be best to learn these from a licensed physical therapist. A physical therapist can also help you to learn proper body mechanics when sitting, standing, or stooping which can help relieve joint pain.

About the author: Learn about <A HREF=""http://www.about-joint-pain.net""> sacroiliac joint pain</A> at <a href=""http://www.about-joint-pain.net"" title=""http://www.about-joint-pain.net"" target=""_blank"">http://www.about-joint-pain.net</a>

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Manage the Pain of Osteoarthritis

2008-12-04T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Kamau Austin

Manage the Pain of Osteoarthritis

The Mayo Clinic refers to osteoarthritis as a ""wear and tear"" condition that effects people as they age. It is a degenerative disease and is the most common form of arthritis. It is one of the most common causes of disability among adults. More than 20 million people in the United States have the disease. Researchers project that in the next 25 years over 20% of Americans-beyond the age of 65 will be at risk for osteoarthritis.

Today, more than half of the population age 65 or older would show x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint. Both men and women have the disease with more men getting the disease before age 45, and more women getting the disease after that point.

Osteoarthritis may affect any joint in the body and it is characterized by a breakdown in the cartilage between the joints. The most common joints affected are the hips, knees, lower back, fingers and feet.

Osteoarthritis often develops slowly and quite often there are no symptoms. A person affected with the disease may not know that they have it until it is revealed during a routine x-ray.

People with osteoarthritis may have one or more of the following symptoms.

- Pain in a joint during or after use; or after a period of inactivity, such as after a night's sleep. - Pain in a joint during a change in weather. - Swelling or pain in a joint, after use. - Bony lumps on the end or middle joints of the hands - Loss of flexibility

Interestingly, the first year of onset of the disease may bring acute pain, that then fades within a year or so of its appearance. This is especially true of osteoarthritis of the fingers.

The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known but some researchers believe that we are more susceptible to osteoarthritis as we age. It may be caused by a combination of factors, including being overweight,aging, a previous joint injury, heredity and muscle weakness.

The pain of osteoarthritis can range from that of a minor inconvenience for some sufferers, to chronic and debilitating for others. In cases where pain is severe, joint replacement surgery may be considered.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, and treatment is geared towards reducing pain and increasing joint. Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy and self-care.

Pharmaceutical medication is used to treat the pain and may include, over the counter topical pain relievers that are rubbed into the skin at the effective joint, NSAIDs and acetaminophen taken internally to help with pain.

Prescription medications may include COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex may be considered for relieving pain, But both Celebrex and the recently removed from the market durg, Vioxx, are now linked with some rather serious side effects including, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.

For some people, a side effect of living with chronic pain is depression. Since disturbances in sleep may accompany osteoarthritis, anti depressants may be prescribed because they can reduce chronic pain a well as help to alleviate sleep disturbances.

From time to time a doctor may suggest that an osteoarthritis patient receive injections of corticosteroid, which when injected into the joint space can offer some relief from pain and inflammation.

Surgical procedures can provide pain relief and relieve disability that may result from the deterioration of the joints. These procedures may include joint replacement; repositioning bones and fusing bones.

The surgical procedures and prescription medications may be overkill in the case where the osteoarthritis sufferer has only mild pain and inflammation. There is much that the mild or occasional sufferer can do to alleviate their pain ontheir own.

Life-style changes can help the condition so dramatically that it is sometimes the only treatment the occasional suffered will need.

Some things that you can do to help with the pain and stiffness are: - Exercise regularly - Control your weight - Eat a healthy diet - Apply heat to alleviate pain - Choose appropriate footwear to help support your back and hip joints. - Apply cold for occasional flare-ups - Practice relaxation techniques

In all cases osteoarthritis sufferers can benefit from making some changes in how they approach everyday activities. - Arm yourself with information and a ""can do"" attitude: Work with your health care professional to take control of your treatment and actively manage your arthritis. - Make use of a brace or cane if needed. A brace can greatly help to support a painful knee. And walking with a cane can help support an ailing hip.

- Keep activity within your limits. Osteoarthritis can make you prone to fatigue and muscle weakness. Take a short nap or rest when you fell tired. - Avoid straining your finger joints. Use a kitchen tool or hot water to help with opening jars and bottles. Kitchen centers and hardware stores are beginning to carry a supply of kitchen aids to help with simple tasks that may be difficult for osteoarthritis sufferers.

- Take breaks. Periodically relax and stretch. - Maintain good posture. Good posture more evenly distributes your body weight making it easier to support.

Regardless of the approaches that people take to dealing with their osteoarthritis almost everyone can benefit from the use of natural supplements. Glucosamine. is a naturally occurring substance that has been shown to be extremely effective in treating osteoarthritis.

Phosoplex™ is a natural supplement takes glucosamine one step better by combining it with Bio Cell Collagen II, a concentration of many elements including glucosamine.

The makers of Phosoplex™ have a valid point when they tell us ""...If we consume only single elements involved in the complex process of keeping our joints and other connective tissue healthy we could only expect partial effectiveness."" Phosoplex™ with its full spectrum of essential elements provides broader nutritional support aiding the overall health of individuals joints.

More information about Phosoplex™ can be found at http://www.bodestore.com/phosoplex.html

About the author: Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast and advocate. He is also the publisher of ... www.healthandfitnessvitality.com . He writes on a regular basis on timeless health and fitness tips at the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful health and fitness news and tips at... http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm

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A Closer Look at Neck Pain Relief

2008-12-03T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Eddie Tobey

Neck pain afflicts many people at some point in their life - two-thirds of American adults report having experienced at least one incidence of neck pain in their lives. You can strain your neck during exercise, at work, or even something as simple as turning over in your sleep. It's an ailment so common that it has even earned it's own colloquialism. But while your boss, neighbor, or even children can all be a real "pain in the neck" sometimes, so can the pain in your neck!

So how do you get rid of it? There are many treatments for neck pain relief, ranging from at-home remedies and physical therapy to alternative treatments like chiropractic and acupuncture. Over-the-counter and prescription medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can alleviate pain, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory aids (NSAIDS) reduce inflammation too. Surgery may be necessary to correct a displaced cervical disc.

Deciding which therapy to undergo depends on factors like pain intensity and duration. For severe acute neck pain resulting from an accident or injury, doctors recommend bed rest, a neck brace or collar, and cold treatment (such as an ice pack) for neck pain relief. Heat (such as that from a heating pad) and physical therapy are usually recommended for treating chronic neck pain. Physical therapy should address risk factors and preventative care along with providing neck pain relief. This may involve massage, electrical stimulation, stretching, exercise, or other modalities.

A recent European study divided patients into three groups for treatment. The group that received traditional Chinese acupuncture reported the most significant neck pain relief in the short term and over time, compared with those that underwent massage therapy or laser treatment. Whether you choose massage, acupuncture, or physical therapy, it is important to find a certified professional whose skill you are confident in – any of these performed incorrectly can actually do more harm than good. Don't be afraid to try new therapies or combine several types of treatment together – your neck is unique, and your treatment can be too.

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The real causes of Back Pain are not what you think...

2008-12-02T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Rick Rakauskas

This report covers the real causes of back pain.

Basic Anatomy of the Vertebral Column

Functions The vertebral column, or spine, is a complex system of bones, intervertebral discs, ligaments, muscles and nerves, designed to fulfil many seemingly incompatible functions. It must offer support to the body (to hold us upright) whilst allowing a large range of movement in many directions. The spine also functions to protect the delicate spinal cord that carries nerves to every part of our bodies, as well as acting as a shock absorber to decrease the forces transmitted to the brain when walking, running, jumping etc.

Vertebrae The bones of the spine - the vertebrae - are stacked one upon another, separated by discs, in such a way that three normal curves are maintained - slight inward curves at the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) areas, and an outward curve in the chest (thoracic) area. These curves and discs are mainly responsible for shock absorption. Each vertebra is attached to the next by a complex of three joints.

Ligaments A number of ligaments bind these bones and discs together. They surround the joints of the spine, some being short and travelling the distance of only one or two vertebrae, others being longer, travelling over several vertebrae to the entire length of the spine. These ligaments are partially responsible for the support function of the spine, preventing the vertebrae from slipping ""out of place"".

Muscles Muscles surround and are attached to the vertebrae to provide movement, or add to stability. In general, muscles perform one of these two functions. Some produce movement of joints - these muscles are typically long and thin, can act quickly, producing high tension over short periods of time. Other muscles are designed specifically to provide stability across joints - they are generally shorter and thicker, supplying low tension for extended periods of time. They produce small movements constantly, and ""fine-tune"" the position of the joints - these are our postural muscles.

Stability Stability of each spinal segment - each vertebra and its joints - is essential for pain-free movement. Any movement of any part of the spine puts a strain on the spine and its surrounding structures. Any movement of other body parts also impacts upon the spine, causing stress to the structures of the spine.

All Things Are Connected The legs are attached to the spine via the pelvis, with leg movements causing movement of the pelvis and therefore of the spine ( ""the knee bone's connected to the thighbone"" - yep, it's true - all the bones in the body are ultimately connected ... to the spine!) Similarly, the arms are connected to the torso via the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade). Therefore movement of the arms ultimately puts stress on the spine. This is why stability of the spine is so important - every movement you make is putting stress on your spine, and if the spine is not being held stable, the spinal joints will have more movement imposed upon them, putting more stress on the joints and surrounding structures.

Now we're getting to the really interesting parts.

Three Elements for Stability of the Spine This necessary stability or support of the spine is provided at three levels, or sub-systems. 1. Passive. The passive sub-system provides stability via the bones, joints and ligaments. The design of the passive system of the spine allows approximately 2 to 3 kilograms of pressure to be managed. (When you consider that the average person's head weighs 5kg, it shows how important the second and third subsystems are in just holding yourself upright). 2. Active. The active sub-system refers to the support and stability given by postural muscles in the area, specifically designed for this task. 3. Neural Control. The brain controls the muscles of the active sub-system through the neural control sub-system in response to feedback from structures surrounding the spine. This enables the provision of stability when it is needed.

These three sub-systems work together to provide optimum stability of the spine when it is needed. Any upset to any sub-system will lead to decreased stability, resulting in increased stress being placed on the spine.

But what we have discovered is that the third element - Neural Control - is the missing link from almost all treatments currently available. Most treatments concentrate on re-aligning the vertebra, strengthening muscles, restoring function to ligaments, etc.

Very few make any attempt to ensure the nerve paths to injured muscles are functioning. And even if they were aware of this critical factor, most practitioners have absolutely no idea how to get these nerve paths functioning again.

Posture A vital element for the correct and optimum functioning of these subsystems is correct posture. Ideal posture should maintain the three natural curves of the spine in any body position - sitting, standing and lying down. Any decrease or increase of these curves will stress the whole spinal system. (That's probably why lying on your back for any length of time causes stiffness - the natural curves have been flattened and distorted, so when we finally get up, we feel like stretching and moving in funny ways just to get rid of this stiffness.)

When our posture is incorrect for any length of time, the ligaments surrounding the joints will either be over-stretched or lax, joints will be forced into poor positions, the muscles surrounding the area (whether movement muscles or postural muscles) will be working from a position that is not optimum for force generation, and will therefore tire more easily. And the neural control system will also not work as effectively. All this adds up to an increase in stress and strain on the spine.

The Better Back Technique exercises produce a very welcome side-effect: your posture will automatically improve out of sight.

Now to answer today's question: What Causes Back Pain?

Back strains or injuries are initially caused by an external stress or load that is greater than the spine's structural capacity. Most injuries occur during a sudden unprotected or awkward movement. Back pain initially can be caused by injury to, or incorrect functioning of any of the components of the spine - bone, joints, ligaments, and muscle - or any change in alignment of the whole vertebral column. On the other hand, back pain after injuries have settled is more likely to be a result of the dysfunction (poor performance) of one or more of the three components I spoke about earlier - 1. Passive: bones, joints & ligaments; 2. Active: movement & postural muscles; and 3. Neural control: nerve paths to the muscles.

There are a group of exercises which directly address all three elements, and these will be discussed in an upcoming article.

Rick Rakauskas...

About the author: Rick Rakauskasis a copywriter and alternative health nut. He discovered the Better Back Technique and used it. He was so impresed that he obtained rights to market the product. For more information go to http://www.fixbackpainnow.com

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Muscle Pain Relief: An Overview

2008-12-01T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: Eddie Tobey

After an auto mechanic spends hours under a car or a writer spends all day in front of a computer, their muscles later complain at this overextension. Everyone gets a muscle ache once in a while, but chronic muscle pain can be a debilitating condition that deteriorates the quality of life of sufferers. Muscle pain may be the result of a specific injury, a spasm, or a condition that affects ligaments and connective joint tissue, or it may be only one symptom of a broader condition, usually arthritis. It ranges in intensity, from infrequent aches to chronic, disabling pain. Many therapies promise muscle pain relief, and choosing between them depends on the cause of the pain, it's severity and duration, as well as the preference of the patient.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, help alleviate muscle pain. Certain nutritional supplements may also provide muscle pain relief. Emu oil, for example, which is sometimes used to treat arthritis symptoms, may reduce muscle stiffness and tension.

Advocates of massage therapy claim that it can soothe aching muscles by releasing tension and allowing muscles to relax. The ancient tradition of acupuncture employs needles to achieve the same ends. Chiropractic may help ease muscle pain by correcting improper vertebral alignment that puts added pressure on back, leg, and neck muscles.

At-home treatments such as ice packs relieve muscle aches, as do physical aides such as back braces or wrist wraps, which reduce muscle strain by helping to hold joints and bones in their proper positions.

