Let's Talk Back Pain Solutions

Answer to Chelsie about list of symptoms

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 06:10:00 +0000

Hi Chelsie, for some reason, my normal reply system on my blog would not respond to your comments. So, hopefully this new post I'm composing specifically for you will be seen by you. I certainly am at a loss by trying to give you advice simply from your list of symptoms. However, it is suggestive to me that you have some signs of what is called a vertebral artery syndrome. This is a compromise of blood flow through an artery that passes through your cervical spine. Certainly, I'm purely giving you an educated guess. That being said, it is clear to me that must be tested for this to rule it out. In my opinion, there are no other therapies that should be tried until this is ruled out.
HERE WAS THE LIST OF SYMPTOMS YOU PROVIDED TO ME

1- lightheadedness
2- brain fog (depersonalization)
3- a shaky feeling inside my head. it’s very scary.
it’s almost like a vibration in my brain. 4- pressure in the neck area.
5- i see stars and all sorts of different kinds of spots in my vision.
6- dizziness & a feeling of just being off balanced
7- neck pain
8- pain behind eyes
9- tingling in my face
10- involuntary eye movements
11- fatigue
12- pain in back of head that shoots off to the sides
13- light sensitivity
i was once a stomach sleeper for a very long time (i’m 21 years old)
i find myself grabbing my neck alot because it helps a little bit. i have anxiety, but i honestly feel there’s something wrong. i’ve had my thyroid checked & my mri came back perfect. could it be my neck causing these scary symptoms?

Biomechanics and Physio Therapeutic Efficacy of Intersegmental Traction Tables

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 03:19:00 +0000

Intersegmental traction is not "traction" in the colloquial sense. Standard spinal traction known to most doctors and patients offers a longitudinal force applied to either the cervical or lumbar spine via attachment of a pulling apparatus from either the head or pelvis. On the contrary, intersegmental traction may more appropriately be termed "passive spinal mobilization". In practice, this therapy is applied by taking advantage of the user's bodyweight while lying in a supine position and having their spine lifted segmentally, in a linear sequence. This creates extension at the intervertebral junction by virtue of bilateral, paravertebral, mechanical rollers that massage and move longitudinally up and down the spine on a track.

Roller motion follows a path that is elliptical in nature, lifting (forcing into extension) 2-4 contiguous vertebral segments at a time as rollers rotate and apply a dorsal to ventral force. This is valued because most of us endure daily work routines and tasks involving purely spinal flexion, without counter-balancing such repetitive action with movements in the antagonist direction (i.e. extension). Activities like dance, yoga and gymnastics are the exception to such. The forces of intersegmental traction serve to counter the prevalent, repetitive daily spinal movements or postural stresses experienced by most of us - even the fit and active folks.

Some advanced Chiropractic Intersegmental Tables like the Quantum 400 offer reversible direction roller massage and will exert dorsal to ventral force with either a cephalad or caudad component. Cephalad-directed roller rotation offers the greatest traction benefit for the cervical spine and top half of the thoracic spine, while caudad-directed roller rotation offers the greatest traction benefit for the lower thoracic and all of the lumbar spine.

Therapeutic Effects and Benefits of Intersegmental Massage

1) Centripedal forces or negative pressure inside spinal discs - by nature's design, the anterior placement of the spinal disc benefits from vertebral extension because negative pressure resulting from such, applied in combination with concurrent stretching of the anterior longitudinal ligament, creates suction that may encourage reduction of a disk herniation.
2) Researcher resources like Cyriax demonstrate muscle relaxation, recognized in EMG activity during and after application of intersegmental traction. This relaxation is not only noted in paraspinal muscles, but perhaps more importantly in the deep spinal muscles known as rotatores and multifidi.
3) Passive mobilization of posterior facet joints of the spine is facilitated with intersegmental traction therapy.

Indications for Use of Intersegmental Tables

Lumbar facet (posterior joint) syndrome
Scoliosis, Hyperkyphosis and/or anterior posture syndromes
Stress and tension
General joint stiffness or hypomobility
Resolving nerve root compression syndromes
Herniated or protruded discs (not when recommended when severely acute or with trouble lying supine)
Anklosing Spondylitis (Marie Strumpell Syndrome)
Retrolisthesis
Osteoarthritis or degenerative spondylosis
Muscular spasm
General spinal maintenance

Suggested Alternatives For Very Acute Cases

For acute back syndromes with antalgic postures, nerve root compression, foot drop and or signs of disk rupture, this author would recommend substituting either: 1) prone Cox flexion-distraction table techniques, or 2) the use of conventional longitudinal traction with knees bent in lieu of the intersegmental variety. It may however be appropriate to engage intersegmental traction for the non-acute healing phase of such conditions.

Contraindications for Use of Intersegmental Spinal Traction

Infection or malignancies affecting the spinal vertebrae or contiguous tissues
Anterior spondylolisthesis
Acute Lumbar Disc Syndrome with disk rupture, extrusion and/or severe nerve root compression
Severe Lower back pain concommitant with antalgic anterior postures
Acute spinal fractures or known severe spinal instability/hypermobility
Acute rib fractures or dislocations
Chemical radiculopathy or radiculitis
Severe osteoporosis

The material and essays of clinical experience contained above are copyrighted (2014) on behalf of Dr. Brad R. Lustick dba: BackBeNimble.com

Avoid Back Pain With Core-Conditioning Yoga Poses

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 03:44:00 +0000

Two words strike fear into the heart chakra of even the most courageous yogis: Back pain. You've heard it before — a strong core is key to minimizing injuries and enabling you to take yoga practice to the next level. But should the pangs of back pain strike, redirecting your focus on core strengthening movements could be the answer. Your core muscles — specifically your abdominal, chest and back muscles — support the spine from the lower to the upper back. Core body strength and wellness is so essential to spinal health that spine experts at Community Wellness Blog even recommend therapeutic yoga postures for patients recovering from back surgery. So before surgery becomes the only viable option, take on back pain with these top four yoga poses for core conditioning.
One caveat: If you are experiencing chronic back pain, consult your physician before performing these poses.
Image via RelaxingMusic via Flickr.

Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana)

While arm strength is the focal point of this pose, the abdominal muscles work to stabilize the body, particularly the obliques. From plank position, shift your weight onto your right arm and the side of your right foot. Stack your left foot on top of your right foot and raise your left arm toward the ceiling, lifting your gaze to the left fingertips. Hold for three to five breaths and repeat on the
alternate side.
Beginner variation: Keep your right knee on the ground as you shift your weight. Position your left foot on the floor with toes turned slightly inward. Advanced variation: From the full pose, lift your left foot so that it hovers above the right.

Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

Half moon pose strengthens the abdomen and spine while stretching the chest, shoulders and legs. From a right side lunge position, bring your left hand to your waist. Place your right fingertips about a foot in front of your right big toe while straightening your right leg and lifting your left leg parallel to the floor. Hold for three to five breaths and repeat on the other side.
Beginner variation: Rather than reaching all the way to the floor, use a block to support your hand. Advanced variation: Bend the knee of the lifted leg and reach your hand around to meet your ankle.

Boat Pose (Navasana)

An intense move for the entire core, boat pose strengthens the key muscles of the back, abdomen and hip flexors. From a seated position, bring the legs straight up to a 45-degree angle while keeping the spine straight. Bring the arms out parallel to the floor. Hold for 10 seconds with the goal of gradually
holding for a minute.
Beginner variation: Bend your knees so that your shins are parallel to the floor. Hold the backs of your thighs for support if necessary. Advanced variation: From full boat pose, lower the legs to the floor and hover, keeping the back straight. Lift the legs back up to boat pose and repeat at least twice.

Locust Pose (Salabhasana)

Locust pose focuses on strengthening the muscles of the spine while stretching the chest, belly and legs. Lying on your belly with your forehead resting on the mat, bring hands alongside your body. Extend your legs straight behind you while lifting your torso and arms straight behind you. Hold for at least three breaths, building up to 1 minute. Rest on alternating cheeks between holds.
Beginner variation: Keep your hands on the floor under your shoulders as you lift your legs. A half locust as shown to left raises one leg at a time; also a great choice for beginners. Advanced variation: Clasp your hands behind you as you hold. (Please note that the picture to the left shows a man performing a half locust pose rather than full because he only has one leg up rather than both at once as in a standard locust pose).

CAN YOUR TOOTHPASTE OR LIPSTICK CAUSE BREAST CANCER?

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 06:01:00 +0000

The surprising answer is "quite possibly". Although we know that genetics does play a role in developing breast cancer, we also know that genes affecting such seem to have a biological switch that can be turned on or off with exposure to certain positive or negative factors. Some of the negative factors are contained in products we use everyday. Other things that influence development of breast cancer are: emotional stress, environmental elements, chemicals, diet, lifestyle and degree of wellness.

PINK WASHING OR WHITE WASHING THE TRUTH

Being that October is breast cancer awareness month, ad campaigns have flooded the market with products adorning pink ribbons in the name of breast cancer research. Naysayers and many researchers have condemned these tactics and have even coined such events as "pink washing" or using the friendly color pink to whitewash underlying monetary gains and/or bad intentions.

It might intrigue you to know that prevention of breast cancer is not in the best interest of some very powerful corporate giants. On the contrary, breast cancer is making them lots of money. There is quite a bit of evidence to suggest that certain pesticides and chemicals play a factor in development of breast cancer. Chemical producers like Mosanto, DuPont and Dow Chemical are deemed to have financial interests in companies that develop treatment for cancer. At the same time, some of the chemicals they produce are known to cause cancer. Do you see the irony here?

Parabens are chemicals that function as preservatives and anti-fungals and are often used in shampoos, deodorants, and cosmetics like lipstick. They are easily absorbed through the skin or by way of the gastro-intestinal tract. Problem is that they act like estrogen in the body (often called "estrogen mimickers") and modern medicine has proven that excess estrogen plays a role in breast cancer. I find it interesting that more than 75% of breast tumor biopsies contain significant amounts of parabens.

Parabens are ubiquitous because they offer a relatively inexpensive way of preserving products used on the body. Perhaps some companies may actually feel guilty. One example - Avon sold make-up containing parabens and formaldehyde, while at the same time contributing a portion of their sales to cancer research. This is pink-washing in action. One might suggest that the so-called charitable portion may better be spent on a safer preservative alternative.

HOW DO MAMMOGRAMS FIT INTO THE PICTURE?

This may not be as well as one might think. Through the years there is no doubt that mammograms have detected breast cancer and saved lives. That’s the god news, yet the overall impact may not be as favorable as touted by medical community; nor are the reliability of integrity of the results women have spent years relying upon. Several reliable sources document a high rate of performance of unnecessary surgeries, due to false positive on mammograms.

Although this author would suggest that focus on prevention is at least as important, if not more important than early detection, reliance on detection by mammogram may be less than prudent. One reason I say this is because regular bi-yearly doses of radiation from mammograms, regardless how low the dose, seem counterintuitive. The dose received in a typical mammogram is approximately 75 times the amount of radiation we typically receive in a normal day. Although a spinal X-ray delivers about twice as much radiation, most people don’t have spinal X-rays every two years. Being that radiation is cumulative and known to cause cancer, repeated exposure to radiation in the same area is a little disheartening because ionizing radiation has the ability to alter our DNA.

EARLY DETECTION ALTERNATIVES

Certainly, breast self-examinations and yearly physical exams are prudent preventive measures.

When it comes to high tech diagnostics, look to solutions that do not use “ionizing radiation”, or perhaps completely non-invasive diagnostics, such as “thermograms”. Thermograms sense heat in areas with fast growing cells like cancerous tumors, and give us a map of such. This is likened to those heat-sensing infrared scopes that function to pick out humans or animals in military operations. Sonograms use ultrasound, a form of non-ionizing radiation that can find abnormalities in the breast. Neither of these procedures offer the perfect diagnostic solution, but they may be a prudent tool worth discussing with your physician.

