Healthwisery

For those of us that suffer from back pain it is a constant battle to find the time in our busy schedules to do the proper back stretching exercises that are vital to keep the muscles stretched, not only as we begin our day but also at times when we can feel that sharp pain in our back that is telling us to do a few simple back exercises or possibly face the consequence of further injury.

Stretches that help to loosen the back muscles do not always need to be performed while in full exercise gear or with the aid of gym quality exercise equipment. Easy stretching techniques that can be performed in just 5 minutes or less can be the answer that you need to get through the day. These simple exercises I have learned from going through two bouts of herniated disc problems myself while at physical therapy. I was amazed at how in only a few minutes time I was able to feel much better and hope they help you out too.

#1 Stand with Hands on Hips

You should perform this lower back stretch once an hour. Those of us that sit for extended periods can benefit in about one minutes time. Start by standing up with your feet about shoulder width apart for balance. Place both hands just above your hips and slowly bend backwards while still keeping your balance. Hold this position for about 10 seconds and return to the starting position. Repeat 3 times.

#2 Stable Chair Stretch

I personally love this stretch as it gives me a very stable and comfortable position in which to exercise. Find a chair that does not have any type of wheels, casters, or anything that could make the chair move away from you as it will be the stable point in which you are placing some of your weight for balance. The chair must also have a high back for grasping purposes. With the back of the chair facing you standing about 2 feet away from the chair and feet shoulder width apart, slowly lean towards the chair and grasp the top of the back. Now slowly arch your back as far as you comfortably can and hold for 10 seconds returning to the starting position. Then while still holding onto the chair, slowly dip your right shoulder blade towards the floor. You should be feeling a mid back stretch on the side you are dipping. Hold for 10 seconds and return. Repeat the same action with your opposite shoulder blade. Repeat this entire process 2-3 times. Continue reading ‘3 Simple Back Exercises in Less Than 5 Minutes’ »

Lower back and hip pain is perhaps the most draining of health issues preventing you from undertaking many of the things you want to do.

Undoubtedly one of the more common yet misunderstood medical conditions suffered by a lot of people is back and hip pain.

Because there is generally no outside physical symptoms of the problem it is often an extremely tough problem to diagnose. This short article will take a look at two key areas of lower back and hip pain:

* sciatica and
* herniated disc.

When you consider the real stresses and strains many of us put on the lower back and also the hips it’s obvious why so many of us suffer from lower back and hip discomfort. Even the very simple action of walking stresses these areas. When our feet strike the ground the impact of this action is transported to the hips and lower back. If we were perfectly put together then this would not generally lead to any kind of issues. However, very few of us can make this claim and such things as flat feet or one leg being just a bit longer compared to the other or even perhaps you have a small curvature of the spine could cause additional stresses on the back and hips that might lead to back and hip problems. Continue reading ‘Lower Back and Hip Pain – What Exactly is Sciatica and a Herniated Disc?’ »

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If you have been suffering from back pain for years without getting any relief from traditional remedies, it might be time to start looking for a new and more effective back pain system of treatment. Conventional remedies include the use of ice packs, orally taken pain relievers, and good old-fashioned bed rest. When these methods fail to give sufficient relief, more drastic approaches become necessary such as physical therapy, acupuncture and even surgery.

The problem with these traditional treatments is that while they may work, it usually takes up to several months before any positive results are seen. Fortunately, new back pain systems of treatment have been developed in recent years that allow people to get quicker and long-lasting relief.

Oftentimes, people feel that they have no other choice but to go into surgery to get rid of recurrent problems. However, that isn’t always the case. For instance, sciatica will eventually resolve itself over time, regardless of whether you undergo surgery or not. Other types of back pain may also go away after undergoing different treatments that are far less invasive than surgery. Continue reading ‘Back Pain Systems – What Are Some of the Ways of Dealing With Back Pain?’ »

After another hard day you want nothing more than a good night’s sleep. Having to suffer from back pain at night not only deprives you of the rest your body needs but can also cause further health issues than what you are currently experiencing. Such things as sciatica or lower back pain during rest periods could be your body telling you about the early signs of a possible herniated disc or spinal issues that a medical professional needs to check out.

There are certain things that you can do to help prevent waking up with a stiff or sore back which are easily implemented without having to change your sleeping habits or buy any more of those magical back pain relievers that are sold on the television. Try these 3 back pain tips for a week or so and see if they help.

#1 First of all make sure you have a pillow that supports your neck when you sleep. To have the neck in what is called a “neutral” position is vital for proper support and less stress put on the entire length of the spinal cord. Since you should be getting about eight hours of sleep every night it would be to your best advantage to have your neck supported correctly. Continue reading ‘Back Pain at Night – 3 Tips to Help You Sleep’ »

Myth: The Fort Collins Chiropractic Treatments are painful

For the most part, there is no pain associated with the chiropractic treatments. It has even been said to feel like a massage. People, who have been fighting with pain in their necks or backs, could feel a bit of discomfort, however over time the care become more comfortable and soothing.

Most of the adults enjoy going to have the treatments from chiropractors. These treatments for infants and kids can also be without pain, even though they can be a bit scared at first.

The treatment takes about a half to a full hour, the exact length of time depends on what problem is being treated, and which areas are affected. People could feel some slight pain and discomfort dependent upon how severe the problem is, and of course the person’s pain tolerance.

