Tag: lower back pain

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

A large portion of the American population experiences mild to severe back pain over their lifetime. The tendency of experiencing lower back pain may increase with age, the majority of sufferers are aged 60 and above. This pain would not only end at the lower back but may spread itself over to the larger part of the spine and down to the buttocks and legs. No wonder, lower back pain is often accompanied with neck and leg pain.

The most typical cause of lower back pain is work-associated. This often goes a long way with the compensation of the worker since the efficiency of works may be impeded. Based on the information stated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, lower back pain causes more damage on employees as compared with any other physical disorders.

Lower back pain is more often focused on the lumbar section of the spine and appears in two forms: acute and chronic.

The acute form of pain occurs more quickly and is more intense as compared with the chronic pain. It lasts for several hours and is often associated with improper body postures and stances and too much physical exertion.

The chronic pain on the other hand often appears in a series of attacks with varying level of pain and severity. There is no telling what would trigger the attack and it shows no indications of ceasing.

Often, the cause of lower back pain is impairment on the lumbar section of the spine. This portion carries most of the body weight; therefore as the framework of the back, the lumbar needs to be a lot more stable and healthier. It is also where to much activity is enforced.

The back bone is comprised of complex system of ligaments, bones, tissues and muscles. When the majority of these parts are misused, the whole system may fail. Ligaments may strain, the disks may be herniated, and the muscles may be stressed, often these injuries may be the cause of severe lower back pain. Along with these issues, matters like psychological wellness, arthritis, obesity, and bad posture may be pointed as the root cause of back pain.

Though these are the general causes, there may be instances for which the cause of the pain may never be determined. Or there applies no condition for which to relate the problem. With this, the best option one may have is to get an x-ray, but even that doesn’t always guarantee the efficiency of diagnosis.

Causes of Upper Back Pain

It is uncommon to hear someone complaining of upper back pain as compared for the numberless people who seek medical help due to excruciating lower back pain. This may be due to the fact that the lower back is much more susceptible to injuries and muscle strain rather than the more protected upper back. However, this still does not negate the fact that every year millions of patients are diagnosed of upper back pain.

What causes upper back pain is still an argument until these days. Not that the medical community is divided into what should be believed in but because there are too many and complicated reasons underlying a simple upper back pain. Often the physician finds no abnormalities concerning anatomy so he deems the pain only as psychological. As such diagnosis is not thoroughly taken and neither the cause nor the symptoms are identified.

The pain is usually felt on the upper back between the shoulder blades. Though the pain felt in this location, the actual anatomical cause may probably be situated somewhere else. Or they may be no actual anatomical cause only defaults on the trigger points. The trigger points re normally located nearest to the muscles covering the bones. This is why patients don’t normally recognize the exact sites of pain and consequently feel them on another site. This case is normal and is known as referred pain.

The most common cause of upper back pain is postural problems. The upper body needs to be properly associated with the lower section of the body. And the components of the upper body themselves must have precise coordination. This can be achieved by placing the parts on their normal positions using proper postures. With this, not only the overall posture is severely affected but also the state of each component, especially the framework.

With improper posture often arises the problem of herniated or degenerated discs. Some may also experience displaced discs. With this, pressure may be put on the nerve roots since bulging may occur. This will result to agonizing pain and may last for a number of months.

The majority of people undergoing pain in the upper back due to displaced discs are women and office workers. For obvious reasons, females are more susceptible to this cause as compared with the male population, recent studies support the statistics that the number of upper back pin causes is more prevalent in females in as much as four times than that of male.

The causes of upper back pain vary from person to person and sometimes even gender to gender. However, the underlying truth still remains to be the same- the actual cause or causes are often not diagnosed properly due to the nature of the ailment itself.

Acupressure more effective than physical therapy

When you’re learning about something new, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.
Acupressure more effective than physical therapy

Word Count:
489

Summary:
Those of us committed to the holistic approach have long been convinced of the benefits of alternative therapy. Recent studies suggest and confirm a bias towards this hands on approach.

Keywords:
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Article Body:
We all know Acupressure has been around for some 5, 000 years now and those of us involved in Holistic and wellness remain convinced that the procedures encompassed within this sphere are more efficacious than physical therapy. Every living being has a life force, or energy, called qi or chi ( pronounced ” chee ” ). When this energy, which runs along meridians, is in balance and flowing freely, the body is in a state of health. Acupoints tap relevance the the major rush pathways of the body

When this energy is blocked or decrepit, illness can result. These energy disruptions are often the result of stress or injury. It is believed that acupressure causes the brain to release endorphins. Endorphins play an important role in immune function, pain boost, stress reduction, besides slowing the aging process.