Specific exercises designed to increase muscle strength and flexibility may be prescribed by a doctor or physical therapist. A course of physical therapy will also educate patients on the importance of employing ergonomic tools, such as padded chairs and even sharper kitchen knives, in order to reduce muscle strain. A therapist will also teach proper methods of walking, sitting, lifting and performing repetitive movement that will prevent future problems.

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Knockout Knee Pain

2008-11-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Kamau Austin

You may first feel it when attempting to bend down to pick a dropped item or possibly you experience it as morning stiffness that you feel when you first get up out of bed. But whenever it hits you knee pain will undoubtedly get your attention.

The good news about knee pain is that it responds well to self care measures.

There are a number of factors that can put you at risk for knee pain. Some of them are:

Overweight: If you weigh more than you should, you put more stress and pressure on your knee joints. Over time this excess pressure can cause pain.

Overuse: An inflammatory response can occur when a repetitive activity, causes a muscle to get fatigued. This inflammatory response can damage surrounding tissue. This can be further compounded when you don't give the knee enough time to fully recover thereby making it prone to re-injury.

Lack of muscle strength: Experts site lack of strength and flexibility as the leading cause of knee injury and pain. Weak or tight muscles offer less support for the knee joint.

Mechanical problems: Having misaligned knees, one leg that is shorter than the other or other structural abnormalities can contribute to knee pain.

Previous injury: If you have previously injured your knee chances go up that you will injure it again. Possibly because the knee was not given enough time to properly heal or because the knee doesn't return to the condition it was in prior to the injury.

Age: Some knee related conditions affect young people more often than old, for example Osgood-Schlatter disease or patellar tendonitis. Other conditions such as gout and osteoarthritis tend to occur in older people.

An injury to the knee can affect any of the ligaments, tendons Or bursa (fluid filled sacs of the knee)or a combination of these areas of the knee.

Some of the most common causes of knee pain are:

- Bursitis - An inflammation that comes from pressure on the knee. The pressure may be from repeated overuse, kneeling for long periods of time or other injury.

- Tendonitis - Pain that occurs in the front of the knee. It usually gets worse when going up and down stairs. This is a common injury of skiers, runners and cyclists.

- Torn ligaments or cartilage - This injury can cause severe pain and lack of stability of the knee joint.

- Strain or Sprain - A minor injury to the ligaments cause by sudden or unnatural twisting.

- Hip disorders - May cause you to feel pain in the knee area.

- Osteoarthritis - a condition affecting the joints characterized by pain and stiffness

- Gout - A metabolic disorder caused by an accumulation of uric acid in the joints.

As mentioned above knee pain responds well to self care. Some of the things that you can do if you experience knee pain are:

- Apply ice 15 minutes at a time, initially and then about 4 times a day thereafter until the pain subsides.

- Rest and avoid the activities that contributed to the initial injury

- Elevate your knee to bring down the swelling

- Over the counter medications can provide pain relieve from pain.

- Sleep with a pillow underneath the affected knee

- Gentle compression, such as with an Ace bandage may reduce swelling and provide support

It is not always possible to prevent knee pain but there are some things that you can do to lessen the likelihood that knee problems will occur.

- Keep off excess weight. Maintaining a healthy weight will keep your knees from having to support more than they were designed to support.

- Stay flexible. Weak muscles make you more prone to injuries of the knees. So do stretching exercises, daily to maintain flexibility

- Exercise wisely. Don't exercise when you have pain or you're tired. If you have chronic injuries consider switching to sports or exercise that put less stress on your joints. For instance swimming instead of basketball.

- Get good fitting shoes. When shoes fit poorly we may compensate in the knees and hips, causing them to be misaligned and making them prone to injury.

- Proper supplements: There are supplements that can help the body keep the ligaments and joints lubricated, and actually help rebuild cartilage.

Like Phosoplex™ is a supplement that is recommended for osteoarthritis and joint pain. It is a powerful, all natural and safe solution for joint lubrication, pain relief and the rebuilding of healthy cartilage.

If you follow the above suggestions you will go a long way to knockout knee pain before it begins.

About the author: Stephanie McIntyre and Kamau Austin are health and fitness enthusiasts and advocates. They write on a regular basis on timeless health and fitness tips at the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful health and fitness news and tips at... http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm

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Herbal Remedies for Arthritis, Joint pain, Spondylosis, Muscular Ache

2008-11-29T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: AyurvedicCure.com

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to Ayurveda arthritis is primarily a vata (air) disease which is due to accumulation of toxins in the joints and is known as amavata.This can be caused by poor digestion and a weakened colon, resulting in the accumulation of undigested food and the buildup of waste matter. Poor digestion allows toxins to accumulate in the body, and problems with the colon allow the toxins to reach the joints. Symptoms : Fever; Immense pain & stiffness in affected muscles in case of chronic muscular rheumatism; Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by any movement or activity, such as walking, getting up from a chair, writing, typing, holding an object, throwing a ball, turning a key; Excruciating pain and stiffness in the joints in case of chronic articular rheumatism. Home Remedies: The following are a few simple cures that might just help relieve you from the pain of arthritis. Try any of them to see what works for you.

Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water taken twice a day is good for curing arthritis; Two teaspoons of juice from fresh leaves of bathua, drink every day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months; Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis; Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure; Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of warm water taken once or twice a day brings relief; Rub the aching joints with hot vinegar to get some relief from pain; Two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful liniment to bathe afflicted joints; Add one tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before sleeping; One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months; Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water; Exercise the afflicted joints in a tub full of hot water; Drink carrot juice, cucumber juice, eat cooked vegetables and/or vegetable soups, and drink coconut water for a healthy body & massage your joints daily to cure arthritis; On an empty stomach eat 2-3 walnuts or some coconut; Avoid mental tensions that lead to stress. Lose weight, if necessary, to get close to your ideal weight. If you weigh less, there is less weight on your joints and less pain;

Effetive and Proven Results For - Arthcare Oil (Anti Inflammatory and Muscle Relaxant Herbal Massage Oil) :

Arthcare Oil is the best natural solution for your problem, manufactured under the guidance of renowned MD Ayurveda Specialist doctor. Arthcare is an anti-arthritic herbal oil which not only gives a sure relief in rheumatic arthritis but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles. It is a powerful antioxidant and increases the energy level. Arthcare penetrates the body tissue faster than any other ointment because of its strong anti-inflammatory action. It removes stiffness and improves mobility of limbs. It brings relief from backaches, muscular strains, rheumatic pains, joint pains etc. Body massage with Arthcare oil, relaxes an asthmatic person. Arthcare is scientifically proven Ayurvedic formulation containing the herbal combination of well known traditional herbs described above. Within few minutes of application you will feel relaxed from pain. For Best Results Take 2 Arthcare Capsules twice a day and massage the affected area with Arthcare Oil 2-3 times a day.

For more information please read at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arthcareoil.htm . For more information on Arthritis , please read at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arthritis.htm

Herbal Remedies:

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. The following have been used traditionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis:

Shallaki also known as boswellia (Boswellia serrata), comes from a tree that yields gum when its bark is peeled away. In clinical trials, promising results were observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, Crohn's disease. Researchers found that standardized Boswellia extract significantly reduced swelling and pain and usually reduced morning stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/shallaki.htm ;

Ashvagandha (Withania somniferum) is an Asian plant of the potato family. Its roots have long been used to treat ""rheumatism,"" high blood pressure, immune dysfunctions, erection problems and also to ease inflammation. Because of all this, it's sometimes called the ""Indian ginseng."" http://www.ayurvediccure.com/ashwagandha.htm ;

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) may be among the best-studied of the four. Research suggests ginger root inhibits production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are involved in pain and inflammation. In an uncontrolled 1992 Danish study, 56 patients who had either RA, OA or muscular discomfort took powdered ginger. All of those with musculoskeletal pain and three-fourths of those with OA or RA reported varying degrees of pain relief and no side effects, even among those who took the ginger for more than two years.http://www.ayurvedivccure.com/products.htm ;

Herbal oils are applied to the arthritis to loosen stiff joints, restore mobility, remove pain, inflammation or swelling, nourish tissues and relieve pain. The experienced hands dipped in the pleasantly warmed oil will travel all over the body with pressure. Arthcare not only increases blood circulation but also gives a sure relief for rheumatic arthritis, spondylosis, paralysis, muscular disorder, slipped disc, asthma and tuberculosis. Brings in relief from stress, strain and tensions. It is also very good for tonning of one's muscles and nerves. Get instant relief within minutes of application of oil. For more information please read at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arthcareoil.htm . Advice:

Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate): Magnesium has both anti-inflammatory and anti- arthritic properties and it can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of the most important of the essential minerals in the body, and it is commonly deficient in the American diet. A New England remedy for arthritis is a hot bath of Epsom salts. The heat of the bath can increase circulation and reduce the swelling of arthritis.

Dosage and Directions: Fill a bathtub with water as hot as you can stand. Add 2 cups of Epsom salts. Bathe for thirty minutes, adding hot water as necessary to keep the temperature warm. Do this daily as often as you'd like.

About the author: Ayurvedic Cure.com, http://www.ayurvediccure.com -

Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Medicines and Herbal Remedies Guide. Health Guide featuring Home Remedies, Herbal Supplements and information on herbs and their benefits. Online Health Store with Free Shipping Worldwide!

Stay tuned to our Ayurvedic Health Blog at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/blog

http://www.ayurvediccure.co.uk http://www.ayurvediccure.com/shilajit.htm

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5 Tips for Dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

2008-11-28T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: John Mancini

Do you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and have had to quit taking your prescription pain medication because of harmful side effects? Are you looking for natural alternatives to help you deal with the pain that you face doing everyday tasks? If the answers to these questions are yes, then the following tips for relieving rheumatoid arthritis are just what you have been waiting for.

1- The most important thing that anyone can do for their bodies is to exercise. This includes those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis as well. However, not every exercise is suitable for sufferers of arthritis pain. The exercises that are done need to be good for the muscle, while not being damaging for the joints. A great exercise for those who are living with rheumatoid arthritis, in fact for everyone, is walking. Walking is a good low impact activity that does not put unneeded pressure on the joints. Other alternatives to walking are biking or walking in a pool.

2- The topic of exercising as a way to relieve the pain of arthritis leads into another tip. It is very important to incorporate balancing exercises into your daily routine. For example, water aerobics and Tai Chi are two types of balancing exercises. The reason for these types of activities is that balancing is a very effective way of strengthening without undue pressure on the joints. However, if the joints do begin to hurt, the activity should be stopped. If the pain continues more than a couple of days, it would be wise to consult your physician.

3- If you are suffering from the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, it is a good idea to concentrate on your overall body weight. If this is an issue for you, speak with your doctor about ways that are suitable for you to take it off. When you are dealing with any type of arthritis pain, the extra weight makes it worse. Consider this; there is about 30 pound of force placed on the knees for each ten pounds of weight that is being carried. Therefore, the ability to lose ten pounds will effectively result in 30 pounds of force being lifted from the knee.

4- Some rheumatoid arthritis sufferers find that applying hot or cold compresses can help to alleviate some of the pain that is associated with their condition. When using this method of pain relief, there is a simple rule to remember, ice reduces pain while the heat will loosen the joints and boost blood flow.

5- This next tip, while not an actual treatment option, is very important to your emotional well-being. Educate yourself regarding your condition, this will improve your attitude as well as eliminate the element of surprise. Many people are afraid to ask questions when they are faced with a debilitating illness, they just wait for the bad stuff to start happening and many end up depressed. Don't be one of those people, ask your doctor, ask friends, do research, learn as much as you can about rheumatoid arthritis so that you can better deal with it.

About the author: John Mancini has been writing about Rheumatoid Arthritis online and offline for a long time. Visit http://stop-arthritis.net or http://arthritis-cures.net to read more about matters like arthritis drugs and arthritis pain relief.

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How to Relieve Your Lower Back Pain Easily & Safely Through Surgery

2008-11-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Baalaji Baashyaam

Back pain can be caused by a variety of reasons and is generally a very painful condition that requires diligent attention and treatment. Pains below the waist are often called lower back pains and can be caused my muscle pulls or straining the muscles with heavy work or lifting heavy objects, moving or sleeping in awkward position etc.

Spinal infections and fractures might also cause lower back pain. In most cases the cause of the problem is that a particular nerve or a set of nerves are being pinched. The pinching can be caused due to the rupture of a disc in the spinal card or when a disc bulges and presses a nerve root. This causes a lot of pain to the patient. Sometimes the pain will decrease or go away completely by sitting or bending in a particular position etc. but if the pain continues, a check-up is necessary

Lower back surgery is the solution when such a pain continues for a period of time or becomes unbearable. Before considering lower back surgery, the patient has to consult their doctor or physician and check out the various options available and also get a complete information about the lower back surgery procedure, its recovery procedures, risks involved, expected costs etc.

Sometimes other options like traction, physiotherapy and others can be used in the place of lower back surgery if the problem is mild and curable. Lower back surgery is not a minor surgery and has to be approached with care. Patients are normally advised to do mild exercises and keep themselves healthy before the operation and might also be told to quick smoking.

The surgery might involve making cuts and incisions and moving the muscles so that the surgeon gets a good look and approach on the spine, the discs etc. Newer inventions like Lasers and bone grafts with genetically engineered protein that induce a persons bones to grow and fuse together have been making the lower back surgery a more simple, safe and easy procedure. They help the surgeon by removing the need to make large cuts or incisions etc and help the patient by reducing the risks and pain involved , thus speeding up the recovery procedure.