BE YOUR OWN BEST SOURCE OF PREVENTION

As I would say about health care reform, there is no better insurance for good health than a patient who takes accountability for making sure they offer their body the best chance to maintain, rejuvenate and repair itself. The greatest healing power exists in our own innate powers of recuperation and maintenance of homeostasis or everything in balance. Cancer cells are merely normal cells that are no longer being recognized or regulated by our own physiology. Here are wellness and prevention suggestions for your consideration:

“Breath is life” and our breathing capacity is the first thing to go as we age. Learn to oxygenate with good Yoga-like breathing techniques. Most cancers develop in areas of the body that have poor oxygenation.
Breathe healthy non-polluted air ( may want to use a good whole house HEPA filter in your home and change filters when indicated)
Have your home checked for radon, the most common source of unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation
YOUR DIET: Eat a diet that WILL NOT increase inflammation in the body. Eat healthy, live (vs. all cooked food), unprocessed and organic foods grown without hormones, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Make sure to have a minimum of 5 servings of organic fruits and veggies every day (all different colors with lots of reds and purples), with at least some of them raw. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussel sprouts are wonderful and proven to help female hormone balance. Use organic, unpasturized apple cider vinegar in place of white vinegar. Use olive oil, coconut oil and palm oil vs. corn oil, canola oil or other polyunsaturated oils. Oils should be cold-pressed.
If you have gluten sensitivity stay away from it. Brown rice (GF) is better than white rice and quinoa (GF) or brown rice based pastas are wonderful tasting and much better for you than white flour or semolina.
If it comes from a plant, that’s great; if it’s made in a plant, stay away from it.
Substitute well-planned vegetarian meals for animal proteins and limit your intake of red meats, pork and poultry to not more than three meals per week.
Maintain a healthy weight and balanced blood sugar (5-6 small healthy meals throughout the day rather than 2-3 big meals).
Take a good natural comprehensive vitamin/mineral supplement and extra Vitamin C containing bioflavonoids. Total vitamin C daily dose should be a minimum of 2000 mg per day
Exercise 6 days per week
Drink lots of well purified or distilled water daily. Avoid drinking or cooking with tap water.
Don’t use anything on your skin or as make-up that you couldn’t actually eat without hurting you. Particularly avoid anything with parabens, formaldehydes, or sodium lauryl sulfates. Check your hand soaps, body cleansers, deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, make-up, lipstick, etc.
Clean your home and do pest control with healthy alternatives to harsh chemicals. The vapors and residues from chemical can remain harmful for a long time
Laugh a lot, live in the moment with positivity and remember platitudes like: “Attitude is everything, so pick a good one”; AND “happiness is not found upon reaching your destination, but making a decision to enjoy the journey”. Our attitudes literally change our physiology and that is proven science.

Swim for Back Pain Relief: How Swimming Helps Your Back

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 04:55:00 +0000

Improve range of motion, cushion stiff joints or fragile bones and alleviate stiffness and pain with a few laps across a pool. The body only bears 50 percent of its weight when immersed in water to the waist, 25 to 35 percent when immersed to the chest and just 10 percent when immersed to the neck, according to exercise physiologist Robert A. Robergs. Swimming may be the ultimate low-impact activity for easing back pain with minimal stress on the joints. Swimming and aquatic exercises also strengthen the back and core muscles.

Water Walking

Water walking takes pressure off your muscles, joints and bones as a low-impact activity. Even in a fairly large above ground pool like those from In The Swim or simply the pool at a local YMCA or fitness club that has water deep enough to reach your waist, walk back and forth across the pool swinging your arms in the same manner as you would on land. Keep your back straight, tighten your abdominal muscles and avoid walking on your tip toes. Wear web hands or other pool devices to increase resistance.

Pull Freestyle

Rotating your body in a freestyle pull can result in reduced back pain. Pulling freestyle means to swim with your legs trailing behind. Keep the body high in the water with the help of a pull buoy. Concentrate on keeping your head steady, your body elongated and the muscles in your back stretched.

Breathstroke

Swimmers of all skill levels use the breaststroke because of its simplicity and it is one of the swimming strokes that is very easy on the spine. Control the swimming pace for a low-impact or more intense workout. During the breaststroke, the swimmer remains above the surface of the water, arms extended straight in front and the legs in the back. Push your arms apart to create a diagonal with your body. Face your palms outward and keep the elbows straight. Pull your elbows into the sides of the body, and bring your hands together in front of your chest. Lift your head, neck and upper chest out of the water while bending your knees and bringing your feet toward your torso. Gently glide across the surface of the water.

Butterfly

The butterfly stroke targets your chest, shoulders and back. It builds powerful upper body and abdominal strength, but is not the stroke most advisable for those with severe back ailments.

Swimming Frequency

Swimming should begin gradually. Practice twice a week at first and progress to four to six times a week as your body adapts to the techniques. In a study performed by the Department of Surgery at Kyoritsu Hospital in Kitakyusya, Japan, 35 people with lower back pain were enrolled in an aquatic exercise program. Nearly all the patients showed low-back pain improvements after six months, but the patients who participated a minimum of twice a week showed significant improvements over those who swam just once a week.

Fitness, Not Age, Is Key To Successful Surgery

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 04:43:00 +0000

Fit older people recovered better and had shorter hospital stays following surgery, suggests a 2013 study conducted by Newcastle University and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Participants pre- and post-surgery fitness levels were tested to make these determinations. Other advantages of being fit before and after surgery are that fitness can: (1)enhance balance and coordination (2)improve cardiac health aiding the flow of blood to the affected surgical area, and (3) reduce the risk of falling and other injuries. Let's explore what this may imply as it pertains to successful spinal stenosis surgery.

How Pre-surgical and Post-surgical Fitness Can Affect Spinal Stenosis Surgery Outcome and Long-term Wellness

1. Choosing the right types of fitness is essential for daily wellness and preventing future injury. With a myriad of exercise routines out there, choose one that is most ideal for everyday wellness and recovery from spinal stenosis surgery. One good adjunct to physical therapy is aquatic therapy:

Exercising in water increases strength, mobility, balance and coordination without having to bear weight.
Following spinal stenosis surgery, states brainline.org, water provides a natural environment to give the brain a boost to re-teach everyday ranges of motion and accelerate healing. The YMCAhealthylivingcenter.com offers one place for specialized water walking, water therapy and water aerobic classes in almost all communities across the country.
In a life guard-supervised pool, aquatic therapy can be used as a self-guided exercise.

Other good calisthenic type exercise maybe performed before getting out of bed or perhaps on a carpeted floor or exercise mat. Ask your physical therapy professional.

2. Professionally guided pre- and post-fitness support is key for successful surgery and long-term wellness. Best practices combine therapeutic exercises, occupational therapy and physical therapy to shorten healing time and help you return to the activities you love most. Sometimes patients may be so debilitated from their spinal condition, that simple activities such as driving to and from appointments and walking long distances to and from buildings can be difficult without assistance. Assisted living environments can be useful when patients do not have access or help from family members nearby. One such facility is the Emeritus Assisted Living Facility as it offers multi-faceted therapeutic support in one location. There are many such facilities across the nation.

Get Active, Stay Active

Motivation to exercise can be difficult to muster up when experiencing discomfort. Patients who have onsite support staff are more likely to regain fitness and regular activities of daily living because rehabilitation is more convenient to access. The National Care Planning Council supports the idea that an onsite community of trained professionals combines well in an enviroment whereby a patient is surrounded by others their age who can help boost morale and make the recovery phase an engaging experience. Once one recovers from spinal stenosis surgery and returned to an optimal fitness level, your physical therapist can offer customized suggestions for the right types of continuing exercise. This routine should include ways to correct posture and demonstrate exercise techniques to avoid future injury and maintain daily wellness.

8 Superfoods That Silence Back Pain & Fight Inflammation

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 01:19:00 +0000

Chronic back pain is debilitating, and treating the pain is even more of a pain, figuratively. If you're one of the 35 percent of Americans who suffer from back pain, then you're most likely very familiar with visiting a pain specialist, receiving physical therapy and dealing with medical billing and coding. Complement your pain treatments with a holistic approach, such as adopting superfoods into your diet that fight inflammation and lessen pain.

Jalapeño Peppers

These inflammation-fighting superfoods not only punch the palate with spicy heat but relieve pain as well. Red and green chili peppers contain a pain relief agent known as capsaisin. This substance has demonstrated an ability to deplete the "pain neurotransmitter known as substance P, thereby hiding pain signals from the brain. Why not lessen your back pain by mixing up a spicy-cool blood orange jalapeño margarita. TheKitchn.com's smokin' hot recipe mixes freshly squeezed blood orange juice, lime juice, Cointreau, and jalapeño-infused silver tequila. Infuse a whole pepper in a half cup of tequila, and your cocktail will take the edge off indeed.

Salmon

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon combats inflammation and helps prevent pro-inflammatory components from being produced in the body. Omega-3 fats suppress inflammation-causing cell signalers. Studies have shown that absorption of these essential fatty acids is often improved when consumed in a diet containing certain fish, rather than just taking a supplement. Put on your chef's hat and cook up jalapeño salmon burgers for the ultimate pain-relieving meal. Between two grilled pitas, the jalapeño and tabasco-seasoned salmon patties topped with avocado will make your mouth water.

Raw Spinach, Cherries and Red Grapes

Just when you thought your pain-silencing meal couldn't get any better, pair it with a red grapes and dried sour cherries spinach salad. Red grapes, cherries and raw spinach are all pain-reducing superfood ingredients.

Because red grapes contain resveratrol, these flavorful fruits can lessen back pain by protecting against cartilage damage. Resveratrol also blocks enzymes that cause tissue to regenerate. Cherries help reduce pain because the fruits contain anthocyanins, a phytonutrient which contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Anthocyanins neutralize cell-damaging free radicals and help block enzymes that trigger tissue inflammation. Raw spinach also fights systemic inflammation, both as an antioxidant-rich vegetable and additionally by alkalizing the body's pH.

Along with dried sour cherries, sliced grapes and chopped spinach, mix scallions, a thinly sliced green apple and chopped walnuts into your salad. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese, and drench the salad with an apple cider vinegar and olive oil dressing with freshly ground black pepper.

Green Tea

To start your morning or while relaxing at night, sip on a cup of warm green tea. Green tea is proven to help alleviate arthritis. The powerful component EGCG helps inhibit the production of molecules that can harm bone and cartilage. Drink one to three cups of the natural substance a day. Stir in freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, lemon juice and honey for a delicious cup of citrus-honey green tea. On a hot day, mix up a pitcher of iced ginger green tea. (Turn it into a cocktail by adding prosecco!) Ginger also contains gingerol, the phytonutrient that supplies pain-relieving properties. Fresh ginger is believed to relieve pain just as well as anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen.

Intelligent Design of the Human Back

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:35:00 +0000

Our spines and low backs were very intelligently designed. The functional anatomical design of your spine is truly a marvel of nature. Our spines are meant to be incredibly strong, and highly bendable in all directions. That being said, the stresses of daily living exert incredible forces on the human frame. Unforeseen accidents, poor ergonomics, carrying groceries, putting kids in car seat, recreational activities and working in chairs rather than in the field, are all factors that subject our back to destructive forces capable of damaging our neck and back.

What are the most common causes of back pain?

