Welcome to Back Pain
Chronic Back Pain Management Article
For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Did Someone Say Oww? Eight Common Remedies for Back Pain
Back pain may affect over 80% of the population in United States alone. At some point in time everyone is going to be looking for some sort of relief or miracle cure for back pain. Here are eight common remedies for back pain:
Acupuncture is an old Chinese tradition. Needles are inserted into unseen pathways to unblock energy that are being blocked in the body. These blocked pathways in your body are what cause the pain. Acupuncture gives out natural pain relieving opioids. These opioids send out signals that calm the sympathetic nervous system and releases neurochemicals and hormones.
Vitamin B12 will relieve lower back pain. Studies showed that people who used it had reduction in pain and mobility. They used less over the counter pain medication. Other symptoms of B12 deficiency are numbness, tingling, irritability, slight memory impairment and depression. One can get B12 through injections, tablets put under the tongue for absorption, and nasal gels.
Magnesium is a very important mineral that the body does not seem to get enough of. Magnesium helps maintain regular muscle & nerve functions, keeps a healthy immune system and strong bones. This mineral also helps control blood sugar levels, and regular blood pressure. Deficiency of magnesium can show as muscle spasms and pain, pre-menstrual syndrome, irritability, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease. Studies proved that the use of magnesium reduced pain in 76 out of 82 people who suffered from low back pain.
Yoga maintains balance in your body through many diverse poses to build up strength and flexibility. People who suffer from low to mild back pain can practice yoga regularly to see a significant reduction in pain and disability. People who practiced yoga also seemed less dependent on pain medicine. The longer yoga is practiced, the better the results. When yoga is compared to conventional exercise, it seems yoga is more superior in back function than the conventional exercise.
Massage therapy may be effective for chronic back pain. This also reduces anxiety and depression connected with chronic pain. Massage therapy helps relax and reduce stress. This form of therapy also relieves muscle cramps, spasms and pain found in the lower back. Massage will increase blood circulation and reduce swelling. Massage is great for women suffering from lower back pain during pregnancy.
Chiropractic practice can restore mobility of joints by using chiropractic spinal manipulation. This works by applying pressure or force to joints that are limited by muscle strain, inflammation and or pain. This type of manipulation relieves pain and tightness of muscles. In addition, this therapy promotes healing. This type of manipulation has been helpful in reducing back pain and also sciatica with disk protrusions.
Balneotherapy comes from the Latin word “balneum” meaning bath. Balneotherapy is a form of hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is the bathing or soaking in mineral water or warm water. Bathing or soaking in mineral water containing sulpher is effective in reducing pain and improving mobility that just using plain tap water does not compare. Hydrotherapy also helps maintain and restore health. Treatments call for the use of hot or cold compresses, sitz baths, footbaths, steam baths, and saunas. Cold is stimulating and causes blood vessels to constrict, shunting blood to internal organs. Hot water is more relaxing. Blood vessels dilate and can flush waste from body tissues. Alternating hot and cold water improves elimination, inflammation and stimulates circulation.
Capsaicin Cream is the active ingredient that is found in chili peppers. When used on the skin, it can deplete substance P, which is a neurochemical that transmits pain. This causes an analgesic effect. People treated with capsaicin for three weeks had 42% reduced pain. It has been proven to be very effective. It can be found in most drug stores, health food stores or online. The most common side effect is stinging or burning sensation on the skin.
With back pain, it is also very important to look at your diet and the amount you exercise. Your diet also plays an important role in back pain. Water is very important to the body. It is needed to keep the body from becoming dehydrated. Water is a daily necessity. It is needed to keep acids and wastes from building up on muscles & tissues. Staying away from all meats and other animal proteins until back pain is gone will also help. These types of food contain uric acid, which can put a strain on your kidneys. This will result in back pain. Also not eating oils, fats, sugars or any highly processed foods may also help, too.
Chronic Back Pain Management News
American Pain Society Accepting Applications for Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Awards (Newswise)
Again next year, the American Pain Society (APS), www.ampainsoc.org, will honor the country's outstanding pain care programs in its acclaimed Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Awards Program. APS is accepting awards submissions until Dec. 14, 2008.
Read more...Doctor accused of improper prescribing (Asheville Citizen-Times)
ASHEVILLE – A city doctor will have to go before the North Carolina Medical Board in February on allegations that he prescribed narcotics to known drug seekers and practiced chronic pain management without formal training.
Read more...Support group to address living with chronic pain (Grand Island Independent)
Before Kathleen Umphress steps a foot out of bed in the morning she does one hour of relaxation exercises, including deep breathing, self-hypnosis, imagery and meditation. She doesn't have much of a choice, she said. If she doesn't do the exercises she can't move, can't get out of bed. Now Umphress is teaming up with Dr. Jerry Denton, a Grand Island psychologist, to start a support group for ...
Read more...