After the lower back surgery, the patients should try to maintain good health and fitness. Exercises will be advised for the patient for the patient. Exercises or other treatments like Yoga etc have to be practiced with great care and only with qualified teachers. Also the teachers or trainers should be aware of the lower back surgery and details.

About the author: To learn more about the pro's & con's of back surgery, visit <a href=""http://www.surgery-guide.com/back-surgery.html"">Back Surgery Details</a>. Also, visit <a href=""http://www.surgery-guide.com"">Surgery Guide Website</a> for help related to various types of surgeries like ear surgery, eye surgery, brain surgery and more...

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Back Pain - Natural Supplement Treatments

2008-11-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Rene Graeber

There are a number of different ways you can treat your back pain naturally: vitamins, minerals, herbs, nutrition, and homeopathy medicine.

Some will help heal your back pain and others are dangerous, so it's best to consult with a physician or nurse practitioner before taking anything and never, ever exceed recommended dosages.

The FDA has no control over natural supplements, so it does not recommend them.

Since supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to ""diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.""

That doesn't mean, though, that all supplements are bad. Some medications turn out to be unsafe, too, despite rigorous trials and testing. The bottom line is to research every product you consider taking and make sure you get supplements from a reputable source, like a health food store.

Everybody's chemistry is different and reacts differently, so if you are considering taking a supplement equivalent to a pharmaceutical, you may still have some side effects.

There are many natural supplements that can be found in supermarkets and drug stores. You may have to check health food stores for more obscure supplements. Like any kind of medication that you buy over the counter, you'll have a choice between the store brand and name brands.

Store brands are perfectly safe to use and are less expensive because you don't have to pay for advertising. You can also buy supplements over the internet, but you should be sure you buy from a reputable source so you know exactly what you are getting.

Do some research and ask around to find out which online suppliers are the best and most reputable.

Listed below are some natural supplement treatments that have been publicized to help alleviate back pain. When dosages are listed, you should know that if you are particularly thin or heavy, you should consult an expert before taking the supplement.

And remember, natural supplements will not relieve pain immediately, but have to be taken for weeks or sometimes even months before you see results.

Vitamins and Minerals

VITAMIN E-400 IU daily; anti-inflammatory VITAMIN C-250-500mg twice daily ZINC-30 mg twice daily; anti-inflammatory CALCIUM-600mg daily; strengthens bones BORON: 1-3 mg daily with food; helps the body absorb calcium and magnesium MAGNESIUM- 250 mg daily; strengthens bones and relaxes muscles COPPER: 2 mg daily GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE: 500 mg. three times daily. Can rebuild cartilage in joints and has been studied by the American College of Rheumatology as an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. NIACINAMIDE: 500 mg three times daily; anti-inflammatory and heals damaged cartilage. Can cause liver damage and aggravate diabetes, low blood pressure, ulcers, and glaucoma, so have a doctor monitor you if you take this supplement.

Herbs

Herbal supplements can be found in capsule or powder form, or as teas. If you are making your own herbal tea, use 1 tsp. of herb per cup of hot water. Cover mixture and steep for 5-10 minutes, or 10-20 if you are using roots. You can safely drink 3-6 cups of tea daily.

Muscle Relaxants

KAVA KAVA: Recognized by some doctors as a safe alternative to Xanax and Valium. BLACK HAW: relieves muscle spasms and is similar to aspirin VALERIAN ROOT: Widely researched and documented as a sleep aid, valerian has been given a number 1 rating for safety by The American Herbal Products Association. WILD YAM: Long used to treat menstrual cramps; generally taken as a tea. JAMAICA DOGWOOD: Used to treat muscle inflammation and spasms; little research has been done on it and excessive amounts can be toxic. Do not use with sedatives.

Anti-inflammatories

BROMELAIN: 500 mg three times daily BOSWELLIN: 150 mg three times daily. Has been proven in clinical trials to help alleviate low back pain CURCUMIN: 400-600 mg three times daily; sometimes mixed with ginger, curcumin has not been studied in clinical trials, but herbalists use it as an anti-inflammatory. MSM: Has not been researched, but herbalists use it as an anti-inflammatory. ST. JOHN'S WORT: 300-500 mg capsule three times daily; interacts with a wide variety of medications and should only be taken under the advisement of an herbal specialist.

Pain Relief

WHITE WILLOW BARK: effects are similar to taking aspirin DEVIL'S CLAW: 400 mg three times daily. Used to treat arthritis, research shows devil's claw may boost the effectiveness of conventional drugs.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a practice of medicine that has been around for about 200 years. It is based upon what is called the Law of Similars and works on the same principle as do immunizations: give someone a small dose of what would make them sick to cure their sickness.

Treatments have been proven in clinical trials, and are prepared by a homeopathic pharmacy under FDA guidelines. Researchers don't completely understand how homeopathic medicines work, but the evidence is clear that they do. Homeopathy has been popular in Europe and India for a long time, and is gaining popularity in the United States.

Many practitioners are doctors or have some other kind of medical degree, perhaps in nursing or psychology. The legal issues surrounding homeopathic practitioners that do not have medical degrees is unclear, but most homeopathic remedies are sold over the counter and do not need a prescription.

Here are some natural homeopathic remedies that are helpful in alleviating back pain:

AESCULUS: used for dull, nagging pain ARNICA MONTANA: used in cases of trauma to the back COLOCYNTHIS: used for weakness and muscle cramps in the lower back GNAPHALIUM: used to treat sciatica, which is often associated with back pain LYCOPODIUM: used to treat burning pain RHUS TOXICODENDRON: used for lower back stiffness and pain

About the author: Rene Graeber graduated from the University of Munic in Educational and Sports Science and from the Paracelsus School of Medicine in Hamburg from Naturopathic Medicine. If you're looking for the latest, helpful information about alternative medicine the visit his website in Germany at <a href=""http://www.naturheilkunde-preetz.de"">http://www.naturheilku nde-preetz.de</a>

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5 Tips for Arthritis Pain Relief

2008-11-25T03:01:00.000-08:00

Author: John Mancini

For millions of people through out the world arthritis pain is something that they live with everyday. Most of them are on some type of prescription drug regimen to control the pain. However, drugs alone are often times not enough to keep the arthritis pain at bay. Therefore, there are a growing number of people that are seeking alternative arthritis pain relief. If you have considered some non-traditional treatment methods, but are unsure of how they work, the following tips will help to answer your questions.

1- There are multiple pain medications available for people who suffer from arthritis pain. They consist of over the counter remedies such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to the stronger prescription drugs such as Vioxx and Celebrex. The problem with the stronger drugs is that they often come with undesirable or even dangerous side effects. While the over the counter alternatives are safer, they often need to have other remedies used as well to achieve arthritis pain relief.

2- Exercise is a great option at your disposal when looking for natural alternatives for your arthritis pain relief. Walking is especially good; it is easy to do and does not put too much unneeded pressure on the joints. Other forms of exercises that are especially good for arthritis sufferers are balancing types of movements, such as Tia Chi and water walking. While these activities can help build muscle strength, they may cause some discomfort in the joints. If this happens, stop the exercise, if the pain persists more than a couple of days speak with your physician.

3- Losing weight is another great way to find some relief from your arthritis pain. This is because it has been found that just ten extra pounds adds thirty pounds of stress to the knees. Therefore, losing extra weight will be very effective for arthritis pain relief.

4- Researching and using any product that will make your daily life easier, will also indirectly help ease the pain associated with arthritis. For example, using a shower seat will allow you to shower without much of the pain that can result from extended period of time standing.

5- Visit your physician when you first feel that you are having arthritis pain. Together, the both of you will be able to devise a treatment regimen that is right for you and for your particular situation. Be sure to keep in contact with your doctor, this is the only way to ensure that your treatment methods will change as the pain becomes stronger.

About the author: John Mancini has been writing about Rheumatoid Arthritis online and offline for a long time. Visit http://arthritis-expert.net or http://arthritis-central.com to read more about matters like osteoarthritis and arthritis treatment.

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Keep back pain at bay

2008-11-24T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Dr.Savitha Suri

Introduction

Back pain is the most common complaint among adults under 45. Back pain brings their activities to a complete halt and intervenes in the progress of their career. Researchers say that it is really a challenge to a physician to find out the true cause of back pain. Here is a quick take on the anatomy of the human back. Our body depends on the spinal column for structural stability and mobility. We twist, bend and flex with the help of spinal column. The spinal column is made up of 24 vertebrae, 7 in the neck (the cervical vertebrae), 12 in the thorax (the thoracic vertebrae), and 5 in the lower back (the lumbar vertebrae). The sacrum, located just below the lumbar vertebrae, consists of 5 fused vertebrae. The tailbone, or coccyx, with its 3 to 5 fused vertebrae, lies just beneath the sacrum. These vertebrae are placed one on another from skull to pelvis. Spongy discs are present in between vertebrae .The spinal column is tightly wrapped by muscles and ligaments.

The spinal cord is enclosed within vertebral canal which is formed by alignment of vertebrae.

Acharya sushruta describes anatomy of spinal column as follows. Prushte trimshat - The number of back bones are 30 (Cervical-7 , Thoracic - 12, Lumbar- 5, vertebrae fused in sacrum -5 , coccyx -1 ). While describing the joints in spinal column it has been said as "" Chaturvimshatihi prishta vamshe "". This means there are 24 joints in spinal column.

Maamsaanyatra nibaddhani siraabhihi snaayubhistatha. | Asthinyaalambanam kritwaa ||

The ligaments and tendons hold the bones and muscles together. Causes for back ache

Bones and thighs are mainly occupied by Vata . Vata controls and directs the body movements.Back pain occurs when vata in this region gets aggravated due to unwise physical activities (mithya yoga of karma), exaggerated physical activities (Ati yoga of karma ) or less physical activities (hina yoga of karma).

1. Back ache usually arises from spasm of muscles that support our spine. The muscles supporting spine go into spasm when we lift things unwisely, bending over too sharply, sitting in a unsuitable chair, etc. These type of movements are called as ""Mithyaa yoga of karma or action "" in ayurveda.

2. Back pain can be triggered when we sneeze, climb into a car, or bend down to pick up the newspaper.

3. Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, viral infection, bladder or kidney infection, gynecological problems in women, tumors and trauma may also cause back pain.

4. Lack of motion or hina yoga of karma and bad posture may affect us when we sit or stand for long periods of time. On the other hand repetitive motion or Ati yoga of karma like too much of bending, lifting or twisting also affects our back.

5. Other potential causes for back ache are:

* Overweight

* Wearing high heeled shoes

* Carrying heavy weight

The vitiated vata causes stiffness of joints, pain and limits the movements of back.

Solutions for back pain

1. Stay calm.

2. A complete bed rest for 24 - 48 hrs relieves back pain in most of the instances. Walk a little every few hours to keep the blood flowing and the muscles toned.

3. Applying vata balancing oil like ksheerabala oil on affected region and Naadi sweda (mild steam bath on affected area ) of affected region relives the pain quickly.

See your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

1. If you are above 50 and sudden onset of severe pain or pain localized to spine .

2. Pain due to recent fall or trauma.

3. Pain in hip and leg.

4. Back pain unrelated to posture.

5. Bowel or bladder control problems.

6. Numbness in the groin or rectal area.

7. Extreme weakness in legs.

8. Unsteadiness while walking 9. Fever or weight loss accompanying the pain.

10. Pain that does not lessen over time even after rest Prevention of back pain

1. Keep the muscles well conditioned by improving sitting, standing, stretching postures. Well-conditioned muscles are less susceptible to injury.

2. Never bend at the waist or stoop to pick up an object. Instead, lower the body to the level of the object by bending the knees. Grasp the item, hold it close to the body, and raise yourself with your legs while keeping your back straight.

3. Do not lift very heavy objects.

4. Whenever possible, prop yourself up.

5. Lean against a wall or pillar while waiting for a bus or standing in line at the bank.

6. Keep footstools around the house. Alternatively prop up one leg on stool while doing standing chores.

7. Sleep on a firm mattress and find a comfortable position.

8. Wear low-heeled shoes.

9. Standing straight will do wonders for your back.

10. Sit on a comfortable chair that supports the curve of lower back.

11. While sitting for long hours rest feet on a low stool so that knees are above hips.

12. Do not sit or stand in one position for a very long time. Get up periodically and walk for a while.

13. Avoid activities which hurt back.

14. Do not sit in same position for long hours. It may prove hazardous to back. Take break in between and move around.

15. Avoid becoming overweight. Overweight increases the risk of back pain.

Tips for software professionals to avoid back pain:

1. Select a correct chair, with a relatively straight back and good lower back support. If the chair doesn't offer lower back support, keep a rolled up towel or cushion to support the back.

2. Correctly position the chair, keyboard, and monitor. Feet should be on the floor, with knees at hip level; forearms should form a right angle with upper arms; and the computer terminal should be at eye level.

3. Adopt a relaxed, upright working posture and allow the chair to support.

4. Avoid slouching forward or leaning back too far.

5. When you are at work stand up, walk around, stretch forward, backward, and side to side once in 30 minutes.

6. Increased stress and strain enhances the chances of back pain. Hence remember to relax! Yoga and meditation are best techniques to relax

7. Eat healthy food which is rich in fiber. Avoid sweets, oil, soft drinks and overeating to reduce the chances of weight gain. 8. Sex should be avoided during acute stage of back pain as it exaggerates the condition.