Working in a seated position, especially when exhibiting a slumping posture over many years
Imbalance between the flexors and extensors of the torso (we do everything in a flexed or sitting position, but do very little extension of our spine during our normal routine).
Lifting with tight hamstring muscles
Weakness and inflexibility of the core muscles of the torso (abdominals, gluteal, hamstrings, hip flexors, TFL, rectus femoris). This requires abdominal compression back braces with mechanical advantage until strength to the core muscles is restored.
Old soft tissue injuries or sprains/strains that have led to immobility and/or generative arthritis
"Weekend Warrior Syndrome"

What are the 4 regions of the spine?

The first 3 segments are made up of 24 moveable vertebrae as follows:

Cervical Spine (neck) - consisting of 7 vertebral segments, with the majority of rotation occurring in the upper two segments known as C1 and C2 while flexion/extension is most prevalent in the lower five known as C3-C7.
Thoracic Spine (upper/mid-back/rib cage) - consisting of twelve vertebral segments and more limited motion due to the organ protection and support of the rib cage. Interestingly enough, more folks suffer pain in between their shoulders or in the thoracic area than anywhere else in the spine. One reason for such is because ribs fasten to the spinal vertebrae via a synovial joint and these joints become easily inflamed through postural stress, emotional tension or fast rotational movements of the spine (e.g. pushing a vacuum, swinging a golf club or tennis racket). Pain in this region is more often misdiagnosed than in other spinal regions and although maybe not as debilitating, the pain can be quite nagging, sharp and bothersome.
Lumbar Spine (lower back) - consists of five vertebral segments that run from the lower thoracic spine to the sacrum. The majority of pain is sourced from the discs at the L4 and L5 because they are angled and form a major pivot or stress point with the less mobile spinal base. Fifty percent of forward bending (flexion) occurs in our hip joints while the rest occurs in the lumbar spine. The majority of motion is focused at the bottom two segments (L4/L5), and that is another reason the discs wear out more here than anywhere else.
Sacral Region (base of spine) - this region consists of 5 fused or semi-fused vertebral segments that form a heart-shaped spinal base that is wedged between and forms a synovial joint with the pelvic bones. These are known as the "S/I Joints" and are the source of a great majority of lower back pain. The bottom of the sacral region (sacrum) joins with your coccyx or tail bone.

The 24 moveable vertebral bodies are stacked upon one another with a disc between each pair. The main bodies of these vertebrae function to support the human frame and the discs act as hydraulic shock absorbers. Did you know that only half of your body weight is supported by your muscles and the other half is supported by the stacked vertebral bodies? Another note of interest is the fact that 80% of energy we expend every day is simply just to maintain posture against the forces of gravity. That is why ergonomics and good posture is so important -- it conserves energy and prevents us from getting fatigued.

Common Areas of Spinal Failure

Spinal Discs -- our spinal discs function as shock absorbers and space occupiers to allow room for spinal nerves. They are composed of (1) a tough outer material, and (2) a soft, gelatinous (jelly-filled) inner core. This is very similar to the design of a hydraulic shock absorber for your car.

Our hydraulic discs are made up of 75% water. Often, the discs may dehydrate, leading to dessication or degeneration; becoming inflexible or stiff. This, in itself can become what some describe as their typical morning stiffness. A logical progression of this degenerative process can lead to breaks in the outer tough fibers and actual leakage of the soft inner core. This is often referred to as a slipped or herniated disc because this herniated portion can apply pressure to sensitive nerve roots.

Sometimes a twisting injury damages the disc and can subsequently cause degenerative spondylosis (this is a special name given to arthritis when it involves the spinal disc) in this area. Much of the pain in these cases is the subsequent swelling that compresses the nerve root. Over much time, the body's amazing ability to heal lessens the amount of inflammatory proteins in the area, especially after age 60. Therefore swelling goes down and many of these low back conditions that had been chronic can sometimes subside on their own. This is nature's normal course, but assumes a lifestyle consisting of: a healthy weight, consumption of lots of water, a nutritionally sound diet and performance of a sound, regular exercise routine.
Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments and how they affect your back:
Injuries to back muscles and soft tissues can cause spasm, immobility and pain.

If the pain lasts for more than two weeks, and proper treatment methods are not instituted, muscle weakness and tightness may occur; leading to chronic, recurring bouts of back pain.

HAMSTRING MUSCLE TIGHTNESS: I want draw particular attention to this most common instigator of low back injury. Not only do low back pain suffers often develop tight hamstrings leading to a chronic backache, but those folks with tight hamstrings will almost always eventually develop lower back pain. This is even true of young athletes who do not properly obtain and maintain good flexibility of these muscles. Remember, I said earlier that 50% of our flexing forward occurs at the hip joints. This CANNOT happen if the hamstrings are tight because they must release their hold on the pelvis, allowing it to rotate forward at the hip joints. If this motion is limited, then the slack is taken up at the L4-L5 vertebral levels, often discs and/or ligaments at that level.

Is Your Pillow Causing You Pain?

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 01:20:00 +0000

Buying Neck Pillows

Many folks scratch their heads, wondering why they wake up with so much neck pain, and yet they don't know how to solve the problem. It could be as simple as their choice of pillow. Here are solutions to the five pillow mistakes you may not know you're making:

Long Lifespan

If you can fold your pillow in half and it doesn't rebound within 10 seconds, it's time to say farewell and throw that old thing out. Dead skin flakes, dust and sweat fill pillows with extra weight and bacteria. Aim to replace your pillow every 12 to 18 months to best maintain firmness and support for a restful sleep. See this Interesting Pillow Choice Article for some thought provoking suggestions. I often recommend the Nimblepedic Pillow brand (contoured version) as one of the best all-around support pillows for the neck.

What's the Use?

If sleep quality is the only benefit you are receiving from your current pillow, you may be missing out on other benefits and therapeutic value over that eight hour period. Specialty pillows keep your face from wrinkling, acids from refluxing and snores from waking up the whole house. If you have sinus congestion, make sure your pillow is hypo-allergenic. Make sure your head is propped up so your nose is higher than your heart. If you fear wrinkles, find a memory foam pillow like Nimblepedic, so wrinkling pressure on your skin is reduced.

Neck Pillows Should Be Versatile

If you have a conventional, fairly thick, non-contoured pillow for side-sleeping; yet you spend a portion of time on your stomach or back, you may be doing yourself a disservice. To not cause neck or back pain you need a contoured pillow that adapts to all your positions, or you will need to change pillows for each sleeping position. Michael Breus, PhD, told WebMD that sleepers must find the right pillow to fit their specific needs.

Side sleepers should use a pillow that is firm enough to sufficiently accommodate the distance from the ear to the shoulder, so that your head rests parallel to the mattress. Back sleepers need neck-contour-orthopedic pillows. This ensures that their heads aren't pushed up too high or sunk down too low in relation to their shoulders and that they have support for the natural neck curvature (lordosis).

Sleeping prone (aka: face down) is for the most part not recommended. Such stomach sleeping notoriously wrecks havoc with the ligaments and spinal disks of the neck, leading to loss of normal curvature and arthritis over time. If you still choose to sleep on your stomach, use a thin pillow, and try to place a portion of it under your shoulder and chest on the pillow portion opposite the way you turn your chin. Ultimately, the proper pillow aligns the neck and spine, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Filling Material Matters

Pillows should provide comfort and support the same way a mattress should. It’s great if you think a down pillow is super comfortable, but if you are having constant neck pain it could be because you aren't getting enough neck support when you sleep. A good orthopedic neck pillow can solve this problem, and so can occasionally switching your sleeping position. When you experience neck or back pain, choose a high-density foam or firm cotton pillow that offers more support. Feather pillows are pretty much a non-viable alternative unless you purely sleep on your back and don't really have neck problems.

Money Isn't Everything

Just because a pillow is expensive doesn't mean its less expensive counterpart won't work. ConsumerReports.org sent 71 people home with expensive and inexpensive pillows and instructed them to sleep on each pillow for five consecutive nights. What were the results? Pillow quality relied mainly on each sleeper's personal preferences about pillow firmness, fluffiness, flatness and size, according to the site. When buying, don't just go for best price. Find the right pillow for you by testing its comfort and seeing if it offers you the right neck support.

Back Be Nimble Introduces HealthTap

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:54:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE -- HEALTHTAP LAUNCHING APRIL 15TH, 2013

HealthTap brings the Full Spectrum of Doctors’ Knowledge to Mobile Health
Leading mobile health platform unveils results of nationwide Top Doctor Competition, and announces new ways to interact with winning doctors and their insights.

HealthTap is an Interactive Health Information company, backed by some of the top investors in the Silicon Valley. The unveiling of HealthTap will change the face of health information online and redefine how people connect with physicians. On HealthTap:

Users can: find real answers to their questions from leading physicians, quickly discover what information other doctors agree with, and find the best physicians in their area
Users can also find ratings for doctors nationwide

HealthTap puts the relationship between people and doctors first. They offer mobile and internet access to relevant, reliable and trusted health knowledge that is kept current through daily contributions from top physicians. Web and mobile apps connect a vast Medical Expert Network of U.S.-licensed doctors with people seeking answers to their health-related questions.

• Concise doctor updates on the latest health findings
• Daily health tips created by doctors in more than 100 topics
• Quick, personalized doctor answers to health questions
• Deep Health posts where doctor share their opinions and insights
• Transparent doctor-doctor consults and dialogues

“HealthTap is putting care and trust back into healthcare by placing the doctor and patient relationship back at the center of the healthcare experience,” says HealthTap Founder and CEO Ron Gutman. “By giving top doctors a simple way to share their knowledge and opinions and get recognized by their colleagues for their expertise, and by users for their bedside manner and care, we’re creating a healthy competition that motivates the best doctors to stand out and help millions everywhere. In a world where we expect to get immediate, reliable and deep insights on movies and restaurants on our mobile devices anytime anywhere, it’s high time we have an easy way to get the same when it comes to our health and well being. With the new HealthTap Spectrum we’re leading the way to comprehensive, caring, trustworthy and high quality mobile health.”

About HealthTap
HealthTap is the best way to connect with trusted health information and doctors. With top-rated web and mobile apps, HealthTap offers immediate and free access to personalized, reliable, and trusted health answers and tips from a network of over 36,000 U.S.-licensed doctors. Sign up today and download HealthTap’s free app for iPhone, iPad or Android at www.healthtap.com.

Physical Therapy Yoga For Pain Managment

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:29:00 +0000

Low-back pain is one of the most common physical ailments with over 80 percent of people in the United States suffering some degree of back pain. According to one my colleagues, Dr. Grey Gardner of Van Chiropractic Clinic, chronic lower-back pain can be debilitating—limiting sufferers from performing daily activities, causing sleep deprivation, negatively affecting intimacy and triggering weight gain.

Although chiropractic treatment is often an effective solutions for eliminating lower back pain, practicing yoga serves as complimentary, natural-pain management. The practice of Physical-therapy Yoga and Pain-management Yoga focuses on many advanced and innovative therapeutic techniques to heal injuries and eradicate back pain (as mentioned by physical therapist Reach Krentzman in his interview with LAYogaMagazine.com). Not only can therapeutic yoga target the source of the physical pain, it is thought to deepen spiritual connection, cleanse the soul and foster vitality. This offers a more comprehensive approach to wellness. The practice of yoga helps to alleviate stress and pain while enriching the mind and enhancing awareness.

Pain Management

Yoga followers can encourage healing of mental, emotional and physical pain by engaging in postures. Senior Pastor Ed Young is dedicated to helping people live optimally and healthily. On his official Ed Young Facebook page, he posts a quote by C.S. Lewis: "pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world." Suffering from lower-back pain can be an indirect result of mental and emotional pain. Suppressed emotional pain, stress and the self-internalized pressure of over-achieving can manifest as physical pain in either the torso or lower back.

