Andrew VertsonAvoiding Back Pain
Low Back Pain is a common problem that affect as much as 80% of the population some time in their lives. This intense, and often chronic pain can be caused by injury, overwork or disease. Management of the pain and disability commonly includes physical therapy or other medical specialist in order to reduce the pain and symptoms. There are, however, some simple techniques and tips to prevent back issues from occurring. Avoiding Back Pain Exercise Avoiding Back Pain Exercise may be the last thing mind when you are in pain, but exercise is the most important component to pain management therapy and
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Kimberly JohnsonTo Brace or Not to Brace
To brace or not to brace? That is the question many seniors have when it comes to wanting to prevent injury (or reinjury) or speed up recovery times. Braces from back belts, to hand splints, even knee and ankle wraps, flood the aisles of pharmacies and grocery stores touting promises like “Get rid of carpal tunnel pain fast!” and “Let a back brace do the heavy lifting for you!” To Brace or Not to Brace What is it that braces really do though? And have they been proven effective? Let’s take a look. What Do Braces Do Braces come in
Continue readingSimple Exercises For Sciatica Pain
If you are one of many America’s suffering from chronic low back pain, you may find that gentle exercise and daily stretching can help to provide some pain relief. Sciatica is a type of low back pain characterized by pain that travels down the sciatic nerve, which branches off into the back of the legs. Simple Exercises For Sciatica Pain Sciatica pain may be accompanied by tingling or numbness sensations or even muscle weakness in the legs. Sciatica is often associated with an underlying medical condition, such as a herniation of the lumbar disk and the pain may be intermittent or
Continue readingProblems with Low Back Pain and Opioids
Recently, physicians across the United States received a letter from the Surgeon General of the United States urging them to assist with the battle of curbing opioid use and abuse. The letter was accompanied by useful information that presented physical therapy as a preferred first-line approach for low back pain. In the past few years the use of opioid pain medication has become significant and the side effects have become of concern. Recent studies show that opioids are used before physical therapy and other effective modalities by a 5 to 1 ratio. Why is this? Simple, opioids are cheaper for
Continue readingPhysical Therapy & Fitness After 50
As we age, we progress through different stages: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and late adulthood. As we move into our “senior” years it more important to adopt a healthy lifestyle. As we age there are changes in all our body systems, including the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Some common conditions and illnesses include: osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes. Physical Therapy & Fitness After 50 Improving overall health, and addressing risk factors, make it possible to maintain and enhance the quality of life as we age. Improving our eating habits and increasing physical activity will reduce or even prevent common diseases. Physical Therapy
Continue readingEnjoying Outdoor Activities without Back Pain
Outdoor activities are a healthy and enjoyable way to live an active lifestyle; when the weather is nice, the outdoors are hard to resist. Here in California we are lucky, even though summer is officially “over” the summer weather will continue for many more months! Enjoying Outdoor Activities without Back Pain A reduction in activity leads to a decrease in physical conditioning and as a result when the weather is nice, people tend to overestimate their physical abilities. Low back pain from gardening or aches in the shoulders, neck, and knee joints from cleaning the garage are quite common. When the
Continue readingAcupuncture As A Remedy for Back Pain
Acupuncture As A Remedy for Back Pain If you suffer from back pain you probably would not consider acupuncture as a treatment until you have exhausted many other alternatives. However, acupuncture is a type of ancient Chinese medicine that's been around for over 2,500 years and throughout this time it has been used for back pain relief, increasingly so in these modern times. Acupuncture As A Remedy for Back Pain While it is not traditionally a part of western medicine, nowadays your doctor is quite likely to send you for this treatment if you are suffering from back or neck pain
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Jeff DaileyNew Pain Relief Options to Avoid Back Pain
Back pain is reported to be the most common cause of missed work, right after flu and colds. In fact, back pain is so common that many people consider it inevitable, especially with increasing age. But it may be possible to avoid some types of back pain by better understanding its causes and avoiding or preventing them in the first place. And while over-the-counter pain relief medications can help lessen back pain once it occurs, exercise, improved posture, and good furniture can strengthen and heal your back and even prevent back pain from occurring in the first place. This article
Continue readingPosture Counts to Avoid Back Problems
Posture Counts to Avoid Back Problems Remember how mom always reminded you about your posture? Turns out she was right. Your posture counts! Posture Counts to Avoid Back Problems Years of poor posture, we now know, puts undue pressure on the spine and supporting muscles and ligaments that can result in everything from back pain to muscle strain to degenerative arthritis. And many of us make things worse on a daily basis. How so? Research has found that common things like stress, obesity, incorrect posture while sleeping, walking and working, and — yes, all you fashionistas out there — wearing
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