Ayurvedic Home remedy for backacheRemedy

Ingredients

* Nirgundi leaves (hindi - samhaalu) (Bot- Vitex negundo) (Eng - Five leaved chaste)

* Karanja leaves ( hindi - Ditauri) (Bot - Pongamia pinnata) (Eng - Indian beech)

Collect fresh leaves of Nirgundi and Karanja. Tie them in a thin cotton cloth to form a big ball . Boil this leaves' ball in water and when it is tolerably hot apply this on affected part. When the leaves become cold reheat them by putting the leaves' ball in boiling water. After half an hour take out the leaves from ball , grind them to a paste and bind it on affected area.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com

About the author: Biography of Dr.SavithaSuri

Dr.SavithaSuri has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner since 1989. After getting a graduation degree in ayurveda (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1988 from University of Mysore, India, she started practising ayurveda . Her articles about ayurveda have been published in news papers and websites. She is a regular health columnist to a regional news paper.

Dr.SavithaSuri lives in Mysore , Karnataka,

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Identifying The Common Causes Of Back Pain

2008-11-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Paolo Basauri

Understanding the Causes of Back Pain

An aching back is a problem suffered by more than 50% of American adults. According to the American Chiropractic Association, it is estimated that over 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain at some time in their life. Becoming familiar with the causes of back pain and their subsequent treatment protocols can be of great help should you ever find yourself suffering from back pain. While both men and women can develop back problems, there are some causes that primarily affect women. Other groups susceptible to chronic back pain include the elderly, athletes, the overweight and people with a genetic disposition to back problems.

Typical Causes of Back Pain

The primary causes of back pain are related to muscular sprains and strains, spinal disc injuries and diseases which affect the joints, such as arthritis. Acute back pain stems from a short term injury or strain and can be treated with rest and readjustment. Chronic causes of back pain are generally more difficult to identify and treat. While many of the symptoms are similar, identifying the underlying causes is the key to finding effective treatment.

Coccydynia - Considered fairly rare among the causes of back pain, Coccydynia is a localized pain that stems from the coccyx or tailbone. This condition can manifest as the result of a fall, or from giving birth. Lower back pain caused by Coccydynia is almost always aggravated by sitting. Treatment for severe cases of this condition can include a surgical removal of the coccyx.

Pregnancy-Related Back Pain - It is commonly known that pregnancy is one of the main causes of back pain in women. The additional weight combined with birth related hormones can result in moderate to severe back pain in pregnant women. The best treatment for pregnancy-related back pain is exercise.

Osteoarthritis - One of the most well documented, but least understood causes of back pain is degenerative arthritis of the spine. While most frequently seen in elderly patients, Osteoarthritis can affect younger patients as well. Arthritis causes the disintegration of cartilage, the cushioning material that supports spinal vertebrae. While there is no cure for Osteoarthritis, patients can receive treatments for pain management.

Muscle Strain - Arguably one of the most common causes, muscle strain can be the result of stress, bad posture, repetitive activities or applying too much force to the back muscles. Muscle strain injuries are typically treated with a combination of exercise and rest.

Herniated Disc - One of the most painful causes of back pain is a herniated disc. When spinal cartilage is pushed up against the sensitive nerves in your back, the result is a herniated or bulging disc. If the affected never is the Sciatic nerve that runs down your spinal column, pain can extend down into your legs and feet. Treatment for back pain stemming from spinal vertebrae issues can include medication, physical therapy, and occasionally, surgery.

About the author: P. Basauri is an expert author who writes for <a href=""http://www.back-pain-relief-bed.com"">Causes of Back Pain</a>

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Pain Relief from Neck and Shoulder Pain My Top 5 Favorite Ways

2008-11-22T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Wendy Young

When you are experiencing neck and shoulder pain at your computer, there are simple actions you can take to help you feel better.

It is very important to understand how your body reacts with the design of your computer work area. Of equal concern is choosing products to help you rather than create additional pain. It can be just as simple as adjusting or rearranging your equipment and furniture.

Monitor Height Placement

If you bend your neck back to see the monitor, it is too high. If you bend your neck down, your monitor is too low.

Let your head rest naturally and it will tilt slightly forward. You have left the office too many times with sore muscles!

When looking straight ahead, your line of sight is the imaginary horizontal line from your eyes to the screen. Your eyes naturally gaze down 15 - 20 degrees below your line of sight. Adjust the height to easily view the information on the screen where your eyes naturally gaze.

Center Keyboard with Monitor

If your keyboard is placed directly in front of your body and your monitor is situated to the right or left you will be forced to twist your neck to view the screen. Ouch! This twist will tense the muscles in your neck.

The longer you work with your muscles tensed the higher risk of developing neck and shoulder pain.

Adjust Your Chair Armrest Height

How often do you feel as if your neck is almost touching your shoulder? Too often, right!

Let's not make it easy to tense your shoulders. If your armrests are too high, you will be raising (and tensing!) your shoulders up and creating pain.

Due to the tendency to lean to the side with armrests too low you may also create pain in the elbows and ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve is the one you feel all the way down into your pinkie finger when hitting your elbow. Watch this one!

Adjust your armrests so that your shoulders are completely relaxed and elbows rest comfortably on armrests.

Eliminate Your Chair Armrests Altogether

Do your armrests prevent you from getting close to your keyboard because they hit the edge of your desk? This is a source of mental stress many of us have experienced.

You will also create tense neck and shoulder muscles due to the straight arm reach to the keyboard and mouse.

So in this case, remove the armrests.

Move Mouse Closer To Your Body

Moving and clicking your mouse frequently when it is too far away can create shoulder pain - use a shorter footprint, ergonomic keyboard without the right hand numeric keypad or a mouse that is placed at the center of the body.

You may also try a keyboard with the numeric keypad on the left, your keyboard and monitor will be balanced more easily.

As always, REST, REST and MORE REST every 10 minutes for 10 seconds and every hour for five (5) minutes.

Stand up and stretch often as this will relax your mind and body, improve circulation and create more productivity.

Go Live in Comfort!

About the author: Wendy Young, a Certified Ergonomic Expert and founder of http://www.ergopro.com has helped thousands of people reduce pain from their computer work since 1991. She offers a free newsletter on increasing comfort and reducing pain in the workplace at http://www.ergonomics-safety.com .

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Back Pain and Alternative Solutions Like Acupuncture and Chirprocatic

2008-11-21T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Deron Van

by: Deron Van

I started having back pains a few years ago. The kind that shoot down your leg and make it difficult to walk. The doctors first tried physical therapy and I tried some Chiropractors on my own and nothing seemed to help. I would have occasional relief, but it always seemed to come back. The next thing the doctors did was send me for an MRI. This showed that I had a herniated disc between the L4 and L5 vertebrae. Their first solution was to inject cortisone into my spine and that's when I started looking for alternatives. I had heard that many people would get these injections that would cover up the pain for a while but then later on they would end up injuring themselves further.

One day, my back tensed up worse than before and I could not stand straight up. Any of you who have had back pain will be able to relate to this: I had to walk stooped over a little bit and every time I extended my left leg it pinched the nerve and made every step painful. I got pretty good at swinging my hips and stepping out instead of stepping forward to minimize that pain, but it was time to do something.

A friend of mine had had some acupuncture done before and I decided to give it a try. I walked in, in pain, and walked out standing straight up and walking normal. I was sold. If acupuncture is done right, it is very relaxing and at times I have almost fallen asleep during a session. Please note that acupuncture is actually good for treating many types of aches and pains, not just back pain.

Here is what you can expect from an acupuncture session: You can typically get undressed to a level you are comfortable with. The acupuncturist will then place needles in specific points on your body depending upon your problem areas. These points may or may not be anywhere near your pain. For example, during my sessions for back pain, the acupuncturist has placed needles in my hands, feet, legs and back. The needles they use are very small and each one is individually sealed. Many people may tell you that the needles don't hurt at all, and most of the time that is true. Occasionally, a needle will find a hot spot and it can feel like a fire. Just let the acupuncturist know if it is beyond uncomfortable pain. Sometimes these hot spots will lead to greater pain relief later on. During my first few sessions for my back pain, my worst hot spot was my right hand; it hurt about as bad as my back did earlier. However, I can walk upright and deal with pain in my hand; not with it my back. I was able to massage my hand and work out the pain so it was definitely worth it. After the needles are in, the acupuncturist will leave and let you relax for 20 to 30 minutes. Depending upon your acupuncturist, they may apply herbs or heat the needles slightly or give a slight twist to the needle. Then the needles come out. You will have to fight the urge to tighten up when they are pulling the needles out. It is better to relax as much as possible and not think about it. Some acupuncturists may also give a slight massage with the acupuncture.

So how am I doing now? Well, it has been over 5 years now, I think, and I never had to have a cortisone shot and never even thought about any kind of surgery. I still have occasional pain and have actually found a Chiropractor that is also a licensed acupuncture provider. He has a table that applies negative pressure to the discs in the spine and helps alleviate any associated pain. I still receive an occasional acupuncture treatment from him as well. Please note that I do not like ""cracking"" and my chiropractor has not ""adjusted"" my spine, only stretched it. I think the key to a healthy back with a herniated disc is to provide yourself with the ability to stretch out and strengthen your back without pain. Acupuncture and specific chiropractic treatments can be the way you accomplish this.

Want to see more health topics? Check out the Gotta Get My Info Health <a href=""http://www.gottagetmyinfo.com/health"">http://www.gottagetmy info.com/health</a> Page.

About the author: About The Author Deron Van is a software engineer at Intel, he received his bachelor degrees in CIS and marketing from Arizona State University and is the marketing manager at <a href=""http://www.gottagetmyinfo.com"">http://www.gottagetmyinfo.co m</a> you can email him at <a href=""mailto:deron@gottagetmyinfo.com"">deron@gottagetmyinfo.com</ a>

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Back Pain & Muscle Pain - Effective Nonprescription Pain Relief

2008-11-20T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Danna Schneider

Pain and Stress. They seem almost to go hand in hand - not only in their negative connotation, but also in their biological causes and triggers. Back pain and muscle pain is typically caused by inflammation in the proximity where the pain originated, which in turn creates internal pressure, activating pain receptors in the nerve endings and sending the signal (registered as varying levels of discomfort) to the brain.

Some people are born with a naturally higher tolerance to pain - what's been dubbed the ""pain threshold"". Then there are the rest of us, who have normal or low pain thresholds and if chronic back pain, muscle pain, or nerve related pain or illness were to be introduced into our lives, we would be forced to be a prisoner to ""the bottle"". The ""bottle"" being one of the many prescription painkillers or narcotics prescribed to so many suffering daily, chronic muscle pain and nerve related pain.

So there must be a better way to control the pain, and manage it successfully without constant reliance on and possible addiction to prescription pain medication? And there is. Along with an excellent new naturopathic, herbal pain remedy recently introduced to consumers, there are several things you can do to manage pain effectively, and in turn even reduce stress and improve your overall mental and physical health - all of which are key factors in successful pain management.

On of the best ways to manage stress and in turn reduce pain, is to employ some sort of low impact, muscle soothing exercise, like basic yoga, tai chi, or water aerobics. These types of exercises not only stretch the muscles and keep them limber and lithe, but they effectively ""massage"" and calm muscles, have very little impact on joints, strength the supportive muscles of the back, and can even help reduce inflammation in the body. The mind-body connection is very strong, there is no doubt - just start an exercise routine like this and I guarantee your mood, pain and anxiety virtually melt away.

Exercise also releases and creates endorphins, which are a natural ""antidote"" to pain, stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression. The release of endorphins can actually reverse the negative effects these afflictions can have on your body. If you're a habitual exerciser, think of how you lethargic you feel after a few days of inactivity, and you'll understand this concept! Inactivity is one of the biggest underlying causes and perpetuators of worsening pain, lethargy, depression and anxiety.

Meditation is also a great method to reduce pain, anxiety and the host of other undesirable problems so prevalent in America today. Like yoga, and other relaxation techniques, meditation allows you to focus only on you, your breathing, and your body. This faciliatates the ""harmonizing"" of the body and the mind, the ultimate feeling of well-being, vitality, and tranquility, all of which will help you manage pain and stress. This will keep your mind sharp, focused, and better able to deal with the daily stress life can sometimes bring.

Combine these few simple lifestyle habits with the use of an herbal pain remedy where needed, or even just employ these habits alone, and I guarantee, pain will not only be easier to cope with when it rears it's ugly head, but also will be reduced greatly in it's severity and frequency. It quite simply is a necessity to living pain free.

About the author: Danna Schneider is the founder of <a href=""http://www.herbal-therapeutics.com"">Natural Remedies and Cures</a>. Visit <a href=""http://www.herbal-therapeutics.com/natural-pain-relief.html "">Effective Natural Pain Reliever</a> for more information on this natural pain relief alternative.

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Controlling Pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises

2008-11-19T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Mike Herman

If you are suffering from stiff, swollen joints and have been diagnosed with the condition known as rheumatoid arthritis, there is hope.

In most instances, you can continue to do the hobbies and activities you enjoy without being plagued with pain and limited mobility through a variety of treatment options.

Speak with your primary health care provider about medications and alternatives, including rheumatoid arthritis exercises to control your condition.

These alternatives are excellent ways of not only controlling your pain and regaining motion, but also enhancing your life.

Consider enrolling in a gym that offers special rheumatoid arthritis exercises and classes in order to start your treatment.

Before you decide upon any rheumatoid arthritis exercises, be sure to contact your primary health care provider.

He or she will be able to recommend special techniques that will best benefit your situation, but also provide you with a gym or physical therapist to ensure you are working out in the proper method.

Aquatic Exercises & A Medicine Ball?

Many doctors recommend arthritis patients attempt some sort of aquatic work out, since water allows you to be weightless and your joints to experience no friction or resistance.

Another great work out is Pilates, which works with hoops and balls to stretch your body and improve your mobility.