Myth: There is Danger in Chiropractic

Chiropractic is not dangerous. In fact the kind of treatments given are thought to be among the safer of the treatments for back and neck pains, along with other conditions. There is a low risk of having issues due to the spine getting adjusted. A lot of doctors recommend spinal manipulation first before a recommendation for surgery. This alternative therapy is also suggested before prescribing antidepressants and steroids. Continue reading ‘Back Pain Injury – Some Myths About Chiropractic Care’ »

These days, people are spending more and more time in front of their computer. The vast majority of people spend their entire work day sitting at their desk and only move when they go to lunch or get a paper from the printer. All this sitting eventually causes your lower back to become stiff and sometimes painful.

The Advantages of Standing
You can force your body to do more work by using a standing desk. In this way, you are less prone to having a bad posture as long as you do not lean on the desk for support. Also, it is much easier to go for a quick walk, stretch your legs or simply get some motion going in those hips. This will get more blood flowing in your muscles and will keep you alert for longer.

An Adjustable Desk
Even better than a standing desk is a desk which you can adjust between standing and sitting. This allows you to change your working position several times a day. This is good since your legs might not be used to standing for long periods. If your legs get tired, simply adjust your desk to the sitting position and give your feet a rest. Varying your position several times a day might get your colleagues looking but it is worth it when they complain about their sore backs later in the day. Continue reading ‘c- Stand Rather Than Sit All Day in Front of Your Computer’ »

Sciatica is a very painful condition that affects many people. Some people complain of tingling and/or numbness in their lower back, buttocks, or leg. Other people have shooting pain that radiates down from the base of their spine all the way to their toes.

The good news is that it is fairly easy to relieve the pain. The bad news is that unless you go further and treat the underlying conditions that led to your sciatica, your pain will most likely return.

Obviously, if you are suffering from these types of symptoms, sciatic pain relief is first and foremost on your mind. In order to effectively treat your sciatica symptoms, you need to follow a three step process.

Three Steps To Sciatic Pain Relief

Step 1: Identify the Cause Of Your Sciatica Pain

First, it is important to identify what is causing your sciatica. For this part, it is very important to go see a doctor. All sciatica pain is the result of compression somewhere along your sciatic nerve. The problem is that this nerve runs all the way from the base of your spine, through you hips and buttocks, and down each leg. Most of the time the compression occurs in one or two locations. You’ll need your doctor’s assistance to determine where. Continue reading ‘Sciatic Pain Relief – Are You Solving the Problem Or Just Treating the Pain?’ »

In this article today I want to discuss several different methods to help you beat back pain without resorting to expensive and painful surgeries.

When you come right down to it, four out of every five Americans are likely to develop some sort of lower back pain sometime during the course of their natural lives. I played basketball in high school and had several nasty spills over the course of my short career and even in to my mid-20s I began having back pain that was considerable; so this subject really hits home with me.

First of all I should mention that back pain will usually go away on its own within about two days or 48 hours. The problem is, nobody wants to live with that searing pain for a single minute, let alone 48 entire hours or more!

The first thing you can do is use cold to reduce the pain. Many people are confused about whether to use cold or hot but cold is the proper way to start out with because it will curb the swelling and inflammation. There are many different methods to use cold, some of which include putting ice cubes in a bag or something like that. Personally I like to use bags of frozen vegetables like peas or corn because I can sculpt them around my back for the most comfort. Continue reading ‘How to Beat Back Pain Without Surgery’ »

A backache is something everyone will experience in his or her life. The pain can be so severe nothing seems to relieve it. Luckily, most backaches are minor and have no residual effects. However, they can be a warning sign of something more sinister. Generally, a backache with no other symptoms is a normal part of living. Knowing a few things about what to look for will help differentiate between a normal pain and something more serious.

• Fever- A sign of infection. Seek medical attention.
• Burning during urination -Burning during urination or inability to urinate can be a sign of infection or mass. Seek medical attention.
• Nausea or vomiting- Seek medical attention.
• Recurring- nocturnal back pain- Seek medical attention.
• Backache that does not go away- If the pain persist longer than two or three days seek medical attention.
• Trauma- Seek medical attention.

If the pain does not present with the above symptoms, chances are good it is a common backache. One of many things can cause a common a backache. Soft tissue spasms, such as muscle, tendons, and ligaments will cause pain if overworked. Nerve impingement from bony structures will inflame nerves causing pain. Left to itself the common backache will subside in a few days. However, some things will help a common backache subside quicker. Contrary to popular belief, bed rest does not relieve a backache sooner. Too much bed rest could actually aggravate the pain and make it last longer. Continue reading ‘Physiology of a Back Ache’ »

If a health care professional has recommended bed rest for low back problems or sciatica, you may discover that your pain actually worsens if you follow this advice. Or at best, there may be no change at all in your condition.

Another common treatment that includes the use of over-the-counter or prescription pain killers may relieve symptoms, but poses serious risks in terms of side effects and a tendency for abuse.

Numerous studies have concluded that the best treatment for back pain is a combination of continued movement and chiropractic care. The results of these research studies include:

* The Manga Report, from the University of Ottawa, Canada, concluded that chiropractic care for low back pain was shown to be more effective in terms of results, cost and safety than medical management. It also ranked higher in terms of patient satisfaction. Continue reading ‘Bed Rest For Back Pain?’ »

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