Healing Yoga Postures

Whether you're resorting to holistic healing methods or experimenting with therapeutic yoga to compliment your therapy, you can practice various yoga exercises at home.
Release tension or help heal nagging pain and stress in the neck, upper back and shoulders with the following sample of therapeutic yoga practices:

Postural Awareness & Breathing: Target and relieve neck tension by breathing deeply into the abdomen using your diaphragm. In a seated upright position, plant feet on the floor and lower knees below below the hips. Relax while taking 10 deep breaths with exaggerated inhalation (through the nose) and exhalation (through pursed lips). Push the vertex of your skull skyward to maintain proper posture during the exercise. NOTE: if you place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth while inhaling, it will facilitate diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing vs. chest expansion.
"The Clock:" Standing with your right torso next to a wall, place your right hand at 12 o'clock on the wall and slowly move it clockwise until you are at 3 o'clock. Watch here: The Clock Yoga Exercise Video. Put your left hand on the right rib cage. Inhale deeply and rotate your right torso forward while exhaling. While holding for six deep breaths, you'll stretch your right shoulder down and forward away from your hand.
Overhead Arms With a Strap: Stretch a fitness strap over your shoulders with your arms apart. Palms should face outward. Place arms on the strap so that you can keep elbows straight. Dropping your chin into your chest will relax the neck. Inhale and hold for six deep breaths. Repeat twice.
Wall Downward Dog: Put your hands against the wall in a downward dog pose such that your torso is bent forward at 90 degrees with your arms in line with your torso. Legs are underneath hips creating a tabletop. Lift sitting bones into the air while "opening the chest and lengthening the spine." For a demo picture visit "PracticeYoga.net"

Reduce the Hurt of Low Back Pain When You Sit

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 04:36:00 +0000

Reduce Back Pain When Sitting

How many people do you know that say: "I have back pain when I sit". This was a prevalent complaint among many of my patients before I retired from chiropractic practice. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do that will go a long way in helping you manage your back or neck condition on a daily basis. One of the most important is to have proper support and posture while you're sitting at your desk.

People who sit at a desk for long periods of time are definitely at risk for developing back pain, as sitting (especially slouching) can add a lot of pressure to the back muscles and spinal discs.

Sitting with your back properly supported without slouching helps to minimize the strain on your back. Supporting the natural inward curve of your lower back (lordosis) is very important if you're sitting for a long time.

Here are a few guidelines for good posture, support for your lower back while sitting at a desk:

Adjust your chair to make sure your knees are slightly lower than your hips and the weight of your thighs is held more by your feet than by the seat of the chair.
Sit as close to your desk as possible.
Make sure your computer screen is about at eye level.
It's good to have armrests on your chair to support your elbows at a 90-degree angle when your shoulders are relaxed.
The backrest of your chair should support with some pressure in your lower back. If you can, get a new chair that provides this support, or place an orthopedic support in your chair.
It sometimes helps stabilize your back to put something under your feet to elevate them slightly. There are good adjustable foot rests made for this purpose.
If you spend lots of time on the phone, consider using a headset or speakerphone to take the strain off your neck.

Support your back while driving:

Driving for long periods of time, or during a stressful daily commute, can place a lot of strain on your back. When you're driving, remember to:

Make sure your car seat provides enough support for your lower back. If it doesn't, try using a good back support like the Skwoosh Gel Cradle Lumbar or Thermarest BackRest by Cascade Designs.
On a budget? Try rolling up a small towel and placing it between your lower back and the seat.
Slightly recline the seat back and move the seat closer to the steering wheel to compensate.
Sit so that you don't have to stretch to reach the steering wheel, as reaching increases the pressure on the spine and can stress your neck and shoulders.

Move about throughout the day:

Even if you're sitting with correct posture, holding the same position for a long period of time can build up stress and cause discomfort, so it's important to move about during the day. Try to take frequent breaks to stretch and walk around. Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of the escalator and walk/bike, rather than drive.

High tech help for lower back pain while sitting:

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WiTouch Wearable | Wireless TENS Unit
For real stiffness when sitting in the car try unobtrusive "continuous passive motion" or CPM -
BackCycler Lumbar Support

We hope that these suggestions for simple changes you can make to your sitting posture will help you reduce the hurt of lower back pain. Be Well !

Best Results With Cervical Neck Traction

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 05:36:00 +0000

WHAT IS THERAPEUTIC CERVICAL TRACTION?

Cervical traction is a physio-therapeutic modality (treatment) whereby a linear stretching force is applied to the head in an effort to reduce compression of the spinal structures by increasing space between vertebrae of the spine. These methods becomes therapeutic when any of the following desired results are achieved. Traction can be applied (1) in the supine or “lying face up” position or (2) from a sitting up position utilizing an over-the-door traction type of device. Although some users experience relief from the simple over-the-door units, the associated traction harness tends to place undo stress on the jaw and can cause problems like TMJ. Additionally, only 20 lbs. of traction can be applied by the over-the-door method. Supine cervical traction devices like Comfortrac Cervical Neck Traction or the Saunders Cervical Traction units are the units preferred by most doctors.

DESIRED RESULTS FOR CERVICAL TRACTION

to reduce nerve pressure
to overcome muscle spasm
to reverse the forces of gravity
to break the cycle of pain/spasm/pain/spasm
to facilitate disk hydration and healing

CERVICAL TRACTION FOR DISC HERNIATIONS, BULGES AND ARM PAIN

One important functional benefit of traction is that such application of tensile force to the interwoven fibers of the spinal disks, literally creates a vacuum effect that may pull back to center a bulging or herniated nucleus pulposus (center material of disk). Such herniations are often responsible for the pain that radiates to the shoulder, arm and hand. When utilized in a safe, proper manner; traction can offer effective therapy for:

reduction of disc herniation and associated symptoms
improvement of joint mobility
relief of nerve and disc compression
improvement of posture
relief of pain

The disc spaces Before Traction and During Traction applied by a Comfortrac Supine Cervical Traction Device
BEFORE TRACTION	INCREASED DISK SPACE

ANATOMY OF CERVICAL TRACTION To better understand the therapeutic value of traction it is important to have at least a basic understanding of anatomy and structures of the cervical spine (neck). As a matter of fact, Medicare and Medicaid authorities define a cervical traction device as one that applies traction to the cervical “anatomy”. Why this is true may be explained by anatomical facts like the following: There is a ligament or band of strong binding material that runs the length of the back side of the cervical spinal vertebrae, actually tying them together. It is interesting to note that when traction is applied to this band, also known as the “posterior longitudinal ligament”, the resulting pull on fibers of the spinal disk causes movement of fluid that creates and draws a vacuum, literally sucking a herniation or bulge back toward the center of the involved disc.

THE FACTS:

VERTEBRAE OR BONES OF THE NECK - The cervical neck vertebrae are the smallest of all the spinal vertebrae. The purpose of the cervical spine is to house and protect the spinal cord, support the skull, and enable versatile head movements like rotation, flexing forward, and extending backward. The cervical spine is composed of 7 vertebrae with shock-absorbing, space-occupying disks in between the vertebral bodies of each vertebrae. Behind the vertebral bodies and in front of the weight bearing joints of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. Nerves come off the spinal cord and exit through holes formed at joining portions of each pair of vertebrae. These nerves sense pain and control muscles and organs.
POSTURE AND CURVE OF THE NECK - the neck has a special curvature called a cervical lordosis that transfers the weight of head to supportive joints rather than the placing pressure on the disks. Spinal disks would wear out quickly if they were forced to carry the weight of our head. This natural curve helps protect our spinal disks.
SHOCK ABSORBING DISKS - spinal disks are sort of like the inside of a golf ball. They have a gel-like center (nucleus) that is contained by woven rubber-band like structures known as fibro-cartilage. The gel being contained within these fibers acts like a hydraulic shock absorber similar to what is on your car. The disks are also 75% water, functioning to bring nutrients to the live fibro-cartilage cells. Loss of such water decreases nutrient supply and shock absorption, leading to weakness in the fibers that hold the gel nucleus. Weakness can lead to a bulge known as a herniation and can place pressure on the nerves as they exit the spine. Understanding the anatomy helps us understand the physiology of developing symptoms and helps us develop a comprehensive therapeutic approach including sensible lifestyle modifications and good nutrition for the healing spinal disks. With this understanding it is often possible to resolve associated nerve irritation and symptoms without surgical intervention.

CONDITIONS THAT RESPOND TO CERVICAL TRACTION

Lack of mobility (hypomobility)
Spinal misalignment
Disc bulging or herniation
Cervical spinal nerve impingement
Cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis or degenerative disks
Muscle spasm and general tightness in the neck and shoulders
Shoulder, arm and wrist pain or numbness
Cervical neuralgia or radiculo-neuropathy

MAKING CERVICAL NECK TRACTION SAFE FOR HOME USE

Good News - when traction is applied to the spine it tenses the fibrous outer portion of the discs. This tension will open channels for the influx of nutrients and water (hydration) to the cartilage cells, helping restore normalcy to injured disks.
Bad News - however, if application of traction is prolonged beyond a certain threshold, the fluid entering the disk can create excessive osmotic pressure and predispose a disk to rupture. Understanding things like this creates awareness of the need for professional guidance prior to embarking on self treatment with traction.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAUTIONARY ADVICE:
First and foremost, never utilize traction without first consulting an attending physician for proper protocol.

Furthermore, let me begin by saying that the use of any mechanical traction should always be preceded by the use of manual traction (i.e. done by hand) performed by your chosen practitioner, whether a skilled chiropractor, physical therapist or orthopedic doctor. This is most safely applied with one hand under the occiput of the skull and the opposing hand on the forehead of the patient. Pressure applied to the jaw puts excessive pressure on the TMJ joint and is not recommended by this writer or most experienced neuro-musculo-skeletal practitioners.

This consult should be concluded with a suggested and monitored course of therapeutic traction. Supine home traction devices can be extremely beneficial if this protocol is followed. Conversely, without proper direction, one could cause more harm than benefit.

WHAT IS THE BEST CERVICAL TRACTION DEVICE?

It is this writer’s opinion and upon the recommendation of most savvy physicians, supine cervical traction units like Comfortrac Cervical Neck Traction or the Saunders Traction Unit are the most suitable for safe home use. They both use pneumatic pumps that can easily be operated by the user and offer both intermittent or continuous traction. See more details in the 2nd paragraph of this article above.

BEST CERVICAL TRACTION TREATMENT METHODS…

Two Traction Protocols: sustained or intermittent traction can be applied in a sustained or intermittent manner. Pneumatic supine traction units can administer sustained or intermittent traction.
Sustained traction is recommended when treating degenerative disc disease, muscle spasm and nerve root impingement. Care must be taken not to apply sustained traction whereby the amount of time exceeds that recommended by an attending physician.
Intermittent traction is recommended for treating facet joints and disc protrusion.
When applying intermittent traction, the “rest ” period involves a reduction of traction force (about 50%), not the complete removal of force. Some authorities recommend to reduce the force by 1/3 during the rest phase.
Cervical Traction Application to Open Up Space: a minimum of 15 degrees of flexion is necessary to open the cervical posterior facets. To maximally separate the cervical posterior facet articulations, open the intervertebral space, widen the intervertebral foramen and stretch the posterior tissues, 25-30 degrees of flexion is recommended. This position also straightens the normal cervical lordosis.
Applying Force to Upper or Lower Neck: traction in the neutral cervical spine position causes the greatest separation in the upper cervical spine; 30 degrees of flexion directs the forces more to the lower cervical spine.
Supine Cervical Traction Best: cervical traction should be applied in a supine position for optimal benefit.