When using these work out techniques as a treatment for your stiff and painful joints, remember to enter into your program slowly.

Tackling any activity too enthusiastically can potentially injure your body and worsen your condition.

This is especially important when using any weights, medicine balls, or other apparatus that can cause muscle strains or pulls.

If you are unsure on the correct techniques for using the apparatuses, seek help from a professional to ensure you are doing the activity correctly.

This is the same for aquatic activities, which are much more than simply swimming laps. Consider enrolling in a specific class just for these activities in order to broaden your horizons and control your pain.

By using any physical activity to your advantage, arthritis sufferers of all ages are rewarded by minimized pain and stiffness.

Additionally, physical activities will allow individuals suffering from this common problem by increasing mobility.

About the author: Learn More and Get the Type of <a href=""http://www.Relieve-Your-Arthritis.com/natural-remedies-for- arthritis.html"">Natural Remedies for Arthritis Including Excercise </a> .

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Can Pain Killers Be Causing Your Headaches?

2008-11-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C.

Do you take analgesics (pain pills) for your chronic headaches? If you do you are not alone, but you may be surprised to learn that the pain-killers you're taking may actually be promoting your chronic tension or migraine headaches.

What should you do when you have tension or <a href=""http://www.soothe-a-ciser.com"">migraine headaches</a>? What should you do when you are experiencing chronic pain? Take a pain pill, right? WRONG! Most people don't have a second thought when it comes to taking analgesics for their chronic headaches or other assorted aches and pains, but research from the St. Louis University School of Medicine demonstrates that ""analgesic use seems to be the primary factor in promoting the development of chronic pain."" It was found that painkillers, instead of helping relieve the chronic pain, can actually be the cause of it.

""The best thing a person with chronic headaches can do is get off the painkillers,"" says Paul Duckro, associate professor of psychiatry at St. Louis University. ""In our studies, two-thirds of the chronic headache sufferers benefited from the withdrawal of medication."" Two-thirds of the chronic headache sufferers not only did not get rid of their headaches with the medications they were taking, but increased their severity through the use of analgesics.

""Evidently, at a certain point in a chronic sufferer's intake of analgesics (including aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and the stronger narcotic painkillers), the headache becomes drug-induced. In an irony of biology, a substance intended to reduce pain becomes a factor in producing it."" Ibuprofen is the ""pain-relieving"" ingredient in Advil, Motrin IB, Nuprin and many other headache medications. Acetaminophen is the active ""painkilling"" ingredient in Tylenol. You should be aware that these popular medications may be hindering your recovery from your chronic headaches. And even worse, the medications that are supposed to be relieving your pain may actually be the cause of it.

According to Duckro: ""The person takes some aspirin, but the pain increases. So the person takes some more aspirin. Then the person begins to take aspirin in anticipation of the pain, thinking, 'If it's this bad when I'm taking medicine, it's going to be unbearable without.' Gradually, the person - and it's more often a woman - gets a headache whenever the medicine is not being taken."" (Duckro is director of St. Louis University's Biobehavioral Treatment Center, which has its own headache management program).

Dr. William Bennett, head of nephrology at Oregon Health Sciences University, estimates that over-the-counter painkillers are responsible for as many as 20% of the 125,000 cases of end-stage kidney disease in the United States. All drugs have side effects. These can include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, liver damage, kidney damage, internal bleeding and many other symptoms including death. We have always known and recognized these possible negative consequences from ingesting drugs (unless we don't read the labels), but we continue to take these analgesics by the mega millions with the hope of relieving our pain and discomfort.

There is no guarantee that if we take a pain pill for our chronic migraine headaches, stomach aches or other types of pain it will actually eliminate the pain. There is also no guarantee that we won't experience unwanted reactions to the drug itself. But when the pain gets so bad we often decide that the possible relief outweighs the risk associated with the analgesic.

But what most of us do not realize is that there may be one more consequence from taking medication for chronic headaches. We may find that the analgesics are actually the cause of the symptoms, that without them we wouldn't be having so many headaches. If you suffer with chronic headaches you may find that the pills you are taking are actually inducing your discomfort. And you may also discover that when you stop taking the medication you begin to experience fewer chronic migraines. After all, according to the director of St. Louis University's Biobehavioral Treatment Center two-thirds of the chronic headache sufferers benefited from the withdrawal of medication.

About the author: Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C. has practiced chiropractic for 25 years and has treated many patients with <a href=""http://www.soothe-a-ciser.com"">migraine headaches</a>. He has patented a unique neck cushion that was designed as a method of achieving <a href=""http://www.soothe-a-ciser.com"">relief from migraine headaches</a>. For information about his home <a href=""http://www.soothe-a-ciser.com"">remedy for migraine

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Arthritis Pain Relief! Weighing Over the Counter Medications and Supplements in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

2008-11-17T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: John Robben

Chronic arthritis pain isn't something to ignore: not only can it affect your quality of life, it can also deplete your emotional stores (leading to anxiety and/or depression) and muscle fitness (leading to weakness or complete muscle breakdown).

But whether you suffer from osteoarthritis (""wear and tear"" of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints) or gout (excess uric acid that accumulate in the joints), relief from your arthritis pain is available. This article will discuss the pros and cons of over the counter (OTC) medications and supplements for osteoarthritis, focusing on managing arthritis pain and maintaining the ability to use the joint in question.

Arthritis Pain Relief: Acetaminophen

Of the drugs in our list of arthritis pain relievers, acetaminophen is widely accepted as the OTC with the least amount of undesirable side effects and the lowest long-term costs. However, acetaminophen does nothing to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis pain, normally can only treat mild to moderate cases of osteoarthritis and can easily become toxic if mixed with alcohol.

Arthritis Pain Relief: NSAIDs

NSAIDs help sufferers with both arthritis pain and inflammation and are quite inexpensive (like acetaminophen). However, long term usage has been shown to cause upset stomach and other, more serious side effects (such as skin rashes or speeding up the progression of osteoarthritis by interfering with cartilage repair and promoting cartilage destruction).

Arthritis Pain Relief: Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate

Combined together, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are excellent supplements in the fight against arthritis pain: they are said to increase mobility, reduce osteoarthritis pain and form the building blocks for cartilage growth. However, those allergic to shellfish must avoid glucosamine at all costs (since it's derived from the shells of shrimp, lobster and crab).

Arthritis Pain Relief: MSM

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) has been studied extensively (for over twenty years) as an arthritis pain relieving supplement. By blocking pain transmitters in the affected nerve, MSM users find similar arthritis pain relief to acetaminophen, but without the potential liver toxicity. Some osteoarthritis sufferers have also noticed a reduction in inflammation of the joints also, since MSM reduces histamine levels (linked to allergy-related inflammation).

Arthritis Pain Relief: SAMe

SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) has been shown to reduce inflammation in osteoarthritis sufferers as much as NSAIDs. However, SAMe takes a longer time to see symptom reduction, but offers less gastrointestinal discomfort than NSAIDs in general. Arthritis pain sufferers should ensure enough B vitamins are ingested along with SAMe to feel the full effects, and expect slow but steady arthritis pain relief.

Arthritis Pain Relief: Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)

Found in evening primrose and borage oils, GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid said to help lessen arthritis pain, stiffness and swelling. Few side effects have been recorded, however all omega-6's are blood thinners and may increase the risk of bleeding if taken with NSAIDs.

As with all OTC supplements and drugs, check with your doctor first before starting any arthritis pain reducing regimen on your own. You may also want to monitor your liver and kidney function for most of the medications discussed above since almost all have a slight risk of side effects. Start with the lowest dosage possible to see how your body and your illness tolerate the item, and be patient: you'll never be sure if a new supplement or medication is actually working if you don't take adequate time to test.

About the author: John Robben is the owner/operator of Ultimate Water Massage (est. 2000), a Washington-based company that offers over 2000 products to ease arthritis pain. Visit for more information, tools, supplies and tips for living with arthritis at http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/.

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Relieving Back Pain

2008-11-16T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: David Dunlap

An estimated eight out of ten people in the United States will injure their back at some point during their lives. Few of these problems will require extended treatment, but persistent back problems and back pain can still be very uncomfortable and stressful for many of us.

Managing and relieving back pain is not a simple process. The experience of back pain is subjective; so it's often difficult to easily measure the level of treatment necessary. In fact, many health providers who treat back pain find it challenging to obtain the measurable signs in order diagnose a patient's symptoms. Additionally, everyone's experience of back pain is different.

Back pain descriptions range from the slight -- such as; dull, sharp, and throbbing, to the extreme such as; pulsating, stabbing and shock-like -- just to name a few. People experience and describe back pain so differently partly due to its varied and complex origins. In fact, pain originates from numerous places in the body, such as muscles, bones, nerves, organs or blood vessels. It is for these reasons that it often is difficult to target the exact origin of someone's back pain.

Back pain can also be described as acute or chronic. The word ""acute"" derives from the Latin word for needles and is usually described as a severe, sharp sensation. The initial stage of an injury is called the acute phase. The word ""chronic"", on the other hand, originated from the Greek word for time. Chronic back pain is pain that persists after a length of time, often months to years. Many back injuries tend to become chronic, especially when not treated properly during the acute phase. Chronic back pain is often experienced as a dull ache or constant nagging irritant.

Acute and chronic back pain sensations also travel different nervous system pathways inside the body. When you injure muscles or ligaments in your back, nerve endings called pain receptors pick up the pain impulses and transmit them to the spinal cord. From here, the pain message ascends to the brain. This process takes place at varying rates of speed depending on the size of the nerve fiber involved. Acute back pain tends to travel on faster, larger diameter fibers, while chronic back pain prefers smaller, slower pain fibers. Experts suggest that chronic back pain affects the brain's limbic system, which is associated with emotional states. Anyone who has ever had a long-term painful back injury or regular back pain knows that negative or distressing emotions may accompany or perpetuate the initial injury.

The best way to treat chronic back pain is to prevent it. Although proficient early treatment does not always prevent an acute back pain injury from turning into a chronic problem, it is a good insurance policy. Early treatment is especially important with back pain injuries to the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) to prevent them from becoming weaker, less elastic and more pain-sensitive. One of the best ways to treat both acute and chronic soft tissue injuries is a hands-on approach that works to repair the injured tissues. Some examples are joint and soft tissue manipulation and mobilization, typically performed by a chiropractor or osteopath.

A good chiropractor can make a big difference for most individuals experiencing either chronic or acute back pain. A chiropractor may suggest stretching exercises and make regular adjustments to a patient's back in order to relieve back pain. Other good options for back pain are massage and physical therapy. A formal rehabilitation program at a health club or therapy clinic may also help to strengthen weakened and damaged muscles, especially the core stabilizers of the back which often are the cause of chronic back pain. The healing power of the hands-on approach is a positive experience that many people enjoy through therapeutic massage or body work.

The effects of a good massage go much deeper than the skin's surface. Massage and chiropractic therapy can:

1) Help improve circulation of the blood and lower blood pressure while alleviating back pain. 2) Act as a detoxification system by propelling toxic waste products through the lymphatic system. 3) Help to improve muscle tone and prevent muscular atrophy resulting from inactivity or illness. 4) Reduce emotional stress and promote a sense of well-being.

How can something as simple as this hands-on therapy have so many positive benefits? A tense or painful muscle is one which is often chronically contracted. In an acute situation such as recent injury, the muscle can be in actual spasm. This contraction or spasm decreases the flow of blood to the muscle, which leads to a decrease in the nutrient and oxygen supply to the cells of the muscle and related nerves. A chronically contracted muscle will build up lactic acid, a sign of fatigue. This oxygen shortage and lactic acid buildup irritates the nerve cells, which perpetuates the contracted muscles - often resulting in discomfort and back pain. Massage and chiropractic therapy can help remove the lactic acid and other metabolic waste products from the cells and reverse this process, interrupting the vicious cycle of pain-spasm-pain. This can do wonders for most sufferers of back pain and have a lasting impact for many patients.

There are a multitude of massage styles which are beneficial to helping back pain. These options depend upon the individual's needs and preferences. They include:

Swedish Massage: this is the basic ""relaxation"" style of body work, which uses long strokes, squeezing and kneading. The Swedish practitioner helps to improve circulation and back pain by working to loosen or relax the superficial layers of muscle. This type of massage is particularly useful for muscles and back pain which are the result of stress or a tough workout, as it is often more gentle than other styles.

Sports Massage: this form of massage therapy works on a deeper level of musculature or connective tissue. This style fits more with the ""no pain, no gain"" philosophy. The therapist uses slow, hard strokes and deep, sustained finger pressure to work deeply into the contracted muscles, fascia and tendons to help alleviate back pain. This technique increases flexibility, encourages muscles to work at their fullest capacity, and speeds up the healing process by reducing swelling following an injury. It is especially indicated for athletes and ""week-end warriors"" who suffer from tight or sore muscles and can be another successful solution for back pain.

Shiatsu and Acupressure: rather than being simply relaxing, this form of body work tends to be invigorating. Fingers, thumbs, fists and elbows are used to apply pressure to points along acupuncture meridians, which are believed to be the energy pathways of the body and which can help alleviate a patient's back pain. The focus of this type of therapy is on relieving blocks in the pathways and re balancing the flow of energy.

Reflexology and Zone Therapy: reflexology works on the assumption that parts of the feet (as well as parts of the ears and hands) correspond to other parts of the body's anatomy. In other words, stress or illness in a certain part of the body may show up as a painful or sensitive area on a specific area of the foot. Reflexologists apply pressure to the side, top or bottom of the feet to help reduce dysfunction in other parts of the body which can be helpful for those suffering through chronic back pain.