Lower back pain has long been the bain of the modern world not only in lost man hours but also since of the lousy with side effects, complications and nuances of lower back pain complaints. Supplementary studies now arrange the benefits of acupressure over physical therapy. Albeit that the studies failed to take into account functional status besides disability as recommended by

most low back rack researchers the results are still very meaningful and relevant. In February 2006 a randomized controlled trial took place at The National Taiwan University in Taipei.

129 patients with chronic low back pain published acupressure or physical therapy for 1 month. Primary endpoints were self – administered Chinese versions of standard outcome measures for low pack pain ( Roland and Morris disability questionnaire ) at baseline, after treatment, and at 6 – month follow – up. After treatment, the mean total Roland and Morris disability questionnaire score was significantly lower in the acupressure company than in the physical therapy group regardless of the difference in absolute score or mean change from baseline.

Compared dissemble physical therapy, acupressure was associated with an 89 % reduction in significant disability and that improvement was maintained at 6 – month follow – up. Study limitations include a confounding psychological effect of therapy; loss of 15. 5 % of patients to pursue – up at 6 months and effectiveness of any bridle therapy dependent on the therapist’s technique and experience.

Participants were aged 18 to 81 years. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy and contraindication to acupressure. 64 patients were randomized to acupressure and 65 to rightful therapy. Conclusive or inconclusive the results still point towards the undeniable and positive aspects of acupressure and holistic healing.

On a more lighter hobby Acupressure has also been cited for a unaccustomed aid for bum students. 39 student volunteers inaugurate that those who were taught to self – administer acupressure to stimulation points on their legs, feet, hands and heads were less likely to drowse during class. The acupressure consisted of light tapping of fingers or using thumbs or forefingers to lightly massage the stimulation points. It was conceded that more study is needed fame relation to acupressure and the effect on human alertness.

Looking further into the positives might this self administered acupressure also be a consideration for progeny cover ADHD contra Ritalin!

When word gets around about your command of alternative medicine facts, others who need to know about alternative medicine will start to actively seek you out.

Proven Techniques For Lower Back Pain Relief

All anyone needs to do is walk down an aisle in a drugstore to see how many products exist for lower back pain relief. As one might guess, there are so many products available to buy today because there are so many people suffering from lower back pain. The amount of people living with lower back pain is staggering. Its one of the most common complaints doctors deal with every day, in every doctors office and hospital. Everyone is looking for ways to find relief for the lower back pain they experience.

Its no wonder they are, either. Lower back pain can affect every aspect of a persons life. Sitting, standing, laying down all of those things and more can be made more difficult and infinitely more uncomfortable if you have an injured back. People wind up tired, cranky and in overall poor shape if they cant get the rest and relaxation they need. Poor rest means poor immune systems which results in increased sickness. Truly, lower back pain and everything it causes is a huge problem that needs to be addressed.

Where can someone find lower back pain relief? As was stated earlier, drugstores usually have a wide assortment of products that promise relief but do they work? The answer is yes and no. It really depends on the type of injury you have that is causing your lower back pain.

If you have a strain, heat tends to work very well. You can purchase disposable heat wraps that instantly activate the second the package is opened. Many of those kinds of heat wraps come with little pieces of Velcro or a cloth that can stick to itself that can be used to hold the heat wrap in place. That is especially handy if you need to be on the go while receiving a heat treatment. If you dont want something that is disposable, you can purchase regular heat wraps or make one yourself. A sock, stuffed with uncooked white rice, and tied at the end makes an excellent heat wrap when placed in the microwave for several minutes first.

Of course, medications can also work, especially if your pain is particularly intense. You might want to limit taking the pain medication to just before bed if you have to be able to drive during the day or otherwise have to function. Some medications can make a person rather dizzy or tired so its always best to play it safe when looking for lower back pain relief.

Ultimately, the best relief is to avoid getting injured in the first place. Keep your back muscles strong through stretches and exercises. Use proper techniques for bending and lifting at all times. Dont be afraid to ask for help or use tools such as dollies or belts that offer lower back support if youre moving something heavy. After all, you wont need lower back pain relief if you can avoid getting injured to begin with.