CONTRAINDICATIONS, TRACTION CONCERNS AND TMJ PROBLEMS

Traction contraindicated for cervical distraction injuries at any level (this includes acute and/or unstable, severe sprain/strain injuries of the cervical spine as might occur in a whiplash).
Traction contraindicated for certain fractures like Type IIA hangman's fractures
Traction contraindicated for joint hyper-mobility
Caution must be exercised when performing traction on anyone with TMJ problems. As suggested above, supine cervical traction whereby forces are not exerted on the jaw is not only better traction protocol, but safer for those who already suffer with a TMJ condition.

WHAT SHOULD I FEEL AFTER CERVICAL TRACTION?
IS THE RELIEF IMMEDIATE? DOES TRACTION HURT?

Although cervical traction can be uncomfortable, it is not suppose to be painful when properly applied. Some folks will complain that they feel soreness of a different kind after application of the therapy. This is quite normal. As a matter of fact, the majority of traction users do not feel better immediately after the traction. It is more common to feel better the next day. On the contrary there are those that experience immediate relief and absolutely enjoy the entire therapeutic experience. This writer is one of those persons. I feel completely relaxed during my traction sessions and feel like the weight has been removed from my shoulders.

Now, this being said, please understand that I’m referring to traction being performed in the supine or “lying face up” position. As discussed earlier, other sitting up methods like over-the-door units present their own set of problems and they make it really hard for the user to relax.

If, after reading this article you feel you are a good candidate for cervical traction you should discuss the possibility with your health care provider. Often, they will prescribe a home cervical traction unit. Ask your doctor if he or she agrees that a supine cervical traction unit like Comfortrac Cervical Neck Traction might be better than the over-the-door type. With a prescription, you may seek reimbursement from your insurance company even though you will often have to make the purchase on your own.

Piriformis Syndrome - self diagnosis - best treatment

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000

I received an interesting email from a lady with the following described signs/symptoms:

Hope you can send me in the right direction. For about 6 weeks I have suffered pain in my right buttock with tingling and pain down my right leg and into the calf of my leg. After reading all the posts that have been sent to you I can understand that my symptoms are likely related to the sciatic nerve. I did not have a fall but simply overdid fast walking which I think is the cause (the music in my headphones was quite lively!). Have been to the physical therapist which made it really hurt, been to the doctor who prescribed a lot of ibuprofin and a muscle relaxer. This is painful when I have to stand still but not when walking. It is painful when sitting for a long period of time. I can bend in any direction and the spine works fine with no pain. After reading online I thought perhaps it might be piriformis syndrome. I see that others recommend Stretching for that. However, you often tell people to avoid stretching because it makes sciatica worse. What to do? Are there certain diseases that can cause this (I had a bladder infection about two weeks after the pain started and took the medication for that and that is gone.) Thanks for your help.

THOUGHTS ABOUT DIAGNOSING AND TREATING PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME
Your self-diagnostic train of thought is remarkably intuitive. It would seem logical that you do not have a lumbar disk problem causing the sciatica, although there are rare cases of such that present with absolutely no back pain. I think you're very likely to have a "Piriformis Syndrome". Stretching is indeed an important aspect of treatment for such in the long run. However, it is often very much contra-indicated in the initial treatment phase because it could very well have been the long strides (during your fast walking exercise) that over-stretched the Piriformis, causing the initial and likely current spasm. You will almost certainly benefit from appropriate physiotherapy modalities like electrical muscle stimulation over the belly of the muscle and perhaps some deep-pressure massage to relieve the spasm. Sleeping, especially on the side could be irritating the condition and it might be advisable to place a large, fluffy, pressure-reducing foam pillow between your knees to relieve the stretching on the piriformis muscle. The side that is is up, is the side that will get stretched. I personally use and recommend the Nimblepedic Comfort Touch Memory Foam Pillow for this purpose.

Anti-inflammatory meds and muscle relaxors I find to be pretty useless in these cases. Stretching will often irritate until the initial spasm is overcome. This is because stretching the tight muscle often forces it into contact with an already inflamed sciatic nerve. In the long run you might need to have your gait evaluated to note whether there is a problem with shoes or bio-mechanical dysfunction of the foot and ankle that might have led to the onset. For example, pronation, a functionally short leg, or toeing out while walking can all be related. Shoes and/or orthotics can often be a sensible solution. I suspect that the reason walking is not seeming to exacerbate the pain is because you are not being as overzealous with your stride as you were before. However, this does throw up a red flag that makes us want to make sure that your lower abdominal or pelvic organs are not referring pain down your leg. You should have a good evaluation from you internist as well.

When it comes to conditions affecting nerves from the lumbo-sacral area, the nervous system regulation of organs in that region can be affected, leading to a weaker organ that is more prone to infection. Although it may have indeed been coincidental, either condition could have impacted the other.

I think this case is an interesting one that a lot of folks might relate to, so I decided to make a post of my advice to her.

Best Weight Loss Drink Beverage

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:07:00 +0000

Want a super-concentrated green tea drink that tastes great, sheds pounds and inches, retards aging and heals your body? It's now possible with Green Tea HP, a proprietary blend of pure and highly concentrated EGCG-rich, live green tea extract, healing nutrients, natural stress reducers and trace minerals. Consider the addition of an anti-aging super-fruit blend and WOW -- GreenTeaHP wins my vote as the most effective and sustainable way to achieve health and well-being while changing the way you look forever.

Green Tea HP Superiority

Formulated with super-concentrated amount of green tea's most beneficial ingredient known as EGCG (equivalent to 8-10 cups of organic green tea)

GreenTeaHP is like a "drinking fountain of youth and wellness"

Single-serve pixies mix instantly with water so you can take GreenTeaHP with you anywhere, anytime.

Potent energy drink, sports' drink, and great for general hydration

A great compliment and adjunct to all diet plans including the HCG diet

Reduce consumption of high-calorie, poor-nutrition beverages like coffee, energy drinks, unhealthy weight-loss or soda drinks

IN SUMMARY, you eliminate extra calories and unhealthy chemicals from your diet, while increasing your metabolism, energy level, productivity and longevity.

Key Ingredient

Healthy Benefits for Various Conditions

Green Tea (EGCG)

Anti-oxidant that Improves overall wellness, increases metabolism, promotes weight loss, increases energy, lowers blood pressure, reduces risk of various cancers, dilates coronary and peripheral arteries, helps reduce mouth bacteria and gingivitis. It should also be noted that green tea reduces "platelet clumping" and therefore the risk of stroke or heart attack. It also helps diabetics utilize insulin and reduces hemoglobin A1C.

Noni

General well-being, vitality, potent anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy benefits

Pomegranate

Potent anti-oxidant that is an endothelial dilator by increasing nitric oxide, reverses arteriosclerosis and vessel disease, hypertension, shrinks enlarged prostates, reduces symptoms of menopause and lessens the risk of breast cancer

Acai

High ORAC value anti-oxidant that reduces cholesterol, fights infection, anti-tumor properties, a stress reducer

L-Theanine

An amino acid that is relaxing and stress reducing

Resveratrol

Retards aging, cardio-vascular benefits

Sea-sourced Trace Minerals

Promotes a multitude of necessary bodily functions, including the regulation of heart beat, the contraction of muscle, and the facilitation of enzymes and anti-oxidants.

GET READY TO BE COMPLEMENTED -- Everyone is going to notice the new you!

BackCycler - Passive Motion Healing Your Back

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:16:00 +0000

BackBeNimble.com announces the re-launching of the BackCycler®, their most popular back pain product ever. BackCycler® was previously awarded the Good HouseKeeping Seal of Approval for the best back pain product they tested.

This amazing product uses computerized continuous passive motion to exercise your back while you drive or sit.

The BackCycler improves posture and keeps the spinal disks hydrated while you sit. Sitting is inherently hard on the spine and the continuous passive exercise provided by BackCycler prevents stiffness and fatigue often occurring with long drives or prolonged sitting.

At a modest price of $79.95 BackCycler® is a must for back pain sufferers.

Cervical Kyphosis - Loss or Reversal of Neck Curvature

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:08:00 +0000

Most commonly known as a “military neck” a straight or forward curve of the neck is abnormal and may cause an unkind progression of symptoms leading ultimately to cervical disk degeneration.

A healthy neck manifests a normal lordotic curvature as portrayed in the picture to the right. The pathology leading to a neck curve reversal (cervical kyphosis shown below right) may be inspired by a multitude of conditions as follows:

Post whiplash
Post head injury
Stomach sleeping
Poor sitting/working postures
Congenital spinal curvatures
Osteoporosis
Degenerative cervical discs (a form of osteoarthritis that can either be the cause of or the result of a cervical kyphosis)
Compression fracture of vertebral body
Infection of the cervical spine

ANATOMY: STRAIGHT VS. CURVED

“I’ve always heard that it was good to stand up straight.”

“Stand upright, stick your chest out and hold your shoulders back! Otherwise you’re going get widows hump.”

Are these expressions as familiar to you as they are to me? One might think that having a curved neck goes against what we heard from parents and teachers as we were growing up, but the reality is that there is a little bit a truth in both. Maintaining good posture throughout our lives is crucial to both the health of our spine and vital organs. On the contrary, a special type of curve called a “lordosis” is a good thing, both in the neck and lower back.

When we look at a person from the back their spine should be truly straight, so that the left and right sides of one’s body is symmetrical. However, when we view a person from the side, the front and back of their body is different and this is reflected in a coinciding curvature of the spine. Both the lower back and neck are hollowed out (concave) and the mid or “thoracic” spine is protrudes (convex). Thus there is an alternation of curves functioning to provide stability, shock absorption and aid in propulsion. A straight spine would be very stiff and not flexible. Imagine the plight of a pole vaulter with an inflexible pole.

Nature’s design of our spine and rib cage facilitates breathing and offers protective and supportive framework for vital organs. Spinal disks are shock absorbers and because they are in the front of the spine, lordotic curvatures keep them from having to bear weight. Kyphosis or loss of such curvatures bears weight upon the disks, leading to their ultimate degeneration. This process of deterioration is a form of osteoarthritis and in the spine is known as degenerative spondylosis.

DIAGNOSIS
Although most chiropractors or conservative orthopedists can recognize a cervical curve reversal upon viewing the patient’s posture, a definitive diagnosis may be obtained via a standing lateral (side view) X-ray of the neck. Cause can often be determined by corroborating a comprehensive history, a thorough examination, X-rays and questions about sleep, work and lifestyle.

In my professional career as a chiropractic physician, I found that the majority of young adults presenting with cervical kyphosis either had a whiplash or were stomach sleepers from an early age. For desk jockeys 40-60 years of age, many hours of sitting with their head flexed forward almost dictates the fate of developing kyphosis. In prior years I considered cervical kyphosis a job hazard for the careers of accountants, attorneys and often teachers because of years spent with their head in a book or paperwork. However, the digital age offers some relief in that respect. A well-planned, ergonomically-friendly office can do wonders for protecting the spine in the sedentary worker.

TREATMENT FOR CERVICAL CURVE REVERSAL (KYPHOSIS)
During my chiropractic practice I had the opportunity to note a good percentage of correction toward a more normal lordosis (noted on X-ray) for 70% of patients under my care. This was almost always consistent with those patients that followed all recommendations and were model participants in their own care. Here is the recommended treat plan:

Spinal manipulation of stiff and fixated spinal segments by a qualified physician
Flexibility exercises for flexion and extension of cervical spine
Resistance exercises for flexors and extensors of the neck
Learn the Alexander Technique for maintaining good posture (HINT: the basic philosophy is to sit and stand like you were hanging by a string from the vertex of your skull. Liken it to a puppet on a string).
Elimination of stomach sleeping
Avoid standing on your head, although some yoga postures may be beneficial
Use of orthopedic neck pillow while sleeping
Establish and ergonomic friendly work environment while working at your desk

top of computer monitor should be at eyebrow level
ergonomic chair should remain in a slightly forward tilted position to facilitate an upright posture. If you do not have such a chair, try a wedge cushion with a built in forward tilt.
prudent use of an ergonomic footrest to balance the forward tilt of an ergonomic chair
elbows must be at your side during mousing, track pad or keyboard entry. DO NOT reach for these items

DR. OZ – The Wellness Messiah

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:21:00 +0000

As a retired chiropractic physician and quasi wellness expert I have long espoused the true philosophy of wellness. I’m what Doctor Oz would call a “wellness warrior”. I can really relate to the philosophy administered by Dr. Oz and the Dr. Oz show team. It pleases me to note that a well-respected medical doctor like Mehmet Oz is reaching a vast audience with a common sense approach for care of the human frame. As a nation we have lived in an environment whereby doctors have hastily recommended surgery or loaded patients up with powerful medicines. We must turn our focus to health and away from simply treating diseases as they arise. I’ll take this moment to commend Dr. Oz for his valiant efforts and designate him the “Wellness Messiah”.