Not all techniques work for everyone, so make sure to inquire about the philosophy and style of the massage therapist you call. If your massage isn't as satisfying as you had hoped or your back pain doesn't go away, don't give up, try another therapist!

Massage therapy schools are a cost-effective way to test out different styles of massage; senior students generally work for lower fees while they complete their internship. There are a few conditions in which massage would not be a good option for the treatment of back pain, such as inflammation, fever, significant swelling or very severe back pain. But for the garden variety aches and back pains that most of us experience, as well as for the general stresses of life, massage is an outstanding way to treat ourselves to a positive, revitalizing experience.

About the author: Back pain and <a href=""http://forbackpainonly.com"">sciatica</a> does not have to be dealt with lying down. For more information, check out the resources available at www.forbackpainonly.com

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How to Relief Widespread Pain in Fibromyalgia

2008-11-15T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Terje Brooks Ellingsen

You need pain relief if you are suffering from fibromyalgia. Chronic, widespread pain can often be the hardest and most frustrating challenge of living with Fibromyalgia. Coping mechanisms often fail because people with Fibromyalgia often have difficulty explaining to others what they are going through. They are quick to avoid stressful situations, and because of deep-seeded depression, begin to sink into a feeling of helplessness.

It is typical that people with Fibromyalgia complain of ""hurting all over"" and because there is no known cure for Fibromyalgia, there is no way to remove the pain. Managing the pain is the only option given to sufferers with this medical condition. Support groups offer plenty of encouragement, but if someone suffers from widespread pain, he or she is the only person that can decide what treatments and management techniques work best for them.

Relaxation exercises, heat therapy, self-hypnosis, stretching exercises, medications, and self evaluation with the ability to develop a personal pain analysis of a person's own pain are often recommended in controlling and being in control of the pain. People with Fibromyalgia must learn to describe their pain to physical therapists and their family physician. They should also keep a journal of all activities and medications along with any noted difference before or after the activity or change in medication is very helpful when trying to pin point what works and what doesn't.

As if pain by itself isn't bad enough, one of the most disabling effects of widespread pain is the ongoing daily existence of fatigue. Most people who deal with Fibromyalgia must accept the fact they will wake up every morning feeling tired. For people battling FMS, (Fibromyalgia Syndrome) everyday activities are often difficult. Preparing meals, walking to the mailbox, putting on make-up all seem overwhelming and drain what energy the person has available.

Managing Widespread Pain is very complicated because in order to do it effectively, people with FMS must plan everything ahead of time. However, pain management is a skill that you should give yourself the chance to learn. Ordinary tasks must be prioritized, often even handed over to someone else who is willing to help. In corporations, often the phrase, ""work smarter, not harder,"" is used as a motto. In the lives of people dealing with FMS, this is something they must realize can vastly improve their quality of life, so they must plan ahead.

In developing a pain management plan, the person living with the pain should speak out about the medications they need to make their lives more comfortable. Read up on the medications available, and ask for specific medications by name. Zoloft, Sinequan, Flexeril, Prozac, Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, and many others are medications that may provide FMS sufferers with the relief they need temporarily. Often some of these medications can help significantly more than a temporary fix so people with the pain need to talk to their doctors about what is working for them.

You deserve to live a good life. Flexibility and Creativity are two important elements in managing widespread pain and living a more productive, energetic, and happy life. The person, who believes in their ability to manage FMS, will be able to live a more fulfilling life while managing their daily activities at their own pace.

About the author: Terje Brooks Ellingsen is an internet publisher. His website <a href=""http://www.ie-internet-pharmacy.com/"">ie-Internet-Pharmacy. com</a> offers valuable free information for all who are interested in pharmacy and drug issues, for example <a href=""http://www.ie-internet-pharmacy.com/""> pain relief pharmacy products on the internet </a>. Check out <a href=""http://www.ie-internet-pharmacy.com/"">Internet Pharmacy</a> now.

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Natural Relief From Arthritis Pain Using Alternatives To Medications

2008-11-14T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: Mike Herman

For individuals suffering from arthritis, the simplest tasks can be both difficult and painful.

This condition inflames the tissues around the joint, creating pain and stiffness that can limit both your mobility and your daily life.

Instead of allowing the pain to rule your life and abandon your favorite activities and hobbies, look to natural relief from arthritis pain by using alternatives, including exercise and Eastern practices such as acupuncture.

This alternative of finding natural relief from arthritis pain is excellent for individuals who are interested in using methods instead of medications or who are unable to take medications due to drug interactions.

If you are interested in seeking natural relief from arthritis pain and stiffness, speak with your primary healthcare provider.

He or she will be able to offer you a variety of options that may be able to regain your mobility and lessen your pain.

A Chiropractor

Consider seeking the help of a licensed chiropractor who may be able to help your condition along with special techniques, including a spine alignment for individuals who suffer from chronic back or neck pain due to arthritis.

Additionally, look to other cultures for different techniques in controlling your condition, including popular activities like Tai Chi, Pilates, and even acupuncture.

Another source of finding great activities that will enable you to control and monitor your pain and stiffness is your local library.

Explore different treatment options by checking out the latest information in medical journals.

Also check out chiropractor publications in order to determine what new or renewed treatment options are available to you.

About the author: Learn More and Get the Type of <a href=""http://www.Relieve-Your-Arthritis.com/alternative-arthritis -pain-reliever.html"">Alternative Arthritis Pain Reliever is Right for You </a> .

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Treat pinched nerve for back pain

2008-11-13T03:02:00.001-08:00

Author: Anonymous

Question : I've been suffering from back pain which travels down my left leg for the last five years. I'm not on any medication but have been doing exercises every day. What can I do to reduce the pain?

Answer : PAIN that radiates from your lower spine (lumbar) to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. It usually affects only one side of the body. This pain along the sciatic nerve can be caused when the root of the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated.

Sciatica is often a symptom of other conditions such as herniated (slipped) disc, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the spine. Most of these conditions put pressure on the nerve. It is important to address the underlying causes first. Sciatica can be very painful but it is rare that permanent nerve damage will result. If you have progressive weakness in the leg or have trouble controlling your bowels or bladder, please seek immediate medical attention. Surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve may be an option when pain is chronic and disabling.

Fish oil may help alleviate discomfort and inflammation. Omega-3 has been shown to produce favourable changes in suppressing the production of inflammatory compounds secreted by white blood cells. Celery, guaiacum, ginger and sarsaparilla contain phytochemicals that can help to reduce or eliminate the inflammatory substances that often aggravate the condition. Capsicum also contains active substance, which can help soothe and reduce pains.

Gentle stretching exercises can help you feel better and may relieve compression but avoid jerking, bouncing and twisting. You may also consider physical therapy.

Maintain a good posture when sitting or standing as poor posture stresses your back and the nerve. If you stand for long periods, rest one foot on a stool or small box from time to time. Bend at your knees, not your back, so that your legs do the lifting. Don't twist at your waist. Instead, turn by pivoting your feet. Heavy loads pose the greatest risk, so know your limitations.

About the author: <a href=""http://www.medical-explorer.com"">www.medical-explorer.com</ a>

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How Does Pain Work

2008-11-12T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: James Hunt

What is pain? We have all likely felt pain at some time in our lives. Why do we feel pain? What causes it and why? Have you ever really thought about what pain actually is?

Well, there are many things that can cause a person pain and different people have different tolerances for types of pain. Someone with a low tolerance may find many things very painful. Someone with a higher tolerance may be able to withstand these things.

Your pain level all depends on you. Some of it is mind over matter but is there more to it than that? What makes a person feel pain anyway? Pain is caused by certain neurons or sensors in your brain and also in your skin.

How Does Pain Work?

Have you ever really thought about what pain is and how it works? Well, it partly acts as a defense mechanism to protect our bodies. For example, when a child touches a hot stove the pain tells them to pull away.

Pain refers to a physical hurt or disorder. For example, arthritis and cancers can cause pain but of course there are many other conditions that also cause it. A broken bone will cause pain as well. Physical pains can usually be treated by treating the cause of the pain and also by taking pain relievers.

There are over the counter pain relievers such as aspirin and Tylenol that someone might take for a headache or similar problem. More severe problems may require a stronger prescription pain reliever such as Vicodin and morphine.

There are also types of emotional pain that someone feels when they have been abused or lost a loved one. Emotional pain is sometimes a hard one to treat because you have to get to the root of what is causing the pain.

About the author: James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at <a href=""http://www.pain-relief-help.info"">www.pain-relief-help.info </a>

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Warm-Up for the Spine - Three Easy Methods to Warm-Up the Spine for Activity

2008-11-11T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: John Paul Catanzaro

It is estimated that up to 80% of the population has experienced or will experience at least one bout of low back pain in their life.(7) So, it would be wise to warm-up the spine thoroughly prior to physical activity, but how? In this article, I will share with you 3 simple methods that you can use with your clients to prepare their spines for exercise.

Foam Roll

In the book, The Development of Muscular Bulk & Power, Anthony Ditillo recommends simply laying on a flat bench with your arms behind your head and eyes closed for 15 minutes prior to a workout. During this time, he advises utilizing visualization of the upcoming workout to encourage a positive state and enhance performance.(3) By the way, this book was originally published in 1971 and much of the information still holds true today - it is an excellent read! Charles Poliquin, a highly successful strength coach, takes this a step further by having his athletes lay on a 6-inch foam roll also for 15 minutes before their workout to help decompress the spine by opening up the intervertebral spaces. Apparently, laying on the foam roll - referred to as a spine roller by physiotherapists - lengthwise along the spine will help restore normal spinal curvatures since gravity acts downwards, straightening the spine at the apex of excessive curvatures (generally reducing kyphosis.)(4) Since this method allows for optimal nerve conduction, Poliquin claims that it will increase strength by up to 3%.(6)

I have found that a greater effect is achieved if the base of the skull (i.e. suboccipital area) is placed at the edge of the roll causing slight cervical extension. This seems to pull the spine allowing a greater decompressive effect. Try it both ways and see if you can feel the difference.

For small individuals, use a child's swim noodle - you know, the one they float on when swimming - which can be purchased for a few dollars at any Wal-Mart store. Larger individuals should invest in a 6- inch foam roll; you can purchase one from Fitter International (visit www.fitter1.com or call 1-800-FITTER1).

Camel/Cat Exercise

The camel and ""mad"" cat are 2 classic exercises which stretch the abdominals and back respectively and are prescribed in many rehabilitation programs. Dr. Stuart McGill, a spinal biomechanist and professor at the University of Waterloo, recommends this series of exercises to ""floss"" the nervous system and reduce viscosity. Perform 5- 6 cycles and do not press the end range (make sure to involve the cervical spine.) McGIll stresses that this method is not a stretch, but rather gentle motion. By getting nerves to move, they can create their own space; it's not enough to just stretch them! Also, it is a good idea to avoid these exercises first thing in the morning. Wait at least one hour after awakening. That is the critical period since your tissue is superhydrated at that point resulting in an 18% loss of strength in the spine and risk of injury is heightened!(5)

Pelvic Rocks on a Swiss ball

Pelvic rocks are actually an extension of the camel/cat exercise described above; however, they are not limited to just one plane of movement. Rehabilitation specialist, Paul Chek, recommends this series of exercises as a method to pump fresh fluid through the spinal discs to nourish the tissues.(1) Pelvic rocks involve forward & backward, side-to- side, and circular movements on the Swiss ball.(2) The goal with this (and any other active warm-up for that matter) is to gradually increase speed and range of motion. Basically, cue ""further"" and ""faster"" to your clients as they progress. If practiced enough, they may even improve their dancing skills!

There you have it - three easy methods to warm-up the spine for activity. Keep in mind that I have not touched upon any stretches (visit http:// www.strengthwarmup.com/index.cfm?t=DVD.Articles for an in-depth discussion on stretching). However, if you are currently experiencing some form of low back pain, then you should practice all these exercises on a regular basis. For preventative measures and to possibly increase strength, perform at least one of the methods before your workout. Really, how hard is it to lay on a foam roll for a few minutes? Your spine will thank you.

Note: John Paul has a DVD available with demonstrations of all the warm-up techniques and drills mentioned in this article. Visit http://www.StrengthWarmUp.com for more info.

References

1. Chek, P. Bigger Balls, Better Backs. New Zealand Fitness, Issue #22.

2. Chek, P. Swiss Ball Training. Paul Chek Seminars. La Jolla, CA.1996. (pages 15-16) http://www.chekinstitute.com/cgi-bin/at.cgi?a=258592&e=/products_ specific.cfm?product=306

3. Ditillo, A. The Development of Muscular Bulk & Power. Ironman Magazine, 1971. Reprinted in 1999 by Wm F. Hinbern, Farmington, MI. (page 23)

4. Luoma, TC. TC Talks. Muscle Media 2000. Golden, CO. Dec., 1996, No. 55.

5. McGill, S. Low Back Injury: Improving Prevention Strategies and Rehabilitation Approaches Seminar. Toronto, ON. May 12, 2001.

6. Poliquin, C. Preparing for the Ultimate Workout. Testosterone, Issue #81. Dec. 3, 1999. http://testosterone.net/html/81ultim.html

7. Shiple, BJ. Treating Low-Back Pain: Exercise Knowns and Unknowns. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. 25(8), Aug. 1997. http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1997/08aug/shiple.htm

About the author: John Paul Catanzaro, B.Sc., C.K., P.F.L.C., is a certified kinesiologist and professional fitness and lifestyle consultant with a specialized honors Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health Science. He owns and operates a private gym in Toronto, Ontario, providing training and nutritional consulting services. For additional information, visit his website at http://www.BodyEssence.ca or call 416-292-4356.

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How To Ease Arthritis Pain with Glucosamine & Chondroitin Supplements

2008-11-10T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Daniel Lesser

If you are suffering from arthritis pain, you've probably heard of a relatively new over-the-counter remedy called Glucosamine. But what is Glucosamine, and how does it work to relieve arthritis? In this article, I'll introduce you to this new treatment and provide you with the pros and cons of its use. By the time you've finished reading this article, you'll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not Glucosamine is right for you.

· Select supplements manufactured by a well-known, reputable company. Recommended brands include: Osteo Bi-Flex, WholeHealth, Flex-A-Min, MoveFree and individual pharmacy brands.

Are There Any Side Effects I Should Know About? As with any medication or supplements, there are a few warnings you should know:

· If you are diabetic, chondroitin (a form of sugar) may cause your blood sugar to rise.

· Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements should not be taken by children since no studies have been done to determine their effect (if any) on the child's development.

(Please note: The information contained within this article is not intended to replace or substitute for that of an experienced physician. Remember to check with your doctor or rheumatologist before starting daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, and don't stop or cut down on any of your current medications (whether they're for arthritis or not) without talking with your doctor first).

About the author: Daniel J Lesser is the creator of HotArthritisSecrets.com. Find out how you got it and how to live with it at <a href=""http://www.hotarthritissecrets.com"">www.hotarthritissecrets .com</a>.

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Chronic Pain Relief

2008-11-09T03:01:00.001-08:00

Author: JW

See our pricing on <a href=""http://www.healthreviewnetwork.com/eazol.htm"">Eazol</a> .

Eazol is the most powerful anti-inflammatory agent on the market today and best of all...it is 100% natural and safe. Additionally, it acts as a highly effective lubricant in joints, muscles and other tissues. Eazol is also an immune system modulator, which can be effectual against auto-immune conditions. All of these characteristics contribute to its ability to act as an analgesic by removing the source of pain (inflamed and irritated tissues) so that there is no pain impulse.

About the author: JW is a health writer for <a href=""http://www.healthreviewnetwork.com"">Health Review Network</a>.

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Tips to Stop the Pain From Chronic Headaches

2008-11-08T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Daniel Lesser

Are you suffering from constant chronic headaches? Headaches are a common ailment, but research has developed treatments that may help your problem almost disappear.

According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF) tension headaches affect nearly 78% of the adult population. 13% of the population suffers from migraines. Because the cause of migraines varies greatly, what relieves a migraine in one person may trigger an attack in another. The suggestions here are guidelines for those who suffer regularly from tension headaches which may have an identifiable physical cause.

WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

Some headache sufferers notice a connection with eating or drinking foods with aspartame. For those who are sensitive to the chemical it may cause blood vessels to expand in the brain and trigger a headache.

Caffeine is used to treat headaches. Its proprieties can assist pain medication in providing relief and can be found in medications to treat migraines. However, too much caffeine can have a 'rebound' effect and actually cause headaches. If you suffer from regular headaches you should avoid daily use of caffeinated beverages such as coffee and certain sodas.

According to the McKinley Health Center, avoiding tobacco can also reduce headaches.

Skipping meals may cause headaches in some people, so eating regular meals may prevent headaches in these individuals.

REDUCE THE STRESS

Getting enough sleep is important for everyone. If you suffer from tension headaches you may find getting your eight hours every night reduces the amount or intensity of your headaches. On the other hand, oversleeping can bring on a headache if you don't get up at your regular time (such as on the weekend or during holidays).

Some headaches also seem to be aggravated by too much sun. Excessive exercise outdoors and lack of hydration can lead to headaches. Keep eyes shaded and be sure to drink plenty of water when outdoors.

Not surprisingly it was recently found that women wearing tight ponytails had an increased risk of tension headaches. Releasing or loosening the hair and performing a brief massage to the head can bring almost immediate relief.

MEDICATE

What you may think is a sinus headache may actually be a migraine. A consultation with your doctor may determine if you should switch to a migraine medication.

According to the NHF, tension headaches caused by stress should respond to reducing the stress or use of over-the-counter analgesics. However, if headaches occur almost daily you need to look for ways of dealing with the stress and discuss other options with your doctor.

As with caffeine, regular daily use of over the counter medications can actually cause headaches.

If headaches occur for long periods, are unusually intense or do not respond to pain medication after several days you should seek treatment and diagnosis from a health care professional.

If you lead a healthy and active lifestyle has many health benefits, including a reduction of tension-type headaches. By combining a healthy lifestyle with avoidance of triggers may help you find relief from tension-type chronic headaches.

About the author: Daniel J Lesser is the creator of HeadacheSufferingSecrets.com. A whole world awaits a clear headache-free mind. Find out how at at <a href=""http://www.headachesufferingsecrets.com"">www.headachesuffer ingsecrets.com</a>.

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Arthritis - The Incredible Pain In Your Joints

2008-11-07T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Kevin Pederson

This disease can affect anyone and at any age. There is no age barrier for having such kind of disease. It immobilizes the person in all the way it could. There is continuous pain, stiffening and swelling of joints which can be from the group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. Arthritis can affect any part of the body and it is very severe making it impossible for the people to lead a normal life.

This disease target areas are the joints and causes major damage to it. It shows the inflammation to your joints which is very painful. The joint pain which one faces is referred to as arthalgia. There are different forms of arthritis which even includes injury which leads to osteoarthritis, inheritance, infections and many other reasons which may be very much unknown.

It usually affects the joints, ligaments, muscles; cartilage, tendons and any other part of the body which can be easily affected buy this disease. This disease is affected purely based on the individual's strength and weaknesses. These conditions can easily weaken you and could even lead to life-threatening conditions and the ability to affect most parts of your body.

Some of the very common signs which can be easily noticed are the stiffness, swelling, redness and a warm feeling. As it affects the joints the functions of the same becomes very limited. The other common signs are fever, weight loss, fatigue and feeling of tiredness.

These joints are very sensitive to weather changes. It is understood that the sensitivity may be caused by the development of the extra nerve endings with the intention to protect the joint from any further damage. It is also noticed that arthritis including fever are called septic arthritis and urgent medical attention is needed.

About the author: Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on <a href="" http://home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Arthritis.html""> providing information on some of the most common disease as well as on painful knowledge about arthritis </a>.

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How to Avoid the Pain & Discomfort and Sky Rocket Your Sales in 5 Simple Steps?

2008-11-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Murtuza Abbas

If you're looking for solid, realistic ways to increase sales, listen carefully!

It's a fact. You can have all the orders and sales pouring in if you take the right direction and mind set to expand your internet business.

Here are 5 simple easy to follow steps that can easily help you to attract MORE customers and sky rocket your ebusiness in record time.

These tips may sound extremely simple but believe me, simple things work like gang busters online.

And the strategies laid down below won't take much of your time but can help you to improve your sales, conversion rate and get more out of your internet business.

STEP 1 - Take Calculative Risk of Time & Money.

Take risks to improve your business. Sometimes businesses don't want to advertise unless it's free, sometimes you have to spend money to get results.

STEP 2 - Capture their Emotions.

Include emotional words in your advertisements. Use ones like love, security, relief, freedom, happy, satisfaction, fun, etc.

STEP 3 - Ask People's Comments.

Ask people online to review your web site. You can use the comments you get to improve your web site or you may turn the reviewer into a customer.

STEP 4 - Get Others to Work for YOU.

Out source part of your workload. You'll save on most employee costs. You could out source your secretarial work, accounting, marketing, etc.

This will get you more time to focus yourself on most important part of your business like promotion.

Doing research and promoting your site must be your primary goal, that's something which will expand your business.

STEP 5 - Combine Products & Services.

Combine a product and service together in a package deal. It could increase your sales.

If you're selling a book, offer an hour of consulting with it.

If you're selling a website design ebook make sure you help your customers to design their first site.

Giving a quality service along with your product will help you to kick 99% of your competitors and differentiate yourself from the crowd.

If you can read this article, I bet you've everything you need to quickly and easily skyrocket your sales and profits in rocket speed, using these 5 easy to follow steps.

I know that sounds hard to believe... But it's 100% true.

Do all your efforts in your internet business get the results you're really after? Are they as profitable as you'd like them to be?

If your answer is NO, then read this article once again and get started TODAY.

About the author: Murtuza Abbas specializes in creating simple 'Profit Pulling Minisites'.

Create amazing Minisites in 3 Hours or Less. Grab your FREE $147 'Minisite Creation Pack' & learn <a href=""http://www.7daystoearn.com"">how to start an internet business</a> today...

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The real causes of back pain - Article 2 in a series of 5.

2008-11-05T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Rick Rakauskas

In my last article, one of the key points was:

We at the Better Back System have discovered that the third element of the spine's control mechanisms - Neural (nerve path) Control - is the missing link from almost all treatments currently available.

Now to answer the question: Why does back pain keep on recurring...?

Medical statistics show that in the spinal area, the pain of the original injury can recur in 80% or more of cases without further obvious injury.

So why does this happen? The answer to this question can be quite complex, but in simple terms, the spine loses its active stability subsystem due to the injury, and this stability does not spontaneously return once the injury has resolved.

I'll say that again: this stability does not spontaneously return once the injury has resolved itself.

Here's what scientists have known for many years: When we injure muscles in our body, our brain ""switches off"" the affected area to put it temporarily out of action so that healing can occur. When we injure muscles in our arms or legs, our brain switches these muscles back on again relatively quickly, so that normal function is restored without undue delay. We believe this is because most of us use our arms and legs as nature intended - more or less.

But here's what scientists have only recently discovered:

When muscles along our spine are injured, the nerve paths to those muscles in many cases are NOT restored without undue delay. We at the Better Back System believe this happens because most of us most of the time DON'T use our backs as nature intended.

So instead of using our backs properly: o We slouch around when we walk. o We lounge around watching TV on our sofas like monkeys (actually we don't lounge around like monkeys - monkeys have very little back pain because they DO use their backs as nature intended). o Kids carry heavy school bags over one shoulder placing huge stresses on their spines daily. o The work we do puts us into highly stressful physical positions.

For example, hairdressers hold their arms up for hours, with their shoulders hunched and heads stuck forward. House painters move just one arm for many hours, and when painting ceilings, tilt their heads back and put enormous strain on their necks. o We spend hours non-stop crouched over a keyboard or papers on our desk - and by the way, this is one of the major work hazards of the last twenty years. o We pick up heavy or awkward things incorrectly. .

So when our muscles are out of balance ... pulling strongly on one side of the spine ... while there is little or no resistance on the other side ... because the muscles have been switched off by the brain ... and have not yet been switched back on again (sometimes years later) ... is it any wonder we experience constant or regularly recurring back pain?

And here's another almost unknown reason why lower back pain keeps recurring:

Only in the past ten years or so have scientists discovered that in people with NO back problems, any movement of the arms or legs is preceded by contraction of major muscles in the spine (Transversus Abdominis and Multifidus muscles).

So these muscles are the first muscles to contract, even before those of the arms and legs!

The explanation for this is that the brain is preparing the back for the increased loads and stresses involved in movement.

Conversely, in people with a history of lower back pain, this does not occur - the Transversus Abdominis and Multifidus muscles DO NOT BRACE THE SPINE before movement, therefore increasing the stress on the spine and surrounding structures.

To make matters worse, research has also shown that your injured Multifidus muscles decrease in size and change shape. They do not fix themselves up spontaneously after back pain stops and so, further stress continues because of the unbalanced force on the spine.

Similar effects of pain in the thoracic (chest) and cervical (neck) areas are also likely.

Next article - Why almost all doctors, chiropractors and other health professionals in most cases can provide only temporary relief.

Sincerely Rick Rakauskas

About the author: Rick Rakauskas is an Internet Marketer who has a keen interest in natural healing. His new site http://www.hotproductsecrets.com is a portal chock full of interesting and useful stuff to help you live a better lifestyle. Don't let back pain steal the joy of living. Visit http://www.fixbackpainnow.com

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Easing Arthritis Pain with Glucosamine & Chondroitin Supplements

2008-11-04T03:02:00.001-08:00

Author: Nicky Pilkington

· Select supplements manufactured by a well-known, reputable company. Recommended brands include: Osteo Bi-Flex, WholeHealth, Flex-A-Min, MoveFree and individual pharmacy brands.

Are There Any Side Effects I Should Know About? As with any medication or supplements, there are a few warnings you should know:

· If you are diabetic, chondroitin (a form of sugar) may cause your blood sugar to rise.

· Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements should not be taken by children since no studies have been done to determine their effect (if any) on the child's development.