Personally, I have lived true to the wellness warrior lifestyle and strongly advocated such to my friends and family members. During my journey as a health care provider I often experienced the need to overcome negative rhetoric surrounding the chiropractic profession from both patients and allopathic (conventional medicine) colleagues. I found it interesting that patients dosed with multiple medications from their medical doctor(s) were often those that suffered from the greatest ill-health. I have jousted with patient apprehension for alternative therapies, yet have been joyful when the acceptance of such produced a welcomed result.

I believe chiropractors were the first modern day wellness professionals although ancient medicine had its origins in what we now consider alternative therapies. The foundation of the wellness warrior is a strong belief in the innate recuperative powers of the human body. An active, harmonious lifestyle combined with a balanced, colorful, and sustainable diet is the way of the warrior. Key components exclude processed grains and sugars, but require proper breathing, movement (exercise), dependence on vital plants/herbs and judicious use of all Mother Earth’s bounties.

“Let me take this opportunity to join Dr. Oz in welcoming new Wellness Warriors to a vital and long life.”

MBT Shoes - The New Best Running, Training and Recovery Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:11:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION

After a detailed bio-mechanical and practical evaluation of the MBT shoe for both training and recovery I’m really a fan of this so-called “anti-shoe”. It is the contention of this researcher that MBTs will be validated as the new best running shoe for those suffering or recovering from back pain, hip injuries, arthritis, knee problems and conditions of the foot and ankle.

However, unlike the info most prevalently available about MBT shoes creating instability, I believe MBT shoes actually enhance overall stability because of their unique self-righting sole and its ability to act in symphony with the postural muscles. This improves stability as the user's foot interfaces with hard surfaces. The only portion of the gait whereby there is instability in MBT footwear is at heel strike. This functions to absorb the shape of the terrain and lessen pressure on the heel.

MBT functionality could be likened to that of the old Joe Palooka Bob Bag of the 1950's. This was a self-righting punching toy with a counter-weighted bottom. No matter what one did to it, it righted itself in a perfectly vertical format.

WHAT ARE MBT SHOES?

Quite simply they are rocker-bottom soled footwear that enhance a user’s ability to maintain natural and proper postural balance. They are super comfortable and nature’s answer to many sports’ injuries and orthopedic complaints of the back and low

er extremity.

“MBT” is an acronym for Masai Barefoot Technology and the shoes were engineered as a result of studying the Masai Tribe in Kenya. These people have a significant lack of knee, foot and ankle problems.

Most running shoes are designed to lessen the n

eed for a good set of balanced muscles. However, MBT design facilitates muscle activity and the recruitment of muscles maintain the balance of the user. This is similar to the benefits to be gained by running barefoot in semi-soft sand.

Although orthotics can be worn inside MBT Shoes, we find they are often unnecessary. That’s right, MBT shoes are a better substitute for most foot orthotics that were prescribed to either relieve heel pain or improve the biomechanics of the foot.

DESIGN OF THE MBT SHOE

The above diagram showing how MBT design aids the walking/running gait.

The diagram above demonstrates lateral stability and balance fore and aft with MBT footwear.

The unique features of the MBT design are (1) the soft Masai Sensor Cushion and (2) the Self-righting Rocker Bottom Mid-sole.

The sensor cushion is located under the heel, but is longer, less dense and has a different shape than most cushions in the heel of a shoe. On one hand its properties simulate uneven ground, subconsciously soliciting a proprioceptive response from the stabilizing muscles. This compensatory response facilitates adaptation to the terrain.

The balancing action of the mid-sole, with its integrated self-righting/rocker bottom technology, actively exercises the muscles and precisely guides the mid-stance through toe-off motion in a very controlled manner.

All parts of the shoe, work in harmony with the wearer, exercising the entire lower torso and lower extremities while virtually eliminating the stress to joints and ligaments.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

This researcher is now an avid MBT wearer. After a stay in the hospital as a result of cardiopathy, I noted that my right knee and right heel were in peril giving me trouble walking. Apparently, the lack of oxygen and immobility resulting from a hospital stay had caused a previously minor condition to rapidly deteriorate. Upon examination by a competent physiatrist (doctor of physical medicine), MRI showed a ruptured Baker’s Cyst combined with severe degeneration of my medial cartilage. I was also suffering from a heel spur and plantar fasciitis. I was determined to walk to rehabilitate my heart condition, so I went shoe shopping and purchased a $120 pair of Salomon XT Wings GTX Trail Runners. These shoes are really top of the line and I rather enjoyed them. My condition was slightly alleviated by them, but not to my satisfaction. After 2 months I purchased a pair of ASCIS Gel Kayanos which although nice and light and comfy, made absolutely no improvement. I’ve always been a fan of New Balance, so I looked for their best trail running shoes and purchased those; again to no avail. I then tried Pearl Izumi’s SynchroSync III, which is a wonderful shoe and the best running shoe I have ever tested by far. This made it possible for me to walk with less pain and even run a little bit. However, after 2 months of wearing those, I was still in pain and not complacent with the results. Only out of curiosity and with lots of skepticism did I try MBTs. I had already decided that Pearl Izumi made the best shoe on the market and since MBT is the “anti-shoe” I suppose that is still true. I was accompanying my sister on a quest for a good walking shoe and this led to my first MBT experience. Wow, I was sold the first time I put them on. The pain in my knee and heel were present, but tolerable. I bought a pair and within 3 day of wearing them I was able to run with minimal heel or knee pain. I’ve saw continual improvement over the next 3 months and today, I’m virtually free of the pain.

Sleeping with Hip Pain and Bursitis

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Do you suffer with lots of pain in the hip after prolonged sleeping in a side posture? You’re certainly not alone. The cause may be bursitis and this can occur either with the hip/leg on top, or the one that is pressured against the mattress. Hip bursitis can either be acute or chronic hip bursitis.

WHAT IS BURSITIS?
Bursitis is dysfunction in the fluid-filled sac (bursa) that normally provides buffering and lubrication for tendons gliding over a joint. It is often caused by new or old injuries or can be a result of lack of important nutrients to the joint. Acute Bursitis is inflammation of the sac and perhaps over-production of fluid (swelling). Chronic bursitis actually presents with dryness, lack of fluid and poor lubrication for movement of tendons.

HIP PAIN ON THE DOWNSIDE
Although there are many facets of treatment and self-care for bursitis of the hip joint, a pressure point relieving, supportive foam mattress is one very important aspect of treating it. REASONING: (1) It is important to not have pressure on the inflammed bursa while lying on that side. (2) Additional to excessive pressure, poor mattresses lack support and often sag or hammock. That places an undesirable stretch on the muscles associated with the hip on the downside, thus irritating the bursa and impeding healing. One might wake up with pain, clicking, stiffness and limited mobility which may lessen after being up and about for awhile.

HIP PAIN ON THE UPSIDE
Alternatively, your pain may occur in the hip that faces upward. I know this seems sort of odd, but it is actually quite common. REASONING: (1) In most people, their hips are wider apart than their knees. This is especially true in women. This anatomical truth can create tension on hip muscles as the knees come together and stretch such muscles. (2) Or perhaps, one stretches their leg out in front of them twisting the spine and pulling on hip muscles. In those with bursitis, this can wreck havoc with the sensitive bursa. (3) Of course, a supportive, pressure relieving mattress is advisable to prevent excessive hip rotation.(4) However, in this case it is often advisable to also utilize a nice space occupying pillow between the knees. The pillow should be soft enough to not impede circulation but substantial enough to maintain a distance between the knees perhaps equal to the width of the hips. Please note that hip bursitis often is complicated by a component of hip tendonitis which may also be alleviated with the advice of this article. Please also note that this is not the panacea of care for hip bursitis. Functional care involving nutrition, stretching, strengthening and physical medicine are advisable but beyond the scope of this article.

HELPFUL SLEEP SOLUTIONS FOR HIP BURSITIS

Mattresses to consider:

Nimblepedic Memory Foam Mattress
Pincore Latex Foam Mattress
Or, if your mattress is extremely firm, it likely causes pressure points and will actually bend the spine. In such cases, instead of a new mattress, one may consider a memory foam mattress overlay for firm mattresses.

Pillows to consider:

Between the knees/legs pillow

Adjustable Beds: Enhancing the Sleep Experience

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:13:00 +0000

The current evolution of sleep technology suggests considering an adjustable bed for improving sleep quality at any age. Although hospital beds are a form of adjustable bed and have been around for years, the thought of placing one in the home was previously only considered for the elderly and debilitated. Why has the adjustable bed captured almost 40 per cent of premium beds sales in the 21^st Century? First let us understand the importance of a sound sleep.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT SLEEP REALLY IS

Sleep has all of the following characteristics:

a lack of or decrease in awareness of environmental stimuli
the maintenance of core body temperature (in homeotherms or mammals like us)
is easily reversible (to wakefulness)
has distinct EEG patterns in mammals (different from a state of wakefulness)
has spontaneous occurrences with inherent repetition (independent of other bodily needs and environmental cues)
sleep offers the benefit of conserving energy while focusing on repair of the body

WHY DOES ONE NEED A SOUND SLEEP?

Humans spend one third of their lives in a somnolent state. This is one reason your bed is so important. Here are some others:

Sleep deprivation impairs thinking and suppresses the immune system.

Neural activity inducing sleep is synonymous with such that regulates temperature. Much evidence exists that indicates the origin of the sleep process was simply a method of body and mind maintenance. This included both temperature control and the enhancement of memory recorded by neural activity during REM sleep. More specifically, sleep is a period of time whereby the brain and body can learn and mend without the interference of outside sensory stimuli or sleep-disruptive motor activity. In simple terms, we recuperate, learn and commit new information to memory when we sleep. How important might this be for a student?

Thus, sound sleep is a state required for learning new neural patterns. In other words, in order for the nervous system to grow and change, there must be down time from active behavior. Creatures as primitive as worms require adequate sleep. Don’t you think humans deserve at least as much?

EVOLUTIONAL HISTORY OF BEDS AND MATTRESSES

First Beds - The first beds of ancient man likely consisted of soft grasses and leaves on rock palettes or open ground.
Fancy Ancient Beds - Thousands of years before Christ, in ancient Egypt, royalty slept on the first feather bed mattresses supported by bed frames made of gold, bronze and ebony. Sometimes hay, wool or grasses were substituted for the feathers. Wool and feathers were great for maintaining body temperature and we’ve just touched upon the importance of such.
Renaissance Materials - The Renaissance Era brought great improvement in mattress plushness. Feathers, straw and/or the shucks of legumes were covered with fine silky or velvety fabrics.
16^th Century - In the sixteenth century, foundations created by a web of ropes were developed to create flexible support for mattresses. This is thought to be the origin of the phrase: “sleep tight” because by tightening the network of ropes, more support was provided.
18^th Century - During the 18^th century, cotton was utilized for mattress stuffing which was a deterrent for bed bugs that had become accepted as commonplace.
Early 20^th Century - In the 1930’s America introduced the innerspring mattress.
1950’s - Latex foam rubber mattresses were introduced by Goodyear in the 1950’s and marketed by Sears and Roebuck.
1980’s - Airbeds hit the market in the 80’s.
1990’s – Memory foam mattresses by Tempurpedic®^® hit the USA.

ADJUSTABLE BEDS IMPROVE THE SLEEP EXPERIENCE

The advent of high quality foam mattresses in the 1990’s brought about innovation. In 1994, it is this author’s belief that, Back Be Nimble was the first company to expound on this by partnering a memory foam mattresses with an adjustable bed from Electropedic. BackBeNimble.com started a nationwide marketing campaign offering a combination of the now famous Tempurpedic® memory foam mattress with this high quality adjustable bed and groomed it for residential environs.

Labeled the European Adjustable Sleep System by Back Be Nimble in 1995 and offering a Tempurpedic® Mattress / Electropedic Adjustable Bed combination, it was brought to the attention of Dave Fogg, the then current CEO of Tempurpedic®, Inc. Mr. Fogg did not feel that the adjustable bed market could be expanded beyond the geriatric market and that Tempurpedic®’s target customers would not likely have interest in such. Additionally, he expressed that beds in this price range would also not sell through online catalogs.

Following this conversation, BackBeNimble.com proceeded to market the European Adjustable Sleep System via both brick and mortar and online media. After three years, almost 50 per cent of Back Be Nimble bed sales were adjustable beds vs. the conventional flat bed.

Needless to say, the bed and mattress industry took notice, nonetheless Tempurpedic®, Inc. It is this author’s contention that 50% of Tempurpedic®’s sales from 2004-2005 combined their Tempurpedic® mattress with one of their Leggett and Platt adjustable bed frames. The rest is history.

IS AN ADJUSTABLE BED RIGHT FOR YOU? Let’s investigate!

Restful & rejuvenating
Reduces tossing and turning
Increases the period of REM sleep
Comfortable & adjustable
Pain free & relaxing
No heartburn, no snoring
Zero pressure-point adjustable bed mattresses
1000 positions for you and your partner with independent controls for each (with dual-adjustable beds)
Wake up rested and refreshed
Hmm… Maybe this is “Zzzz” sleep you’ve imagined

Gravity and Zero-gravity Effects of Adjustable Beds

While the beneficial floating or weightless effects of zero-gravity on the spine are experienced on an adjustable bed, these beds also use gravity to benefit your health.

Indigestion: By elevating the torso, normal digestion is enhanced. The stomach acids actually flow down hill, helping to alleviate the discomfort of reflux, GERD and acid indigestion. Breathing is enhanced for more complete oxygenation of the tissues.

Low Back Pain & Sciatica: By elevating the legs while bending the knees, your adjustable bed uses gravity to aid circulation while relieving lower back pain and tension on the sciatic nerve.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Still think adjustable beds are only for the elderly? We don’t either. Sleep was meant to be good at all ages and people of all ages have insomnia or less than adequate sleep. A pressure-reducing mattress on an adjustable bed platform is the current best practice for achieving a restful, rejuvenating sleep.

TEMPURPEDIC^® is a registered trademark of TempurPedic^®, Inc. and use of such does not imply endorsement of this blog by Tempurpedic^®,Inc.

Sciatica: A Real Pain in the Butt

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:59:00 +0000

THE MANY FACES AND CAUSES OF SCIATICA
Sciatica merely describes a path of pain and is not a specific diagnosis. The use of the term "sciatica" does not specify a cause.

Defined, "sciatica" is a description of a particular path of pain following the sciatic nerve as it traverses the buttock (hip) and/or continues down the back of the thigh, outside of the leg and perhaps the foot. As our article title denotes, sciatica can be a real pain in the buttocks.

Generally, the worse the condition, the further down the leg the pain travels and may even affect the foot. However, there are certain cases that although severe, only affect the hip area or buttock. It suffices to say that the symptom picture can be quite varied from one individual to another. Although most commonly associated with nerve compression from a low back disc condition, there are many causes of sciatica, some of which are not back related. Interestingly enough even those cases originating from a low back condition may not exhibit any back pain.

Some authorities would argue that if the origin of pain is not compression of a nerve root in the lower back, the result is not a "true sciatica", but a pseudo-sciatica. Synonyms for sciatica would be sciatic neuralgia or sciatic neuritis.

ANATOMY OF THE SCIATIC NERVE

The sciatic nerve is about 1/2 inch in diameter and is known to be the longest and largest nerve in the human body. The nerve originates in the lower spine as nerve roots exit the spinal cord (between the vertebrae in the spine), and combine to extend all the way down the back of the leg to the toes.

It is thus composed from a combination of 5 nerve roots exiting holes known as foraminal openings between vertebrae in the lower lumbar and sacral region. These include the following nerve roots: L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3. Nerve roots in the lumbo-sacral area of the spine are named by the vertebrae above. Thus if the nerve root exits between L5 and S1 it would be considered the L5 nerve root. By understanding this one can correlate the area of symptoms with a specific spinal level.

The five nerves combine anterior to (in front of) the piriformis muscle to become the sciatic nerve. This nerve then travels down the back of each leg, branching out to innervate specific regions of the leg and foot. It should be mentioned here that a spasm of this piriformis muscle where the nerve crosses the sciatic notch can cause sciatic neuralgia and often mimic symptoms of a herniated lumbar disc.
Just above the back of the knee, the sciatic nerve divides into two nerves, known as the peroneal and tibial nerves, going to various parts of the lower leg:

The peroneal nerve innervates the shin and outer aspect of the leg down to the upper foot.
The tibial nerves innervates the posterior portion of the leg and traverses all the way to the feet to innervate both the heel and sole of the foot.

The sciatic nerve supplies both motor input (eliciting muscle movement and reflexes) as well as sensory innervation.

SYMPTOM PICTURE OF SCIATICA

Pain: searing , stabbing, usually intermittent pain is generally the overwhelming symptom. The pain can be felt in the low back, buttock, posterior and outer side of the thigh or leg and possibly all the way to the toes. The pain is most often felt in certain positions, while walking or while straightening the leg. It may occur on both sides (bilaterally), but it is more often one-sided (unilateral). Pain is sometimes exacerbated by sneezing, coughing, laughing or pushing during a bowel movement (Valsalva's Maneuver).

Numbness/tingling: sometimes the pain is either accompanied by or replaced by numbness and tingling known as paresthesia or radiculopathy.

Weakness: in the most severe cases of sciatica there is actually impairment of the motor nerve functions causing weakness in the leg and/or foot. The most common sign of such would be foot drop or the inability to pull the big toe up toward your knee (aka: lack of dorsiflexion).

CATEGORIES OF CAUSES

Mechanical Spinal Nerve Compression: most often from a herniated, ruptured or extruded disc but can be from severe misalignment or vertebral subluxation.
Compression by Muscle Spasm: most commonly known as a "Piriformis Syndrome" whereby the muscle underlying the gluteus maximus (buttock) is spasmed applying pressure to the sciatic nerve underneath. This is known to clued physicians as an "entrapment neuropathy" and is often misdiagnosed as a low back disk herniation because it mimics many of the symptoms of such. This can prudently be differentially diagnosed from a disc herniation by either MRI studies, CT scan or just a good old fashion history and exam including questions regarding pain during coughing, sneezing and bowel movements.
Trauma to the Sciatic Nerve: bruising, puncture wounds, or over-stretching injuries to the nerve itself can produce the symptoms of sciatica.
Spondylolisthesis: this is a slippage of one vertebral body on top of another and may be a result of fracture or a genetic defect in the pars interarticularis. If in the L4 to S1 region, sciatic neuritis symptoms can occur. Although many authors seem to describe a compression of nerve roots resulting from a spondylo-listhesis, it has been my experience both clinically and in my review of the literature that the most accepted authorities believe the nerve root irritation to be a result of traction or stretch of the nerves vs. an actual compression.
Spinal Tumors: space occupying lesions, of the spinal vertebrae, spinal cord, cauda equina, or surrounding muscles or sciatic nerve itself can cause sciatic symptoms.
Sacro-iliac Joint Sprain or Subluxation: this is actually one of the least understood or recognized conditions causing sciatica, but in this clinician's experience is one of the most common causes of sciatica not resulting in pain extending below the knee. Coughing and sneezing does not increase the symptoms in this case and often Kemp's sign will NOT be positive. Subluxation or sprain of the sacro-iliac joint leads to a referred sciatica in this case. This is generally best treated by a chiropractic physician.
Chemical Irritation: although not even known or considered by most practicing physicians, chemical radiculalgia is one of the physical results of back dysfunction and can be the primary cause of sciatica. This is an actual irritation to nerve roots caused by the swelling pressure of inflammation against the nerve. It is a major factor in what is called the "cycle of pain". It may be interesting to note that it has been this practitioner's experience that this is often the factor that is most concerning when dealing with the sequela of a disc herniation or injury. It is the overwhelming reason that Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections have been so effective in relieving the symptoms of herniated or ruptured disc conditions. It leads some researchers to believe that inflammation may play an even greater roll in symptomatology than the mechanical pressure of displaced disc material.
Viscerally Referred Pain: although not as common as some of the other causes of sciatic symptoms, paresthesias, pain and odd sensations may be felt along the sciatic nerve distribution as a result of problems with internal organs. For example, problems with the prostate gland or female organs can refer sensations along the sciatic nerve. This can easily be ruled out by a thorough examination.

TREATMENT OF SCIATICA

Certainly the best treatment practices for sciatica would include addressing the cause in addition to alleviating the symptoms. Thus the approach may be different dependent on the cause. Sitting, driving and arising from the sitting position is usually a problem for all sciatica sufferers and thus one of the most recommended items would be a pressure relieving seat cushion. One type is known as a memory foam seat wedge. The 2nd type is a gel seat cushion that is wedged for ultra comfort. Make sure that the cushion you select has a cut-out for the coccyx or tailbone and that it is solid, fairly dense memory foam or a solid type of gel. Ice is nice in the case of sciatica and heat should generally be avoided in acute cases.

Other treatment protocol is more causal specific and usually requires a battery of prescribed and self-care. Some of these are listed below:

DON'TS
Avoid irritation and stretching of the nerve during the healing process. This would eliminate toe touching with the leg straight.

Avoid running, fast walking or other physical activities that increase pain.

Avoid heavy lifting, stooping, squats or prolonged bending.

Avoid sitting on soft overstuffed chairs or couches or desk chairs that fall away when leaned against.

Avoid fast movements.

Avoid arising out of bed w/o first turning on your side

Avoid stomach sleeping or sleeping on your back with both legs straight out.

Avoid straightening the involved leg when sitting.

DO'SDo see a physician or chiropractor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Depending on findings your doctor of choice may suggest: spinal adjustments or manipulation, deep tissue massage of the buttocks, core muscle strengthening and stretching, repair of a disc herniation, oral anti-inflammatories, lumbar corset or lumbar epidural cortisone injections. Lumbar traction and/or gravity inversion may be advisable in some cases. For less common causes like tumors or referred pain from internal organs, your doctor will likely refer you to a specialist for further investigation.
When sleeping on your back, keep at least the involved leg slightly bent with an orthopedic bed wedge or soft fluffy pillow.

When side sleeping, place a soft pillow between your legs starting at the knee and positioned downward from there.

Do utilize a memory foam seat wedge to keep good posture and remove pressure from the sciatic nerve when seated or driving. For chronic sciatica seated workers should consider the purchase of a nimble ergonomic chair like the Bodybilt task chair.