About the author: Find out more about <a href=http://www.healthandfinesse.com>Herbs and Remedies</a> at <a href=http://www.healthandfinesse.com>healthandfinesse.com</a>

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How to get rid of back pain

2008-11-03T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: KIRAN SAWHNEY

Back Pain The main reason we suffer from back problems is that we are increasingly becoming sedentary creatures. The upright posture is designed for walking. Today, a high proportion of people spend the better part of their working day sitting at desks, at workstations, or in cars and trucks. These changes in human behavior have had a profound-and largely negative- impact on human physiology. The factors that contribute to back pain include: Poor posture Improper footwear and walking habits Improper lifting, lifting heavy objects Straining individual muscles Calcium deficiency Slouching when sitting Prolonged sitting, especially in a chair that does not adequately support the back Sleeping on a mattress that is too soft Kidney, bladder, and prostate problems Stress Pregnancy Female pelvic disorders Constipation may produce back pain Arthritis Rheumatism Bone disease Abnormal curvature of the spine

You are most at risk for back pain if: * Your job requires frequent bending and lifting * You must twist your body when lifting and carrying an object you must lift and carry in a hurry * You are overweight * You do not exercise regularly or do not engage in recreational activities * You smoke Healing through back pain exercise Generally, a patient's back pain exercise program should encompass a combination of stretching exercises (such as hamstring stretching), strengthening exercises (such as dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise. Depending the patient's specific diagnosis and level of pain, the back pain exercise and rehabilitation program will be very different, so it is important for patients to see a trainer who is trained to develop an individualized exercise program provide instruction on using the correct form, technique, good posture & right breathing techniques. The Cobra or Bhujangasana- Lie down prone (on your abdomen). Keep hands under the shoulders & lift up. Make sure that both the heels touch each other. Look up. The naval should still be touching the floor in this position. Consult your doctor if you have undergone abdominal surgery or are suffering from hernia or have spinal injury. Sahaj Pavanmuktasana- Lying supine (on your back), clasp one knee and bring your chin to your knee. Hold this posture for 10-30 seconds. If you have cervical spondylitis, do not raise the chin. This helps to stretch hamstrings and thus prevent lower back pain. Poorna Pavanmuktasana - Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on floor. Raise your knees toward your chest. Place both hands under your knees and gently pull your knees close to your chest till you feel a gentle stretch in your lower back. Try to bring your chin closer to your knees. Start with five repetitions, several times a day. Chakrasana or The Bridge- Lying Supine, place your palms under your shoulders with fingers turned towards the feet. Bend your knees. Now raise your hips, arch your back, push the head & upper body as far as you can. This helps to get rid of stiff hip joints Spinal twist- This is very interesting. Lying supine, bend your knees. Grab both the ankles & place feet on the floor. Now roll both the knees to one side & outstretch the hands by your sides. This controls the sciatica and stretches upper & mid back. Dhanurasana - Lying prone, fold your knees & grab both ankles. Lift up & arch your back. This helps to strengthen the back but consult your doctor if you have severe lumbar or cervical pain. Gomukhasana - Place one hand behind your shoulders & reaching behind your back with the other hand interlock the fingers of both hands. Interchange the arms & repeat. This is excellent in the cases of cervical as it opens the shoulder blades. But those with frozen shoulders should not do this. World over Swiss balls are being used both by trainers & chiropractors. These help in releasing the tensions & giving normal curvature to the spine. These are very safe to be used but should be used under the guidance of a trainer. Lying prone on the ball, dig your feet firmly in the floor. Slowly raise your upper body. Exhale as you lift up & inhale as you lift down. This helps dramatically in strengthening the back muscles. There are therapeutic balls that help in self-massage. These are the being used world over not just for such cervical stretch & massage but also for lower back, shoulders, hamstrings etc. Their effects are felt right after taking first sessions. Active forms of back pain exercise (physical therapy) are typically necessary to rehabilitate the spine and help alleviate back pain. Movement distributes nutrients into the disc space and soft tissues in the spine to keep the discs, muscles, ligaments and joints healthy. And the converse is true too--lack of exercise can worsen back pain by leading to stiffness, weakness, and de-conditioning.

About the author: Personal Fitness Trainer Kiran Sawhney, New Delhi, India provides effective fitness solutions to everyone. She runs her own fitness studio by the name of FITNESOLUTION. she has done certifications from world over in the field of aerobics, step aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, tai chi, pilates, ramp, bosu, thera band, aqua aerobics, body jam, body pump, body balance, body combat. she can be contacted at kiran@fitnesolution.com.

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Acupuncture and Back Pain

2008-11-02T03:00:00.001-08:00

Author: Shelly Phegley

Research carried out in 2002 indicated that almost 80% of the world's population would suffer from some kind of back pain with lower back pain being the most common type. In addition to the high rate of incidence, back pain is also known to have a high rate of recurrence in patients. With patients trying everything from over the counter painkillers to physiotherapy to gain relief from back pain, Acupuncture comes as a welcome change.

Acupuncture is a natural method of treatment that involves no chemicals or surgery. Thin stainless steel needles are inserted into the body at various acupuncture points to stimulate the free flow of Chi or life force through the body. Free flowing Chi results in a healthy and pain free body. Large bodies of research have been able to establish a connection between acupuncture and relief from back pain-especially sciatica.

Sciatica refers to a type of back pain in which the pain radiates from the buttocks down the legs. Sometimes, sciatica pain can also be a consequence of a muscle spasm impinging on the sciatica nerve. Acupuncture can be effectively used to alleviate muscle spasms. The results are almost immediate and can provide relief within minutes.

Back pain is generally caused because muscles that are not frequently exercised and stretched are suddenly put to excessive use. Muscle spasms are common in such cases and result in the individual feeling sore, stiff and a dull ache in the back. Patients suffering from sciatica may even feel a tingling sensation or numbness. This is generally due to the narrowing of the disc space or a disc protrusion in the lumbar region.

Acupuncture is used to improve blood circulation to the entire lumbar region and spinal cord. It relaxes paraspinal muscles and provides relief from muscle spasms. The increased blood flow provides greater nourishment to the discs and increases the elasticity and strengthens the spinal cord. Thus, <a href=""http://acupuncture-treatment-specialists.com"">acupuncture</ a> can be extremely effective in reducing back pain symptoms. It is important to remember that different patients respond differently to acupuncture sessions and it can take anywhere between 4-12 sessions to really feel the difference.

About the author: Shelly Phegley is a staff writer at the <a href=""http://acupuncture-treatment-specialists.com"">Acupuncture Specialists Directory</a> located at http://www.acupuncture-treatment-specialists.com

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Try Holistic Treatment For Arthritis Pain

2008-11-01T03:00:00.001-07:00

Author: Mike Herman

If you dislike taking over the counter or prescription medications to control your stiff, swollen joints, consider trying a holistic treatment for arthritis pain.

These treatments allow patients to avoid medications that can potentially interact with current medications or conditions while still ensuring they are free from pain and keep their range of mobility.

Although a holistic treatment for arthritis pain may seem unusual or unique, many of these treatments have garnered a great deal of success in patients of all advancements of the disease.

Furthermore, these treatments will allow arthritis sufferers to experience a better overall sense of health and well-being, since the treatments tend to focus on the entire body instead of just the afflicted area.

When it comes to finding a holistic treatment for arthritis pain, consult your physician regarding alternative options to traditional prescription medications.

More and more arthritis sufferers are choosing these homeopathic treatments, especially with the recent controversy surrounding Vioxx, the prescription medication proposed as a cure-all for arthritis pain, but proved to cause more serious problems, including heart problems and even strokes.

Consider ancient Eastern exercises like Tai Chi. This slow moving and stretching form of exercise is popular with individuals of all ages.

In addition to slowly using all the muscles and joints in the body, Tai Chi is an excellent way to achieve an introspective look.

Another great alternative method for treating arthritis pain is to consult an acupuncturist.

Using age old techniques for identifying the parts of the body thought to be connected, your pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with arthritis can be diminished.

Another homeopathic method of treating arthritis without using prescription medication is to use all natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals instead.

This is an excellent way to ensure you do not experience any problems with arthritis while not being at risk for drug interactions.

About the author: Learn More About How You Can Treat and Live with Asthma at <A href=""http://www.Asthma-Explained.com"">Asthma-Explained.com</A>

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Management Of Back And Neck Pain: Who Seeks Care From Physical Therapists?

2008-10-31T03:00:00.001-07:00

Author: Jack Palone

Little information is available on factors connected with tangible healer manipulation by citizenry with backrest or cervix painful sensation. Identifying the characteristics of multitude World Health Organization seek maintenance from touchable therapists is a useful first step in determining whether there is appropriate wont of forcible therapy services. The purpose of this survey was to identify factors with strong-arm usage by masses with binding or make out annoyance. The subjects were 29,049 mass WHO had book binding bother or botheration, or both, and were seen for an initial evaluation at 1 of 21 US spinal column upkeep centers. Each subject and evaluating doctor completed a written study at the time of the initial evaluation. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors with active utilization.

Several measures of wellness and illness severity were with utilisation. Age and being male were negatively with employment. Education floor, having workers' recompense coverage, and being in litigation were positively with exercise. Physical function besides varied by previous doc purpose and census region. The results suggest that variations in role ar with factors other than and illness severity.

The results too suggest that hoi polloi would benefit from therapy whitethorn not be receiving it or that populate would not benefit from therapy receiving it, or both. Key Words: Back infliction, Wellness services accessibility, services misuse, Neck pain in the neck. Continued from page 1. The NSN database contains self-report view from patients and their physicians. Patient and Dr. surveys completed during the patient's initial or baseline visit and subsequently at selected follow-up visits. The sketch instrument was developed jointly by the NSN, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Council of Musculoskeletal Specialty Societies, and the Council of Spinal column Societies.

Data reported by patients include demographic information, symptoms, comorbidities, status, functional status, medications secondhand, work status, economic consumption of attention, expectations about aid, and satisfaction with tending. Data reported by physicians include patient signs and symptoms, surgical history, diagnosing, tests ordered, treatment plan, and assessment of patient progress. Patients, physicians, and centers identified in the database by identification numbers. No that could be exploited to specifically identify a patient, , or plaza provided. On a weekly basis, participating clinics mail completed resume questionnaires to the central coordinating mall. Survey questionnaires returned to participating clinics if key missing or the invalid.

Data from the questionnaires then keyed in to a preliminary database by a -entry technician. A second, independent -entry technician keys in the again, and any discrepancies resolved. Data then loaded into the central NSN repository. The NSN database offers a unique source of to explore issues related to to the usual charge received by dwell with vertebral column problems. The sheer number of records included in the database (over 60,000 as of December 2002) and the fact that backbone tutelage centers across the United States contribute to the database likewise increase the generalizability of analyses conducted with the database.

People with chronic back problems make up a majority of the database, and the literature suggests that these shack, in particular, English hawthorn be the most plausible to benefit from therapy.16 Although specific on participation rates (ie, the number of reside agree to complete the appraise questionnaires/the number of live eligible to complete the review questionnaires) at each of the rachis guardianship centers not available, participation rates at 1 shopping centre that contributes to the database More than 98%

About the author: Jack Palone http://www.bottlehead.net

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Solving the Perplexing Puzzle of Back Pain

2008-10-30T03:00:00.001-07:00

Author: Nicky Pilkington

An estimated eight out of ten people in the United States will injure their back at some point during their lives. Few of these problems will require extended treatment, but back problems are invariably painful.

Managing and relieving back pain is not a simple process. The experience of pain is subjective; it cannot be measured from the outside. Health providers who treat back pain find it challenging to obtain the objective or measurable signs that verify and diagnose a patient's painful back symptoms.

Additionally, everyone's experience of pain is different. Pain descriptors encompass numerous adjectives - dull, sharp, throbbing, pulsating, stabbing and shock-like, just to name a few.

People experience and describe pain so differently partly due to its varied and complex origins. In fact, pain originates from numerous places in the body, such as muscles, bones, nerves, organs or blood vessels.

Pain is also described as acute or chronic. The word ""acute"" derives from the Latin word for needles and is usually described as a severe, sharp sensation. The initial stage of an injury is called the acute phase.

The word ""chronic"", on the other hand, originated from the Greek word for time. Chronic pain is pain that persists after a length of time, often months to years. Many back injuries tend to become chronic, especially when not treated properly during the acute phase. Chronic pain is often experienced as a dull ache or constant nagging irritant.

Acute and chronic pain sensations also travel different nervous system pathways inside the body. When you injure muscles or ligaments in your back, nerve endings called pain receptors pick up the pain impulses and transmit them to the spinal cord. From here, the pain message ascends to the brain. This process takes place at varying rates of speed depending on the size of the nerve fiber involved.

The best way to treat chronic back pain syndromes is to prevent them. Although proficient early treatment does not always prevent an acute injury from turning into a chronic problem, it is a good insurance policy. Early treatment is especially important with injuries to the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) to prevent them from becoming weaker, less elastic and more pain-sensitive.

One of the best ways to treat both acute and chronic soft tissue injuries is a hands-on approach that works to repair the injured tissues. Some examples are joint and soft tissue manipulation and mobilization, typically performed by a doctor of chiropractic or osteopath. Other good options are massage and physical therapy. A formal rehabilitation program at a health club or therapy clinic may also help to strengthen weakened and damaged muscles, especially the core stabilizers of the back.

About the author: Find out more about <a href=http://www.healthandfinesse.com>General Health</a> at <a href=http://www.healthandfinesse.com>healthandfinesse.com</a>

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Chronic Headaches - Tips to Stop the Pain

2008-10-29T03:00:00.001-07:00

Author: Nicky Pilkington

Are you suffering from constant headaches? Headaches are a common ailment, but research has uncovered treatments that may help your problem almost disappear.

WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

According to the McKinley Health Center, avoiding tobacco can also reduce headaches.

Skipping meals may cause headaches in some people, so eating regular meals may prevent headaches in these individuals.

REDUCE THE STRESS

MEDICATE

What you may think is a sinus headache may actually be a migraine. A consultation with your doctor may determine if you should switch to a migraine medication.

As with caffeine, regular daily use of over the counter medications can actually cause headaches.

If headaches occur for long periods, are unusually intense or do not respond to pain medication after several days you should seek treatment and diagnosis from a health care professional.

Leading a healthy and active lifestyle has many health benefits, including a reduction of tension-type headaches. Combining a healthy lifestyle with avoidance of triggers may help you find relief from tension-type headaches.

About the author: Find out more about <a href=http://www.healthandfinesse.com>Mental Health</a> at <a href=http://www.healthandfinesse.com>healthandfinesse.com</a>

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