Heart Healthy Living and Yet My Heart Was Broken

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:11:00 +0000

One expects that if they live a healthy lifestyle there should be an absence of heart disease and a portrait of a healthy heart. However, this does not always ring true and my self-portrait is testimony to such. Actually, as friends and family might attest to, I have always been a little different. Some of my friends think I eat cardboard and birdseed, but this is far from the truth. Organic foods and healthy eating can often be very tasty and highly misunderstood. I probably exemplify the phrase “healthy lifestyle”. I do eat what some might call health food, organic when I can and almost always low fat/low sugar. For much of my life I suffered an addiction to sugar, so today I exercise great discipline in this regard. When I do eat sweets (generally only on the weekends), they are made from whole grain flours, utilize either palm oil or coconut oil and are generally sweetened with agave nectar, fruit juices or real maple syrup. I eat many meals out, but I’m selective in my choice of both the restaurant, menu items and cooking technique. Did you know that you can maintain a healthy eating style while traveling or eating out, even at fast food restaurants? I’ll get more into this later or perhaps in another post.

I’m also a fitness fanatic, self-proclaimed at 14 years of age after my heart was broken from rejection by the first girl I asked out on a date. She was a cheerleader and I was NOT a jock. I was not terribly overweight, but I was a sugarholic and had what one might call a pudgy, non-athletic appearance. So, I began running and working out at a time when the only runners were those on a track team and when working out with weights was for jocks or bodybuilders. Gyms were not air-conditioned and so-called “health clubs” were exclusively for the wealthy country club goers. Inspired by the likes of Jack Lalane, Steve Reeves (Hercules) and Paul Bragg I was determined to be fit, ripped and most importantly to have a date with the girl who turned me down.

This became a lifestyle for me, continued throughout college and carried over into my education and professional career. I had originally intended to be what is now called an exercise physiologist, yet that field of education did not exist at the time. I started with physical ed and pre-med in college with the intention of being the world’s guru to fitness. Wow, isn’t it amazing how being rejected by a pretty girl so greatly influenced my life?

Well, unexpectedly, I hurt my back in an accident and my treatment and recovery for such sparked my interest for becoming a chiropractic physician. So, that is exactly what I did. As I always say: “life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” Actually, it was a way I could live and preach all the healthy living techniques I was incorporating into my own life.

I LIVED A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, SO WHY WAS MY HEART SICK?

To summarize and make a long story short, I’m a health and fitness nut; lived and breathed it. Ironically, but true, I recently almost died of a heart problem. How can that even be? I never smoked, rarely drank alcohol, lived a healthy lifestyle and yet in March 2008 I was suffering grade IV congestive heart failure. This was quite an eye-opener for me. I realized that there are circumstances beyond our control and no matter how “good” we are, we can still get sick. I had no heart disease, no coronary disease, no atherosclerosis and nonetheless, my heart just short-circuited. I developed a severe arrhythmia whereby my heart was beating out of control and not pumping blood. Fluid was building up in my stomach, liver, lungs and I was literally drowning in my own secretions. Thanks be to God and the expert medical care of Dr. John Seger (electro-physiologist), my heart has a normal sinus rhythm again. Dr. Seger performed ablation, a surgery whereby the short circuit pathways of my heart’s rhythm were blocked by overheating the cells in specific areas of my heart muscle. He also prescribed a small amount of a beta blocker called Bystolic to calm my heart and lessen the fight/flight response to stress. In addition and on my own accord, I take health supplements and continue my healthy lifestyle.

WHAT’S TO BE GAINED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?

Some might say that all my health efforts were wasted because I got very sick in spite of my healthy lifestyle and ode to clean living. To accept such would be a tragedy because I believe in my heart of hearts that I would not have survived the incident nor returned to my current state of health if I had lived a less than healthy lifestyle. In addition, my fairly quick return from the "jaws of death" and return to fitness would have been hendered if I had not followed up my surgery with a good supplement program, healthy eating, stress reduction and an awareness of my body’s feedback.

I live, I breathe, I feel very lucky, and I’m here to tell you about it. I’ve learned that the integration of western conventional medicine with traditional alternative methods is often imperative. I’ve realized that a broken heart is not always a bad thing and that when one door slams shut, another pops open. I did find the love of my life and I’m still here to share life’s challenges and rewards with her.

SO WHAT’S NEXT?

I’m concepting what might be the neatest, life-changing wellness, health-spa-retreat ever conceived. We've selected a choice spot in the mountains, to be revealed later. The concept will integrate western and eastern philosophies of health care under the cloak of both conventional medicine and alternative medicine. Here, guests will learn how to live well and be well while working toward current health and fitness goals and overcoming their obstacles to such.

Be Well !

What's All the Buzz About Wellness, Really?

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:35:00 +0000

How should one define the term "wellness" and why is the concept all the rage these days?

A search query of Google for a definition of wellness ("define: wellness") elicits 15 different results, some sensible and similar and others as simple as a brand name for pet food.

The first search result on Google for the query define: wellness was as follows: "a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease; physicians should be held responsible for the health of their patients." Since Google's search algorithm often presents the most popular definition first, this is apparently one of the most read and perhaps more accepted definitions.

Wow, that's a real debacle for me because it puts the responsibility of a patient's health in the hands of their physician. Is personal accountability for one's health not a priority?

Ironically, the recent focus on wellness involves a desire for awareness and self involvement in the quest to get well. In my opinion this desire was brought about by the fact that many physicians are focused on treating disease symptoms rather than zooming in on the holistic or overall portrait of their patients' health. Patients are no longer viewing physicians as God-like authoritarians for health, but are asking questions and seeking alternative methods or advice for self help, nutrition and exercise. New terms are cropping up like "well care", anti-oxidants, polyphenols, PPO and HMO.

This brings up the question of whether HMO really means Health Maintenance Organization? Maybe HMO should have the acronym of PPO or as I liken it: "Pissed-off Patient Organization". In any event, in the minds of insurance executives, HMOs are economical in spite of the fact the costs of health care keep rising. Hopefully they will someday figure out that prevention and maintenance is more cost effective than conventional symptomatic medical care. Chiropractors have preached this for years, but insurance carriers are clearly blinded to recognizing chiropractors as candidates for primary care physicians.

Thomas Edison once said: "the doctor of the future will not dose us with drugs, but will interest his patients in the care of human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease. The simple truth is you cannot improve on nature." Now that sounds like a mantra of wellness to me.

The quest for wellness is a journey and begins with personal accountability; supported by a symphony of factors like committment. Key components are highlighted below:

Personal commitment (1) self-reliance and determination to be healthy and well.
Awareness (2) listening to the sometimes subtle signals of your own body.
Homeostasis (3) achieving balance of your own physiological state.
Harmony (4) a harmonious, peaceful balance in your relationships with nature, the earth and others.

So now we have the foundational pieces for concocting a good definition of WELLNESS. I believe wellness is always in a state of flux or change and thus the best we can do is view wellness as a journey.

My father instilled the most basic concept of wellness in me when I was a small child by repeatedly saying: "Son, everything in life is balance".

Wellness; defined:
"Wellness is a personal commitment to seek harmonious balance of body and mind with that of nature and others. It is the process of monitoring and fine tuning the underlying mental and physiological processes that are often in a state of flux and when out of balance result in disease".

Chiropractors or Orthopedists?

noreply@blogger.com (backdoc) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:57:00 +0000

I pose the question: “If one has back pain should they seek a consult with a chiropractic doctor or an orthopedic surgeon?” In other words, which doctor should be the initial primary care physician?

80 % of adults suffer from back pain, so I must assume that this is a concern pondered by many. As a chiropractic physician, my thoughts maybe somewhat biased, however my intention with this article is to present helpful insight for those who wish to make smart decisions about their back care.

I am not anti-medical and have often referred patients to medical doctors or orthopedists (aka: orthopods) when I deemed it in the patient’s best interest. As a matter of fact, I was one of a handful of chiropractors that pioneered hospital privileges for the purpose of chiropractic spinal manipulation under anesthesia. Thus, I worked successfully with and helped educate members of the medical profession on the benefits of chiropractic.

Quality, Competency and Humility of Physicians

To answer the question regarding chiropractor vs. orthopedist, I will begin my answer by saying it really depends on the doctor and his or her willingness to be open-minded about what is in the best interest of the patient(s). I believe either type of doctor could be an excellent primary care physician for the diagnosis of back pain. Doctors in general need to be aware of their limitations and realize they are not the end-all panacea for all types of conditions. As long as they have humility, and they are known to be competent diagnosticians, their patient(s) should be in good hands. One tenant of the health care profession is to “do no harm” and there is much value in this simple phrase.

Practitioners of either profession are trained to utilize a familiar treatment protocol. In other words, orthopedic surgeons often do surgery and chiropractors like to physically manipulate the spine. There is however no guarantee that a patient’s condition warrants either one of those treatments. Sometimes, the necessary treatment is as simple as applying ice and electrical muscle stimulation to a mild strain of the back. The prudent physician offers both a kind listening ear and competency as a diagnostician. Only with a complete history and thorough examination will a physician be in a position to make an accurate assessment, thus suggesting the next step in the doctor’s decision process -- “Do I treat, or do I refer?”

The Doctor Making a Diagnosis is NOT Always the Best Treating Physician

I’ve heard it said: “What’s you’re not up on, you’re down on.”

I believe it is important for a physician of any type to have knowledge of alternative treatments that are beyond the scope of their own practice. Given this knowledge and an open-mind, prudent recommendations are likely to be forthcoming.

Matching Your Back Condition with the Appropriate Doctor

The majority of back pain cases do not require surgical intervention and they are often best handled by a chiropractor. However, it is good for back pain sufferers to know what cases are predominantly amenable to chiropractic care, as well as those that often require the care of an orthopedic surgeon or perhaps a neurosurgeon. The following chart should be helpful.

Condition/Symptoms	Chiropractor	Orthopedist	Neurosurgeon
back strain/spasm	X
back sprain (1 or 2 grade)	X
back sprain (grade 3)		X
pinched nerve (with foot drop or drag)		X	X
pinched nerve (with just numbness or pain)	X
herniated disk (with pain or numbness as low as knee)	X	X
ruptured disk (pain extends below the knee; weakness)		X	X
fracture of vertebrae		X
bony tumor		X
neurological or soft tissue tumor			X
pulled muscles	X
scoliosis	X	X
auto injury	X	X
arthritis or degenerative disk	X	X
sacro-iliac	X
lumbar facet syndrome	X
infection or hot puffy swelling with or w/o fever		X
spinal cord injuries			X
back pain with loss of bowel or bladder function			X

Key Ingredient	Healthy Benefits for Various Conditions
Green Tea (EGCG)	Anti-oxidant that Improves overall wellness, increases metabolism, promotes weight loss, increases energy, lowers blood pressure, reduces risk of various cancers, dilates coronary and peripheral arteries, helps reduce mouth bacteria and gingivitis. It should also be noted that green tea reduces "platelet clumping" and therefore the risk of stroke or heart attack. It also helps diabetics utilize insulin and reduces hemoglobin A1C.
Noni	General well-being, vitality, potent anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy benefits
Pomegranate	Potent anti-oxidant that is an endothelial dilator by increasing nitric oxide, reverses arteriosclerosis and vessel disease, hypertension, shrinks enlarged prostates, reduces symptoms of menopause and lessens the risk of breast cancer
Acai	High ORAC value anti-oxidant that reduces cholesterol, fights infection, anti-tumor properties, a stress reducer
L-Theanine	An amino acid that is relaxing and stress reducing
Resveratrol	Retards aging, cardio-vascular benefits
Sea-sourced Trace Minerals	Promotes a multitude of necessary bodily functions, including the regulation of heart beat, the contraction of muscle, and the facilitation of enzymes and anti-oxidants.